Parent News

February 24, 2023

We still need LOTS of help…. Thank you to everyone that has already signed up to donate money or food items but there are still a lot of slots open. Please consider helping show your appreciation for our amazing High School staff. During Parent/Teacher Conferences, the teachers are busy meeting with parents from 4 PM to 8 PM. A group of parents are coordinating food (hot ham & cheese sandwiches one night, pasta the other) which will be available during their breaks. They’re looking for donations of food and/or money – just a small contribution from lots of parents will take care of the need! To donate via Venmo, click here or send to @AmesHighBoosters via the app. To sign up to bring items to the school, click on this link – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48a9a72ea46-ahsteacher#/ (complete directions are on that page). If you have any questions please contact Tiffany Walker at mom@walkerkids.com Thank you so much for your support, the teachers really appreciate the yummy food.

If you were looking for an excuse to get a passport, wait no longer! Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior students and parents, join Ms. Kupferschmid and Mr. Alden (from the Middle School) on a 10-day trip to Germany, Czech Republic, and Switzerland in June of 2024. The trip is open to any incoming 8th graders and incoming or current high school students, staff members at AHS or AMS, and their families. Some highlights of the trip will be: visiting the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Neuschwanstein Castle (the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle), visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, attending a folklore dinner, and riding up the Swiss Alps in a cable car to name a few. Visit this link to view a sample itinerary. Students who are traveling with us are eligible to earn high school and college credit. Here are a few videos of what we may be experiencing. Contact Ms. Kupferschmid: (megan.kupferschmid@ames.k12.ia.us) for more information! If you are interested in enrolling in the trip, please use the following link: https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2582024TD

We have received notice of additional awards earned in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. Congratulations to the following:

Chantal Eulenstein received a Gold Key for her personal Essay & Memoir “Omama”; A Silver key for her journalism entry “Small Town Homelessness – an Invisible Struggle”; an Honorable Mention for her Critical Essay “America’s World History Curriculum is Failing its Students – and Our Country”; and an Honorable Mention for her personal Essay & Memoir “Yellow Bandanas”

Ben Waddle received a Gold Key for his Photography entry, “Opacity of Time; and an Honorable Mention for His photography entries “Osprey and Nestling” and “Tree at Daybreak”; he received an Honorable Mention for his Flash Fiction entry “Daring to Disturb the Universe”

Zoe Brockman won a Silver Key for her Humorous Entry “Fear of Turtles”

Helen Mao won a Silver Key for her Short Story “The Chinese Bride”

Vienna Rossmanith received an Honorable Mention for her Short Story “Learning from the Best”

Naomi Pena received a Gold Key for her Personal Essay & Memoir “Warm Rain; a Gold Key for her Poetry Entry “Ode to Silence”; she received an Honorable Mention for her two Poetry Entries “Do As I Say” and Ode to Silence”; and an Honorable Mention for her Writing Portfolio “Life, Through My Lens”

Sara Park received a Silver key for her Flash Fiction “Blunder Killed the Man” and an Honorable Mention for her Humor Entry “What a Wonderful World!”

Attention parents of seniors! The yearbook is accepting Senior Ad submissions for the 2023-2024 yearbook. You may be wondering, what is a baby ad? A baby ad is a fun way for you, a parent or guardian, to leave a personalized message to your child in the yearbook! This section of the yearbook consists of advice, words of encouragement, or a meaningful message from you to your student along with a favorite photo of them. If you would like to purchase a baby ad, you can find all of the information including prices and examples at jostensadservice.com/student. The deadline for this offer is March 1st, so act fast. Please direct any questions you might have to Mr Webb: james.webb@ames.k12.ia.us

TAP (Transition Alliance Program) Family Information Night at Ames High School on Thursday, March 2nd, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Media Center. Please view the flyer at the bottom of this document and/or contact Kate Ringstad, TAP Coordinator, at (515) 620-8667 or email kate.ringstad@ames.k12.ia.us if you have questions.

The Ames High Academic and Arts Booster Club (AABC) needs your help. Please consider a donation that goes directly to students and educators for unique, creative, and innovative learning experiences. AABC supports academic activities, as well as the visual and performing arts at Ames High through supplemental funding. Some of our previous grant recipients include support of the Chess Club, Pollinator Project, and AHS Rocketry Club. These educational experiences are enhanced by AABC funding and encourage our students to be lifelong learners. Please send your contribution to AABC, c/o Ames High School, 1801 Ridgewood Ave., Ames, IA 50010

Questions about AABC? Contact Susan Gwiasda (susangwiasda@yahoo.com) or Meg Davis (megedavis@hotmail.com)

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES – Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at Ames High on Tuesday, February 28th, and Thursday, March 2nd from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Registration will begin on Monday, February 13th. Please click here for the registration information.

The last day for students to contract for a grade is

Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

Softball Players Study Table will meet from 3:45 to 4:45 each Wednesday in Room 1711. This is not mandatory, but it’s a great opportunity to complete homework, get help from teammates, or catch up on any assignments.

Softball Open Gym for 6-12^th graders is held on Monday nights from 7:30 – 9:30 on the turf at the High School. Please follow the Ames High Softball Facebook or Instagram page for updates & more information.

AHS Parents: please see the following link for information regarding course requests and registrations for the 2023-2024 school year.

2023-2024 Registration Information (Parents and…

Ames High Speech Club is hosting the IHSSA State Individual Speech contest on Saturday, March 11 from 8-5. That day, we will host hundreds of high school speech students from the Southwest corner of Iowa as they participate in a variety of speaking events. We welcome anyone from the community to attend and watch, but currently, we are seeking volunteers to help us run a smooth contest. If you are interested in volunteering, fill out the Google Form at tinyurl.com/ahsspeechvol.

February 17, 2023

Here’s a great way to show appreciation for the teachers at the High School! During Parent/Teacher Conferences, the teachers are busy meeting with parents from 4 PM to 8 PM. A group of parents are coordinating food (hot ham & cheese sandwiches one night, pasta the other) which will be available during their breaks. They’re looking for donations of food and/or money – just a small contribution from lots of parents will take care of the need! To donate via Venmo, click here or send to @AmesHighBoosters via the app. To sign up to bring items to the school, click here (complete directions are on that page). If you have any questions please contact Tiffany Walker at mom@walkerkids.com Thank you so much for your support, the teachers really appreciate the yummy food.

If you were looking for an excuse to get a passport, wait no longer! Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior students and parents, join Ms. Kupferschmid and Mr. Alden (from the Middle School) on a 10-day trip to Germany, Czech Republic, and Switzerland in June of 2024. The trip is open to any incoming 8th graders and incoming or current high school students, staff members at AHS or AMS, and their families. Some highlights of the trip will be: visiting the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Neuschwanstein Castle (the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle), visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, attending a folklore dinner, and riding up the Swiss Alps in a cable car to name a few. Visit this link to view a sample itinerary. Here are a few videos of what we may be experiencing. Contact Ms. Kupferschmid: (megan.kupferschmid@ames.k12.ia.us) for more information! If you are interested in enrolling in the trip, please use the following link: https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2582024TD

Track and Field Season starts Monday 2/20

Our first day of practice, Freshman will start at 4pm and end at 5pm. 10th-12th grade will start at 4:45pm and end at 6pm.
Regular practice times will be from 4-6pm with athletes meeting and ending in the turf gym.
Athletes need running shoes, comfortable workout clothes, water bottles and to be prepared to run outside in any weather.
Please reach out to Coach D with any questions and to be added to our family communication: erica.douglas@ames.k12.ia.us

Mr. Webb and Mrs. Engelkes will be offering an ACT/SAT Prep. Class for four afternoons/evenings beginning February 20th. Registration will begin on Friday, February 3rd, and will continue through Monday, February 20th, at 9:00 p.m. Payment in Infinite Campus is required by Friday, February 24, by 5:00 p.m. Please scan the QR Code to register or click here for the registration link.To view the registration information, please click here. There are currently more openings in the evening session than in the afternoon session.

Questions about AABC? Contact Susan Gwiasda (susangwiasda@yahoo.com) or Meg Davis (megedavis@hotmail.com)

This is a reminder about the National Honor Society applications. If your student is a sophomore or junior with a GPA of 3.4+ and is planning to apply, please remember they need to turn in the application to Mrs. Zeiss by Friday, February 24th by 3:35 PM. Late applications will not be accepted. Students can still get an application at the front office or online at bit.ly/amesnhsapp. Please email Mrs. Zeiss (jessica.zeiss@ames.k12.ia.us) if you or your student have any questions.

The last day for students to contract for a grade is Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

AHS Parents: please see the following link for information regarding course requests and registrations for the 2023-2024 school year.

2023-2024 Registration Information (Parents and…

AP PSYCHOLOGY AND AP US GOVERNMENT AP EXAM REGISTRATION INFORMATION – Registration for SECOND SEMESTER AP Psychology and AP US Government will begin on Friday, February 3, 2023, and will end on Monday, February 20, 2023. The cost for each AP Exam is $97 or $62 for students qualifying for free/reduced status. All fees must be paid in full by no later than Monday, February 27, 2023. Please see the detailed information posted in the main office and in student services. All students must register using the google document. If a student is registering for both exams, they will need to complete the google document for each exam. The link to the registration information can be found here. The link to register can be found here. Also, students will need to register in AP Classroom.