FSP Coffee with the Principal

Friday, January 4 ~ Please join us for FSP Coffee with the Principal. This is an opportunity to enjoy conversation and a morning cup of coffee with Principal Betsy Dinger. You will find out what's happening at the Middle School, ask questions and meet other parents/guardians in a casual, small-group setting. The meeting starts at 7:45 a.m. in the auditorium then moves to the Middle School Conference room at 8 a.m.

Ski, Skate and Snowboard Sale

Come find new and used winter sports equipment at the Ski, Skate and Snowboard Sale on Friday, January 4th from 6 to 9pm and Saturday, January 5th from 9am to 2pm at Crocker Farm School. Sponsored by the Amherst Lions Club, the sale will also benefit the Crocker Farm PGO. See also the PSA from AmherstMedia.

"Voices From Our Schools" features Youth Action Coalition

In Episode 31 of "Voices from Our Schools", Guests Stacey Lennart, Executive Director of Youth Action Coalition, and Katie Russavage, ARHS student and Board Member of Youth Action Coalition, join host Kimberly Stender to discuss how the dynamic Youth Action Coalition fuses student art with social justice in the greater Amherst community.

 "Voices from Our Schools" is an Educational Round Table Discussion broadcast on Amherst Community Television (ACTV). In each episode of the series, Superintendent Maria Geryk invites guests to talk about different facets of our school system.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee Seeking Nominations

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Amherst is seeking nominations for it's year 2013 Citizen and Students Scholarship Awards. Nominations are due on December 24, 2012. 

Scholarships 

A prominent feature of the breakfast meetings is the award of scholarships to deserving youth who desire to pursue higher education. In the years since its beginning, more than 50 young people have been given scholarships to pursue higher education, nominated by teachers, counselors, and their peers for demonstrating academic achievement and exemplification of living the ideals for which Dr. King gave his life. Each nominee is asked to write an essay on the importance of Dr. King’s legacy and his impact on their individual lives. A portion of these inspiring essays is shared by each selected scholarship winner at the Breakfast. 

Citizen’s Awards

 Each year, one or more citizens of the community are honored for likewise making contributions to the better understanding among peoples of all races and groups within the community.
website: mlkamherst.org

English Classes for Adult Immigrants

THE CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS

A Community-Based Education and Resource Center for Immigrants and Refugees in Western Massachusetts

is offering free English classes for adult immigrants 

http://www.cnam.org

Parent Information Regarding Tragic Event in Newtown

We have received a number of calls and inquiries from families and community members following the tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  For information on how to talk with children about this and similar incidents, please link to Parent Information.  Our thoughts and condolences are extended to the students, families, faculty and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary and to the community ~ taken from the ARPS website.

Safety Preparedness at Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools

At the beginning of the school year, parents received a pamphlet outlining information regarding safety protocols for the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools. That information can now be accessed at Parent Safety Information.

Please watch for the upcoming one-hour episode of Voices From Our Schools on ACTV which will highlight our schools' safety preparedness and planning through our partnership with the local police and fire departments.

School Bus and Crosswalk Safety

Superintendent Maria Geryk and Amherst Police Chief Scott Livingstone have issued a press release with important safety reminders about school buses and crosswalks.

Parent/Staff Presentation at the Middle School with UMass Psychological Services ~ Thursday, December 20

A News Update from the Office of the Superintendent ~ 

We want to take a moment to thank you for all working together ~ as we, as a community, deal with the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

To keep you updated I wanted to share some further information. On Monday we had staff meetings to address immediate concerns and plan for school routines. Communication to families is critical and we have strived to remain in contact with all.

District personnel met on Monday with our police and fire departments to review our safety and security practices as well as our crisis response protocols. We have always and continue to hold the safety of all as a first priority. The Amherst Police have been supportive as always and are continuing with a heightened presence at this time.  In addition, please take note that when you buzz to enter a building, the office staff will be asking that you come directly to the office upon entering to sign in. This is just one way that we are working to be more careful and attentive to safety in light of our review of our current practices.

Some staff and parents may also have additional questions or concerns about how to manage the news of this traumatic experience.

We are fortunate that the UMass Psychological Services Center personnel have offered to provide a short discussion with opportunities for Q & A in the next couple of days:

A Parent Presentation (including a Q&A) with UMass personnel will take place on Thursday, 12/20, from 8:45am - 9:15am in the PD Center at the Middle School.

There will also be a Staff Presentation (including a Q&A) with UMass personnel (this is optional) on Thursday, from 12/20, 3:15 - 3:45pm.

In addition, several district leadership personnel we will be taping an Amherst Media segment later this week along with our Town Manager, Police, and Fire Department personnel regarding safety and security practices.

Once again, we value our continued work together and are available to hear and respond to your questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Maria Geryk

Estimadas familias:

Deseamos tomar el tiempo para agradecerle su colaboración y trabajo mientras nos unimos como una comunidad para procesar la tragedia de la escuela elemental Sandy Hook.

Para mantenerlos al tanto de nuestro trabajo, quiero compartir información adicional.  El lunes tuvimos reuniones con todos los empleados para corroborar las rutinas escolares y atender asuntos pertinentes. Mantener la comunicación con las familias es muy importante para nosotros y hemos tratado de mantenernos en contacto con ustedes.

Personal del distrito se reunió con oficiales de los departamentos de policía y bomberos para revisar nuestros protocolos de seguridad e intervención durante crisis. Siempre hemos tenido y continuaremos teniendo la seguridad de todos como nuestra prioridad.  La policía de Amherst nos han apoyado siempre y continuarán teniendo su presencia en nuestras escuelas durante éste tiempo.  En adición, sepa que cuando toque el timbre para que le abran la puerta en las edcuelas, los empleados de las oficinas le pedirán que se dirija a la oficina inmediatamente para identificarse y firmar. Esta es una medida de precaución que tomaremos para tener mas cuidado a raiz de nuestra revision de prácticas de seguridad.

Puede que algun empleado, padre/encargado tenga preocupaciones y/o preguntas de cómo manejar  éste evento tan traumático.  Tenemos la suerte de que el personal del Centro de Servicios Psicológicos de UMass se han ofrecido a tener discusiones y oportunidades para hacer preguntas de lo ocurrido en los próximos días.  Esta es la información de las sesiones que tendremos:

Presentación para Padres/encargados y la oportunidad para hacer preguntas con el personal de UMass - opcional:

Jueves, 20 de diciembre de 8:45 am- 9:15 am en el Centro de PD en la escuela intermedia. 

Presentación para empleados y la oportunidad para hacer preguntas con el personal de UMass - opcional: ambos en el Centro de PD en la escuela intermedia. 

Jueves, 20 de diciembre, 3:15-3:45 pm.

En adición, personal del equipo administrativo del distrito grabarán un segmento de seguridad 

escolar con el gerente del pueblo y empleados de los departamentos de policía y bomberos.

Una vez más, valoramos nuestro trabajo en equipo y estamos disponibles para escuchar de ustedes y contestar preguntas o preocupaciones.   

Gracias,  

Maria Geryk

Ski, Skate & Snowboard Sale at Crocker Farm

NEW AND USED EQUIPMENT 

SPONSORED BY THE AMHERST LIONS CLUB 
A Portion of the proceeds will benefit Crocker Farms PGO 

at CROCKER FARM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

280 WEST STREET (RTE. 116), AMHERST, MA

SALE BEGINS ON FRIDAY, JAN. 4^TH  FROM 6-9 PM  & 

SATURDAY, JAN. 5^TH FROM 9-2 PM

SKI AND SKATE EQUIPMENT CONSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED ONLY:

FRIDAY, JAN. 4^TH  FROM 4-6 PM 

Experts will be on hand to help individuals buy just the right item in the right size

 

*** This is not a school sponsored event***

For additional information call Bonnie MacCracken 413-256-6857

Time To Order Your Yearbook

December is a big month for our Yearbook team.

First, as you receive this newsletter, the Yearbook Pre-Order Sale is underway. Students received pre-order forms to take home. The pre-order forms, color coded by team, are also available in the ARMS Main Office. Please read these forms together carefully, and return them to school before the December break to reserve an ARMS 2012-2013 Yearbook.

There are 3 ways to pre-order: turn in the form with payment in full; turn in the form with a 50% nonrefundable deposit; or turn in the form requesting a Gift Book. Please note that pre-orders by deposit require the balance to be paid upon or before receipt of the yearbook.

Gift Books are for students whose families have financial hardship. Gift Books are limited in number by the funds we are able to raise from donations and fundraising events, and priority is given to 8th graders. If you would like to give a yearbook as a gift to a particular student, please use the Yearbook Sponsor donation form attached in each ARMS Newsletter.

Anyone who would like to share photographs of Concerts, school sports events, etc., please e-mail matosict@arps.org .

Chorus 8 Sings at a Springfield Falcons Game

On Friday, January 4, the combined Grade 8 Chorus will be singing the National Anthem at a Springfield Falcons Game at the Mass Mutual Center. The Falcons are part of the American Hockey League. This is the 8^th year in a row that the Chorus has been asked to sing at a game.

ARMS Joins in Sandy Relief Effort

Amherst Regional Middle School is currently working to reach out and help families whose lives have been tragically disrupted by Hurricane Sandy. Our collective efforts of aid will be first aimed at a middle school in Toms River, New Jersey named Intermediate East. We are in the initial phases of setting up fund raising ideas and organizing groups within our school, and we would like to include our community outside the building. We graciously invite ideas and request volunteers to assist us and our students in developing this important humanitarian project.

 

During our Tuesday and Friday morning assemblies and/or team meetings, groups can report the details of their project: how much money was raised, results/effects of the donations, and even communicate directly with the community of Intermediate East via Skype.

We are looking for parents who can help to spearhead some of the ideas set forth by students. If you have any time to help us with this service project, please contact Denise Boyd, boydd@arps.org. or call 362-1838. Cash or gift card donations are always welcome and checks can be made out to ARMS- with a note that says Sandy Relief Fund.

Talking To Your Children About Tragic Events

Parent Information Regarding Tragic Event in Newtown, CT

from the office of the Superintendent of Schools, ARPS

 We have received a number of calls and inquiries from families and community members following today's tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  For information on how to talk with children about this and similar incidents, please link to Parent Information.  Our thoughts and condolences are extended to the students, families, faculty and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary and to the community.

Tweeted tonight by ARPSMa

ARPSMa Parents should limit exposure of young children to coverage of school massacre, specialists say boston.com/metrodesk/2012… via @BostonDotCom

Report Cards

Trimester 1 Report Cards were distributed to students today at 2:15 p.m.

Interested in Participating on the ARPS Wellness Committee?

 

Superintendent of Schools, Maria Geryk, and the Office of Student Services has formed a Wellness Committee composed of staff, parents/guardians, and community members.  This working group meets monthly and discusses issues of fitness, nutrition, and food-related allergies in our schools. If you have interest in participating on the Wellness Committee or sharing insights, please contact Kimberly Stender at stenderk@arps.org or 413-362-1825.

Today we ask the Valley to Give

Valley Gives is a 24 hour day of online generosity for the Pioneer Valley.  Please consider supporting Amherst Education Foundation with a gift athttp://valleygives.razoo.com/story/Amherstedfound and help us win some amazing cash prizes (up to $15,000!) from the Valley Gives organizers! 

Last year AEF gave $44,000 in grants to support students across the ARPS district - these included funds for the ARMS Vela Program as well as enrichment for science classes.  Thank you for your support of GREAT public education in Amherst, Leverett, Pelham and Shutesbury!

Middle School Schedule Change Forum Cancelled

The December 10^th meeting to discuss the Amherst Regional Middle School schedule change proposal has been cancelled.

After an extensive school based process of examination, it has been decided that there will not be changes to the schedule for next year.

Give a Gift on Valley Gives Day & Thank a Teacher Too!

This year, through 12.12.12, Amherst Education Foundation

invites you to make a gift through Valley Gives.

On 12.12.12, join us for Valley Gives Day, a 24-hour, online celebration of generosity for western Mass. 

Valley Gives is presented by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts with the goal of getting thousands of Valley residents to make gifts to their favorite nonprofits. 

To learn more about Valley Gives, watch this video.

Help AEF unlock amazing cash prizes on this day of generosity!

Every donation we receive on 12.12.12 will help AEF to make grants to our schools AND increases our chances to win amazing cash prizes.  Incentives up to $15,000 will be awarded all day on 12.12.12 - wow!

As an added bonus, AEF will give a gift to YOU!

As an extra thank you, if you make your donation to AEF through Valley Gives, we will send a handwritten card honoring an Amherst Regional Public School teacher or staff member of your choice.  After you make your donation you’ll receive instructions about how to let us know who to thank.

Join AEF on Valley Gives Day 12.12.12,

Your support helps AEF make grants to our public schools

in Amherst, Leverett, Pelham and Shutesbury!

Stay in touch!

Follow AEF’s progress on 12.12.12 by “liking” us on Facebook

and “following” us on Twitter.

You can help us spread the word by sharing and retweeting our posts with your friends.

Thank you!

Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund

ARMS has  adopted Intermediate East School in Toms River, NJ and is seeking money and gift card donations to help families in need. Please contact Dee Boyd boydd@arps.org or 362-1838 if you would like to help or volunteer. Checks can be made to Sandy Relief Fund.

Forum - MS Schedule Change Proposal

On Monday, December 10th at 7PM in the ARMS Library, Mr. Michael Hayes, ARMS Principal, will hold a forum to present the options to potentially change the students' daily schedule here at Amherst Regional Middle School. The overall goal with this change is to increase class time for the four core classes while maintaining a rich aesthetics and intervention program.  After the presentation there will be an opportunity for participants to discuss and give feedback in small groups with ARMS School Council members.  Please email Mr. Hayes at hayesm@arps.org if you have any questions about this forum.

Give the Gift of Safe Driving at LSSE!

Take Drivers’ Ed, taught by one of the most reputable driving schools in the region, through Amherst Leisure Services. Gain classroom instruction, driving practice, and road test preparation. With the Drivers’ Ed Certificate come lower insurance rates and safer driving practices. Plus, you support LSSE, your local recreation department, that provides enriching, healthy activities for kids and adults that strengthen the community.

Amherst Lacrosse Sign Ups

 

Register now to join the fastest growing sport in the US! Amherst Youth Lacrosse (AYL) is a long-standing community recreation program for athletes in grades 3-8; there are three levels of teams that hold regular practices and compete in games organized through the Connecticut Valley Youth Lacrosse league.  Our coaches work closely with players to develop their skills. We often have fan-favorite UMass players attend practices to help out! No matter your skill level, we’ll have you playing in no time!

Not a school sponsored event

Boys Teams:
Bantams: 3rd – 4th grades
Juniors: 5th – 6th grades
Seniors: 7th – 8th grades

Girls Teams:
We are looking to form teams at the 3rd – 4th grade and 5th – 6th grade levels

Introductory Program:
Mini-Mites Learn to Play
Kindergarten to 2nd grade

When:
Evenings and weekends starting in mid-March through mid-June.

Where:
Practices and home games take place on the UMass athletic fields. Away games take
place in the towns of other teams in the league (all in Western Mass and Northern CT).

Experience:
Beginners to Advanced players welcome on all teams.

Registration Deadline:
January 15, 2013 – please note that at after that time, late registrants for the remaining
spaces on all teams will be filled on a first-come first-served basis.

If you have questions, call: For more info, go to:
Bob Kuzmeski
Director, Amherst Youth Lacrosse www.amherstyouthlacrosse.org
ayljuniors@gmail.com
413-687-7885