
Update from the Middle
May 3, 2024

Quick Links
AMS Art Showing at Ashland Art Works Tonight
May 3rd
5pm-7pm
Members of the Ashland Middle School Art Class will be showing their artwork in public at the Ashland Art Works gallery, located at 291 Oak St. Ashland, OR 97520
Everyone is welcome to join the opening event, this Friday from 5pm - 7pm as part of the Ashland First Friday event. The artworks will be on display for the month of May and will be returned to the students before the end of the school year.
The following students have volunteered to exhibit their chosen works to be displayed in the gallery:
August Benson-Frazier, 8th Grade • Violet Keiser, 8th Grade • Elliot Brinkley, 7th Grade • Kam Fessenden, 8th Grade • Hali'a Cleveland, 8th Grade • Enrique van Ettinger, 8th Grade • Leone di Properzio, 8th Grade • Rocket Victor, 8th Grade • Forest Elster, 8th Grade • Aemon Zohara, 8th Grade • Malachi Brehmer, 8th Grade • Mantis Gumm, 8th Grade • Ty Kirkendol, 8th Grade • Vivian Mehta, 8th Grade
Dates to Remember
May 27: Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
June 4: Last day of school for 6th & 7th grade
June 4: 8th Grade Farewell Party
June 5: 8th Grade Farewell
Incoming 9th Grader Night
Save the Date!
May 8th, 2024
6:30 - 8 p.m. @ AHS
Parents, guardians, and students are invited to attend an on-campus event to connect with AHS staff and explore student opportunities.
We hope to see you there!
New Attendance Office Email
Struggling to recall whom to email regarding your student's attendance? No worries! We've introduced a new email specifically for attendance matters to simplify the process:
Sora The Student Reading App
AMS students now have access to ebooks and audiobooks from the Jackson County Library System through the SORA website that is linked to our homepage. This means that they will have access to thousands more age-appropriate ebooks and audiobooks than previously through our partnership with SORA. AMS students do not need a JCLS library card to access these books; they can access with the same AMS username and password that they use to login to school computers.
8th Grade Farewell Performance Auditions
A variety of student musical performances will take place during the 8th grade farewell ceremony. This is our students’ chance to showcase their musical talents. In the past, we have had solos, duets & ensembles perform. Performers are chosen by a panel of staff members at auditions that take place on Wednesday, May 8th, at 2:00 pm. Your child’s musical selections should be reflective of this step in life and appropriate for the event. Audition applications can be picked up at the AMS Main office.
Calling All 8th Grade Artists…..
Would your child like a chance to see their design on the cover of the farewell ceremony program? All 8th graders are welcome to participate. Eighth grade students can submit their own design or work with a partner. The theme should be positive and represent leaving AMS and/or the new beginning at AHS. All entries will be judged by a panel of staff members.
*Please see Karin in the main office for detailed information about the size and layout for the design.
An Evening of Music, Art & Kindness at AMS!
Tuesday, May 21st
Art Exhibit in the Student Lounge, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Featuring artists from every corner of AMS!
Band "Pops" Concert, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Featuring musicians from Cadet Band (6th Grade), Concert Band and Wind Ensemble performing popular music from movies and video games!
Kindness Rock Garden Mural on display (entrance to 7/8 building)
Featuring works from the Yearlong and Trimester Art classes as well as contributions from the WAMS classes and the Ceramic Club.
8th Grade Farewell Party
Tuesday, June 4th
7:00 p.m. —8:30 p.m.
Chaperoned by parents, the party will include a variety of games, a dance, refreshments, and photos with friends. It’s a great way to spend the final few hours at AMS together! Casual dress is appropriate for the party. To be admitted, students must arrive no later than 7:30 pm and will not be readmitted once they have left the party. Please arrange to pick up your child promptly at 8:30 pm. Tickets are currently on sale at the AMS Main Office; students are asked to pay the $6.00 ticket cost by June 3rd. Donations are appreciated in order to help us provide assistance to families unable to pay.
8th Grade Farewell Ceremony
Wednesday, June 5th — 8th graders arrive at 8:40 a.m. for farewell rehearsal. • The Farewell Ceremony , at 11:00 a.m., in the AMS large gym. Seating is limited so we need to restrict admission to each student’s immediate family; please call if you have questions. Parking is also limited; try to carpool if possible. Parking is available at the AMS main parking lot, the bus ramp parking area (behind the large gym), and additional parking will be available at Grace Point Church parking lot. Please keep in mind that this is not the prom and that wearing your best school attire is appropriate for the ceremony. However putting on that tie your mom loves to see you in, or that pretty dress you love to wear with cute shoes you can walk in comfortably down the red carpet…..is appropriate.
Yearbooks and School Fees
The yearbook order has been placed! Extras have been ordered and will be sold on first-come first-served basis. Stop by or call the office to purchase a yearbook and/or pay school fees.
2024-2025 AMS Sports Registration is Now Open
Register now to help us plan for coaching staff and schedules.
You must be registered to play on familyid and also have a current sports physical on file before the season starts. Deadlines enforced.
Fall sports start the first week of school. Pre-conditioning may start the week before.
- Football 7-8
- Girls Volleyball 7-8
- Cross Country 6-8
AHS Girls Basketball Camp
5th - 8th Grade
July 15 - 19
8AM-12NOON
AMS Large Gym
Contact Coach Gida: 541-625-3199 or 458-225-2149
AHS Cheer
8th Grade Students:
Community Events & Offerings
Medford Youth Tackle Football & Cheer
Including Jacksonville, Ashland, Phoenix, & Talent
Fall Grades 2nd-6th
Registration:
Saturday, April 20th (10am-2pm) or
Saturday, May 18th (10am-2pm)
@ Cascade Athletic Supply 2930 Biddle Rd
Registration Fee: $300 or $250 with Volunteer Commitment
*$25 off sibling registration
Team Placement Follows May sign up
"Impact" Wrestling Camp
WHEN: June 7th & 8th, 2024
REGISTRATION: Friday June. 7th, 1:00pm
CAMP TIME:
Session 1 : Friday 1:00pm-4:30pm
Session 2 : Friday 5:30pm-8:30pm
Session 3 : Saturday 9:00am-4:30pm
WHERE: Cascade Christian School
855 Chevy Way, Medford, OR 97504
Rogue Valley Bird Day
Saturday, May 11th
8am-Noon
Free
Activities for the entire family!
- Guided bird walks
- bird calling contests and prizes
- Bird Exhibits & education
- Kids games and activities
Sparking Action!
Community Wildfire Education Day
Saturday, May 18th
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
ScienceWorks
Free Admission All Day
- Live-Fire Science Demonstrations
- Smokey Bear
- Storytime
- Animal Costume Creation
- Meet Local Fire Fighters
- DYI Air Filters
Ashland Library Teen May Events
ALL MONTH LONG
Fidgets and Folding Fun
Teen Area, All Day
Sunday, 5/5 & 5/19
Tween D&D
Guanajuato, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/8
Videogame Tournament
Gresham, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/15
Science Spa Night
Gresham, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 5/22
Cyanotypes (Camera-less Photography)
Gresham, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Snacks provided at all events!
For ages 11-18.
ScienceWorks Art for Teens Class
STEAM Art classes by Beca Blake
Our art classes offer a world of vivid colors, creative techniques, and limitless possibilities. Students will learn the basics of several studio disciplines, conceptual art, and curatorial installation!
No prior art experience necessary!
Wednesdays from 3-5 pm
Ages 13-18
$10 Per student per class
Class Schedule
May 8: Wire Sculptures
May 15: Collage Paper Sculptures
May 22: Art Scavenger Hunt
May 29: Free Little Art Gallery
Free 5 Week Intro Course
Guided Passages' Wilderness Quest
For 7th/8th Graders
Join us on an epic Backpacking Adventure into the Marble Mountain Wilderness of Northern California. During this Rite of Passage journey, we'll mark the transition into your teenage years, explore the backcountry, and create memoires that will last a lifetime.
Contact Info:
541-708-3609
Ashland Aerial Arts
Summer Camps 2024
June 17 - August 8
Early discount before April 19th.
Ashland Aerial Arts camps are for everyone as a chance to try aerial silks, trapeze, bungee, tightrope, hula hoop, juggling, crafts and more! Beginners are welcome in this safe, positive environment. Camp is 4 or 3 days.
Ashland Middle School
Email: kerri.mallory@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: http://ashland.k12.or.us/o/ams/
Location: 100 Walker Avenue, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-1611
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashland-Middle-School-143374639027500/
The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs and services and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated at our school to handle inquiries and complaints regarding nondiscrimination policies and to coordinate compliance efforts:
Name: Steve Retzlaff Title: Principal
Address: 100 Walker Ave
Telephone: 541-482-1611
Email: steve.retzlaff@ashland.k12.or.us
Inquiries or complaints may also be directed to the Student Services Office at 885 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland Oregon (phone: 541-482-2811)
Complaints may also be directed to: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington D.C. 20202, or by calling (800) 421-3481 or (877) 521-2172 (TTY).