LAST DAY OF SCHOOL MAY 17, 2017 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AUGUST 10, Principally Speaking:

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1 Principally Speaking: To take a word or two from the vocabulary of a middle school student, you like gotta love this time of year! Grass has turned a pure green, the flowers are in bloom, the tractors are in the fields, and the kids (perhaps some staff) have begun counting down the days. It is an exciting time of year for everyone including parents, as anyone that has students in school recognizes the challenges of trying to be, where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there! My suggestion to everyone would simply be to enjoy it. Every activity that your child will have at the school will be important to them, and will truly be of benefit to them in their overall development. On Saturday, Mr. Thompson and his 110 track students were terrific hosts to the near 600+ participating athletes. While the track meet was taking place, Aurora elementary, middle school and high school students were competing in the state FPS competition in Kearney. I had the terrific opportunity to watch the track athletes compete and made it to the FPS awards ceremony in time to watch the Aurora FPS teams nearly sweep all the awards. Driving time is always reflection time for me and as I was driving home from the awards ceremony one could not help but reflect on the quality performances of our terrific kids. I arrived back in Aurora in time to visit with H.S. principal, Mr. Kittle, as he was anxiously awaiting prom. This conversation led to reflection about the large and terrific group of senior role models whom will be graduating from high school in a few short weeks. As we have a terrific group ready to graduate we know we have another group of students ready to enter kindergarten. Thirteen years from now, they will be another terrific group graduating from Aurora. This doesn t just happen by accident as it takes the commitment from students and parents, by getting involved. Every classroom concept or school activity offered in Aurora is provided for a purpose, as it goes toward the overall development of our students. It may not seem important as parents are challenged to make it to every elementary field trip, field day, middle school track meet, P.O.P. program, FPS, or high school FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, or band/chorus concert, et., etc, etc, but it will pay huge dividends as a graduating senior. LAST DAY OF SCHOOL MAY 17, 2017 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AUGUST 10, 2017 As we prepare to say good bye to our 8 th grade students from our building and good bye to our High School seniors, it will also be difficult at the end of this school year to say good bye to another teacher that has given his all, in his efforts to produce our quality student product. After 37 years in education, (all in Aurora), 8 th grade science / health instructor, Mr. Ron Haden, will be retiring. Whether in the classroom or coaching cross country or track, Ron Haden has been a very integral part of 37 years of success for our graduating seniors. As this year s kids are leaving with a great reputation, so is Mr. Haden as it will be after winning another State Championship with the girls Cross Country team, and what is hopeful to be some enjoyable days with the State Track Meet in Omaha. Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Haden. Our District and community are sad to see you leave, but happy for your health and enjoyment of retirement for many, many years to follow!

2 May, 2017 Guidance Office News Special points of interest: Math Placement letters will be mailed to parents shortly after school is dismissed for the summer. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Moural at or Testing Concludes, Planning Begins for 2017/2018 The required NESA tests recently concluded and placement of students in support classes as well as advanced classes will begin. Placement is based on NESA raw scores, MAP results, other formative assessments and teacher input. A letter will be sent after school is out letting you know of your child s placement in any of these classes. A fond farewell to our 8th grade students. It has been a pleasure to have you in our building. Good luck to all of you as you enter a new phase of your educational journey. Welcome to the 2017/2018 6th graders. We look forward to spending some time with you on Friday, May 5th.

3 On Thursday, April 13 the 7 graders competed in the Greek Olympics. In all of the student s core classes they have been studying various topics relating to the history and culture of Greece. The Olympics was a fun way for the students to finish up their Greek unit. All students competed in 3 events that mimic events from the real Olympics which originated in Greece. They chose from the sprint, marathon, chariot race, discus, hammer throw, long jump, high jump, javelin, and archery. The 7 graders used much safer alternatives, such as cardboard tubes for javelins, foam balls for hammers, and toy bows and arrows. This year s event was won by Mrs. Pertersen s group, Knossos with 50 points. Thebes, led by Mr. Feik came in 2 and Mr. Phillips Sparta came in 3. The 7 grade staff would especially like to thank all of the other staff members and the parents who volunteered their time to help with the Olympics! We would not be able to run all of the events without their assistance. th th nd rd th

4 Middle School Photo Album Many students and parents have begun to inquire about the timeline for receiving the , Middle School Photo Album. Although we do not know the definite arrival date of the album, students whom purchased the album should receive it on the last day of school. A special THANKS to Dave Bradley and the Aurora News Register for coordinating this particular project for the school year. Dress and Attire Reminders: As we venture towards the final days of school and the weather is turning warmer, it is important that students are reminded that clothing, dress, and attire regulations are expected until summer vacation actually begins. Students are reminded that tank-tops, cut-off shorts, clothing with holes, and signature shirts, are not allowed in school, even on the last day. Thank you parents for the support you have demonstrated throughout the entire school year!

5 Summer Education Opportunities at Edgerton Explorit Center The Edgerton Explorit Center is offering summer enrichment opportunities for middle school students for extended summer learning opportunities. Scholarships MAY BE available for students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program. A flyer with additional information is included in this Newsletter, or you may to the Edgerton website at If you have any additional questions, please contact Mary Molliconi (Executive Director of Edgerton) at or mary@edgerton.org.

6 Note to parents about the last day of school: Cameras are allowed in school on the very last day, May 17th. We will ask that students carry their personal camera with them rather than placing it in their locker. A camera phone is not to be sent to school. If you haven t received the numerous messages on this before, cell phones are not needed, wanted, or allowed, at the middle school, yes even on the last day! Ipads will be collected at the end of the school year. We anticipate as we near the end of the school year, ipads will be collected, grade level at a time. As explained to all parents when the ipad was provided, as well as countless times to students throughout the year, it will be imperative that ipads, ipad cases, cords and chargers are returned in the manner of which they were checked out. Fines will be required or equipment replacement fees applied if applicable. Report Cards As this is the final newsletter publication for the school year, parents are reminded that year ending report cards will be mailed from the middle school office on Thursday, May 24 th. Parents should contact the middle school office if you have not received your child s report card by Thursday, June 1st. Report cards will be mailed home after students have taken care of their individual responsibilities, such as fines or bills to the school.

7 6TH GRADE FIELD TRIP On Thursday, April 27th, the AMS 6 th grade class had the opportunity to experience an excellent field trip right in our own community! Beginning at 8:30am, students loaded busses ready to spend the day watching history come alive at The Plainsman Museum. Once we arrived, we rotated through seven stations led by museum and community volunteers. At each station, students enjoyed specific activities. For example, they toured the various museum buildings, made butter, learned about agriculture in Hamilton County, and visited the Bates House and One-Room School. In the afternoon, the focus changed from history to science, as we traveled to the Edgerton Science Museum. Classes were divided into three groups and spent time both the Explore Zone and in a demonstrations led by Mr. Dan Glomski. Our demonstrations was based on the science of sound and Newton s laws of motion. Both were excellent and gave sixth graders a chance to participate! After this fun day, the 6 th grade team would like to send a big thanks to everyone who helped make this day a success! We especially appreciate our parent volunteers who joined us, as well as the staff at both museums for inviting us to visit!

8 NOTES FROM MRS. METZGER As the year is coming to a close we are busy preparing for the final concerts of the Spring. The students have worked very hard this year and we have had another very successful year. I would like to thank all the parents who have helped with the band this year. Riding buses, helping sponsor, playing piano and providing treats are all very important to our success. Thank you all for you help and support. Please keep encouraging your son or daughter to be involved in band, it takes effort and commitment, but I truly believe it is an activity well worth it. Congratulations to the Middle School Band and the Middle School Jazz Band for receiving Superior Ratings at the Malcolm Middle School Music Contest on Friday, March 17 th. Congratulations also to the following solos and ensembles for your outstanding performances at the contest. The following Solos and Ensembles received Superior Ratings: Bailey Howland, Flute Solo, Rachel Hunter, Flute Solo, Emily Pedersen and Kyleigh VanWormer, Flute Duet, Rachel Hunter, Elena Kuehner and Hailey Hanneman Flute Trio, Lauryn Thomas and Emily Pedersen Flute Mallet Duet, Kyleigh VanWormer and Journey Noyes, Flute Mallet Duet, Kimberly Friesen, Flute Solo, Zarian Arends, Cassidy Aycock and Ella Mitchell, Flute Clarinet Trio, Willa Sharp, Jessica Mikkelsen, Clarinet Duet, Preston Rameakers, Violin Solo, Callie Gaskill and Sydney Dillow, Clarinet Duet, Callie Gaskill and Ellie Wanek, Clarinet Mallet Duet, Jurnny Thornburgh, Clarinet Solo, Callie Gaskill, Sydney Dillow and Jurnny Thornbrugh, Clarinet Trio, Mitchel Breuer and Ben Allen, Sax Duet, Madison Hunter and Claire Jensen, Sax Trumpet Duet, Madison Hunter, Claire Jensen and Talia Willburn, Clarinet, Sax Trumpet Trio, Madison Hunter and Talia Willburn, Clarinet Sax Duet, Tyler Miller, Greg Evans, Alex Johnson and Dylan Riley, Sax Trombone Quartet, Hunter Brophy, Tuba Solo, Percussion Ensemble, Ben Allen, Alto Sax Solo, Carrie Brosman, Alto Sax Solo, Noel Eckert, Alto Sax Solo, Brooklyn Moody, Alto Sax Solo, Rylee Olsen and Taryn McKinney, Sax Duet, Brooklyn Moody, Madison Hunter and Noel Eckert, Sax Trio, Ellie Wanek, Mallet Solo, Noah Ziegler and Jeremy Hunter, Sax Duet, Lauryn Thomas and Journey Noyes, Mallet Duet, Ellie Wanek and Grace Ziegler Mallet Duet, Tyler Miller and Greg Evans, Sax Duet, Journey Noyes, Lauryn Thomas and Zander Stromer, Percussion Trio, Zander Stromer, Daniel Christensen, Brayden Kliewer and Tate Nachtigal, Percussion Quartet, Daniel Helzer, French Horn Solo, Hannah Donnell, Trumpet Solo, Claire Jensen, Trumpet Solo, Cole Oswald, Trumpet Solo, Ben Olsufka and Sydney Dyer, Trumpet Duet, and Cole Oswald, Ben Olsufka, Sydney Dyer, Emily Erickson and Claire Jensen, Trumpet Ensemble.Solos and Ensembles receiving Excellent Ratings were: Bailey Howland, Emily Pedersen and Kyleigh VanWormer, Flute Trio, Cadence Dillender, Bass Clarinet Solo, Sydney Dyer, Emily Erickson, Marah Hinrichs and Kaleigh Metzger, Trumpet Trombone Quartet, Kaleigh Metzger, Baritone Solo and Alex Johnson, Marah Hinrichs, Dylan Riley and Kaleigh Metzger, Trombone Baritone Quartet. Congratulations to the following students for being selected to the Meridian Honor Band: Rachel Hunter and Bailey Howland on flute, Callie Gaskill, Willa Sharp, Talia Willburn, Sydney Dillow and Jessica Mikkelsen on clarinet, Brooklyn Moody, Ben Allen, Madison Hunter, Carrie Brosman and Noel Eckert on alto saxophone, Tyler Miller and Greg Evans on Tenor Sax, Cole Oswald, Ben Olsufka, Sydney Dyer and Claire Jensen on trumpet, Daniel Helzer on French horn, Alex Johnson, Marah Hinrichs and Dylan Riley on trombone, Kaleigh Metzger on baritone, Grace Ziegler on mallets and Max Wiarda on Percussion. The students practiced the afternoon of April 7th, then presented a final concert that evening. Brian Alber Associate Director Bands and University of Nebraska, Kearney was the guest conductor for the band. The final concerts of the year will be here before we know it. Here is the schedule for the final concerts. Tuesday May 2nd Jazz Band Concert 7:00 Thursday May 4th 5 th and 6 th grade Concert 7:00 Sunday May 14 th Graduation (8 th graders) 1:15 Monday, May 15 th MS Band and Choir Concert 7:00

9 Special Thanks Volunteers A tremendous thanks goes out to all the parents and individuals from within the community that provided assistance to our students and staff throughout the school year. We certainly feel as though we have an excellent school system and a very large reason for our success is due to the parent and community support. We appreciate individuals that are willing and able to donate of time, energy, and support, in areas of necessity for our school system. A special thanks goes out to Aurora TeamMate volunteers that provide of their time, talents, and skills to our Aurora Middle School students. We also want to thank everyone that assists with field trips, classroom assistance opportunities, athletic events, and other opportunities that are important to the overall development of our middle school students. We do appreciate your help! Physicals Required Reminder to parents of all current 6 th grade students, health physicals are required prior to enrollment in the 7 th grade. End of Year Tradition It has become somewhat an annual tradition, at the end of each school year, that we take time to recognize all the students that have worked hard to submit every assignment of every class, every day. As it is explained to the students, this would mean NO tenth periods all year long. Along with having no 10 th Periods, positive character and proper behavior is recognized as well. Therefore, with thanks and appreciation to the eating establishments of Casey s, Runza, Arby s and McDonalds, students that accomplish their goals of meeting the above expectations receive incentive awards for their efforts. Congratulations to all honorees!

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11 AURORA MIDDLE SCHOOL SUGGESTED SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST FOR FOR ALL GRADES: We recommend that students in all three grades use paper sacks for book covers. Please DO NOT BRING: Liquid White Out, toys, personal kindles or similar devices (school issued IPad only), calculators with planner etc. 6 TH GRADE-NO TRAPPERS 1. ONE 1 ½ inch 3 ring binder with clear cover (English) 2. TWO packages of loose leaf paper 3. 1 package of 5 tab dividers 4. 1 spiral notebook (For English) 5. THREE composition notebooks (one for science, math, and social studies) 6. Pens: 1 small package with variety of colors 7. Pencils -- wooden or mechanical 8. 2 sets of 12 Colored pencils (or a set of 24) 9. 3 highlighters 1 each of yellow, pink, and green large boxes of tissues 11. pencil case or bag pair of scissors 13. Dry Erase Markers and spiral notebook for Mrs. Kittle s math class. 14. THREE glue sticks 15. Ear Buds for IPads 16. Erasers 17. Shoe Box -- preferably Adult sized shoe box Plastic Folders with pockets inside 19. $3.00 for Aurora Middle School Planner 7 TH GRADE-NO TRAPPERS 1. 2 packages of #2 pencils 2. erasers (not clickers) 3. blue or black ink pens and one red checking pen 4. hi-liters 5. Two single subject spiral notebooks one for Math and one for English 6. Three 1 inch 3 ring binders of 3 different colors 7. 3 packages of 5 divider tabs 8. lined loose leaf paper 9. pencil case or bag 10. Two folders one for reading and one for economics packages of 3x5 index cards 8 TH GRADE 1. Two 1 inch 3 ring binders for EN and MA 2. 2 spiral notebooks for SS and SC 3. Four- 2 pocket folders for MA, SS, SC and Essentials 4. Pencils (mechanical or wooden) 5. One large boxes of tissues 6. blue or black ink pens 7. colored pencils (12 or more colors) 8. scientific calculator, necessary for MA and SC classes 9. lined loose leaf paper package of 3x5 index cards 11. set of hi-liters 12. Project Arts students will need an 8 to 12 ft measuring tape (suggested) 13. Ear buds 14. $3.00 for Aurora Middle School Planner 12. Four large glue sticks for English large boxes of tissues 14. Ear Buds for IPads