We are the Parent/ Guardian Organization for the Amherst Regional Middle School. We strive to create a supportive and welcoming community for students, their families, teachers and administration by hosting events, organizing programs that foster a productive and positive environment; be a resource for information and engagement; and funding academic and ARMS community initiatives. Contact the PGO at armspgo@gmail.com
Friday, June 26, 2020
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Deerfield Academy Summer Arts Virtual Camp
Deerfield Academy Summer Arts Camp (DASAC) has shifted to a virtual camp this summer - and we've got a few spots left! Serving Valley teens and pre-teens for 30 years, DASAC is a progressive, wacky, and joyous summer program for the visual and performing arts. We have two 3-week sessions this summer, and a lot of flexibility in our programming for our currently-enrolled roster of over 130 campers for 2020. Run by ARPS Performing Arts Director John Bechtold, DASAC is a creative haven for many of our students here in Amherst and beyond. Learn more at: bit.ly/dasac2020info - and be in touch ASAP to get one of the last spots!
Not a School Sponsored Event
Friday, June 19, 2020
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Spanish Virtual Course Opportunity
Dear Amherst Family Community,
My name is Naeemah Davis. I am from Amherst, graduated from ARHS in 2016 and just recently graduated from UMass Amherst double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. I am reaching out today because I would like to inform you of a valuable offer that I would like to extend to people of all ages this summer.
I was a mentor with the Institute for Training and Development SUSI program which allows students from Central and South America to come to Amherst for 3 weeks and study abroad here. Some friends of mine who participated in this created an organization in El Salvador called JovenGO and we are working to provide cheap Spanish classes starting at the beginner level to people in the U.S.
The project is called Sponsor2Learn and every donation goes to sponsor a student in Central America who is learning English. We are all a team of volunteers collaborating both in El Salvador and here in the U.S. to provide this service.
Our camp starts on Monday June 15th or Tuesday June 16th depending on which schedule you sign up for. We would love to see students and parents take advantage of this opportunity, or donate if you can to our cause. I will be one of the Spanish teachers for these virtual courses, but we also have native Spanish speakers who will be teaching as well.
We are offering 2 months worth of classes! Donations ranging from $30-100 per 4 week course. You could potentially pay $60 for 8 weeks worth of classes!
You can take a look on our google application form to find out the available times. The cultural Friday classes are optional, but will be fun because we will be teaching you all about the wonderful things El Salvador has to offer (and how to barter at the markets). Americans do love to shop!
Link to register: https://forms.gle/Y2XcvQvy1ho4fiPAA
Link to donate: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8pn05dh7GO
**You will need to have a picture of your payment saved onto your computer so that you can upload your voucher before you are done completing the google form/application. I have attached more information below.**
I suggest emailing sponsor2learn@gmail.com or me if you have questions.
Take care everyone!
Naeemah
Not a School Sponsored Event
Be Counted! Participate in the Census Today
Every 10 years, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the federal government undertakes a census of the U.S. population to determine the allocation of seats held by each state in the House of Representatives. An accurate census count is also vital to obtain federal funding for projects in Amherst and the region.
Each home received an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail—in March.
Why It Matters
Did you know?
• Amherst is the 9th hardest city/town in Massachusetts to count.
• Historically, the decennial census has undercounted immigrants, communities of color, renters, low-income people, and children. It’s about representation
• Census totals will determine the number of congressional seats Massachusetts will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and the number of western MA representatives who will serve in the state Legislature.
• Data will be used to redraw boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts.
It’s about $$.
• $675 billion in federal funding, $16 billion for MA—$2,372 per person per year will be distributed based on the census count. If you are not counted, the town loses that money!
• An undercount in Amherst will mean fewer dollars for public services like education, transportation, housing and health care
If you have not responded, there is still time to do so!
3 ways to participate:
• Online
• By phone (Below are phone numbers for help in specific languages)
• By mail
The U.S. Census Bureau is a nonpartisan government agency. When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics. You will NOT be asked about your citizenship or your social security number, or for any financial information.
The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.
For more information, please visit lwvamherst.org
Information provided by the League of Women Voters- Amherst
Not a School Sponsored Event
Not a School Sponsored Event
Friday, June 5, 2020
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Recipient of the ARMS 2019-20 Educator Award- Congratulations goes to...
June 1, 2020: Amherst Regional Middle School English teacher Ben Levy was announced today as the recipient of the 2019-20 Educator Award.
Congratulations to teacher Ben Levy, recipient of the ARMS PGO Educator Award!
The ARMS PGO celebrates our teachers and staff again; we wish you all the best!
Please check press release in English & Spanish
Best regards & stay safe & sound! Keep up the ARMS spirit!
The ARMS PGO team
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Press Release June 1, 2020
The Amherst Regional Middle School Educator Award for 2019-20 will be awarded to English teacher Ben Levy. The award, given by the Amherst Regional Middle School Parent Guardian Organization (ARMS PGO), is based on three main criteria: student support, collaboration with colleagues, and contributions to the ARMS community.
Levy, heading into his eleventh year of teaching at ARMS, was nominated by ARMS parents as well as staff. In the nomination comments, he was lauded for his work both in the classroom and in the broader school community.
In the classroom, he encourages thoughtful debate and uses art and music to illustrate points about the material under discussion. One nomination said, “Ben tells stories and shows videos that are so memorable that students remember them years later.”
Along with the curriculum, he advocates for his students’ social and emotional well-being. “He is frequently in touch with parents and guardians and finds ways to connect with students who are struggling with their academics,” said a nominator. He provides daily mindfulness practice in the classroom, something he has shared with other staff.
In the school community, Levy “is a level-headed planner, always finding ways to make new ideas work. Ben is a problem-solver,” according to a nomination. These ideas can take the form of team-wide projects in collaboration with other teachers, or improving systems like the parent-teacher conference process, or leading MCAS training for staff. He makes slideshows for his team and uses humor to communicate messages clearly. Levy also “masterminded” the Active Bystander curriculum, which covers real issues that students encounter such as bias, bullying and speaking out on injustice. Students, both current and former, have mentioned the importance of these lessons.
Summing up Levy’s value, one nomination said, “ARMS is a better place with Ben here. Ben has worked hard to help make ARMS a place where students not only become better writers and readers, but also develop as thoughtful, considerate, and respectful young adults.”
Ben Levy is the sixth recipient of this award, administered annually by the ARMS PGO. Students, parents, and ARMS staff were invited to submit nominations in February. Levy was one of eight eligible staff members nominated. A vote was held among fellow staff members, and three finalists were chosen. The final selection was made by the PGO’s Educator Award Committee. Mr. Levy will receive a certificate and a $500 award from the ARMS PGO, and his name will be engraved on the Educator Award plaque in the library of the middle school.
Please contact armspgo@gmail.com with any questions.
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Comunicado de prensa
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
El Premio al Educador de la Escuela Intermedia Regional Amherst para 2019-20 se otorgará al maestro de inglés Ben Levy. El premio, otorgado por la Organización de Padres Guardianes de la Escuela Intermedia Regional de Amherst (ARMS PGO), se basa en tres criterios principales: apoyo estudiantil, colaboración con colegas y contribuciones a la comunidad ARMS.
Levy, en su undécimo año de enseñanza en ARMS, fue nominado por los padres y el personal de ARMS. En los comentarios de nominación, fue elogiado por su trabajo tanto en el aula como en la comunidad escolar en general.
En el aula, alienta el debate reflexivo y utiliza el arte y la música para ilustrar puntos sobre el material en discusión. Una nominación decía: "Ben cuenta historias y muestra videos que son tan memorables que los estudiantes los recuerdan años después".
Junto con el plan de estudios, aboga por el bienestar social y emocional de sus estudiantes. "Él está en contacto frecuente con los padres y tutores y encuentra formas de conectarse con los estudiantes que están luchando con sus académicos", dijo un nominador. Brinda práctica diaria de atención plena en el aula, algo que ha compartido con otro personal.
En la comunidad escolar, Levy “es un planificador equilibrado, que siempre encuentra formas de hacer que las nuevas ideas funcionen. Ben es un solucionador de problemas ”, según una nominación. Estas ideas pueden tomar la forma de proyectos de todo el equipo en colaboración con otros maestros, o mejorar sistemas como el proceso de conferencia de padres y maestros, o dirigir la capacitación MCAS para el personal. Hace presentaciones de diapositivas para su equipo y usa el humor para comunicar mensajes con claridad. Levy también "ideó" el currículum de Active Bystander, que cubre problemas reales que los estudiantes enfrentan, como prejuicios, intimidación y denuncia de injusticias. Los estudiantes, tanto actuales como anteriores, han mencionado la importancia de estas lecciones.
Resumiendo el valor de Levy, una nominación dijo: “ARMS es un lugar mejor con Ben aquí. Ben ha trabajado duro para ayudar a hacer de ARMS un lugar donde los estudiantes no solo se conviertan en mejores escritores y lectores, sino que también se desarrollen como jóvenes adultos reflexivos, considerados y respetuosos ”.
Ben Levy es el sexto destinatario de este premio, administrado anualmente por ARMS PGO. Estudiantes, padres y personal de ARMS fueron invitados a presentar nominaciones en febrero. Levy fue uno de los ocho miembros del personal elegibles nominados. Se realizó una votación entre los miembros del personal y se eligieron tres finalistas. La selección final fue realizada por el Comité de Premios Educadores de PGO. El Sr. Levy recibirá un certificado y un premio de $ 500 del ARMS PGO, y su nombre estará grabado en la placa del Premio al Educador en la biblioteca de la escuela secundaria.
Póngase en contacto con armspgo@gmail.com por cualquier pregunta.
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