ARMS Book Swap-Palooza happens THIS WEEK (12/5-7)

The Book Swap takes place from December 5-7 during Guided Study. What is a book swap? Donate books you no longer want and select free books that you can keep. Every student will get to take home at least 1 FREE book from the used books that are donated! Drop off donations in your English Class or the Library before December 5th. This is a great opportunity to recycle your gently-used books (appropriate for middle school readers, please).

Please come to Book Swap-Palooza, after school in the ARMS library, on Thursday, Dec 7, 2:30-3:45pm. Meet the authors of the Pencil Bandit, and join in the a Bad Rap Contest and Book Party. Join us for the ARMS Bad Rap Contest and Book Party, hosted by Mister El-Are and Henry Reade, author of The Pencil Bandits series of comedy adventures. Rhyme for fun and win a prize. You don’t have to be good—just brave. The audience picks the winners, so bring your friends!

Take as many books as you can carry from the books that remain at the end of the swap. Pencil Bandits books will be available to purchase.

7th Grade Parent/Guardian/Teacher Conference Sign-ups

Dear Parents/Guardians of Seventh Grade Students:

We are pleased to invite you to participate in a conference with your student’s teacher to discuss their school experiences and how we may collaborate for ongoing success. Every year, after spending time getting to know our 7th grade students, we schedule parent/guardian conferences with all ARMS 7th grade families. Our goals are to share what we have learned and plan together how to maximize each student's success for the remainder of 7th grade and into the 8th grade year. 

Please go to this link to get info about dates, times and how to sign up! http://arms.arps.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_927081/File/Parent.Guardian-Teacher%20Conference%20Letter%20to%20Families.pdf

ARMS Merriment and Gratitude [PHOTO]

Our 7th grade chorus filled the Town Common with song at the lighting of the Merry Maple Friday night! 8th grade students sang at The Pub! Thank you Mr. Ranen for leading our students in this annual tradition.

ARMS is grateful to the University of Massachusetts Global Arts program and all ARMS 8th grade staff members for coordinating the inspirational field trip on Nov 30th to see the Underwater Bubble Show! All 8th grade students participated in this field trip. You can see more about the show at: https://fac.umass.edu/Online/Article/Bubble

7th Grade Exhibition at Jones Library, now thru Dec. 10 [PHOTO]

We are so proud of our 7th grade social studies and integrated arts project in honor of Human Rights Day Dec 10 which is now on exhibit at the Jones Library! Please go to the Jones to see this exhibit that publicly demonstrates our knowledge, creativity and dedication to social justice.

Khalea Glasgow receives ARPS Shining Star Award! [PHOTO]

Congratulations to Ms. Khalea Glasgow, ARMS paraeducator, for being recognized by our school district as an ARPS Shining Star! We surprised Khalea by presenting her award in the middle of science class! We appreciate the multifaceted qualities that Ms. Glasgow brings to our students.

Poem for Native American Heritage Month

Poetry adds meaning to our lives.

Principal Patty Bode started off the 8th grade concert on Nov 29 with a poem by Simon J. Ortiz in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, titled "Culture and the Universe" which can be found at this link:  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53440/culture-and-the-universe

Winter Field Hockey Indoor Clinic

Having fun is our goal!!!  The program is designed for new players who want to see how much fun field hockey can be, as well as experienced players and will involve games, scrimmages and opportunities to play in local indoor tournaments. We will teach both fundamentals including basic rules, proper grip and posture, ball and stick control, and passing and receiving for new players, and more advanced skills for the returning players via fun games. Players are asked to provide their own shin guards, mouth guard, and sneakers. Sticks will be provided if you need to borrow one.

WHO:     Girls and Boys in grades 1 to 12

WHEN:   Saturday evenings, January 6 to March 17 (No program January 13 or March 3). Tournament on February 18
Grades 1st-6th     6:00-7:30 p.m.
Grades 7th-12th   7:30- 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Chestnut Hill Community School Gymnasium, Belchertown (only 11 miles from downtown Amherst)

COST: $40.00 Resident $45.00 Non-Resident

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  Mon. Jan. 1, 2017

Register Online: http://www.belchertownrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29938

Not a school sponsored event.

**And if your child LOVES it and will be attending Amherst Regional Middle or High School next fall, please consider the ARMS or ARHS 2018 Field Hockey Teams! We are looking for players to join our growing programs! **