The AJH Comet Connection: September 1st
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Hello AJH Families,
Welcome to September! It is hard to believe we are already turning the page to another month, but alas, here we are!
The school year is off and running, and what an incredible start it has been! In just these first eight days, the energy in our classrooms, hallways, and community spaces has been nothing short of inspiring. Students are diving into their learning with enthusiasm, teachers are fostering strong connections, and our school culture is already shining brightly. We are in awe of our students every single day. None of this would be possible without the support and encouragement of our families. Your partnership makes all the difference, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership and support of our students and entire school community. With such a strong beginning, the sky is the limit this year at AJH. The best is yet to come!
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. With gratitude and excitement, |
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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 | |
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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We are still in need of families to complete back-to-school forms for students returning to Amherst EVSD via your PowerSchool Parent Account. The process is not required for new students entering the district for the 2025-2026 school year, only returning students.
Please complete ASAP if you haven't already do so! Thank you to all families that have!
Please take a moment to review and ensure all emergency, medical, and contact information is accurate. It is critical for the safety and security of all students that we have this information updated before the first day of school. If the contact information is not updated, parents/guardians will NOT receive communication from the district.The Returning Student Registration form must be completed via the link provided below. DO NOT USE YOUR POWERSCHOOL MOBILE PHONE APP.
Please follow the steps below:
Visit our website, www.amherstk12.org and navigate to the Parents & Students section at the top of the page to access PowerSchool Login or click here to be directed to the PowerSchool website.
Once you are signed in, click on the link located on the left-hand side titled Returning Student Registration 2025-2026. You will be prompted to enter your child’s date of birth for verification purposes.
If you have more than one student, after submitting your first record, simply click on the name of your next student, choose the Returning Student Registration link, then enter their date of birth.
For step-by-step instructions, click on the link below.
PowerSchool Parent Portal Link |
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As you may already know, AJH and Steele High School will have new start and end times for this upcoming school year. This decision was not made lightly, so please know that we appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we all adjust to a new pattern at AJH.
Please review the following times as they relate to our hours of operation.. Office Opens to Public: 7:00am
Doors Open to Students: 7:25am Instruction Begins: 7:40am Bus Dismissal: 2:40pm
Walker/Car Rider Dismissal: 2:45pm |
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*Green denotes lunch periods. |
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Arrival & Dismissal Updates
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When we began our reassessment of our arrival and dismissal procedures earlier this summer, we knew it was critical for us to make improvements in three main categories; safety, organization and efficiency. With your help and support, we believe we have significantly improved in all three categories and continue to work diligently to tweak both arrival and dismissal processes to ensure continued efficiency for our car riders. We asked for your help and you delivered! We are grateful for your support and partnership in helping maintaining safe, organized, and efficient arrival and dismissal procedures. AJH Arrival and Dismissal Directions |
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Gratitude for the Amherst Police Department
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I continue to be amazed at the collaboration across our community when it comes to partnering with and supporting our school community. It is not hard to see that Amherst is truly a special place.
I would like to take a moment to recognize the Amherst Police Department for their unwavering support in all ways, but mainly as it pertains to our arrival and dismissal procedures. Your commitment to student safety is truly appreciated. The truth is that without your support, our new arrival and dismissal procedures would not be possible. We thank you. We appreciate you.
Special shout out to Officer Gawlik, Officer Lamb and Officer Bowers as they have been on the front lines of support. We appreciate you! |
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Meet the Literacy Coaches!
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Did you know that AEVSD has two literacy coaches that support our teachers and students with all things literacy?! Natalie Hostutler and Breanna Carden are amazing humans who dedicate countless hours to helping our school community thrive. Learn more about them and our literacy goals in the links below!
Meet the Literacy Coaches! AEVSD Literacy Plan |
| Visit our Counselor Corner for important updates from Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Harcula! Hannah Johnson Bob Harcula Counselor Minute Meetings
Over the next few weeks, counselors will be meeting one-on-one with every student for brief “Minute Meetings.” These quick check-ins help us get to know our students better, while also giving students the chance to learn more about their school counselor’s role and how we can support them throughout the year. |
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Throughout the month of September, all of our students will be taking some form of a diagnostic assessment. Don't panic! Unlike the Ohio State Tests, these assessments are designed to be low-stakes (meaning low stress!) They provide us valuable information on how students are currently performing in areas like reading (comprehension and fluency) and all areas of math. The data gleaned from these assessments are designed to be use as tools for instructional planning. This means that teachers will be able to use this data to learn more about areas of needs for students so they can design their classroom instruction to meet the specific needs of all students. All we ask from students is that they give their best effort. These assessment are not summative. They are designed to help teachers learn more about students.
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6th Grade Acadience:
6th grades students will be taking assessments to help gauge their level of comprehension and oral reading fluency. This will be happening the week of 9/2. |
| MAP Testing: All Grades All students at AJH will be taking the MAP in both reading and math. Students will be taking these assessments the week of 9/2, 9/8 and 9/15. |
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Student Cell Phone Policy
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SHOUT OUT to students and families! We cannot tell you how impressed we are with students' diligence with making sure cell phones are stored and not visible during the school day. We couldn't have asked for a better start in this department. We are thrilled to see how committed our students and families are to helping ensure distraction-free, quality, and engaging learning environments. Please see the cell phone policy below as a reminder...
Students are Amherst Junior High School are not permitted to use their cell phone during the school day. In accordance with our policy that can be viewed in the Student Handbook, student cell phones are to be stored in their backpack inside of their locker for the duration of the school day. Students are permitted to use their cell phone prior to 7:40am and after 2:40pm. The support of our families with the student cell phone policy assists our team of educators with providing students with a learning environment that is free of as many distractions as possible.
If you have questions regarding the student cell phone policy, please contact Mr. Hoffman - AJH Principal or Mr. Doehr - AJH Assistant Principal. |
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The Nutrition Services Department is committed to providing nutritious school meals and educating our children with life-long healthy eating habits. Contact us at 440-988-1991 for information on school meal requirements, nutrition guidelines, healthy lifestyles, and the benefits of school meals. School Breakfast Includes: Main Entree, Fruit, and Milk School Lunch Includes: Main Entree, Fruit, Vegetable, and Milk
Cash and check payments for meals are accepted at the school buildings. Families may also use PaySchools Central to make a secure electronic payment to their student's meal account.
Please visit our Nutrition Services website for information regarding a Free and Reduced Breakfast and Lunch as well as School Meal Menus. |
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This year at AJH, we are continuing to demonstrate our Comet 3 expectations as part of our PBIS program. Students are expected to Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Kind in all areas of their school day. Students demonstrating these Comet 3 will earn 3 PBIS points in each of their classes daily. We will be rewarding students with fun prizes and experiences for meeting our school expectations!
You may have already heard of Comet Plinko! It is one of the many ways we are recognizing students for meeting our daily Comet 3 expectations. The school year is off to a phenomenal start in this way! We truly appreciate your support at home.
You can keep in the know with your students' PBIS activity by downloading the PBIS Rewards Family app and using your child's personal QR code. These were sent home at the beginning of the year. If you need an additional copy or any help getting started, please email Mrs. Lawson and she will happily help you get rolling! rebecca_lawson@amherstk12.org
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Once again this year, we will be holding the PTO sponsored AJH Walk-A-Thon fundraiser! This year, the Walk-A-Thon will be held on Thursday, September 25th! We thank the AJH PTO for their support as dollars raised from this fundraiser go directly to our supporting our students and entire AJH community. |
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MASSIVE shout out to our transportation department for their work in ensuring timely and, most importantly, safe and efficient travel for our students. We appreciate all that you do to make sure our students travel safely from point A to point B.
Please continue to check the Transportation website and district social media announcements for the posted bus routes. |
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September 1st: No School - Labor Day
September 3rd: 7th Grade Picture Day September 4th: 8th Grade Picture Day September 17th: Washington D.C. parent meeting - 7:00pm in the AJH Cafetorium
September 19th: District Emergency Drill - No School for Students
September 25th: AJH Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser
September 26th: AJH Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser RAIN DATE
October 9th: Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:55-8:55pm October 10th: NEOEA Day - No School
October 17th: End of Q1
November 3rd: Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:55-4:55pm |
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Links to Previous Newsletters
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Use the links below to view (or REview) previous editions of the Comet Connection: |
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