RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR SUE DUNBAR

Sue Dunbar, our beloved elementary band teacher, will be retiring this June after 38 years of service to the students and families of the Amherst public schools.

Please join us at a celebration to show our appreciation for Sue and to send her off in style.

The event will be held on Monday, June 23 at 7 pm in the gym at Fort River School. A few parents and staff members will say a few words, Sue will perform a couple of pieces, and then we will all go to the cafeteria for an hors d’ouvres and dessert potluck.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Mary Kiely at marykiely@msn.com. Please let Mary know if you will be bringing food. Alternatively you can fill out the form below and send to your child’s school office. (Please bring your potluck items to cafeteria before the 7 pm presentation.)

_____________________________________________________________

Sue Dunbar Celebration- June 23^rd, 7 pm, @ Fort River School

Name:_______________________________________

Number of people planning to attend;__________

I will bring the following dessert or hors d’ouvre to the event:___________________________

(Please bring enough for 10 people)

Sue Dunbar Instrument Scholarship Fund Established

Sue Dunbar Instrument

Scholarship Fund

Buying or renting a band instrument can be expensive.  In order to ensure that all students have access to our wonderful elementary school band program, we are creating an instrument scholarship fund, in on honor of Sue Dunbar’s thirty-eight years of service to Amherst Public Schools.  This scholarship fund will enable students to rent instruments and participate in their school band.

Please consider making a donation to this wonderful fund.

Checks should be made out to Amherst Public Schools, with the words “Sue Dunbar Instrument Scholarship Fund” in the memo section.  Please send your check  to your child’s school, in an envelope marked “Sue Dunbar Scholarship Fund.”

If you have any questions, you may contact Anne Louise White, the music teacher at Fort River Elementary School, at Whitea@arps.org.  326-1238            

                                                   

Children of Military Families Survey

Amherst Regional Public Schools is conducting a survey to determine which members of the Amherst community are children of a military family according to the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3). Your participation in the survey is voluntary and is being conducted in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If you currently have a student attending Amherst Regional Public Schools, please take a moment to complete this online survey at the following address:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/arpscmfs

For more information on how this information is used to support children of military families, please visit MIC3 at www.mic3.net

New Late Arrival Day - Monday, June 9

Important Calendar Change-- New Late Arrival Day on Monday, June 9: In order to make up for the late arrival days that were canceled due to snow this year, a new late arrival day is scheduled on Monday, June 9. Classes will begin at 9:55 a.m. and buses will run according to the normal late arrival day schedule.

Photos Wanted for African American Achievement Awards Facebook Page

The African American Achievement Awards committee is seeking photos for their Facebook page. The Facebook page is called "African American Achievers of Amherst" and is meant to showcase the accomplishments of ARPS students (elem/ms/hs).  

Parents, guardians, staff and students are invited to post photos from AAAA night, civic awards, ARHS graduation (students in stoles), athletics events, fine & performing arts performances, community service projects, etc. 

Students should get permission from parents/guardians before posting photos. 

Additional information can be obtained through Dr. Shirley Whitaker sajwhitaker@comcast.net

An Afternoon of Music with Local Educator and Hip Hop Emcee, Michael Lawrence-Riddell

Celebrate Young Artists in Our Community.

The Amherst Regional High School Art Department

 and The Eli Marsh Gallery, Amherst College

 Present

AR[T]HS: An Exhibit of Outstanding Student Artwork from the 2013-2014 Academic Year

The Art Department at Amherst Regional High School is proud to present AR[T]HS, an exhibit of outstanding student artwork from the 2013-2014 academic year. The exhibit will showcase juried work from all of the Art Department’s areas of study: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, 2D & 3D Foundations, Printmaking, Art Portfolio and Sculpture.

Opening Reception

 Thursday, June 5th from 5-8 pm

The opening is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served. The opening will be part of the monthly Amherst Art Walk.  Last year’s opening was attended by more than 300 students, parents and relatives, including many non-art students showing support for their peers.

AR[T]HS on display at 

The Eli Marsh Gallery

105 Fayerweather Hall, Amherst College

June 4th-June 13th. 

Gallery hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, every day

This is the sixth annual “AR[T]HS” exhibit hosted by the ARHS art department, and represents a bringing together of artwork by more than 150 students.  Since its inception in 2009, the AR[T]HS exhibit has grown in size and in popularity with the students and faculty at Amherst Regional High.  “It’s a wonderful and potentially life-changing experience for our students to participate in a show at a professional art gallery,” says Art Department Chair and Ceramics teacher, Hannah Hartl. Alumni of the art program at ARHS have gone on to pursue careers in fine art, commercial art, and other art-related fields. 

In addition to Hartl, the ARHS Art Department teaching staff includes Ben Sears, 2D Foundations, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking and Art Portfolio, Jeff Stauder, 3D Foundations, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture and Art History, and Lori Lynn, Photography and 2D Foundations.  Each teacher also works with a number of independent students throughout the year.

AR[T]HS would not be possible without the help of a committee of dedicated parents, the support of Principal Mark Jackson, and the financial support of the Parent Guardian Organization.

Student Artists are currently available to be interviewed by appointment. Please contact Hannah Hartl to arrange student interviews. In addition to being welcome at the opening and during the regular gallery hours, the press is also welcome to photograph the show set up, during the early afternoon of June 3^rd.  

  

 For more information please contact Hannah Hartl(413) 362-1759 hartlh@arps.org

8th Grade Social- Update and Call for Volunteers

Dear Families,

The 8th grade social on June 20th is a fun tradition the 8th graders are looking forward to—and it can only happen with the help of all in the middle school community. 

The theme is Hollywood at the Beach. We want to create a feeling for Venice Beach—and need people who like to decorate and plan parties to give us a hand.

7th grade parents and guardians chaperone the social (and bring refreshments for the moving on ceremony on the 25th) and 8th grade families decorate, sell tickets and bring refreshments.

The social is paid for by ticket sales and family donations.

Permission slips will be sent home with your student and must be handed in to the ticket sellers. Tickets will be sold in the lunch room during the week of the social (and scholarship tickets will be available for those who need them).

SIGN UP TO HELP AT: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054AAFAC2EAA8-8thgrade

or email Cindy Tarail at cindy@thealchemystudio.com or text/call 413-552-6836.

Thank you,

Cindy Tarail and Nicola Metcalf for the ARMS PGO

8th Grade Mill River Request for Support

Dear ARMS  8^th Grade Families:

We are looking forward to several events at the end of the 2013-2014 school year to celebrate the ARMS 8^th grade class of 2018 as they transition to high school! 

The 8^th Grade Mill River Picnic will be on Monday, June 23rd.  It will be a day of fun, relaxation, games, and food catered by several area restaurants.  The Town of Amherst will open the Mill River Pool early for us to use.  The UMass Men’s Basketball team will officiate the advisory basketball tournament finals. The students will be brought to Mill River by bus at 9:30 am, and will return to ARMS at 2:00 pm.   As it has been the past two years, we anticipate that Mill River will be a hugely successful day -- one of the highlights of the year for students and teachers – with your support.

On the evening of Friday, June 20th is the last 8^th grade dance/social, in the HS. The AMRS PGO is hard at work planning this event.  And finally, there is a “Moving-On” ceremony for the 8^th grade students and their families on Wednesday, June 25th, from 10:30 am until 11:55, to mark the conclusion of their Amherst Middle School experience.  Details on this day will be shared soon.

There are real costs for each of these events which are not in the school budget.  The 8^th grade teams have 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, $60, $100) to support the school and to help those less able to afford a contribution.  Please send a check made out to ARMS to your student's advisory teacher. 

For the Mill River picnic on June 23rd, we also need volunteers to help serve food, supervise activities, and clean up at the end of the day. Parent coordinators will be posting a signup calendar and requesting your help in the next several days.

Thank you so much for your support --

(Please detach and return with the attached permission slip for the Mill River picnic)

__________________________________________________

___ I would like a scholarship

___I can support the 8th grade year-end activities.  Enclosed is my contribution of:

__ $15             __ $30             __ $45             __ $60             __ $100

Student's name:  _____________________________________

Checks should be made out to ARMS and returned to 8th grade advisory teachers.

LSSE's "Youth on Broadway"- May 31 & June 1

For the second year, Amherst Leisure Services (LSSE) will be presenting the “Youth on Broadway” musical theater revue, showcasing the talent of Pioneer Valley youth between the ages of 9-17 and presenting nearly 40 songs and dances from more than 20 Broadway shows. From “Mathilda the Musical” to “A Chorus Line,” “Oliver,” “Wicked,” and many other Broadway productions, the program will present three shows: Saturday May 31, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday June 1, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. All shows will take place at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium, located at 170 Chestnut Street, Amherst.

AAAA Night Photos Wanted

The African American Achievement Awards committee is seeking photos for their Facebook page. The Facebook page is called "African American Achievers of Amherst" and is meant to showcase the accomplishments of ARPS students (elem/ms/hs). Parents, guardians, staff and students are invited to post photos from AAAA night, civic awards, ARHS graduation (students in stoles), athletics events, fine & performing arts performances, community service projects, etc. Students should get permission from parents/guardians before posting photos. Additional information can be obtained through Dr. Shirley Whitaker sajwhitaker@comcast.net.

Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of our Lives A Documentary Screening & Discussion

Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of our Lives

A Documentary Screening & Discussion

 The Jones Library will host a screening of this important documentary, which examines the health effects caused by use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 6:30 pm in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library. The screening will be followed by a question and answer period with Jack Kittredge, from the Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter.

GMO (genetically modified organism) labeling is an issue that is being brought before legislative committees this year. Many nonprofit organizations are working in support of a mandatory labeling law on foods in Massachusetts. This documentary discusses the health problems associated with consuming GMOs, and features doctors, nutritionists and other health professionals whose clinical experiences have created a grave concern that these ingredients are so widely used in our food. This sometimes shocking film may change your diet and help you protect your family.

This event is co-sponsored by the Jones Library and NOFA/Mass.
Free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

2014 SUMMER ULTIMATE LEAGUE OF AMHERST

click to enlarge

JOIN THE AMHERST ULTIMATE PHENOMENON!

Women and Men. Ages 14 and up.

All games begin at 6:00 p.m. @ Plum Brook Recreation Area

June 16th-August 7th

To register (or for more info) log onto www.lsse.org or call 413.259.3065.

Once you have registered through LSSE please go to www.suladisc.org.

For additional information please contact:
Women’s Div: Sue Morello @ 413-256-6464 or salwen.1@gmail.com
Comp.Div: Robin Stewart Demartino @ 413-210-5584 or robinstewartdemartino@gmail.com
Recreational Div: Nathan Salwen @ 413-256-6464 or salwen.1@gmail.com

AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC WITH MISTER EL-ARE & GUESTS!

click to englarge

What: Please join local educator and hip hop emcee, Michael Lawrence-Riddell, aka Mister El-Are, for “Mister El-Are presents: A Gathering of Music and Minds.”

Performers will include: Justin and Christine Eck, Sajo Jefferson, Marcia Gomes, and Mister El-Are.

When: Saturday, May 31, 2014 4-6pm
Where: Florence Community Center, 140 Pine Street, Florence, MA

Suggested Donations: Students $5, Adults $8

All proceeds will go to fund Mister El-Are's musical education project, using music to connect kids to  history and literature.

Questions? Email misterlr@gmail.com

AR[T]S Exhibition

The Amherst Regional High School Art Department and The Eli Marsh Gallery, Amherst College, Present:  AR[T]HS: An Exhibit of Outstanding Student Artwork from the 2013-2014 Academic Year

The Art Department at Amherst Regional High School is proud to present AR[T]HS, an exhibit of outstanding student artwork from the 2013-2014 academic year. The exhibit will showcase juried work from all of the Art Department’s areas of study: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, 2D & 3D Foundations, Printmaking, Art Portfolio and Sculpture.

AR[T]HS will be on display at The Eli Marsh Gallery, 105 Fayerweather Hall, Amherst College, from June 4th-June 13th. Gallery hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, every day.

The opening reception is on Thursday, June 5th from 5-8 pm. The opening is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served. The opening will be part of the monthly Amherst Art Walk.  Last year’s opening was attended by more than 300 students, parents and relatives, including many non-art students showing support for their peers.

This is the sixth annual “AR[T]HS” exhibit hosted by the ARHS art department, and represents a bringing together of artwork by more than 150 students.  Since its inception in 2009, the AR[T]HS exhibit has grown in size and in popularity with the students and faculty at Amherst Regional High.  “It’s a wonderful and potentially life-changing experience for our students to participate in a show at a professional art gallery,” says Art Department Chair and Ceramics teacher, Hannah Hartl. Alumni of the art program at ARHS have gone on to pursue careers in fine art, commercial art, and other art-related fields. 

In addition to Hartl, the ARHS Art Department teaching staff includes Ben Sears, 2D Foundations, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking and Art Portfolio, Jeff Stauder, 3D Foundations, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture and Art History, and Lori Lynn, Photography and 2D Foundations.  Each teacher also works with a number of independent students throughout the year.

AR[T]HS would not be possible without the help of a committee of dedicated parents, the support of Principal Mark Jackson, and the financial support of the Parent Guardian Organization.

Student Artists are currently available to be interviewed by appointment. Please contact Hannah Hartl to arrange student interviews. In addition to being welcome at the opening and during the regular gallery hours, the press is also welcome to photograph the show set up, during the early afternoon of June 3^rd.  

  

Please join us in celebrating the young artists in our community. For more information please contact Hannah Hartl (413) 362-1759 hartlh@arps.org