Student Life
Activities & Resources
- Academics, Athletics & Arts
- Clubs & Intramurals
- Field Trips
- Library Media Center
- Magazine, Newspaper, Video & Yearbook
- Parent Resources
- Portals & Directions
- PTSO
- School Preparation Resources & Summer Work
Academics, Athletics & Arts
Academics
Academic Honors
Academic Honors are earned and recognized on a marking period basis. To obtain first honors, a student may achieve a B or better in one subject and must achieve an A- or better in all remaining subjects. To receive second honors, a student must achieve a B or better in all subjects to obtain second honors.
The Portrait of The Graduate
A Portrait of the Graduate outlines the skills, knowledge, and dispositions that students across all grade levels should have. It is a promise that our educators make to ALL our students to prepare our students for the world beyond school. Additionally, a Portrait of the Graduate should reflect what our community values for our graduates.
The characteristics and dispositions identified in the Portrait of the Graduate do not replace rigorous academic content. Rather, the characteristics and dispositions work in tandem with high academic standards, transcending and connecting independent content areas.
Athletics
Amity offers basketball, baseball, cross-country, soccer, softball, track and field, field hockey, and boys' & girls’ volleyball. Students must try out for these sports. Parents/guardians are responsible for picking up their children from school after practices and games. Students must have a current physical exam to participate in any school sport.
bethany Athletics
Arts
Clubs & Intramurals
- Actors Club
- Bethany News Reel
- Card Games Club
- Chamber Singers
- Charmettes
- Chess & Board Games
- Computer Club
- C.R.O.M.E. Club
- Debate Club
- Gardening Club
- Intramurals
- Jazz Band
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Newspaper Club
- No Place for Hate
- School Store
- Science Bowl Club
- Technology & Engineering Special Project Series
- Spartan Players
- Student Council & Government
- Ultimate Frisbee Club
- Video Game Club
- Yearbook
Actors Club
Bethany News Reel
The Bethany News Reel delivers school announcements to the community on a regular basis. The club is comprised of students who have an interest in broadcasting/television/film.
Advisors:
Amy Benton, Amy.Benton@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
After School on Tuesdays
Card Games Club
Play your favorite card games or learn a new game! Uno, Exploding Minions, Spoons, Gold, etc. Bring a friend!
Advisors:
Jennifer Blais, Jennifer.Blais@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Every other Tuesday, in room 11, with Mrs. Blais.
Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers is an auditioned group open to all Chorus, Band, and Strings students. Students perform various styles of choral works in either 2- or 3-part settings. The group can range from 10 to 20 members.
Advisors:
Brennan Orie, Brennan.Orie@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Thursdays after school until approximately 3:15 p.m.
Charmettes
Charmettes are a select group of 8th grade students. All students involved in a musical ensemble are welcome to audition. This group generally consists of 3 to 6 members and performs a wide variety of both accompanied and a cappella choral music.
Advisors:
Brennan Orie, Brennan.Orie@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Thursdays from 3:15 p.m., until late bus.
Chess & Board Games
Computer Club
Computer Club will explore Computer Science concepts in group discussions and will spend developing coding skills in a collaborative environment. We will use code.org to help us develop our skills.
Advisor:
Nick DaPonte, Nick.Daponte@amityregion5.org
Meeting Times:
Tuesdays, after school ‘til the late bus.
2nd Tuesday In-person, 4th Tuesday is Virtual -
Topics
This week, we are looking at Digital Escape Rooms with the goal of making our own. The first link below has some great pre-made rooms (Harry Potter, Minecraft, etc). The second link is a tutorial on how to make your own!
How to Make Your Own Escape Room
Also, check out a few coding websites including
SCRATCH and HOUR OF CODE
C.R.O.M.E. Club
The C.R.O.M.E. (Community Recognizing Open Mindedness and Expression) Club focuses on inclusion, self-expression and acceptance within the diverse population of our school, promotes pride in our community, and creates a safe environment for Amity Middle School’s LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Advisors:
Jennifer Blais, Jennifer.Blais@amityregion5.org
Kim Doheny, Kim.Doheny@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Tuesdays (Twice a month) After school until the late bus. Room 37 Beginning 9/24/24
Debate Club
The Debate Club will work on the art of argument, public speaking, and competitive debate skills. We are a member of the Connecticut Middle School Debate League which competes approximately three times per year with other middle schools in Connecticut.
Advisors:
Privately Run
Meeting times:
Tuesdays
Gardening Club
Students will engage in beautifying the courtyard and other school gardens, grow vegetables and flowers, both in the gardens and the green house.
Advisors:
Caitlin Magnan, Caitlin.Magnan@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Mondays right after school until 3:30 pm (except on staff meeting days
Intramurals
The Intramural program is open to all students. The program is comprised of different sports and games, pick up style. Sports and games include: Basketball, Flag Football and Ultimate Frisbee amongst other sports and games. Generally, the activity is student selected and changes seasonally. All students and athletic levels are welcome.
Advisors:
Brennan Orie, Brennan.Orie@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Tuesdays after school, until the late bus
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is a group open to all Chorus, Band, and Strings students. Auditions are required.
Advisors:
Robert Fragione, Robert.Fragione@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Jazz Band meets before school (6:45 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.) Begins in late October
Literary Magazine
Students will create a publication of exceptional student creative writing, photography, poetry, and art, submitted by the students of AMSB. Students will collaborate in compiling and editing selected pieces for issue. Both 7th and 8th graders who are interested in creative writing, photography, poetry, art and editing are welcome to attend.
Advisors:
Caroline Camera, Caroline.Camera@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
TBD by Editors
Math Club
Students will participate in the MathCounts Competition Series, a national program that provides students in grades 6-8 the opportunity to compete in live contests against and alongside their peers. Bi-weekly meetings will be held to prepare students for these competitions. All students will compete in the New Haven Chapter competition that will take place on a Saturday in February at Yale University. Top-scoring students may then qualify for the State Competition that takes place in March.
Advisors:
Deb DeMeo, Deborah.Demeo@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Every other Tuesday until 3:15 (October 1st- April vacation) More Tuesday meetings may be added as we get closer to competition dates.
Newspaper Club
The AMSB Newspaper will publish a quarterly newsletter for all AMSB students, staff, and community members. We will cover events within the school and towns. Anyone with an interest in writing, journalism, photography, or editing should join us!
Advisors:
Marissa Nall, Marissa.Nall@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
One Wednesday per month starting in November, until 3:30 p.m.
No Place for Hate
Our club will work to promote inclusion and a supportive school climate at AMSB.
Advisors:
Marika Wissink, Marika.Wissink@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
First and third Tuesday of the month in Rm.30
School Store
The School Store is located in the Media Center. A variety of Amity items are for sale.
School Store is open from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on school days
Katie Irwin, Katie.irwin@amityregion5.org
Science Bowl Club
The focus of the club is to foster student’s interest in Science and Math. Students will prepare for and compete in competitions such as Middle School Science Bow (http://mssb.uconn.edu/), and Middle School Science Olympiad (https://www.soinc.org/). The objective of the club is to motivate, prepare and encourage all students for success using the right combination of fun.
Advisors:
TBD
Meeting times:
TBD
Technology & Engineering Special Project Series
Mr. Berean will be hosting several special project workshops throughout the year that interested students can sign up for. The project workshops will take place after school on either Tuesdays or Thursdays as announced. Projects might include pen making, flight simulators (including a space shuttle simulator), gingerbread architecture, t-shirt design with sublimation printing, and other projects. Advanced notice will be provided, and students must sign up for the workshops. Space will be limited for each project and enrollment in a workshop will be first come, first serve.
Advisors:
Kevin Berean, Kevin.Berean@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Tuesday or Thursday after school until 3:30 p.m. as announced (first project in series will take place in October – further details will be announced.)
Spartan Players
This fall Amity stage comes to life with the school musical. All students are encouraged to participate, whether in performance, backstage or other parts of the show process. Auditions will be in the fall, and the show is scheduled for mid-November. Rehearsals are held after school. The school musical is a community event, all are encouraged to participate in this yearly tradition.
Advisors:
Keith Smolinski, Keith.Smolinski@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
September to November, daily, after school
Student Council & Government
Student Council provides students with an opportunity to lead our school through community service and social activities. Student Government provides students with an opportunity to represent the interests of the student body and make decisions that impact our school.
Advisors:
Marika Wissink, Marika.Wissink@amityregion5.org
Marissa Nall, Marissa.Nall@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Thursdays
Ultimate Frisbee Club
Ultimate Frisbee is now an activity in Spring Intramurals. Please refer to Intramurals for further information.
Advisors:
Brennan Orie, Brennan.Orie@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Tuesdays, after school, until the late bus arrives
Video Game Club
We will meet up and talk and enjoy video games together.
Advisors:
Michelle Lockwood, Michelle.Lockwood@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Tuesdays, Until 3:30 p.m.
Yearbook
Production & distribution of the Amity-Bethany Yearbook
Advisors:
Amy Benton, Amy.Benton@amityregion5.org
Meeting times:
Will meet in November ‘til Spring ’25, monthly
Field Trips
Library Media Center
Magazine, Newspaper, Video & Yearbook
The Bethany Brodcast: AMSB's Newspaper
The Bethany Broadcast is a student-run newspaper, published each June to recap the memories from the year. Students write and edit the articles, take the photographs, and design the publication. The Newspaper Club meets in person or virtually 1-2 days a month, beginning in December.
Bethany Literary Magazine
The Literary Magazine is a yearly publication that showcases the literary work (poems, short stories, art, and photography) of the student body. The students elect editorial roles and compile the work, selecting pieces and designing the concept of the product.
Parent Resources
Food Services
Reporting Absences From School
If your child will be absent for any reason, please be sure to contact the attendance line to report the absence. Each absence must be followed up by a note from a parent or guardian.
We are now accepting e-mails for follow-up notes as well.
Please send email notes to:
Kristin.mcnamara@amityregion5.org
That note or e-mail will suffice to excuse absences 1-9 and subsequent absences will require documentation from a doctor or medical provider to be excused.
Other Resources
Portals & Directions
PTSO
School Preparation Resources & Summer Work
School Supplies
BACKPACKS
Backpacks are used to transport material to and from school. No backpacks are permitted in classrooms or in the hallways during school hours. Many textbooks are available online.
DRESS CODE
Clothing should be clean and in good condition and free of obscenities; lewd or vulgar pictures; sexual references; logos or emblems that advertise or encourage the use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products; or slogans, names, and titles which are defamatory. Clothing must not be revealing or distracting. Headgear and sunglasses must be removed at a teacher’s request. No coats are permitted to be worn in class. Hats are to be removed in class at the discretion of teacher rules.
Supply Lists
7th Grade
8th Grade
PE Uniforms
Summer Work
Reading
This year, Amity Reads, Amity’s summer reading program, will again be linked to the Portrait of the Graduate, asking students in grades 7-12 to begin thinking about how each characteristic plays a role in their summer reading book of choice.
Portrait of the Graduate
This fall, we will ask students to share their books and think about how their books showcased one or more of the POG characteristics. Students should select one book that suits them in terms of topic and reading level. It can be fiction, nonfiction, graphic novel, audiobook -- any book that interests them is fine.
This fall, we will ask students to share their books and think about how their books showcased one or more of the POG characteristics. Students should select one book that suits them in terms of topic and reading level. It can be fiction, nonfiction, graphic novel, audiobook -- any book that interests them is fine.
Math
Just like reading, regular practice over the summer with problem solving, computation and math facts will maintain and strengthen the mathematical gains you made over the school year.
- Students entering the course, GRADE 7 MATH, should be proficient in topics A-D.
- Students entering the Pre-Algebra course, GRADE 7 PRE-ALGEBRA,
should be proficient in topics A-N.
- Practicing these topics is not mandatory for students entering 7th grade.
- Please be aware that Pre-Algebra students should be proficient in topics A-N as they are pre-requisite skills for the course.
Access Practice Materials & Suggestions by Grade:
7th graders
Student SUPPORT SERVICES
Support Services personnel are available to parents/guardians and students including school counselors, school psychologists, student assistance counselors, nurses, special education teachers and paraprofessionals, speech and language pathologists, reading consultants, and administrators. Math and Reading remediation are offered to students based on state and district assessments.
- Counseling Support & Newsletters
- Health & Medical Information
- Pupil Services Support
- Special Education
Counseling Support & Newsletters
Early adolescence is a very important time and a time of tremendous change. Our goal is to help each student make the most of these crucial middle school years and emerge ready to take on the challenges of high school and beyond. We encourage every student to become an active, engaged, and happy member of the Amity Middle School Bethany community.
Counseling Department Newsletters
Health & Medical Information
School Nurse
If you have any, questions please reach out to our school nurse at:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does My Child Require A Physical Exam?
- When Should I Submit My Child’s Health Assessment Record?
- What If My Child Wants To Participate In A Sport?
- Who Do I Call If My Child Will Be Absent?
- What If My Child Requires Medication During The School Hours?
- Can My Child Self-Carry & Self-Administer An Epi-Pen Or An Inhaler?
- What Health Screenings Are Performed At School?
Does My Child Require A Physical Exam?
When Should I Submit My Child’s Health Assessment Record?
What If My Child Wants To Participate In A Sport?
If your child will be participating in sports make sure your child's physical meets the Amity Regional School District's athletic requirements.
There are 3 sports seasons. The physical exam on file must be valid for the entire season (from tryouts through the end of the sport) and are good for 1 year only.
If your child is interested in:
Fall sportS:
Co-ed Cross country, Girls’ & Boys’ Soccer, and Girls’ Volleyball; the physical on file must be performed after 11/15/23
Winter Sports:
Girls’ & Boys’ Basketball; the physical on file must be performed after 2/22/2024
Spring sports:
Baseball, Softball and track; the physical on file must be performed after 05/17/2024
Who Do I Call If My Child Will Be Absent?
You must call the main office phone number 203-392-3200.
If your child is expected to be out more than 1 day due to illness you must ALSO contact the health office at 203-392-2096.
All contagious illness should be reported to the nurse, e.g.: COVID-19, strep infection, mono, flu-like symptoms with fever, and conjunctivitis.
What If My Child Requires Medication During The School Hours?
ALL medication (both prescription and non-prescription) requires the Medication Administration Form to be completed by the physician, parent, and school nurse.
If your child requires any medications to be administered during school hours you are required to submit a completed 2024-25 Medication Administration Form.
Please hand in the completed medication authorization to the school nurse. Any submitted medical documents are required to be hard copies, please keep a copy of any medical documents. The forms are good for 1 school year.
Only bring a 45-day supply of medication at a time. ALL MEDICATION MUST BE UNOPENED AND IN ITS ORGINAL CONTAINER. Medication must be picked up by parent/guardian at the end of the school year or it will be discarded.
The nurse may administer Tylenol for minor aches, pains and fever. Tylenol is a stock item; it is not necessary for you to provide. You must indicate permission to do so on PowerSchool.
Can My Child Self-Carry & Self-Administer An Epi-Pen Or An Inhaler?
What Health Screenings Are Performed At School?
Immunization Requirements
Per State law, students who do not have the required immunizations or an appropriate waiver, will be excluded from school.
Student Accident insurance
Pupil Services Support
Pupil services professionals work collaboratively to address barriers to learning by providing interventions, assessments, and referrals to community resources when necessary. They also play a key role in developing and implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 plans for students with special needs, ensuring they receive appropriate accommodations and support.
Additionally, pupil services are involved in crisis intervention, behavior management, and programs that promote safe and positive school environments. Their overarching goal is to help all students succeed in school and prepare for post-secondary education or careers.
Support Team
Jenna DiLorenzo
Titles:
MS School Psychologist
Locations:
Amity Middle School - Bethany (AMSB)
Email:
Special Education
Teachers
Michelle Lockwood
Titles:
Special Education Teacher, Spartan Prep
Locations:
Amity Middle School - Bethany (AMSB)
Middle School Teams
Teachers across Teams Blue, Black, Gold, and Green instruct in five subjects: Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and Spanish. Teams Black and Gold teach 8th grade, while Teams Blue and Green teach 7th grade. Each quarter, one of the Life Arts teachers will join the teams to instruct our students.
Though students are all on the same team, each class is a unique mix, allowing students to work with diverse peers throughout the school day. Because team teachers share the same cohort of students, we meet regularly to discuss the needs of individuals, communicate with families, create cross-curricular opportunities, and continue to foster a positive learning environment. This collaborative approach helps ensure that all students have the best experience possible and are prepared to move on to high school!
Team Black
Team Blue
Team Green
Team Gold
Team Life Arts
The Life Arts team represents an array of disciplines that work together as a cohesive unit while collaborating with the grade-level teams. Each year, seventh and eighth-grade students rotate through four rounds of classes, which change quarterly: Technology Education, Health, Art, and Digital Media.
In addition, students experience Physical Education and their choice of Choir, Band, Strings, General Music, or Mandarin, meeting every other day throughout the year. By exploring the different Life Arts classes, students gain a firm foundation of each discipline that will prepare them for further specific study at the high school level.