Friday, November 22, 2024


   

Dear Middle School Parents,


I hope this email finds you well during such a busy time of year. When we return from Thanksgiving Break, we only have 14 school days to Winter Break. It will come at us fast and furious!


We are truly grateful for your ongoing support and participation in your child’s education. 


Trimester 1 Report Cards

Friday, November 15th was the last day of Trimester 1. Report cards can now be viewed in Infinite Campus. Below are the instructions for accessing student report cards:

  1. Log into your Infinite Campus parent account

  2. Under your student’s name, click on DOCUMENTS

  3. Select the School Year 24-25, then choose REPORT CARD

  4. Print for your records

 


Water Bottle Reminder

The number of water bottles and Stanleys being spilled lately is out of control and becoming very disruptive to the learning environment. If your student’s water bottle or Stanley does not have a spill-proof top, we ask that you purchase one over Thanksgiving Break. These can be found on Amazon and are inexpensive. 



Middle School Party- Friday, October 6th 

We will have our Middle School Winter Party on December 6 during A and B lunch. We will serve extra snacks during lunch, including Chick-fil-A nuggets (grilled nuggets available for those with gluten and/or peanut allergies). We will also have a popcorn bar with bags of Smart Pop popcorn, chocolate chips, marshmallows, Skittles, candy canes, and chocolate m & m. If you have questions about the Winter Party, our Middle School Room Parent spearheading the party, Kate Halsey, has asked that you contact her at 720-737-4157.



Operation Holiday Spirit

I often hear that parents want to be more involved with middle school. While there are not the in-classroom volunteer opportunities you may have experienced and loved in elementary, I would love middle school parents to be in our building and be more involved. If you have ideas, I would love to hear them! Please email me at [email protected].


I need to enlist the help of a few parents who would like to engage in a secret mission to bring cheer to the middle school hallway and get our students in the holiday spirit. Remember the scene in Elf when Buddy stays up all night in Gimbels department store decorating for Santa’s arrival? I’d love for our students to return from a weekend in December and see the entire middle school hallway decorated (we won’t be staying up all night to decorate, and I won’t be asking anyone to cut out snowflakes or create Santa’s name on the Lite Brite). If you want to help plan and/or decorate, please email me at [email protected].



December School Wide Spirit Days 

If your student does not want to participate in these OPTIONAL spirit days, they must come to school in uniform.

  • Friday, December 6- Crazy Hat Day with Uniform

  • Friday, December 13- Mad for Plaid: Plaid top with uniform bottoms

  • Thursday, December 19- PJ’s All Day *no slippers or Crocs*



Student Spectators at AA Games 

We love to see students supporting their classmates at games, but we have a few important reminders about expectations. We ask that you talk with your student about these expectations PRIOR to them attending the next AA game. 

  • Students must stay in carpool until all-call. 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, go in and out of the gym constantly, or be in and out of 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. 


AA Staff Holiday Gift Fund

The PTO is happy to announce they are doing the Holiday Gift Fund again this year. This much-loved tradition is an opportunity for families to give cash gifts to the teachers and staff of American Academy. This is a great way to do something extra special during the holiday season for those people who have sacrificed so much and are the lifeline in our children’s education. The gift fund packet has already been sent home with students and is due by Friday, December 6. If the packet never made it home, you can find it here.

 


Upcoming PTO Events

  • Saturday, December 7: Skate City Holiday Pajama Night

    • 6:30 - 8:30 pm Aurora Skate City

  • Tuesday, December 10: Spirit Night at Panda Express



Unplug and Relax: Thanksgiving Break November 25th - 29th

As we head into Thanksgiving Break, I have asked my teachers to unplug, relax, and spend time with friends and family. Teachers will respond to emails received over break when we return to school on December 2. I hope this break allows staff and students to return to school refreshed and recharged.

 

 

 

Wishing you and your family a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, connection, and thankfulness.

- April

 

 

 

April Winder

Middle School Principal, Motsenbocker

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

American Academy

Motsenbocker Campus

P: 720-292-5692

[email protected]