Next PGO meeting – May 2

Our next PGO meeting will be next Tuesday, May 2, at noon at The Works on North Pleasant Street in Amherst.  

8th Grade End-of-Year Planning Meeting - Tuesday, May 2, 1:00 pm at The Works

We are looking for volunteers to help organize two special events for 8th graders at the end of the year, to mark their graduation and moving on to high school.  The first is the 8th grade picnic at Mill River, which will take place on Monday, June 19, this year.  8th graders spend the entire day at Mill River, with tons of food, activities, and fun.  The town opens the pool for them, and it is a really great event. The PGO is in charge of most of this event, so we need lots of help and volunteers. The second is the 8th grade social, which takes  place at the high school cafeteria on the evening after the 8th grade moving on ceremony (June 22 this year).  The PGO helps with set up, clean up, decoration and food.  

If you are interested in helping out, please join us on Tuesday, May 2, at 1:00 pm at The Works on North Pleasant Street in Amherst (immediately following the PGO meeting). If you can’t make this meeting, but are interested in helping out, please let us know at armspgo@gmail.com

3.2.1...Countdown to Valley Gives Day on May 2

Dear Families of Amherst High School and Middle School Athletes,

The Amherst Hurricane Boosters are a group of parents, staff and community members who are dedicated to supporting Amherst student athletics. This group finances major projects such as playing field lighting, sports sounds systems, and scoreboards as well as smaller items for individual teams.

For the first time, the Amherst Hurricane Boosters (under the name Amherst High School Athletics) will be participating in Valley Gives Day – a 24-hour period of online philanthropy across the Valley on Tuesday, May 2.

What makes Valley Gives Day so special is that we are eligible to receive cash prizes throughout the day that can amplify your donation and help us raise thousands of extra dollars to benefit Amherst school sports. The emphasis is on the NUMBER of donors, not the AMOUNT of each donation, so donations of any size can help us win extra prize money.  You can donate as little as $10!  Everything helps!

We will be updating the Boosters community about our fundraising totals throughout the day on Tuesday, May 2, via email, but primarily on the Booster’s Facebook page.

Please help us buy taking these four simple actions;

1.    Set reminder for Valley Gives Day

2.    Like, follow, and turn notifications ON for the Amherst Hurricane Boosters’ Facebook page

3.    Invite your friends to like and follow the Amherst Hurricane Boosters’ Facebook page

4.    Share this email with your family, friends, kids’ teammates, and ARHS alums.

Here are some tips to help the Boosters reach — and even surpass — our fundraising goal:

MOST INDIVIDUAL DONORS:

$500, $1,000, and $1,500 prizes will be awarded to organizations that have the most “unique donors” contributing. A unique donor is identified by the name/address/email address of each individual. This means that if you and your partner have your own individual email addresses, please consider dividing the amount your family plans to give to the Boosters and each give separately, as you will each be counted as an individual donor. All donations need to be made on a person’s own credit card.

MILLENNIALS ROCK!

If we get donors who are aged 18 or 19, 20-29, AND 30-39 we are eligible to be randomly selected for an extra $4,000 prize. We can also win $1,000+ if we have the most donors under 40 years old. Remember, everyone needs to use their own credit card.

GOLDEN and POWER HOUR TICKETS:

Throughout the day, 20 organizations will be randomly selected to receive a $500 Golden Ticket or $1000 Power Hour Tickets. To learn more about prizes, please click here.

We hope that you, your family, and your friends will give as generously as you are able to support the Hurricanes Boosters on Valley Gives Day!

Gratefully,

Rich Ferro and Karen Stiles Dunn

Amherst Hurricane Boosters

ARMS PGO Online store re-opens Monday!

Back by popular demand, we will be reopening the ARMS PGO online Amherst merchandise store for two weeks only, from May 1-14.  In addition to the popular items we sold last fall, we have added new merchandise, including tank tops, shorts, windbreakers, and new hats.  

To view the flier:  click here.

To heck out the store visit https://amherstregionalmiddleschool.itemorder.com/sale

ARHS and ARMS Teachers Participate in Civic Initiative at UMass

ARHS and ARMS teachers traveled to Pakistan on a US State Department grant through the Civic Initiative at UMASS.  Teachers visited a wide range of schools in Lahore and Islamabad and many cultural sites. They were inspired by all of their interactions and surprised by the commonalities of their challenges in student centered classrooms.  You can view photos from the trip here. 

Jones Library Fourth Annual Samuel Minot Jones Awards for Literary Achievement

The Jones Library is proud to announce that the Fourth Annual Samuel Minot Jones Awards for Literary Achievement will honor ARHS parent Cammie McGovern, author and founder of Whole Children, and Arthur Kinney, founding director of the University of Massachusetts Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies, for their literary contributions. The gala event, the "Sammys", will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College.

The Sammys is Amherst's signature event honoring the community's remarkable and vibrant literary heritage. The evening will begin in the beautiful Mead galleries with delicious, abundant hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine from local breweries/vineyards, a signature cocktail, and live music. The awards ceremony will be held next door in comfortable Stirn Auditorium, where the evening will end with dessert, coffee and book signings by the honorees.

All proceeds from the Sammys will be used to support Library collections, purchasing materials in all formats and for all ages. Tickets can be purchased at the Jones Library or online at www.joneslibrary.org/sammys

Important links:

Event webpage:  www.joneslibrary.org/sammys

Facebook event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1850103661869056/

Jones Library Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/joneslibrary

Jones Library Twitter page:  https://twitter.com/joneslibraryma

Amherst Charter Commission: Feedback Form

Want updates on the Amherst Charter Commission?  Check out their website https://www.amherstma.gov/2248/Charter-Commission

There is a new feedback form online that directly relates to the draft proposed charter. Make your voice heard by completing the form  here [https://www.amherstma.gov/ FormCenter/Charter-Commission- 29/Amherst-Charter-Commission- Draft-Charter-133] . And, let others know about it and encourage them to complete it too.

All of the drafts of the proposed charter can be found on our website under “ Charter Drafts [https://www.amherstma.gov/ 2293/Charter-Drafts] .

Amherst Sustainability Festival This Weekend

SATURDAY, APRIL 22nd

10 AM - 4 PM
TOWN COMMON

Join us for a day of family fun, education and entertainment. The Sustainability Festival is in its eighth year and is bigger and better than ever! There is literally something for everyone with over 100 vendors of renewable energy, energy efficiency product suppliers, advocacy groups as well as sustainable crafts and artisans!

Schedule of Stage Performances:

10 AM – Under the Tree Music
11 AM – Chris Scanlon and the Other Guys
Noon – Tuff Riddim International
1 PM – Valley Women Drummers
2 PM – Luke DeRoy Trio
3 PM – Piti Theatre Company

TAKE A SPIN ON THE ORBITRON!

Demo Workshops:

     11 AM – David Lovler “Grow, Save and Eat Beans: Complete the Garden Protein Cycle Noon – Megan Brockelbank “Heathy Gluten Free and Sugar Alternatives in Cooking and Baking” 1 PM – Shoshona King “How to Make ‘Plarn’” 2 PM – Emma Hayes – “Growing Wine Caps and Allying with the Fungal Kingdom"

ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON DISPLAY - CENTER COMMON - CHECK OUT TESLA MODELS X and MODELS S!    

FACE PAINTING Noon - 3 PM

 THE 'CLIMATE TRANSFORMER' - NEW THIS YEAR - FEATURED CENTER COMMON! An interactive art installation and exhibit
  

Don't forget to bring your clean, used, dry clothing and textiles for the annual Textile Drive sponsored by the Amherst Recycling and Refuse Management Committee! The drop off will be located on Boltwood Avenue across from the Lord Jeff Inn.
  

5 Recycling Collections this year!:
1. Pellet bags 2. Large Styrofoam chunks (no peanuts)
3. Textiles (No pillows, rugs or carpets please!)
4. Cell Phones and Accessories (working and non-working)
5. Computers and related equipment (printers, laptops, scanners, faxes and modems)

Single-use Plastic Bag Turn-In:
Bring your single-use plastic bags to the festival and turn them in for a really cool reusable folding nylon bag! Turn-in located at the Recycling Booth.

Games on the Common This Weekend

Bocce, Badminton, Croquet

Amherst, Massachusetts —Think you’ve got game? Think you can take on a UMASS college athlete and win? How about at Bocce? 

Join us on the Downtown Common for “The Games on the Common” where ordinary Amherst citizens of all ages can engage in demonstrations of backyard prowess. Show off your style. Try your hand at a new game. Unlock secret talents. Pick up pro tips. Participate or spectate. Bring your A game or order up a nice picnic lunch from one of our fine cafes, pubs and restaurants and join us for croquet, bocce, and badminton.

On April 23 from 12 - 4 pm, the Amherst BID is providing games, balls and nets and offering an open invitation to the community at large. UMASS Athletics is sending student athlete ambassadors to join in the fun. The Town Common is a level and welcoming playing field used for over 250 years as a community resource.

The Daffodil Run 5K Walk/Run & 10K Run

April 30th 2017 marks the 7th annual Daffodil Run in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County! This family friendly community event held at Kendrick Park in downtown Amherst offers participants a 5k walk/run or 10k run option. Participants race past many of the 50,000 daffodils planted in celebration of the Town of Amherst’s 250th anniversary.  Festivities include a pre-race warm up, music, bounce house, games, barbecue and more! Join us to help make a difference in the lives of Hampshire County children facing challenges. Celebrate spring with us at the Daffodil Run! 

Registration is open at RaceWire.com. Visit: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=7340

Visit www.chd.or/DaffodilRun

Press Release: Amherst Survival Center Hosts Job Fair April 26

AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER HOSTS JOB FAIR

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1-2:30PM

 For Release:               Immediate

Contact:                      Tracey Levy, Program Director 549-3968 ext 102

Amherst, MA – The Amherst Survival Center in collaboration with the Franklin Hampshire Career Center will sponsor a Job Fair on Wednesday, April 26 from 1:00 to 2:30pm. The Job Fair will include a dozen employers from the area. This is the third year that the Amherst Survival Center has held a Job Fair. Job Fairs at the Center are open to everyone.

The Job Fair will be held in the Center’s Community Dining Room, at 138 Sunderland Road in North Amherst. The Job Fair will take place at the Center on a day when no other services are available to the public.

Job Fairs are part of the Center’s job search assistance program. The program also includes weekly one-on-one assistance every Thursday from 11:30am-1pm, access to the Center’s public computers, and of course access to interview and employment related clothing through the Center’s Community Store.  In addition, the Center has also begun to hold recruitment events with several temporary agencies in the area.  The Center holds two Job Fairs a year, and in the late spring also hosts a panel for youth on finding summer employment.

According to Mindy Domb, Executive Director of the Amherst Survival Center, “the response to our Job Fairs has been consistently positive, encouraging us to continue to sponsor them as well as the recruitment events. We’re excited to present these programs, and to work in partnership with the Franklin Hampshire Career Centers and the prospective employers, in order to bring this possible employment service to our participants.”

Participants have shared what they thought was most helpful about past Fairs, including: “It was helpful to meet people from different companies. And to see what jobs they might be hiring for”, and “everyone was very welcoming and informative. And I have made a contact in which I feel positive about.”

“The Job Search Support Program increases our community’s access to employment opportunities and the skills they need to take advantage of them,” said Tracey Levy, Program Director. “The value of this program has been repeated to us by participants and we’re excited to continue to offer job search support in various ways.”

All are welcome to attend the Job Fair. The Amherst Survival Center’s Community Store also makes clothing available for free to participants, including clothing that could be useful in the job hunt scenario. The store is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday from 11am-2:45pm, and Thursdays from 11am-6:45pm.

The Amherst Survival Center connects residents of Hampshire and Franklin Counties to food, clothing, health care, wellness and community, primarily through volunteers.

Mindy Domb

Executive Director

Amherst Survival Center

P.O. Box 9629, 138 Sunderland Road

North Amherst, MA 01059

tel: 413.549.3968 x107;  fax: 413.549.5860

Website: www.amherstsurvival.org

Money Smart Week® Comes to the Jones Library

Amherst, MA – Libraries have long been advocates for reading and literacy for the people in their communities.  Another community need now being addressed by libraries in an annual campaign is financial literacy and money management.  Money Smart Week®, a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances, will be observed with programs at the Jones Library during the week of April 22-29, 2017.

On Tuesday, April 25 at 7 pm, join us for a workshop called Identity Theft: Are You Protected?  This workshop will help explain the best practices to protect yourself in this world of ever-changing technology. Learn how to minimize the risk of having your identity stolen by managing personal information wisely and cautiously. This program is co-sponsored by UMassFive College Federal Credit Union.

On Tuesday, April 25 at 3:30 pm, teens ages 14-17 are invited to a Money Matters Million Dollar Event, which is designed to share with you some information about how to become a millionaire and retire before you turn 30.  Please pre-register at 313-259-3091.

Throughout the week, the story times in the children’s room will talk about money, saving, and much more.

On Saturday, April 29 at 2:30 pm, learn about how to incorporate planned giving into your estate planning at a program entitledCreating a Charitable Legacy.  Join Attorney Seunghee Cha, from Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas, and the Community Foundation's Vice President for Philanthropic Services Ellen Leuchs for a joint presentation on ways you can give through estate planning and how the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts can help you support your favorite causes in our community, including the Jones Library!

Money Smart Week® was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, and is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of thousands of organizations across the country including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media. For more information, visit www.moneysmartweek.org/.

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

Spring Break April 14 - 23

There will be no school on Friday, April 14 or during the entire week of April 17 - 21. School resumes on Monday, April 24. Enjoy the time off and enjoy the Spring weather!

Nominations Due Today: 2016-17 ARMS Educator Award

Nominations for the 2016-17 ARMS Educator Award are due Today, Friday, April 15th. The annual award honors an educator who embodies the ARMS core values and demonstrates their commitment to supporting their colleagues, their students, and their community.

Although the award recognizes only one individual each year, the process helps raise community awareness of the wonderful ARMS staff and the activities and accomplishments 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 more information about the award. For the nomination form, please click here.

AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER HOSTS JOB FAIR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1-2:30PM

For Release:               Immediate

Contact:                      Tracey Levy, Program Director 549-3968 ext 102

Amherst, MA – The Amherst Survival Center in collaboration with the Franklin Hampshire Career Center will sponsor a Job Fair on Wednesday, April 26 from 1:00 to 2:30pm. The Job Fair will include a dozen employers from the area.This is the third year that the Amherst Survival Center has held a Job Fair. Job Fairs at the Center are open to everyone. 

The Job Fair will be held in the Center’s Community Dining Room, at 138 Sunderland Road in North Amherst. The Job Fair will take place at the Center on a day when no other services are available to the public.

Job Fairs are part of the Center’s job search assistance program. The program also includes weekly one-on-one assistance every Thursday from 11:30am-1pm, access to the Center’s public computers, and of course access to interview and employment related clothing through the Center’s Community Store.  In addition, the Center has also begun to hold recruitment events with several temporary agencies in the area.  The Center holds two Job Fairs a year, and in the late spring also hosts a panel for youth on finding summer employment.

According to Mindy Domb, Executive Director of the Amherst Survival Center, “the response to our Job Fairs has been consistently positive, encouraging us to continue to sponsor them as well as the recruitment events. We’re excited to present these programs, and to work in partnership with the Franklin Hampshire Career Centers and the prospective employers, in order to bring this possible employment service to our participants.”

Participants have shared what they thought was most helpful about past Fairs, including: “It was helpful to meet people from different companies. And to see what jobs they might be hiring for”, and “everyone was very welcoming and informative. And I have made a contact in which I feel positive about.”

“The Job Search Support Program increases our community’s access to employment opportunities and the skills they need to take advantage of them,” said Tracey Levy, Program Director. “The value of this program has been repeated to us by participants and we’re excited to continue to offer job search support in various ways.”

All are welcome to attend the Job Fair. The Amherst Survival Center’s Community Store also makes clothing available for free to participants, including clothing that could be useful in the job hunt scenario. The store is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday from 11am-2:45pm, and Thursdays from 11am-6:45pm.

The Amherst Survival Center connects residents of Hampshire and Franklin Counties to food, clothing, health care, wellness and community, primarily through volunteers.

Amherst Police Targeting Distracted Drivers

Beginning last week, Amherst police have been on the lookout for people texting or sending emails while driving. 

“The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the importance of attentive and engaged driving and will focus on the dangers distracted driving poses to everyone on the road, including bicyclists and pedestrians.” The campaign will run through April 28.

They’ll be participating in a statewide campaign to reduce the number of crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by distracted driving. The effort is led by the Highway Safety Division of the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and is intended to address “a historic rise in fatal crashes fueled by driver distraction,” according to a press release.

State law prohibits adult drivers from writing, sending or reading electronic messages, interacting with apps or browsing the internet while driving, even if stopped at a light. Teen drivers under 18 are prohibited entirely from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving.

“Our goal is keeping all road users in our community safe,” said Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone. “If you text, dial or read a message on your phone while driving, you are endangering the lives of those around you, and you will be stopped.”

Attention 8th Grade Families- PHOTOS WANTED

The ARMS Yearbook is doing a ‘GUESS WHO?’ page for the yearbook this year. All 8^th Grade students please bring in or email a baby picture (any age from infant to 5 years old) with your name included. *All hardcopy photos will be returned to owners as soon as they have been added to the book. Photos must be received by Thursday, April 13^th. Photos can be emailed to grantl@arps.org. Attachments must be jpeg.

If you have any photos of concerts, sports or other school events that you would like to share for possible use in the ’16-’17 ARMS Yearbook, please forward to grantl@arps.org.  Attachments must be jpeg.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know (e-mail above).  

 HAPPY SPRING!

Dr. Michael Morris Appointed Interim Superintendent for 2017-2018 School Year

Eric Nakajima, Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Chair, and Anastasia Ordonez, Union 26 School Committee Chair, are pleased to announce that the committees have voted to extend the appointment of Dr. Michael Morris as Interim Superintendent of the Amherst, Pelham and Regional Schools for the 2017-2018 school year.  The unanimous vote of both committees occurred at a joint meeting held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, and the vote is contingent upon successful contract negotiations between Dr. Morris and the School Committees.  

A 16-year veteran in the districts, Morris began his work in the district as a 5th and 6th grade teacher at Fort River Elementary School. He then became the principal of Crocker Farm Elementary School before moving into district administration first as Director of Evaluation and Assessment and then as Assistant Superintendent.  Morris was appointed Interim Superintendent in September 2016.

“The committee is grateful to Dr. Morris for his steady leadership over the past year,” said Eric Nakajima, “he is a gifted educational leader and we are looking forward to a full academic year in which he can work with us, the staff and community to advance our mission of educational excellence for all students.” 

Dr. Morris holds a Bachelor's degree from Amherst College, a Master's and CAGS from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a Doctoral degree from Boston College. His work on Educator Evaluation has been profiled as one of the four exemplary districts in the state by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. He has also presented at statewide conferences on a variety of topics for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Elementary Principals' Association, DESE's Spring Convening on Educator Evaluation, as well as others.  

“I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as Interim Superintendent and to work collaboratively with the School Committees and the outstanding faculty and staff of our districts on behalf of our students,” Morris stated.  “I look forward to continuing that work for another year.”  

"Teachers, parents, staff and community leaders have repeatedly expressed their enthusiastic support for Dr. Morris's work so far, and I'm pleased that the Committees voted to have him continue as Interim Superintendent for the next academic year," said Ms. Ordonez. "Dr. Morris is a steady and collaborative leader who is committed to the excellence of all our students, and we are grateful for his many years of service to this community and school district." 

 

Valley Gives Day is coming - Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 2

The 4th annual Valley Gives Day is just a month away! This is a 24-hour online giving day that allows people throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond to support hundreds of local nonprofits.

This year, ARHS/ARMS Athletics (Hurricane Boosters) is participating for the first time, as well as ARHS PGO and Wildwood PGO. Organizations are eligible for incentive prizes based on the number of donors - no matter how big or small the gifts - so save the date, spread the word, and help our organizations raise thousands of dollars to benefit our students and schools.

VG Images: communityfoundation.org/valleygives/images/

Successful VFW Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Victor Nunez Ortiz and the Amherst VFW hosted a pancake breakfast benefit on March 25, 2017 as a fundraiser for the Amherst schools snack programs. The three hour breakfast raised $600. The money will be shared equally across the five Amherst public schools, with $120 going to each school. Thanks to Victor, the VFW, and all of the families who came out to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Amherst Splash- Registration Closes April 10th

It’s that time of the year again! Registration for Splash! Spring 2017 is now open.

Amherst Splash is a one day event where middle and high school students take classes taught by Amherst College students. This year, Splash! will be held on Saturday, April 15th from 9am to 4pm.

We are thrilled to debut an awesome course catalog. This year features old favorites like How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube, as well as exciting new options like Introduction to Sailing and Minimal Logic. View the full list of classes here: https://amherstsplash.learningu.org/learn/Splash/2017_Spring/catalog Each student will register for 5 hour-long classes (one of which must be lunch), which are filled on a first come, first serve basis! There is a $10 registration fee that will cover all five courses, materials, and lunch. Scholarships available on request.

Register for Splash! here: https://amherstsplash.learningu.org/learn/register.html

Registration will be closing on Monday, April 10th at midnight! If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at amherstsplash@gmail.com.

Jones Library Celebrates the Thoreau Bicentennial Statewide Read

The Jones Library Celebrates the Thoreau Bicentennial Statewide Read,

Marking Henry David Thoreau’s 200^th Birthday

Amherst, MA –   This spring, the Jones Library is participating in the Thoreau Bicentennial Statewide Read, a yearlong event that has events taking place in every city and town in Massachusetts through 2017.  The Thoreau Bicentennial Statewide Read is part of a global celebration that highlights the continued relevance of Thoreau’s writings and philosophical contributions, even 200 years after his birth on July 12, 1817.

A variety of events for all ages will be taking place at the Jones Library throughout the spring, and the Amherst community is invited to participate.  While the book club reading “Walden” has already filled, we invite the Amherst community to join us in other programming being offered – or to use these events as inspiration to read one of Thoreau’s works on your own.  Please join us in celebrating this great American author, philosopher, and poet.  His message still rings clear in our hectic society, and perhaps some of his words might help alleviate the pressures of modern-day life.

On Thursday, April 6 at 7 pm, Dr. Thomas Dumm of Amherst College will present a program entitled “Thoreau on Resignation and Resistance”, exploring Thoreau's understandings of resignation and resistance, and suggesting ways in which we may be able adapt his understanding to the current political crisis in the United States.

On Thursday, May 11 at 7 pm, Dr. David Glassberg of the University of Massachusetts will present an interactive lecture on Thoreau and his legacy.

The Special Collections department will feature an exhibit entitled Let Us Consider Walden. This exhibit explores the influences of Henry David Thoreau on Clifton Johnson and Robert Francis, two writers living in Western Massachusetts. The exhibit is on display in Special Collections at the Jones Library in Amherst from May 1^st to June 30^th. Special Collections is open Monday and Saturday from 2pm to 5pm and Tuesday-Friday from 10am to 5pm.

There are also events planned for young people.  On Thursday, April 20 at 1 pm, Tom Ricardi of Mass Birds of Prey will give an informational demonstration and provide a chance to meet live birds of prey. As an introduction to the program, there will also be a story about Thoreau, and a true story about a wounded hawk and how Mr. Ricardi helped to rescue and rehabilitate her. This program is free and open to children ages 4 and up. 

On May 1^st at 2:00 pm, Story and Play story time will feature stories of nature and Thoreau.

A program for teens ages 11 – 17 entitled “Plant Printing on Greeting Cards Celebrating Thoreau” will take place on Thursday, April 20 at 3:30 pm.  Thoreau spent a vast amount of time in nature, and to celebrate that time, participants are going to quickly study images of his sketches with the intent of being inspired, and then use the samples of plant material provided by the library to create greeting cards.  Pre-registration strongly encouraged at 413-259-3091. 

All events are free and open to the public. 

The Walden Woods Project (Lincoln, MA), Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area (Devens, MA), University of Massachusetts Lowell Honors College (Lowell, MA), and Massachusetts Center for the Book (Boston, MA) are co-sponsors of the Thoreau Bicentennial Statewide Read.  Their goal is to have every town or city in Massachusetts participate by coordinating at least one event in 2017 that brings community members together to read a work by Thoreau.

In the spirit of self-determination championed by Thoreau, the coordinators of each town’s Read event can choose when in 2017 they want to carry out their Read; how they want to implement their Read; and which Thoreau piece they will read. With that said, to facilitate some shared experience among participants across the state, organizers will provide a brief excerpt from Walden for all participants to read, providing a connecting thread between all Read events across the state.

For more information on the Read event in Amherst, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

For more information about the Thoreau Bicentennial Statewide Read as a whole, please contact the Walden Woods Project ateducation@walden.org or visit www.walden.org/bicentennial/read.