School Hours

1. The school day begins at 8:05 a.m. & ends at 2:50 p.m. on M, T, Th, F
2. On Wednesday’s school begins at 9:30 a.m. and will be dismissed at 2:50 p.m.
3. Buses depart approximately eight minutes after dismissal on all days.
   
   

Attendance Policy

Phone number: 268-2410 (Student Services)

Here is the procedure for dealing with attendance.

• A parent/guardian needs to call the attendance office before 9:00 am to inform the Student Services Office each day that the student is unable to attend and the reason for the absence.

• It is the student’s responsibility to see that make-up work is completed. Schoolwork missed because of absence or suspension must be made up within two times the number of days absent not to exceed six days. The classroom teachers may allow additional make-up time at their discretion.

• Parents/Guardians may contact a teacher via email for homework assignments. For a one-day absence students are encouraged to contact a classmate for assignment information. If making homework request via student services, please call by 9:00 a.m. and pick up work by 3:15 p.m.

• If it is necessary for the student to leave school during the school day, there must be written or verbal permission from a parent/guardian. Please bring a note to the Student Services office at the beginning of the day and pick up a pass. The pass will be shown to the teacher and then returned to the Student Services secretary when the student leaves.

• After arriving at school, do not leave the building or grounds without permission. This is considered Out of Bounds. Doing so will result in an unexcused absence and office consequences.

• You may pass to homeroom at 7:50 a.m. M, T, Th, F  (9:20 a.m. Wednesday).

• Students are expected to be at school and in their classroom when school starts at 8:05 (Wednesday 9:30). You are considered tardy if you are not in your assigned classroom when class begins.

• If a student knows he/she will be absent for a full day, he/she needs to report to the attendance office to get a prior form. This form informs teachers of the absence and allows students to get work ahead of time.

District Transportation

Transportation to school by bus is provided for middle school students living more than two miles from school. The bus service is provided by the Durham School Services. Questions regarding bus transportation should be directed to Durham (233-5424). Drivers have been charged with the responsibility of operating their buses according to the safety rules outlined in the student/parent handbook..

Family School Communication

It is our desire to provide as much information to middle school parents and guardians as possible. The following represent various ways of communication that exist between school and home:

1. Student Planner (cost $6.00) - students are expected to write down daily assignments and record daily grades. Parents are asked to review the “Planner” so they can keep in touch with what is going on at school.
   
   
2. Ames Tribune - A weekly column appears in the Saturday edition of the Ames Daily Tribune and provides valuable information about student activities and upcoming events at Ames Middle School.
   
   
3. Student/Parent Handbook – Inserted in your student’s planner.
   
   
4. School Calendar - a district-wide school calendar of events and activities has been prepared and will be mailed to each household in August. Visit the AMS web site to check on the latest events.
   
   
5. Parent-Teacher Conferences - Parents will be scheduled to meet with a teacher on their child's team for a conference. Fall conferences will be held in November. Spring conferences are held in March on a walk-in basis.
   (Note: If you wish to have a conference at any other time, please contact us.
   
   
6. Telephone and E-mail.
   
   
7. Odd-Even Calendar - lists whether the day is odd or even, helping the students to be aware of music and PE classes.

Student Insurance

Students are given the opportunity to purchase an insurance policy at the beginning of each school year. Students are given forms to take home if parents/guardians desire coverage.

Lunch Accounts

You are encouraged to deposit funds into your student's lunch account during Open House at the designated table. Please make checks payable to Ames Middle School and separate from registration fees.) After school begins, students are responsible for depositing money before the beginning of the school day with a food service representative. Parents wishing to apply for free and/or reduced lunch prices should fill out the application which is available from Food Service or a school secretary.

NEW THIS YEAR!

Online payments – You will be able to make online lunch account payments this year! There are 2 ways to access the new system. One is through Infinite Campus under the “RevTrack” website provided. You will need to know your student’s district ID number. The second access site will be through the ACSD website under the “Meal Menus” tab.

Parking and Student Drop Off

We appreciate your cooperation in following these traffic guidelines at Ames Middle School to promote improved student safety and eliminate traffic congestion.

1. Parents/guardians dropping off or picking up students at the beginning or conclusion of the school day should enter one of the parking lots, to the east or west side of the main entrance center circle. The circular driveway in the front of the building serves as a bus-loading zone only for students riding Cy-Ride.
2. Please do not leave your car parked and unattended in any of the circular drives in front of our building. Also, do not drop off or pick up students in the back of the building since the school buses will be using that area.
3. Do not park on the south side of Mortensen Road, across from the school. Doing so creates a potentially dangerous situation, as it requires students to cross the street at a heavy traffic area in order to meet their rides.