Staff Appreciation Luncheon- Thank you!

This year’s annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon was a great success!  Many thanks to all those who cooked, shopped, cleaned, collected raffle prizes, helped students write thank you notes, and more!  

We could not have done it without help from: Dorothy Morua-Fernandes,  Deb Christakos, Giulia Giovanelli, Carol Slaughter, Elaine Fronhofer, Rosie McMahan, Amy Sweeting, Paula Bird, Paul Hudson,  Dawn Lapere, Lisa Oram, Trish Lagrant, Becky Demling,  Abby Dallman, Vidya Sitaraman, Chris Fruean, Rachael Valentine, Kelly Aiken,  Whitney Lyman, Nancy Steki, Sylvia Keochakian, Terri Geffert, Sarah Frenette, Rebecca Fricke, Suzanne Schilling, Stella Sexton, Sylvia Sherwood, Sarah Bing-Owen, Katie Wright, Beth Miller Pittman, Kathy Wellerstein,  Cathy Wescott,  The Guisti Family, Paula Bird, Patricia Brennan,  Rachel Barker, Nate Budington, Will Wear, and Josie DeAngelis.

We would also like to thank the following businesses who generously donated items to the staff raffle: Amherst Coffee, The Works, Hastings, Amherst Cinema, Amherst Ice Cream, Yoga Center Amherst, Jones Library, Ren’s Mobile, Hair East, The Lone Wolf, Chez Albert, Bertucci’s, Elements Hot Tub,  Body Mechanic,  Sound Health Body Works, and B. Home.   

Thank you!

5Essentials Survey

The Amherst­-Pelham Regional School District has formed a partnership with UChicago Impact to administer the 5Essentials Survey to our school community.
This online survey gathers data related to five indicators that can affect and predict school success.  They are: ∙ Ambitious instruction ∙ Effective Leaders ∙ Collaborative Teachers ∙ Involved Families ∙ Supportive Environment

All teachers and students in grades 4 ­ 12 will take the survey. Current 9 th , 11 th , and 12 th grade students were given the opportunity to complete the survey during the extended MCAS period on March 23rd. 10th grade students will take the survey during advisory on April 6th.

The district has also elected to survey parents and guardians. We encourage you to participate in the survey as your feedback will help inform our school improvement work. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

To take the parent survey:  Visit https://survey.5­essentials.org/amherst/survey/parent  
Click here.  Please note:  You must select your child’s school.

Call for Nominations: ARMS Educator Award

The Amherst Regional Middle School Educator Award was established by the 2014-2015 Parent Guardian Organization (PGO) at the Middle School as a way to recognize the incredible work and dedication of the middle school faculty and staff.  Nominations for this award can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by students.  For details or to nominate an ARMS Staff member, see this letter. 

El Premio al Educador de la escuela intermedia Amherst Regional Middle School fue establecido por la Organización de Padres Guardianes (OPG) de 2014-2015 como medio para reconocer la ardua labor de los educadores y miembros de personal de la escuela intermedia.
Para más detalles , vea esta carta.

The Spring Festival of Films For Humanity!

Amherst Together, the Amherst, Pelham and Regional Public Schools and the Amherst Human Rights Commision are pleased to present the Spring Festival of Films for Humanity. During the month of April, a total of six films will be screened that explore global perspectives on humanity. The festival is designed to create an opportunity for the community to contemplate and discuss important social issues that exist within our society. The Spring Festival of Films for Humanity launches phase two of the Amherst Together initiative, that is focused on advancing social literacy.

 

Ivory Tower, the premiere film of the Spring Festival of Films for Humanity screens on Tuesday April 5, 2016 at the Amherst Regional High School auditorium. Ivory Tower looks at the $1 trillion dollar student loan debt, while examining the business of higher education at the expense of students. Directed by Andrew Rossi. If You Build It follows designer Emily Pilloton and architect Matt Miller into one of the poorest counties in North Carolina to teach students the art of problem solving within their community. Directed by Patrick Creadon. Wednesday April 6, 2016. Amherst Middle School library. The Human Family Tree sets out to trace the ancestral footsteps of all humanity, traveling to one of the most diverse corners of the world, Queens, NY, to demonstrate how we all share common ancestors who embarked on very different journeys. Directed by Chad Cohen. Monday April 11, 2016. Amherst Middle School auditorium. More than A Month follows one man’s quest to end Black History Month. This film looks into how exploring history shapes how we treat it and how we value it while also shaping the narrative behind it. At the core of this film, it looks into what it means to be an American and to fight for one’s rights. Directed by Shukree Tilghman. Tuesday April 12, 2016. Amherst Middle School auditorium. The True Cost is a story about the clothing we wear everyday, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. This story questions who really pays the price for our clothing while also looking into how the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. Directed by Andrew Morgan. Wednesday April 13th, 2016. Amherst Regional High School auditorium. The House I Live In looks into the true cost of America’s losing war on drugs. This film offers a picture of the human rights implications of America’s longest war. Directed by Eugene Jarecki. Wednesday April 27, 2016. Amherst Middle School auditorium.

 

All film screenings begin at 6:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. A facilitated talk-back or opportunities for feedback will immediately follow. The film festival is free and open to the public. Please contact Carol Ross, Media & Climate Communications Specialist, at 362-1820 or rossc@arps.org for more information, or go to www.amhersttogether.org.

ARPS PGO Spring Public Meeting

The Amherst Regional Public Schools Parent Guardian Organization (ARPS PGO) is a Registered 501c3 Massachusetts Charity encompassing the individual PGOs of the Amherst Regional High and Middle Schools, Crocker Farm and Wildwood Elementary.

Our mission is to support the education of children within our schools through fundraising, supplemental programming and volunteer efforts.  We help build community by fostering relationships among the schools, parents, teachers and staff. 

All are invited to attend the ARPS PGO Spring Public Meeting on April 13, 2016 from 4:45 – 5:45 PM in the Crocker Farm School Lobby.

Agenda:

Call to Order

School Updates

Establishing a new Registered Agent

Banking Protocols

ValleyGives

Potential VFW fundraiser

UMASS giving total and thank you note (We raised $925)

Parent Booster USA Paperwork

Mark Your Calendars

April 5- MCAS ELA Comprehension (Grades 7 and 8)- Session 2A

April 7- MCAS ELA Comprehension (Grades 7 and 8)- Session 2B

April 8- Term 2 Report Card Distribution

April 13 – Early Release Day
April 18-22 – Spring Break  

May 11- Early Release

May 17- MCAS Science (Grade 8 only)

May 19- MCAS Science (Grade 8 only)

May 30- Memorial Day - no school.

 

ARMS Zumbathon is here!

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 26th 10 to 11:30 AM is the ARMS Zumbathon!  Join the PGO for a 90 minute Fitness Party in the ARMS gym to benefit the PGO's efforts to provide MCAS snacks for all ARMS students.  

Have fun, get a great work out, and support our school community—what could be better?

We need you- ARMS Staff Appreciation Lunch 3.30.16

The annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, March 30th.  (This is an early release day.) This is an opportunity for all of us to thank the teachers and staff at ARMS with a buffet lunch, thank you notes from students, prizes, surprises and fun!  Please consider contributing a food item AND volunteering!  We hear the staff really enjoys this day--help us spread the love!

The PGO is still in major need of food contributions!!!  Please consider donating a main dish, dessert or salad.  Food may dropped off Wednesday morning between 7:30 and 9 AM. Please include an ingredient list with all items.

Sign up to donate and or volunteer for the luncheon here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49a4ae2faaff2-arms

Thanks so much!  Any questions can be sent to l.wear@comcast.net

Call for Nominations: ARMS Educator Award

The Amherst Regional Middle School Educator Award was established by the 2014-2015 Parent Guardian Organization (PGO) at the Middle School as a way to recognize the incredible work and dedication of the middle school faculty and staff.  Nominations for this award can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by students.  For details or to nominate an ARMS Staff member, see this letter. 

El Premio al Educador de la escuela intermedia Amherst Regional Middle School fue establecido por la Organización de Padres Guardianes (OPG) de 2014-2015 como medio para reconocer la ardua labor de los educadores y miembros de personal de la escuela intermedia.
Para más detalles , vea esta carta.

Amherst Town Elections are Tuesday, March 29th!!!

On Tuesday, March 29, 2016, the Town of Amherst will hold their annual election.  This year, there is a contested school committee race (3 candidates for 2 seats).

In addition, there is an important Yes/ No question about forming a Charter Commission to examine our form of government.  Simultaneously, there is vote on candidates to serve on the Charter Commission should the question pass.  There are 19 candidates vying for 9 seats.

The League of Women Voters has detailed election guides available online:

2016 Voting Guide- TM, SC and Select Board 

Charter Commission Candidate Statements

Mark Your Calendars

March 26- PGO Zumbathon

March 29- Amherst Town Elections
March 30- PGO Staff Appreciation Luncheon / Early Release Day
Apr. 13 – Early Release Day
Apr. 18-22 – Spring Break

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, April 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.

Mark Your Calendars

March 18 - No School- Teacher Work Day; Term 2 Grades Close

Mar. 18 – 9:00-10:30 am – SEPAC Board Meeting, ARMS Superintendent’s Conference Room

Mar. 21 – T3 Begins

March 23- Orchestra 7, Band 7 and Chorus 7 Concert
Mar. 24 – 7:00 pm – ARHS Coffee with the Principal (all families of rising 9th graders invited to attend)

March 26- PGO Zumbathon
March 30- PGO Staff Appreciation Luncheon / Early Release Day
Apr. 13 – Early Release Day
Apr. 18-22 – Spring Break

PGO Effort to provide MCAS Snacks

Many thanks to those who have already donated to the MCAS snack fund!  On March 29th, April5th, and April 7th, all ARMS students will take some form of MCAS test.  Students are allowed to bring snacks to these tests (which may take several hours,) but not all students can bring snacks or remember to do so.

Last year the PGO began providing snacks for all students during testing.  This has proven to be a worthy but relatively expensive endeavor for the PGO.  We are still accepting donations of any amount, and we are still looking for a few volunteers to help sort on Monday, March 28th  between 7:30 and 9:30 AM.  Donations may be dropped off in the ARMS PGO mailbox in the main ARMS office.  Volunteers may contact Deb Christakos at: deborah_christakos@yahoo.com

ARMS Educator Award- Call for Nominations

The Amherst Regional Middle School Educator Award was established by the 2014-2015 Parent Guardian Organization (PGO) at the Middle School as a way to recognize the incredible work and dedication of the middle school faculty and staff.  Nominations for this award can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by students.  For details or to nominate an ARMS Staff member, see this letter. 

El Premio al Educador de la escuela intermedia Amherst Regional Middle School fue establecido por la Organización de Padres Guardianes (OPG) de 2014-2015 como medio para reconocer la ardua labor de los educadores y miembros de personal de la escuela intermedia.
Para más detalles , vea esta carta.

Staff Appreciation Luncheon- call for Donations and Volunteers

Opportunities are still available to help make the Staff Appreciation Lunch extra-special.  Sign up to donate and or volunteer for the luncheon here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49a4ae2faaff2-arms

One of the highlights of the lunch is a raffle for the guests.  Interested in donating a raffle item? Please email the PGO at armspgo@gmail.com

ZUMBATHON!

Saturday, March 26th 10 to 11:30 AM!  Join us for a 90 minute Fitness Party to benefit the PGO efforts to provide MCAS snacks for all ARMS students.  

Have fun, get a great work out, and support our school community—what could be better?

LWV Candidates’ Night

Please join the League of Women Voters on March 19, 7-9 pm for Candidates’ Night in the Town Room at the Amherst Town Hall. This is the League of Women Voters’ way of keeping Amherst citizens informed about the upcoming election on March 31st. We will be hearing from the candidates and have an opportunity to ask them some questions as well.

Even if they are running unopposed, candidates will be taking this opportunity to let the town become better acquainted with them. Refreshments will be served 7-7:30 p.m.

– See more:here.

Amherst Splash Spring 2016 registration IS OPEN!

Splash is a one–day event at Amherst College, where middle and high school students learn anything from Masks of the World to How People Make Money to Harry Potter: A Chamber of Secrets to Instant Chinese to Beat–boxing, all taught by college students!
When:
Saturday April 9th 2016, 9am–3pm at Converse Hall, Amherst College, Amherst, MA 01002
A $10 fee includes course supplies and lunch. Scholarships are available.

Here’s the registration link to get you started:  Register
Quick link to courses offered this semester:  Class Catalog

Please invite all your friends and pass the information along to anyone interested! Additionally, we are now on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/splashamherst) so give us a like and get a chance to see updates and what happens behind the scenes with us :)

Registration is set to close April 6th so sign up soon! Give us an email if you have any questions.

ARPS School Calendar for 2016-2017 School Year

    The School Committee has voted to accept next School year’s calendar. The Full calendar available at this link:  2016-2017 Calendar

 

 

The First day of school for the 2016-2017 School Year is Wednesday, August 31st  for students in grades 1-12.

LSSE is Moving to ARMS!

LSSE is moving next week!  They will have new offices in the Middle School.   Their entrance is to the left of the main entrance when you face the building - by the gym.  

LSSE offices will be closed March 21st and 22nd for the move.  They will be open for business in their new location on Wednesday, March 23rd.

For more information, please visit: www.lsse.org.

Jones Library: Edible Perennial Gardening and Landscaping

Amherst, MA – An opportunity to learn about edible perennials comes to the Jones Library in a presentation about using edible plants in gardens by local naturalist John Root.  Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2016.

This presentation is a visual one that features the variety of trees, shrubs, vines, canes, and herbaceous perennials that can be grown in New England for bountiful harvests of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Participants learn how to establish and care for these plants using organic methods of cultivation. Nutritional and medicinal benefits of the plants are discussed as well. Questions and comments are welcome throughout the presentation, and handouts with a list of edible perennial plant species, resources for further study, and recommended plant nurseries are distributed at the conclusion of the program.

This program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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

MCAS Snacks

Many thanks to those who have already donated to the MCAS snack fund!  On March 29th, April5th, and April 7th, all ARMS students will take some form of MCAS test.  Students are allowed to bring snacks to these tests (which may take several hours,) but not all students can bring snacks or remember to do so.  Last year the PGO began providing snacks for all students during testing.  This has proven to be a worthy but relatively expensive endeavor for the PGO.  We are still accepting donations of any amount, and we are still looking for a few volunteers to help sort on Monday, March 28th  between 7:30 and 9:30 AM.  Donations may be dropped off in the ARMS PGO mailbox in the main ARMS office.  Volunteers may contact Deb Christakos at: deborah_christakos@yahoo.com

Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Opportunities are still available to help make the Staff Appreciation Lunch extra-special.  Sign up to donate and or volunteer for the luncheon here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49a4ae2faaff2-arms

One of the highlights of the lunch is a raffle for the guests.  Interested in donating a raffle item? Please email the PGO at armspgo@gmail.com

ZUMBATHON!

Saturday, March 26th 10 to 11:30 AM!  Join us for a 90 minute Fitness Party to benefit the PGO efforts to provide MCAS snacks for all ARMS students.  Have fun, get a great work out, and support our school community—what could be better?

Clarification abour ARMS Spring Sports

The spring sports registration deadline has been extended to March 15th, for both registration and payments.

Also, please mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 15th, for our Spring Sports Team Meeting Night.  This evening is for both athletes and their parents/guardians.  Everyone will meet briefly in the high school gym and then go to a sport specific classroom. This will give everyone a chance to meet the coaches, ask questions, find out about tryouts and go over rules & expectations.

6:00 p.m. Whole Group Meeting in the Gym

6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Individual Team Meetings in assigned classrooms

Hope you can join us!

Students - 

MS Track and Field will have an informational meeting for the students with the coach on Tuesday, March 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the middle school in the PD Center for 20 minutes.

MS Tennis will have an informational meeting for the students with the coach on Tuesday, March 8 at 2:40 p.m. in the middle school gym for 20 minutes.

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Queremos informar a los padres / encargados que la fecha límite de inscripción a los deportes de primavera se ha extendido a marzo El 15 de marzo, es la fecha limite extendida, tanto para el registro y como el pago.

También, por favor marque en su calendario el martes, 15 de marzo para nuestra Reunión de Equipos Deportivos de Primavera. Esta noche es para los atletas y sus padres / encargados. Todo el mundo se reunirá brevemente en el gimnasio de la escuela Superior y luego irán a un salón específico del deporte. Esto les dará a todos la oportunidad de conocer a los entrenadores, hacer preguntas, obtener información sobre audiciones y repasar las reglas y expectativas.

6:00 Reunión del grupo entero en el gimnasio

6:15-7:00 - Reuniones de los equipos individuales en los salones asignados

¡Esperamos que usted puede unirse a nosotros!

estudiantes - 

Equipo de Pista y Campo de la intermedia tendrán una reunión informativa para los estudiantes con el entrenador el martes 8 de marzo a las 2:30 en la escuela intermedia en el Centro de PD por 20 minutos.

Equipo de Tenis de la intermedia tendrá una reunión informativa para los estudiantes con el entrenador el martes 8 de marzo a las 2:40 en el gimnasio de la escuela intermedia por 20 minutos.