Happy Holidays!

Wishing all of the ARMS community a happy, healthy and safe holiday season and New Year. 

-Your ARMS PGO Board

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1 – Holiday Recess – School is closed.
Tuesday, January 12 – Geography Bee
Wednesday, January 13 – Early Release Day – Dismissal at 12 noon. Lunch will be served.
Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – School is closed.

Trivia Night at the Jones Library

The Jones Library invites area trivia buffs to at our monthly Trivia Night, hosted by Mark “Harpo” Power, on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm.  The next Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016 in the Woodbury Room.  All trivia aficionados are invited to join in the fun and support the Jones Library!

Bring friends and family as a team, or form teams on the spot, with a maximum of five per team. There will be two rounds of 15 questions each, and there will be prizes for the top teams.  Doors open at 6 pm, and the event starts promptly at 6:30 pm.  There is a suggested donation of $5-$10 per person to participate.  All proceeds benefit the Jones Library.  Refreshments will be served.

Open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Winter Social Tonight

When:  Friday, December 18^th

Time:   7-9 p.m.

Where:  MS Cafeteria

Admission Fee:  $3 (Pay at the Door)

• Students should arrive by 7:00 p.m.
• They will only be allowed to leave with family or family friends at 9:00 p.m., or if they get picked up earlier
• Dress code in effect
• We won’t be allowing students to take pictures
• Adults will be monitoring to ensure safe and appropriate contact
• This is a school event, ALL school rules apply
• Any questions or concerns, please contact Talib Sadiq at sadiqt@arps.org or 362-1840

HEALTH and SAFETY GUIDELINES for the SOCIAL:

 Parents/Guardians please review with your youngster.

Health and safety is a priority at all ARMS events. For that reason, we are uncompromising about these guidelines. Students who do not comply will have their parent/guardian phoned to take them home.

-The use or possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other controlled substances is not tolerated at any ARMS event.

-All coats, purses and backpacks must be left behind the counter at the door.

-The social is for Amherst Regional Middle School students ONLY. We are sorry we cannot allow guests from other schools to attend: not even ARHS.

-Unsafe behavior or physical aggression is not acceptable. Dancing is great as long as it is appropriate.

-The social ends at 9:00. All Parents/Guardians should please BE IN THE PARKING LOT PROMPTLY AT 9:00! Please support our health and safety efforts by picking up your student on time! Do not wait for them to call you! Please be waiting at 9:00.

ARMS T Shirts Still Available

Looking for a special gift for your middle school-er?  ARMS t-shirts are still available for $10!!!!   Children L and XL, and Adult, S, M, L, and XL sizes are available.   Email armspgo@gmail.com  to order one for everyone on your gift list!

Mighty Nest Findraiser

This holiday season, consider shopping at http://mightynest.com  for Gifts for a Healthy Kitchen—quickly register and 15% of your purchase will go to the ARMS PGO!  Check out their healthy, safe products for the home and you can raise money for Amherst Regional Middle School.

Mark Your Calendar

Friday, December 18 – Term 1 Reports will be distributed to students.
Friday, December 18 – Winter Social, 7-9 p.m., MS Cafeteria, $3 at the door
Thursday, December 24 through Friday, January 1 – Holiday Recess – School is closed.
Tuesday, January 12 – Geography Bee
Wednesday, January 13 – Early Release Day – Dismissal at 12 noon. Lunch will be served.
Monday, January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – School is closed.

Food for Fines at the Jones Library & Branches

The Jones Library and branches will be offering a “food for fines” amnesty period from January 2 – 31, 2016.    Library patrons who bring a non-perishable, non-expired food donation or make a monetary contribution to the Amherst Survival Center when they return overdue library materials during this time will have the fines on those materials forgiven. 

“This is a great opportunity for patrons with long-overdue library materials to get those items back to the library without having to pay the fines that are accumulating,” says Amy Anaya, Head of Borrower Services at the Jones Library.  It’s important to note that the amnesty applies only to items that are being returned during this time, and not to existing overdue fines on items that have already been returned or for billed or lost items.

Holding a Food for Fines drive is a long-standing annual tradition at the Jones Library.  The food and funds collected will support the work of the Amherst Survival Center, the local service agency that assists many in our community in meeting their basic needs.

For further information about Food for Fines, please contact Amy Anaya at 413/259-3132.

Amherst Cinema Family Film Series

Amherst Cinema offers a Family Film Series with special pricing of $5 for all tickets.  For more information, please click here.

 Free passes for families in need are available at the ARPS Family Center by calling 413-362-1871.

Your invited to the PGO meeting on December 15th

Please join us for our December ARMS PGO meeting on Tuesday, December 15th at 6:30 PM at the home of Laura Wear, 143 Lincoln Amherst.  Help plan out the goals and accomplishments of the PGO for 2016, vote on current faculty grant requests, and enjoy a glass of wine, festive nibble and holiday cheer!  All parents, guardians and faculty of ARMS students welcome!

End of Year Giving to the ARMS PGO

Many thanks to all who donated to the ARMS PGO through our GivingTuesday site..  With your help we raised $830 of our $2000 goal.   These funds will go towards faculty grants, our continuing efforts to provide snacks for hungry students, community events, and more!

Donations can be made without fees through December 31st.    Click here to donate!

All donations are tax deductible.

ARMS T- shirts On Sale Now!

Looking for a special gift for your middle schooler?  ARMS t-shirts are still available for $10!!!!   Children L and XL, and Adult, S, M, L, and XL sizes are available.   Email armspgo@gmail.com  to order one for everyone on your gift list!

Mighty Nest Findraiser

This holiday season, consider shopping at http://mightynest.com  for Gifts for a Healthy Kitchen—quickly register and 15% of your purchase will go to the ARMS PGO!  Check out their healthy, safe products for the home and you can raise money for Amherst Regional Middle School.

ARMS Winter Social

When:  Friday, December 18^th

Time:   7-9 p.m.

Where:  MS Cafeteria

Admission Fee:  $3 (Pay at the Door)

• Students should arrive by 7:00 p.m.
• They will only be allowed to leave with family or family friends at 9:00 p.m., or if they get picked up earlier
• Dress code in effect
• We won’t be allowing students to take pictures
• Adults will be monitoring to ensure safe and appropriate contact
• This is a school event, ALL school rules apply
• Any questions or concerns, please contact Talib Sadiq at sadiqt@arps.org or 362-1840

HEALTH and SAFETY GUIDELINES for the SOCIAL:

 Parents/Guardians please review with your youngster.

Health and safety is a priority at all ARMS events. For that reason, we are uncompromising about these guidelines. Students who do not comply will have their parent/guardian phoned to take them home.

-The use or possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other controlled substances is not tolerated at any ARMS event.

-All coats, purses and backpacks must be left behind the counter at the door.

-The social is for Amherst Regional Middle School students ONLY. We are sorry we cannot allow guests from other schools to attend: not even ARHS.

-Unsafe behavior or physical aggression is not acceptable. Dancing is great as long as it is appropriate.

-The social ends at 9:00. All Parents/Guardians should please BE IN THE PARKING LOT PROMPTLY AT 9:00! Please support our health and safety efforts by picking up your student on time! Do not wait for them to call you! Please be waiting at 9:00.

Mark Your Calendars

Dec. 10- School Council Meeting-  2:45 – 4PM

Dec. 15- PGO Meeting 6:30 PM at Laura Wear's house

Dec. 16- Early Release Day

Dec. 18 – Term 1 Report Card Distribution

Dec.  24 – Jan 1- Holiday Recess

PGO Coffee with Principal Mendonsa this Morning- Friday, December 4.

All Parents/Guardians are invited to join the PGO and Principal Mendonsa at 7:45 a.m. for coffee in the MS Professional Development Room here at ARMS. 

This is a great opportunity to hear about the middle school and share questions and ideas. 

The meeting begins at 7:45 a.m. and will end by 8:45 a.m.  If you cannot make the entire meeting, we hope that you can join us for a portion of the time. 

Merry Maple Celebration Tonight!

The 40th annual Merry Maple Celebration will be held on the Town Common in front of Town Hall on Friday, December 4th and will feature the ARMS 7th Grade Chorus.

Atkins Farm will be on hand selling hot cider and doughnuts.

3:00 – 4:00 Fire Station – Calling all kids! See a real fire engine up close or a modern police vehicle. It’s exciting to see for yourself what they are really like!

4:00 – 6:00 Hayrides (by Muddy Brook Farm) – pick up at the Town Common

4:00 – 5:30 Craft Room – Face painting and kid’s crafts (at the Town Room, Town Hall)

4:30 – Amherst Regional Middle School 7th grade Chorus (on the front steps of the Town Hall)

4:45 – Tree lighting by the Amherst BID!!! (Town Common)

5:30 – Minuteman Marching Band (Town Common) – with SANTA!  Sing-alongs and loads of fun for everyone.

6:00 – Visit with SANTA: March down to the Amherst Historical Museum at the Strong House next to the Jones Library, to have your picture taken with Santa and enjoy cookies.

Support the ARMS PGO

Many thanks to all who donated to the ARMS PGO on GivingTuesday.  With your help we raised $815 that will go towards faculty grants, our continuing efforts to provide snacks for hungry students, community events, and more!

Just announced- GivingTuesday has been extended- donations can be made without fees through December 31st.    Click here to donate!

All donations are tax deductible.

Here’s another way to donate to the PGO.  Consider shopping at mightynest.com http://mightynest.com for Gifts for a Healthy Kitchen—quickly register and 15% of your purchase will go to the ARMS PGO!  Check out their healthy, safe products for the home and you can raise money for Amherst Regional Middle School.

https://givingtuesday.razoo.com/story/Amherst-Regional-Middle-School-Parent-Guardian-Organization

Mark your calendars

Dec. 4 – Coffee with the Principal 7:45 AM

Dec. 4 – Chorus 7 performs at “Lighting of the Merry Maple” performance 4 – 5PM

Dec. 9 – Orchestra 7, Band 7 and Chorus 7 Concert 7 – 9 PM

Dec. 10- School Council Meeting-  2:45 – 4PM

Dec. 16- Early Release Day

Dec. 18 – Term 1 Report Card Distribution

Dec.  24 – Jan 1- Holiday Recess

IEP Clinic: A Workshop for Parents

When:  December 7, 2015 Monday
Where:  Amherst Regional High School, Room 13
Time:  5:30pm-8:30pm
Free workshop and open to all in the public. An IEP for My Child: Every child with a disability who receives special education services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This workshop takes parents and educators step-by-step through IEP development, including how to articulate a vision, using evaluations to write measurable goals, and measuring their child’s progress.
The last hour and a half will consist of a round table discussion with volunteer Educational Advocates.   Feel free to bring your child’s IEP if you would like!
Contact:  Nancy Stewart 413-687-4255 or sepac@arps.org with any questions.  http://arpssepacblog.wordpress.com
Sponsored by: Pelham, Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), Pelham, Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools and the Federation for Children with Special Needs
http://fcsn.org/pti/workshops/home.php
Families helping Families!

Fort River School Barnes and Noble Book Fair

Saturday, December 5, 2015
Barnes & Noble Hadley

10:00 – 4:00 Enter your favorite teacher in our hourly raffle drawing
Performances to Enjoy
10:00 The Duffy Academy of Irish Dance
11:00 FR’s own Ms. Keizer shares How the Grinch Stole Christmas
11:30 Holiday crafts & songs
12:00 Fort River Orchestra ensemble
1:00 Performance by members of FR Band
2:00 FR Robotics Club demonstration

*And special Educator Holiday Shopping Event – use your Barnes & Noble Educator Discount Card to save 25% on all your purchases while supporting Fort River!

Visit BN.COM/bookfairs to support us online !
from 12/5/15 to 12/10/15 by entering Bookfair ID# 11609500 at checkout.

A percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit our school/organization.

Jones Library: Children’s Craft & Family Film Screening

 

As excitement builds for the next film in the Star Wars series, the Jones Library is taking a lighthearted look at the genre.  Join us for a screening the 1987 film written and directed by Mel Brooks, in which a space bum helps rescue a princess from an evil overlord with the help of a benevolent elder.  Although it borrows most of its plot from the Star Wars series, this film also pokes fun at Star Trek, Snow White, and Planet of the Apes, in true Mel Brooks fashion.

Join us in the Woodbury Room on Saturday, December 19 at 2 pm for the screening of this feature film.  More information about the movie can be found on the Jones Library website at www.joneslibrary.org.  The film is rated PG.

Children ages 7 and up are invited to attend a Jedi Training at 11 am on the same day. Come make your Light Saber and a Star Wars craft, then test your skills with our Jedi obstacle course! Costumes welcomed and encouraged. Drop-ins are welcome for the Jedi obstacle course, but registration is required for the craft project.  Please contact the Children’s Room at 413/ 259-3091 to register.

 

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.  

#GivingTuesday is this Tuesday!

This Tuesday, December 1, 2015, the ARMS community will come together (virtually) for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and support our students and teachers. 

To donate, please click here.

The ARMS PGO (part of the ARPS PGO- a non-organization) whose membership includes all parents, legal guardians, and staff at ARMS.  Our mission is to create a supportive and welcoming community for students, their families, teachers, and the administration by:

·         planning and hosting events that bring ARMS families together;

·         showing appreciation to our teachers and staff;

·         communicating through our blog and team-specific emails;

·         awarding mini-grants to teachers and staff for programs and materials that help provide additional enrichment experiences for ARMS students; and

·         awarding and funding the newly created ARMS Educator Award.

The PGO is run by a small, but dedicated, group of parent volunteers. While we organize fundraising events during the year, we also rely heavily on the support of ARMS families.   We have a wonderful community here that is enthusiastic about supporting our kids and our school.

In the last year, we have used family donations to:

·         award $2,000 worth of mini-grants to ARMS faculty and staff;

·         provide MCAS snacks and drinks to all of our students;

·         fund an anti-bullying program at the school;

·         offer Career Day refreshments to speakers;

·         provide refreshments at the monthly Coffee with the Principal;

·         run a Teacher appreciation ad in the Amherst Bulletin;

·         endow and fund the first annual ARMS Educator Award prize;

·         sponsor the annual Staff Appreciation luncheon; and

·         plan and host the first annual ARMS Welcome Back picnic.

In the coming year, we plan to do all this and more, including funding a newly established grant program for students who are looking to make a difference in their school and community.

Donations can be as little as $5 and as much as you can give,  Thank you for your tax deductible donation.  Every contribution helps!!

The ARMS PGO

Merry Maple Celebration on Saturday, December 4th

The 40th annual Merry Maple Celebration will be held on the Town Common in front of Town Hall on Friday, December 4th and will feature the ARMS 7th Grade Chorus.

Atkins Farm will be on hand selling hot cider and doughnuts.

3:00 – 4:00 Fire Station – Calling all kids! See a real fire engine up close or a modern police vehicle. It’s exciting to see for yourself what they are really like!

4:00 – 6:00 Hayrides (by Muddy Brook Farm) – pick up at the Town Common

4:00 – 5:30 Craft Room – Face painting and kid’s crafts (at the Town Room, Town Hall)

4:30 – Amherst Regional Middle School 7th grade Chorus (on the front steps of the Town Hall)

4:45 – Tree lighting by the Amherst BID!!! (Town Common)

5:30 – Minuteman Marching Band (Town Common) – with SANTA!  Sing-alongs and loads of fun for everyone.

6:00 – Visit with SANTA: March down to the Amherst Historical Museum at the Strong House next to the Jones Library, to have your picture taken with Santa and enjoy cookies.

Winter Social

There will be a Winter Social in the middle school cafeteria on December 18th from 7-9 PM.   Admission is $3.00.  This event is open to all ARMS students.

LSSE Discount

 

Town of Amherst Nominating Papers

Beginning December 1, nominating papers for town-wide offices, including School Committee, will be available at the Town Clerk’s office. Nominating papers (with at least 50 voters supporting) are due February 9, and the election will be March 29, 2016.

More info at: http://www.amherstma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1630

Nomination papers for Moderator, Select Board, School Committee, Housing Authority, Jones
Library Trustee, Redevelopment Authority, Elector of the Oliver Smith Will, Charter Commissioners and Town Meeting Member will be available at the Town Clerk’s office beginning December 1, 2015.

All voters registered to vote in Amherst are eligible to run for town office and town meeting member.

Town-wide office and charter commissioner nomination papers must be signed by at least fifty registered voters in Amherst. Candidates are advised to collect more than fifty signatures to ensure the requisite number of certified signatures.

Town meeting member nomination papers must be signed by at least one registered voter of the precinct in which the candidate resides.

Nomination papers for all of the above offices must be filed at the Town Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.

Voters in each precinct will elect eight town meeting members for three years, and elect other members as necessary to fill existing vacancies for two or one year terms.

Amherst residents must be registered voters by Wednesday, March 9, 2016 to vote in the March 29, 2016 Annual Town Election.

http://www.amherstma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1630

post courtesy Wildwood PGO

Stone Soup Bazaar & Cafe – December 5th, 9am-3pm/ Stone Soup Bazar & Cafe – 05 de diciembre, 09 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst (UUSA) is pleased to be hosting the Stone Soup Bazaar & Cafe in our lovely remodeled Meetinghouse located at 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst. Come gift shopping at our arts and crafts fair featuring potters, fabric artists, wood workers, jewelers, painters, quilters, card makers, tie dyers, soap and lotion makers and more. Some specialize in gifts for pets, others in clothing for children and babies. Parents, grandparents and people of all ages are sure to find that special something for the people on their list. Enter a raffle to win a UUSA handmade quilt or gift basket. Wake up with coffee/tea and muffins from 9-11am. Have lunch of homemade soups and bread from 11-2pm. Have fun in the Kid’s Zone. Make a day of it! For more information go to www.uusocietyamherst.org or contactsandysladen@gmail.com

La Sociedad Unitaria Universalista de Amherst (UUSA) se complace en ser anfitrión de la Stone Soup Bazar & Cafe en nuestra hermosa remodelada Meetinghouse ubicado en 121 N. Agradable St., Amherst. Ven de compras de regalos en nuestras artes y artesanías alfareros justos que ofrecen, artistas de tela, trabajadores de madera, joyeros, pintores, quilters, fabricantes de tarjetas, corbata tintoreros, fabricantes de jabón y loción y más. Algunos se especializan en regalos para los animales domésticos, otros en ropa para niños y bebés. Los padres, abuelos y personas de todas las edades están seguros de encontrar ese algo especial para la gente en su lista. Escriba una rifa para ganar una UUSA edredón hecho a mano o regalo cesta. Despierta con café / té y panecillos de 9-11am. Almuerzo de sopas caseras y pan de 11-2pm. Diviértete en la Zona del Kid. Hacer un día de él! Para obtener más información, vaya a http://www.uusocietyamherst.org o contacto sandysladen@gmail.com

Thanksgiving Recess

Just a reminder that all ARMS students have a half day next Tuesday, November 24th.  Students are dismissed at NOON.  There is no school the remainder of the week.

On Monday, November 30th, it is a Teacher Curriculum Day.  There us no school for all students.  

Classes resume on Tuesday, December 1st.

GivingTuesday!

This year, for the first time ever, the ARMS PGO is participating in #GivingTuesday! We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, the ARMS community will come together (virtually) for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to support our students and teachers. 

Donate now- all gifts count towards our GivingTuesday total.

https://givingtuesday.razoo.com/story/Amherst-Regional-Middle-School-Parent-Guardian-Organization

Boys Alpine Skiing

The Athletic Department is opening up the Alpine Skiing program to middle school boys. 

Briefly, no previous race experience is required to join the Alpine Team, only the desire to ski and to become a better skier. The coaches only requirement of prospective athletes is that they be at least advanced or intermediate skiers.

The season will run from Nov 30 to Feb 19.

No race equipment is required, except for a helmet.

Your child will also need to purchase Berkshire East lift tickets for practices and races. These run around $22 each, and typically total about $325 for the season, per athlete. If you buy Berkshire East passes for your kids, then there's no need for the lift tickets.

Any other information you may need, regarding the program, you can reach out directly to the coach, Pepe Torras at ptorras@comcast.net

The registration costs include an athletic participation fee, $254/$101/$50, depending on whether your family is on full/reduced/free lunch.  Any information you need regarding registration reach out to the athletic office at whitep@arps.org