Thursday, December 17, 2009

Upcoming School Events

Lost and Found. TODAY!! Thurs Dec. 17 until 3:30pm in the front lobby.  See below for more info.

School Council Meeting. Thurs. Dec. 17th, 5-6:30pm. FR Conference Room.


Fort River Family Redistricting Meeting.
Monday, Dec. 21 from 7-8:30 pm. An ll informational meeting for families of students currently attending Fort River. At Fort River. See below for more info.

School Vacation. 
Thursday, Dec. 24-January 1. (Last day 12/23; School reopens 1/4/10).

Internet Safety Presentation. Thursday, Jan. 7., 7pm. Mark's Meadow Auditorium. Cindy Boyle, a community educator from the Northwest DA’s office, will hold an evening session for parents of all elementary students. Her focus will be on Internet safety and cyberbullying.

Coffee with the Principals.  Friday, Jan. 8, 8:30-9:15am. Join Principal Sharick and Asst. Principal Kennedy-Marx for coffee, conversation and light refreshments. Younger siblings welcome. In the cafeteria.

Fort River Roasters Coffee Orders Due.
Fri. Jan. 8th. Order form here.

Parent Council Meeting
, Mon. Jan. 11, 7pm. In the school library.

Chorus Concert.  Jan 14th, 7pm. Middle School Auditorium.

Teacher Curriculum Workday
. Jan. 15. No School.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Jan. 18. No School.

*Items in teal are sponsored by Parent Council.


Fort River Fort River Family Redistricting Meeting Monday, 12/21 from 7-8:30pm.

An informational meeting for families of students currently attending Fort River will take place on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7pm at Fort River School.  A ConnectEd phone/email reminder will be going out to all families in English and Spanish later this week.

Info here:  http://www.arps.org/node/1064.

Thanks for the Books!


FRPC President Sue Borden reports that many teachers have wished to express their thanks for all the books that were so generously donated to classrooms during the book fair. So thanks to everyone who used the teacher wishlists to donate books, including all those of you who wished to remain anonymous!

Last Day for Lost and Found! Ending at 3:30pm today!!


Don't forget that all items in the Lost and Found will be on display in the lobby until today (Thurs. Dec. 17) at 3:30pm! Please stop by and look for your child's lost items!!

Also please remember to have your children bring home all items by their coat hooks before vacation break.  Often items left behind are cleared for cleaning and placed in the Lost and Found.

Honor a Teacher through the Amherst Educational Foundation

Thinking about holiday gifts?

You can honor a teacher or staff member AND strengthen our schools with a gift to Amherst Education Foundation (AEF).

For more info:  http://amhersteducationfoundation.org/sites/default/files/Three-Cheers-Donation-Form-2009.pdf


Easy Ways to Earn $$$ for Fort River

Stop & Shopʼs A+ BonusBucks Program
Use your Stop & Shop card and Fort River earns a percentage! It's not too late to sign up! This is an easy way to raise money with absolutely no cost to you. However, for Fort River to receive credit you need to re-designate Fort River each year. Call 1-877-366-2668 or visit www.stopandshop.com/aplus. Fort River ID # 05218. Remember, even if you registered your card last year, you must re-register this year for our school to receive credit. Thanks to everyone who has already signed up. Also, don’t forget to encourage your friends and relatives to do the same. And, if you sign up anytime in the month of January, ALL your purchases for the month will be counted! We need your support! Contact Ann McLaughlin if you have any questions or problems.

Big Y Education Express

Use your Big Y Express Savings Club card and Fort River can earn points for buying much needed equipment and supplies! Just visit the Big Y customer service desk and fill out a form that will link Fort River with your card (School ID # 5947). Or go to www.bigy.com/education and sign up from your computer! Whenever you use your card to purchase items designated with the “Education Express” logo, youʼll earn points for our school. 


Target Take Charge of Education

If you have a Target REDcard (credit card), you can designate Fort River to receive up to 1% of the value of your purchases on the card. Go to www.Target.com/tcoe to designate Fort River (School ID # 58645).

Atkins Farms Country Market
Use your Atkins card when you shop at Atkins Farms Country Market, and they will donate a percentage of your purchase to Fort River School. Atkins provided us with one card per family last year, and new cards for new families will be coming soon-- stay tuned! Just show the card when you are checking out. There is an expiration date on the card, which is the date that youngest child graduates from Fort River. 
Last year Fort River parents earned $500 for Fort River by shopping at Atkins! Thanks to everyone who has been participating--and don't forget to keep using your card every time you go.

Box Tops for Education
In case you are not familiar with Box Tops this is an easy way to earn money for Fort River--just take your scissors and clip! Last year we earned over $500. For each Box Top clipped the school receives 10 cents. Just look for the Box Tops logo on products in you already have in your kitchen, cut it out and deliver your box tops to the school's main office. If you would like to learn about the other ways you can make a difference sign up for the Box Tops website at boxtops4education.com. It’s easy, free and you’ll learn about new ways to help our school earn the extra cash it needs.

Cellphones & Ink Jet Cartridges
Protect the environment and raise money for Parent Council by donating used digital cellphones and ink jet cartridges. Please deliver to the Main Office. Cellphones will be recycled, according to EPA regulations, or refurbished and sold, with 100% of the proceeds going to Parent Council.

Amherstopoly--A Great Holiday Gift

Here’s a great gift idea for the holidays – give your friends and family copies of the Amherstopoly board game! This is a unique gift that will provide hours of fun for the whole family and/or be a great souvenir of Amherst.

Ever dream of managing ARMS or Town Hall? Well, your chance is finally here! Amherstopoly, the fantastic board game that is all about Amherst and its most beloved haunts, has arrived just in time to celebrate Amherst’s 250th Anniversary.

Amherstopoly is a collaboration of the Parent Groups of Crocker Farm, Fort River, Mark’s Meadow and Wildwood schools to raise funds for student enrichment programs. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, 100% of the money ($25) raised through school sales of the game will be split equally amongst the four elementary schools.

Games can be purchased directly from the front office any time. Questions? Please contact Sue Cairn scairn@verizon.net.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Amherst School Committee Meeting, Tues. Dec. 15.

Amherst School Committee Meeting, Tues. Dec. 15, 7pm at the High School Library.

This meeting of the Amherst Elementary School Committee will include a presentation of the preliminary budget cut projections for the elementary schools and an update on the redistricting plan.

The meeting agenda can be seen here

Fort River Fort River Family Redistricting Meeting Monday, 12/21 from 7-8:30pm.

An informational meeting for families of students currently attending Fort River will take place on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7pm.  I will post the location for this meeting as soon as possible!

Info here:  http://www.arps.org/node/1064.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Upcoming School Events

Lost and Found. Tues. Dec. 15-Thurs Dec. 17 in the front lobby.  All items not claimed by 3:30pm on Thursday will be donated to charity. See below for more info.

Elementary School Committee Meeting. Dec. 15th. High School Library.

School Council Meeting. Thurs. Dec. 17th, 7-9pm. FR Conference Room.


Fort River Family Redistricting Meeting.
Monday, Dec. 21 from 7-8:30 pm. An ll informational meeting for families of students currently attending Fort River. Location TBA.

School Vacation. 
Thursday, Dec. 24-January 1. (Last day 12/23; School reopens 1/4/10). 

Coffee with the Principals.  Friday, Jan. 8, 8:30-9:15am. Join Principal Sharick and Asst. Principal Kennedy-Marx for coffee, conversation and light refreshments. Younger siblings welcome. In the cafeteria.

Parent Council Meeting
, Mon. Jan. 11, 7pm. In the school library.

Chorus Concert.  Jan 14th, 7pm. Middle School Auditorium.

Teacher Curriculum Workday
. Jan. 15. No School.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Jan. 18. No School.

*Items in teal are sponsored by Parent Council.


Lost and Found, Dec. 15-17.


Please come and check the Lost and Found items that will be on tables in the front lobby on Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 15-17th.  All items not claimed by 3:30pm on Thursday will be donated to charity.

Reminder to have your children bring home all items by their coat hooks before vacation break.  Often items left behind are cleared for cleaning and placed in the Lost and Found.

Parent Council Thanks Book Fair Volunteers

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at last week's Book Fair:

Jan Kelly
Karen Regis
Desiree Bohl
Eileen Marasco
Elayne Berger
Mark Dooley
Jean MacKimmie
Kerry Crosby
Catherine McGraw
Jacqueline Kang
Elizabeth Caraker

Sue Borden
Libby Stanforth

And special thanks to Diane Caraker for organizing the book fair! Our thanks also to Peter Wood for coordinating the Winter Sports and Clothing Swap, as well as to everyone who donated items.

Upcoming Community Workshops


Click on image to enlarge.

En español.

Walk-In H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic: Venue Changed to Wildwood School, Longer Hours

The location of this Saturday's H1N1 walk-in vaccination clinic has been changed from the Bangs Community Center to Wildwood School. The hours of the clinic have been extended from 10am-2pm. Everyone ages 6 months through 65 years is eligible for vaccination. Children under 10 who came to the Nov. 11 clinic at Amherst Regional Middle School can get a second dose!

 Click here to download a registration form.

Remember to bring your insurance card. To save time, please photocopy both sides of your card and fill in a registration card before arriving at the clinic.

More info here.
En español.

Coffee with Dr. Rodriguez at the Middle School

On Tuesday, December 15th from 12pm to 1pm, the ARMS Family School Partnership is hosting a Coffee with Superintendent Dr. Rodriguez. Topics will include goals for the middle school, the evaluation by the MS consultant, the MS principal search and the MS budget.  Dr. Rodriguez will also answer questions and take input from parents/guardians.  Everyone is welcome.  Hope to see you next Tuesday at noon in the Professional Development Center at the Middle School.

Internet Safety for our Children

Cindy Boyle, a community educator from the Northwest DA’s office, will be at our schools to facilitate a session with our 5th and 6th graders on Internet Safety. She will hold an evening session for parents of all elementary students on January 7th at 6:30 in the Mark’s Meadow auditorium. Her focus with our students will be Internet safety and cyberbullying.

Cindy is a former Pittsfield police officer and a victim’s assistance advocate for Berkshire County. She is currently the Director of Community Education and Outreach at Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. Northampton, Massachusetts. Her primary responsibility is providing training to local elementary, middle, and high schools, community agencies, faith based organizations, and law enforcement agencies. Trainings topics include but are not limited to: internet safety, bullying/cyberbullying, suicide prevention and prevention of child sexual abuse. Additional duties include chairing the District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board, cultivating and coordinating relationships with community partners, and assisting in all aspects of planning and presenting conferences.

Please come join us for this informative evening.  There will time for questions and answers.

Amherstopoly for the Holidays

Here’s a great gift idea for the holidays – give your friends and family copies of the Amherstopoly board game! This is a unique gift that will provide hours of fun for the whole family and/or be a great souvenir of Amherst.

Ever dream of managing ARMS or Town Hall? Well, your chance is finally here! Amherstopoly, the fantastic board game that is all about Amherst and its most beloved haunts, has arrived just in time to celebrate Amherst’s 250th Anniversary.

Amherstopoly is a collaboration of the Parent Groups of Crocker Farm, Fort River, Mark’s Meadow and Wildwood schools to raise funds for student enrichment programs. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, 100% of the money ($25) raised through school sales of the game will be split equally amongst the four elementary schools.

Games can also be purchased directly from the front office any time. Questions? Please contact Sue Cairn scairn@verizon.net.

Click here for order form.


Easy Ways to Earn $$$ for Fort River

Stop & Shopʼs A+ BonusBucks Program
Use your Stop & Shop card and Fort River earns a percentage! It's not too late to sign up! This is an easy way to raise money with absolutely no cost to you. However, for Fort River to receive credit you need to re-designate Fort River each year. Call 1-877-366-2668 or visit www.stopandshop.com/aplus. Fort River ID # 05218. Remember, even if you registered your card last year, you must re-register this year for our school to receive credit. Thanks to everyone who has already signed up. We already have 123 participants and have earned $265.79. Attending to this simple process makes a HUGE difference to our school. Also, don’t forget to encourage your friends and relatives to do the same. And, if you sign up anytime in the month of December, ALL your purchases for the month will be counted! We need your support! Contact Ann McLaughlin if you have any questions or problems.

Big Y Education Express

Use your Big Y Express Savings Club card and Fort River can earn points for buying much needed equipment and supplies! Just visit the Big Y customer service desk and fill out a form that will link Fort River with your card (School ID # 5947). Or go to www.bigy.com/education and sign up from your computer! Whenever you use your card to purchase items designated with the “Education Express” logo, youʼll earn points for our school. 


Target Take Charge of Education

If you have a Target REDcard (credit card), you can designate Fort River to receive up to 1% of the value of your purchases on the card. Go to www.Target.com/tcoe to designate Fort River (School ID # 58645).

Atkins Farms Country Market
Use your Atkins card when you shop at Atkins Farms Country Market, and they will donate a percentage of your purchase to Fort River School. Atkins provided us with one card per family last year, and new cards for new families will be coming soon-- stay tuned! Just show the card when you are checking out. There is an expiration date on the card, which is the date that youngest child graduates from Fort River. 
Last year Fort River parents earned $500 for Fort River by shopping at Atkins! Thanks to everyone who has been participating--and don't forget to keep using your card every time you go.

Box Tops for Education
In case you are not familiar with Box Tops this is an easy way to earn money for Fort River--just take your scissors and clip! Last year we earned over $500. For each Box Top clipped the school receives 10 cents. Just look for the Box Tops logo on products in you already have in your kitchen, cut it out and deliver your box tops to the school's main office. If you would like to learn about the other ways you can make a difference sign up for the Box Tops website at boxtops4education.com. It’s easy, free and you’ll learn about new ways to help our school earn the extra cash it needs.

Cellphones & Ink Jet Cartridges
Protect the environment and raise money for Parent Council by donating used digital cellphones and ink jet cartridges. Please deliver to the Main Office. Cellphones will be recycled, according to EPA regulations, or refurbished and sold, with 100% of the proceeds going to Parent Council.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Upcoming School Events

Fort River Roasters by Dean's Beans Coffee Orders Due. Friday, Dec. 4. Don't forget to stock up for the holidays! Give as gifts to your coffee-loving friends! Order forms here.

Amherstopoly Order Forms Due, Friday, Dec. 4. See below for more information.

Coffee with the Principals.
Friday, Dec. 4, 8:30am in the cafeteria.
All Fort River parents are invited to meet with Principal Ray Sharick and/or Asst. Principal Susan Kennedy-Marx for coffee, light refreshments and casual conversation. Younger siblings are welcome to attend.

Book Fair.  After-school hours on Friday, Dec. 4th from 3-6. Do some holiday shopping for great books at reasonable prices! We are also holding our Winter Clothing and Sports Swap during the after-school book fair hours. See below for more information.


*Items in teal are sponsored by Parent Council.

Winter Clothing and Sports Swap

We will be holding the Winter Clothing and Sports Swap on Friday, Dec. 4, from 3-6pm, during the after-school book fair hours.

Please bring your unwanted clean and usable winter clothes and sporting equipment to the school lobby during the swap hours. This is a take-it-or-leave-it event without money or obligation. Possible items include but are not limited to dance clothes/shoes, skates and skating clothes, soccer equipment, hats, gloves, winter coats, snowsuits and snowboarding, hockey & skiing equipment. Please bring your items with you--there is no drop-off prior to the swap. 

There is no obligation to bring anything in order to take something.

Contact: Peter Wood cpwolfwood@hotmail.com.

A Great Holiday Gift Idea--For the Coffee and Chocolate Lovers in Your Life!

Dean's Beans organic, fair trade coffee, cocoa, and chocolates make great gifts!

Don't forget to send or bring in your Dean's Beans orders, due TOMORROW (Friday, Dec. 4).

Here's the order form . Make checks out to "Fort River Parent Council." 

Questions or comments? Contact Libby Stanforth (bstanforth@comcast.net) or Hana Rivkin (hrivkin@yahoo.com).

Parent Council Thanks Atkins

Parent Council would like to thank Atkins Farms Country Market for their $500 donation to Fort River. We received this money by using the cards that Atkins provided us with last year.

You can still use this same card until it expires, which is when your youngest child will graduate from Fort River. Just show your card when you are checking out. New cards for new Fort River families will be coming soon!

Amherstopoly--A Great Holiday Gift

Here’s a great gift idea for the holidays – give your friends and family copies of the Amherstopoly board game! This is a unique gift that will provide hours of fun for the whole family and/or be a great souvenir of Amherst.

Ever dream of managing ARMS or Town Hall? Well, your chance is finally here! Amherstopoly, the fantastic board game that is all about Amherst and its most beloved haunts, has arrived just in time to celebrate Amherst’s 250th Anniversary.

Amherstopoly is a collaboration of the Parent Groups of Crocker Farm, Fort River, Mark’s Meadow and Wildwood schools to raise funds for student enrichment programs. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, 100% of the money ($25) raised through school sales of the game will be split equally amongst the four elementary schools.

To order your game: Order forms are due in the front office of Ft. River on FRIDAY, Dec 4th. Please include name/phone number/email, number of games ordered) and a check made payable to “Amherstopoly.” Games can be picked up at the front office of Ft. River after Friday, Dec.11th. Games can also be purchased directly from the front office (without an order form) any time. Questions? Please contact Sue Cairn scairn@verizon.net.

Click here for order form.


It's not too late to sign up for Amherst Youth Basketball






















Click on image to enlarge.

Upcoming Community Events

Please note that these events are not sponsored by Parent Council.

Merry Maple Celebration. Friday, Dec. 4, 4-6pm. In front of Amherst Town Hall. This is a fun family event to kick off the holiday shopping season! Come watch the lighting of the Merry Maple, hear music, sing carols and get some delicious treats! More info here: http://is.gd/5bz09.




Holiday Open House. Please join us for a Holiday Open House and Art Sale featuring yummy treats, warm company, and a showing of beautiful handmade gifts by local artisans (two of whom are Fort River Parents): Rebecca Fricke (quilted fabric arts), Laura Woodworth (functional pottery), and Lisa Oram (beaded and glass jewelry).  You are welcome to spread the word and bring friends!  When: Sunday, December 6, 2009, Time:  1:00 – 5:00 pm, Where: Home of Lisa Oram, 195 Aubinwood Road, Amherst Questions: lo@lisaoram.com.

Multi-Arts Children's Theatre Show. The Twisted Story. December 12, at 11 am, Jones Public Library. The play is written by a 13-year-old, Alejandra Rojas, who is a Fort River Alumna. Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Red Robin Hood and Sleeping Beauty in a 2010 setting. Come laugh and be be entertained by this creative, clever and funny story. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Catalina Arrubla, Director www.multi-arts.org.

***********************************************************************************
Fort River Parent Council 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 description.
3. Contact information (website or name, telephone and/or email address) must be included.

We add new information to the blog every Thursday during the school year. Please send your announcement no later than 5pm Wednesday for inclusion in the week's updates. Also note that we do not accept announcements of items or services for sale (with the exceptions of children's classes/lessons). Inclusion in this section does not imply any guarantees or endorsements by Fort River Parent Council or Fort River School.

Easy Ways to Earn $$$ for Fort River

Stop & Shopʼs A+ BonusBucks Program
Use your Stop & Shop card and Fort River earns a percentage! It's not too late to sign up!  This is an easy way to raise money with absolutely no cost to you. However, for Fort River to receive credit you need to re-designate Fort River each year. Call 1-877-366-2668 or visit www.stopandshop.com/aplus. Fort River ID # 05218. Remember, even if you registered your card last year, you must re-register this year for our school to receive credit. Thanks to everyone who has already signed up. We already have 123 participants and have earned $169.56. Attending to this simple process makes a HUGE difference to our school. Also, don’t forget to encourage your friends and relatives to do the same. And, if you sign up anytime in the month of December, ALL your purchases for the month will be counted! We need your support! Contact Ann McLaughlin if you have any questions or problems.

Big Y Education Express

Use your Big Y Express Savings Club card and Fort River can earn points for buying much needed equipment and supplies! Just visit the Big Y customer service desk and fill out a form that will link Fort River with your card (School ID # 5947). Or go to www.bigy.com/education and sign up from your computer! Whenever you use your card to purchase items designated with the “Education Express” logo, youʼll earn points for our school. 


Target Take Charge of Education

If you have a Target REDcard (credit card), you can designate Fort River to receive up to 1% of the value of your purchases on the card. Go to www.Target.com/tcoe to designate Fort River (School ID # 58645).

Atkins Farms Country Market
Use your Atkins card when you shop at Atkins Farms Country Market, and they will donate a percentage of your purchase to Fort River School. Atkins provided us with one card per family last year, and new cards for new families will be coming soon-- stay tuned! Just show the card when you are checking out. There is an expiration date on the card, which is the date that youngest child graduates from Fort River. 
Last year Fort River parents earned $500 for Fort River by shopping at Atkins! Thanks to everyone who has been participating--and don't forget to keep using your card every time you go.

Box Tops for Education
In case you are not familiar with Box Tops this is an easy way to earn money for Fort River--just take your scissors and clip! Last year we earned over $500. For each Box Top clipped the school receives 10 cents. Just look for the Box Tops logo on products in you already have in your kitchen, cut it out and deliver your box tops to the school's main office. If you would like to learn about the other ways you can make a difference sign up for the Box Tops website at boxtops4education.com. It’s easy, free and you’ll learn about new ways to help our school earn the extra cash it needs.

Cellphones & Ink Jet Cartridges
Protect the environment and raise money for Parent Council by donating used digital cellphones and ink jet cartridges. Please deliver to the Main Office. Cellphones will be recycled, according to EPA regulations, or refurbished and sold, with 100% of the proceeds going to Parent Council.