AMP Happenings for the Week of August 16th

Howdy AMP families and students,

The time has come for the official beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. We are looking forward to an exciting year as we invite the class of 2025 to join the ranks of AMP students and celebrate the soon-to-be graduation of the class of 2022!

The following are important events and happenings for the week of August 16th.

Upcoming Events ​

• Monday, August 16, 2021 - First Day of School for the 2021-2022 school year
• Thursday, August 19, 2021 - "MEET THE MAVS" @ 7:00PM at Heroes Stadium
  

​AMP Welcomes New Faculty
It has been a very busy summer break for the AMP as we sought out and welcomed new members to the AMP faculty. We look forward to them getting to know and working with our students and families this school year.

April Molitor - Agriscience Teacher: Food Science Pathway
Cynthia Suarez - AMP Counselor
Mackenzie Witzel - Agriscience Teacher: Agribusiness Pathway

Contact information for all of our faculty and staff can be found under the "ABOUT" tab on our AMP website.​

First Day of Classes - Monday, August 16th
The 2021-2022 school year for AMP students will begin on Monday, August 16th at 8:50AM. Students will report directly to their 2nd period class upon arrival to school. Students and families can access the student's schedule utilizing Skyward Family Access to see courses and locations by period. 

In their 2nd period class, students will receive their OFFICIAL class schedule and staff will go over rules, requirements, and expectations for all students at James Madison HS. Also, we will take our first official count of students attending James Madison HS, so it is very important that students attend 2nd period. When students are released from 2nd period, they will follow a modified bell schedule for the first day and will attend periods 3 through 8 before being dismissed at 4:20PM.

Here are a few reminders in preparation for the school year:

1. The school day is from 8:50AM to 4:20PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Tuesdays, we will end school an hour earlier, so the school day is from 8:50AM to 3:20PM. Click HERE to view and download a copy of the 2021-2022 James Madison High School Bell Schedule.
2. NEISD Dress Code is the expected dress for all students at James Madison HS. The dress code can be found on page 97 of the Secondary Student / Parent Handbook. The following are simple guidelines for proper attire:
   1. ​Straps on shoulders must be at least two inches wide.
   2. No racer-back type shirt.
   3. No hats of any kind shall be worn in the building. Hats will be confiscated and returned to a parent.
   4. No tank tops or sleeveless undershirts (boys) to be worn alone. Boys can wear tank tops as long as there is a shirt underneath.
   5. No bare midriffs, including when arms are raised, will be acceptable.
   6. Shorts/skirts/dresses/gym or biker shorts must be of an appropriate length. A good rule to follow is measured by the finger-tips of the student (all non-school related clothing) (shorts seem to be the main issue here).
   7. No baggy or sagging pants (do not want to see underwear).
   8. No torn or frayed skirts, shorts or jeans (No holes above the knee).
   9. No pajama bottoms or house slippers.
   10. All other guidelines listed in the handbook will be enforced.
3. NEISD has a closed campus policy. Students cannot leave campus during school hours, including lunchtime, without authorization from a parent/guardian, school administration, and obtaining a pass from the attendance office.
4. Clear backpacks are no longer required for students at NEISD high schools. 
5. AMP students are to report to the cafeteria during their scheduled lunch period and remain in the cafeteria or courtyard during their lunch, unless they are requested by a teacher to report to a classroom.
6. All perimeter fencing gates and exterior doors will be locked and/or monitored during the school day. Parents/guardians or visitors arriving on campus during the school day should report to the James Madison HS main office to be checked in by administration.
7. The AMP office will be open from 8:15AM to 4:30PM daily with Mrs. Fuller being on lunch break from 12:00 noon to 12:45PM. If you wish to make an appointment, we can be reached at (210) 356-1517.

NEISD Magnet Shuttle Information
All students who are enrolled in any of the NEISD magnet programs are provided shuttle transportation from their home campus to the magnet program before school and shuttle transportation will be provided back to their home campus after school. The family is responsible for getting the student to the home campus to board the shuttle transport. It is also the parent's/guardian's responsibility of students residing outside the NEISD boundaries to provide their own transportation to and from James Madison High School.

Departure and return times from and to the home campus can be found on the AMP website under "PARENT RESOURCES"or by going to the following NEISD Transportation webpage. 

AMP Complex Gate Access, Speed Limit, Traffic Pattern and Student Parking
As school begins, it can be expected that the volume of traffic on the AMP Complex will increase. All drivers (parents, guardians, students) are reminded that the speed limit on the AMP Complex is 10 MPH. Drivers should be attentive when driving in and around the livestock project centers for pedestrian traffic and should only park vehicles in appropriate parking areas. Also, please stay to the right of the circular roadway between the swine and goat project centers when entering and exiting the livestock project centers.

The AMP Complex gate will be opened for general traffic from 7:30AM to 9:00AM Monday through Friday. The gate will be opened in the afternoons from 4:00PM to 7:00PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 3:00PM to 7:00PM on Tuesday.

Lastly, student parking during the school year will be in the parking lot that is adjacent to the goat project center. We will begin selling AMP Parking Permits during the first week of school and parking permit applications are available in the AMP Administration office.
The following guidelines will be used to issue AMP Parking Permits:

1. The AMP student must be a paid FFA member for the 2021-2022 school year. FFA dues are $20.00.
2. First priority will be given to AMP students that are raising a livestock project and/or are a FFA chapter officer.
3. Second priority will be given to AMP students that are Seniors.
4. Third priority will be given to AMP students that are Juniors.
5. If space is available, last priority will be given to AMP students that are Sophomores.
6. AMP students must have a valid driver license and current car insurance to receive a permit.
7. Parking permits will cost $30.00 (cash/check) and will be for sale starting the first week of school.
   
   

Schedule Changes

• Monday, August 16 - Friday, August 27: The only changes that will occur within the first two weeks of school will be corrections to obvious errors on schedules (no elective changes at this time) and classroom balancing due to large class size.
• Monday, August 30 - Friday, September 8: Change of elective requests can be made by completing the following form. (You may request a change at this time, however, changes will not take place until 8/30 - 9/8)
• Use the following link to request a schedule change: 2021-2022 Schedule Change Form

2021-2022 James Madison FFA Dues
One of the expectations for every AMP student is to be an active participant in the AMP. Active participation can be achieved by becoming a member of the James Madison FFA (the student leadership organization for AMP students) and participating in any of the literally 100+ FFA activities that will be offered this school year.

FFA dues are $20.00 for the entire school year and we will begin accepting dues payments (cash or check) the first week of school in the AMP Administration office. 

With membership in the FFA, AMP students will have access to outstanding leadership and career development opportunities, supervised agricultural experiences, degrees, awards, and scholarships. FFA members will also receive a James Madison FFA commemorative t-shirt which will be available in October.

James Madison FFA Booster Club
The James Madison FFA Booster Club is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a membership of parents/guardians whose student(s) are actively attending the NEISD Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP). Membership for families is FREE.
 
The FFA Booster Club exists to organize and conduct fundraising activities to provide financial support to all students of the AMP in order to enhance the educational and agricultural experiences of the students. Parents/guardians can support the James Madison FFA Booster Club by making the AMP a family experience. This can be done through a variety of means such as volunteering of your time and talents, introducing the FFA Booster Club to corporate sponsors, or financially supporting the FFA Booster Club with donations or purchasing merchandise.

The first general meeting of the James Madison FFA Booster Club will be held on Thursday, September 2nd at 6:30PM at the AMP Complex.

All parents/guardians are highly encouraged to sign up for the FFA Booster Club email distribution list by clicking HERE. (Please note, the James Madison FFA Booster Club does NOT share contact information and will communicate with its members only in regards to matters pertaining to the James Madison FFA Booster Club, the James Madison FFA Chapter, and the Agriscience Magnet Program.)

Stay Connected with Us!
Find us online at www.JamesMadisonFFA.com or follow us on
YouTube (Agriscience Magnet Program), 
Facebook (www.facebook.com/MadisonFFA),
and on Instagram (www.instagram.com/jamesmadisonffa)
Stay connected with the AMP for the 2021-2022 school year.