August Welcome Back Letter

AJH Newsletter: Back to School Edition

Principal's Message

Hello AJH Families!

As the golden days of summer begin to fade, and we have inevitably turned the page to August, there's a familiar shift in the air—an anticipation that comes with the return of school. Long, sunsoaked afternoons give way to the delight of new school supplies, freshly sharpened pencils, and the excitement of seeing familiar faces again. The sound of the Amherst Marching Comets playing drifts through the air—a spirited reminder that the rhythm of the year is beginning once more. There’s something special about this time of year, when memories of summer still linger, but the promise of a fresh start begins to take hold. The return to school is a gentle reminder that every ending leads to a new beginning. We are excited to welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year! We are honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve this school community! 

As we begin the new year, all AJH families can expect a monthly newsletter from us designed to encapsulate all things AJH. Our hope is that monthly newsletters support families in staying connected to all the wonderful things happening in our building. Our August edition aims to contain all the back-to-school information families need to get the 2025-2026 school year off and running in a positive direction. We appreciate you taking the time to check it out! 

In the coming weeks and months, we look forward to getting to know our students, families, and staff. We believe strongly in the power of partnerships and open communication. When we work together—school, home, and community—our students thrive.

As we prepare for the immediate start of a new school year, our team is already hard at work planning engaging learning experiences, creating a welcoming environment, and setting the stage for a strong, positive school culture. We are excited about what lies ahead and confident that, together, we can make this an exceptional year. Please know that our doors are always open. 

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. 

With gratitude and excitement,

AH

Principal

Mr. Andrew Hoffman

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Assistant Principal

Mr. Nick Doehr

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Dean of Students

Mrs. Rebecca Lawson

Main Office Information

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

Follow Us!

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).

FX

Important Links

  • District Website: www.amherstk12.org

  • School Website: Amherst Junior High (6-8)

  • AJH Student Handbook

  • AJH Athletics

  • PaySchools Central

RSR

It is time 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 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

New Start & End Times

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

Daily Bell Schedule

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*Green denotes lunch periods.

Arrival & Dismissal Updates

As we adjust to the new start and end times at AJH this school year, and in the spirit of new beginnings, AJH will have new car rider procedures that we hope will streamline the challenging and, oftentimes, frustrating traffic patterns we have had in the past. Our newly developed processes are rooted in student safety and collaboration and teamwork with Powers Elementary School as the adjustment to our start and end times will have an impact on their arrival and dismissal procedures. Embracing the themes of community and collaboration, we are asking all members of our school community to work together, and support each other, in a safer and more efficient process for our car riders. We cannot thank you enough in advance for helping to ensure a smooth transition to our new procedure.

Please review the link below for more information.

AJH Arrival and Dismissal Directions

AH

Student Schedules & School Supplies

On Friday, August 8th, AJH student schedules will go live on PowerSchool at 4:00pm.

To assist families with taking advantage of the Tax Free Holiday, please view the School Supply Lists for each grade level (and 6th Grade Teams), using the links below.

  • 6th Grade Supply List

  • 7th Grade Supply List

  • 8th Grade Supply List

6th Grade Orientation

Incoming 6th Graders… Welcome to AJH! We are SO happy you are here!

In order to help you get acclimated to our building, meet some of the wonderful staff, and practice those dreaded lockers (you got this!), AJH will be hosting a 6th Grade Drop-In event on Wednesday, August 13th from 1:00-4:00pm.

Students can expect to receive their schedules, walk the building to visit all of their classrooms, practice their lockers and interact with staff. We understand the transition from Nord to AJH can be a daunting one, but we are here to help you through it! We can’t wait to see you!

Families, please plan to use the main AJH parking lot, as well as the Car Rider Lot between AJH and Powers. Overflow parking can be found in the Powers Elementary lot off of N. Lake Street.

AJH Open House

Open House for ALL AJH students will be held on Thursday, August 14th from 5:30-6:30.

Students can expect to receive their schedules, have an opportunity to visit classrooms, meet their teachers, connect with staff members, and receive additional information about the 2025-2026 school year.

Families, please plan to use the main AJH parking lot, as well as the Car Rider Lot between AJH and Powers for parking during this event. Overflow parking can be found in the Powers Elementary lot off of N. Lake Street. We look forward to seeing you!

Technology

Google Education Suite for Amherst Students - Caregiver Notification

All Amherst students will be using the Google Education Suite of services throughout the school day. This includes Google Care Services and Select Additional Services. The Google Education Suite provides a variety of tools that enhance learning, collaboration, and communication in the classroom. These services are designed to be a safe and productive environment for all students to learn.

GS

Student Cell Phone Policy

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.

Nutrition Services

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

    • 6th-8th: $2.35 (no cost for those that qualify for reduced-price or free meals).

  • School Lunch Includes: Main Entree, Fruit, Vegetable, and Milk

    • 6th-8th: $3.60 (no cost for those that qualify for reduced-price or free meals).

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.

Transportation

The 2025-2026 Bus Routes will soon be available for families. Please continue to check the Transportation website and district social media announcements for the posted bus routes.

Important AJH Dates

August 8th: AJH schedules released at 4:00pm in PowerSchool

August 13th: 6th Grade Drop-In from 1:00-4:00pm

August 13th: Walkin’ On Wednesday Meet the Team Event 4:00-7:30pm

August 14th: Open House 5:30-6:30

August 20th: First Day of School!!!

August 27th: 6th Grade Picture Day

August 28th: Washington DC Final Payments Due

September 1st: No School - Labor Day

September 3rd: 7th Grade Picture Day

September 4th: 8th Grade Picture Day

September 19th: District Emergency Drill - No School for Students

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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