Academic Magnet High School Raptor Report
4/14/16
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In this issue...
Quick Links to:
Dates to Know:
This week at the Academic Magnet:  
new round logo
  • 2016 Prom Information - DONATIONS NEEDED
  • Mini Camp College: College Readiness Workshop at USC, April 23
  • Save the Date: AMHS All Sports Banquet May 19 - Photos needed!
  • Athletic Booster Club Board Positions Available
  • Cheer Tryouts
  • Service Opportunities
Read below to find out more! 
School News

Principal Points: April
 judith
"Spring" does seem to be here finally, and that means the  AMHS community is racing toward graduation for the Class of 2016 on May 31, 2016 at 2:30 PM in the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. However, in our race are three key hurdles with which we really need your help:
 
ACT Testing: All students in Grade 11 will take the ACT on Tuesday, April 19th. This is an important component of the college admissions process, so please ensure that your student is present on April 19.
 
AP Exams: The AP Exams will begin Monday, May 2 and continue daily through Thursday, May 12. Again, please ensure that your student is present and at school by 8:00 on each day of the exams.
 
Once these two hurdles have been successfully crossed, we will continue the race to graduation with a host of student academic experiences and events. The calendar is full, and I will continue to add to it as activities are planned.
 
April 16:           Prom at Founders Hall in Charlestowne
Landing
April 19:           ACT for all students in Grade 11
May 2-12:        AP Tests
May 13:           AP Picnic with Battle of the Bands and King of
Pops
May 17-20:      Senior Exams and EOC Tests (English I,
Biology, and US History)
May 20:           Magnet Night at the River Dogs Game
May 23:           Awards Assembly
May 24-27:      Underclassmen Exams
May 30:           Memorial Day: Schools and Offices are closed.
May 31:           Graduation 2:30 PM
 
Please make a note of all these events. We will keep you posted with details as each activity comes up, but I wanted everyone to have an idea of some of the key events that lie ahead. I encourage you to check the AMHS Website calendar and to call the office if you have a question about any activity.
 
Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to offer the best possible academic program we can.


PROM IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!

The prom committee REALLY needs donations of Walmart gift cards so that they can purchase last minute food items for prom.  Please send cards in - labeled for PROM - they can be left with the AMHS receptionist and she will get them to Ms. Henley or Ms. Orr.  WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU! 

For more Prom info and dress code, click here.
News from Parent Boards
 


Save the Date: AMHS All Sports Banquet is May 19th @ 6pm in cafeteria

Photos wanted for the AMHS All Sports Banquet. Please forward any photos you would like included to John Dornisch at Johndornisch@gmail.com


Calling All AMHS Parent Volunteers!

It's that time of year when we seek those who want to contribute more to their children's athletic experience at AMHS. The AMHS Athletic Booster Club is looking for new Board members and is only able to provide its support to our student athletes by having the dedicated parents who volunteer to join the Board. Consider supporting our student athletes in this fun and enjoyable way!

Many members of the current Board have worked very hard over the last several years to strengthen and reinvigorate the Athletic Booster Club. However, many of those same Board Members are finishing their terms or have children who are graduating from AMHS.

The AMHS Athletic Booster Club supports the athletic programs in a variety of ways. This support starts with those parents who are driven to be part of our Board. All Board Members must be a Booster Club member while serving on the Board.
 
Various Board positions are up for renewal, including:

Executive Board Positions Available
President
Vice President
 
Board of Director Positions Available and a brief description:

Membership Chair - Coordinates the main membership drive in August, along with other smaller drives and coordinates volunteers with the various Chairs
Parent Representative Coordinator - Works with Coaches to purchase and deliver awards
All Sports Banquet Chair(s) - Works with the committee to organize the All Sports Banquet at the end of the year
Football Concessions Chair(s) - Organizes the concession stand for all home games
Basketball Concessions Chair(s) - Organizes the concession stand for all home games
 
Please reach out to the Nominating Committee with your interest and questions.
 
Donna Lee Rose                
843-270-0315

John Dornisch                    
843-991-9603

Gwen Hooffstetter


We are also looking for volunteer(s) to coordinate the AMHS All Sports Athletic Banquet in May.  Please contact Donna Rose at info@amhsboosterclub.org for more information.  
 
AMHS Raptor stadium chairs are still for sale. The cost is $50. If you'd like to purchase one, please contact Donna Rose at tarheelsd@comcast.net

Please come out and support the AMHS Raptors at their various sports. Check our website for all spring sports schedules at: www.amhsboosterclub.org
Community Happenings
 
2016 Prom - April 16, 2016
7:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Founder's Hall at Charlestowne Landing 
prom 
Love is in the air! The AMHS prom committee has started planning for prom, and needs your help! The following items are needed to make this year's Midsummer Night's Dream a reality!  Please leave your donations in the large envelope at the welcome desk marked "Prom 2016".   You can also give your gift cards to Ms. Henley or Ms. Orr.   Thanks so much for making this evening special.

Gift cards in any amount to:
  • Publix
  • Harris Teeter
  • Cupcake Down South
  • Costco
  • Michaels/Hobby Lobby
  • Walmart/Target
Make sure to mark your calendars! This year's Prom will be held at Founder's Hall at Charlestowne Landing (Free Parking!) Tickets will go on sale April 4, and will be $35/single or $65/couple.
 
As you are preparing for this grand event, we would like you to be aware of formal dress code for a Charleston County School District event!

Dress Standards for Young Men: 
  • Dress shirt  (exception: tuxedo shirt with a decorative button).
  • Shirts must remain on for the entire dance.     Dress pants (no jeans).  
  • Jackets are desired, but optional.
  • See-through material which exposes thighs, excessive cleavage, or midriff is not permitted.
Dress Standards for Young Women:  
  • Dresses must be no shorter than fingertip length.
  • Bare midriffs and plunging necklines are not allowed.  
  • Backs may not be lower than the natural waistline.
  • See-through material which exposes thighs, excessive cleavage, or midriff is not permitted.
  • Slits may not be longer than fingertip length.
  • Pantsuits must be of a formal nature (no jeans).
Footwear:
  • Footwear is expected of all and must be kept on at all times for health department reasons.  Flip-flops, slippers and tennis shoes are not allowed.
News from Guidance



Seniors/Senior Parents:

You should frequently check the Scholarship List in Naviance. Scholarships are added or updated almost daily.
 
Also, Seniors, if you are a Palmetto Fellows Early Award recipient, you should have received an email or letter from the Commission on Higher Education with instructions for returning your Designation Form. If you did not receive this information, see your counselor.
 
 
Updated Testing Information for Juniors:


ACT:  April 19 - We finally have confirmation that we will test at AMHS!

 
9th Grade IGP Conference Schedule

We are currently scheduling IGP Conferences for  9th grade students with the last name Q through Z.
 
Please click on the following link to sign up for your IGP with Ms. Bearden.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094eafac28a2fe3-signup  
 

Enrichment/Summer Programs
 
If you are looking for enrichment or summer programs for your student, please check Naviance. Enrichment programs are listed under the "College" tab. Information is updated as it is received, so you should check the site regularly.
  
Athletics and Activities

Cheer Tryouts

AMHS Raptor Cheer is holding competitive cheerleading tryouts for the 2016-17 school year in two weeks.  Next Monday, April 18, we will have an informational parent meeting from 6:00-6:45 pm on our campus in the cafeteria and cheerleading tryouts will be held the following week Tuesday, April 26 through Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm.  We had an amazing first season of competitive cheer and look to repeat our undefeated season!  If you think you can help make our team the best, gear up with your best green and black and tryout!  Contact Coach Page Horschel (carrie_horschel@charleston.k12.sc.us) for more information or with any questions! Go Raptors!
 

Upcoming Athletic Events:
 
April 14: Golf v. Stratford (Away) 4-7:00 p.m.

April 15: Boys Soccer v. Pinewood Prep (Home) 5:30 p.m.
- Softball v. North Charleston (Home) 5:30 p.m.
- Girls Lacrosse v. Carolina Forest (Away) 7:00 p.m.
- Girls Soccer v. Eastside (Home) 7:00 p.m.

April 16: Girls Lacrosse v. Socastee (Away) 10:00 a.m.
- Boys Lacrosse v. Blythewood (Away) 12:00 p.m.

April 18: Baseball v. North Charleston (Home) 6:00 p.m.

April 19: Softball v. Bishop England (Home) 5:30 p.m.
- Girls JV Soccer v. Bishop England (Away) 5:30 p.m.
- Boys Soccer v. Summerville (Away) 7:00 p.m.
- Girls Soccer v. Bishop England (Home) 7:00 p.m.

April 20: Track - Tri-County Meet 5:00 p.m.
- Baseball v. Garrett (Home) 6:00 p.m.


Check the Booster Club website for all spring sports schedules at:
 
Community Service Opportunities

Walk for Autism Charleston - April 16, 2016

Walk For Autism Charleston is looking for volunteers to assist at our annual walk event held at Hampton Park on Saturday April 16 . Volunteers are needed for many tasks such as supervising jump castles, setting up an auction table and assisting at the table, supervising food stations and game activities. There is also a need for help setting up tables and tents along with breaking down at the end of the event. Volunteers can plan to arrive as early as 7:30 am if assisting with set up and if just planning on working a station arriving between 8 and 8:30 am the day will end with clean up tasks ending between 1:00 and 1:30 pm. Please contact Rose ONeal at 843-553-1316 or walkforautism@outlook.com if interested in volunteering. Our website is www.walkforautismcharleston.org

 
Charleston Area Justice Ministry - Nehemiah Action Assembly - April 18
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (students will meet with organizer at 6:00)
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
7396 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC
 
CAJM is a large network of congregations and organizations that are culturally, economically, geographically and religiously diverse working to make Charleston a more just place to live. Each year, CAJM selects issues that are critical in the community and begins a process to resolve those issues with officials. At the end of the year long process, an Action Assembly brings together all supporters with those leaders, and community support is needed. There are two issues this year needing resolution in our city where we could use your help.
 
1)    Racial Discrimination in Police Pretext/Investigatory Stops-those stops, for example, where police stop a vehicle on the pretext of erratic driving or a dim tag light and then proceed to search the car. These stops are concentrated in poor, black neighborhoods and thus produce disproportionate and at times, tragic results. North Charleston leads the state in Pretext/Investigatory Stops, with the city of Charleston second. In the time period between 2010 and 2014 in North Charleston, 146,000 people were stopped but not issued a citation, and the number was 126,000 in Charleston. To give some perspective, in Columbia, the largest city in the state, there were only 35,000 such stops during the same period. Research is continuing about solutions to this problem and the appropriate public officials who can implement that solution.

2)   
An additional problem that arose out of work during a previous year on high rates of school suspensions is that of School-Based Arrests. During the past 18 months, almost 1000 students, some of them as young as nine and 85 % of them minority students, were arrested at school, some for relatively minor infractions. CAJM has researched this problem and solutions, and these will also be presented to the appropriate public officials at the Nehemiah Action Assembly.
 
To obtain three (3) community service hours, students will attend the CAJM Action Assembly simply as observers of the two Actions requested from various local leaders to resolve social justice problems in Charleston. The students will be required to submit a written summary of their impressions along with the form for signature. For additional hours, students can arrive early to assist with ticket collections at the door.
 
Please contact Reta S. Hampton, Esq. at reta@reinay.com for additional information and to arrange for your attendance at the CAMJ Nehemiah Action Assembly.


Soldier's Angels -- Ongoing

Soldier's Angels is a national charity which provides aid and comfort to those who have served in our armed forces and their families.  Our organization offers many volunteer opportunities that allow thousands of volunteers to work tirelessly and assist veterans in a variety of exclusive and effective ways.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to work with our veterans within the Ralph A. Johnson Center as Patient Visitors. Our Patient Visitors will provide support to veterans within the hospital through approved visitations and distribution of donated materials. We will work with your students to establish a schedule that allows them to visit the hospital for only a few hours each week, or during one of the special events we will be hosting this year. Students will be responsible for maintaining a log of their hours.

Soldier's Angels is the only post-9/11 charity that is able to serve within veterans hospitals in this capacity. Please view our website at http://soldiersangels.org/, and the linked presentation entitled "Veteran Support Programs".

For more information, contact Lorena Jordan at  ljordan@soldiersangels.org .

-----

For a more complete list of community service opportunities, click here.   If you know of an opportunity that needs to be added to this list, please forward the information to Becky Dornisch at amhs.volunteer@dornisch.org
 

In Other News....
 
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 Liz Boyles  by 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the Thursday publication date.