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AMS Weekly Bulletin for Sept. 22–26

Posted Date: 9/19/25 (9:00 AM)
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AMS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month (09/15 thru 10/15)

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We join communities across the nation in honoring and celebrating the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

This month is a wonderful opportunity for our students and staff to learn, share, and appreciate the diverse traditions that enrich our school and community. We encourage everyone to take part in activities, discussions, and learning experiences that highlight the importance of Hispanic heritage.

Thank you for helping us make AMS a place where every culture is valued and celebrated.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Good Evening AMS Community,


Our children spend much of their day at school—it’s almost a second home. We want them to feel a sense of pride toward their school facilities, in addition to a sense of belonging. Yesterday, during announcements, I shared with our students how proud I am to be their principal and how truly amazing they are as a group of young people. I also addressed a concern that has been affecting our school: over the past few weeks, a small number of students have been vandalizing our restrooms.


This vandalism, occurring in both the boys’ and girls’ restrooms in the main building, involves intentionally clogging toilets, urinals, and sinks to flood the restrooms. This is likely related to a TikTok challenge called Clogging Toilet Challenge 2025. These acts of vandalism have a negative impact on our entire school community. 


As a district, we are committed to maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming facilities—a commitment made in response to concerns raised by students, staff, and families. Significant time and resources have been invested to ensure our restrooms meet these expectations. Continued vandalism undermines these efforts, strains our budget, and disrupts daily life for everyone at AMS.


Maintaining a positive and well-cared-for school environment is a shared responsibility. We need your partnership to address this issue. Please talk with your child about respecting school property and the broader impact their choices can have on their peers and community.


Together, we can reinforce a sense of pride and responsibility, ensuring Albany Middle School remains a safe and positive place for all students to learn and grow.


Best regards,

Mr. Mapes
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AMS School Calendar for 09/22 – 09/26

Monday, September 22 — School ends at 3:30 pm
Tuesday, September 23 — School ends at 3:30 pm
Wednesday, September 24 — School ends at 2:20 pm
Thursday, September 25 — School ends at 3:05 pm
Friday, September 26 — School ends at 2:20 pm

 
 

September 19 

Staff PD: Non-Student Day

September 22 

Quarter 1 Progress Reports available on Aeries

September 22 

Fall Student-Athlete Agreement Form Due

September 25 - (4:00 pm - 5:15 pm)

AMS School Site Council Meeting 

September 25 - (9:00 am & 6:00 pm)

Donuts w/ Mapes & Popcorn w/ Mapes 

September 29

AMS Fundraiser Kick-off

October 13

Indigenous People’s Day - No School

October 16 & October 17

End of Quarter Early Release Schedule

October 17

End of 1st Quarter

October 17 - (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

School Dance (7th/8th graders only)

October 23 

Make-up Picture Day

November 2 

AMS Arts and Crafts Fair

November 5 (7pm - AHS LT)

AMS/AHS Fall Jazz Concert

PTA CORNER
 
 
Join the PTA! For just $37 ($35 dues + $2 fee) you can support our work on behalf of students, teachers, school staff, and families! Joining means you can vote on our budget and next year’s officers. There’s no obligation to volunteer. Become a member today! You can also add additional family members and your students as members. We want our PTA to include as many people from our school community as possible.

The Albany Community Craft Fair is back at AMS for its 17th year on Sunday 11/2! This is a beloved community tradition that allows students to try out their art, crafting, and entrepreneurship skills, and brings in a ton of money for the PTA. If you have a student maker, look for sign-ups at school for craft tables. If you are a parent who is interested in volunteering, please reach out to Aria Shen at albanycraftfair@gmail.com. We'll need a lot of help leading up to the event as well as day of, and this is a fun way to get involved and support the PTA and arts in education. Click here for a more detailed breakdown of event needs. Thanks!


AMS NEWS


  • Chromebook for Home Use

    • If your child DOES NOT have a laptop, PC, or other device to do their homework, we will lend your child a Chromebook to take home for the year and leave at home until June. Students that are given a Chromebook for home use are responsible for the Chromebook and charger. We have copies of the Chromebook For Home Use Request Form in the main office or you can click on the link to view, print, complete, and return the request form beginning on Monday. Chromebooks will be given out after school. Quantities are very limited, so this is for students who need a Chromebook. If a student was issued a Chromebook and charger last year and did not return it at the end of the school year, another Chromebook will not be issued. Please email Mr. Christian Alcala at calcala@ausdk12.org if for questions.

  • Here are a few important links:

  • Attendance Policy at AMS

    • Independent Study

      • Family trips should be arranged during summer and other school breaks as extended absences affect a student’s academic progress and grades. Alternative assignments while on trips do not fully take the place of daily attendance and participation in class. If an extended absence (5-15 school days) is unavoidable, parents/guardians must request an Independent Study form from the main office a minimum of 5 school days prior to the student’s departure; we would prefer 10 school days. Independent study can only be arranged for absences of five days (with a maximum of 15 for the school year) or more and cannot be granted during the last two weeks of the year. Independent Study can only be granted once per semester. 

    • Attendance Reminder

      • If you would like to contact the attendance office for any reason, please email amsattendance@ausdk12.org or call 510-558-3613. Email is preferred. Notes from parents delivered by students do not suffice to excuse attendance.

    • Students Leaving Campus

      • Students, please come to the front office if you are entering or leaving campus during school hours. This means that if you are tardy to first period, you must sign in at the office. If you leave early with a parent, you must sign out at the office. There are no exceptions; always sign in or out at the front office if you are leaving or entering campus during school hours.






AMS ATHLETICS
AMS Fall Sports Competition Schedule for Girls Volleyball, Co-Ed Cross Country, & Flag Football

      
Date Day Time Sport Team Location Opponent/Event
      
Sep 19 Fri
5:00 PM
 GVBall 8A Away King
Sep 19 Fri
4:00 PM
 GVBall 7A Away King
Sep 24 Wed
4:00 PM
 FFBall 7/8 HOME King
Sep 24 Wed
4:00 PM
 GVBall 8A Away Piedmont
Sep 24 Wed
5:00 PM
 GVBall 7A Away Piedmont
Sep 25 Thu
4:00 PM
 XC ALL Away Orinda
Sep 26 Fri
4:15 PM
 GVBall 7A Away Korematsu
Sep 26 Fri
5:15 PM
 GVBall 8A Away
Korematsu


IMPORTANT: All Fall Student-Athlete Agreement Forms must be submitted to the Main Office no later than 3:30 pm on Monday, September 22.

Failure to turn in a completed form by the deadline will result in the student not being allowed to practice or participate in competitions until the Main Office has received it.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this requirement and for supporting our AMS athletic programs.

Athletic Participation Sports Donations - AUSD Athletics relies on family contributions and other fundraising for school athletics. These contributions are necessary to pay for game officials, uniforms, and equipment and other team expenses.  AMS fall sports needs to raise $30,000 to pay for our share of these costs.  As of the beginning of today, we had only raised $16,000.

Please help us exceed the fundraising goal by:
  • Making your $160+ contribution to Albany Athletic Boosters - be sure to write "AMS [team name]" in the “add special instructions for seller” field. Don't delay - make your tax deductible contribution today. 
  • You can also drop off a check in the AMS office. Make sure to write "AMS [team name]" in the memo line.
If you are not able to make a $160 contribution, please contribute whatever you can.
As a reminder, these resources help pay for necessary team expenses. If your team surpasses its fundraising goal, the team can use remaining funding to support a team party or other celebration at the end of the season!"

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR HELPING AMS Sports SUCCEED BY EXCEEDING OUR FUNDRAISING GOALS!
AUSD NEWS

Superintendent’s Community Update




Celebración Latina Latino Heritage Month is here! Celebración Latina will be Saturday, October 4, 11am–2pm at Albany Middle School. All are invited to come and celebrate! Now more than ever, it is important for our community to come together to represent our rich culture through dance, song, etc. During the first hour of the event, we ask students and their families to perform a dance, sing a song, play instruments, read a poem, or share facts about their cultural traditions or country of origin. Sign up to perform here.




Familias Latinas’ Read-Aloud Project

The Read-Aloud Project is another way we honor our cultural heritage this month. Please volunteer so that all students in TK through 5th grade have the opportunity to have a Latinx person in their classroom reading a book and sharing their experience. We need more volunteers to reach this goal the week of September 29th! Sign up to read aloud here.


The Read-Aloud Project is another way we honor our cultural heritage this month. Please volunteer so that all students in TK through 5th grade have the opportunity to have a Latinx person in their classroom reading a book and sharing their experience. We need more volunteers to reach this goal the week of September 29th! Sign up to read aloud here.



California Coastal Cleanup Day

The annual Coastal Cleanup Day is this Saturday, September 20, 9am–12pm at the Albany Bulb. This is a great opportunity to come together with neighbors to protect our beautiful coastline and make a positive impact on the environment. Wear layers, a hat and/or sunscreen, and close toed shoes. All cleanup supplies will be provided, but please bring a bucket, reusable gloves and a water bottle if you can to help us reduce waste. Special "trash" items will be hidden at cleanup sites all across the state. If you find one of them, you can redeem it for prizes!

Wildcat Composite Mountain Biking Club

The Wildcat Composite Mountain Biking Club is for 6-8th graders in Berkeley, Albany, and El Cerrito. Our focus is on cross-country mountain biking which puts a premium on fitness and endurance. Our goals are to have fun, challenge ourselves, improve our conditioning and skills, build grit, and be an active member in a community of caring, supportive folks. We have roughly 100 students (25-30% girls) and 50 coaches. Practices are November through April on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays (attending at least at least 2 practices/week is strongly recommended). Though many of our riders end up on the podium in local races, we accept and encourage riders who prefer a slower pace.  We are a member of the NorCal-NICA league If you are interested, please attend our informational meeting on Sunday, Sept 28 at 7:30pm (https://meet.google.com/zce-kxzz-mkt) or contact us at WildcatCompMTB@gmail.com.




City of Albany’s Path To Belonging Project

The Portrait of Albany, is a participatory art project sponsored by the City of Albany. The City is creating a mural of family photos as an art installation at the Community Center and wants to include images from many Albany households. Learn more at pathtobelonging.net. Deadline is September 30, 2025.



Fall Into Haiku Is Back!

The City of Albany is once again hosting the Fall into Haiku Program! The Albany community is invited to submit up to three original haiku reflecting on the people, places, and moments that make Albany special. This year’s theme, "Gratitude in 17 Syllables: Appreciating Our Community", invites participants to reflect on what makes Albany a special place to live, work, or go to school. Entries must be submitted by October 15. The contest is open to Albany students and residents. Approximately 60 haiku will be selected and displayed throughout the City from November 2025 through January 2026. Learn more or submit your Haiku at www.albanyca.org/FallIntoHaiku




Singing Classes Offered

Students from 3rd – 8th grades are invited to register for singing classes, to be held at the Albany Senior/Youth Annex, 842 Masonic Ave. Classes are Wednesday afternoons, October 22–May 6, excluding school holidays. For questions or more info, contact Greta at gretahh@gmail.com or go to www.voicesofmusic.org.


California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest

California students in kindergarten through 12th grade can submit artwork or poetry about California's coast and ocean by January 29, 2026. Ten winners will receive a $100 gift certificate to BLICK Art Materials or a bookstore, plus four tickets to Aquarium of the Pacific. Each winner’s teacher will receive a $50 gift certificate from Acorn Naturalists. Winning art and poetry will be part of a traveling exhibit through the end of 2026. For more information click here. 




Friends Of The Albany Library Book Sale

Book sale with over 1,000 items, including children’s books. Saturday, September 27, 10am–4pm, 1247 Marin Avenue. Rain cancels, as the sale will be on the patio.