AMS Weekly Bulletin for April 20 - April 24

Posted Date: 04/17/26 (07:44 PM)

April is Arab American History Month

“I want people to know that they are worthy, that they belong.” - Rashida Tlaib
“To understand someone, you must hear their story.” - Massoud Hayoun

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Good evening AMS families,

I hope this school bulletin finds you and your family well.

Yesterday, the AMS PTA hosted our annual Spring Soirée on the AMS blacktop. Thank you to all of our parent and caregiver volunteers, and a special thank you to Eliza Welch for her leadership in organizing an outstanding event that continues to improve year after year.

Congratulations to our sports teams who represented AMS with pride both on the court and on the field this week.

There are several important events coming up next week:

1. SBAC State Testing Begins Monday
We will begin with English Language Arts. All grade levels will test during their core classes. Please remind your child to do their best. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast will help students perform their best.

2. Open House – Wednesday, 6:30–7:30 PM
We hope you are able to join us as a family for Open House this Wednesday evening.

3. Third Quarter Report Cards
Report cards will be mailed home this week and will also be available in Aeries next Tuesday. Please take time to celebrate your child’s successes and reach out to teachers or counselors if your child needs additional support.

We only have 34 days of school remaining, and there is still much to accomplish. Please continue to look for ongoing communication from your child’s teachers, counselor, the main office, and from me.

Have a great weekend, and as always… Go Cobras!

Mr. Mapes

AMS School Calendar for 04/20 – 04/24

Release Times this Week

Monday, April 20 — School Ends at 3:30 pm

Tuesday, April 21 — School Ends at 3:30 pm

Wednesday, April 22 — School Ends at 2:20 pm

Thursday, April 23 — School Ends at 3:05 pm

Friday, April 24 — School Ends at 2:20 pm

Date(s)	Events & Happenings
April 20 - 24	SBAC State Testing - ELA State Assessment - ALL Grades
April 22	AMS Open House (6:30 pm to 7:30 pm)
April 27 - May 1	SBAC State Testing - CAST State Science Assessment - 8th Grade Only
April 30	Doughnuts & Popcorn w/ the Principal ( 8:30 am & 6:00 pm) AMS School Site Council Meeting (4:00 pm to 5:15 pm)
May 4 - 8	SBAC State Testing - Math State Assessment for ALL Grades
May 7	AMS Spring Play in the AMS PAC (6:30 pm)
May 8 & 9	AMS Spring Play in the AMS PAC (7:00 pm)
May 14	AMS Spring Play in the AMS PAC (4:00 pm)
May 15 & 16	AMS Spring Play in the AMS PAC (7:00 pm

IMPORTANT DATES - Click to view the 2025-26 event calendar

Help us to improve by taking the California Schools Parent Survey

This confidential parent/guardian survey gathers your feedback on our school’s climate, learning environment, and student supports. Your input helps us measure progress and plan future improvements for student academic success and overall well-being.

If you have already completed the survey, thank you! If not, please click the link below to begin. You can select your preferred language from the pull-down menu on the Welcome screen. This survey is specific to Albany Middle School . If you have children at other Albany Unified schools, you will receive separate links for those sites. Please click on the link below:

Albany Middle School

Attention 8th Grade Families

In case you missed Incoming 9th Grade Math Night or Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night last week, here are the presentations and slide decks.

Incoming 9th Grade Math Night

Video Presentation and here is the Slide Deck

Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night

Here is the link to the video, and here are the slides

NO Energy Drinks at AMS

Students are bringing Energy Drinks like Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, and Celsius to school that contain high levels of caffeine. They are not allowed at Albany Middle School and will be confiscated.

8th Grade Updates - End of Year Activities

8th Grade Promotion Dance - Friday, May 29th from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the AMS Gym - Free Event for 8th grade students only
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - Thursday, June 4th @ 5:00 pm on Cougar Field - each family will receive 4 tickets and will be able to request more tickets in mid-May
8th Grade Field Trip to Six Flags - Friday, June 5th - ALL Day

AMS After School Homework & Math Support Program - ALL Students are Welcome to Attend! Students can come with friends, snacks are provided, and students do not have to stay for the full hour. We highly recommend this opportunity for our students!

Mondays: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Math Support - room 102

All Grades

Homework Support - Annex Computer Lab

All Grades

Tuesdays: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Homework Support - Annex Computer Lab & Room 101

All Grades

Thursdays: 3:05 pm to 4:05 pm

Homework Support - room 216 6th grade only

Math Support - room 217

6th grade only

Math Support - room 102

Homework Support - Room 101

PTA CORNER

Thanks for a great Spring Soiree! Thank you to everyone who made our Spring Soiree on Thursday, April 16, a big success, especially to our lead organizer Eliza Welch Sears!

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is just around the corner, and we are excited to celebrate the AMS staff! This is our last staff appreciation event of the year, and it’s a big one! Help us shower the staff with love the week of May 4th with three events:

Tue, May 5th - Snack Extravaganza
Fri, May 8th - Catered lunch in the AMS garden
Fri, May 8th - Gift card drawing

Thanks to your generous donations this year, the PTA will cover the cost of the catered lunch, but we need your help with set-up and clean-up of both events, along with gift card and food/beverage donations for the snack day. Sign up HERE.

If you aren’t able to donate food, gift cards, or your time, please consider a monetary donation to help fill in any holes. Donate via Paypal HERE and don’t forget to write “Staff Appreciation” in the notes. We appreciate your support!

Serve on the AMS PTA Board! We are still looking for a Vice President for next year. Reach out to Catherine at president@ams-pta.org if interested or if you want to suggest someone!

AMS ATHLETICS

ALL Spring Sports are fully in their seasons - Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Wrestling, Softball, Baseball, and Boys Volleyball are practicing and representing AMS in competitions - Go Cobras!

AUSD NEWS

Check out our new Announcements Page on the website! This page will allow you quick access to all announcements, without extending the length of school newsletters or risking not seeing some announcements when the email is clipped.