Articles in Ames Middle School

In December of 2020, the Ames Community School District surveyed students, staff, and families regarding distance education and how to meet the needs of our community with our learning models, academics, and support strategies using Panorama Education. The surveys included questions around social and emotional learning, academic needs, and staff and family engagement, among others. The purpose of the survey is to gather perception data from key stakeholders as a way to set a baseline for evaluation. This was a different Panorama survey than the Culture and Climate Survey conducted in March 2020. We are still planning to do that survey again this upcoming spring.  …

During the week of February 1-5, classrooms across the District will engage in the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, a 5-day guide to expand student understanding of the Black Lives Matter at School Principles.  

Why is the Ames CSD participating in the Black Lives Matter at School national week of action?

The Black Lives Matter at School movement, which is not formally affiliated with the Black Lives Matter Global Network or any other organization in the Movement for Black Lives, is a push to improve schools for Black students, teachers, and families. The movement is a call to schools across the nation to say and show that Black lives matter within the school walls and in the policies and practices that impact the lives and futures of Black students. The Week of Action is a time set aside to affirm all Black identities by centering Black voices, empowering students, and teaching about Black experiences beyond slavery.  …

We know that this year has had some challenging moments for our students, but we have also seen them do amazing things. Share an educational moment with us that made you proud as a parent. Maybe one of your children helped a sibling with their homework, tackled a new project, or persevered through an obstacle that seemed at one time insurmountable. 

At the link below, fill out the form and share one image with us along with a 1-2 sentence caption of the photo. The images and content may be used in a variety of District content, including but not limited to the District’s website, social media, or other publications. 

http://bit.ly/OurAmazingStudents

PK-5 Students to Return to 100% Face-to-Face

This morning, the school board voted for PK-5 students who desire a building-based delivery model to return to 100% face-to-face starting on January 4, 2021. Below, we have outlined what this means for our students in the various delivery models and buildings.  …

The Ames Community School District is pleased to offer a free breakfast and lunch each day to every child in our community through the end of the current school year.

Any child aged 1-18 is eligible to receive a school breakfast and lunch at Ames Middle School, Edwards Elementary, Fellows Elementary, Meeker Elementary, Mitchell Elementary, and Sawyer Elementary.  Grab and Go meals will be available for students that are in virtual learning and younger children at the above sites.  Free meals are available to students when they are on site each of these sites.   Breakfast and lunch are available for free for onsite learners at Ames High School, free snacks are available for onsite learners at Northwood Preschool, free breakfast and lunch is available for enrolled children at the Boys and Girls Club.

• On Monday, December 7, Monday and Tuesday Meals will be available between 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Edwards, Fellows, Meeker, Mitchell, and Sawyer Elementary Schools and between 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Ames Middle School.
• Starting Wednesday, December 9^th, Ames families with students and young children can pick up free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch at between 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at Edwards, Fellows, Meeker, Mitchell, and Sawyer Elementary Schools. 
• Pickup for free meals is available at Ames Middle School Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 
• Students and young children do not need to be present when parents and guardians pick up meals, and student IDs are not required. Families may pick up meals at the school closest to them.

We will also continue to serve weekend meals on Fridays.  …

As we continue to monitor our District on a daily basis, we have expanded our application for approval from the Iowa Department of Education (DE) to move to 100% online remote learning for all school buildings PK-8. This includes all elementary schools, Northwood Preschool, and Ames Middle School.  …

Last spring, the Ames Middle School participated in the American Heart Challenge. This annual fundraising event begins in February, American Heart Month. The Challenge focuses on preparing middle school and high school students for success by strengthening their physical and emotional well-being, while fostering their social responsibility. After a kick-off event, students collect donations for the American Heart Association (AHA), which includes an online program that allows participants to quickly and easily reach out to those interested in donating. According to the AHA, money raised funds life-saving research and community programs in the fight against heart disease.  …

We are excited to announce that the next design in our LC2: Little Cyclone Limited Collection is available on our online apparel store. The LC2 collection is a partnership with Sigler where this specific design is a buy one, give one opportunity for our community. For every LC203 piece that is purchased online, Sigler will print and donate another t-shirt that will be given to a student in the District. Between the previous two campaigns, LC201 and LC202, we were able to give over 130 Ames branded shirts to students.  …

Superpower: The ability to take every learning on an educational journey.

When in the classroom, Katrina Williams often moves into her alter ego to take students on an educational journey to places where they may not have gone before. “The journey each day is to convince a student learner that I have something worthwhile to teach them.” With 27+ years in education and her second in Ames, Williams is navigating a complicated year by focusing on her powers while developing others along the way.  …