Howdy AMP families and students,

We had a great start to the 2019-2020 school year and I want to thank you for choosing the Agriscience Magnet Program as students and families. We have another amazing year planned and look forward to the great things to come over the next year.

The following are important events and happenings for the week of August 26th.

Tip of the Week
On Friday, August 23rd, returning AMP students received a 2019-2020 AMP Student Contract, and if applicable, 2019-2020 CTE Transfer Request Form so that these documents can be up-to-date. It is very important that these documents be returned promptly to the AMP office.

2019-2020 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 are accepting dues payments (cash or check) in the AMP Administration office. 

FFA Friday Presentations
Periodically throughout the school year, the AMP will hold FFA Fridays in which AMP students attend a presentation or seminar by the AMP staff sharing timely information. The first FFA Friday for the school year was held on August 23rd and the presentation can be found below for parents and students to review the information.

FFA Livestock Project T-shirts, Show Team Jackets & Vests, and Senior T-shirts
The James Madison FFA Booster Club is currently taking orders until September 13th for this year's editions of livestock project t-shirts, show team jackets & vests, and Class of 2020 t-shirts. Order forms are available below for download.

Senior Scholarship Information Text Message Group
Senior AMP students and their parents/guardians are encouraged to sign up for the Senior Scholarship Information text message group administered by Mr. Anderson. This text message group will keep seniors informed about scholarship opportunities and meetings throughout this school year. To sign up, text @ampscholar to 81010.

LDE/CDE Opportunities for Students
Leadership Development Events (LDE) and Career Development Events (CDE) are excellent opportunities for students to engage in competitive contests through the FFA. The following interest meetings are being held in the coming weeks to give students information about specific events and to establish practice times for this semester. Also, you can refer to the FFA Friday Presentation below for more specific information.

• Ag Advocacy - meeting 9/11/19 @ 4:30pm in AG125
• Jr. & Sr. FFA Creed Speaking - meeting 9/12/19 @ 4:30pm in AG203
• Jr. Chapter Conducting - meeting 8/27/19 @ 8:00am in AG141
• Sr. Chapter Conducting - meeting 8/26/19 @ 8:00am in AG141
• Ag Issues Forum - meeting 8/27/19 @ 4:30pm in AG117
• Jr. & Sr. FFA Skills - see Mr. Anderson after September 9th for details
• Jr. & Sr. FFA Quiz - see Mr. Price after September 1st for details
• Radio Broadcasting - meeting 9/12/19 @ 4:30pm in AG125
• Public Relations - meeting 9/3/19 @ 4:30pm in AG120
• Homesite Evaluation & Land Judging - meeting 8/27/19 @ 4:30pm in K-Building Ag Mechanics
  
  

Upcoming September Events

• Monday, September 9th - FFA Ag Olympics at 4:30pm (meet in AMP Arena).
• Monday, September 9th - Burger Bash at 6:00pm for FFA members and parents (meet in AMP Amphitheater).
• Monday, September 9th - FFA Booster Club Meeting for parents at 6:30pm in AMP Arena.
• Monday, September 16th - Guide Dogs for the Blind Information Meeting for students interested in becoming involved with the guide dog experience. Meeting is at 6:30pm in AMP Arena.
• Tuesday, September 17th - JM PTSA Meet the Teacher Night beginning at 6:30pm in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
  ​

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.

All parents/guardians are highly encouraged to sign up for the FFA Booster Club email distribution list by clicking HERE. You can also sign up for text message notifications by texting @JMFF to 81010.
​(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.)

Get connected with us!
Find us online at www.JamesMadisonFFA.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MadisonFFA) and on Instagram (www.instagram.com/jamesmadisonffa) to stay connected with the AMP for the 2019-2020 school year!

Howdy AMP families and students,

The time has come for the official beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. We are looking forward to an exciting year as we invite the class of 2023 to join the ranks of AMP students and celebrate the soon-to-be graduation of the class of 2020!

The following are important events and happenings for the week of August 19th.

First Day of Classes - Monday, August 19th
The 2019-2020 school year for AMP students will begin on Monday, August 19th at 8:55 AM. Students will report to an assigned Advisory class upon arrival to school. The assigned Advisory class locations will be posted at the main entrances. Students with late arrival or first period off campus must report to advisory at 8:55am on the first day.

In the Advisory 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 during Advisory class, we will take our first official count of students attending James Madison HS, so it is very important that students attend the Advisory class. After Advisory class, the students will follow an abbreviated bell schedule and attend all 8 class periods before being dismissed at 4:15 PM.

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

1. School hours are from 8:55 AM to 4:15 PM. 
2. NEISD Dress Code is the expected dress for all students at James Madison HS. The dress code can be found on page 95 of the 2019-2020 Secondary Student / Parent Handbook.
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. Only clear backpacks are allowed. Click HERE for the NEISD clear backpack recommendations and FAQ page.
5. 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.
6. The AMP office will be open from 8:10 AM to 4:40 PM daily with Mrs. Fuller being on lunch break from 12:00 noon to 12:45 PM. 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.  Departure and return times from and to the home campus can be found on the NEISD Transportation webpage. 

Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, all students who plan to utilize shuttle transportation to and/or from a magnet program are required to register for the shuttle transport.  If a student has not been registered for a shuttle transport, please register your student now by clicking HERE. The purpose of the registration process will assist transportation to properly secure the number of buses required at each campus and ensure that all bus drivers have a roster of students who ride each shuttle transport.

Please note, the NEISD Transportation department will transport any student from their home school to and from the magnet programs on the first day of school. However, if buses arrive at a campus and do not have space for all students, students who have not registered may have to wait until another bus can be sent. 

AMP Complex 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 lamb project centers when entering and exiting the livestock project centers.

Lastly, student parking during the school year will be in the parking lot that is adjacent to the lamb 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 2019-2020 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 day of school on Monday, August 27th in the AMP Administration office.
   
   

Schedule Changes
Mrs. Guerrero will be in the AMP counseling office (located in the hallway that exits to the livestock project centers) from Tuesday through Friday during the first week of school to address the immediate needs of AMP students in regards to schedule changes.

Poultry Exhibition for Bexar County Jr. Livestock Show and/or Major Livestock Shows
If a student is interested in raising market broilers (poultry) for the 2019 Bexar County Jr. Livestock Show and/or the 2020 major livestock shows (San Antonio or Houston), they should contact Mr. Anderson and schedule a meeting with him prior to August 23rd at 12:00 noon. Mr. Anderson can be reached by email at [email protected].

Tip of the Week
Students will be receiving several documents this week that are very important to the start of a new school year. Parents/guardians should ask students daily for for any necessary paperwork that requires signatures and to be returned to school as soon as possible.

The AMP will also be sending home 2019-2020 AMP Student Contract, and if applicable, 2019-2020 CTE Transfer Request Form for all returning AMP students so that these documents are up-to-date. It is very important that these documents be returned promptly to the AMP office.

2019-2020 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. 

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.

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.)

Get connected with us!
Find us online at www.JamesMadisonFFA.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MadisonFFA) and on Instagram (www.instagram.com/jamesmadisonffa) to stay connected with the AMP for the 2019-2020 school year!

Howdy AMP families and students,

The following is information in regards to important events and happenings in the AMP for the week of August 12th.

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.  Departure and return times from and to the home campus is scheduled to be viewable on the NEISD Transportation webpage on August 12th. 

Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, all students who plan to utilize shuttle transportation to and/or from a magnet program are required to register for the shuttle transport.  If a student has not been registered for a shuttle transport, please register your student now by clicking HERE. The purpose of the registration process will assist transportation to properly secure the number of buses required at each campus and ensure that all bus drivers have a roster of students who ride each shuttle transport.

Please note, the NEISD Transportation department will transport any student from their home school to and from the magnet programs on the first day of school. However, if buses arrive at a campus and do not have space for all students, students who have not registered may have to wait until another bus can be sent. 

 JMHS "Meet the Mavs" - Thursday, August 15th
The James Madison HS "Meet the Mavs" will be held on Thursday, August 15th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. This welcome back to school pep rally will be held at Heroes Stadium for the community to attend.
AMP students are encouraged to come out and join in with the pep rally as we march the field during the event. Students may begin arriving at 6:15pm and gather at the huge blue and gold FFA banner.  

2019-2020 AMP Parking Permits
The AMP will be providing parking for AMP students in the parking lot adjacent to the swine and sheep livestock project centers.The following guidelines will be used to issue AMP Parking Permits:

1. The AMP student must be a paid FFA member for the 2019-2020 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 day of school on Monday, August 19th in the AMP Administration office.
   
   

Students may stop by the AMP Administration office ahead of August 19th to pick up an AMP Parking Permit packet in order to complete it prior to the first day of school.

AMP Office Hours
The AMP office hours for the 2019-2020 school year will be from 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM daily with Mrs. Fuller being on lunch break from 12:00 noon to 12:45 PM. If you wish to make an appointment, we can be reached at (210) 356-1517.

First Day of Classes - Monday, August 19th
The 2019-2020 school year for AMP students will begin on Monday, August 19th at 8:55 AM. Students will report to an assigned Advisory class upon arrival to school. The assigned Advisory class locations will be posted at the main entrances of the school and Mr. Zimmerman will be emailing the location list prior to the start of school.

In the Advisory 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 during Advisory class, we will take our first official count of students attending James Madison HS, so it is very important that students attend the Advisory class. After Advisory class, the students will follow an abbreviated bell schedule and attend all 8 class periods before being dismissed at 4:15 PM.

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

1. School hours are from 8:55 AM to 4:15 PM. The bell schedule for this school year is attached.
2. NEISD Dress Code is the expected dress for all students at James Madison HS. The dress code can be found on page 95 of the 2019-2020 Secondary Student / Parent Handbook.
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. Only clear backpacks are allowed. Click HERE for the NEISD clear backpack recommendations and FAQ page.
5. 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.
   
   

Poultry Exhibition for Bexar County Jr. Livestock Show and/or Major Livestock Shows
If a student is interested in raising market broilers (poultry) for the 2019 Bexar County Jr. Livestock Show and/or the 2020 major livestock shows (San Antonio or Houston), they should contact Mr. Anderson and schedule a meeting with him prior to August 23rd at 12:00 noon. Mr. Anderson can be reached by email at [email protected].

Get connected with us!
Find us online at www.JamesMadisonFFA.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MadisonFFA) and on Instagram (www.instagram.com/jamesmadisonffa) to stay connected with the AMP for the 2019-2020 school year!

​Parents/guardians can also connect with our James Madison FFA Booster Club by joining their email and text reminder systems. For reminders and information delivered to your cell phone, click HERE for instructions on how to subscribe. To join the James Madison FFA Booster Club email list, click HERE to subscribe.

2019-2020 AMP Calendar of Events
Please download the file below to access the dates for the major events and happenings in the AMP for the 2019-2020 school year. The calendar is current as of August 9, 2019. 

Howdy AMP families and students,
The following is information in regards to important events and happenings in the AMP for the week of August 5th.

JMHS Prep Days
Prep Days will be held in the JMHS Cafeteria on Tuesday, August 6th for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors and on Thursday, August 8th for Freshmen.
Prep Days are made available for students to receive their 2019-2020 class schedules, check out needed textbooks, opportunity to meet with a counselor, take school pictures, pick up Senior gear, etc.
Also, JMHS will be having the Freshmen Stampede on Monday, August 5th at 6:30pm in the Performing Arts Center (PAC). This informational meeting for freshmen and their parents is provided by the administration and counseling staffs to prepare students for the transition to James Madison HS.
The Prep Days reporting times are as follows:
Seniors - Tuesday, August 6th from 8:00am to 11:00am (JMHS Cafeteria)
Juniors - Tuesday, August 6th from 11:00am to 2:00pm (JMHS Cafeteria)
Sophomores - Tuesday, August 6th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm (JMHS Cafeteria)
Freshmen - Thursday, August 8th from 8:00am to 12:00 noon (JMHS Cafeteria)

AMP Greenhand Camp
We want to make you aware of an upcoming opportunity for all new students to the Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP) for the 2019-2020 school year.
We will be holding the 2019 AMP Greenhand Camp on Thursday, August 8th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm in the AMP Complex for our new incoming students.
This voluntary one day camp emphasizes the importance of student involvement and how their involvement this coming year will aid in their potential development in the areas of premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
In order for us to prepare for the camp, we ask that you RSVP by going to the following link: 2019 AMP Greenhand Camp.

 JMHS "Meet the Mavs" - Thursday, August 15th
The James Madison HS "Meet the Mavs" will be held on Thursday, August 15th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. This welcome back to school pep rally will be held at Heroes Stadium for the community to attend.
AMP students are encouraged to come out and join in with the pep rally as we march the field during the event. Students may begin arriving at 6:15pm and gather at the huge blue and gold FFA banner.  

Poultry Exhibition for Bexar County Jr. Livestock Show and/or Major Livestock Shows
If a student is interested in raising market broilers (poultry) for the 2019 Bexar County Jr. Livestock Show and/or the 2020 major livestock shows (San Antonio or Houston), they should contact Mr. Anderson and schedule a meeting with him prior to August 23rd at 12:00 noon. Mr. Anderson can be reached by email at [email protected].
​
Get connected with us!
Find us online at www.JamesMadisonFFA.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MadisonFFA) and on Instagram (www.instagram.com/jamesmadisonffa) to stay connected with the AMP for the 2019-2020 school year!
Parents/guardians can also connect with our James Madison FFA Booster Club by joining their email and text reminder systems. For reminders and information delivered to your cell phone, click HERE for instructions on how to subscribe. To join the James Madison FFA Booster Club email list, click HERE to subscribe.