The AJH Comet Connection: November |
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Greetings from AJH!
As we continue our ascent through the second quarter and step into the season of gratitude and giving, I want to express our sincere appreciation for your continued support of the high standards we are building together at AJH. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to educate your children and take that responsibility with the utmost care and pride. Amherst is a wonderful community to serve, and we are thankful every day to be part of it.
October was a busy and rewarding month, filled with highlights such as our first Comet Champion breakfast celebration, our first round of parent–teacher conferences, the 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C., and a joyful Halloween celebration, to name a few. As we move into November, we look forward to continuing that momentum with exciting experiences for our students — including a meaningful visit from Dr. James Knight and a special ceremony to honor our veterans.
As always, we are deeply appreciative of our families and the entire Amherst community for your ongoing partnership, encouragement, and support. Together, we are making AJH a place where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. The best is yet to come!
With continued gratitude and excitement,
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Mr. Nick Doehr
Assistant Principal
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Mrs. Rebecca Lawson
Dean of Students
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Daily Office Hours: 7:00am - 3:30pm. |
Main Office Phone #: (440) 988-0324
Mrs. Sandy Aufdenkampe - Building & Principal Secretary
Mrs. Tatianna Guice - Athletic & Attendance Secretary
Mr. Bob Harcula - School Counselor
Mrs. Hannah Johnson - School Counselor
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We're excited to showcase all of our latest updates and student successes at Amherst Junior High School through our social media platforms!
Facebook: Amherst Exempted Village Schools
X: @AJHComets (Mr. Hoffman), @MrDoehrAP (Mr. Doehr), and @Comet_Connect (Comet Community Relations).
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In partnership with the EcoLeague, AJH will be participating in their Winter Essentials Drive. During the weeks of November 3rd - 14th, AJH will be collecting donations of coats, hats, gloves and any other winter essentials. Please see the flyer below for more information. Thank you in advance for considering to donate! |
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In conjunction with NNDCC Cadets of Steele High School, AJH will be participating in the Toys4Tots toy drives this holiday season. If you would like to participate by providing a gift, AJH will have a place to donate in the main office. Please consider joining us in this worthwhile cause! |
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On Thursday, November 7th, AJH will proudly host our a Veterans Day Assembly to honor and celebrate the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This special event provides our students with the opportunity to learn about the importance of service, sacrifice, and gratitude.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the veterans in our community for their dedication and courage. Your service inspires us all, and we are deeply grateful for the example you set. We look forward to coming together as a school community to recognize and honor you.
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Parent Teacher Conferences: Monday, November 3rd |
Our second round of Parent/Teacher conferences are being held on Monday, November 3rd from 2:55-4:55pm. As in years past, there is a link for families to use when signing up to meet with teachers during this block of time. This link is included at the bottom of this message!
Parent–teacher conferences are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s growth and set goals for the months ahead. We are so excited to welcome you into the building for conferences and to partner with you in meaningful conversation about your child’s journey this year. Thank you for making the time to connect, share insights, and strengthen the important bridge between home and school. Your encouragement and support are greatly appreciated.
Conference Scheduler Link: PT Conference Scheduler Link
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November 20th Food Pantry |
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Visit our Counselor Corner for important updates from Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Harcula!
Hannah Johnson
Bob Harcula
All 8th graders will participate in the SOS Signs of Suicide program, which promotes mental health awareness and help-seeking behaviors. On November 18, a mental health professional will present information about recognizing signs of depression and suicide. On November 19, students will complete a brief screening to help identify those who may need additional support.
Please review the parent letter here:
SOS Parent Letter
ATTENTION 8th grade students interested in applying for the 9th grade JVS program The online application is now open.
Visit: https://www.lcjvs.com/ Click on the Apply Now-High School tab. Applications need to be completed by February 6, 2026.
JVS Open House- Sunday, February 1, 2026
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We are incredibly proud to recognize our AJH students who have earned a place on the Honor Roll this quarter! Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence truly exemplify what it means to be a Comet. This achievement reflects not only your dedication in the classroom but also the support and encouragement of your families and teachers. Congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment — we celebrate you and your success!
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
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Each month, our staff has the special opportunity to recognize students who truly shine as Comet Champions. These students are nominated for going above and beyond in demonstrating any one of our Comet 3 expectations—respect, responsibility, and kindness in all they do. Being named a Comet Champion is more than an award; it’s a celebration of character, leadership, and the positive choices that spotlight the best of our school community. We are so proud of our Champions and grateful for the example they set for their peers.
Students that are nominated as a monthly Comet Champion will receive a certificate that contains the narrative written by the teacher, a custom designed t-shirt and a donut breakfast.
Here are the winners for October:
Aria Ilcisco, Madi Schafman, Brooklyn Frier, Logan Collins, John Butler, Jayden Milas, Marie Thompson, Jase Harigan, Cadence Strayer, Kyrie Martinez, Isaac Locker, Carl McCartney, Ella Crum, Eleyna Szakats, Bryce Jacobs, Eleanor Caswell, Brooklyn Harbor, Lily Kolleda, Brayden Chaffin, Andi Racy, Evelyn Ball, Lewis Crnjak, Layla Sultzer, Gabrielle Gadomski, Jack Petrosky, Saylor Waddell, Rosalie Tomusko, Olivia DiFilippo, Aubrielle Halitzka, Thomas Yurmanovich, Abigail Hylton, Wesley Rhodes, Jenna Schneider, Evangeline Norton, Gabriel Argenzio
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AJH Welcomes Dr. James Knight |
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On November 5th and 12th, our sixth, seventh, and 8th grade students will participate in a special assembly with Dr. James Knight, an author, speaker, and educator known for his engaging work on leadership, empathy, and fostering community.
Dr. Knight’s presentation will help students discover how kindness and humility can make them stronger leaders and better friends. Through stories, reflection, and his “5 Steps to Lead with Kindness” (Listen, Learn, Love, Luminate, and Lift), students will learn how listening, curiosity, and compassion can shape a respectful culture of belonging in our school. The goal is to inspire every child to recognize their own light—and use it to lift others.
We encourage you to talk with your child about what they learned during Dr. Knight’s visit. Ask them to share examples of how they can “lead with kindness” at school, at home, or in our community. These conversations help reinforce the positive messages from the assembly and remind students that kindness starts with small, everyday actions. If you have any questions about the event, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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November 3rd: Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:55-4:55pm
November 4th: Professional Development Day - No School for students
November 4th: Girls Basketball Fees are Due
November 5th: Dr. Knight Assembly - 6th and 7th grade
November 7th: Veteran's Day assembly 1:15pm
November 12th: Dr. Knight Assembly - 8th grade
November 12th: Family First Night
November 17th: Amherst Public Library Trip - 6th Grade
November 20th: Second Harvest Food Pantry at MLS High School
November 24th: Amherst Public Library Trip - 6th Grade
November 26th-28th: Thanksgiving Break
December 5th: Mock Trial
December 9th: Winter Band Concert
December 10th: Winter Choir Concert
December 11th: Christmas Carol Trip - 7th Grade
December 12th: AJH classroom Spelling BEE
December 17th: Winter Orchestra Concert - 7th and 8th grade
December 18th: Winter Orchestra Concert - 8th grade AT STEELE
December 19th: Early Release - Half Day
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Links to Previous Newsletters
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Use the links below to view (or REview) previous editions of the AJH Comet Connection:
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