Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! My name is Billy Thomas, and it is a true honor to introduce myself as your child’s new Middle School Principal. I’m thrilled to be joining this vibrant community, and I look forward to getting to know your families and partnering with you in support of your child’s learning and growth.
Very soon, our campus will come alive with the energy and anticipation of a new school year as we prepare to welcome students back on Tuesday, August 12th. Our teachers are already hard at work setting up their classrooms and engaging in professional learning to ensure your child has an exceptional academic experience.
Your child’s class schedule will be available in PowerSchool prior to the first day, giving you a chance to preview it together. In addition, your child’s advisor will be reaching out via email before school begins to introduce themselves and provide instructions for where to meet on that first day.
To help your family feel confident and prepared, I’ve included some essential information below. I encourage you to read this letter in full, as it contains important updates and new procedures for the 2025–2026 school year.
Kind regards,
Billy Thomas
We look forward to seeing you on campus for Middle School Back to School Night to learn more about the MS program and meet your child’s teachers. Please join us on September 1st at 5:00 pm in the school theater.
More information and reminders will be sent closer to the event.
The school day begins at 8:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm.
Tuesdays school starts at 9:00 am to allow teachers to collaborate and plan during their Community Collaboration Time.
Students are permitted in the Middle School hallways no earlier than 7:40 am (8:40 am on Tuesdays) as we do not provide supervision until that time.
Afterschool activities and sports begin at 3:10 pm and finish at 4:30 pm.
If children are not in an afterschool activity or do not have a planned meeting with a teacher, they are expected to depart campus at 3:10 pm or shortly after that. Students may not be on campus unsupervised after school.
Please ensure your child has a plan set for their departure each day. If changes to that plan come up, please notify the MS office.
Tuesday, August 12th - we will follow the Day 0 schedule.
MS Day 0 Schedule (link here)
All students will start their school day promptly at 9:00 am in their Advisory classroom.
On Day 0, classes are shorter so students can meet all of their teachers.
The school will dismiss at 3:00 pm.
You can pick up your child at the designated areas in the front of the school, or, if they take the bus, they will walk to the bus yard and be placed on the appropriate bus to go home. For more information about bussing, please click the Bus Service Guide. We strongly encourage you to read the Bus Service Guide if your child is a bus rider for important information.
All students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack to school.
Students have several transition times throughout the day when they are welcome to have a snack. The Blue Fig Cafe will also have snack options available.
Students must bring a water bottle to school each day. All water fountains on campus require a water bottle for service.
Fully charged laptop and charging cord. Click here for the buyer's guide.
Any school materials they may need. Click here to view the supply list.
Your child’s schedule will be available for them to preview in PowerSchool before the start of the year.
The MS Office will be in touch once the portal opens.
Teachers and advisors will spend the first week reviewing schedules with your child.
For support with PowerSchool please contact powerschool@acsamman.edu.jo.
Your child is expected to bring a fully charged laptop to school each day. Click here to view the buyer’s guide.
Appropriate use of devices is expected from all students. As part of our back-to-school planning, we will remind students of the expectations for appropriate use. Click here to view the guide.
Should students choose not to use their devices for school-related activities, they will be reminded of the expectations.
Should multiple violations of these expectations occur, students will be subject to disciplinary action.
MS students may bring a phone to school each day. From 7:40 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., phones are expected to be silent and in a child’s backpack. Teachers will confiscate phones if they see them out during the day.
We strongly encourage all parents/guardians to contact the MS Office should they need to contact their child during the day. Please do not directly call or text your child.
Please remember that an ID is required to enter the ACS campus.
ACS badges are to be worn at all times while on campus. If you are a returning parent, please remember to wear your parent ID badge from last year.
If you are new to ACS or need help finding your Parent ID Badge, please complete the “Parents ID Badge” form in PowerSchool.
Please help us ensure that student information is up to date, including contact, all emergency releases, and child-care provider information.
You can update any changes to your contact information in PowerSchool under the “Update Demographic Information” Form.
Please provide us with a desk number if your cell phone does not work in your place of business. In addition to emails, we also communicate through SMS, and we must have your correct mobile phone number and email address in case of emergencies.
For support updating your contact information in PowerSchool please contact powerschool@acsamman.edu.jo.
When students are going to be absent from school, parents are required to inform the Middle School Office of the absence either by phone call or email.
In MS, it is expected that students will contact their teachers when they are absent. Students should review what is posted on Google Classroom for the classes they miss, complete missing assignments, and likely spend time with teachers during breaks, lunch, or afterschool to catch up on missed learning upon their return.
Attendance is tracked in MS as we expect that all students are in school to engage in meaningful learning. Attendance expectations and procedures are outlined in the MS Family Handbook.
ACS has a cafeteria dining space for students which is managed by Blue Fig's catering service. In collaboration with a certified nutritionist, the cafeteria offers healthy and balanced options that include vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free options.
Middle school students also have the option of purchasing cafe-style refreshments, food, and pastries at the Learning Common Cafe.
Students need to bring a water bottle with them to school each day. All water fountains on campus require a water bottle for service.
Please note that ACS is a nut-aware school, and students should not bring nuts or nut products to school for lunch or snacks.
The cafeteria menu can be found on the ACS website under Scorpion Central.
ACS strives to be a cash free zone. Please ensure your child’s Zain cash account is ready for the first day of school.
Your child’s teachers will communicate as needed and encourage you to be in touch if you have questions or need support. You will receive a unit cover sheet at the beginning of each unit that outlines your child's learning goals in each class. This will be posted for you in the WGO (our weekly newsletter sent you via email.) Your child's teacher will also communicate when Powerschool grades are posted at the end of each unit.
We strongly encourage students and parents\guardians to engage in meaningful conversations around your child's learning throughout the year and contact teachers often.
Swimming is part of our regular physical education program. We require students to use the individual changing stalls located in the pool’s locker rooms.
Your child should bring the following supplies for their swimming unit:
An appropriately styled swimsuit (see here for examples).
Towel
Anti-slip flip-flops or sandals
Waterproof swimming bag (or bag with plastic bag/ziplock for a wetsuit)
If the student’s hair can be pulled back into a ponytail it needs to be
Swim caps are encouraged but not required
Goggles (highly recommended)
Jacket or hoodies (as needed depending on ambient temperatures and or in case of evacuation)
MS After School Activities include clubs and intramural-style sports and ACS offers three seasons of activities during the school year.
ASA & Middle School Sports run from 3:15 - 4:30 pm. If your child is a bus rider they depart campus at 4:45 pm.
Clubs and sports are based on student interest and encourage students to try new things, build skills, and socialize.
Students of all levels and abilities are encouraged to participate.
8th graders are eligible to try out for Junior Varsity sports through the High School office.
Please contact Mr. Mo Hourani our Activities Director for questions.
Middle School Daily Schedule
Middle School Late Start Schedule
For all Middle School related matters, including bus, attendance, and issues, please contact the Middle Office:
(06) 581-3944 - extension 298.
If you do not receive any communication by email during the first week of school, please contact help@acsamman.edu.jo
Should you have any questions that require immediate attention, please email Diala Gammoh, MS Administrative Assistant: dgammoh@acsamman.edu.jo. The Middle School Office is located on the 4th floor near the atrium.
For PowerSchool support please email powerschool@acsamman.edu.jo
For bus support please email: bus@acsamman.edu.jo
For tech support please email: help@acsamman.edu.jo
Athletic and Activities Director: Mo Hourani, mhourani@acsamman.edu.jo
MS Principal: Billy Thomas, bthomas@acsamman.edu.jo
MS Assistant Principal: Serena McMahon, smcmahon@acsamman.edu.jo
MS Counselor: Bayli Martinez, bmartinez@acsamman.edu.jo
ACS School Nurse: Hiyam Gammoh-Jahshan, hjahshan@acsamman.edu.jo