
Hello, Avalon Middle School parents and guardians.
One-fourth of the school year is now behind us. Your child’s first 9-weeks’ report cards will post by the end of the day, today. Before you know it, we will be preparing for 1st Semester Exams. Please be aware of the upcoming items below.
• If your child failed a core class during the first quarter, Course Recovery has begun. You should have received another message about a parent night we will hold providing information on course recovery this Thursday (10/29) @ 5:30 PM in the AMS Media center.
• The AMS Beta Induction has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, November 3rd.
• The next PTO meeting will take place Tuesday, November 10th @ 5:30 PM in the AMS media center.
• The Avalon Middle School Fall Festival is Saturday, November 14th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Happy Fall. Continue to visit your child’s FOCUS account and monitor their grades. Thank you for a great first quarter and Go KNIGHTS!
Ryan P. Stokes
Avalon Middle School Principal
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us
Thank you, Mr. Stokes! Your leadership helps our school learn, grow and succeed every day! Happy National Principals Month! #GOKnights


All students who borrowed an Avalon jersey for the cross-country season will need to return the jersey no later than Monday, October 26th. If your student purchased a jersey, they will be given one once the old one is returned. Also, since we were not able to have our home meet due to damage from Hurricane Isaias, the top 10 boys and girls will receive medals from Coach Huntington and Coach Richardson to recognized them for their outstanding effort and achievement during our regular season.
Track season will officially start in January, after winter break. All students who have a permission slip on file for cross-country are already approved to join us for track season. If your student wants to join, permission slips will be given out after we get back from winter break. We're looking forward to track season!

I have a few date changes that are results from our recent storm.
-Thursday evening's Beta Induction has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
-The AMS A & A/B honor roll celebration will take place on November 6th.
-The next AMS PTO meeting will take place on Nov 10th at 5:30 PM in the AMS Media center. All are welcome.
-As October is Drug Prevention Month, next week is our annual Red Ribbon Week. Please see the attached file for our dress-up schedule.
In addition, we are working on rescheduling our Fall Festival, so I hope to give more information soon. Also, Veteran's Day is coming up, so please look for information on our Veterans' Day Celebration in the near future.
Thank you for another great day with your kids, & Go KNIGHTS!
Ryan P. Stokes
Principal, Avalon Middle School
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us

It was great to see the students back at school today as we tried to resume a normal schedule. Although we are trying to “resume normal” we know we are far from it. If any of our students have been misplaced due to Hurricane Isaias, we need to know as soon as possible. There are resources available to assist. In addition, if parents’ income has been affected, they can always reapply for Free/Reduced lunch: www.myschoolapps.com. If you know of a family in need (It does NOT have to be your own.), please notify the school.
Tomorrow is the NEW last day of the first quarter. Teachers will finalize grades by Thursday evening, and report cards will be posted one day next week. Our Cross Country season is officially over. While we are trying to reschedule some events, such as the Fall Festival & 3-on-3 tournament, others simply cannot be made up.
We are always concerned about student success, but we also realize the importance of meeting basic needs. I am proud of our students’ resilience and look forward to a successful school year.
Thank you and Go KNIGHTS!
Ryan P. Stokes
Principal
Avalon Middle School
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us
First, our hearts and thoughts go out for all of our community. I hope everyone is doing well and that all your friends and families are safe. I know there are countless families impacted by this recent storm. Our school building took some damage as well, but repairs and mitigation are taking place, and have been for the past several days.
School is scheduled to be open Monday, October 19th. IF that changes, your will be notified by local news sources and/or district callouts. This event has occurred at the change in school quarters, and that is another level of complication. This will be worked out at a later time, so please do not worry in regards to grades. I know some of my teachers have messaged your children about work. Please do not see this as mandatory. While my teachers want to teach, and we all want our students to learn, there are more important matters at hand, and we are all aware of the stress already on you and your families.
It is our plan to "get back to normal" as soon as possible. While no one is at school to answer calls right now, please keep us notified of any needs or special circumstances your family may be going through at this time. If there are changes to the school calendar, you will be notified, but that is not our main concern right now. We want our school open, but safe for students and adults. If you live near or around the campus, I do ask that you remind your children to stay off our grounds and away from the building. There is a great deal of people working to get us ready for Monday, and still a great deal of debris that children do not need to be exposed to.
Avalon Middle is not simply a building, but a community. You are part of that community and we want our lives back to normal, or as close to normal, as soon as possible. Thank you for all you do for our school. Again, please let us know of any circumstances your family may be enduring.
Stay safe & Go KNIGHTS!
Ryan Stokes
Avalon Middle School Principal
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us
I apologize for such a late message, but there has been an update in plans due to the incoming storm. There will be NO school tomorrow, Thursday, 10/08. All schools and school offices will be closed.
Thank you and again, stay safe.
Please pay close attention to this very important announcement. As you probably have already heard, all Sant Rosa County schools will be closed this Friday, October 9th. In addition, no afternoon/evening activities will take place on Thursday, Friday or this Saturday. What this means for Avalon Middle School is:
• Thursday’s Minecraft Club is cancelled as is any other Thursday afternoon meetings or activities.
• Ms. Reeves’ Chorus concert scheduled for Thursday evening is cancelled.
• PBIS activities have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
• Teachers may cut First Quarter grades off tomorrow or take late work next week. This will be up to the individual teachers, but I encourage you to have your child turn in all outstanding assignments tomorrow.
• Monday, 10/12 is still planning day
• Tuesday, 10/13 @ 5:30 PM is our monthly PTO meeting and our PTO Loose Change Drive (currently @ $150) has been extended through next Tuesday as well.
• Friday, 10/16 is our 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Please stay safe and focus on your family’s well-being during these next few days. Any changes to established plans will be communicated as soon as possible.
Thank you and Go KNIGHTS!
Ryan P. Stokes
Principal
Avalon Middle School
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us
We are halfway through our PTO Membership Drive and Loose Change Collection. Currently, our PTO has raised around $150. While that is amazing and I am very proud of the support given, I have been encouraged to add some goals to our current PTO activity. So …
• If our students raise $700-
*Various members of our fac/staff will wear tutus (Mr. Thies, Mr. McKinney, Mr. Munoz, Mr. Richardson & ???).
• If 50 families join PTO-
*Mr. Stokes will kiss a pig. (DISCLAIMER: The pig will be rushed to the vet immediately after for treatment of potential parasites and diseases.)
• If a total of $1,250 or more is raised-
*Mr. Stokes will spend an evening on the roof of Avalon Middle School (during an evening of safe weather).
Avalon Middle School is a wonderful place, and we enjoy having fun with our students, so please help us give them a good laugh. I also wish to remind you of the following:
Friday, 10/09 1st Qt PBIS
Monday, 10/12 Teachers’ Planning Day
Tuesday, 10/13 School Picture Day
Friday, 10/16 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
Saturday, 10/17 AMS Fall Festival (10:00-2:00)
Again, thanks for all you do. Thanks for trusting us with your children. Thanks for being an integral part of our community.
Go KNIGHTS!
Ryan P. Stokes
Principal
Avalon Middle School
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us

Every morning next week (10/05 through 10/09), volunteers, faculty and staff members will be present on the car rider line and bus ramp to accept your loose change in efforts to assist our PTO, students and teachers. Every coin counts, just like every student, every classroom and every family. Please assist us in donating. Also, please help us by joining the Avalon Middle School PTO. PTO dues are $10 per family.
Thanks for all you do for our students, school and community.
Go KNIGHTS!

Don’t wait to order your 2026–2027 Avalon Middle School Yearbook! 🏰
🎉 CURRENT PRICE: ONLY $45! 🎉
This is the cheapest price of the entire year, but it won’t last!
📅 October 16th: The Back-to-School Sale ends, and yearbooks will increase to $50.
SAVE $5 by ordering TODAY!
Secure your copy before the price goes up!
Once the memories are made, you’ll want a book to remember them! ✨
👉 Order your yearbook today by visiting https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01045416!

The first quarter is quickly drawing to an end. Please note the important dates below, especially those in the near future.
• PTO Membership & Loose Change Drive 10/5-10/9
• Last day of the First Quarter 10/9
• Planning day 10/12
• Avalon Middle School’s Fall Festival 10/17
Nothing has greater impact on the future success of our students than a strong teacher/parent relationship. I encourage you to join our PTO in support of our students and teachers. I encourage you to stay in contact with your child’s teachers. We have a lot of school year left. I have asked my teachers to set high expectations and push the kids beyond their comfort zones. To be successful in this, for the kids to be successful, we need your help and support.
Thanks for your trust. Go KNIGHTS!
Dates Events
August 10-October 9 First Quarter
10/1 Impact Club Meeting (1st Thursday)
10/1 Minecraft Club (3:30-4:30 PM)
10/1 Cross Country Meet @ King Middle School
10/6 Cross Country Meet @ Sims Middle School
10/8 Fall Chorus Concert @ 6:30 PM
10/9 PBIS
Oct 13 - Dec 18 Second Quarter
10/13 Cross Country Meet @ Avalon Middle
10/13 AMS PTO Meeting @ 5:30 PM
10/16 3-on-3 Basketball tournament
10/17 Fall Festival
11/11 Veterans Day
11/17 SAC Meeting @ 8:00 AM
11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break
11/30-12/11 PM2 (ELA & Math)
12/16-12/18 1st Semester Exams (Early release only on 12/18)
12/21-1/1/2027 Christmas Break
Ryan P. Stokes
Principal
Avalon Middle School
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us

This year, we’re keeping things simple — no pre-orders required.
📢 Quick Announcement
Picture Day is coming! No need to pre-order this year. Photos will be available to view and purchase online within a few days after picture day using your Student ID.
📸 How It Works
Families will:
Wait until after Picture Day
View images online (available within 1–2 days)
Order only the photos they love
Parents can access their student’s gallery by visiting gulfsouthpix.com and entering their Student ID as the access code.
All orders are shipped directly to the student’s home, making the process easier for both staff and families.

Attached, you will find an advertisement for a Virtual Event our district is hosting to highlight very serious topics regarding the use and dangers of AI. Please make it a point to tune in and participate in this activity.
In addition, our 6th grade students will participate in our annual health screening this coming Thursday morning (9/24). A form has gone home with your 6th grade child explaining the health screening process. If you wish for your 6th grader to opt out of any portion of the health screening, please complete the necessary portions of the form and return it with your child no later than Thursday morning.
Thank you and have a great evening.
Go KNIGHTS!

As a precaution, our school was placed on Secure Facility status due to an external event in the surrounding community. We worked closely with local law enforcement throughout the situation. There was no threat to the school, and all students and staff were safe during the event. The Secure Facility status has been lifted, and school operations continue as normal.
Thank you & Go KNIGHTS.
Ryan P. Stokes
Principal, Avalon Middle School
850-983-5540
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us


Hello Avalon Middle School families.
As we enter the second half of the first quarter of the school year, I wanted to make you aware of some important upcoming dates. While I have several listed below, I do wish to point a few out as they are soon. In addition, Mrs. Curtis will soon send out our first Title 1 Parent Survey for the year. Please be on the lookout for this survey and provide us with your input.
Date Activity
9/15 School Advisory Council meeting @ 8:00 AM
9/15 Parent Teacher Organization meeting @ 5:30 PM
9/18 AMS Fall Social
9/24 6th Grade Health Screening
Also, I wish to remind you to check your child’s grades regularly and reach out to their teachers with questions and concerns. If you want to schedule a Parent/Teacher conference at any time, please call the front desk and ask to schedule one. We have several weeks left in the first quarter, which is plenty of time to improve low grades.
Thank you & Go KNIGHTS!
Ryan P. Stokes, Principal
Avalon middle School
5545 King Arthur’s Way
Milton, FL 32583
850-983-5549
StokesR@santarosa.k12.fl.us
Important Dates Events
August 10-October 9 First Quarter
9/15 SAC @ 8:00 AM in the Media center
9/15 PTO @ 5:30 PM in the Media Center
9/18 SGA Fall Social (All Grade Levels)
9/24 6th Grade Health Screening
10/12 Teachers’ Planning Day
Oct 13-Dec 18 Second Quarter
10/16 AMS 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
11/7 North End District 3-on-3 Basketball tournament (Milton High School)
11/11 Veterans Day
11/14 District 3-on-3 Championship Tournament (Sound Side High School)
11/17 SAC
11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break
11/30-12/11 PM2 (ELA & Math)
12/16-12/18 1st Semester Exams (Early release only on 12/18)
12/21-1/1/2027 Christmas Break
5/21, 24 & 25 2nd Semester Exam Days (Early Release)
5/26 Pos Storm Make-Up Day
6/22 Summer SIP/SAC Meeting