Middle School News
Friday, January 10, 2025
Dear Middle School Parents,
I hope you and your family enjoyed the break and the extra time together making memories. While the change in routine can be challenging, the time to relax was welcomed.
Students have returned from the break strong, and I want to ensure we continue with this momentum. Below are some reminders, as well as information about upcoming middle school events.
Uniform Reminders
Before the break, we saw increased demerits for untucked shirts, non-uniform sweatshirts, and non-uniform socks. Please take a moment to review the guidelines below for sweatshirts and socks.
Sweatshirts (6-8th grade only): Any approved American Academy logo sweatshirt OR any American Academy-related Spirit Wear Sweatshirt (from STEM Trips, Spirit Gear Store)
Socks: Socks must be worn at all times and must be matching solid-colored navy, red, white, gray, or black.
Electronic Devices
If your student chooses to bring an electronic device to school, it must be turned OFF and placed in their backpack during school hours. Students cannot have their electronic device(s) in their binder, laptop case, or pockets. The use or possession of electronic devices during school hours will result in a demerit. Examples of electronic devices include:
Cell Phones (use permitted after 3:35 pm for communication)
iPads or other tablets
Airpods (or any Bluetooth earbuds)
Internet, cellular, or Bluetooth-enabled smart watches (use permitted after 3:35 pm for communication)
This includes Fitbit, Apple watches, Gizmos, etc.
When in doubt, if it can connect to the internet, has touch-screen capabilities, or Bluetooth enabled it is NOT acceptable.
MP3 Players, iPod Touches, iPods, or other music devices
Any device that is used to play a non-academic game
Any device that connects to a cellular network
Supplies
It is your student's responsibility to bring their supplies to class every day. This includes pencils, notebooks, homework, a charged laptop, the novel they are reading in Literacy, and any other items the teacher has reminded students to have in their binder. We understand students lose or break pencils throughout the year, and students should have extras in their lockers to refill their pencil pouches before classes start.
Student Spectators at Games
We love to see students supporting their classmates at games, but we have a few important reminders about expectations. Please talk with your student about these expectations before they attend the next AA game.
Students must stay in carpool until all-call is announced. Once all-call is announced, student spectators may enter the gym and sit in the bleachers.
Student spectators must place their belongings in a cubby or in the bleachers with them. When backpacks and laptops are everywhere, belongings get misplaced and block the bathrooms and water fountains.
Student spectators are not allowed to wander the halls, constantly enter and exit the gym, or leave the building before or during the game. These behaviors pose safety and security concerns.
Students must be picked up immediately after the last game. Please either set a pickup time with your student or ask your student to text you when the second half of the last game begins so you can head to the school.
New Visitor Procedure
In an ongoing effort to prioritize student and staff safety and maintain accurate records, we will be scanning ID's or Driver’s License for anyone who visits our school each and every time you enter the building. This measure ensures we have the most current and reliable information for anyone entering our buildings.
After winter break, guests and visitors must have their ID or Driver's License scanned before entering the building beyond the lobby.
We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we implement these important updates to support the safety and security of our school community.
T2 Middle School Conferences
Our winter middle school conferences will be held on Thursday, January 23rd. Conferences will be by appointment only, and sign-up links are below. Sign-ups will close on Monday, January 20th, to allow teachers time to prepare for conferences.
All conferences will be held in person, and we ask that you only sign up for one conference slot.
Coffee with Admin
Do you have questions or concerns about our curriculum, policies, and procedures; Or suggestions or feedback for our teaching staff and administration? Rather than bringing it to a social platform or the AA Community Facebook page, why not come in and take the opportunity to have a face-to-face conversation with myself, Jen Whittaker, and Robyn Hunt? Having the opportunity to meet with or speak with us and have all of your questions or concerns addressed is also a great way to convey to other parents our philosophy on education, curriculum, academic accomplishments, and vision for helping students succeed. If we’re going to continue to be successful as an exceptional charter and school community, communication, transparency, honesty, and accessibility are imperative! I encourage you to come to our next Coffee With Admin on Thursday, January 30, at 8:15 am and share your thoughts and questions. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided! Please click on the following link to RSVP!
February Hallway Festivity
Before Winter Break, a few festive mamas helped spread holiday cheer in the middle school hallway. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, they would like to, once again, spread some cheer. They have asked for help by purchasing items off their Amazon Wishlist to help decorate the middle school hallway. If you are interested in helping decorate, please let me know, and I will put you in touch with the parent organizing the decorating efforts.
Amazon Wishlist for Valentine’s Day
8th Grade Parents
We are fortunate to have many wonderful high school options in Douglas County and the surrounding area. If your 8th grade student is your oldest, we want to guide you through the transition to high school. Neighborhood high schools (Chap, Ponderosa, Legend, Rock Canyon, Castle View) host info sessions to walk students and parents through the registration process, which happens in January and February. Even if your student has applied for a private high school such as Lutheran, Regis, or Valor, we highly recommend attending the info night for your neighborhood high school and completing the course registration. This ensures your student has selected their desired courses in the event they do not get accepted into the private high school.
Below are the dates for info nights at neighborhood high schools. At the information session, you will receive information about course registration. Please note that we do not have information for every neighborhood high school.
Legend High School Charter School & Accepted Open-Enrollment Night
Wednesday, January 15th, 6:30 pm
Ponderosa High School 8th Grade Showcase Night
Wednesday, January 22nd, 5:30-7:30 pm
Rock Canyon High School Future Jags Night
Thursday, January 23rd, 5:30-7:30 pm
As always, we thank you for trusting us with your child each and every day. It’s not a responsibility we take lightly.
In partnership,
-April
April Winder
Middle School Principal, Motsenbocker
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American Academy
Motsenbocker Campus
P: 720-292-5692
[email protected]