PA Meeting Canceled

Due to busy end-of-year schedules, the Parent Association meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled. The PA group will meet up in the New Year, on January 20 at 7:00 pm. All parents are welcome to attend this meeting, which will be held at Title Wave Books; the AMS carnival will be the main topic of conversation.

If you are interested in helping with the carnival, please contact Amanda Ungerecht (aungerecht@gmail.com), who thanks you for your volunteer efforts this year and wishes you a peaceful winter break!

No School Friday

Just a reminder that there is no school on Friday! AMS students will return from winter break on Monday, January 5, 2009. Happy holidays to all.

Auction Items Anyone?

The Wine Mixer Social and Online Auction fundraising team need your help to bring in items for our auction and raffle!

The Wine Mixer Social will be held February 28 and will include a small auction comprising three-to-five items of significant value, plus a raffle. The Online Auction will take place in late spring.

A key focus of these events is to raise money for the teachers training fund as well as other costs associated with maintaining a quality program. As we all know, the teachers are the heart and soul of AMS; these fundraising activities will enable them to further their Montessori education and professional growth so that they may continue to provide the best quality education for our children! Just one year of Montessori Training costs for one teacher are approximately $15,000. Expenses can include tuition, materials, airfare, and lodging.

We are asking parents who either directly contributed to, or helped solicit donations for, previous events to once again help us bring in auction and raffle items that help make these events a success. For those who have not yet had the opportunity to contribute to past events, now is your chance!

If you have items, ideas, or relationships with potential donors or event underwriters, please contact Shelly Morgan or Sioux-z Marshall!

Shelly Morgan 301-3448; smorgan@tnc.org
Chair, Wine Mixer Social

OR

Sioux-z Marshall at: 240 6363; shmarshall@gmail.com
Chair, Online Auction

Remember: All items donated before December 31, 2008, can be used as a deduction on 2008 taxes.


Thank you,

Wine Mixer and On-Line Auction and Fundraising Team

PA Meeting + Kelly’s Kitchen Project

All parents are invited to attend the next Parent’s Association (PA) meeting at AMS on Tuesday, December 16. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm.

One PA project now underway is “Kelly’s Kitchen”. PA members are looking for donations to refurbish the AMS kitchen. Needed items include:

• Commercial-grade dishwasher (same size/brand as we already have)
• Small cutting boards
• Spreaders
• Knives and a sharpening block
• Shelving and cupboards for storage

If you have items to donate, please contact Amanda Ungerecht (toddler teacher/development director) at the school or by email at aungerecht@gmail.com. Amanda is hoping to present the items/or information about the items to Kelly during the last week of school before winter break.

Holiday Specials at the AMS School Store

Spread holiday cheer and school spirit with sales at the AMS School Store. Check out these great deals:

-- Any two t-shirts $25.00 (size + color available for order)
-- Calendars only $5.00 with each purchase
-- New products arriving soon, including adult hoodies in sizes small to 2X

All purchases help support AMS…what a worthy cause!

Parent Survival Night: Dec 12 (6-10:00 pm)

Need a night out? Bring your kids to AMS Friday night and they’ll have safe, fun supervision while you attend that holiday party or finish up your shopping. The cost is $30 for the first child and $20 for each sibling. Payment is required when signing up and is considered a donation to participating staff (please leave the "To" line blank in the checks).

There are:

· 20 spots available for children ages 3-12 (enrolled students, siblings, or alumni)
· 4 spots available for children under 3 (must be enrolled at AMS)

Sign up at the front desk. Space is limited, so please hurry!

Cell Phone Recycling Fundraiser

Need to recycle an old cell phone? Bring it to AMS, and you can help earn money for West High School. Cell phones can be dropped off at the front desk and will be collected by Victoria Manzer, AMS accountant, on behalf of West High's Booster Club.

Thank you for your help!

This Friday: Dinner and a Movie at AMS

Join AMS friends and staff this Friday for dinner and a movie. Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm with the movie, Monsters, Inc., starting promptly at 6:00 pm. The cost is $7.

Click here for a movie synopsis and trailer.

Parent Association Meeting

The next Parent Association meeting will be held Tuesday, November 18, at 7:00 pm. Topics of discussion will include results of Mom’s Night Out and future events, including Movie Night and Parent Survival Night.

All parent's are welcome to attend.

Lost Ring

A woman's ring was lost in the parking lot (presumably) Wednesday after 3:30pm. If you happen to find it, please turn it in the front desk. It is an antique platinum band with small channel-set diamonds. The ring has high sentimental value to the owner.

Thank you for your help.

Mom's Night Out: a holiday shopping event

AMS moms are invited to "Mom's Night Out" this Saturday, November 15, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the big room. Enjoy food and wine while you shop from AMS vendors such as:

- Sensaria, Natural Body Care
- The Body Shop
- Silpada Jewelry
- Lia Sophia Jewelry
- Stained Glass Decor
- B's Purses

Many other vendors will be on hand. Bring your mom, your grandma, and your girlfriends to indulge in wine, treats, and...shopping!

Student in Need of Ride

The Medders Family is seeking after school (3:15 pm) transportation for their daughter. They live on E. 10th Avenue, off of Turpin Street. They will compensate for fuel cost. If you are interested in helping out, please notify the front desk.

Thank you.

Calling All Elementary Parents!

On October 17, 2008, from 12:00-1:00 pm, Steve will be hosting a parent luncheon for elementary parents. This event will be held in the upper elementary classroom.

A Special Thank You

AMS would like to thank the parent volunteers who showed up on Saturday, October 11, 2008, to lay down gravel on the toddler and preschool playground. What a great job! We appreciate your hard work and commitment in making AMS beautiful and safe!

Do you blog?

There will soon be an opening for the AMS Parent blog. Our family will be relocating and so I will need to find a new AMS Parent Blog author. If your looking for a fun way to volunteer for AMS, and earn volunteer hours, while also helping keep your fellow AMS Parents updated on all things AMS, please email me at the following address: alaskaams@mac.com

I will be happy to meet with the prospective parent and show them the ins and outs of this blog, once you get the hang of it it's as easy as entering the information and publishing, the blogger.com software does all the rest!

In addition, if there are any parents that our readers know who aren't currently signed up for automatic blog postings in their email inbox, please alert them to the sign up portion on the left side of the blog (http://alaskaams.blogspot.com). It's an easy sign up (empty box that says powered by feedblitz) and they will always be updated on the AMS community.

Thank you for all the readers and participants who gave such great ideas for blog entries the past year! Our family has enjoyed being a part of the Montessori tradition here in Anchorage and we are continuing on with Montessori in our new location. We have had a great experience being members of the vibrant AMS community.

Thanks!
~ Annie

Juice + Muffins!

Please join your AMS community tomorrow for juice & muffins during morning drop off. This event is sponsored by the AMS Parents Association ~ a great way to get involved and support the AMS family!

Look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow for a jump start to your day~

Help Needed!

Rack up those AMS volunteer hours while helping out with the AMS exterior. We need volunteers to help spread gravel on the playground. We need approximately 10 to 12 people with shovels and wheelbarrows to meet on Saturday October 11th at 10:00 am.

Please contact Amy at the front desk to sign-up~~~ a great way to help improve AMS while also gaining valuable volunteer hours.

Picture Day!

This week is Picture Day at AMS... Please note, the pictures will be divided between two days, determined by class:

Tuesday, September 30th:

Amanda 2 day & full day toddlers
Liz 2 day toddlers
Miss Shirley
Miss Micha
Miss Jennifer
Ted

Wednesday, October 1st:

Amanda 3 & 5 day toddlers
Liz 3 & 5 day toddlers
Amy full day
Greta

Tonight...or Thursday?

This week is your chance to see the work your child does at school...

Bring the kids and come to AMS Back to School Night!

To keep the crowds paired down, there are 2 separate evenings, please find your child's assigned night according to class:

Tuesday 9/23 at 6:00 PM for all of elementary and morning preschool/afternoon kindergarten

Thursday 9/25 at 6:00 PM morning kindergarten/afternoon preschool and all non-kindergarten preschool.

ALSO... Please bring your Carrs/Safeway card (or at least your 11-digit Carrs card number) to Back-to-School Night so you can register for eScrip, a fundraiser for AMS that does not cost you a penny!

To Remember...Bring Your...

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT IS COMING...

To keep the crowds paired down, there are 2 separate evenings, please find your child's assigned night according to class:

Tuesday 9/23 at 6:00 PM for all of elementary and morning preschool/afternoon kindergarten

Thursday 9/25 at 6:00 PM morning kindergarten/afternoon preschool and all non-kindergarten preschool.

ALSO... Please bring your Carrs/Safeway card (or at least your 11-digit Carrs card number) to Back-to-School Night so you can register for eScrip, a fundraiser for AMS that does not cost you a penny!

Tonight...

Help make your child's experience at AMS even better: join the Parent Association! While a member of the AMS PA you will be able to help organize the AMS community events, find volunteers and provide ideas for AMS's future developments.

Many of the upcoming 2008-2009 AMS events will begin their planning stages from the AMS PA: Mom's Night Out, AMS Carnival, Movie Nights, Bake Sales, Parent Appreciation Breakfast and Teacher Appreciation Week.

Please join your fellow parents tonight at Tuesday, September 9th at 7:00 PM at the AMS building for our first Parent Association of the 2008-2009 school year!

Mark Your Calendar...

Good news...It's almost time for Back to School Night!!!

To keep the crowds paired down, there are 2 separate evenings, please find your child's assigned night according to class:

Tuesday 9/23 at 6:00 PM for all of elementary and morning preschool/afternoon kindergarten

Thursday 9/25 at 6:00 PM morning kindergarten/afternoon preschool and all non-kindergarten preschool.

Congrats to...& volunteer opportunities for '08-'09

Congrats to two of our AMS students... this past weekend two of our students placed in the Alaska State Fair Fiddle Contest. Our very own Sky K. took 1st place and Reilly G. took 4th place in the junior fiddler category. BIG Congratulations to these two AMS students for their participation and awards at the Alaska State Fair...
Go AMS!

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities for '08-'09 ? The following are now available for sign-up on the AMS Community Bulletin Board:

~ Mom's Night Out : vendors needed to showcase independent home based businesses in our AMS community

~ On-line Auction: technical support, graphic design, chair & vice chair opportunities

~ Yard Sale: volunteers to coordinate this annual event

~ Original works: this art based fundraising transfers a child's original artwork into professionally produced products you can wear and share

~ Raffle & Wine Mixer: volunteers needed to coordinate this event

A few items...

~ Reminder: No School this Monday, September 1, in honor of Labor Day.

~ AMS is accepting applications for substitute assistance ~ earn some cash while helping out your child's school! See Amy at the front desk

~ Our own Executive Director Steve O' Brien is currently working on his Administrative Internship ~ and on October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd his mentor, Bretta Weiss-Wolff will be working alongside him with his training. Bretta is a former American Montessori Society President as well as a living legacy as recognized by the American Montessori Society... more details on her time in Anchorage to follow!

Big Thanks!

As summer turns to the school year there's one more summer item to wrap up: a BIG AMS Thank You to AMS Moms Stephanie & Christy for all they did these past 3 months for the AMS Playground Bonanza. Thanks to Stephanie, who did all of the craft organizing, purchasing and donating as well as thanks to Christy for setting up the schedule. Many of you came out over the summer to show your support and your kids had a great time seeing their AMS friends while on summer break.

If you see either Stephanie or Christy in the halls of AMS please take a moment to thank them for their generous donation of time and resources toward this fun summer event!

Crafts for your Kids

An update from yesterday:

This week's LAST AMS Playground Bonanza will feature, as an added bonus, a Craft Activity at no charge!

Please come and enjoy the last Wednesday morning of our AMS Playground Bonanza, bring all your kids and celebrate the last days of summer with your fellow AMS friends!

Wednesday, August 20th:

11 AM - 1 PM ~ Frontierland Park

Join us at Frontierland at the corner of 'E' Street and W. 10th Ave ~ across the street from Delaney Park Strip ~ featuring: log cabin playhouses, swings, and seesaw ~ kiddy corner to No. 556 engine

LAST Summer '08 Playground Bonanza !!!

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, August 20th:

11 AM - 1 PM

Join us at Frontierland at the corner of 'E' Street and W. 10th Ave ~ across the street from Delaney Park Strip ~ featuring: log cabin playhouses, swings, and seesaw ~ kiddy corner to No. 556 engine

Too many clothes?

This time of year you may be checking your little one's clothing for proper size, and figuring out where to take the clothes that no longer fit your growing child. Anchorage's AWAIC (Abused Women's Aid in Crisis) is in **urgent** need of clothing donations.

AWAIC will take all sizes but currently has a dire need for sizes newborn - 4T. The AMS Parent Blog has learned that they have nearly 30 children in this age group (many more then usual) and would be happy to accept any donations of clothing, new or used, at their downtown location. They also accept new stuffed animals (each child is given one upon arrival).

Please consider this current and local need for any donations and take a moment to reach out to local friends beyond the AMS family. You can view their website at the link below or contact their *non* emergency line, also listed on the website. Let's show AWAIC that our AMS Community can come together and support local little ones in need during trying times.

http://www.awaic.org/

Can you believe?...Spread the word!

Can you believe it's already mid-August?!? The AMS Parent Blog would like to remind parents of a few important upcoming dates. Also, with every new year we bring new families into the AMS community. If you have the email addresses of any families that don't currently subscribe to the blog, please forward this website to them ~ that way they can keep updated on all things AMS!

Thursday 8/21/08 at 6:00 PM All School Orientation! Parents, please come and join your child's teacher for an informative meeting on the upcoming school year. This is your chance to ask your child's teacher any questions as well as learn about the new classroom. While we would like to accommodate all children, this is a parents only event, so please plan ahead for childcare ~ we thank you in advance for your understanding and attendance at this annual event.

Friday 8/22/08 AMS Students to meet Teachers... stay tuned during Thursday's Parent Orientation for details from your child's teacher

8/25/08 1st Day of School ~ Staggered start for toddler & preschool, stayed tuned for details

New Numbers...

From the desk of Karen Padgett...

eScrip Progress: April & May 2008 numbers are in. The biggest contributors in April were Betty Ann Eastur Smith & Lisa Gray. The biggest contributors in May were Lisa Gray & TJ Sorensen. Nice going!!

September 2007, $214
October 2007, $276
November 2007, $404
December 2007, $354
January 2008, $360
February 2008, $425
March 2008, $393
April 2008, $271
May 2008, $238

Travelocity contributes 1%! And with those mounting travel costs, a silver lining is that you can get Travelocity to contribute more to AMS J If any of your co-workers travel a lot, consider signing them up for eScrip so some of their travel dollars can be redirected to AMS—again at no additional cost to them!

Amazon.com now contributes 2.4% through eScrip. eBay has increased their contribution to 1.2%. Keep up the shopping!

REMINDER #1: If you’re already registered with eScrip, please remember to also sign up for eScrip “At the Online Mall,” by doing the following at your computer(s):

a) Log into your eScrip account (you can log in using just your email address. You don’t need to remember your password)
b) Click on “At the Online Mall” in the upper right corner of the screen
c) Click on the blue “Auto Track” circle at the top of the page
d) Follow the instructions to download the software
e) Whenever you go to the website of a merchant who participates in the eScrip “At the Online Mall” program, a box will pop
up in the lower right part of your screen saying what percentage of your purchase will be contributed.

REMINDER #2: About 100 AMS families have not yet registered. To register yourself, friends, or family members, simply email the Carrs/Safeway card number to Karen.padgett@alaska.com. If you don’t know your number (usually 11 digits starting with 46…), please call Safeway Customer Service at 1-877-723-3929 to find out what it is or sign up for a new one at any Carrs store. OR sign yourself up online at www.escrip.com!!!

This week's Playground Bonanza + Crafts!!!

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, August 13th:

11 AM - 1 PM

David Green Park

MacInnes Street & 36th Ave (between Lake Otis & New Seward)

Pavilion-perfect for picnic, large play structure, large field

Craft activities: build a big-bubble wand; make an Alaskan moosey-or-fishy bank, get the sun's help to print a picture

This week's Playground Bonanza

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, August 6th:

11 AM - 1 PM

Lyn Ary Park
(a.k.a. Pirate Ship Park)

Foraker Drive & Illiamna Ave (N. of Turnagain Pkwy)

Coastal trail, great views, play ship, play structure, climbing wall & field

This week's Playground Bonanza

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, July 30th:

11 AM - 1 PM

Elderberry Park

West 5th & M Street (downtown behind Simon & Seafort's)

Play structures, bike trails, trains chug by frequently !

Library & Water Fountain ~ Help Needed

Hard to believe, but the 2008-2009 school year is rapidly approaching... where did the time go? We're looking forward to another exciting school year ~

Are you looking to be the early bird on 2008-2009 AMS volunteer hours? The preschool library is under going a reorganization and your help is needed sorting books and moving a few items around the room. Think of it as a way to get ideas of book titles your kids might like~ and a fun way to easily earn some early volunteer hours.

Or... if outdoor fix-it is more your thing, AMS is also looking for help to install some new outdoor drinking fountains. For either of these 2 volunteer opportunities, please see the AMS Front Desk.

Also... word has it AMS will be launching it's own AMS store within the building this Fall. We've been told there will be fun AMS gear for purchase with proceeds going to support the school. Stay posted for details in the coming months.

Enjoy these last few weeks of summer...

This week's Playground Bonanza

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, July 23rd:

11 AM - 1 PM

Jade Park

Dimond Blvd & Jade Street (past Jewel Lake)

Playhouse with nautical theme and sports field nearby

This week's Playground Bonanza

The most recent posting did not include the time:

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, July 16th

11 AM - 1 PM

Kincaid Park

End of West Raspberry ~ next to chalet

Sand pit, small play structure, pavilion, lots of grass/hills and bike paths

This week's Playground Bonanza

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, July 9th

Oceanview ~

Take Jarvi Drive (off Old Seward Hwy) to Oceanview Drive ~

Pavilion with a good hill to roll or run down, tennis courts!

This week's Playground Bonanza + Crafts!!!

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, July 2:

Kiwanis-Fish Creek
Bennett Ave & Turnagain Blvd. (off Spenard Road)
Pavilion near tennis courts and woods, purple dinosaur

Craft Activities: stamp a star-spangled tee-shirt, make a paper lantern; decorate a spiral mobile

If you don't have plans this Wednesday, please join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, June 25th :

Valley of the Moon

Arctic Blvd. & Chester Creek ~ Space ship play structure, lots of slides trails, picnic tables

Grandparent's Association

AMS is starting a Grandparent's Association. Joining would allow grandparents to receive four publications designed just for them, as well as the quarterly "AMS NEWS" newsletter, and maybe even a sweet surprise from their grandchild!

If your family is interested in this unique opportunity, please let Amanda know at : amandalynak@gci.net

Do your kids like big spaces?

Check out this Anchorage community option for little ones:


General Information

Dates: January 28, 2008 - July 1, 2008

Days of Week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Target Audience: Kid Friendly,Infants & Toddlers,Preschool,Preschool

Time: 11:30am - 2:30pm

Phone: 907.868.4304

Location: Cellular One Sports Center

Ticket Information

Price: $5.00 per child, parents free

Ticketing Phone: 907.868.4304

Event Details/Other Comments:

Parents, bring your young ones to the Cellular One Sports Center to burn off some of that excess energy on our indoor turf. All toys are acceptable to bring. We supply balls. Parents are free, children are $5 each. No age limit.

Do you have a chair or...?

From the desk of Amanda Ungerecht:

BIG THANKS to all that helped with the AMS Rummage Sale ~ it was a HUGE success. Due to the proceeds we've been able to make great upgrades to the staff lounge. We are still looking for an occasional chair and love seat couch cover. If you have one or know of an option please contact Amanda at: amandalynak@gci.net

This week's Playground Bonanza

If you don't have plans tomorrow, join up with the AMS Playground Bonanza... this week's details:

Wednesday, June 18th:

Join us at Frontierland at the corner of 'E' Street and W. 10th Ave ~ across the street from Delaney Park Strip ~ featuring: log cabin playhouses, swings, and seesaw ~ kiddy corner to No. 556 engine

From the desk of Karen Padgett:

eScrip Progress: March 2008 numbers are in. The biggest contributors in February were Betty Ann Eastur Smith, Lisa Gray & TJ Sorensen. Nice going!!

September, $214
October, $276
November, $404
December, $354
January 2008, $360
February 2008, $425
March 2008, $393

Amazon.com now contributes 2.4% through eScrip. eBay has increased their contribution to 1.2%. Keep up the shopping! J

REMINDER #1: If you’re already registered with eScrip, please remember to also sign up for eScrip “At the Online Mall,” by doing the following at your computer(s):

 Log into your eScrip account (you can log in using just your email address. You don’t need to remember your password)
 Click on “At the Online Mall” in the upper right corner of the screen
 Click on the blue “Auto Track” circle at the top of the page
 Follow the instructions to download the software
 Whenever you go to the website of a merchant who participates in the eScrip “At the Online Mall” program, a box will pop up in the lower right part of your screen saying what percentage of your purchase will be contributed.

REMINDER #2: About 100 AMS families have not yet registered. To register, simply email your Carrs/Safeway card number to Karen.padgett@alaska.com. If you don’t know your number (usually 11 digits starting with 46…), please call Safeway Customer Service at 1-877-723-3929 to find out what it is or sign up for a new one at any Carrs store. OR sign up online at www.escrip.com!!!

Who wants cookies & lemonade?

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 12th from 10 AM to 1 PM, Ms. Micah's AMS Summer Camp class will be hosting a lemonade stand. PLEASE come join us for a few moments and enjoy a glass of lemonade and some cookies. All will be for sale for 25 cents each... the class will start the day baking the cookies and preparing the lemonade!

If your AMS students aren't at summer camp this week, why not use the chance tomorrow to bring the kids along, say hello and grab a snack? The friends in Ms. Micah's class will be SO happy to see you and have your support of their lemonade stand. Grab some quarters and join us tomorrow, Thursday 6/12 from 10 AM - 1 PM for lemonade & cookies!

Anchorage Military Appreciation Week ~ Playground Bonanza!

We are reminded by AMS's own Amanda that this is Anchorage's Military Appreciation Week. With so many families in our community involved with the military this is a good time to stop and consider their contributions and offer our support. Below you will find links to a few community websites with more information:


http://www.anchoragechamber.org/cms/Default.asp?page=37

http://www.kgot.com/cc-common/mainheadlines2.html?feed=112323&article=3732224

Tomorrow is the next organized AMS Playground Bonanza. If your not scheduled tomorrow for AMS Summer Camp or another activity, please join your AMS Community at David Green Park. Located at MacInnes St & 36th Ave (between Lake Otis & New Seward) the Pavilion is perfect for picnics, has a large play structure and large field. BONUS: Tomorrow our AMS Playground Bonanza parents will offer a Craft Activity: come paint a paperweight for Dad; build a rhythm instrument; decorate a space whirly! Come and join the fun!

Don't Forget...plus summer fun

The AMS Yard Sale is this Saturday, May 31st from 9 AM to 2 PM.

All this week items can be dropped off May 27 - 29, from 11 AM to 1 PM ~ or ~ May 29 & 30 from 6 - 8 PM. Get your spring cleaning done and bring all your old and/or outgrown kids items to AMS and donated to our AMS Yardsale!

Spread the word!

Just because summer has started doesn't mean the fun is over ~ this summer will be another AMS Playground Bonanza ~ a perfect way for you and your little ones to explore the play grounds around town ~ The times set up are every Wednesday between 11 AM and 1 PM. Be sure to check the blog weekly as we will have each location posted:

Next week: Wednesday, June 4, Lyn Ary Park (Foraker Dr & Illiamna Ave ~ N. of Turnagain Pkwy)

Picnic + Extension

The Annual AMS End of the Year Picnic is this Thursday, May 22nd. Please join us at 11:30 for a Picnic at Boat Park (just behind AMS). Food will be provided **however** no dish will be turned away... so feel free to contribute to the picnic feast!

The AMS Bid into Spring Auction has been extended by one day, the revised end date is May 21st... please refer to the following link:

http://www.ams.cmarket.com

Music ~ Parents ~ Escrip

~ AMS Music Teacher Ann McElhoes has put together an exciting 2nd Annual Music Concert featuring our AMS Preschool, Lower & Upper Elementary students. Please have your performers in their classrooms by 5:15 PM, the concert will commence at 5:30 PM. Additional overflow parking will be available next door at Northwood Elementary.

~ The AMS Parent Appreciation Breakfast is this Saturday, May 17th at AMS. Please bring your families and join your AMS staff from 9:00 AM -11:OO AM. Pancakes, sausage, orange juice & coffee will served.

~ From the desk of Karen Padgett:

eScrip Progress: February 2008 numbers are in. It was our biggest month so far!! Congratulations! The biggest contributors in February were Lisa Gray & TJ Sorensen. Nice going!!

August 2007, $70
September, $214
October, $276
November, $404
December, $354
January 2008, $360
February 2008, $425

REMINDER #1: If you’re already registered with eScrip, please remember to also sign up for eScrip “At the Online Mall,” by doing the following at your computer(s):

Log into your eScrip account (you can log in using just your email address)
Click on “At the Online Mall” in the upper right corner of the screen
Click on the blue “Auto Track” circle at the top of the page
Follow the instructions to download the software
Whenever you go to the website of a merchant who participates in the eScrip “At the Online Mall” program, a box will pop up in the lower right part of your screen saying what percentage of your purchase will be contributed.

REMINDER #2: About 100 AMS families have not yet registered. To register, simply email your Carrs/Safeway card number to Karen.padgett@alaska.com. If you don’t know your number (usually 11 digits starting with 46…), please call Safeway Customer Service at 1-877-723-3929 to find out what it is or sign up for a new one at any Carrs store.

Just a reminder:

The 2nd Annual AMS Concert, featuring our AMS Preschool, Lower & Upper Elementary classes, will be held this Thursday, May 15th. Please have your students in their respective classrooms by 5:15 dressed as requested. The concert will begin at 5:30 PM ~

The AMS Parent Appreciation Breakfast is this Saturday, May 17th at AMS. Please bring your families and join your AMS staff at this event from 9:00 AM -11:OO AM. Pancakes, sausage, orange & coffee will served.

Get your mouse ready

Tomorrow, Friday May 9, 2008, is the start of the AMS Bid into Spring Auction. Below you will see a link that will go active tomorrow, allowing you ~ from the comfort of wherever you internet ~ to start bidding on exciting items. The auction will run from May 9, 2008 to May 20, 2008...so get your mouse ready and Bid into Spring!

http://www.ams.cmarket.com

Will you decorate?

We are in need of decorators and decorations! Our AMS School Concert & Performance is Thursday, May 15th ~ If you can volunteer this week to help decorate the big room in advance of this event please give your name to Amy at the front desk. Let's help make this event spectacular for our AMS students.

Remember: Please have your preschool or elementary students in their respective classrooms by 5:15 on Thursday, May 15th. The show will start *promptly* at 5:30.

Please come help us decorate for this exciting event ~ please help spread the word to those AMS families who don't subscribe to the blog... thanks!

There's still time!

Where did the time go? The 11th Annual Bid Into Spring Auction is nearly upon us ~ but you still have plenty of time to get those donations to AMS. Be it gift cards, gift certificates or items ~ both big + small ~ all will be gratefully accepted.

Another idea: many online stores allow for free shipping of gift cards, some even allow you to email the gift card. An option would be purchasing then emailing the gift card to yourself, printing out the gift card then driving it over to the AMS Front Desk for the Spring Auction. How easy is that?

In addition, there are numerous local options: think coffee, swimming, gym, take-out, cinema, clothing, spa treatments, auto details (summer is upon us...), the list goes on ~ Last year bidders from 25 states participated in our AMS auction. This year let's try to make it all 50!