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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Junior Achievement Day

The 8th grade team would like to thank all of the parent presenters during the Avonworth Middle School Junior Achievement day. The presentations on careers, finance, and economy were presented in grades 6 through 8 on Wednesday 4/27/16.

Women and Girls Foundation 2016 GirlGov

The Women and Girls Foundation is still accepting applications for our 2016 GirlGov yearlong program and we need help spreading the word to young girls entering 9^th grade in the Fall of 2016.

The Women and Girls Foundation’s Seventh Annual GirlGov program will kick off this summer with a trip to Harrisburg June 12^th through June 16^th. GirlGov is designed to provide local girls with the opportunity to learn firsthand about government, civics, advocacy, philanthropy, community involvement, youth organizing, women’s history, and leadership. Participants will shadow a state legislator for the day and learn about current public policy issues impacting women’s and girls’ lives in our region. Transportation, overnight accommodations, and meals are included; there is NO FEE TO PARTICIPATE. This year’s program also includes GirlGov meetings from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM on the second Thursday of every month. Transportation to and from GirlGov meetings is the participant’s responsibility.

The program is open to all girls entering 9^th to 12^th grade in the Fall of 2016 who live in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Past GirlGov participants are welcome to apply.

This year’s program promises to be our biggest and best yet! Participants will have opportunities to:

· Shadow a state legislator for a day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg

· Learn about philanthropy and grant-making, and award $10,000 to local girl-led projects

· Explore nonprofit and government career options

· Discuss issues affecting women and girls with key decision makers

· Meet and hear from accomplished women working in and with government

· Become (more) involved in community civics

· Most of all – have fun!

APPLY HERE: https://wgfpa.wufoo.com/forms/mv4qah904z1w29/

The application deadline is this Friday, April 29^th. If you need a deadline extension, please contact blayre@wgfpa.org.

Avonworth School District does not sponsor the activities of GirlGov.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Yearbook Cover Contest Winners!

Congratulations to Kailey S. and Abigail A., winners of the yearbook cover contest! Kailey and Abby received the highest number of votes for their artwork. The combined ideas will be printed on the the cover of the yearbook! They both will receive a free yearbook!

Yearbook Sales continue through May 6

A yearbook order form and payment are due to the office by May 6, 2016. A limited number of yearbooks will be printed, so be sure to get your order placed! The yearbook will be delivered the week of May 23.

Order Form

Monday, April 25, 2016

May & June Calendar Update

Monday, May 2

American Legion Award Resume due to Mr. Smith by Monday

Make Up PSSA Testing

Tuesday, May 3

Make Up PSSA Testing

Wednesday, May 4

Make Up PSSA Testing

2 hour delay

Thursday, May 5

Make Up PSSA Testing

[Event] Bridge Engineers Visit AMS 8

Friday, May 6

Make Up PSSA Testing

AR POINTS DUE MAY 25 - NO EXTENSIONS 4TH TERM

[Civics] Layered Curriculum Unit Test

[Event] BAAHA Presentations

YEARBOOK ORDERS DUE!

Tuesday, May 10

12:25pm [Event] Holocaust Activity

Wednesday, May 11

AR POINTS DUE MAY 25 - NO EXTENSIONS 4TH TERM

Thursday, May 12

[Field Trip] Nicky's Family - South Side Works Cinema

Friday, May 13

10:00am [Event] Holocaust Survivor

Tuesday, May 17

Keystone Exams

Thursday, May 19

Keystone Exams

6:00pm [SCHEDULING] BUMP UP NIGHT

Friday, May 20

History Center Field Trip

Tuesday, May 24

[Field Trip] Kennywood Field Trip

Thursday, May 26

[Event] AMS 8 Bridge Exposition

Friday, May 27

[Event] Middle School Olympics

Monday, May 30

Memorial Day - School Closed

Wednesday, June 1

[Event] Grade 8 Commencement

Friday, June 3

Fourth Grading Period Ends

Last Day for Students

Thursday, April 21, 2016

PSSA Testing to Finish Next Week

Grammar Game Victors!

Congratulations to the 2016 Grammar Game Victors!

Natalie Marshall, Anna Igims, Luke Wagner, and Tanner Blose

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Bridge Design and Model Building Unit

email to students 4/20/16:

Dear students,

Each year we conclude 8th grade science using the skills we've learned by designing, constructing and testing a bridge. There are many parts to this project. The end result is a design that you create with the help of bridge building experts and a scale model to test for strength!

Check out the assignments and due dates on the science website. We will also be using the score keeper and stars for extra credit!

See you in class.

Sincerely,

Mr. Haskins

Bridge Building Experts needed for STEM Project

Engineers needed for the
BRIDGE DESIGN DAY & EXPOSITION DAY

May 5 and May 26

As students in the 8th grade proceed through our bridge design and building project, we are seeking help from experts in the fields of engineering and design of bridges. This is the fifth year for the bridge building and design exposition at Avonworth Middle School! Interested experts can RSVP for our events by emailing Doug Haskins, Grade 8 science teacher.

Read more from the Science 8 website!

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Yearbook Sales continue through May 6

Students who would like a copy of the yearbook should complete the form linked below and return payment to the office by May 6, 2016. A limited number of yearbooks will be printed, so be sure to get your order placed. The yearbook will be delivered the week of May 23, which is just in time to have your friends sign it!

Order Form

Submissions to the yearbook cover contest! Digital voting ballots for students are available through Friday.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

The 2016 Grammar Game Finalists

Victors will be announced Monday! Stay tuned!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

PSSA Testing Continues Tomorrow & Next Week

Thursday, April 7, 2016

PSSA Testing starts Next Week!

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Courthouse Field Trip

A few weeks ago 8th grade students traveled to the Allegheny County Courthouse for a field trip. In their Civics classes, students were introduced to the criminal and civil court systems prior to their visit. Upon their arrival at the courthouse, students were greeted by a Deputy Attorney General of Allegheny County, David Spurgeon. Mr. Spurgeon talked to students about his role in the judicial branch and warned them about the consequences of drug and alcohol related crimes. Next, students visited real criminal court rooms to observe trials in action. Some judges even invited the students to speak with them in their chambers about their job. A few lucky students even got to try on Judge Beth Lazarra's official judicial robe and pound the gavel to restore order in the courtroom!

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Parent Network Request for PSSA Snacks

From AMS Parent Network:

Hello Middle School Families,

Happy Spring! Along with the warmer weather and excitement of spring comes the tedious task of PSSA testing for our children. :( Testing begins next Monday (4/11-15) and runs through the following week (4/18-22), and even continues into the following week for 8th grade testing in Science (4/27-29). Parent Network likes to help "ease the pain" a bit during these long weeks by organizing a snack for the kids each day. Mr. Haskins informed me that the total number of individually wrapped snacks needed this year is 1,110! Needless to say we could use your help. Any donations of "healthy" snacks would be GREATLY appreciated:) If you are able to help, please send your snack to the office byMonday, April 11th marked with your child's grade.

Healthy snack ideas:

*pretzels
*granola bars
*goldfish
*cheez-itz
*fruit snacks
*fruit
*cheese crackers

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,

Beth Yovetich

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Reminder! Take the Survey!

AMS faculty and staff are conducting a survey on communication and community events. Please add your input! Thanks in advance!

LINK: http://bit.ly/1PdLpqp/1PdLpqp

Monday, March 28, 2016

Yearbook Cover Contest

Students can submit a drawing for the YEARBOOK Cover Contest!

This year's theme is "Thinking Outside of the Box." Your drawing must be on 8 ½ x 11 paper and must be in color!

Return submissions to Mr. Haskins by April 18! Winner receives a free yearbook!

AMS Makers - Aquaculture Project

Working with DECO Resources students at AMS will be designing, planning, and constructing an indoor aquaculture system. This is a maker project and is to be installed in the "forest." The first meeting will be on April 6 at 3:00-4:30 PM. A follow-up activity will be on April 14 after school. Additional meetings to build and test our system will be set after April 6. See Mr. Haskins - room 110 - if you are interested in participating and to sign up!

Thursday, March 17, 2016

PSSA Testing Starts in April

Students in the 8th grade will be taking state PSSA tests this school year. The dates below were updated March 14. Read more about PSSA testing in the 8th grade from the blog.

PSSA TESTING:

April 11, 12, 14 & 15 - PSSA English-Language Arts
April 19, 20, & 21 - PSSA Mathematics
April 25 & 26 PSSA Science

ELECTRONIC DEVICE NOTICE:

ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL ON TEST DAYS

Avoid scheduling doctor appointments, vacations or other out-of-school activities during testing times. Participation in PSSA exams is a state requirement.

Students should read and review the Code of Conduct for Test Takers prior to starting the PSSA tests.