Amherst TMCC/ LWVA Meet the Candidates Event

Meet your precinct Town Meeting Candidates

Saturday, March 18, 2017
at the Amherst Regional Middle School 170 Chestnut Street

Join us for a pre-election opportunity for any and all Amherst residents to meet their town meeting candidates and learn their views on issues facing Amherst.

Precincts 1- 5, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Precincts 6-10, 12:00 noon to 1:30 PM

These meetings are sponsored by the Town Meeting Coordinating Committee and will be moderated by the League of Women Voters of Amherst.
 

For more information contact Adrienne Terrizzi, amterrizzi@gmail.com, (413) 253-5039.

The League will also hold its annual Candidates Night for Town-wide Offices on Thursday, March 16 from 7-9 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium.

Amherst Charter Commision - Public Input

Amherst residents will have an opportunity to respond to the specific proposals for changing Amherst government that the Amherst Charter Commission has developed in response to input from many residents, Amherst town staff, elected officials and committees, as well as perspectives and beliefs of the individual commissioners. 

The first round of “listening workshops” sought broad input on any and all topics of concern and passion to participants.  Few feedback sessions have been scheduled for the spring. During these sessions, we will describe the elements of the draft charter, and seek your input on the potential organization of the legislative and executive branches, along with the citizen participation mechanisms we have added into the draft charter.All sessions will be in the Jones Library's Woodbury Room.

All workshops will be held in the Jones Library Woodbury Room (basement of the Jones library).  They are scheduled for different times of day in hopes there will be a time that is convenient for most people.  Modest refreshments will be served.
·           March 30, Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00
·           April 5, 10:00 – 12:00
·           April 11, Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00

You can also provide feedback in other ways:

• Send an email to the entire Charter Commission by emailing charter@amherstma.gov.
• Complete the Feedback Session Comment Form (print out and email back to us, or drop off at the Town Manager's Office; there will be an online form of similar content available soon)
• Complete the Public Input Form, by clicking here.

The Valley’s Got Talent Benefit for Amherst Senior Center

The Pioneer Valley is home to many gifted and creative people of all ages who will showcase their talent at the First Annual "The Valley's Got Talent" Competition.  There will be a panel of six judges who decide the top three winners along with your help- audience participation.  All proceeds will benefit the Amherst Seniors.    1st Prize $1000, 2nd Prize $500, 3rd Prize $250!

 Sunday, March 26th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Buckley Recital Hall- Amherst College.  

Tickets are available at the Amherst Senior Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst.  Adults- $15; Students and Children- $7.   

For more information:  Contact: 413-813-7041 or the Amherst Senior Center at 413-259-3860 valleysgottalentcompetition@gmail.com

Democracy Talk at Jones Library

Democracy: What is it and why is it worth fighting for? Many Americans are watching the decisions and actions by the current administration with concern. Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 16, 2017 as Austin Sarat explores the situation in regards to democracy and the rule of law.
Today, some believe that the rule of law and democracy are under attack by President Trump and his administration. But could it be this is as much a symptom as a cause of our current crisis? Does America face an erosion of public faith in long taken-for-granted aspects of our political life? This program will explore the current crisis and focus in particular on discussing the meaning and advantages of the rule of law and democratic governance.
Austin Sarat is Associate Dean of the Faculty and William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Science at Amherst College.  Author or editor of more than 90 books, his latest book is entitled Gruesome Spectacles: Botched Executions and America’s Death Penalty.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.

ARHS presents Anything Goes!

With a timeless score from Cole Porter, Anything Goes is one of the great musicals that propelled Broadway into its golden age.

Join us on the deck of the SS America as it sails from New York to England with a shipful of separated lovers, excitable sailors and NYC’s not-so-infamous Public Enemy #13.

Replete with bright comedy and soaring music, over 130 ARHS student cast, crew and pit orchestra members will give you at least that many reasons to come.  Come see the school’s largest performing arts production of the year!

Purchase Tickets Online Here.

Please note: ALL TICKETS ARE GENERAL ADMISSION. Doors will open 45 minutes prior to curtain.   Tickets are $10 for students and staff and can be purchased online via the Performing Arts website or by cash or check in the cafeteria the week of the show.  Students on free/reduced lunch can be tickets at reduced prices by contacting Mr. Bechtold.

Nominate Your Favorite ARMS Educator for 2016-2017 ARMS EDUCATOR AWARD

The ARMS Educator award will honor an educator who embodies the ARMS core values and demonstrates their commitment to supporting their colleagues, their students and their community.

Although the award will only recognize one individual each year, the ARMS PGO hopes that the process will raise community awareness of the efforts of the middle school community as a whole.

Nominations can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by students.

Click here  for all the information you need to submit your choice for the award. To nominate a ARMS Staff Member, click here.The deadline for nominations is April 15th, 2017.

Spring Sports Registration

Online spring sports registration is now open.  Ensure a smooth start to the spring season by registering NOW.   Current  sport physical forms should be on file with the school nurse before the first day of tryouts. Please call the nurse's office at the high school at 362-1743. 

Questions for middle school registrants please contact the middle school nurse at 362-1975.

REGISTRATION:

https://www.familyid.com/organ izations/search?query=amherst    You’ll need to set up an account with FamilyID,  if you don’t already have an account.  Any technical questions with this program please call the 888# at the top of the FamilyID screen.  They are very helpful.

By submitting registration forms electronically you and your child are acknowledging that you have both read the documents and you will adhere to the MIAA/Amherst High School policies on these forms. By registeringelectronically you are fulfilling the signature requirements of registration. 

PAYMENT:

Payment is due right away.  Payment is required to try out/practice/participate.  If there is a financial hardship, please contact Rich Ferro, the Athletic Director at ferror@arps.org

Payment can be done online as well at: https://unipaygold.unibank .com/Default.aspx?customerid=1 211   NOTE:  FamilyID and UniPay Gold aren’t linked, they are two totally separate programs. So FamilyID will always show that you have not paid.

VERY IMPORTANT: Clearly write your child's name and sport in the MEMO of the check when you pay. You can drop off your payment or mail to:

ARHS Athletics
Amherst Regional High School
21 Mattoon Street
Amherst, MA 01002

ATTN: Sports Registration

START DATES:

All sports may begin tryouts on Monday, March 20th.  Ultimate is not an MIAA sport and will begin a week earlier.

Wednesday, March 15th is Spring Sports Information Night for athletes and their parents/guardian.  Time:  6:30 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria

Mark Your Calendars

March 2-4th: ARHS Performing Arts Presents "Anything Goes" 
March 7- Chorus 8/ Band 8/ Orchestra 8 Concert  
March 13-24 - 8th Grade Parent Teacher Conferences  
March 15- Chorus 7/ Band 7/ Orchestra 7 Concert ; Spring Sports Meeting
March 17- Last Day of Trimester 2  
March 22- Progress Reports Mailed to Families  
March 25- PGO/ VFW Pancake Breakfast
March 29- Early Release Day  
March 31- Night on Broadway Show
April 4- MCAS ELA 7-8th grade (tentative)
April 6- MCAS ELA 7-8th grade (tentative) 
April 7- Trimester 2 Report Cards Distributed
April 10- Quarter 4 Begins 
April 11- MCAS ELA 7-8th grade (tentative)  
April 14- Good Friday- No School
April 15- Deadline to Nominate an ARMS Educator for PGO Educator Award
April 17 - 21: Spring Break- No School 
April 24- SMILES Dentist at ARMS
April 25- MCAS Math
April 27- MCAS Math  

AEF Music in Our Schools

AEF's spring fundraiser: Music in our Schools! is almost here!

Emceed by Performing Arts Department Chair John Bechtold and State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose, the evening will be filled with tributes, performances, and wonderful food and drink.

 

AEF will be giving a special award to ARMS Chorus Director Dave Ranen and lifetime achievement recognitions to all of our district’s music educators, past and present, who have taught for more than 20 years in the schools.

 

AEF has invited all music educators to be our guests at our event, and is pleased to announce that we will be joined by Fort River Music Teacher Anne White, Crocker Farm Music Teacher Eleanor Lincoln, Wildwood Music Teacher Jacob Brownell, ARHS Chorale teacher Todd Fruth, and retired Band Leader Sue Dunbar. The list is still growing!

Proceeds will support AEF's 2017 excellence grants, with a portion going directly to the ARPS music program.  Tickets can be purchased online at : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aef-celebrates-music-in-our-schools-tickets-30365825000#tickets or by clicking here.

 

The event will be held on Saturday, March 18th from 6 - 9 PM at:  Marriott Center, Campus Center, 11th floor, UMass-Amherst 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA

Save the Date: PGO Pancake Breakfast at the VFW

The Amherst Regional Public Schools PGOs representing  Crocker Farm - Fort River - Wildwood- Amherst Regional Middle School and Amherst Regional High School

Invite YOU to our Pancake Breakfast at the the Earl J Sanders VFW Post 754 487 Main St, Amherst, MA 

Date: Saturday, March 25th from 8am - 11am 

Tickets: Adults $8 - Seniors $5 - Kids 2-12 $4 - Families $20 

*under 2 years old free

Enjoy: Pancakes, Bacon, Sausage, Fruit, Baked Goods, Juice, Milk, & Coffee

The proceeds will be benefit snack programs at each school. 

Amherst Open Space and Recreation Plan- Input Needed

The Town of Amherst needs your help in updating it’s Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). The updated plan will be used to guide the Town’s decision making regarding the use, management, and acquisition of Amherst’s valued open spaces, conservation areas, parks, and recreational resources over the next seven years.

Three ways to provide input:
1. Take a survey
2. Attend a public meeting (listed below)
3. Provide comment on the current OSRP (Sections 6 – 9)

Remaining Public Meetings
March 1st – 7pm, Glass Room, Lower Level, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Ave

Please visit the Town’s website to complete the survey, to review the current OSRP and for more details on how you can participate at: https://www.amherstma.gov/629/Open-Space-Recreation-Plan

ALSCT's Production of Treasure Island

Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater (ALSCT) and Missoula Children’s Theatre will bring two professional actor/directors to Amherst to stage an original, full-scale musical production of Treasure Island with local cast members in grades K-12 — IN ONLY ONE WEEK!  Roles of all sizes are available for 50-60 children, and Assistant Director positions are available for older students. Come on over to the Amherst Middle School on February 27th, at 4:15 — you just might get to travel to Treasure Island! For more details, see http://www.alsct.org/childrens_theater/index.html

Performances will be held on Saturday, March 4th at 1:30 PM and 4PM. at Crocker Farm. Tickets are $8/adults and $5/children and seniors and are available at the door.  For more information, see www.alsct.org or call 413-259-9482.

Winter Break

Just a reminder that there in no school next week.

Nominate Your Favorite ARMS Educator for 2016-2017 ARMS EDUCATOR AWARD

Deadline: April 15, 2017

The ARMS Educator award will honor an educator who embodies the ARMS core values and

demonstrates their commitment to supporting their colleagues, their students and their

community. Although the award will only recognize one individual each year, the ARMS PGO

hopes that the process will raise community awareness of the efforts of the middle school

community as a whole. Nominations can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by

students. Click here  for all the information you need to submit your choice for the award. To nominate a ARMS Staff Member, click here.The deadline for nominations is April 15th, 2017.

Spring Sports Registration

Online spring sports registration is now open.  Ensure a smooth start to the spring season by registering NOW.   Current  sport physical forms should be on file with the school nurse before the first day of tryouts. Please call the nurse's office at the high school at 362-1743. 

Questions for middle school registrants please contact the middle school nurse at 362-1975.

REGISTRATION:

https://www.familyid.com/organ izations/search?query=amherst    You’ll need to set up an account with FamilyID,  if you don’t already have an account.  Any technical questions with this program please call the 888# at the top of the FamilyID screen.  They are very helpful.

By submitting registration forms electronically you and your child are acknowledging that you have both read the documents and you will adhere to the MIAA/Amherst High School policies on these forms. By registeringelectronically you are fulfilling the signature requirements of registration. 

PAYMENT:

Payment is due right away.  Payment is required to try out/practice/participate.  If there is a financial hardship, please contact Rich Ferro, the Athletic Director at ferror@arps.org

Payment can be done online as well at: https://unipaygold.unibank .com/Default.aspx?customerid=1 211   NOTE:  FamilyID and UniPay Gold aren’t linked, they are two totally separate programs. So FamilyID will always show that you have not paid.

VERY IMPORTANT: Clearly write your child's name and sport in the MEMO of the check when you pay. You can drop off your payment or mail to:

ARHS Athletics
Amherst Regional High School
21 Mattoon Street
Amherst, MA 01002

ATTN: Sports Registration

START DATES:

All sports may begin tryouts on Monday, March 20th.  Ultimate is not an MIAA sport and will begin a week earlier.

Wednesday, March 15th is Spring Sports Information Night for athletes and their parents/guardian.  Time:  6:30 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria

Mark Your Calendars

Feb 20th-24th- Winter Break- No School   March 7- Chorus 8/ Band 8/ Orchestra 8 Concert  March 13-24 - 8th Grade Parent Teacher Conferences March 15- Chorus 7/ Band 7/ Orchestra 7 Concert  March 17- Last Day of Trimester 2 March 22- Progress Reports Mailed to Families March 29- Early Release Day March 31- Night on Broadway Show

AEF Celebrates Music in Our Schools

AEF is thrilled to announce its spring fundraiser: Music in our Schools!

Emceed by Performing Arts Department Chair John Bechtold and State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose, the evening will be filled with tributes, performances, and wonderful food and drink.

AEF will be giving a special award to ARMS Chorus Director Dave Ranen and lifetime achievement recognitions to all of our district’s music educators, past and present, who have taught for more than 20 years in the schools.

 

AEF has invited all music educators to be our guests at our event, and is pleased to announce that we will be joined by Fort River Music Teacher Anne White, Crocker Farm Music Teacher Eleanor Lincoln, Wildwood Music Teacher Jacob Brownell, ARHS Chorale teacher Todd Fruth, and retired Band Leader Sue Dunbar. The list is still growing!

Proceeds will support AEF's 2017 excellence grants, with a portion going directly to the ARPS music program.  Tickets can be purchased online at : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aef-celebrates-music-in-our-schools-tickets-30365825000#tickets or by clicking here.

 

The event will be held at:  Marriott Center, Campus Center, 11th floor, UMass-Amherst
1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA

Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater (ALSCT) and Missoula Children’s Theatre will bring two professional actor/directors to Amherst to stage an original, full-scale musical production of Treasure Island with local cast members in grades K-12 — IN ONLY ONE WEEK!  Roles of all sizes are available for 50-60 children, and Assistant Director positions are available for older students. Come on over to the Amherst Middle School on February 27th, at 4:15 — you just might get to travel to Treasure Island! For more details, see http://www.alsct.org/childrens_theater/index.html

Amherst Open Space and Recreation Plan- Input Needed

The Town of Amherst needs your help in updating it’s Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). The updated plan will be used to guide the Town’s decision making regarding the use, management, and acquisition of Amherst’s valued open spaces, conservation areas, parks, and recreational resources over the next seven years.

Three ways to provide input:
1. Take a survey
2. Attend a public meeting (listed below)
3. Provide comment on the current OSRP (Sections 6 – 9)

Public Meetings
1. February 22nd – 7pm, Town Room, 2nd Floor, Town Hall (Con Com Mtg)
2. February 23rd – 7pm, LSSE Office, ARMS (LSSE Mtg)
3. March 1st – 7pm, Glass Room, Lower Level, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Ave

Please visit the Town’s website to complete the survey, to review the current OSRP and for more details on how you can participate at: https://www.amherstma.gov/629/Open-Space-Recreation-Plan

Spring Sports Registration Now Open

Online spring sports registration is now open.  Ensure a smooth start to the spring season by registering NOW.   Current  sport physical forms should be on file with the school nurse before the first day of tryouts. Please call the nurse's office at the high school at 362-1743. 

Questions for middle school registrants please contact the middle school nurse at 362-1975.

REGISTRATION:

https://www.familyid.com/organ izations/search?query=amherst    You’ll need to set up an account with FamilyID,  if you don’t already have an account.  Any technical questions with this program please call the 888# at the top of the FamilyID screen.  They are very helpful.

By submitting registration forms electronically you and your child are acknowledging that you have both read the documents and you will adhere to the MIAA/Amherst High School policies on these forms. By registeringelectronically you are fulfilling the signature requirements of registration. 

PAYMENT:

Payment is due right away.  Payment is required to try out/practice/participate.  If there is a financial hardship, please contact Rich Ferro, the Athletic Director at ferror@arps.org

Payment can be done online as well at: https://unipaygold.unibank .com/Default.aspx?customerid=1 211   NOTE:  FamilyID and UniPay Gold aren’t linked, they are two totally separate programs. So FamilyID will always show that you have not paid.

VERY IMPORTANT: Clearly write your child's name and sport in the MEMO of the check when you pay. You can drop off your payment or mail to:

ARHS Athletics
Amherst Regional High School
21 Mattoon Street
Amherst, MA 01002

ATTN: Sports Registration

START DATES:

All sports may begin tryouts on Monday, March 20th.  Ultimate is not an MIAA sport and will begin a week earlier.

Wednesday, March 15th is Spring Sports Information Night for athletes and their parents/guardian.  Time:  6:30 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria

PGO Coffee to Outline Course Registration at ARHS

All Families of 8th Graders are invited to join the PGO on Thursday, February 16th at 7 pm in the ARHS Library for the next installment in the PGO Coffee with the Principal series.  Our guest speaker will be Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler.

Ms Alschuler will provide an overview of the course registration process and timeline for both Middle and High students, outline new courses and other changes in course offerings as well as answer questions.

Light Refreshments will be served.

Mark Your Calendars

Feb 20th-24th- Winter Break- No School  
March 7- Chorus 8/ Band 8/ Orchestra 8 Concert 
March 13-24 - 8th Grade Parent Teacher Conferences
March 15- Chorus 7/ Band 7/ Orchestra 7 Concert 
March 17- Last Day of Trimester 2
March 22- Progress Reports Mailed to Families
March 29- Early Release Day

March 31- Night on Broadway Show