AMS Weekly Bulletin for May 4 - May 8

Posted Date: 05/01/26 (04:24 PM)

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, and
Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Good afternoon AMS,

This week flew by and we had a really great 5 days!

Our 8th grade boys volleyball team won the league championship yesterday with a victory over Stanley Middle School. Congratulations to our players, and thank you to Coach Bishop for another outstanding season. We also hosted a track and field meet this week, and our students performed exceptionally well in all events.

This week, our 8th grade students completed the state science assessment (CAST). I am proud of their effort on an assessment they have not taken since 5th grade. Next week, all students will take the state math assessment during their math classes.

Third quarter report cards were mailed home on Monday. If you did not receive your child’s report card, please contact our registrar, Christian Alcala, at calcala@ausdk12.org

If your child visits the El Cerrito Plaza after school, particularly on Wednesdays and Fridays, please take a moment to talk with them about staying safe, making good choices, and showing respect to local businesses and their patrons.

Our Cobra Theatre Company begins its spring play performances next Thursday. We hope you will consider attending one or more shows. These productions are written, directed, and performed by our talented AMS students. Performances will take place May 7–9 and May 14–16.

Next week is also Staff Appreciation Week. I want to thank our incredible educators at Albany Middle School for their dedication, energy, and commitment to our students each and every day. AMS staff truly make a difference!

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

Mr. Mapes

AMS School Calendar for 05/04 – 05/08

Release Times this Week

Monday, May 4 — School Ends at 3:30 pm

Tuesday, May 5 — School Ends at 3:30 pm

Wednesday, May 6 — School Ends at 2:20 pm

Thursday, May 7 — School Ends at 3:05 pm

Friday, May 8— School Ends at 2:20 pm

Date(s)	Events & Happenings
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 10	Mother’s Day 2026
May 14	AMS Spring Play in the AMS PAC (4:00 pm)
May 15	AMS 1st Annual Cobra Car Show - 3 pm to 4 pm on the AMS Blacktop
May 15 & 16	AMS Spring Play in the AMS PAC (7:00 pm
May 18	AHS Sports Day for 8th Grade Students @ Lunch
May 25	Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

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

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

Selling & Buying of Items by Students

Students are not permitted to sell items to other students or purchase items from other students on campus at any time. This includes, but is not limited to, candy, soda, chips, and any caffeinated products such as energy drinks or caffeine tablets. Monetary transactions between students are not allowed at Albany Middle School.

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.

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

Math Support - room 102

All Grades

Homework Support - Room 101

All Grades

PTA CORNER

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

To view upcoming events, please click on the link to view our new Announcements Page on the AUSD 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.