Amherst Junior High School

English 9:Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

Advanced English 9: Gods, Heroes, and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin

Honors 9: How to Read Literature Like a Professor

The following student were winners at the Art Exhibit at the Midway Mall.

First Place - Best of Show: Bryce Pember

Excellent Awards were given to Sam Kline, Mercedes Murphy, and Baya Stowers.

There have been some media reports about some Amherst middle and junior high school students arrested on drug charges. In accordance with our zero-tolerance policy, the students have been suspended from school and expulsion hearings are in the process of being scheduled. The students also face charges through the Amherst Police Department. The Amherst Schools and police department are working hard to maintain and enforce drug-free schools.

The use of drugs and alcohol is a societal issue that has made its way into our schools. To that end, we ask you as parents and community members to help us maintain our safe, drug-free schools. If you suspect your child or another child of experimenting with drugs or alcohol, please talk to them and seek help from professionals. Please be vigilant, check bedrooms, and look for contraband and for other symptoms of drug use.

We have guidance counselors on staff and can assist if you suspect that your child may be using drugs. We would also encourage you to contact the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board at 440-282-9920 for additional information. Your cooperation is imperative to helping keep our kids safe.

Thank you,
Steve Sayers, Superintendent

The Amherst Boys' Basketball program will be holding a summer camp for grades four through nine at Steele High School. The camp will be held from June 17 through June 21, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Registration is $70 and must be sent in before June 10. For more information, pick up a brochure in the high school's main office.

Wednesday, May 22, the seventh and eighth grade choirs are performing their Spring Concert. Pre­Sale tickets are now available for the concert. To pre­order tickets, please include this form and a check for $3 per ticket in an envelope with the student’s name on the outside. Tickets will be returned to the student the next school day.

Tickets are good for Mrs. Gall’s choir at 7:00 p.m. and Mrs. Anderson’s choir at 8:00 p.m. Audience members do not need to leave in between performances. Choir members have free admission to both performances.

End of the year sale at the Comet Corner located at the Steele High School. All apparel is 20% off.

Each May, we have dozens of Amherst parents who inquire about appropriate learning materials to prevent the "summer slide" and we have an excellent option for you! Research shows that students simply do not retain the important math and language arts skills during summer break unless they have consistent practice. For parents who are interested in purchasing summer learning materials, the Executive Director is recommending Summer Solutions. The Summer Solutions practice book contains 30 lessons, along with Help Pages and an answer key for self-checking. It's recommended that the students complete a lesson three times per week over summer break. Use the information in the links below to order the materials you want online and receive a discount. Your materials will be shipped directly to your child's school and will be given to your child to take home before the last day of school. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Molnar, Executive Director of Educational Services, at the Board Office.

The 2013-2014 eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip is scheduled for October 24-26, 2013.  Permissions slips have been sent home with current seventh graders. Permission slips, roommate request forms and a deposit of $50 are due by May 24, 2013.  The total cost of the trip is $398.  Please make checks payable to the Amherst Board of Education.

Additional permission forms are available in the AJH office or you can call Mrs. Aufdenkampe at 988-0324 at any time.    

The Educational Service Center of Lorain County is proud to sponsor the Spirit of America Youth Water Safety Program located in the Lorain Harbor again this summer.  Aimed at the 7^th grade students, this valuable experience provides hands-on opportunities for participants to learn about water safety and the safe operation of power boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes and sailboats.  In addition, each student will have the opportunity to obtain his or her Ohio Boater License.  The program has served 500 students over the past eight years, and the names of participating students from your district are available upon request. 

Thanks to the financial support from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft, there will be no cost to the students, school or district. 

Applications are available in the AJH office for any interested 7^th graders.  Mrs. Obbey is also available to help if you have questions.  

The Amherst Steele varsity soccer teams will be hosting their tenth annual youth soccer camp during the week of June 24 through June 28. Cost of the camp is $65, which includes a ball, t-shirt, and prizes. All proceeds go to support the boys and girls high school soccer programs. To register, please download the attached flyer and return it with payment to Camp Director Brett Thompson by Monday, June 10. Flyers can also be picked up at the high school office. Questions can be emailed to Coach Thompson.

The last day for students will be Wednesday, May 29, 2013. All staff will be participating in Safety and Security training on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

On Friday, June 7, between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. the Center for Orthopedics will be offering free physicals for high school sport qualifications. Students should bring a OHSAA physical form with medical history and parent or guardian signature prior to the physical. However forms will be made available the day of the physical.

The Cenfor Orthopedics
5001 Transportation Dr.
Sheffield Village OH 44054

Please RSVP to (440) 329-2860 no later than Monday, June 3, to reserve a spot.

Mark your calendars for the AJH end of the year awards programs.

• Seventh grade is Wednesday, May 22, starting at 9:00 a.m.
• Eighth grade is Thursday, May 23, starting at 9:00 a.m.

Please call the office at 988-0324 if there are any questions.

To receive updates on track news and cancelled practices, simply follow @AJHTrack on Twitter. This will give everyone updates on necessary track information. Please see or email Mr. Anderson or Mrs. King with any questions.

Details of the Governor's education funding plan were released last week. Under the proposal, the Amherst Schools would receive no increase in funding for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. We will keep the community updated as the proposal works its way through the legislative process over the next three or four months.