Albany Middle School -

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Stakeholders, If your child is interested in playing basketball at Albany Middle School (AMS), please see the attached information regarding tryouts for both boys and girls teams. A physical is required and we encourage all interested students to participate in the tryouts.

Attention!!! Dear AMS Families, We are excited to celebrate our amazing grandparents at our Grandparents Celebration this Thursday, October 3rd at 5:30 PM in the AMS Cafeteria! The theme of this year’s celebration is "You Raised Me Up," and we have some special poems and readings prepared by our students to honor and appreciate the vital role grandparents play in our lives. We look forward to seeing you all there for an evening of joy and gratitude. Don't forget to bring your wonderful grandparents and join us for this heartfelt event! For more information, feel free to contact me at 229-431-3325 or via email at lou.hardy@docoschools.org. Thank you, Lou Hardy, Parent Facilitator

ALBANY MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED ON SEPTEMBER 26 & 27 DUE TO HURRICANE HELENE.

The Dougherty County School System is excited to participate in National Bullying Prevention Month this October with the theme "United Against Bullying: One Community, One Voice." We’re hosting a variety of activities to raise awareness and promote a safe, bully-free environment for all students. Mark your calendars for Unity Day on Thursday, October 10th! The entire district will be wearing orange to show support for bullying prevention and solidarity. We encourage everyone to join us in this powerful statement. More to come!!!

IMPORTANT: Dougherty County Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday in anticipation of severe weather associated with Hurricane Helene. We anticipate normal school operations will resume on Monday. Should plans change, we will send out notifications through the district app, text and email. We are now in a Hurricane Warning and a flood watch. Hurricane force winds are projected overnight Thursday, into Friday morning. The system is expected to be precipitated by excessive rain on Thursday. This is a dangerous weather system. We encourage everyone to heed the guidance of emergency management officials and take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of your family.

Dear Parents and Guardians, Due to inclement weather conditions, school has been canceled for the remainder of the week. As a result, our Grandparents Day celebration has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 3rd at 5:30 PM. We know how important this event is for our students and families, and we are excited to host it on the new date. Please mark your calendars, and we look forward to seeing everyone on October 3rd! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 229-431-3325 or email me at lou.hardy@docoschools.org. Thank you for your understanding, and stay safe! Ms. Lou Hardy, Parent Facilitator

WEATHER STATEMENT: Click the link for important information about Tropical Storm Helene: https://bit.ly/3XToE9L

Attention AMS! We invite you to our Grandparents Celebration on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 5:30 PM. This year's theme is "You Raised Me Up", and we invite all families and friends to join us as we give a heartfelt tribute to our beloved grandparents. Our students have prepared special entertainment as a tribute to their grandparents, showcasing their love and appreciation. In addition to the wonderful performances, refreshments will be served, and prizes will be given throughout the event. We hope you will join us for this joyous occasion as we honor grandparents' incredible role in our children's lives. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at 229-431-3325 or via email at lou.hardy@docoschools.org. We look forward to celebrating with you! Warm regards, Ms. Lou Hardy, Parent Facilitator, AMS Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.)

AMS Parents & Guardians, Please take a few minutes to fill out the Dougherty County School System - Parent and Family Survey. The Cognia Parent Survey is designed to collect data on student academic learning and wellness during the current school year. Participation in each survey is anonymous and appreciated. The survey will remain open through September 20, 2024. Thank you! Dougherty County School System - Parent and Family Survey https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/260350/p1905

DCSS Parents & Guardians, Please use this link for an important update from the Superintendent about recent social media hoaxes affecting our school community. Your awareness is crucial. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3XGTqCu

Subject: Safety Update Regarding Social Media Post Dear AMS Parents and Guardians, We are aware of a recent Facebook post concerning our school, and we want to assure you that school police are currently investigating the situation. We are taking every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of all students and staff while at school. As always, the well-being of our school community is our top priority. We will keep you informed of any important updates. Thank you for your understanding and support. Sincerely, Principal Simmons 09/13/2024

Dear AMS Family, Get ready to show your school spirit! The 2024 AMS Homecoming T-Shirts are now available for purchase. The shirts are priced at $12.00 for sizes S-XL and $15.00 for XXL and above. The last day to order is tomorrow, 9/13/2024. Go Indians! Thanks, Principal Simmons 09/12/2024

The district is aware of a threat circulating around the state on social media. It appears that the schools mentioned were extracted from a list of Title 1 schools listed on the GaDOE website. Although we believe this to be a hoax, out of an abundance of caution, we are placing all schools on a soft lockdown posture until the posts are investigated thoroughly. The safety and security of our students, employees and guests is our number one priority.

Dear AMS Students and Parents, We are pleased to inform you that the September 2024 School Calendar has been posted. This calendar includes all the AMS events scheduled throughout the month. We encourage you to review it to stay informed about important dates and activities. Thank you for your continued support and involvement! Sincerely, Principal Simmons 08/30/2024

Dear AMS Students & Parents, Just a quick reminder that school will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024, in observance of Labor Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 8:00 AM. Enjoy the long weekend! Thanks, Principal Simmons 08/30/2024

Dear AMS Students and Parents, We are excited to announce that parent/teacher conferences will be held next week on September 5th and 6th. Both days will be early release days, with school ending at 1:30 PM. For your convenience, we are offering both in-person and virtual options for the conferences. While appointments are preferred, walk-ins are welcome. Conference Schedule: Thursday, September 5th: 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Use the QR Code to Schedule an Appointment & Walk-Ins are Welcome) Friday, September 6th: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (Meetings will Scheduled by Teachers) See the attached AMS Parent-Teacher Conference Flyer for more detailed information. We look forward to connecting with you! Principal Simmons 08/29/2024

Reminder: AMS Football Team will be “blacking” the stadium out tomorrow against Crisp County. Please wear your all black tomorrow to show support for Coach Jones and the AMS Football Team! 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

GEAR UP: GEAR UP is partnering with InsideTrack to provide students with 1:1 coaching services to ensure they're ready for college. Limited slots available - Register TODAY! The deadline is August 9. Class of 2024: https://bit.ly/GUCollegeSuccessCoach Class of 2025: https://bit.ly/GEARUPCollegeSuccessCoach2025

WEATHER STATEMENT: In light of the most recent updates regarding the track of Tropical Storm Debby, school for Monday, August. 5, 2024 has been canceled. See more here: https://bit.ly/DebStatement1

SUMMER BUS ROUTES: Summer bus routes have been added to the website! Just click the link or search with those keywords: https://www.docoschools.org/page/summer-school-bus-routes