ARMS PGO : May 2013

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Save the Date!

Next Week is Week 2

Wednesday, June 5• Chorus 7 and Chorus 8 - Concert

Friday, June 7• FSP Coffee

Sunday, June 9• Chorus 7 and Chorus 8 - Boston Field Trip

Monday, June 10• School Council Meeting

Friday, June 14• 8th Grade Social

Tuesday, June 18• 8th Grade Mill River Trip

Wednesday, June 19• Early Release Day

Thursday, June 20• Early Release Day

Friday, June 21• Last Day of School , Moving on Ceremony and Early Release Day

Final Call for Donations 8th Grade End of Year Activities

Dear ARMS 8th Grade Families:

We are looking forward to several events at the end of the 2012-2013 school
year to celebrate the ARMS 8th grade students as they get ready to transition
to high school!

The last 8th grade dance/social will take place on the evening of June 14.
The 8th Grade Mill River Picnic will be on Tuesday, June 18. It is a day of
relaxation, games, and food catered by several area restaurants. The
students will be brought to Mill River by bus at 9:30 am, and will return to
ARMS at 2:30 pm. Last year, this was a hugely successful day -- one of the
highlights of the year for students and teachers. And finally, there is a
“Moving-On” ceremony for the 8th grade students and their families on June
21, from 10 am until noon, to mark the conclusion of their Amherst Middle
School experience.

There are real costs for each of these events, which are not in the school
budget. The 8th grade has not held fundraisers throughout the year, and so
we are asking each 8th grade family to contribute what they can now. We hope
you will see this as an opportunity to support and recognize the great work
and commitment of ARMS faculty, staff, students, and families.

For all three of these celebratory events, we estimate the cost for each
student to be at least $15. Please consider an additional donation of what
you can afford ($30, $45, other) to support the school and to help those less
able to make a contribution. Please send in cash or check (made out to ARMS)
along with the completed detached form to your student's advisory teacher by
Monday, June 3rd.

For the Mill River picnic on June 18, we also need volunteers to help serve
food, supervise activities, and clean up at the end of the day. There is an
on-line signup at the web address:
https://millriver.bringit.bz/public/627236. You can also contact Jen Veshia
(jnbus@comcast.net), Eve Weinbaum (eveweinbaum@yahoo.com) or Mark Heyer (heyer@astro.umass.edu)

Thank you so much for your support --
Jen Veshia, Eve Weinbaum, Mark Heyer

(Please detach and return with your contribution)

Student's name: _______________________________________ Team:
_______________________________

Please check the following:
__ Yes! I can support the 8th grade year-end activities. Enclosed is my
contribution of:
__ $15 __ $30 __ $45 ____ other

__ No, I am unable to contribute at this time and request a scholarship for
these activities

__ I can help out on the day of the picnic for several hours (also sign up at
the above web address):

Parent’s Name: _______________________________________

Amherst LSSE Offerings

Monday, May 27, 2013

8th Grade Social Planning Meeting on Tuesday Night, May 28th

There will be an 8th Grade Social Planning Meeting tomorrow,Tuesday, May 28th, from 7-8PM in the ARMS Library.

Anyone interested in helping make this event a memorable one is invited to attend. For more information, please contact Anne at 1willowbank64@gmail.com

Friday, May 24, 2013

Save the Date!

Next Week is Week 1

Monday, May 27• Memorial Day - School is Closed

Tuesday, May 28• 8^th Grade End of Year Events Donations Due

Tuesday, May 28• Rushing River Field Trip - Grade 8

Wednesday, May 29• MAP Testing - Grade 7

Wednesday, May 29• Rushing River Field Trip - Grade 8

Thursday, May 30• MAP Testing - Grade 8

Friday, May 31• Rushing River Field Trip - Grade 8

Wednesday, June 5• Chorus 7 and Chorus 8 - Concert

Friday, June 7• FSP Coffee

Sunday, June 9• Chorus 7 and Chorus 8 - Boston Field Trip

Monday, June 10• School Council Meeting

Wednesday, June 19• Early Release Day

Thursday, June 20• Early Release Day

Friday, June 21• Last Day of School (Includes 5 Make Up Days) and Early Release Day

Dates for 8th Grade End of Year Activities

8th Grade Social - June 14

8th Grade Mill River Picnic - June 18

8th Grade "Movin' On" Ceremonies - June 21

There will be an 8^th grade social planning meeting on Tuesday 5/28 in the ARMS library from 7-8pm. For more information or volunteer to help, please contact Anne at 1willowbank64@gmail.com

Urgent Request for Donations for 8th Grade Families

Dear ARMS 8^th Grade Families:

We are looking forward to several events at the end of the 2012-2013 school year to celebrate the ARMS 8^th grade students as they get ready to transition to high school!

The last 8^th grade dance/social will take place on the evening of June 14. The 8^th Grade Mill River Picnic will be on Tuesday, June 18. It is a day of relaxation, games, and food catered by several area restaurants. The students will be brought to Mill River by bus at 9:30 am, and will return to ARMS at 2:30 pm. Last year, this was a hugely successful day -- one of the highlights of the year for students and teachers. And finally, there is a “Moving-On” ceremony for the 8^th grade students and their families on June 21, from 10 am until noon, to mark the conclusion of their Amherst Middle School experience.

There are real costs for each of these events, which are not in the school budget. The 8^th grade has not held fundraisers throughout the year, and so we are asking each 8^th grade family to contribute what they can now. We hope you will see this as an opportunity to support and recognize the great work and commitment of ARMS faculty, staff, students, and families.

For all three of these celebratory events, we estimate the cost for each student to be at least $15. Please consider an additional donation of what you can afford ($30, $45, other) to support the school and to help those less able to make a contribution. Please send in cash or check (made out to ARMS) along with the completed detached form to your student's advisory teacher by Tuesday, May 28.

For the Mill River picnic on June 18, we also need volunteers to help serve food, supervise activities, and clean up at the end of the day. There is an on-line signup at the web address: https://millriver.bringit.bz/public/627236. You can also contact Jen Veshia (jnbus@comcast.net), Eve Weinbaum (eveweinbaum@yahoo.com) or Mark Heyer (heyer@astro.umass.edu)

Thank you so much for your support --

Jen Veshia, Eve Weinbaum, Mark Heyer

(Please detach and return with your contribution)

Student's name: _______________________________________ Team: _______________________________

Please check the following:

__ Yes! I can support the 8th grade year-end activities. Enclosed is my contribution of:

__ $15 __ $30 __ $45 ____ other

__ No, I am unable to contribute at this time and request a scholarship for these activities

__ I can help out on the day of the picnic for several hours (also sign up at the above web address):

Parent’s Name: _______________________________________

Fort River Book Collection Ends Today- May 24th!

It’s not too late to Spring Clean your bookshelves!

As part of our summer Dive Into Reading program to encourage kids to read over the summer, the Fort River PGO is holding a Book Swap.

Please send in gently used books that are age-appropriate for elementary school students. Books for upper elementary school grades are particularly welcome as are picture, beginner and early chapter books. We ask that you not send in magazines or adult books. And, please encourage your friends and neighbors to look over their shelves as well. Our goal is for each child to take home a big stack of books for summer reading fun.

A collection box will be in the ARMS office until Friday, May 24th.

Project Backpack 2013

The Office of the Superintendent is proud to announce that Project Backpack 2013 is currently underway. In its fourth year, this successful community outreach program provides new backpacks and school supplies to income-eligible students in our schools. This year, nearly 900 students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 qualify to receive these items.

In order to accumulate the tremendous amount of backpack and supplies, Superintendent of Schools, Maria Geryk, is appealing to organizations and individuals in our community for help and assistance. She hopes you will once again agree to become involved in this worthwhile and meaningful outreach initiative.

Please consider reaching out to members of your group for donations of supplies; placing a large bin in the lobby of your business for donations; or posting a blurb on your website to promote Project Backpack 2013. The List of Supplies is below for your convenience. Monetary donations are gladly accepted as well.

Questions? Email Kim Stender.

(Click on list to enlarge.)

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Attention 8th Grade Families

(Click on image to enlarge and print.)

Friday, May 17, 2013

Save the Date!

Next Week is Week 2

• MCAS Math - Grades 7 and 8
Friday, May 10
• MCAS Science/Technology - Grade 8 Only
Tuesday, May 14
• MCAS Science/Technology - Grade 8 Only
Thursday, May 16
• MAP Testing - Grade 7
Monday, May 20
• MAP Testing - Grade 8
Tuesday, May 21
• Rushing Rivers Field Trip - Team Evergreen
Tuesday, May 21
• Rushing River Field Trip - Greylock
Wednesday, May 22
• Rushing River Field Trip - Team Frost
Thursday, May 23
• School Council Meeting
Thursday, May 23
• Memorial Day - School is Closed
Monday, May 27
• Rushing River Field Trip - Grade 8
Tuesday, May 28
• MAP Testing - Grade 7
Wednesday, May 29
• Rushing River Field Trip - Grade 8
Wednesday, May 29
• MAP Testing - Grade 8
Thursday, May 30
• Rushing River Field Trip - Grade 8
Friday, May 31
• Chorus 7 and Chorus 8 - Concert
Wednesday, June 5
• FSP Coffee
Friday, June 7
• Chorus 7 and Chorus 8 - Boston Field Trip
Sunday, June 9
• School Council Meeting
Monday, June 10
• Early Release Day
Wednesday, June 19
• Early Release Day
Thursday, June 20
• Last Day of School (Includes 5 Make Up Days) and Early Release Day
Friday, June 21

Fort River Dive into Reading Book Collection at ARMS

It’s not too late to Spring Clean your bookshelves!

As part of our summer Dive Into Reading program to encourage kids to read over the summer, the Fort River PGO is holding a Book Swap.

A collection box will be in the ARMS office until Friday, May 24th.

Host Families Needed

We still need families for the Doshisha Japanese kids coming in from the 29th of July through the 17 of August. You can do part (hopefully the second part) if you'd like or the whole thing. It's a wonderful cultural experience with many activities in the afternoons your kids can participate in such as Tanglewood, Six Flags, barbeques, Look Park and more!! You will be responsible for feeding them at your house and making them lunches, plus dropping off at 9 at Amherst College and picking them up there around 4. Carpooling is always available. You get a stipend to cover food from your house plus they bring their own money if you go anywhere during weekends etc. This is something you don't want to miss. Becky and I have been hosting and I have been teaching these kids English for 5 years. They're all around 15-16 years old and don't need their own room to stay in. Please contact Dianec711@comcast.net for further information and an itinerary. If you know of anyone please also pass this along to them. We have 15 kids coming and are still short quite a few families. Let's make these kids feel welcome while enjoying a once in a lifetime experience!

LSSE Youth on Broadway

Friday, May 10, 2013

Thank you!

A huge shout out goes out to Eileen Marasco for all of her efforts organizing the 1st Annual ARMS FSP Frisbee Golf & Ultimate Tournament held last Friday. We appreciate all she did to create a really fun event! The FSP would also like to acknowledge the following businesses:

Frisbee Golf Event Sponsor's:

Mission Cantina 485 West Street, Amherst
The Loose Goose Cafe 1 East Pleasant Street, Amherst
Andrew's Greenhouse 1178 South East Street, Amherst
J.Gumbo's 19 North Pleasant Street, Amherst
Mom's House 318 College Street, Amherst
A.J. Hasting's 45 South Pleasant Street, Amherst
Pioneer Valley Pizza 20 Belchertown Road, Amherst

Many thanks to the generous folks of Pure Flight Disc Golf & Ultimate for donating their time and expertise!

Prize Donor's:

Antonio's Pizza 31 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst
Bart's Ice Cream 103N. Pleasant Street, Amherst
Cinemark 367 Russell St., Hadley
Cushman Market & Cafe 491 Pine Street, Amherst
DVDen 320A College Street, Amherst
Friendly's Russell Street, Hadley
GoBerry 28 Amity Street, Amherst
Sibies Pizza 481 West Street, Amherst
Western Mass Family Golf Center Rt 9, Hadley
World Apart Games 48 N. Pleasant St. B2, Amherst

SUPPORT AMHERST LACROSSE, GET YOUR CAR WASHED ON MAY 18TH

The biggest fundraiser for Amherst Youth Lacrosse (AYL) is the Annual Car Wash

and

WE WANT TO CLEAN YOUR CAR!

Our players work hard on the field and want to work hard for you. So, come and

"Get er' done!"

Saturday, May 18
From 10 to 2.
200 Triangle street, Jones Group Realtors have generously donated their parking lot

Come support the Amherst Youth Lacrosse Teams

The Little Mermaid

Starlight's Youth Theatre presents Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr., the musical. Show are on May 17^that 7:00 pm, May 18^th at 2:00 & 7:00 pm, May 19^th at 2:00 pm at the Academy of Music, Northampton. Tickets are $12 students/seniors and $16 adults and may be purchased from the Academy of Music box office: in person, or by phone at (413)584-9032, extension 105, or online at www.academyofmusictheatre.tix.com. For more information about the show and Starlight's Youth Theatre, please visit: www.starlights-youth-theatre.com.

Compost at the Transfer Station!

Beginning May 14, Amherst Transfer Station permit (sticker) holders from Amherst, Pelham and Shutesbury may bring food waste to the Transfer Station for composting via a program offered by Amend Organics, a local agricultural composter. The six-month pilot pay-as-you-throw compost program will accept all food waste and food-soiled paper, including material unsuitable for home composting such as meat, dairy, seafood, bones and greasy pizza boxes. If the pilot is successful the collection program will continue.

Amend’s special thirteen gallon biodegradable bags will be sold at the Transfer Station in rolls of fourteen for $20.00. Compost collection bins will be located to the right of the paper recycling collection area. Collected material will be removed daily and transported to a nearby site approved and monitored by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

The pilot program, a cooperative venture between the Solid Waste Division of the Amherst Department of Public Works and Cam Weimar of Amend Organics, is the first of several changes to be implemented as the DPW seeks balance between services offered and cost minimization to maintain a healthy Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. The Fund will receive a small income from Amend’s program.