Blog Updates-Get Your ARMS Info Here..and Let Everyone Know About Other ARMS Events

The ARMS FSP has revamped the blog over the summer.  Check out the changes by visiting http://armsfsp.blogspot.com/.  

The site features: 

• Information on the ARMS FSP
• Schedule of late start days
• Listing of the Week 1/Week 2 schedule
• Calendar of ARMS events
• Information to keep you up to date on all the is happening at the Middle School.  

Extra, Extra!
Submit a post suggestion for a school or an appropriate community event by emailing our blog editor at catcondosma@gmail.com.

Your Ideas, Please!
What information should the ARMS FPO's blog have that it doesn't?  Post a comment with your suggestions.

On Facebook? Target Has an Easy Way For You To Help Support ARMS!

Target is giving out $1 for every vote Facebook users cast online. Anyone with a Facebook account can vote for their school once a week, until Sept 21. (Week starts on Sunday). A few clicks can really add up to some FREE MONEY for our school!

Please vote every week, and please share this post on your own Facebook page.
ARMS: http://givewith.target.com/school/23953

ARMS Fall Sports -- Important Dates and Contact Info

Hello Parents/Guardians of Middle School Athletes,   I apologize for not communicating earlier about the beginning of Middle School athletics.  I am going to outline below each sport and any details I have at this point.  I am including the coaches of each sport and their contact information if you have specific questions.  You can also respond to this email as well.  We currently have over 135 middle school students signed up for athletics, which is the most ever!! I do know from looking at the rosters that many of our athletes have physicals that are either expired or close to expiring.  It is possible that your student had a physical recently, but you have not sent a copy to the Middle School nurse.  We have to have an updated physical on file in order for your student athlete to participate in athletics.  Please check with your physician if you have any question about this.  Physicals can be faxed to the Middle School at 413-549-9812.   Best, Rich        Cross Country Coach: Sydney Henthorn shenthorn20@gmail.com 413-527-7880   We have 60 athletes signed up for cross country at this point and we have received many more calls from interested parents/guardians.  My plan at this point is to attempt to get to 70+ and split the group and hire another coach to assist coach Henthorn.  We have re-opened the registration on Family ID so any interested athletes can now register.   If you or anyone you know is interested in a paid position to help run the program with Coach Henthorn, please be in contact with me via email.   All registered athletes should meet at 2:45 on Tuesday September 4th at the flagpole outside the Middle School for the first practice.  More information will be given out at this point.   Field Hockey Coach: Marisa Dunn mdunn0@umass.edu   We currently have 10 athletes signed up for field hockey.  We would like to have 16-20, so there is plenty of space for anyone who is interested to sign up.  They do not have to have any field hockey playing experience to join the team!  Players will need to supply there own stick and cleats.  We will have a couple of sticks available if the need arises.  They will need goggles as well, but the school can provide a pair if needed.  Game uniforms will be supplied by the school.   The first practice will be held this Tuesday September 4th after school at 2:45.  Athletes should meet Coach Dunn outside the girls locker room at the Middle School.  Be prepared to play on the first day!   Volleyabll Coach: Sue Adair adairs@arps.org   We currently have 28 athletes signed up for volleyball.  We can only take 18 athletes on the travel team.  The reason behind this number is that only 6 athletes can be on the court at one time during a match.  If we take more than 18, athletes will see very little playing time during matches.  This means there will be a try out for the first 2 days of practice to fill the 18 slots.  In order to give athletes who do not make the travel team a chance to play, we will offer a two day a week intramural option.  Both the travel and intramural teams will practice on the days when the intramural team practices.  The intramural athletes will be refunded a portion of their fee in the amount of 152$ for the full fee athletes.  The days for intramural volleyball will be announced next week at the first practice.  Athletes should meet Coach Adair at try outs on Tuesday September 4th at 2:45 in the Middle School gymnasium.   Intramural Tennis  Coach: Gregory Runyan runyang@arps.org   We currently have 18 athletes signed up for our inaugural intramural tennis season!  It will take place on Monday and Thursday afternoons from2:45-4:00 pm.  Unfortunately our new tennis courts are not finished at this point and will not be ready for another 3-4 weeks, but don't panic!  We will begin the intramural tennis sessions on Monday September 9th in the side gym by the girl's locker room.  The basics of tennis can be taught utilizing this space and we will also play fun games such as pickle ball.  We will run the sessions on the tennis courts into November to make up for the lost time outside.  Athletes should meet coach Runyan outside the girls locker room at 2:45 on Monday September 9th.  Please bring a tennis racket if you have one, but some will be available for those who do not have one.   Intramural Soccer Coach: Blair Ferry bferry@umass.edu   We currently have 19 athletes signed up for intramural soccer and will take up to 25, so there is plenty of space for more athletes at this point.  It will run on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 2:45-4:00.  The first session will be on Thursday September 6th and the athletes should meet coach Ferry by the Middle School baseball field at 2:45 ready to go!  Please have your athletes bring cleats and a soccer ball if they have one.  We will have at least 12 soccer balls, but it is great when each player has a ball for certain drills.     Richard Ferro Athletic Director Amherst-Pelham Regional High School 413-362-1747 (Copied from an email,)

Changes In Dates For Team Breakfasts

Check the dates below to see if your child's team's breakfast date has changed:

9/3 = Team Y

9/4 = Team X

9/9 = Team Z

9/10 = Team A

9/11 = Team B

9/13 = Team C

Amherst Regional Middle School and High School Bus Routes

The district has posted updated Bus routes for the 2013-2014 school year.  Please remember that on the first day of school, there will be two bus runs for students at ARMS and ARHS.  The first run, for students who are new to the district along with all students in Grade 7 and Grade 9, occurs at the normal time (listed below).  The second run, for all other students, will occur approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes after the normal time.

 All students in grades 7-12 ride the same buses. Each bus stops at both the middle school and the high school.  Students who attend South East Campus are bused from ARHS to their school.

Amherst-Pelham Regional High and Middle School AM Routes

Amherst-Pelham Regional High and Middle School PM Routes

Welcome!

Welcome to (or back to) ARMS!!!

We all know Middle School is a big milestone that can be exciting, challenging, scary and rewarding.  As our children navigate new and increasing academic demands, engaging with students from different schools, and their own shifting internal world shaped by physical and development changes, we parents and guardians have our work cut out as we do our best to support our children (and ourselves). Fortunately the ARMS Family School Partnership (FSP) - the Parent Guardian Organization (PGO) of the Middle School – is here to support the students, parents, and school during these two critical and fleeting year. 

What is the Goal of the ARMS FSP / PGO?

To bring parents, guardians, students, teachers and staff together to make ARMS a  fun, safe,  enriching, and  welcoming environment for all children and families.

Who is the FSP / PGO?

The short answer is YOU!  As a parent or guardian of a ARMS student, you are already a member of the FSP! You don’t even have to come to a meeting (though we’d love to see you).  You are already part of our community.

How does the FSP / PGO achieve its goal?

We: 1) plan events that bring ARMS families together; 2) show appreciation to our teachers and staff; 3) promote communication by publishing a student directory and electronic Newsletter and blog (www.armsfsp.blogspot.com); and 4) provide team and grade mini grants for programs and materials that help provide additional enrichment experiences for ARMS students.  We also run fundraising events to support all of these efforts.

How can I get involved?

To volunteer your time or talents to the FSP, complete and return the ARMS FSP Registration form that will be sent home with your child in the first day of school packet.  You can also email the board at armsfsp@yahoo.com.

Community Back to School Celebration - Wed Aug 28 5:00-6:30 pm