AMS Newsletter
December 19, 2025
DATES TO REMEMBER!!
· December 22nd Flannel Day
· December 22nd Last Day To Sign-up for NHS Tutoring Program
· December 23rd Ugly Sweater Day
· December 23rd ½ DAY - Breakfast is Served No Brunch
· Winter Break Wednesday, December 24th – Sunday, January 4, 2026
· School Re-Opens January 5, 2026
· January 8th Yearbook Crew Meeting 2:30pm – 3:25pm
· January 12th 6:00pm - 8th Grade Semi-Formal Planning Meeting AMS Cafe
· January 13th ½ Day – Breakfast and Brunch will be Served
· January 19th – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Good afternoon,
Next week will be a quick one, with school in session for a full day on Monday and a half day on Tuesday with dismissal at 11:10 AM. The weeks between the Thanksgiving and December breaks are fast paced both in and out of school, and we appreciate your continued partnership in making your students' time at Abington Middle School meaningful and productive during this busy time of year.
As we approach the holiday break, we hope you're able to find time to relax, refresh, and connect with family and loved ones.
Happy Holidays from all of us at AMS!
Mr. MacCurtain & Ms. Sullivan
2026 National Honor Society Middle School Tutoring Program:
There are still 3 available spots, if you would like your Abington Middle School student to receive tutoring from AHS National Honor students beginning January 7, 2026. The deadline to sign up is December 22, 2025. If the program reaches full capacity, you will be placed on a waitlist should a spot become available.
2026 NHS Tutoring Application Form
AMS Drama Club Announcements
Drama Will Begin After the Holiday Break
Students, families, and guardians involved in the AMS Drama Club are encouraged to check the Abington App Rooms or Thrillshare regularly for the latest updates and announcements.
Each Friday, Mr. Leonelli will post a “Week-at-a-Glance” that includes all important information for the upcoming week — rehearsal schedules, reminders, and event details!
Thank you for staying connected and helping our Drama Club run smoothly!
ABINGTON INK
HOT OF THE PRESS!
CLICK HERE TO READ ABINGTON INK VOLUME 2
YEARBOOK CREW
If you love ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, WRITING or love using your COMPUTER SKILLS - then this is the club for you! This club is FREE and all students in grades 5 to 8 are welcome. Yearbook Club meets every other Thursday. If you have any questions, email Ms. Herron at amberherron@abingtonps.org Beginning on January 8th, 2026 and every other Thursday to follow - Meetings are 2:30 to 3:25 PROMPT PICK UP PLEASE!
IMPORTANT NURSE’S MESSAGE
Hello! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Sarah LaPointe, and I am very excited to be taking over the school nurse’s office this year. If you have any questions or need anything, please feel free to reach out to me at sarahlapointe@abingtonps.org or 781-982-2170 ext. 4320.
We are currently seeing an increase in seasonal viral illnesses among students, including common colds, gastrointestinal viruses, and flu-like symptoms. While most of these illnesses are mild, they can spread quickly in a school setting.
To help keep our school community healthy, please
· Keep your child home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or are feeling too unwell to participate in school activities.
· Ensure your child is fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
· Encourage frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoid sharing drinks or utensils.
· Consider consulting your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or you have concerns about your child’s health.
We appreciate your partnership in helping prevent the spread of illness. Please reach out to the me at sarahlapointe@abingtonps.org or 781-616-2951 if you have any questions.
Thank you for your continued support.
SCHOOL MANDATED HEALTH SCREENINGS
School mandated screenings will take place starting in January through the end of the school year. If parents would like to opt out, they can send an email no later than January 1 to sarahlapointe@abingtonps.org.
The following screenings will be completed:
· Grade 5 vision, postural
· Grade 6 vision, hearing, postural
· Grade 7 height, weight, postural
· Grade 8 postural
· If your child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy, please provide the school nurse with the required emergency medication, a current allergy action plan, and a signed parental consent form.
· If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, please provide the necessary asthma medication, an updated asthma action plan, and a signed parental consent form.
· Additionally, please remember to submit a current physical examination form and an up-to-date immunization record for the school nurse’s files.
AMS SEMI-FORMAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026
6 PM
AMS Cafeteria
Help with fundraising, decoration, coordinating the vendors and more.
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Abington Middle School needs a Community Representative to serve on our School Council. The primary function of the council is to advise and assist the principal in the development of the School Improvement Plan, Student Handbook and Program of Studies. In addition, the council discusses and advises about school-based programs, initiatives, and events. The council consists of two parent representatives, two staff representatives, a community representative and school administration. Council meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month at 4:00 in the Abington Middle School conference room. If you are interested in serving on the School Council or have questions, please contact Mrs. Blanchard at colleenblanchard@abingtonps.org.
After School Club Schedule - PROMPT PICK-UP AT 3:25PM
Mondays
Grs. 5 & 6 Lego Club – Mrs. Jacobs
Grs. 7& 8 Minecraft Club – Mrs. Graham
Wednesdays
Grs. 5 through 8 Chess Club – Mr. Perkins
Grs. 5 & 6 Minecraft Club – Mrs. Johnson
Grs. 5 & 6 STEAM Club – Mrs. Ryan
Thursdays
Grs. 5 & 6 Taylor Swift Club – Ms. Byrne
Grs. 5 & 6 Homework & Fun Club – Mrs. Duquette
Grs. 7 & 8 Newspaper Club – Ms. Regan
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures Reminder
The safety of all students remains our top priority. To help ensure a smooth and secure arrival and dismissal process, we ask that all parents and guardians carefully review the procedures below.
Authorized Pickups
Only individuals listed on a student’s emergency contact or dismissal form may pick up that student. Please log in to the Aspen Parent Portal to verify that all contact information is accurate.
Questions regarding Parent Portal access may be directed to our Tech Services Department.
A photo ID is required for all pickups unless identity has been previously verified.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Abington Middle School hours are 7:50 a.m. – 2:22 p.m. Students should be seated in their homerooms by 7:50 a.m., ready to begin the day.
Morning Drop-Off: Parents dropping off students should use the Door 10 entrance (to the left of the building) and follow the designated drop-off procedures. Door 10 is
open from 7:20–7:50 a.m. Students arriving after 7:50 a.m. must enter through the main entrance and will be marked tardy.Late Arrival: Students arriving after 8:30 a.m. must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and sign in at the main office.
Afternoon Dismissal: Dismissal is at 2:22 p.m. Parents picking up students should use the Door 10 pickup area and follow all traffic and safety guidelines.
Early Dismissals
If your child needs to leave school early, please send a written note or email to the main office before the start of the school day to colleenblanchard@abingtonps.org or annparks@abingtonps.org Students may only be dismissed to individuals listed on their emergency contact form, and a photo ID will be required. To minimize disruptions to instruction, early dismissals should occur before 2:00 p.m. whenever possible.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal process for all students.
NURSE’S MESSAGE
· If your child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy, please provide the school nurse with the required emergency medication, a current allergy action plan, and a signed parental consent form.
· If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, please provide the necessary asthma medication, an updated asthma action plan, and a signed parental consent form.
· Additionally, please remember to submit a current physical examination form and an up-to-date immunization record for the school nurse’s files.
NOTES FROM HOME
Parents must notify the school if your child is to be absent, tardy or dismissed. A written note must be submitted for each absence stating the date and reason for the absence. A note is also needed to dismiss your child from school or if your child will not be taking the bus home. Phone calls changing student dismissal plans can impact child safety. Thank you for cooperating with this important child safety issue.
AMS MUSIC NEWS
Grades 5 and 6 Band Update!
We’re making music, and it’s not too late for Grade 5 and 6 students to join Band this year!
If your student would like to start an instrument, you can contact Goulet at 781-829-2282 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM) to set up a rental.
If you’d like help directly, email timleonelli@abingtonps.org.
Please be sure students bring their instruments and music folders to every music class—including half days! We need YOUR help and partnership, so students do not fall behind!!!
Weekly Music Class Schedule:
Monday: Byrne, Hyman, Pease, Samsel
Tuesday: Cummins, Collins
Wednesday: Brisson, Grady, Lodge, Riley
Thursday: Boudreau, Whitman
Friday: Duquette, Minnehan, Regan
SAVE THE DATE - Band and Chorus Concert Dates
Families, start penciling these dates into your calendars - These are fun events for the entire family! Please note that for Grades 7 and 8, Concert Attendance is part of their overall grade!
Spring Concerts (May/June 2026)
Wed, May 6th – AHS & 7/8 Chorus Concert @ 7pm
Tues, May 19th – AHS & 7/8 Band Concert @ 7pm
Wed, June 3rd – 5/6 Band Concert @ 7pm
Reminder: Traffic Safety and Respecting Property
As students walk or ride their bikes home from school, we ask that they remember to follow all traffic laws and stay off private property. These rules help keep you safe and maintain good relationships with our community. The following will be shared with AMS students in homeroom next week.
Important reminders:
Do not ride bikes on the track at Reilly Field. The track is for runners only. Bicycles can damage the surface of the track, which is used recreationally by townspeople and by our own APS sports teams
If you need to pass through Reilly Field, stay outside of the track fencing. Use the designated pathways around the perimeter.
Follow all traffic signals and crosswalk rules when traveling to and from school.
Respect private property by staying on public sidewalks and paths.
Thank you for being responsible members of our school community and helping to keep everyone safe!
IMPORTANT BUS INFORMATION REQUEST
If you received a bus tag for your child, but do not plan for them to take the bus this year, please email transportation@abingtonps.org and let them know so that they can be removed from the bus roster. Please include your child's name and school (AMS) in your email. You can also contact 781-982-2170 and let the office know. Thank you.
DOOR 10 DROP OFF SAFETY PROCEDURES
When you drop off your students at Door 10 in the morning, please encourage your students to exit the vehicle onto the sidewalk side of the building for safety reasons.
CH. 74
The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) sets application deadlines so that the Superintendents will know the amount of non-residential tuition the city or town must pay prior to final preparation of the budget for the next school year. This includes non-resident tuition applications for secondary and post-secondary Chapter 74 vocational technical education programs. The non-resident applications must be presented to the Superintendent of preceding enrollment. Therefore, parents and students should notify the Guidance Department by March 15, of their Chapter 74 vocational non-resident application so that the submission will be ready for April 1st.
FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Breakfast & lunch remains free for all students. We are still asking that families submit Free and Reduced Lunch Applications for federal reimbursements and other financial considerations in the district.
STUDENTS SHOULD BRING EVERY DAY
Please have your student bring their charged laptop and a water bottle to school every day. (Plastic water bottles please - no glass bottles).