Husky Highlights 1-19-2026

Posted Date: 01/19/26 (05:54 PM)

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Husky Highlights

Literacy Week coming soon!

January 19, 2026

A teacher and three students stand behind a table displaying science projects, with a banner reading 'PROUD TO BE A PLTW SCHOOL'.

Principal Mendez's Message

Dear Husky Families,

As we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of his powerful words:

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

His message of integrity, courage, and service continues to inspire us today. At Avalon Middle School, our Huskies honor his legacy each day by living our PAWS values—Positivity, Accountability, Willingness, and Success. When we practice kindness, take responsibility, work hard, and care for ourselves and others, we embody the very principles Dr. King stood for.

📚 Literacy Spirit Week is Coming!

January 26–30, 2026 (Next Week!)

We are excited to celebrate Literacy Spirit Week at Avalon Middle School! This special week is dedicated to the joy of reading and the essential role literacy plays in learning across every subject area. Here’s what students can look forward to each day:

✨ Monday – Make Your Mark

Students can enter our bookmark contest by designing an original bookmark. The winning design will receive a prize and be copied for the whole school!

👕 Tuesday – Team Up with Books

Wear a favorite team shirt (sports or clubs) to show that reading and teamwork go hand in hand.

😴📖 Wednesday – Wind Down Wednesday

Pajama Day! Students will enjoy 15 minutes of reading during 1st period.

Please make sure students bring a book. (Pajamas must follow dress code.)

🎩 Thursday – Hats Off to Reading

It’s Hat Day! Students may wear a hat to celebrate their love of reading.

📖 Friday – Finish Strong Friday

Dress as a favorite literary character or superhero to end the week with creativity and fun!

Avalon Middle School has been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is administered by the National Center For Education Statistics within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure across the country. A student's grades are not affected by the NAEP exam. Fifty 8th graders were randomly selected by NAEP to participate. If your 8th grade student is one of the students selected, a letter will be sent home for you with additional details. Students will receive community service hours that can be used towards their Bright Futures requirements for participating in this exam. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Cooper @ Jennifer.Cooper2@ocps.net.

Timber Creek High School Parent Night

Timber Creek HS will host a Parent Night for incoming 9th graders on Tuesday, February 11, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Performing Arts Center (PAC). School counselors will review graduation requirements and discuss course options.

Important Announcement regarding Edgenuity-

For the 2026-2027 school year, only 8th graders will be allowed in Edgenuity.
Any failed class for grades 6-7 will need to be retaken on OCVS.

Thank you!

Two smiling students hold a poster board with the word "VISUAL" and various images.

Two smiling individuals in art class aprons hold small clay figures they have sculpted.

Evening of Excellence Information

Evening of Excellence is dedicated to celebrating the outstanding academic accomplishments of our students. This special evening will highlight their hard work, commitment, and dedication to success. We are proud to announce updated information for our Evening of Excellence ceremony held on May 19, 2026. To better honor our students’ achievements, the following criteria has been updated. Students will be awarded this year as follows:

Evening of Excellence – Eligibility

Academic Excellence

Awarded to students who have earned all A’s during the first three marking periods on their Report Cards for the current school year.

Academic Achievement

Awarded to students who have earned a combination of A’s and B’s during the first three marking periods on their Report Cards for the current school year.

Pride of the Pack- 8th grade only

A prestigious award reserved for 8th grade students who have demonstrated consistent excellence through academics.

For 8th grade 4.0 GPA for 3 years, a student must earn:

A for the FINAL GRADE in EACH 6th and 7th grade class (since we often get only final grades for student who transfer in, we do not penalize students who have been at Avalon MS all 3 years for getting, for example, a B for Q3 in 6th grade math as long as the final grade in that class is an A). A B as a final grade in a high school honors class will be calculated as an A.

AND

A’s for EVERY (counting weights for honors classes) quarter during their 8th grade year

Quarter 4 is not used in the current year as the ceremony is BEFORE final grades are in.

Notes:

-Any core/required academic class (including reading, if it was required) taken through any virtual school will be taken into account for Evening of Excellence purposes.

-Classes taken at any high school will not be taken into account unless it is a core academic class. (Example: Algebra II does count; Italian does not)

-Any additional elective classes (Example: student takes 7 classes at Avalon but chooses to take computers through FLVS) will not be counted.

Students MUST have grades for all quarters to be considered; i.e. student moves here in December but we never received Q1 grades – student is ineligible since we cannot verify GPA for Q1.

Three students stand behind a table displaying plants, a cage with animals, and an FFA jacket.

Two students stand with yellow folders in front of a blue display board titled 'SPIT CREW!'.

SAC & PTSO

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SAC and PTSO dates

-Mark your calendars for our SAC meetings for this school year: 9/22, 10/27, 11/17, 2/23, 3/23, and 4/27.

-No meeting in January

Thank you to everyone who supported with the recognition funds process. You are PAWSome!!

Four students proudly hold "All-State Choir" certificates in front of a textured wall.

A young person in a red hoodie and black apron holds a small clay sculpture in an art classroom.

Huskies Learning & Thriving!

We’re thrilled to spotlight the amazing work happening in our classrooms! It’s inspiring to see so much engaged learning, collaboration, multisensory approach to learning and hands-on activities that help our students thrive.

Our teachers are creating dynamic learning environments where students can collaborate, think critically, and enjoy the process of learning. Thank you for your dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence. You make our school a place where Huskies grow strong—academically and personally.

Thank you, Ms. Machado, Ms. Lemmerman, Dr. Gilson & Mr. Miranda for supporting our students and creating engaging learning envrironments.

Thanks to our amazing elective teachers for their support of our Elective Fair.

Let’s keep growing in excellence!

Students are painting colorful mandala designs on circular canvases at a table.

A group of smiling young people pose in front of a festive gingerbread house backdrop and a decorated Christmas tree.

Wishlist for ELA/Reading and PE Departments

Please help our ELA/Reading Department:

6th ELA classes: pencils, colored copy paper, and note cards

7th ELA classes: pencils, sticky notes

8th ELA classes: large sticky note posters, sticky notes, and pencils

Reading: large sticky notes and pencils

PE Department:

Paper Towels, Lysol Wipes, Band Aides, Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softener, Hand Sanitizer, Feminine Products (Pads and Liners), Travel Size Deodorants, Tissues, Ziplock bags (multi sizes). If you are able to donate please drop them off at your convenience at the front office. Thank you! -PE Team