Thursday, November 29, 2012

Forum - MS Schedule Change Proposal



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.

When:              Monday, December 10
Where:             MS Library
Time:               7-9 p.m.

Special Education Review

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be conducting a Coordinated Program Review addressing the school system's special education program. As part of this Coordinated Program Review, Department staff will visit the district on February 4-8 2013 for the Amherst Public Schools, January 22, 2013 for the Pelham Public Schoolsand January 8-11, 2013 for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools to review individual student records, interview administrators, teachers and paraprofessional staff, survey parents and observe instructional spaces.  See more information about the site visit and learn about how you can participate.

Starlight Auditons


Starlight's Youth Theatre proudly announces auditions for its Spring 2013 production of "Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr." on Saturday, Dec. 8, 9am-1:30 pm or Tuesday, Dec. 11, 5 pm-7pm at Maple Ridge Community Center in Sunderland. Register for an audition time by visiting our website: www.starlights-youth-theatre.com. Auditions are open to youth ages 7-18 in grades 2 -12. Auditions help with role assignment, but all who audition or register will be welcomed into the production. Registration fee:$155 with sibling discount available.  Classes/Rehearsals will be held on Saturdays, beginning on January 12, 2013 with the performances on the weekend of May 17, 18, & 19, 2013 at the Academy of Music, Northampton

Performance Project Party


Come And Celebrate With Us!

First Generation has a home AND we're having a space warming PARTY!

Also known as an evening of poetry, music, dance, song and food.

SATURDAY, DEC. 8th from 2:00-5:00
5 TAYLOR STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA


Please bring a dish to add to the potluck
If you wish
bring a song, poem, or dance

Be part of our first event in our new home!

for more information please email

info@performanceproject.org



LSSE Notice for AYBL


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Oops! Correction...

The date of the "Lighting of the Merry Maple" was incorrectly given in an earlier post (now corrected.) 
PLEASE NOTE that the correct date for this event is
Friday, November 30.

Mark Your Calendar


Wed, Nov 21 - Trimester 1 Ends
Wed, Nov 21 - Early Dismissal (No lunch served) 11:55am
Thu-Fri, Nov 22-23 - School Closed for Thanksgiving Recess
Mon, Nov 26 - School Closed for Teacher Curriculum/Work Day
Wed-Thu-Fri, Nov 28-29-30 - Winter Clothing Share
Fri, Nov 30 - "Lighting of the Merry Maple" 4:30-5:15pm
Sat, Dec 1 - First Annual ARHS Football Team Benefit Concert
Fri, Dec 7 - FSP "Coffee with the Principal" 7:45-9am

"Lighting the Merry Maple"

Friday, November 30 
The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce kicks off the holiday season downtown with the lighting of the Merry Maple. People of all ages look forward to the lights, food, and festivities of this Amherst tradition as our community joins together to listen to the festive music of the Amherst Regional Middle School Chorus and the Minutemen Marching Band. There will be hayrides, cider donuts, and arts and crafts for kids in the Town Hall.

Chorus 7 students will meet on the steps of the Town Hall at 4:00 pm.
Singing will begin at 4:30pm and end by about 5:15pm.
Please make arrangements with your students as to where you will meet after the event. Students must dress warmly for this outdoor concert.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Warm Winter Clothing Share

To ensure our children are warm and toasty this winter season, we are once again collecting winter outerwear. Why not take a few minutes this weekend to look in your closets for any gently used items for those in need?
We are looking for donations of clean, gently used winter clothing
(ALL sizes, children and adults are needed):
* coats * snow pants * snow boots * hats *
* mittens * gloves * scarves * snowsuits *

 
Drop off: Anytime during school hours, now through Nov. 26 in the CF lobby.
Pick up: If you would like any of these clothes for your family or know someone in need, please plan to come by the school:
Wednesday Nov. 28 - 8am - 2pm 
Thursday Nov. 29 - 8am - 8pm
Friday Nov. 30 - 8am - noon

Michelle Brooks-Thompson Benefit Concert


The First Annual ARHS Football Team Benefit Concert will be Saturday, December 1st from 6pm-8pm at the high school. The concert will feature Michelle Brooks-Thompson from this season of The Voice on NBC. Michelle is also an ARMS and ARHS alum! The concert will also feature ARHS student performers as well as local artists. PLUS, 2 footballs autographed by NFL Baltimore Raven and ARHS alum James Ihedigbo will be raffled off at the concert! Tickets are $15 for VIP tickets (VIP seating, 2 free raffle tickets, and a snack voucher), $12 for adults, $7 for students, $5 for seniors, and children 6 and under are free. It's going to be a great night! Questions? Email marisahebble@gmail.com.

FSP Coffee with the Principal


Friday, December 7
Please join us for FSP Coffee with the Principal. This is an opportunity to enjoy conversation and a morning cup of coffee with Interim 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 am in the auditorium then moves to the Middle School Conference Room at 8 am.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Happening This Week



Thursday, November 15

Friday, November 16

Meet Dr. Faye Brady, ARPS Director of Student Services


The Laramie Project

Northampton Center for the Arts
17 New South Street
Northampton, MA
All Tickets $5.00
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
Also available online:
Eventbrite - Starlight’s Repertory Company presents: . . . THE LARAMIE PROJECT  


"The Laramie Project" will be presented by Starlight's Youth Theater Repertory Company on Thursday and Friday November 15th & 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Northampton Center for the Arts. The Laramie Project is a powerful and emotional compilation of the memories of various people surrounding the beating and death of a 21 year-old gay man, Matthew Shepard, in Laramie, Wyoming.


Starlight's veteran teen actors bring unique energy and feeling to this gripping story of justice, community and compassion.

All Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased online through our website: www.starlights-youth-theatre.com   or at the performances.

Due to the mature content of the play, this performance is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

For further information, contact: Rich Cairn - 413 253-9148 - rcairn@verizon.net.


Warm Winter Clothing Share


Please Drop Clothing Off from now until November 26
 watch the PSA from AmherstMedia in English or Spanish!


Coming Soon:


 
Fall 2012 registration is now open.

In one day at Amherst College, local 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!

The Amherst Splash program at Amherst College will be offering a wide range of courses including: Film Appreciation, Ethics, Photography, Step Dancing, and more.
Saturday December 1st, 2012 9am-4pm Amherst College

Open to all students in middle school and high school.
$10 includes course supplies and lunch. Scholarships are available.


Amherst Splash, 102 Keefe Campus Center, Amherst, MA 01002

Saturday, November 3, 2012



Help Communities Impacted by Hurricane Sandy!
Saturday, November 3rd until 2 p.m.



In the wake of the hurricane earlier this week, many communities have been left without vital resources. Join us to help bring supplies to those desperately in need.

On Saturday, November 3rd, in the Common School parking lot in Amherst, Massachusetts, we will be collecting in-kind donations. Donations will be accepted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.


When our 17-foot truck is full, we'll head to NYC to drop supplies in Queens, through the coordination effort of the office of Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and her chief-of-staff.

Here is the list of desired donations:

blankets
candles
flashlights
batteries
water
food
socks
towels
printer paper
baby items: diapers etc.
pet food
Propane grille or camping style oven
Plates, cups, forks, bowls, spoons, etc
jackets, gloves, hats, anything to keep folks warm
cleaning supplies - buckets, squeegies, mops, bleach
masks, gloves for cleaning
tarps
garbage bags

(Used clothing is not being accepted at this site.)

For additional information or to volunteer at the truck on Saturday morning, please call Sydne Didier at 413-530-0040 or email at sydne@sydnedidier.com.
 
 
 
This is a link to an article in the Queens Chronicle which features the site of the Volunteer Drive where these goods will be delivered:

Friday, November 2, 2012

An LSSE Day Trip to New York City...


Norma Jean Anderson Civil Rights and Academic Achievement Award



Nominations are now being accepted for the
Norma Jean Anderson Civil Rights and Academic Achievement Award






































CRITERIA FOR SELECTING NOMINEES for the NORMA JEAN ANDERSON
CIVIL RIGHTS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

I. Recipients of the award will be employed by the Amherst and/or Amherst-
Pelham Regional school districts as a teacher, administrator or staff person in the
year the award is presented.

II. Recipients of this award shall be nominated by students, parents, community
members, teachers, staff and administrators of the Amherst and/or Amherst-
Pelham Regional school districts. The person nominating must write a statement
of no less than one page and not more than three pages explaining why the
nominee meets the criteria. Specific examples are encouraged.

III. Nominations should be sent to RaDAR (Race and Discipline Action Rights)
Committee by January 2, 2013 at noon. Please address nominations to
Reynolds Winslow at reynbaker@yahoo.com; or mail to: RaDAR, c/o Reynolds
Winslow 1040 N. Pleasant Street, Apt. 219, Amherst, MA 01002.

IV. The final selection of the recipient of the award will be made by the RaDAR
Committee. The award will be presented at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast,
Saturday, January 19, 2013.

V. Criteria for nomination
The nominee shall demonstrate capacity in one or more of the following:
1. The Nominee demonstrates an interest and willingness to assist students of
color and students less privileged by virtue of class background beyond the
“usual and routine” requirements of the teaching/administrative/staff position.
2. The Nominee demonstrates an interest in the safety of students of color and
students less privileged by virtue of class background and works to insure that
the school where s/he teaches or works is a safe environment for all students.
3. In the case of a teacher, the Nominee must show evidence of holding all
students to high standards of academic excellence and demonstrates fairness in
grading.
4. The Nominee shares with colleagues the skills and information for creating
and encouraging a classroom or school environment where the unique strengths
and talents of all students are enhanced.
5. The Nominee participates with colleagues in the planning of curriculum goals
for the classroom or the development of administrative and staff goals free of
racism, classism, prejudice and discrimination. The Nominee helps to reveal the
explicit as well as subtle and implicit advantages of whiteness and economic
security in our society and school community which distorts a fair and impartial
education for all.
6. The Nominee works with parents and community members as well as fellow
teachers, administrators and staff in promoting a school/school system free of
racism, prejudice and discrimination.