News!+Updates!

Thursday, December 8th - Student meeting @ 3:0pm in the AMS Computer Lab during 9th period Enrichment Coaches Meeting @ 3:40pm in the Computer Lab

December 6th, 2011 - New Odyssey Update!!!

Dear Parents,

Listed below are the students presently involved in Odyssey. If your child's name is NOT on this list, & they are still interested, they need to come to practice during 9th period starting this Tuesday, December 6th. Practices will be held on Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00pm to 3:35pm. Through March 17th (competition).

**"Thank you!"**

Mrs. Bonaguidi-Neal for volunteering to coach the Ooh-Motional Vehicle Team Mrs. Neighbour for volunteering to coach the building structures Team Mrs. Czerna for volunteering to be an official Mrs. MacWilliams for volunteering to be an official Mrs. Steinberg for volunteering to be an official

Here is what we still need:

Officials training is on Saturday, February 4th)

We can take up to 3 additional team members on team 1 We can take up to 2 additional team members on team 4 (so if your child initially expressed interested, but hasn't come there is time to join on Tuesday) As I stated, I facilitiate the program, but most of the work happens outside of school time. Fisher Middle School 1325 Lower Ferry Rd Ewing, NJ 08618
 * Officials Training - you need to register for officials training ASAP - The form can be found on the OotM page - it's towards the center of the page**
 * We are the LIBERTY region. Coaches Training is on February 4th, 20112**
 * LOCATION of Officials Training:**

PLEASE REGISTER ASAP for the Training!
 * **All officials registered must be able to:**
 * Attend Officials Training on 2/04/12
 * Attend the Regional Tournament the team you're representing is in Lioberty Region on March 17th, 2012 **//(Sayreville War Memorial High Sch, Parlin, NJ)//**
 * Attend the State Tournament (if the team you're representing advances) April 21, 2012
 * Arrive to the tournament and trainings on time and be able to stay for the duration of their assignment
 * **Have fun!**
 * Link to register for Officials Training:** **@http://nj.odysseyofthemind.org/**

Your child has a copy of the challenge. They are complex, and we have begun to read them & break them down. It helps to read it over every day! Write down questions, so we can look them up on the Odyssey site.

Team Challenge 1 Members - “Ooh-Motional Vehicle”/ Coach Lisa Bonaguidi-Neal
 * 1) Sage Lau
 * 2) Rachael Czerna
 * 3) Molly Steinberg
 * 4) Nick Bonaguidi
 * 5) Samantha Tufaro
 * 6) Shanice Homeward
 * 7) Dylan Doremus

Team Challenge 4 Members - “You Make the Call” / Coach
 * 1) Grant MacWilliam
 * 2) Patrick Neighbour
 * 3) Kevin Kalendek
 * 4) Pratik Banala
 * 5) open
 * 6) open
 * 7) open


 * November 3, 2011**

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your interest in OotM thus far. I am attaching an Odyssey of the Mind **Student Contract. Please have your students sign and return it to me by Wednesday, November 9th. (place it in my AMS mailbox)**

Please **join** the **wiki: ams-odyssey.wikispaces.com**

I will post dates & important information here.

Please have your children **VOTE** for their top 3 Challenges on the WIKI page.

I will list updates to our Odyssey schedule and important information here.


 * Band & Chorus Problem Solved!!!!**

Yesterday, (11/02) I spoke with Mr. Pawlowski. To accommodate Band/Chorus members who want to do it all, I will holdOMmeeting between 8:10 and 9:00 am. On Wednesday & Thursday. We will have a Wednesday OM team and a ThursdayOMteam.

(I will also be available for questions on W/F – during Trimester 1 & Tu/Th – Trimester 2 from 3:00pm to dismissal)

We are limiting this activity to two teams of 7 students per team.

This is what we need to make ourOMteams happen:


 * 1) **2-4 parent coaches** – There is a coaches training on November 19th. I recommend you attend, although it is not mandatory.


 * 1) **Meeting place after school** – when the teams are formed, you can decide where and when you meet. If you plan to meet @ school – we need to ask Mrs. Prowker for a room & schedule)


 * 1) **Mandatory**! Officials – For 2 teams, we need to provide 3 judges – The judges need to be available on **February 4th** for training, then be available for the Regional tournament on **3/17/11** & the State tournament on


 * 1) **Committed Students** – Parents, please do NOT force your children to do this. This has to come from them. It is just like a TEAM sport, or Band or Chorus. It requires time & dedication, and it’s also a lot of fun!

Sit down with your students and view the youtube videos on Odyssey of the Mind challenges (please monitor this – in the event that some objectionable comments appear)

Best,

Mrs. Accumanno