December is Universal Human Rights Month
Happy Holidays AMS Community!
Happy Holidays, AMS Community!
I want to wish you all a wonderful Winter Break! As we wrap up the 2025 school year, I am reminded of just how special Albany Middle School truly is. We have an incredible group of students, a staff of educators who are deeply committed to their work, supportive parents and caregivers, and a community that consistently shows up for our school. This collective effort is what makes AMS such a successful and special place; it truly is our AMS Community!
Please take this time to rest, relax, and enjoy moments with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for an exciting 2026.
See you in the new year!
Cheers,
Mr. Mapes
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AMS School Calendar for 12/22 – 01/02
WINTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL - AMS IS CLOSED
Date(s) and Time(s) |
Events & Happenings |
January 5 |
School Resumes - Regular Schedule |
January 5 |
Winter Sports Begin |
January 15 |
AMS School Site Council Meeting
room 113 @ 4:00 pm
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January 15 |
AMS PTA Association Meeting
AMS Library @ 7:00 pm
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January 16 |
End of 2nd Quarter & 1st Semester |
January 16 |
School Dance (all grades)
AMS Gym (7:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
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January 19 |
Martin Luther King Jr Day - No School |
January 27 |
AUSD School Board Meeting
Albany City Hall @ 6:00 pm
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January 28 |
Popcorn w/ the Principal
AMS Library @ 5:45 pm
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January 29 |
Doughnuts w/ the Principal
Location TBD @ 9:00 am
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Join us for a free screening of the award-winning documentary, "Left Behind," at the AHS Little Theatre on Thurs 1/29 at 5:30pm, followed by an expert Q&A panel. Kareem Weaver, co-founder and Executive Director of FULCRUM will be a panelist, among others!
Doors at 5pm, film starts at 5:30pm. Tickets are free, but you must register here.
The film tells the inspiring story of a group of determined moms who band together to found the first public school for students with dyslexia in New York City—the largest school district in America.
Film runtime: 1 hour 14 min
A request for interpretation or disability-related modification or accommodation may be made by a person with a disability who requires modification or accommodation by contacting the North Region SELPA Director, at pvickroy@ausdk12.org or 510 525-9805
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Math Advocates: Please join us for a screening of the film “Counted Out” in the OV MPR on Weds 1/14 at 5:30pm. We are coordinating with PTAs to host and spread the work about this impactful film that explores math as an equity issue as it relates to the future of our democracy.
Please RSVP "yes" to the Google Calendar invite if you are planning to attend, so we can ensure we have adequate space!
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E-Scooters will be confiscated if found on campus upon our return from Winter Break - AMS cannot allow e-scooters to be riden by our students when it is against California law.
Students under 16 who do not have a learner’s permit or driver’s license are not legally allowed to operate an e-scooter on public roads or paths. In light of this, e-scooters will no longer be permitted at Albany Middle School. We began notifying students on Wednesday, and we will continue reinforcing this policy.
Additionally, a reminder that all students riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards on campus must wear a helmet. This is a non-negotiable safety expectation, and we truly appreciate your help ensuring students follow it.
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Cell Phones & Social Media
As we enter the holiday season, many students begin asking for their first cell phone, or for permission to download their first social media app. I encourage every family to think carefully about the responsibility that comes with these decisions.
For many students ages 11 to 14, managing a smartphone or social media account is challenging. We frequently see students struggle with overuse, distraction, and reliance on phones as their primary form of communication.
There is a growing “Wait Until 8th” movement that encourages families to hold off on giving their child a smartphone until 8th grade. If this is feasible for your family, I strongly recommend considering it. The same idea applies to social media: if possible, try to wait until 8th grade or age 14 before allowing students to join any platform.
Every family’s situation is different, and there is no one right answer—but thoughtful timing can have a meaningful impact on a student’s social-emotional health.
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Resolve to Join the PTA for the New Year! Make and achieve your first new year's resolution early by finally signing up to join the PTA. Joining takes just a few minutes, costs $37, and supports AMS. Members can vote on our budget & administrative decisions and get insider emails on our activities. JOIN NOW
Thank you! Our AMS PTA is incredibly grateful for everything YOU do in our community to support our kids and our school staff. Thanks for your volunteering, your donations, and your participation. You rock!
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Boys Basketball and Girls Soccer tryouts begin upon our return from Winter Break.
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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 September, we had only raised less than $10,000.
Please help us exceed the fundraising goal by:
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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.
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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!
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AEF First Mondays at Little Star PizzaLittle Star Pizza will donate 10% of all sales -- take-out and dine-in -- to Albany Education Foundation on Monday, Jan. 5th, and every first Monday of the month. Celebrate the first day back to school with some delicious food from Little Star! AEF funds grants for teachers. Thank you for supporting Little Star Pizza and Albany Education Foundation!
Be A Writer Coach!
WriterCoach is recruiting parent volunteers for the Thursday and Friday I-Search coaching sessions January 15 through March 13, 2026. We are looking for new volunteers to join WriterCoach Connection to work with AMS 8th graders to provide support as they work on their I-Search, a major research project. The coaching time commitment is one two-hour block per week, either Thursday or Friday, during school hours, for eight weeks. (Some four-week-only options are available.) You indicate your availability, and we put you on a team that fits your schedule. Coaches meet sequentially one-on-one with three students at each session. WriterCoach Connection is a wonderful opportunity for “word people” to share their love of writing with students — you don’t need to be a teacher, writer, or editor to coach. You’ll be joining a group of experienced coaches and a site coordinator, who can all mentor you as you learn the ropes. Contact Jane at jane@writercoachconnection.org.
Volunteer At The Gill Tract Farm
On January 19, MLK Day of Service, join us at the Gill Tract Farm. Come join us on the land to prepare the Farm for spring planting. No experience is necessary, tools will be provided. Free lunch! (vegan soup and bread) If you are under 18, please bring a waiver form signed by your adult caretaker. RSVP here. Please plan to attend the entire time, from 11am–2pm. Gill Tract Farm, 1050 San Pablo Ave.
Albany Berkeley Girls Softball Association
Registration for our Spring Recreational Leagues is now open for all age groups and skill levels. The spring season runs from the first Saturday in March to the first Saturday in June. We hope you join us!
Take advantage of early bird pricing in December. Registration closes February 1st. Register at https://www.abgsl.org/registration
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