Crocker Farm PGO Throws Down the Gauntlet!

Attention Fort River Families! A challenge has been issued by Clare Bertrand of the Crocker Farm PGO to all other elementary schools to race them in the upcoming "Cardboard Classic" at Winterfest '08. Are any of you ready to take them on and form a Fort River team? Marks Meadow has already announced the formation of their "X-Wing" team. If you are interested in spearheading the Fort River effort please send me an email. I will be happy to coordinate any email communication. --Thanks, Ann McLaughlin (damclaughlin@comcast.net).

Here's the email from Clare:

Dear PTO leaders of Fort River, Marks Meadow and Wildwood,

The Crocker Farm PGO (parent group) would like to challenge the other elementary schools to join us in the first ever “Cardboard Classic” to be held at Winterfest ’08 at the Cherry Hill Golf Course on Feb. 9th, races to begin at 2:30. http://www.winterfestamherst.com/

In case you haven’t heard about it, besides the Cardboard Classic, Winterfest ’08 at Cherry Hill Golf Course features a rockin’ GREAT band (Swift Kicks), beer and wine, fireworks at 7pm, and LOTS of fun family events like sledding, skiing, snow sculpture contests, golf putting contests, a craft fair, and a chili cook off among area restaurants. For more info about Winterfest ’08 see http://winterfestamherst.com/activities.html.

So far they have planned some really great and funny match ups for the Cardboard Classic:
-A Selectboard Primary Race!!
-Larry Shaffer vs. Gerry Weiss vs. Larry Kelly!
-Fire Chief Hoyle vs. Police Chief Scherpa
-Building Inspector Bonnie Weeks vs. Building Outlaw David Keenan!
-Big Brothers vs Big Sisters
-And they’re looking for more races among restaurants, stores, non-profits, kids and the general public!!

So what do you think? Are you willing to take our challenge and meet us on the hill? We think our Crocker Crocodile is going to kick your butt!!!! Check out the fun you could have: http://winterfestamherst.com/cardboardClassic.html

The bigger the box, the more kids you can fit in it! Imagine the giggling as we all race to the bottom. Be in touch and let us know what you think!

Thanks,
Clare

Upcoming Events

Teacher Curriculum Workday. Monday, Jan. 28th. NO SCHOOL. Fort River Roasters/Deans Beans Coffee Orders Due. Fri., Feb. 1. Click here for form. Original Art Works After-School Activity. Wednesday, Feb. 6th. More info here. Parent Council Meeting. Monday, Feb. 11th, 8:30-9:30am. In the cafeteria. Coffee With a Principal. Fri. Feb. 15th, 8:30-9:15am. Please join Principal Vernon-Jones or Asst. Principal Lianne Suarez-Werlein for coffee, light breakfast foods and casual conversation in the cafeteria. Younger siblings are welcome to attend. In the cafeteria. Jump Rope for Heart Jumpathon. Feb. 14-15. Grades 1-6. Click here for more information. Winter Recess. Feb. 18-22. No school. Beach Party. Wednesday, March 12th. Time to be announced. In the cafeteria. Book Swap. Week of March 18th. See below for more information.

Of Interest to Fort River Families

Please note that these events are not sponsored by Parent Council. Come visit Spring Street Preschool at their annual OPEN HOUSE on Feb 9, 2008, 10 am - 12 pm. The school is located at 64 Spring Street behind the First Congregation Church. Now accepting applications for preschoolers ages 2.9-5 years for the 2008-2009 school year. For more information contact Alicia at 256-8442 or email at springstreetpreschool@verizon.net Hampshire Athletic Club is starting a group swim lesson program for pre-school to elementary aged children of all swim levels. The lessons will be held on Saturdays beginning in February. 6 lessons for $80 ($70 for members). Maximum of 1:4 student teacher ratio. Before the lessons begin we ask that you come in on Saturday February 2nd between 12:30 and 2:30 to sign up and for a level placement test. For more information contact Julian Porcino at jcp1405@yahoo.com. Amherst Community Arts Center. Registration going on now for Winter 2008 classes at ACAC, which is the premier place in the Pioneer Valley for art classes for all ages and abilities. Winter 2008 brings some old favorites as well as some exciting new classes such as The Art of Bookmaking, and Zen and the Art of Tile Making. Call ACAC at 413-253-9265 or look for us in the Amherst Leisure Times on pages 11, 12 & 25. Or visit our website at http://www.amherstarts.org/ Shop Amherst First. By shopping through the shopamherstfirst.org website, a portion of everything you spend will be returned to Amherst First, Inc., a non-profit whose only mission is to provide additional funds to support the schools, library, departments, and programs of the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts. You get great prices at over 1,500 of your favorite online stores and Amherst receives a portion of everything you spend. Thank you for your support. Contact us at info@shopamherstfirst.org. Amherst Education Foundation. The deadline for AEF’s grant applications is February 8 at 5 pm! Past winners include teachers, staff and community members, but the real winners are our kids and our schools! The grant application can be found at http://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/Grants along with submission requirements and a listing of past awards. A note from Parent Council. We will publish information about non-Parent Council sponsored events with the following conditions: 1. The event should be of interest to Fort River families. 2. The information should be sent to Ann McLaughlin at damclaughlin@comcast.net in the form of a short blurb of 100 words or less. 3. Contact information (name, telephone and/or email address) must be included. We will add new information to the blog every Friday. Thanks for your cooperation!

Family Dance Night at the Middle School

Come to a Family Dance Night at the Amherst Middle School

Friday, January 25th from 7 to 9 PM.

Join us for Salsa, Reggaeton & Merengue with music provided by

DJ Joey Acevedo of Noche Latina fame (the Iron Horse's weekly bash) Salsa lessons by Elizbeth Fernandez-O'Brien, dancer extraordinaire

Refreshments provided

Raffle and Cash Prize

$5 Tickets can be purchased at the door, $15 per family max.

This is a fundraiser for the 8th Grade Spanish students trip to New York.

In the Amherst Regional Middle School cafeteria

Please note that this is a family dance--not at drop-off event.

Upcoming Events

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday, Jan. 21st. NO SCHOOL. Diversity and Social Justice Committee Meeting. Wednesday, Jan. 23rd at 8:45am. In the library. Winter Choral Concert by the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Choruses. Thursday, January 24th at 7 pm. In the Amherst Middle School auditorium. Click here for more information. Teacher Curriculum Workday. Monday, Jan. 28th. NO SCHOOL. Original Art Works After-School Activity. Wednesday, Feb. 6th. See below for more information. Parent Council Meeting. Monday, Feb. 11th, 8:30-9:30am. In the cafeteria. Jump Rope for Heart Jumpathon. Feb. 14-15. Grades 1-6. Click here for more information. Beach Party. Wednesday, March 12th. Time to be announced. In the cafeteria.

Jump Rope for Heart Jumpathon

Dear Parent Council,

Once again I am asking for help during my Jump Rope For Heart Jumpathon on Feb. 14 and 15. Grades 1-6 will be participating, each class jumping for 45 minutes. (Click here for schedule.) Jump Rope For Heart is a nationwide educational event designed to promote exercise as a life-long activity. At the same time it raises money to support the vital research, community service and educational programs of the American Heart Association. Prizes are given for the donations that each student collects.
If possible, I will need at least 2 parent volunteers to help out with each session. If a parent can stay all morning or afternoon, that would be great. I need them to take the students’ collection envelopes, count up the money, and tally it for each class.
Thanks!

Yours in fitness,
Dianna Spaulding

Of Interest to Fort River Families

Please note that these events are not sponsored by Parent Council. Hampshire Athletic Club is starting a group swim lesson program for pre-school to elementary aged children of all swim levels. The lessons will be held on Saturdays beginning in February. 6 lessons for $80 ($70 for members). Maximum of 1:4 student teacher ratio. Before the lessons begin we ask that you come in on Saturday February 2nd between 12:30 and 2:30 to sign up and for a level placement test. For more information contact Julian Porcino at jcp1405@yahoo.com. Amherst Community Arts Center. Registration going on now for Winter 2008 classes at ACAC, which is the premier place in the Pioneer Valley for art classes for all ages and abilities. Winter 2008 brings some old favorites as well as some exciting new classes such as The Art of Bookmaking, and Zen and the Art of Tile Making. Call ACAC at 413-253-9265 or look for us in the Amherst Leisure Times on pages 11, 12 & 25. Or visit our website at http://www.amherstarts.org/ Shop Amherst First. By shopping through the shopamherstfirst.org website, a portion of everything you spend will be returned to Amherst First, Inc., a non-profit whose only mission is to provide additional funds to support the schools, library, departments, and programs of the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts. You get great prices at over 1,500 of your favorite online stores and Amherst receives a portion of everything you spend. Thank you for your support. Contact us at info@shopamherstfirst.org. Amherst Education Foundation. The deadline for AEF’s grant applications is February 8 at 5 pm! Past winners include teachers, staff and community members, but the real winners are our kids and our schools! The grant application can be found at http://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/Grants along with submission requirements and a listing of past awards. Northampton Family Dance. Please come to the Family Dance! Our third dance of the season will be held on Sunday, January 20. The dance takes place 3:00 - 5:00 PM at First Churches, 129 Main Street, Northampton (use the Center Street entrance across from the Iron Horse). Come enjoy a variety of folk and contra dances geared to children and families. All dances are taught, and all ages are welcome--no dance experience is necessary. Live music! Admission is $4 per person for ages 3 and up, $15 maximum per family. For more information, please call Judy Stern at 256-2613 or email judystern44@yahoo.com Multi-Arts Drama Classes for Children in 3rd-7th Grade. The course will be made up of a 12-week workshop series, exploring the children's imagination through movement, scene work, improvisation, and games. In the course, students will explore story telling in many forms: through movement, text, and research of art, children's stories and personal writings. The course brings the students on a journey of learning dramatic skills while reveling in the fun and excitement of their own imaginations. Students will share with each other their own personal sources of inspiration. The workshops will culminate with a presentation of the students' work. 12 weeks workshop Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. February 8 –May 9.Final presentation: Friday May 9, 6:00 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 N Pleasant St, Amherst. Cost: $240.Limited Space. First come first serve. For more information, or to register call 413-584-7951 or contact us at http://www.multi-arts.org/ (Financial aid available). A note from Parent Council. We will publish information about non-Parent Council sponsored events with the following conditions: 1. The event should be of interest to Fort River families. 2. The information should be sent to Ann McLaughlin at damclaughlin@comcast.net in the form of a short blurb of 100 words or less. 3. Contact information (name, telephone and/or email address) must be included. We will add new information to the blog every Friday. Thanks for your cooperation!

Upcoming Events

School Committee Meeting. Tuesday, January 15th, 7pm. High School Library. School Council Meeting. Thursday, Jan. 17th, 7pm. Principal's Office. Coffee With a Principal. Friday, Jan. 18th, 8:30-9:15am. In the cafeteria. Come join Principal Vernon-Jones or Asst. Principal Suarez-Werlein for coffee and light refreshments. Younger siblings are welcome to attend. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday, Jan. 21st. NO SCHOOL. Diversity and Social Justice Committee Meeting. Wednesday, Jan. 23rd at 8:45am. In the library. Winter Choral Concert by the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Choruses. Thursday, January 24th at 7 pm. In the Amherst Middle School auditorium. Click here for more information. Teacher Curriculum Workday. Monday, Jan. 28th. NO SCHOOL. Original Art Works After-School Activity. Wednesday, Feb. 6th. See below for more information. Parent Council Meeting. Monday, Feb. 11th, 8:30-9:30am. In the cafeteria. Beach Party. Wednesday, March 12th. Time to be announced. In the cafeteria.

Volunteers Needed for Original Works Art Project

We are in search of volunteers to help with our Original Works art project (kids draw their own picture, and parents can buy items featuring that picture, such as notecards, mugs, etc.). We need volunteers to put together the packages to go home, and volunteers to help with an after school art activity (ideally these volunteers know how to inspire and guide children to do art work!). This event will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 6th. Kids will stay for 1 hour and work on a painting that can be used for the art-works project. Questions? Contact Catalina Arrubla (carrubla@gmail.com, 584-7951).

Annual Family Donation Fund Update for Jan. 11, 2007

Thanks to all the families who have already contributed to our Annual Family Donation Fund, which supports all Parent Council activities (field trips, cultural events, library books, scholarships for children in need, etc.)! We have now raised $5,843 from 153 of our 359 families (43% of families), and are still hoping for contributions from all families (and even a $1.00 donation helps increase our goal of 100% family participation)! Although we suggest $20 a child, contributions of any size are welcome ­ and all contributions are tax deductible (and anonymous). Checks (to Fort River Parent Council) or cash can be sent to the Parent Council mailbox in the main office or to Catherine Sanderson, 23 Alyssum Drive.

Attention 6th Grade Parents/Guardians

Middle School Curriculum Choices and Consequences Thursday, January 17 7:00 PM in the Amherst Regional Middle School Library

Family Education Program on ARMS/ARHS curriculum choices. Middle school and the high school staff answer questions on how to help your student navigate the choices in the Amherst system.

Sample questions:

• Does my student have to do the 7th grade math extensions to do advanced science in High School?
• What does my student need to do in middle school to qualify for admission to Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School?
• How do students qualify to take Honors English in High School?

Get Ready for the Book Swap!

The Fort River Book Swap is scheduled for Spring 2008. The Book Swap is a Parent Council program where families and local bookstores donate gently used or new books and in the past we have had enough donations to allow all students to choose at least two books to bring home and keep. The kids LOVE this program!!! We will be asking for book donations for the Book Swap in the New Year. Please do not bring in your donations in advance. If you have questions contact Pam Rietkerk (pjrietkerk@aol.com, 256-2605

Stop and Shop A+ BonusBucks Update

As of today (Jan. 11th) Fort River has earned $510.10 through the Stop and Shop A+ BonusBucks program! We now have 41 families signed up for the program. We're only about $19 behind Wildwood School, which is the top fundraiser (so far!) for the Town of Amherst. If you are a Shop and Shop customer and haven't already signed up, please click here for information on how to do it. It's very quick and easy and it costs you nothing.

Invitation to Attend a Presentation by Superintendent Jere Hochman

Dear Amherst-Pelham Community: Businesses send out "annual reports." Politicians present the "State of the City" reports. Schools communicate routinely through teachers' weekly updates to parents, the principal's newsletter, student report cards, school and district testing report cards, presentations to the School Committees, and budget background information. On Wednesday, January 23, Superintendent Jere Hochman will present an overview of the Amherst-Pelham schools. This brief presentation will be followed by and important hour of dialogue about our school districts' MISSION and VALUES. What do YOU believe to be the most essential values our schools should characterize? What do YOU believe to be the mission of our public schools? It has been several years since our schools adopted a mission statement. I imagine if you ask several individuals within the schools what our mission is, they would respond "Every student, Every day!" That simple phrase is packed with meaning and understandings -- yet we must ask ourselves if there is consensus in its meaning and does it serve as a valued ends upon which we direct all means? Please join us on January 23! Meetings will occur in the Bangs Center at 1:00 p.m. and in the Middle School Cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend! (Oh, and please do not park in the fire lanes). Sincerely, Jere Hochman

Of Interest to Fort River Families

Please note that these events are not sponsored by Parent Council. Amherst Education Foundation. The deadline for AEF’s grant applications is February 8 at 5 pm! Past winners include teachers, staff and community members, but the real winners are our kids and our schools! The grant application can be found at http://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/Grants along with submission requirements and a listing of past awards. Northampton Family Dance. Please come to the Family Dance! Our third dance of the season will be held on Sunday, January 20. The dance takes place 3:00 - 5:00 PM at First Churches, 129 Main Street, Northampton (use the Center Street entrance across from the Iron Horse). Come enjoy a variety of folk and contra dances geared to children and families. All dances are taught, and all ages are welcome--no dance experience is necessary. Live music! Admission is $4 per person for ages 3 and up, $15 maximum per family. For more information, please call Judy Stern at 256-2613 or email judystern44@yahoo.com Multi-Arts Drama Classes for Children in 3rd-7th Grade. The course will be made up of a 12-week workshop series, exploring the children's imagination through movement, scene work, improvisation, and games. In the course, students will explore story telling in many forms: through movement, text, and research of art, children's stories and personal writings. The course brings the students on a journey of learning dramatic skills while reveling in the fun and excitement of their own imaginations. Students will share with each other their own personal sources of inspiration. The workshops will culminate with a presentation of the students' work. 12 weeks workshop Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. February 8 –May 9.Final presentation: Friday May 9, 6:00 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 N Pleasant St, Amherst. Cost: $240.Limited Space. First come first serve. For more information, or to register call 413-584-7951 or contact us at http://www.multi-arts.org/ (Financial aid available). A note from Parent Council. We will publish information about non-Parent Council sponsored events with the following conditions: 1. The event should be of interest to Fort River families. 2. The information should be sent to Ann McLaughlin at damclaughlin@comcast.net in the form of a short blurb of 100 words or less. 3. Contact information (name, telephone and/or email address) must be included. We will add new information to the blog every Friday. Thanks for your cooperation!

Fort River Principal Search

In case you missed the letter in that came home in the backpacks last week, please note that the Superintendent of Schools, Jere Hochman, has announced the formation of an interview committee to include 5 or 6 Fort River parents. Click here for a copy of the letter with the survey on the back. The deadline for submitting your survey is this coming Friday, January 11th. Here is the text of his letter:

January 2, 2008 Dear Parents and Guardians: As you may be aware, I will be selecting a new principal for the Fort River School within the next few months. An interview committee will work with me to review applications, conduct interviews, and review the responses received about candidates. In late January and early February, we will hold an open meeting for parents and community members to meet the finalists. I will send information about that at a later date. I would like your thoughts about a prospective principal for the Fort River School and have posed three questions on the back of this letter. I hope you will take some time to respond and to return the survey to Fort River Principal’s Office by Friday, January 11, 2008. The information I receive from these surveys is valuable in determining the desired characteristics of the principal candidate and the priorities he or she will be addressing in the next few years. While the interview committee will be a small group in order to make the process manageable, I would like to invite your participation. The committee will include five to six parents. If you are interested in participating, you can send a note, addressed to me, to the Fort River Principal’s office or send an email to my assistant, Debbie Westmoreland, westmorelandd@arps.org. Please indicate the grade your child is in and any particular interest you have. The time commitment for this committee will include after-school meetings and a few full days to interview candidates. If you are not selected for the committee, you can still be actively involved in the process by attending the open meetings with the candidates. Thank you. Jere Hochman Superintendent

Upcoming Events

Parent Council Meeting. Monday, January 7th, 2008, 6:30-7:30pm. Library. Babysitting will be available. Fort River Roaster's/Deans Beans Coffee Orders Due. Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. Please send orders in to the Parent Council mailbox in the front office. Click here for order form or pick one up at the Parent Council bulletin board in the school lobby. School Committee Meeting. Tuesday, January 15th, 7pm. High School Library. School Council Meeting. Thursday, Jan. 17th, 7pm. Principal's Office. Coffee With a Principal. Friday, Jan. 18th, 8:30-9:15am. In the cafeteria. Come join Pricipal Vernon-Jones or Asst. Principal Suarez-Werlein for coffee and light refreshments. Younger siblings are welcome to attend. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday, Jan. 21st. NO SCHOOL. Diversity and Social Justice Committee Meeting. Wednesday, Jan. 23rd at 8:45am. In the library. Winter Choral Concert by the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Choruses. Thursday, January 24th at 7 pm. In the Amherst Middle School auditorium. Click here for more information. Teacher Curriculum Workday. Monday, Jan. 28th. NO SCHOOL.

Get Ready for the Book Swap!

The Fort River Book Swap is scheduled for Spring 2008. The Book Swap is a Parent Council program where families and local bookstores donate gently used or new books and in the past we have had enough donations to allow all students to choose at least two books to bring home and keep. The kids LOVE this program!! Please keep this in mind if you are cleaning out your bookshelves. We will be asking for book donations for the Book Swap in the New Year. Please do not bring in your donations in advance. If you have questions contact Pam Rietkerk at pjrietkerk@aol.com or 256-2605.

Original Works Art Project/Fundraiser

Catalina Arrubla is looking for volunteers to help out with this year's Original Works Art Fundraiser. She will need volunteers to help her put together the packages which go out to the children and four volunteers to help with an after-school art activity (tentative date Wed. Feb 6th). Please contact Catalina at carrubla@gmail.com or tel. 584-7951.

January Fort River Roasters Order Deadline Extended

Due to the vacation and the short first week back, the deadline for this month’s orders of Dean’s Beans/Fort River Roasters coffee has been changed to Friday, January 11th. Please send in your order to the Parent Council mailbox in the main office by then.

Questions? Contact Libby Stanforth (253-8039, mailto:bstanforth@comcast.net?subject=Fort%20River%20Roasters) or Hana Rivkin (256-2330, hrivkin@yahoo.com).


Order forms available HERE and on the Parent Council Bulletin board in the school lobby.