Auburn Middle School

Auburn Middle School Phone: 207-333-6655

38 Falcon Drive Fax: 207-784-1359

Auburn, ME 04210 ams.auburnschl.edu

October 23, 2020

Good afternoon AMS Families,

We have some exciting news to share! AMS is one of 40 schools in the U.S. and Canada to receive the Outride Riding For Focus Grant. We applied for the grant last Winter. This grant awarded our school 51 Specialized bicycles and helmets. Our AMS Physical Education team has been fully trained and are looking forward to getting our students on the bikes. Thank you to our Physical Education faculty for making this grant happen. Additionally, we owe a debt of gratitude to BusyTown Bikes in Lewiston, for helping us to get all of the bikes assembled.

AMS has a great school store. Students can purchase sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, sports bags, sweatpants, school supplies, etc. Personal embroidered names are available for a small fee. School store items are sold for nearly at-cost to make it as affordable as possible for students and families.

Our AMS Music Department is moving forward with band and chorus. Any student interested in participating should contact Mr. Ogden sogden@auburnschl.edu and/or Mr. Hipkins ahipkins@auburnschl.edu. They are also planning for a Spring concert if possible. Stay tuned.

Please remember that it is the responsibility of families to make sure the COVID screening is completed each day prior to students coming to school. If your student is sick or if they experience any COVID symptoms please make sure you let us know. Family Covid Screening (DAILY)

Thank you and have a nice weekend.

Bob Griffin

Principal



New to Auburn Registrations

If your child is NEW to Auburn School District and will be attending Auburn Middle School in the fall, please fill out the registration paperwork here

Click here for: AMS Fall Athletics

Fall Intramural Schedule

Intramurals run from 2:00-3:45pm - students must be picked up no later than 4pm - there are 3 intramural activities currently going on:

  1. Field Hockey Intramurals - Cohort A plays on Mon & Tues - Cohort B plays on Thurs & Fri - students play outside on side fields

  2. Cross Country Intramurals - Cohort A plays on Mon & Tues - Cohort B plays on Thurs & Fri - students meet outside at orchard

  3. Soccer Intramurals - Cohort A plays on Tuesdays only - Cohort B plays on Thursdays only - students meet in AMS gym

Please note that the last day of fall intramural athletics is Friday, October 30th.

Auburn Middle School Athletics

Assumption of the Risk and Waiver of Liability Relating to COVID-19/Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious, and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and federal and state health agencies recommend social distancing (six feet or greater) and have, in many locations, prohibited the congregation of groups of people. Auburn Middle School has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, Auburn Middle School cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, attending and/or participating in Auburn Middle School programming could increase your risk and your child(ren)’s risk of contracting COVID-19.

***********************************************************************

By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending Auburn Middle School programming and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at Auburn Middle School programming may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to school employees, volunteers, and program participants and their families.

I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to my child(ren) or myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I or my child(ren) may experience or incur in connection with my child(ren)’s attendance during Auburn Middle School programming (“Claims”). On my behalf, and on behalf of my child(ren), I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless Auburn Middle School, its employees, agents, and representatives, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. I understand and agree that this release includes any Claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of Auburn Middle School, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any Auburn Middle School programs.

Signature of Parent/Guardian Date (Printed)

Name of Parent/Guardian Name of Participant(s)


Auburn Middle School Athletics

COVID-19 Protocols

● Hand sanitizer will be available before, during, and after each session

● No sharing of clothing (Scrimmage Vests, Jackets, etc.)

● Each student must have their own water bottle

● There will be no locker room usage

● Student athletes are encouraged to shower at home after each training session

● Spitting is NOT allowed under any circumstances

DISINFECTANT KITS

● All coaches will be provided with disinfecting supplies in addition to medical kits that will be on site at each workout

● Equipment will be cleaned and wiped down after each session based on CDC guidelines

MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS

Auburn Middle School will be following MPA Return to Participation guidelines during our Athletics activities.

● When not engaged in high-intensity activity, all student athletes must be wearing a mask

● Social distancing must be maintained when feasible during activities. No hugging, high
fives, shaking hands, or fist bumps for support/encouragement.

● Student athletes should bring their own mask for every session

● Disposable masks should be thrown out when appropriate

● Cloth masks should be washed daily

● Masks should be worn properly (Covering nose and mouth at all times)

FOOD & HYDRATION

● No food including sunflower seeds or gum, unless necessary for a medical condition

● Student athletes must provide own water bottle for each workout session

SPECTATORS

● NO parents or spectators are allowed at sessions

DAILY SCREENING

● Screening should be performed prior to arrival by using the COVID-19 Pre-Screening Tool used for School Attendance

● Record of attendance will be kept on file by the coach(es)

OTHER POINTS OF NOTE

● There will be NO CONGREGATING before or after a session. Student athletes should show up at their designated time and then leave campus at the conclusion of their activity

● All activities must occur after school

● Students are only to come to activities on the days they are in school (M/T or Th/F).
Remote students can pick one of those two groups to be a part of.

● Students will need to bring a completed COVID-19 Waiver to their first session.


AMS Student Services Team -

Our student services team is excited to support students as they return to Auburn Middle School. We have a few new members and would love to introduce ourselves:

Hello! My name is Katherine Kaufmann, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am the new School Social Worker at Auburn Middle School. I support 7th & 8th grade students who are struggling with issues that negatively impact their life at school and home. Some of the supports I can provide are individual and group counseling, conflict mediation, crisis intervention, and support with navigating community resources.

As the school social worker, my goal is to make the transition back to school easier for all students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! I will be at the school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; on Wednesdays I will be working remotely. My office is in room 121, you can reach me at kkaufmann@auburnschl.edu or by calling the school directly, 333-6655.

Thank you, Katherine Kaufmann, LCSW

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello. My name is Nicole Knights and for the past 5 years I've been teaching French here at AMS. I'm very excited to be transitioning into a new role as the Social and Emotional Interventionist this year. I am here to help and teach students how to navigate the social, emotional, and behavioral intricacies of middle school. I am available to all students to provide social, emotional, and behavioral support when needed.

Students are my number one priority so please do not hesitate to contact me with questions/comments/concerns.

Email me at nknights@auburnschl.edu or text through Remind (an online texting service). Just send me your preferred number through email or send it with your student.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings middle schoolers and your families,

My name is Morey Hallett and I am the academic interventionist here at AMS. This will be my second year at AMS in this role, but my 10th year as an educator. I supervise the Falcon Lab and work with all students to teach our 7th and 8th graders skills that help them learn and get their work done. My goal is to help students turn their unique strengths and situations into academic success and work toward a future where they reach their full potential.

I grew up in Freedom, Maine and attended Mount View High School in Thorndike, Maine. I love to play soccer, cook, and play video games. My favorite genre is science fiction/fantasy. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. I help my parents grow lots of garlic on their organic farm. My favorite book is "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This is a bizarre, unsettling time we are going through right now but I am comforted that we are facing this challenge together as a community here at AMS. My email is mhallett@auburnschl.edu

We look forward to working with you! Be kind to yourself and others :)


Auburn Middle School Parent-Student Drop Off and Pick Up MAP

Drop Off Instructions:

Drive up Falcon Drive toward the school. Take a left as you face the school. Travel along the left side of the building. In the back, drop off your student in the designated area. Follow the road up and loop around. Drive back down the same road to Falcon Drive.

Pick Up Instructions:

Parents should enter the campus during their assigned pick-up time, bear left, and the first car in the line will be stopped just past the turn around at the back of the school. We will have staff there to facilitate this. Students from each wave will leave the back entrance and socially distance themselves along the turnaround loop. Parents will follow the line of cars around the loop and stop to pick up their child. Parents should carefully proceed around the loop and exit back down the way they entered.

***********************************************************************************************************

Based on consultation with the city, the safest place for parent pick up is in the rear of the building. To shorten wait times, we will have 4 waves of student dismissals.

Every Parent/Guardian is assigned a pick-up wave for their child.

Note new times as of 9/21/20:

Wave 1: 1:45 Student Last names: A-D

Wave 2: 1:55 Student Last names: E-K

Wave 3: 2:00 Student Last names: L-R

Wave 4: 2:05 Student Last names: S-Z

***********************************************************************************************************

  • Student WALKERS - Walkers will be dismissed after busses at approximately 2pm. In the mornings, walkers should arrive between 7:15-7:30am.

***********************************************************************************************************

FAQ(s):

  1. What if I need to pick up my student early?

A: Please arrange pick up prior to 1:30PM to ensure that you will not be caught by busses and traffic.

  1. What if I am running late?

A: Please join the next wave. If it becomes a scheduling conflict, please call the office and we will adjust the wave assignment to ensure that your child is not waiting for extra time.

  1. What if it is raining or other inclimate weather?

A: Please have students dress for the weather, but in extreme conditions, we will have students wait in the gymnasium and be dismissed individually (this may cause a slower release. We ask for your patience and understanding.


AMS_ELHS Bus Runs 2020-2021 (Full List as of 9_9_20) - Sheet1.pdf

Letter from the AMS School Nurse -

September 4, 2020

Dear AMS Families,

I am looking forward to working with you and your family to ensure that this year is a healthy one! I would like to take this opportunity to review our basic health policies.


  • Please let me know as soon as possible: If your child has a life threatening health condition (Asthma requiring inhalers, Severe allergy requiring an Epi-Pen, seizure disorder, diabetes) Please be sure to have your doctor’s office fax your child’s yearly care plan or Road map.

  • Medications: We will need an order faxed to school from physician for any medication needed to be given at school. This needs to be done yearly. Most medications, other than those given four times a day, can be scheduled to be given at home. If you want your child to receive acetaminophen or ibuprofen at school, a doctor’s order needs to be provided for that also and parents will need to provide the medication.

  • Immunizations: Please ensure that your child’s immunizations are up to date. This is especially important during a pandemic to keep other infectious diseases out of school as much as possible. Maine immunization requirements for students to be allowed to attend school for the 2020-2021 year are as follows unless a yearly letter of exemption has been signed.

GRADE 7-8 REQUIREMENTS:

  • 5 DTaP (4 if 4th given on or after 4th birthday)

  • 4 Polio (3 Polio if 3rd is given on or after 4th birthday)

  • 2 MMR

  • 2 Varicella

  • 3 Hep B

  • 1 TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster)

  • 1 Menactra/MCV4 (meningitis)


  • WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME:

IF YOUR CHILD IS EXHIBITING ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS BELOW ON THE MORNING BEFORE A SCHOOL DAY, PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME. PLEASE HAVE A PLAN IN THE EVENT YOUR CHILD BECOMES SICK AT SCHOOL. YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE AVAILABLE TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Low Risk (Less Common) Symptoms: High Risk (More Common) Symptoms:

New headache New, uncontrolled cough

Runny nose Fever (100.0 or higher)

Congestion Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea New loss of taste/smell


  • Please note that your child WILL be sent home w/ any of these Covid 19 related symptoms per guidance of the CDC and DOE.

  • If your child is sent home for one of the lower risk symptoms listed above, they may return to school 24 hours after symptoms improve.

  • If your child is sent home for 2 or more of lower risk or 1 of the higher risk symptoms listed above, they need to be seen by their doctor for recommendations for returning to school.

FAX ALL PHYSICIAN ORDERS TO (207-784-1359) - ATTN: SCHOOL NURSE. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

Kristi Boilard

AMS School Nurse

Click here to view an important letter from the school department regarding their position on diversity and equity.


If you are in need of food assistance, check out this resource that shows locations where food can be accessed in Androscoggin county.