School News
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This February, ASMS students and staff came together to celebrate our annual Cultural Day, an event that highlights the rich diversity within our school community. With families representing more than 20 different countries, our school truly reflects a vibrant melting pot of cultures and traditions.
This year’s Cultural Day featured two wonderful presentations. The Pitner family shared the culture and traditions of Japan, while the Wyrick family introduced students to the beauty and heritage of Guatemala.
Both families created engaging and memorable experiences for students through a variety of items, games, food, crafts, and cultural insights.
Students were excited to explore these countries and left the event feeling inspired and enriched by what they learned. Experiences like Cultural Day help bring global learning to life and give students a deeper appreciation for the traditions and perspectives that make our community unique.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the many parents and teachers who volunteered their time and energy to support the event in each room. Their collaboration and enthusiasm helped make Cultural Day a joyful and meaningful experience for everyone involved.
ASMS is grateful to the families who shared their cultures with us this year, and we look forward to welcoming even more community members in the future who would like to help bring their countries and traditions to life for our students.
ASMS students had a strong showing this winter at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Finger Lakes robotics competitions, representing both official ASMS teams and several Corning-area teams.
At the Corning competition in January, the ASMS team Fledgling Robotics, 7th grade students, earned the Core Values Award, which recognizes teams that best demonstrate collaboration, teamwork, and the spirit of the FIRST LEGO League program.
The ASMS Cyber Owls, 8th graders, also competed in Corning and advanced to the Finger Lakes Championships in Buffalo. At the championship event on February 7, the team earned the 2nd Place Robot Design Award for their thoughtful engineering and robot design.
ASMS is also proud of the many students who participated on other Corning-area robotics teams at the competition. It was wonderful to see so many ASMS students represented across multiple teams.
Congratulations to all of the ASMS students who participated this season!
Meanwhile, the cafeteria offered a more laid-back atmosphere where students gathered to play Heads Up, Pictionary, 5 Card Stud, Monopoly, and many other favorites. Several students even brought games from home, adding to the fun and variety of the evening.
As this was a new event for our community, the evening was open to ASMS students only, which helped create a welcoming and connected atmosphere. All attendees were entered into a raffle featuring prizes to help them host their own epic Game Night at home, a highlight that added even more excitement to the evening.
We are grateful to our PTO for helping make this fresh winter experience possible and proud of our students for making it such a positive, joyful night together.
We’re already looking forward to our Spring Dance on May 1st, when we will celebrate our 8th graders in a big way!
This winter, ASMS switched things up by hosting a school-wide Game Night in place of our traditional winter dance, and it was a wonderful success!
Students enjoyed a relaxed evening filled with light snacks, laughter, and a wide variety of games throughout the building.
The gym was full of energy with basketball, four-square, gaga ball, spikeball, and other active games.
The ASMS music department helped spread cheer at the Corning Museum of Glass Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 6. Two small choral and instrumental ensembles performed a selection of holiday and concert music for museum visitors, adding a festive soundtrack to the annual community celebration. We are proud of our student musicians for bringing joy to the community and showcasing the hard work and creativity behind the ASMS music program.
Nineteen ASMS student musicians participated in the Junior High Area All-State Festival at Genesee Valley Central School in Belmont, NY, on November 7–8, performing in elite Orchestra, Chorus, and Band ensembles alongside top middle-level musicians from across the region. This honor reflects their exceptional skill, dedication, and countless hours of preparation. Congratulations to our talented musicians for their outstanding achievement and for representing ASMS with pride!
Orchestra: Coraline Ashton, Adam Zhou
Chorus: Savannah Elliott, Chinny Okoro, Maura Wing, Lucy Wing, Nick Basu, Luke Robinson, Asher Orr
Band: Henry Shaut, Jessica Fu, Allison Lee, Annabelle Sun, Hazel Fuchs, Lia Kunigonis, Michael Jin, Adelaine Swanson, Levon Willette, Lyla Terry, Johanna Yu
Seventh graders at ASMS kicked off the year with an exciting hands-on challenge that brought together science, engineering, and art. Students used computer-assisted design (CAD) software and 3D printing to engineer rubberband-powered cars that were both functional and visually compelling.
The project highlighted the connection between the Engineering Design Process and the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, as students applied creativity and critical thinking to meet specific design goals:
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Fit within a 180cm x 120cm x 120cm sizing box
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Travel at least 3 meters using stored energy from a rubber band
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Demonstrate thoughtful aesthetic design choices
After weeks of testing and refining their prototypes, student engineers took their cars for a spin. The event celebrated cross-curricular learning in action, as students evaluated performance data and showcased how innovation thrives when science and art work hand in hand.
Several ASMS musicians had an exciting opportunity to perform the National Anthem at Corning Community College before last week's women’s volleyball match! The event was coordinated by Mr. Pollock, our band director, who’s also the assistant coach for the CCC volleyball team.
It was a proud moment for our students to represent ASMS and share their talents in front of a college crowd. The performance was a hit and a great example of how our school community connects with others beyond our campus.
Way to go, ASMS musicians, and thanks to Mr. Pollock for making it happen!
Three mornings a week, ASMS students take a brain break from academic classes and go to Activity Period! This 20-minute block on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday gives everyone a chance to explore a new interest, build a skill, or just have fun connecting with classmates from all grades.
Each trimester, teachers offer a mix of mini-courses that go beyond our regular curriculum. Some activities let students dive deeper into things they already love, while others encourage them to try something completely new.
This trimester’s lineup has something for everyone:
🖋 Yearbook
🧵 Knitting & Crocheting
🧮 Math Club
♞ Tabletop Games
🏈 Fantasy Football
🧁 Mug Madness (baking in coffee mugs!)
🌸 Japanese Language & Culture
🖨 3D Printing
Our mid-morning break gives students a chance to recharge with a snack, reset their focus, and connect with friends. These short pauses help boost energy, mood, and readiness for learning throughout the day. From baking and crafting to coding and strategizing, Activity Period is a favorite way for ASMS students to learn, laugh, and create together.
ASMS students were out in full force at the Wineglass Marathon this past Sunday, October 5! Some laced up their running shoes for the 5K, while many others volunteered at the ASMS Water Station — handing out water, cheering on runners, and keeping the energy high all morning long.
Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and community spirit made the ASMS Water Station one of the most memorable stops along the course. Way to go, students, for representing ASMS with leadership, service, and a whole lot of school pride!
At ASMS, learning extends beyond the classroom and into the greater community. This month, students kicked off the 2025–26 community service program by rolling up their sleeves and diving into projects with local partners.
From sorting cans at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, to painting windows at the Southeast Steuben County Library, to carefully arranging colorful glass pieces at the Corning Museum of Glass, students brought energy and teamwork across grade levels.
“I didn’t know volunteering could be this fun,” one student shared while helping organize food donations.
These experiences are part of ASMS’ mission to nurture curiosity, compassion, and responsibility. Each community service day gives students the chance to strengthen community connections and discover the impact we can make as a whole.
We are proud to partner with an incredible network of organizations that welcome our students and help them see how small actions can create meaningful change:
Dayspring
Food Bank of the Southern Tier
Spencercrest Nature Center
Local Food Pantry
YMCA at Watson Woods
Corning Children’s Center
Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG)
Southeast Steuben County Library
The first weeks of school have flown by, and our classrooms are once again alive with energy, laughter, and the unmistakable shuffle of students getting into the swing of their new routines. Students selected their activity period classes, navigated their Samsung tablets, and hiked the many stairs— all part of middle school life at ASMS.
Team-building activities helped break the ice and set the tone for a year of collaboration and support. The school yard echoed with the familiar sounds of Four Square and the beginnings of new friendships. Families joined in the community spirit at the PTA Ice Cream Social at the close of the second week, a sweet opportunity to connect with other students, parents, and staff while celebrating the start of the year together.
Meanwhile, the band room was full of “first notes” as returning musicians shook off summer rust and new players learned the ropes. Together, they’re already finding their rhythm—literally—as the music of the school year begins.
And of course, the start of the year wouldn’t be complete without welcoming our new staff members, who bring fresh perspectives and energy to our community:
Noriko Chavez – Receptionist and Administrative Assistant
Vincent Gentile – Technology Coordinator
Wafaa Alshwiki – 6th Grade Math Teacher
If the first weeks are any sign, this year promises growth, creativity, and plenty of shared memories. Here’s to finding our rhythm together!