UMass-Amherst Community Campaign - FINAL WEEK

Campaign for this school year ends JANUARY 31

Do you work at UMass?  Do you want an easy way to make a contribution to the ARMS PGO and help our schools?  

WinterFest Amherst: February 2-9, 2019

“Pioneer Valley’s Largest Winter Carnival!”

WinterFest Amherst returns with a week-long schedule of venues and events for the whole family. We’ll kick off the week’s festivities with the Luminaria on the Town Commons, a public display of over 1,500 flickering luminarias, and end the week with our signature Grand Finale including our classic, fan-favorite events such as the Best-in-Snow Dog Show. Keep an eye on our online calendar since it will be jam-packed with 35+ more events throughout the week including Ice Skating Performances, Hockey Games, Sledding, Live Music Events, Art Classes, and much more!

Produced by Amherst Leisure Services and Friends of Amherst Recreation. Presented by local sponsors.

Not a school sponsored event

Friends of the Jones Libraries Mini Golf Classic

Not a school sponsored event

Volunteers Needed for ARPS Farm to School program

USDA Farm to School grant update

Next Steps for Farm to School 

The Farm to School work that the district began at the start of this school year is ready to move into the next phase.  Expanding on our essential relationships with local farmers, strong in-house food services program, and school garden program we are working together towards our vision of “Building a stronger, healthier community through diversity, food access and equity, local farm and food system connections, and joyful learning.”

The program is seeking community volunteers to help create a comprehensive plan to attain its vision.  Volunteers are needed for the following teams:

1. Cafeteria Team– focusing on local procurement, reducing waste, increasing program revenue, maximizing operational efficiencies, and informal education leading to a sustainable business model. 

2.  Curriculum Team– focusing on experiential classroom, garden and farm-based learning.  

3.  Community Team– focusing on creating a stronger link among ARPS, the larger community and local food.   A few examples include:  Identifying regional producers that can supply more local and culturally appropriate foods for menus; recipe development; expanding the current catering offerings;  and community dinner menus reflective of the diversity of community.   

These volunteers will be required to attend one meeting/month throughout the school year (approximately 2 hours/month) at the ARPS Central Offices.   Additionally, the program is looking for team members who have some expertise and skills/knowledge related to the content of the team they are interested in. 

If you are interested in serving on one of the Farm to School teams, or if you would like to contribute to this work in other ways, please complete this form by January 18^th, 2019. 

Please email Vicki Van Zee,  USDA Grant Coordinator, vanzeev@arps.org, if you have questions.  

ALSCT Presents: Peter Pan

Presented by Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater.

Tickets are On Sale Now!!!

Thursday, January 10 at 7:30 pm

Friday, January 11 at 7:30 pm

• Saturday, January 12 at 1:00 pm
• Sunday, January 13 at 1:00 pm
• Thursday, January 17 at 7:30 pm 
• Friday, January 18 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, January 19 at 1:00 pm
• Saturday, January 19 at 7:30 pm
• Sunday, January 20 at 1:00 pm

• All performances will be at Bowker Auditorium
• in Stockbridge Hall on the UMass Campus

Tickets may be purchased:

•  online

• • call LSSE at 413-259-3065

• • in person at the LSSE office, Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street, Amherst, MA 01002 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-4:30 pm)

Not a school-sponsored event

Recyling 101 - Learn the Basics

Learn the basics of household recycling in the town of Amherst on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 3:00 pm in the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library. 

Are you confused about what you can and cannot recycle? Why are there suddenly so many more recycling rules? What is recycling “contamination”? How can we all create less waste? Mimi Kaplan, the Waste Reduction Enforcement Coordinator in Amherst, has answers to all these questions and more. Feel free to bring any items about which you have questions or need clarification!

Free and open to the public. 

For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.

Not a school sponsored event

Ski & Skate Sale - Jan 4th & 5th

The Amherst Historical Society’s Third Annual 2-Day Ski and Winter Gear Sale, has new hours, Friday, January 4^th, 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, January 5^th 9 am-2pm and a new location in downtown Amherst at the Pacific Lodge, located at 99 Main Street, next door to the police station. The sale transforms the hall inside of the Pacific Lodge into a ski market stocked with hundreds of new and used skis, skates, and winter sports gear at rock-bottom prices.  Shoppers can choose from new and used downhill and cross-country skis in adult and youth sizes, boots and bindings, hockey and figure skates, snowboards, clothing for adults and children, gloves, ski poles, and snowshoes. Great discounts for the beginner skater to the expert skier. Experts will be on hand to assist with selection and sizing to ensure satisfaction. Credit Cards, Visa Gift Cards, and cash will be accepted. More information at www.amhersthistory.org or questions to info@amhersthistory.org

Not a school-sponsored event