AMS Newsletter
November 13, 2026
November 15th Sunday – First 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Payment Is Due
November 18th Wednesday – Newspaper Club Meeting (changed from 11/19)
November 20th Friday – Drama Forms are Due
November 25th Wednesday – Early Release Day
November 26th – November 29th - No School – Thanksgiving Break
Monday: Flannel Day
Tuesday: Twin Day Tuesday
Wednesday: Adam Sandler Day
Thursday: Oh, the places we've been! Wear a piece of clothing from a place you've visited
Friday: PJ Day
AMS DRAMA CLUB SIGN UP FORM! DUE November 20, 2026
We are excited to announce that Abington Middle School Drama Club registration for students in Grades 5–8 will begin in November! Please complete the attached form and return to the AMS Office. There is a one-time $50.00 Club Fee; If you have already joined an after-school club the $50.00 Club Fee is waived.
Our first meeting and audition preparation will take place on November 30, with auditions scheduled for December 2 and 9 and callbacks on December 14 and 16. Rehearsals for lead roles will begin in January, with ensemble rehearsals beginning in March. Rehearsals will generally take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:35–3:35 PM, although not every student will be needed at every rehearsal.
Tech Week will take place April 26–29 (2:35–5:35 PM), with performances on Friday, April 30 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, May 1 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. We look forward to another exciting season of theatre at AMS!
Mickman Holiday Fundraiser
IMPORTANT DATES – ONLINE ORDERING ONLY IS AVAILABLE
Online orders | Evergreen gifts can be purchased online through mid-December. Online ordering is separate from the November 4 deadline for orders/payments returned to AMS. |
ONLINE ORDERING
Website: GiftitForward.com
Fundraising code: ABINGTMA001
Student name: Enter the Grade 8 student’s name so the student receives credit for the purchase.
PAYMENT & STUDENT CREDIT
Checks payable to: AMS PTO
In-person/paper fundraiser credit: Students earn approximately $8 toward the Washington, DC trip for each wreath, centerpiece, or tree sold.
Online fundraiser credit: The online flyer states that AMS earns 15% per item when the fundraising code is used. It does not specify the individual student credit amount.
8th Grader Opportunity High School Athletics This Winter -
Current grade 8 students will have the opportunity to participate in high school girls basketball (varsity) and boys ice hockey (JV) this winter. Interested students should register online here. The seasons start the Monday after Thanksgiving (11/30)
If you have specific questions, please contact high school athletic director Peter Serino (peterserino@abingtonps.org).
Community News, Events & Announcements
Abington Public Schools has created a web page to share community news, events and announcements. You can access that page through the APS webpage here: Community News, Events, and Announcements | Abington Public Schools
After-School Clubs
PROMPT PICK UP @ 3:25pm in front of the Abington Middle School
Monday - Minecraft Club
Wednesday Chess Club & STEAM
Every Thursday– Homework & Fun Club and Language Buddies
Newspaper Club Has Select Dates – November 18, December 17, January 21, February 4, March 18, April 15, May 20, and June 3. More dates may be added as needed.
First Payment Due November 15th!!
January 15, 2027 Registration Deadline!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to announce our upcoming 8th grade trip to Washington DC. This educational journey will provide students with a firsthand look at our nation's capital and its rich history. This will be our third year traveling to Washington DC with students, and I am happy to report that these trips have been fun-filled, educational experiences for both students and the adult chaperones who volunteer their time so graciously. Below you will find the trip details on the Grade 8 Washington, D.C. webpage on this site.
If you have any questions or
concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at the school office.
Sincerely,
Matthew J. MacCurtain, Principal
Winter Concert Dates:
Tuesday, December 8th Grades 7-12 CHORUS ONLY Winter Concert – AMS & AHS
Thursday, December 10th Grade 7-12 BAND ONLY Winter Concert – AMS & AHS
Wednesday, December 16th Grade 5&6 BAND ONLY Winter Concert
Very Important to Follow Drop-off and Pick-up Instructions:
· Location: Door 10 (next to the tennis courts)
· Morning drop-off: Door 10 opens at 7:20 AM and closes at 7:50 AM
· Breakfast: Available starting at 7:20 AM
· Dismissal: 2:22 PM
· Driving directions: Enter campus from Gliniewicz Way and proceed around the right side of the building past the athletic fields
· Walkers: Students who are walking to and from school will enter and exit through the main entrance at the front of the building.
Students riding bicycles to school should walk their bikes once they are on school grounds. Students should not be riding bikes in the school lots or bus loop.
AMS staff will be present at Door 10 and the main entrance during arrival and dismissal to assist. If you have questions about drop-off or pick-up procedures, please contact the main office at (781) 982-2170.
Updating Student Information in Aspen
Families may begin updating student information via Aspen on Monday. Directions are available by clicking the following link: UPDATING_ASPEN
Please let the school nurse know about any new or significant medical conditions, diagnoses, allergies, or changes in your child’s health.
HEALTH PLANS
Updated Medical Orders
Please obtain updated medical orders before the start of the school year from your child’s healthcare provider.
You may use the school’s provided forms or your healthcare provider’s own medication/medical order form, as appropriate.
Your child may need an Emergency Action Plan or other medical plan at school if they have:
☐ Allergies - allergy action plan.pdf
☐ Asthma - asthma action plan.pdf
☐ Seizures - seizure action plan.pdf
☐ Diabetes – Please obtain updated orders from your child’s endocrinologist.
☐ Other Medical Conditions
MEDICATIONS & SUPPLIES
☐ Parental Consent for Prescription Medications – parent/guardian consent for medication.pdf
Complete the required parental consent forms for prescription medications.
☐ Original Pharmacy Containers
All prescription medications must be provided in the original pharmacy-labeled container and clearly identify your child’s name, medication, dosage, and instructions.
☐ Check Expiration Dates
Make sure all medications are current and have not expired. Please request refills from your pharmacy as needed.
☐ Over-the-Counter Medications – For students at Abington Middle School and Abington High School, complete the required parental consent for over-the-counter medications.
Middle School: Consent for Over-the-Counter medication- AMS
High School: AHS Consent for OTC medications and treatment
COMMUNICATION & SUPPORT
Please provide the school nurse with all completed medical forms, parental consent forms, and required medications before the start of school.
You may:
Bring paperwork and medications to Open House
Arrange an appointment with your child’s school nurse
Contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns
School Nurse Contacts
Abington Middle School
Sarah LaPointe - sarahlapointe@abingtonps.org
A Healthy Start to the School Year
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn!
Please complete all applicable items before the first day of school.
Hydration Reminder
Please remember to send your student(s) to school with plenty of water each day. Staying hydrated helps students remain healthy, focused, and ready to learn!
Refillable water bottles are a great option, as filtered water filling stations are conveniently located throughout Abington Middle School. Please note that water bottles are not available for students to purchase or receive at school, so bringing one from home each day is strongly encouraged.
Thank you for helping us keep our students hydrated and feeling their best this spring!
Student Safety - Riding Bicycle, Scooter and Skateboard:
As the weather gets warmer more students will begin to 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.
Students who ride bicycles or scooters to school are encouraged to wear safety helmets. Students who ride bicycles or scooters to school must abide by the following rules. Failure to do so may result in the loss of the privilege of riding a bicycle or scooter to school. Upon arriving at school, students will park their equipment in the appropriate area designated by a bicycle rack. At the closing of school, students who have ridden a bicycle or scooter to school will be dismissed when the walking students are called for dismissal.
Important reminders:
Please walk your Bikes, Scooters and Skateboards on the sidewalks and in the parking lots during high traffic times.
Walk your Bikes, Scooters, and Skateboards at crosswalks.
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.
Late 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 AMS Main Office.
Afternoon Dismissal: Dismissal is at 2:22 p.m. Parents picking up students should use 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.
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.
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.
FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Breakfast & lunch remains free for all students. We still ask that families submit Free and Reduced Lunch Applications for federal reimbursements and other financial considerations in the district.
As part of the National School Lunch Program, students are required to select a serving of fruit or vegetable with their school lunch. This is a federal nutrition requirement designed to ensure that students have access to a well-balanced, nutritious meal each day. Students do not have to eat the fruit or vegetable they select, but they do need to take it as part of their complete school lunch.
We appreciate your help in reminding students to make healthy choices and select a fruit or vegetable each day. Thank you for partnering with us to support the health, well-being, and success of our students!
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).