Abilene Middle School

Congratulations to this week's AMS Students of the Week! It was lovely to read the reason why teachers nominated this week's students - some were nominated for their excellent attitudes about school and learning; others were nominated because they simply embody the values we hold dear at AMS - respect, responsibility, and leadership; and others still were nominated because they are just amazing human beings. Whatever the reason, we are proud of you, Longhorns!
6th grade - M. Boeken, B. Gilbert
7th grade - J. Rose, B. Burnett
8th grade - C. Geering, I. Price

AMS Families - we sent home half of the fundraiser orders today, and we will finish sending the rest home next Tuesday and Wednesday. Just didn't want you to be worried if your kiddo didn't bring it home today :)

Longhorn families! Here are some reminders of upcoming events and important dates over the next couple weeks.

🧡 Monday, September 29: No School
Teachers will be participating in Professional Development on this day. Students will not have school.

🏐 Monday, September 29: Volleyball
7th Grade Volleyball plays a quad at Manhattan. Games start at 3:30.

🏐 Tuesday, September 30: Volleyball
7th and 8th Grade Volleyball play quads at Rock Creek. Games start at 4:30.

🏈 Thursday, October 2: Football, Volleyball, Cross Country
7th/8th Grade Football play at home against Chapman. 7th grade game starts at 4:30 with the 8th grade game following.
7th/8th Grade Volleyball play at home against Chapman. Matches start at 4:30.
AMS Cross Country runs at Beloit. Races start at 3:45.

🏃 Tuesday, October 7: Cross Country
AMS Cross Country runs at Ellsworth. Races start at 3:30.

Congratulations to this week's AMS Students of the Week! Teachers nominated this group for two different reasons - major respect in the classroom and throughout our building AND excellent accountability in the classroom. We have some rockstar students in this group who will go far in life because of the skills they show every day. Way to go, Longhorns!
6th grade - V. McNutt, D. Ward
7th grade - B. Crane, R. Taylor
8th grade - B. Lady, B. Pekarek

Mr. Engle's STEM classes wrapped up a unit over aerodynamics this week. Students got the opportunity to design and launch their own rockets!

Longhorn families! Here are some reminders of upcoming events and important dates over the next couple weeks.

🏐 Saturday, September 20: Volleyball
7th Grade Volleyball plays a tournament in Junction City. Matches start at 8:30 a.m.
8th Grade Volleyball plays a tournament in Solomon. Matches start at 8:30 a.m.

🏐Monday, September 22: Volleyball
7th Grade Volleyball plays a quad at Rock Creek. Games start at 4:30.
8th Grade Volleyball plays a quad at home. Games start at 4:30.

🏃Tuesday, September 23: Cross Country
7th/8th Grade Cross Country competes at Southeast of Saline. Races start at 4 p.m.

🏈 Thursday, September 25: Football and Volleyball
7th/8th Grade Football plays at Rock Creek. 7th grade game starts at 4:30 with the 8th grade game following.
7th/8th Grade Volleyball plays at Rock Creek. Matches start at 4:30.

🧡 Monday, September 29: No School
Teachers will be participating in Professional Development on this day. Students will not have school.

Mr. Taylor is another new face at the middle school, and our last new certified staff member to share! He is joining us from the high school where he will continue to teach classes as well this year.

While Mrs. Whiteley has been seen in our building previously, this is her first official year here! She'll be at both the high school and the middle school teaching vocal music.

Congratulations to our AMS Students of the Week for September 15-19, 2025. The teachers nominating this group spoke of traits representing accountability, respect, and perseverance. These students are leaders in their classrooms, and their bright smiles make our building shine :)
6th grade - M. Tate, C. Clockner
7th grade - B. Haslouer, S. Brooks
8th grade - P. Evans, L. Thacker

Longhorn families! Here are some reminders of upcoming events and important dates over the next couple weeks.

🏐 Monday, September 15: Volleyball
8th Grade Volleyball plays a quad in Manhattan. Matches start at 3:30.

🏃Tuesday, September 16: Cross Country
7th/8th Grade Cross Country runs at Clay Center. Races start at 4:00.

🏈 Thursday, September 18: Football and Volleyball
7th/8th Grade Volleyball plays at home against Concordia. Matches start at 4:30.
7th/8th Grade Football plays at home against Concordia. 7th grade game starts at 4:30 with the 8th grade game following.

🏐 Saturday, September 20: Volleyball
7th Grade Volleyball plays at Junction City with matches starting at 8:30 in the morning.
8th Grade Volleyball plays at Solomon with matches start at 9:00 in the morning.

🏐 Monday, September 22: Volleyball
7th Grade B-Team Volleyball plays a quad at Rock Creek. Matches start at 4:30.
8th Grade Volleyball plays a quad at home against Sacred Heart, Southeast of Saline, and Smoky Valley. Matches start at 4:30.

When the weather is nice, all of our Longhorns get an opportunity to get outside during their lunch periods. They often play football, basketball, four square, or volleyball; otherwise, they just get a chance to hang out and get some fresh air.

This is another new Longhorn that has joined our team from a different building in the district. We are so happy to have Mr. Whiteley on our 7th grade team!

The Boys Town skill that the middle schoolers have been working on over the last two weeks is Caring for Your Own Belongings. The four steps of this skill are:

1. Avoid damaging your possessions
2. Use items as intended
3. Put things away
4. Report damage

In an effort to help them with this skill, especially the step of putting things away in the right place so the item is not lost, please take a look at what's currently on the Lost and Found table. If you see something that belongs to your child, have them grab it while at school tomorrow!

Our AMS FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) room is full of wonderful smells again this year. The students have been working on knife skills, food safety, and following a recipe, and now they have made cherry kolaches, apple pie, bubble bread, and apple crisp. The 8th graders are learning how to fry chicken today!

The Abilene Middle School yearbook staff attended a workshop at the Topeka Zoo this week. During the workshop they worked with a cover artist to design this year's yearbook cover, learned about team building, coverage strategies, and photography tips. An added bonus was visiting the animals at the zoo when they were finished!

Don't forget! A special yearbook offer is going on NOW until September 19th! You can order your yearbook here: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1071176/Abilene-Middle-School/2026-Yearbook/20250814151511903118/CATALOG_SHOP/

Help us welcome another new Longhorn! Mrs. Kough is joining us from another building in the district.

We are so proud of our 8th grade vocal students and the work they are putting in. We are already seeing big gains in the awesome sounds they are making!

Congratulations to this week's AMS Students of the Week! This group is full of very kind, respectful, and diligent students who have shown strong work ethic and perseverance through the first few weeks of the year. Teachers really appreciate their peaceful presence in the classrooms along with their contributions to daily lessons. Way to go Longhorns!
6th grade - H. Greene, H. Savery
7th grade - T. Dixon, C. Tokoi
8th grade - B. Mintner, J. Ottensmeier

AMS Families - don't forget our AMS Site Council meeting is tonight from 6:00-6:40 in the AMS Conference room. We look forward to seeing our members from last year AND any new parents/guardians who would like to join our group!