Happy Holidays
and have a fun, safe
winter vacation.
and have a fun, safe
winter vacation.
School resumes on Tuesday January 3, 2017!
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Second issue of The Herd
The AMS newspaper club printed the second issue of The Herd. Check it out online:
The newspaper club meets after school on Tuesdays.
The next meeting is December 20. Join us! Take the activity bus home!
Spirit Week December 19-22
AMS Student Council has announced that next week, December 19-22, is “Spirit Week.” See the list of events below:
AMS Children's Hospital Auction
The 29th annual Children's Hospital Auction is coming up quickly! Avonworth School District is proud to raise money each year for the Free Care Fund, which provides funding to children in need for medical care they may not be able to otherwise afford. This is only possible with the support of the community, so please consider donating to our auction. Suggested donations include:
Food: Donuts, drinks, cheese ball barrels, pizza, Subway sandwiches, baked goods
Toys: Games, small electronics, giant stuffed animals
Gifts: Baskets, athletic gear or memorabilia, tickets to movies etc, gift cards (if grouped with other related items of interest).
If you would like to make a donation (or have any questions), please feel free to contact Emily Hickman (ehickman@avonworth.k12.pa.us)
Food Drive Ends Tomorrow
The annual Red Cross Food Drive is happening until Friday, December 16. Proceeds benefit the North Boroughs Food Bank.
Carson Scholars Fund
Each year the Carson Scholars Fund offers a chance to win a $1000 scholarship investment towards attendance at a four-year college or university. Unfortunately, Avonworth Middle School can only offer one name to be recognized each year. The application requirements and deadlines are linked below.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Important Updates for the week of December 19
~ Next Week ~
Monday
Math Layered Curriculum due
Tuesday
Science Test
Wednesday
Civics Test
Essay due
Thursday
Children’s Hospital Auction
English Passive/Active
Study Island
Friday
Winter Break Starts
Winter Break
Friday, 12/23/16 through
Monday, 1/2/17
Tuesday, 1/3/17 school's in session
Friday, 12/23/16 through
Monday, 1/2/17
Tuesday, 1/3/17 school's in session
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
AHS Video PSA Contest --- Help them win!
From the office:
Two groups of Avonworth High School students have entered into a video PSA contest with the FBI. Both video links can be found on the webpage below (right at the top of the list):
Two groups of Avonworth High School students have entered into a video PSA contest with the FBI. Both video links can be found on the webpage below (right at the top of the list):
We are asking for YOUR help with increasing the total VOTE COUNT! The students of these videos have been asking their HS peers to go online and vote, but many of the students choose not to do it even thought it takes just a second. One of the Avonworth videos is currently in 2nd place in popular vote - but unfortunately that is still 200 votes behind the first place video. So we wanted to ask for your help at the MS level to increase the vote count for these Avonworth videos (given your success with making that possible).
Here is what each MS student needs to do:
- Login to their student google account
- Bring up each video link and LIKE the video in YouTube by clicking on the thumbs up below the video
Each person is only allowed to vote ONCE since each google account gets only ONE vote… that is why we need as many people (with a google account) to vote as possible to close this gap of 200 votes between the Avonworth video and the other one in the contest. VOTING ENDS NEXT WEEK!
AMS 8 In the News...
Students participating in the Panther Specialty Pharmacy project are mentioned in the Consortium for Public Education newsletter. See the information here.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Science Class YouTube Video Reply Project
Click on the link below to view the videos made for the DC Motor YouTube Video
 |
| Student DC motor model working in the science lab. Students built the models and explained how they worked. Their videos were uploaded to YouTube. |
Yearbooks make Great Holiday Gifts!
With the holidays now here, buy a yearbook (December 1st through December 21st) and receive a certificate as a holiday gift purchase. Printed gift certificates with a personalized message will be sent to a home or business address via USPS.
Available for orders made December 1 through December 21!
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Students in Grade 8 to take PSSA / Keystone Tests
Students in Grade 8 will take PSSA tests in April & May and Keystone Algebra Exams in May. The 8th Grade Team will post more information to the AMS 8 Blog in early 2017.
Below are the testing windows published by the PA Dept of Education. During these time periods, students will be completing each of the required 8th grade PSSA subject tests.
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL ON TEST DAYS
Avoid scheduling doctor appointments, vacations or other out-of-school activities during testing times. Participation in PSSA/Keystone exams is a state requirement.
Making up tests pulls students from their regular classes. As a result, they will miss valuable class time. It will be students' responsibility to make up any classwork you miss.
Of course, if students are genuinely ill, please stay at home and take the necessary time off to get well. Students will perform better on a test if they are healthy.
Children's Hospital Free Care Fund Auction
Please read the following letter sent home about the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund Auction.
Auction Letter
Auction Letter
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Tweets from #lab110
Students in science have been
working on their model DC motors in #lab110. See the progress that was made
this week!
Eureka! How about a student model motor working better than the original! @Avonworthschool @mhall_AMS pic.twitter.com/PNlKWtjaAE— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 5, 2016
Almost got it! Another team getting their motor to work in #lab110! @Avonworthschool pic.twitter.com/vZqoAA3vNW— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 6, 2016
It's spinning! #lab110 building motors to explain how electric current is used. pic.twitter.com/iQRvyT9rcn— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 6, 2016
Great motor! This team in #lab110 had to rework their coil and brushes... awesome result! @Avonworthschool @mhall_AMS pic.twitter.com/yfHE0w8rWy— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 6, 2016
Another motor functioning in #lab110! This is great practice of perseverance! Next, explain how it works! pic.twitter.com/GpW5OQbuKc— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 6, 2016
Keep them spinning! Simple DC motors in #lab110! Perseverance and research pay off! pic.twitter.com/0r2RjjQz9M— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 6, 2016
Trial and error! Learning to make the DC motor work in #lab110 pic.twitter.com/SFjGSyEyZb— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 6, 2016
Learning about magnetic fields, current, and motors - hands on! #lab110 pic.twitter.com/Y8dWSdyvcO — AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 6, 2016
DC motor in #lab110 in slow motion pic.twitter.com/9ikbbAuDtx — AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 7, 2016
Another great motor in #lab110 today! pic.twitter.com/uH0SPhcPKd — AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) December 7, 2016
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Join the Newspaper Club
The
next newspaper club meeting will be December 13 from 3-4 PM. Take the new
activity bus home! Join The Herd! See Mr. Haskins or Mrs. Abate to learn more.
Visit us online:
 |
| The November/December edition to be printed next week! |
Math Tutoring After School
NOTICE:
Starting next week, December 8, math tutoring will be moved to Thursdays after school from 3-4PM.
Layered Curriculum in Math Class
We started our Layered
Curriculum in Graphing Linear Equations today (12/1/16) in math. Students will
work with their assigned groups through the layers. See the linked document for
all assignments through Dec 19.
Math Layered Curriculum
Math Layered Curriculum
Thursday, December 1, 2016
December Yearbook Newsletter & Holiday Yearbook Gift Certificates
In the current issue:
- Holiday Gift Certificate Sales continue
through 12/21
- Students can Join Yearbook!
- Special Features available through Online
Sales
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
New Learning Unit in Science Class
Students
in science have started a new learning unit called energy resources. We will be
continuing our exploration of electricity through several activities.
First,
students will be constructing a simple DC motor to better understand how
electrons make motors spin. They will be creating YouTube replies to the DC
model posted to the Science 8 YouTube Channel.
Second,
students will be examining energy resources in our community. We will be
considering renewable and nonrenewable resources as well as the untapped potential
in our river. The final activity of this unit has the students designing a turbine
to be retrofitted to our existing locks and dams.
Here
are some online resources for students and parents:
- Graded Assignment List
- Graded Assignment List
Friday, November 25, 2016
Clubs, Staying After School,and Activity Bus
From the office:
The Avonworth School District is very pleased to report that an Activity Bus will be provided for middle school and high school students that need to stay after school for clubs and activities. This bus will run every Monday-Thursday and leave the school at 4:00 p.m. Students can board the bus outside the middle school entrance.
Keep in mind, the bus does not provide door to door service. It will stop at strategic locations throughout the district. The bus stop locations are listed below. The first day of operation will be Monday, December 5th.
- Ben Avon Playground
- Church Ave & Dickson Ave
- Avalon Loop
- Laundromat
- Emsworth Boro Building
- Roosevelt Road(house stops)
- Roosevelt Road/North Ridge
- Gary/Cheryl
- Nicholson Road(house stops)
- Deer Valley
- Diamond Run
- Ridge Rd/Linda Vista
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving!
From our family to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving!
No School for students Wednesday, November 23 (previously held conferences) through Monday, November 28 (ACT 80 Day).
School is in session Tuesday, November 29.
Photo Retakes 11/30/16
Photo retakes will be on November 30. Order forms are available in the offices.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
2016 Advisory Games!
On Monday, 11/21/16, students in the 8th grade participated in the 3rd annual AMS 8 Advisory Games! Students used cooperation and teamwork skills to solve problems and earn points!
Thursday, November 17, 2016
AMS 8 Maker Students take on PANTHERx Project
On Wednesday, November 16, students from the 8th
grade met with Jonathan Ogurchak of Panther Specialty Pharmacy to learn more
about a project involving Avonworth and Blackhawk Middle Schools.
Students learned about the role of a specialty
pharmacy and the requirement of a close relationship among patients, doctors
and the pharmacists. The students were introduced to a specific drug, Strensiq,
which requires strict monitoring due to temperature constraints and costs. Strensiq
is used to combat a specific genetic, enzymatic deficiency in bone production. The
students learned about the special “smart” refrigerators needed to store the expensive
supply of medication.
The project has students looking at how technology
could improve the relationship and communication between the patients and their caregivers. Students were asked if they could think of ways that the “smart”
refrigerator could be modified to better aid PANTHERx in their mission to serve patients with chronic diseases. The product to be created by the students will explain the features that could be used in the next iteration of the "smart refrigerator."
  |
| Jonathan Ogurchak describes the condition perinatal/infantile and juvenile-onset hypophosphatasia to Avonworth students. This is the disorder that Strensiq, an enzyme replacement, is prescribed to patients to form and maintain bone. The cost of the medication is extreme, which requires the pharmacy to closely track and monitor dosages. |
 |
| Students interact with the features currently used on the "smart" refrigerator 2.0. The students got a chance to review all of the features of this new technology. |
 |
| The "smart" refrigerator uses technology such as RFID tagging and wireless communication to connect the refrigerator in patient's homes to the pharmacy. |
 |
| Students consider options that could be added to the "smart" refrigerator 3.0 to improve the communication between patients, doctors, and PANTHERx. |
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Save the date! Middle School Engineering Day at Univ. of Pitt SWE
This event is not sponsored by Avonworth School District.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Veterans Day Field Trip
On Tuesday,
November 8, thirty-three 8th grade students spent the day with local veterans
at the Heinz History Center. The WWII,
Korean, and Vietnam War veterans shared their personal stories, brought in
artifacts, and answered students' questions.
The heroic actions of these men and women were an inspiration to
students and teachers. Thank you to all
veterans for your service to our nation.
Veterans Day 11/11/16
Let us remember all the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces so that we could have a safer life.
Veterans Day
11/11/16
AMS 8 Specials Rotation Next Week
Students will be changing rotations on Tuesday, November 15. The next course can be found on the student schedule as "2" for periods B and H.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Rube Goldberg Machines
Education Trip Form and Procedure
Reminder from the Office:
If a student is
going to be out of school more than 3 days (e.g. vacation), parents are
required to complete and submit the linked form.
Also, see this and other attendance procedures from the Parent Academy Edline page.
Friday, November 4, 2016
AMS Enviromental Club
Do you
want to improve our school community environment? Want to learn more about the
living things and their place in the ecosystem? Join us!
The first
environmental club meeting a will be on Monday, November 14 after school until
5 PM. At the meeting, the environmental club will discuss the projects and
activities including field trips.
To receive more information... text
@amsenviron to phone number 81010 or see Mr. Haskins
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday!
Remember to turn your clocks back on Sunday, 11/6/16! Daylight Saving Time Ends!
Election 2016 Project
Thanks to the over 150 guests that attended our 8th Grade Election
Event on Tuesday night. Those in
attendance were able to view student-created videos, board games, artwork,
websites, children's books, presentations, and even a live debate!
If you were in attendance and did not get an opportunity to take the Exit Poll, please feel free to leave us your feedback here:
If you were in attendance and did not get an opportunity to take the Exit Poll, please feel free to leave us your feedback here:
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Tweets from the Science Lab
Students in #lab110 building a Rube Goldberg Machine. Science as a verb. pic.twitter.com/C1nSAiRMTA— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) November 3, 2016
Students are learning about energy and specific heat in #lab110! They were excited to finally use the gas faucets at their seats. pic.twitter.com/xpSCp9uwPS— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) November 2, 2016
Students in #lab110 learning about simple machines and mechanical advantage pic.twitter.com/40Laan15dk— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) October 24, 2016
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