THE RAPTOR REPORT

Principal Points: October

October is one of the busiest and most energized months of the year for everyone, and I have highlighted several of the key events/activities.

Homecoming 2013: Spirit Week is underway, and it will close with the Fall Pep Rally, the Homecoming Game and the Homecoming Dance on Friday, October 4, 2013. This is always an exciting week for everyone, and it is even more exciting this week as the swimmers prepare for the State Championship Meet on Saturday, October 5th.

New Staff Member: We are pleased to have Ms. Deborah Mettler join AMHS as our Guidance Director. Ms. Mettler will be at school beginning Thursday, October 3rd, and she is eager to begin serving our students. A graduate of Middleton High School, Ms. Mettler earned her BA from North Carolina State University and her MEd in guidance from Campbell University. She comes to AMHS following an outstanding experience as a guidance counselor in Raleigh, NC, and I am confident that she will quickly become a valued and valuable member of the Magnet community.

Infosnap: Everyone should have received a letter from AMHS about Infosnap and the procedures for logging on and updating student information. The updating ought to be done by October 14, 2013. If you did not receive a letter or need assistance with the process, please contact Ms. Redfern at 746-6378 or marjorie-redfern@charleston.k12.sc.us.

Admissions Process begins again. Following the CCSD School Choice Fair, which was held on Saturday, September 21, 2013, the application for the 2014-2015 school year is now online on the AMHS website. Students interested in attending AMHS will submit their applications by November 1, 2013, and in the meantime, we will host a general Open House October 10, 2013 with two follow-up group tour sessions: October 22nd at 1:30 PM and October 24th at 9:00 AM.

Coming Attractions

EXPLORE Test Administration for non-CCSD 8th graders: Saturday, October 12th and 19th at 9:00 AM.

PSAT Administration to all 9th, 10th, 11th grade students at AMHS: October 16, 2013. Seniors will attend a Senior Seminar on "ethics" during the morning.

International Dinner: Saturday, October 19th in the cafeteria. This is always a very special event celebrating the various cultures of our community. Come and enjoy fabulous food and student entertainment.

Thank you for your continuing support as AMHS moves ahead into the season of college applications, thesis presentations, and Fall sports' playoffs. If we can help with anything, please call us at 746-1300.

Judith Peterson

Principal, AMHS

THE ANNUAL AMHS

INTERNATIONAL DINNER

Saturday, October 19

6-8 pm in the AMHS Cafeteria

A much loved evening of food,

fellowship and fun!

Adult tickets are $5 and student tickets are $3. To purchase your tickets online click here:

International Dinner Tickets.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR:

International cuisine food tables- We currently have the following tables represented: GERMANY, ITALY, CHINA, MEXICO, INDIA, POLAND, GREECE, USA, SLOVAKIA and SAUDI ARABIA!

We are looking for someone to head the GREEK table- we have volunteers to make Greek food but no one to run it. We also need a volunteer to head and make food for the JEWISH/ISRAEL table.

Please contact Maura Johnson at amhsdinner@aol.com if you are interested in helping country tables, making or serving food. ALL HELP IS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO OVERSEE THE KITCHEN. Our AMHS/SOA cafeteria kitchen is awesome. We just need an ADULT to guide food preparers to warming ovens if needed as they bring food. The food will already be prepared and we have wonderful student volunteers to help as "runners". The time needed for this would be from 5-8pm and the shift can be divided depending on the # of volunteers we get for this spot.

DESSERT TABLE - JUNIORS: THIS IS YOUR FUND RAISER!

Please contact your junior class president, Colleen Christensen, to provide desserts for our AMHS International dinner. Attendees love to leave this event with a homemade dessert and are happy to contribute to the junior class fund!

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS: Email Janice.mcrae@yahoo.com for info and to sign up!

Please join us in creating this wonderful annual event!

Thank you,

Elaine Coen and Maura Johnson

AMHS International dinner Co-chairs

AMHS Swimmers Defeat James Island HS in Recent Meet

On 9/19/13, AMHS Swim Team competed against James Island HS. The Raptors had their "senior night" in which Coach AJ Parks recognized the senior swimmers on the team. Magnet's Principal, Ms Peterson attended the event and gave support to our swimmers! The swimmers were motivated and the final score was AMHS 244 to JIHS 102.

Leveraging Success

Our fundraising campaign is under way! Please be receptive & respond to our letters and calls for you to participate!

Help "tip the balance" in AMHS's future - help Leverage the Success of AMHS by donating to the Foundation's campaign. Any donation helps! We are looking for maximum parent participation!

Click here for more information on the Academic Magnet Foundation and how to make a donation.

Cross Country Team Earns
#1 Ranking in State 2A

The boys cross country team is off to a great start this fall. The team has earned the #1 ranking in the state in 2A and are ranked #9 in the state for all classifications.

They are lead by sophomore Hayden DiBona who set the AMHS school record of 16:11 last weekend at the Lowcountry Invitational. He was followed by Trace Hall who also broke 17 minutes on the 5k course.

Behind our top two runners, our varsity has a tight pack or runners who include Kyle McGue. Dylan Robinson, Sam Butler, Durham Foster, and Will Bridgham.

The boys are now preparing for post season meets which will conclude with the SC State Championships in Columbia on November 9th.

Homecoming Week Festivities

Theme days for Homecoming week:

Monday, Sept. 30 - Friday, Oct. 4

Friday - School Colors/ Hallway Theme Day

There will be a dance from 9:30 pm to midnight in the SOA Middle School Gym sponsored by Student Council. Students may pay the $5 dance admittance on Thursday or Friday (Sept. 26 & 27) at lunch with cash, or with 5 cans of food (for the October Food Drive) starting Tuesday (Oct. 1).

Please Vote for Magnet Skit!

Magnet Student Council needs your votes! Please vote from next Mon - Thurs (7-10 October) on our skit for the Low Country Food Bank. If we get the most votes our school will win a 90-second shopping spree at Food Lion that goes towards our overall total in the canned food drive competition. The link, when the video goes up on Monday, will be https://www.facebook.com/LowcountryFoodBank?filter=3.

Volunteer Opportunities

Morris Island Beach Sweep

Tideline Tours and the Surfrider Charleston chapter are hosting a Morris Island beach sweep on October 5th from 2-5. I'm donating seats on both boats for a total of 40 to haul people to Morris Island for a clean up.

This is an opportunity for some Magneteers to get volunteer hours. To sign up, go to: www.tidelinetours.com . Select the tours menu, the click on any "book now" button. Then select "Special Adventures", then Morris Island beach sweep. Sign up! A little sweat and appreciation for Morris Island pays your way.

Isle of Plams Run and Walk for the Child

Volunteers needed for the Isle of Palms Connector Run and Walk for the Child on Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 6:30 AM-9:00 AM. Volunteers will direct runners and walkers, hand out water and cheer on the runners and walkers. Volunteers under 18 must submit volunteer form with guardian's signature before race day. Contact Barbara Harrington at 734-945-0107 or barbyondabeach@gmail.com.

School Calendar

Homecoming Week

September 30 - October 4

PSAT Testing

October 16

PIE International Dinner

October 19

College Admissions 101

Interviewing Techniques 202

October 23 - 6 pm Magnet Lecture Hall

No School

October 28

Graduation

June 4

Raptor Report

The Raptor Report is published weekly on Thursdays during the school year, except for holiday breaks.

Faculty, students, and parents are encouraged to submit articles and/or pictures of AMHS events, honors, and needs.

Please email your information to

Cathy Cocolas

by the Tuesday preceding the Thursday publication date.

Click on this link to receive the Raptor Report.

Pie Notes

I'm writing this on the eve of our first College Fair (during school, for students) and College Forum (during the evening, for parents) and I am hoping that we have terrific turnout and feedback. I will mention that I am sorry PIE has only been offering these programs on Wednesday nights. It has been un-avoidable this Fall, but we will do our best to mix up the days for our Spring offerings.

I would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Coleman Legerton for her incredible ORGANIZATIONAL skills! Coleman took on the monster project of organizing our PIE closet a few weeks ago...the transformation was nothing short of amazing. She is launching a "side" business, if you need something or some area whipped into shape, I highly suggest you call her!

Speaking of "contact information", I have some points.

The new directories are coming out SOON! Thank you to Mrs. Robyn Bradley, who has taken on this MAJOR task for many, many years! Her daughter is a Junior...we would love to hear from a "new" parent who will be willing to learn the ropes!
Please know that the directories are NEVER to be used for solicitation!
The Academic Magnet Foundation will be sending out information and calling parents to gain support for an excellent cause: THE LONG TERM FINANCIAL GOALS of our beloved school.
PIE appreciates your financial support! We use every penny raised to support the IMMEDIATE NEEDS of the school. We have four ways to raise money: 1. Membership; 2. (new) PIE Magnets (coming soon!) and Tumblers (here! And available at the front desk!) 3. The International Dinner (Oct 19th) and 4. The Auction/ GALA Spring Fundraising Event MARCH 22, 2014. We will be looking for SPONSORS for this wonderful social event that helps our school in the best and most wonderful way. Please help us reach our goals when that call comes out. Honestly, fulfilling our incredible teachers' "WISH LISTS" is the coolest and best thing at Magnet that I have been blessed to be a part of!

Thank you to all of you who love our school!

Christen Hall

Gala Auction News

Come and join the FUN in planning the 2014 Gala Auction! We will have a wonderful Kick Off Social gathering for all interested VOLUNTEERS, on Wednesday, Oct 9^th at 6 pm. Enjoy wine and cheese and the company of like-minded Magnet parents. Grace Borland has graciously donated her home for the event: please come to 122 West Shipyard Road in the I'On Subdivision, Oct 9^th @ 6 pm! Questions? Email either Susan Kilpatrick : skilpat@bellsouth.net or Heidi Brown: hsbrown@bellsouth.net

20th ANNUAL LOWCOUNTRY

RACE FOR THE CURE

It is time to register for the 20th Annual Lowcountry Race for the Cure on Daniel Island. The run/walk is on Saturday, October 19th at 8:30 AM. We have an Academic Magnet HS team and would appreciate your support by joining us for this worthwhile event.

Here is the link for registration. You may email me with any questions about the AMHS team

at Gwen_Hooffstetter@charleston.k12.sc.us.

The deadline to register for our team is Friday, September 27th. The fee for registration also increases after this date.

Thank you for your support.

Click here to view the team page for Academic Magnet HS

Let's Give Thanks and Give!

AMHS Girls LAX sponsored Food Drive to help 70 families enjoy Thanksgiving! Leftover donations will be given to our local Food Bank.

It's a Class Competition

Please donate according to your class in the designated boxes. The Class with the most donations earns a Cookie Party at lunch the last day before Thanksgiving!

Seniors: Dessert(cake mixes/icing, brownie mix, cookie mix, can pie filling, can pumpkin)

Juniors: Fruit(can fruit, can cranberries, jello)

Sophomores: Veggies (can veggies, gravy mixes, can broth)

Freshmen: Starches (instant potatoes, can yams, mac & cheese, rice)

Deadline is November 18th

Questions? Contact Siobhan Ragan at Siobhan_Ragan@charleston.k12.sc.us

Raptor Football Schedule

Oct 4 at home vs Ridgeland 7:30 pm

Oct 11 at Garrett 7:30 pm

Oct 18 at Burke 7:30 pm

Oct 25 at North Charleston 7:30 pm

Nov 1 at home vs Battery Creek 7:30 pm

Nov 8 State Playoffs begin TBA

Bake Sale Success!

Thanks to all the wonderful freshmen and parents who donated items for the freshman class bake sale. We made over $200 and that will all go towards freshmen events - including the homecoming wall and the lock-in. So many people donated anonymously and so we cannot thank them in person, but we wanted to give a special shout-out to Liz Boyles, Lauriel Dalier, Nichole Dalzell, Angela DiPaolo, Holle Knowles, Katie Kolbie, Kimberly Moss, Judith Trotter, and Pamela Waters.

Thanks,

Katy Roop

Community Service Projects

Students...

Do you need community service hours? Click on the link above for a list of community service opportunities. If you choose to participate in a community service project, remember to take the Community Service Project form and have the event sponsor sign it for you.

If you know of an opportunity that needs to be added to the list, forward that information to Sarah Winters at
tswinters@hotmail.com
.

AMHS PIE Calendar 2013-2014

Check here for PIE events and information. The link will remain all year, so be sure to check for updates.

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Letter of Thanks

I want to thank you profusely for the wonderful time I had in Charleston! I have been telling everyone about the fabulous school, the most hospitable people, and the great city. I was most impressed with the intelligent student questions, the involved and caring (and welcoming) parents, and the educational approaches of your "seriously smart" principal, Judith Peterson. She runs a very impressive, inspiring school.

When I tell parents I work with about AMHS, they are particularly envious of the school's mentorship/thesis program. Such programs are extremely rare and add so much value to the overall education.

I'm so glad I got to visit AMHS. Please also thank the PIE parents for me at your next meeting. I especially enjoyed their thoughtful questions after my talk.

I wish your seniors every bit of success with their college applications this fall, as the deadlines are rapidly approaching. Colleges will be very lucky to get kids from AMHS.

Best regards,

Elizabeth Wissner-Gross