Upcoming School Events

Memorial Day. Monday, May 31st. No School.

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser for Crocker Farm Playground. Orders due Tues. June 2. More info below. Order form here.

Fort River Band and Orchestra Concert.  Thurs., June 3, 7:30pm. In the Fort River gymnasium.

Fort River Roasters Coffee Orders Due. Friday, June 4th. Order forms here. This is your last chance to order for the summer, so stock up!

Coffee With the Principals. Friday, June 4th. 8:30-9:15am. Fort River 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. This is the last coffee of the school year!

5th Grade Immigration Play. Tues., June 8th, 7:30pm. ARMS Auditorium.

Field Day.  Tues., June 8. Fort River Playing Fields. During school hours. Online sign-up here. 

Van/Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast. Thurs. June 10th, 9:30-10:30am. Fort River Cafeteria. More info here. Online sign-up here.

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser Pizza Order Pickup. Thursday. June 10. 

Sixth Grade Graduation. Friday, June 11th. 1:30pm. Fort River Gymnasium.


Last Day of School. Thursday, June 17th. 3:05pm dismissal.

*Items in teal are sponsored by Parent Council.

International Fair 2010

Parent Council wishes to thank Rebecca Fricke and Chris Felton for organizing the first ever Fort River International Fair!

Rebecca sends the following notice:

Thank you for making the International Fair a success! The food was wonderful and the help was much appreciated. Big thanks to the room parents who put out the news to their families, I think the extra emails and phone calls helped spread the word. We had parents and kids willing to set up, keep things organized and clean up, not to mention the wonderful performances and the display tables! Hopefully this will be the first of many Fort River Internationals! If you have ideas on how to make this even bigger and better please sign up to help next year!

For those of you who left dishes and utensils behind - I took what I could find and those things (spoons, bowls, plates, pot holders) are now being held at the FR office.

Don't Forget to Order Your Delicious Pizzas and Help Support the Crocker Farm Playground!

Order your Hillside Pizza and Cookie Dough NOW!

Please Support Fort River’s effort to contribute to the Crocker Farm Playground Fund!

 The deadline for order forms is Wednesday, June 2.
THIS IS NEXT WEEK RIGHT AFTER THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY!


Order forms are available HERE.


Pizza pick-up day is Thursday, June 10, from 3:05 to 5:30 pm.

Volunteers are needed to help pick up pizzas on delivery day

and to help with distribution back at the school. 

Contact Libby Stanforth: bstanforth@comcast.net

And don't forget: CROCKER FARM PLAYGROUND T-SHIRTS are still available and for sale at the Fort River main office. Each shirt costs just $10 and thanks to generous sponsors every penny of your purchase price goes towards the ever growing playground fund. We have sizes to youth XS to adult XL.

Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Breakfast

Don't forget that the Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Thursday, June 10th, 9:30-10:30 AM, in the Fort River Cafeteria. Our bus and van drivers have a very difficult job of trying to keep our children safe while taking them back and forth to school on a daily basis.


We still need people to volunteer to bring in food donations!!

Our drivers love fresh fruit, baked breads, donuts, bagels with cream cheese, orange juice, eggs, and any other breakfast items.  The coffee will be taken care of by our wonderful cafeteria staff at the school, but we need volunteers to donate milk/cream and sugar.  Paper goods and small thank you gifts will be provided by event coordinator, Jenn Wellman (ajwellman@comcast.net).  THANKS!

Here's the link to the online sign-up sheet:  2010 Bus Driver Breakfast

Field Day on Tuesday, June 8th.

Don't forget that Field Day is coming up on June 8th!

The lunch times for each grade have been changed somewhat. Please note the new times below.


Revised Picnic times:

1st, 2nd:          11:30am
Kindergarten:  11:50am
3rd                   12:00noon
4th , 5th           12:25pm

There will be a variety of outdoor activity stations on the field and playground where children can run, jump, throw, slide, dribble, dance, whatever. The field day games and activities will be divided into three times according to grade:

9:00—9:45  Kindergarten
9:30—10:45 1st, 2nd, 3rd
11:00-12:15  4th, 5th

We still need volunteers for some time slots. If you'd like to help out, you can can sign up online here: Field Day.

Summer Read-a-Thon

The Fort River Summer Read-a-Thon is upon us again!!  It is a great way for our children to keep reading all summer long and to raise money for Fort River School.  Over the summer students will ask family, friends, and neighbors to sponsor their summer reading by making a pledge for each book they read.  A gift will be awarded to everyone who turns in a reading list.  The real emphasis is reading, reading, reading!!

Permission slips have been sent out to all children K-5.  Permission slips are required for participation.  Please return them by June 4th. 

If you prefer to email me directly at jacquelynreilly@hotmail.com that is fine as well.

Middle School Fundraiser: Save It or Shave It

If not the ultimate sacrifice, it would be a big one. That is if Michael Hayes, Amherst Regional Middle School’s new principal, loses in a town-wide giving pool that will decide if he has to shave down or be allowed to preserve his pristine head of flowing locks.

You see, he has never been to a barber.  That’s right, NEVER!  (it becomes clearer upon seeing the long-ponytailed educator).

In a fundraiser concocted by ARMS parent Adam Siegel, students, residents and others (Michael’s friends, perhaps) will have a chance to vote with their dollars on whether or not he will have to go under the scissors.

Administering the cutlery (or not) will be Matt Haskins, who will also collect the votes/dollars at his barbershop at 59A Boltwood Walk (facing the parking lot behind Judy’s).  ARMS will have its own polling place where donations for the two categories (save it/shave it) will also be collected.

With a deadline of June 16th, when the dollars will be tallied and the popular decision revealed at ARMS’s end of the year farewell ceremony, the school hopes to have enough money on hand to perpetuate its Visiting Authors program to at least next year.  The popular program hosted Naomi Shihab Nye, author of Habibi, and several other authors this year, costs about $10,000 a year to administer.

Also, at this very public ceremony, Matt will be there poised to cut.  In fact, Mr. Hayes has agreed to have his head shaved entirely in front of the student body if he loses the vote and more than $8,000 is raised for the program.  “If I’m going to have it cut at all, I might as well go for it,” he said shakily.  His enthusiasm of the prospect is belied by his own donation.  He committed $100 to, you guessed it, keep his head intact.  In support of his profound hopes, ARMS FSP Chair, Cathy Cullen matched his gift; though Siegel voted “nay” with his own donation.

Send your donation for this great cause along with your vote to ARMS Save It or Shave It, 170 Chestnut St., Amherst, MA  01002.  Checks can be made out to ARMS Principal’s Fund.  Pass the word along to all of your friends to help with the fun and the fundraising.  We can’t wait to see what happens on the last day of school!

For more information contact either Adam Siegel (413) 687-1471 or Principal Michael Hayes   hayesm@arps.org.

Easy Ways to Earn $$ for Fort River

Stop & Shopʼs A+ BonusBucks Program
Use your Stop & Shop card and Fort River earns a percentage! This year's program ended on March 25th. This year we earned $567.66 for Fort River with 123 people participating.  Thanks to everyone who signed up.  Remember, you will need to sign up again next fall!

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. 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.

Upcoming School Events

All-Town Orchestra Concert. Thursday, May 20, 7:30pm. ARMS Auditorium.

Elementary School Open Houses. Wed. May 26, 6:30-7:30pm. Fort River, Crocker Farm and Wildwood Schools. For students and families who will be changing schools next year. Click here for more info.

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser for Crocker Farm Playground. Orders due Tues. June 2. More info below. Order form here.

Fort River Band and Orchestra Concert.  Thurs., June 3, 7:30pm. In the Fort River gymnasium.

5th Grade Immigration Play. Tues., June 8th, 7:30pm. ARMS Auditorium.

Field Day.  Tues., June 8. Fort River Playing Fields. During school hours. Online sign-up here. 

Van/Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast. Thurs., June 10th, 9:30-10:30am. Fort River Cafeteria. More info here. Online sign-up here.

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser Pizza Order Pickup. Thurs. June 10. 

Sixth Grade Graduation. Friday, June 11th.

Last day of school. Wed., June 16th. 1:20 dismissal.

*Items in teal are sponsored by Parent Council.

Staff/Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

The annual Staff/Teacher Appreciation Luncheon was held yesterday, May 19th, at the Monkey Bar in downtown Amherst. Parent Council wishes to thank event coordinators Suzanne Schilling and Catalina Arrubla for all their hard work in making this event a huge success!

Thanks to all Fort River parents/guardians who made extra donations to help pay for the luncheon, which is one of Parent Council's biggest events of the year. Thanks also to Peter Wood who "passed the hat" during the International Fair. And thanks to all those who donated flowers for centerpieces!

Catalina Arrubla reported the following information about the luncheon:

The event was fantastic and went smoothly. There were about 65 people in attendance. They loved the room at the Monkey Bar, which was cozy, and everyone could talk to each other comfortably. They told me they like to be together away from Fort River and the place was perfect. They also liked the food.

They loved the flowers, the cards, and the gratitude wall. I read some of the cards and received “oohs” and “wows” and many good laughs.

Ray Sharick acknowledged some faculty and staff and used some of the children's writing to describe how fantastic they are and how grateful we feel for all that they do at Fort River.

They said goodbye to retiring teacher Liliana Klass, who received a beautiful bouquet of flowers. People expressed their love and told stories about her time at Fort River. A staff member played the violin in her honor.

A woodwind quintet of kids from ARMS and ARHS (the bassoonist is a Fort River former student) performed two pieces at the conclusion of the event.

The flowers that were donated were given to the teachers and staff who are leaving Fort River.

Everybody expressed their pleasure and gratitude to the FR Parent Council for this wonderful event.

The gratitude wall and some of the cards made by the kids will be on display at the faculty room.

Thanks to Sue Borden for the pictures!

Attention Parents of 5th Graders!! Graduation Volunteers STILL NEEDED!

The 6th Grade Graduation Committee is STILL looking for 5TH GRADE PARENTS  to volunteer to help out during the 6th Grade graduation.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO VOLUNTEERS SO FAR!!

It is a school tradition that 5th grade parents set up the food for the celebration in the cafeteria during the graduation ceremony, so that it is all ready for the graduates and families when they come from the gym.  It is a nice way to bring the community together and also for next year's graduating families to familiarize themselves with graduation set up. Please help us maintain this special school tradition.

The graduation committee is looking for one or two people to take a leadership position, which would mostly involve recruiting other parents to be there with them in the cafeteria.  People who don't want to lead but just want to volunteer are also more than welcome to sign on now!

Graduation Day is Friday, June 11.

We need people in the cafeteria from 12:30 PM until 3:30 PM.  Dividing the time into shifts is fine if that works better for people. The work is just basic tasks such as putting table cloths on tables, carrying food from the big refrigerator in the kitchen out to the tables, unwrapping packs of paper plates, etc.  Fifth grade parent help with clean up during and after the celebration is also appreciated and encouraged.

Please contact Debbie Gabor if you would like to run the 5th grade brigade or just volunteer to be there on graduation day.

Thank you very much!


Debbie Gabor
Graduation Food Committee Chair
gabor5454@comcast.net

Help Build the New Crocker Farm Playground!

Order your Hillside Pizza and Cookie Dough NOW!

Please Support Fort River’s effort to contribute to the Crocker Farm Playground Fund!

 The deadline for order forms is Wednesday, June 2.


Order forms are available HERE.


Pizza pick-up day is Thursday, June 10, from 3:05 to 5:30 pm.

Volunteers are needed to help pick up pizzas on delivery day

and to help with distribution back at the school. 

Contact Libby Stanforth: bstanforth@comcast.net

And don't forget: CROCKER FARM PLAYGROUND T-SHIRTS are still available and for sale at the Fort River main office. Each shirt costs just $10 and thanks to generous sponsors every penny of your purchase price goes towards the ever growing playground fund. We have sizes to youth XS to adult XL.

6th Grade Class Gift--Just a Little Bit More....

CLASS GIFT

There's still time to give to the 6th grade class gift! We'd still like more donations!!!

Each Spring, 6th grade class parents give a gift to the school. This year, we are looking to buy a granite bench and also hope to buy science equipment for classroom use. Please give what you can.  $5, $10, $25 or more -- it all helps.  Let’s give back to all the school that has meant so much to our kids.

Please put your donation in an envelope marked “6th Grade Gift.” Then mail it to Janet McGowan (706 South East Street, Amherst) or give the envelope to your child’s teacher.  You can donate right now through PayPal on this website.

AEF: Thank a Teacher Campaign

Did you know that when asked what type of gift would make them feel most appreciated, the majority of teachers polled by the National Education Association last year said "a simple thank you" was all.

Why not send them a meaningful thank you and support Amherst Education Foundation's mission to strengthen our schools at the same time? AEF will deliver a personalized Thank You card to the person you wish to honor during the last week of school and your contribution will be used for grants to schools next year.

Visit www.amhersteducationfoundation.org before June 10 to make a donation and thank the special teachers in your life!

(Click on the image to print)

Field Day Is Coming! Tuesday, June 8th

Mark your calendar for a day of fun at Fort River School, on Tuesday, June 8!  Field day is a school wide event that allows the children to get outside for sun and fun.  There will be a variety of outdoor activity stations on the field and playground where children can run, jump, throw, slide, dribble, dance, whatever.

The field day games and activities will be divided into three times according to grade:

9:00—9:45  Kindergarten
9:30—10:45 1st, 2nd, 3rd
11:00-12:15  4th, 5th

Lunch will be served at the following times:

Picnic Times:
1st & 2nd Grades:     11:25am
Kindergarten:            11:45am
3rd Grade:                 Noon
4th and 5th Grades:  12:45pm.

We will have many stations, and we will need LOTS of parent volunteers to keep it safe and fun.  Please take some time to join in the fun and volunteer to help.  Stay for the picnic with your child. Volunteers can sign up online here: Field Day

Contact: Sarah Murphy at saraha.murphy@comcast.net

Upcoming Community Events

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

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Yoga for Kids, ages 10-12M-W-F, 1-2 PM
June 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, July 1
6 classes for $66
Yoga Center Amherst
17 Kellogg St. (near Bart's and Rao's)
To Register: 256-0604/ www.yogacenteramherst.com
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Travel Soccer Team Tryouts. Travel Soccer Tryout information for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 seasons is now available at http://www.amherstsoccer.org.

Please be advised the tryout pre-registration form is due by Saturday May 29.  http://www.amherstsoccer.org/Travel%20Tryouts%2010-11.htm

Here is the Tryout Schedule:

2010-2011 Travel Soccer Age Brackets:
U-9 – Born on or after August 1, 2001
U-10 – Born on or after August 1, 2000
U-11 – Born on or after August 1, 1999
U-12 – Born on or after August 1, 1998
U-13 – Born on or after August 1, 1997
U-14 – Born on or after August 1, 1996

2010-2011 Travel Soccer TRYOUT SCHEDULE                      

ALL TRYOUTS WILL BE HELD AT CROCKER FARM SCHOOL IN AMHERST

ATTENDANCE AT TRYOUTS IS MANDATORY

Tuesday June 1 - U9 BOYS               5:30 – 8:00pm
Wednesday June 2 - U9 GIRLS         5:30 – 8:00pm
Thursday June 3 – U10 BOYS           5:30 – 8:00pm
Friday June 4 – U10 GIRLS              5:30 – 8:00pm
Monday June 7 – U11 BOYS            5:30 – 8:00pm
Tuesday June 8 – U11 GIRLS           5:30 – 8:00pm
Wednesday June 9 – U12 BOYS       5:30 – 8:00pm
Thursday June 10 – U12 GIRLS        5:30 – 8:00pm
Monday June 14 – U13 BOYS          5:30 – 8:00pm
Tuesday June 15 – U13 GIRLS         5:30 – 8:00pm
Wednesday June 16 – U14 BOYS     5:30 – 8:00pm
Thursday June 17 – U14 GIRLS        5:30 – 8:00pm

Please note we are short girls for the U-11 and U-12 soccer teams. We'd love to keep girls' soccer in Amherst, so if your daughter was born between 8/1/99-8/1/00 or 8/1/98-8/1/99 and has played soccer before or has a love of the game, please consider having her try out at the times mentioned in this blog. Please e-mail me (Dianec711@comcast.net) if you have any questions about this competitive, fun travel league. Thanks!

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Pioneer Valley Bike Week. This is the perfect time to get out of our cars and try bicycling to work, school, on errands, and for fun. All around the valley, there will be group rides, free bike workshops, bike breakfasts, film screenings, and many more ways to get involved, learn new skills, and have some cycling fun!
Click here for event listings: http://www.massbike.org/aboutus/pioneer-valley-chapter/pioneer-valley-bike-week/

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Boy Scout Open House. The Boy Scouts of America is now 100 years old. Come join Boy Scout Troop 500 Amherst to see how Scouting is evolving as it enters its 2nd century. We are having an Open House for prospective scouts and their families Tuesday, May 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the South Congregational Church, 1066 Southeast Street, Amherst.  Troop 500 has a 50+ year history in Amherst working with school-age boys (grades 5-12).  Troop activities are organized and run by the boys, including weekly meetings, monthly campouts, and projects in the community.  Our Scouts learn practical outdoor skills and develop leadership skills while having a lot of fun.  Scouts who join before June 15 can attend summer camp with us at Camp Wanocksett in NH. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Bob Cowles at (413) 665-8968.
***************************************
The Fresh Air fund is in need of hosts for this summer. Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and home to a child from the city to give a fresh air experience that disadvantaged children never forget. There's lots of info on the Fresh Air Fund website here: http://www.freshair.org/the-fresh-air-fund.

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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.

Attention Future Crocker Farm Families

Welcome New Families!

To all new Crocker Farm families,


Welcome to the Crocker Farm community! We'd like to remind you that you are invited to join us for these remaining casual social events. We’d love to meet you, your children, and your friends for relaxed conversation and play. There’s no need to confirm (unless noted), just come by and get to know a few NEW friends from your wonderful new school. Welcome to our community!
Becky Demling and Lucy McMurrer (PGO co-chairs)

Friday May 21, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Amherst Coffee. Have a coffee or a glass of wine and meet with new friends.
Wednesday May 26, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, New Families Open House. An opportunity to meet the principal and see the school.
Thursday June 3, 3:30 – 4:30 PM, Flayvors of Cook’s Farm. Buy an ice cream cone and meet some new friends! For children and adults.
Friday June 4, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, at Sue Bernier’s home (817 Bay Road). Come for hors d'oeuvres and friendly adult conversation. (Please email to confirm:  susanbernier68@comcast.net)
Saturday June 5, 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Groff Park. "Potluck Picnic at the Park”. Bring your children and food or drink to share. Bring games and balls, too! We’ll have limbo dancing and music. (No event if the weather is bad.)

There are also a few Crocker Farm school events coming up that we would like to invite you to attend:
Friday May 21 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Movie Night, Crocker Farm Cafeteria. Now Showing: "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,"
Saturday June 5, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Annual PGO Tag Sale, Crocker Farm Lobby
Friday June 4, 8:40 – 9:40 AM, Coffee with the Principal, Crocker Farm Community Room

Easy Ways to Earn $$ for Fort River

Stop & Shopʼs A+ BonusBucks Program
Use your Stop & Shop card and Fort River earns a percentage! This year's program ended on March 25th. This year we earned $567.66 for Fort River with 123 people participating.  Thanks to everyone who signed up.  Remember, you will need to sign up again next fall!

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. 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.

Open Houses at the Elementary Schools, May 26th

En español.

The International Fair is ON TONIGHT!

In case you haven't seen Principal Sharick's message about the International Fair, here it is!

A message from FORT RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dear Fort River Community,
Our newsletter for this week will be posted later this afternoon at the link below.

Also, the Fort River International Fair will be held tonight from 5:30-7:30 at the school. It looks like the weather will cooperate, so we are planning to hold the event RAIN or SHINE. Obviously, let's hope for the SHINE! We hope you can attend.

Sincerely,
Ray Sharick

Upcoming School Events

Fort River International Fair. Friday, May 14, 5:30-7:30pm. (Rain date May 21.) See below for more information.

Staff/Teacher Appreciation Lunch. Wed., May 19th at the Monkey Bar.  See below for more information.

Elementary School Open Houses. Wed. May 26, 6:30-7:30pm. Fort River, Crocker Farm and Wildwood Schools. For students and families who will be changing schools next year. More info below.

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser for Crocker Farm Playground. Orders due Tues. June 2. More info below.

Fort River Band and Orchestra Concert.  Thurs., June 3, 7:30pm. In the Fort River gymnasium.

5th Grade Immigration Play. Tues., June 8th, 7:30pm. ARMS Auditorium.

Field Day.  Tues., June 8. Fort River Playing Fields. During school hours. More info below.

Van/Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast. Thurs., June 10th, 9:30-10:30am. Fort River Cafeteria.  More information below.

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser Pizza Order Pickup. Thurs. June 10.  orders.

Sixth Grade Graduation. Friday, June 11th. Information below.

Last day of school. Wed., June 16th. 1:20 dismissal.

*Items in teal are sponsored by Parent Council.

International Fair: Tomorrow Night!!

Fort River International Fair

Come celebrate spring and the cultures of students, teachers, staff, and families
that make up our school community!

Friday, May 14

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fort River Playground

Many of our own Fort River students will be performing at Friday's International Fair! 

Come out to enjoy community; good food; Cambodian, Indian, and Irish Dance; Indonesian instruments and puppets; and Smith House, the band of four of our 6th graders. 

Room parents from each class should have you about food donations for the potluck. There are also some links to individual class online sign-ups at the top-right hand column of this website.

PLEASE NOTE: Parent Council is requesting that families bring in food donations to the fair.  Parent Council will provide paper goods and will be offering drinks for sale!  

Sign-up sheets have mistakenly asked for drinks and paper goods--we apologize for the mix-up!!

Parent Council Officer News

The Parent Council Executive Board for next year is taking shape!

Thanks to the following volunteers for next year's officer positions:


President: Pam Rietkerk
Vice President: Michele Spirko
Treasurer: Lynn Hayes


We are still looking for a volunteer for the Secretary position. The main responsibility of the Secretary is taking the minutes during the monthly Parent Council meetings. It's a piece of cake!!

If you are interested in being next year's Secretary, please contact Sue Borden at frpc.sborden@gmail.com.

Staff/Teacher Appreciation Luncheon: Donations Still Being Accepted

Th annual Staff and Teacher Appreciation Luncheon will be taking place this coming WEDNESDAY, May 19th at Bistro 63 @ The Monkey Bar. All Fort River staff will be invited to come for an afternoon of fun with colleagues and delicious food.

This is one of Parent Council's biggest events of the year, one that the teachers and staff really enjoy. Luckily for you, we only ask you to help out in one (or more!) of these three EASY ways:

**DONATE: An extra donation to help cover the cost of the meals and supplies used to decorate the space including gratitude notes from the students would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent in to the Parent Council mailbox or made online via PayPal.  Because this is one of Parent Council's most costly events of the year,  any extra donations are really helpful!!!
Click on this button to donate through PayPal:

**PARTICIPATE: Parent Council has a table in the Fort River lobby for kids to create gratitude messages to the teachers and staff they wish to thank. Please also feel free to send in your own home-created messages with your children anytime before May 12th to the Parent Council mailbox.

**DONATE FLOWERS: If you are able, please drop off a flower arrangement (as simple as flowers from your garden), in a container you are willing to part with, to school on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, the week of May 17th. A table will be set up in the lobby for flower collections. If you are willing to help decorate the banquet room the day of the event, contact Catalina or Suzanne.

If you have any questions, please contact Catalina Arrubla (carrubla@gmail.com) or Suzanne Schilling (patsueschilling@comcast.net).

Thank you in advance for your help in showing our appreciation!

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser for Crocker Farm Playground

Help Fort River help Crocker Farm!

Hillside Pizza Fundraiser to support the Crocker Farm Playground Fund

The Fort River Parent Council is very excited to announce another Hillside Pizza Fundraiser, this time to support the Crocker Farm Playground Fund!  Remember, dining on Hillside “take & bake” Pizza is a real treat!  The pizzas are locally made and delicious, with organic flour, organic tomato sauce, and a blend of hormone-free cheeses as well as a variety of tasty toppings.  Pizzas come uncooked with oven-ready tray and freezer bag.  And don’t forget dessert!  Fresh cookie dough comes ready to be scooped onto baking sheets and put in the oven, and can also be frozen. 

Up to $4 of every pizza and cookie tub sold goes to the Crocker Farm Playground Fund.  Order forms will be available next week and due on Wednesday, June 2.   Pizza pick up will be Thursday, June 10.  Keep an eye out for the order form and start planning your pizza party!  Questions?  Contact Libby Stanforth at bstanforth@comcast.net.

Field Day is Coming! Tues. June 8

Field Day has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 8th.  Parent volunteers will be needed for this very fun event!  Watch for a flier coming home soon in your child's backpack so you can sign up.  Or, click here for the online sign up sheet.

This is an easy and fun event for parents to participate in.

Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Breakfast Online Sign-Up

This year, the Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Thursday, June 10th, 9:30-10:30 AM, in the Fort River Cafeteria.

Parent Council is asking parents to provide breakfast items for this wonderful event.  Our bus and van drivers have a very difficult job of trying to keep our children safe while taking them back and forth to school on a daily basis.  Our drivers love fresh fruit, baked breads, donuts, bagels with cream cheese, orange juice, eggs, and any other breakfast items.  The coffee will be taken care of by our wonderful cafeteria staff at the school, but we need volunteers to donate milk/cream and sugar.  Paper goods and small thank you gifts will be provided by event coordinator, Jenn Wellman (ajwellman@comcast.net).


Please use the ONLINE SIGN-UP SHEET HERE:  2010 Bus Driver Breakfast

A link to the sign-up sheet is also in the right-hand column of this webpage.

Wildwood Family Dance

For All Current and Future Wildwood Families -

FOURTH ANNUAL WILDWOOD FAMILY DANCE this Friday!

All Wildwood families are invited to come and cut a rug (you know, dance!) at the Fourth Annual Wildwood Family Dance!!!

This FREE event is this Friday, May 14th from 6-8 pm in the Wildwood Cafeteria.

**Featuring DJ Dana Collins for yet another night of family fun.
**Pizza and water for sale.

HOPE YOU'LL BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY FOR A NIGHT OF FUN!

All Schools Calendar

If you have kids in multiple schools in Amherst, you can now look at a single Calendar and see what's going on!  We have pulled together all the school calendars in Amherst into a single view.  If you've got to schedule an event and you don't want to conflict with things already on the schools calendar, this is the place to come!

All Schools Calendar:
http://www.arhsparentcenter.org/all-schools-calendar

You can also see a Fort River Only Calendar at the following link:
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=ftriver%40gmail.com&ctz=America/New_York&pvttk=19e213c4a5f53c5b235c000ff2593204

This link is also available under the "Fort River Links" section on the right-hand side of this page. Just click on "Fort River Parent Council Calendar."


If you use Google Calendar just click the + at the bottom right of the calendar to add to your personal calendar!  You can also import them into Outlook.

Upcoming Community Events

Please note that these events are not sponsored by Parent Council.
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Travel Soccer Team Tryouts. Travel Soccer Tryout information for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 seasons is now available at http://www.amherstsoccer.org.

Please be advised the tryout pre-registration form is due by Saturday May 29.  http://www.amherstsoccer.org/Travel%20Tryouts%2010-11.htm

Here is the Tryout Schedule:

2010-2011 Travel Soccer Age Brackets:
U-9 – Born on or after August 1, 2001
U-10 – Born on or after August 1, 2000
U-11 – Born on or after August 1, 1999
U-12 – Born on or after August 1, 1998
U-13 – Born on or after August 1, 1997
U-14 – Born on or after August 1, 1996

2010-2011 Travel Soccer TRYOUT SCHEDULE                      

ALL TRYOUTS WILL BE HELD AT CROCKER FARM SCHOOL IN AMHERST

ATTENDANCE AT TRYOUTS IS MANDATORY

Tuesday June 1 - U9 BOYS               5:30 – 8:00pm
Wednesday June 2 - U9 GIRLS         5:30 – 8:00pm
Thursday June 3 – U10 BOYS           5:30 – 8:00pm
Friday June 4 – U10 GIRLS              5:30 – 8:00pm
Monday June 7 – U11 BOYS            5:30 – 8:00pm
Tuesday June 8 – U11 GIRLS           5:30 – 8:00pm
Wednesday June 9 – U12 BOYS       5:30 – 8:00pm
Thursday June 10 – U12 GIRLS        5:30 – 8:00pm
Monday June 14 – U13 BOYS          5:30 – 8:00pm
Tuesday June 15 – U13 GIRLS         5:30 – 8:00pm
Wednesday June 16 – U14 BOYS     5:30 – 8:00pm
Thursday June 17 – U14 GIRLS        5:30 – 8:00pm

Please note we are short girls for the U-11 and U-12 soccer teams. We'd love to keep girls' soccer in Amherst, so if your daughter was born between 8/1/99-8/1/00 or 8/1/98-8/1/99 and has played soccer before or has a love of the game, please consider having her try out at the times mentioned in this blog. Please e-mail me (Dianec711@comcast.net) if you have any questions about this competitive, fun travel league. Thanks!

**************************************

Pioneer Valley Bike Week. This is the perfect time to get out of our cars and try bicycling to work, school, on errands, and for fun. All around the valley, there will be group rides, free bike workshops, bike breakfasts, film screenings, and many more ways to get involved, learn new skills, and have some cycling fun!
Click here for event listings: http://www.massbike.org/aboutus/pioneer-valley-chapter/pioneer-valley-bike-week/

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Boy Scout Open House. The Boy Scouts of America is now 100 years old. Come join Boy Scout Troop 500 Amherst to see how Scouting is evolving as it enters its 2nd century. We are having an Open House for prospective scouts and their families Tuesday, May 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the South Congregational Church, 1066 Southeast Street, Amherst.  Troop 500 has a 50+ year history in Amherst working with school-age boys (grades 5-12).  Troop activities are organized and run by the boys, including weekly meetings, monthly campouts, and projects in the community.  Our Scouts learn practical outdoor skills and develop leadership skills while having a lot of fun.  Scouts who join before June 15 can attend summer camp with us at Camp Wanocksett in NH. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Bob Cowles at (413) 665-8968.
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The Fresh Air fund is in need of hosts for this summer. Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and home to a child from the city to give a fresh air experience that disadvantaged children never forget. There's lots of info on the Fresh Air Fund website here: http://www.freshair.org/the-fresh-air-fund.

***************************************

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! This year's program ended on March 25th. This year we earned $567.66 for Fort River with 123 people participating.  Thanks to everyone who signed up.  Remember, you will need to sign up again next fall!

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. 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.

Fort River Calendar of Events

Upcoming School Events

Internet 101: A Parent’s Guide to the Preteen’s Life Online Presented by Cindy Boyle. Thursday, May 6, 2010, 6:30PM. Wildwood School Library. More information here.

"World Beat," Presented by the 6th Grade. Thursday, May 6th. 7pm. ARMS Auditorium. A music and dance extravaganza, celebrating the rich diversity of musical traditions from different parts of the world, including Ghana, India, Korea and the U.S. The students are doing a wonderful job, and it promises to be a great show! 

Fort River Roasters Coffee Orders Due. Friday, May 7th. Click here for order form. 

Coffee with the Principals.  Friday, May 7th. Fort River Cafeteria. 8:30-9:15am. In the Fort River cafeteria. Join Principal Sharick and Asst. Principal Kennedy-Marx for coffee, light refreshments and conversation. All parent/guardians invited, younger siblings welcome.

Parent Council Meeting. Tues. May 11. 8:45am-9:45am. Fort River Cafeteria. Next year's board will is the topic! See below for more info.

Fort River International Fair. Friday, May 14, 5:30-7:30pm. (Rain date May 21.) See below for more information.

Staff/Teacher Appreciation Lunch. Wed., May 19th at the Monkey Bar.  See below for more information.

Elementary School Open Houses. Wed. May 26, 6:30-7:30pm. Fort River, Crocker Farm and Wildwood Schools. For students and families who will be changing schools next year. More info below.

5th Grade Immigration Play. Tues., June 8th, 7:30pm. ARMS Auditorium.

Van/Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast. Thurs., June 10th, 9:30-10:30am. Fort River Cafeteria.  More information below.

Sixth Grade Graduation. Friday, June 11th. Information below.

Last day of school. Wed., June 16th.1:20 dismissal.

*Items in teal are sponsored by Parent Council.

On the Agenda: Next Year's Parent Council Board

Next year's Parent Council Board will be assembled during the May 11th meeting at 8:45 am. Please contact Sue Borden or any Parent Council officer for further information and consider nominating yourself for one of the board positions.  Decisions about the following year's activities and budget will be made during the June 2nd meeting.  

This year many of Parent Council's veteran parent volunteers are "graduating" to the Middle School.  If we want to continue to support our teachers and sustain the events and programs we have provided in the past, we need new blood!

There will be many openings on the Parent Council Board for the coming year.  Please let us know if you are interested.  Better yet, grab a friend and volunteer together!  Parent Council is a great way to meet other parents, get to know teachers and staff and see what's going on in your child's school life. Every parent/guardian at Fort River is a member of Parent Council.  Board members steer the direction of the various projects.


Thanks for getting involved !

Sue Borden
Parent Council President


Here's a contact list of the current board officer. Please feel free to contact any of us with questions!

President: Sue Borden (FRPC.sborden@gmail.com)

Vice Presidents:

Fundraising: Libby Stanforth (bstanforth@comcast.net)

Teacher outreach: Suzanne Schilling (patsueschilling@comcast.net)

Room parents: Navneet Marwaha (marwaha.navneet@gmail.org)

Website: Ann McLaughlin (damclaughlin@comcast.net)

Secretary: Jenn Green (peachy-green@comcast.net)

Treasurer: Lynn Hayes (hay3bay@comcast.net)

Fort River International Fair

Join in the…

Fort River International Fair

Come celebrate spring and the cultures of students, teachers, staff, and families that make up our school community!

Friday, May 14

(rain date Friday, May 21)

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fort River Playground

• international potluck
• games from around the world
• multicultural creative arts and performances

Can you help at the fair?  Many hands make light work…Contact Rebecca Fricke by April 30 : fricke@crocker.com.

Share your talents in music, dance, poetry, etc. from around the world!
Contact Chris Felton by April 30:  cmfelton@honors.umass.edu

Room parents from each class will be contacting you about food donations for the potluck. There are also some links to individual class online sign-ups at the top-right hand column of this website.

PLEASE NOTE: Parent Council is requesting that families bring in food donations to the fair.  PC will provide paper goods and will be offering drinks for sale!  

Sign-up sheets have mistakenly asked for drinks and paper goods--we apologize for the mix-up!!

Fort River Science Nights: A Great Success!

Parent Council sponsored a series of two science nights during the month of April. Both nights were well-attended, informative and fun! Parent Council wishes to thank to Shubha Tewari, Narayanan Menon, and the UMass Science Outreach Club for making these evenings such a success.

6th Grade Graduation News

CLASS GIFT

There's still time to give to the 6th grade class gift!

Each Spring, 6th grade class parents give a gift to the school. This year, we are looking to buy a granite bench and also hope to buy science equipment for classroom use. Please give what you can.  $5, $10, $25 or more -- it all helps.  Let’s give back to all the school that has meant so much to our kids.

Please put your donation in an envelope marked “6th Grade Gift.” Then mail it to Janet McGowan (706 South East Street, Amherst) or give the envelope to your child’s teacher.  You can donate right now through PayPal on this website.

Make your tax-deductible check out to: “Fort River Parent Council.” We greatly appreciate any amount -- big or small.

Janet McGowan (706 South East St., Amherst)
Elly Hosea
Betty Sharp

******************************************************************************
FOOD DONATIONS WANTED!

Also: we now have an online sign-up sheet available for food donations for graduation. Here 's the link:
Food for 6th Grade Graduation 2010.

This link is also available in the right-hand column of this webpage under "6th Grade Graduation." 

A Heads Up on the Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Breakfast

This year, the Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Thursday, June 10th, 9:30-10:30 AM, in the Fort River Cafeteria.

Parent Council is asking parents to provide breakfast items for this wonderful event.  Our bus and van drivers have a very difficult job of trying to keep our children safe while taking them back and forth to school on a daily basis.  Our drivers love fresh fruit, baked breads, donuts, bagels with cream cheese, orange juice, eggs, and any other breakfast items.  The coffee will be taken care of by our wonderful cafeteria staff at the school, but we need volunteers to donate milk/cream and sugar.  Paper goods and small thank you gifts will be provided by event coordinator, Jenn Wellman (ajwellman@comcast.net).

We will be setting up an online sign-up sheet soon. Stay tuned for a link!!

Soccer Balls for Haiti

Collecting balls at Fort River - box in front hallway (or office) through Friday, May 14th.

Bring a NEW regular size soccer ball or "like new" ball to donate!

OR bring cash or make check out to Leigh Salvage, [memo: haiti Soccer balls] before Monday, May 9th who will use all funds to purchase the balls.  Envelope in Ft. River office.  Sponsor one ball (for $12), or a half ball, or any amount!   [A dozen or more, ordered by Leigh, will be at a 20% reduced price at "Jonathan's Sports" in Hadley, for $12 /
ball.]

* All balls go to St. Clare's community, North of Port-au-Prince.*
They have requested soccer balls over a month ago, and have received
none as of yet.  One ball will likely serve 30-100 children and adults
DAILY, 12 balls or more could help them start a regularly scheduled
league.  They spend some time in school, and a lot of time in lines
waiting for food, or sitting around.  Soccer balls will lift the
spirits of children and people of all ages. This will offer health,
community and a sense of hope!  Let's send at least one dozen balls
from the Ft. River community and show them we care about children
EVERYWHERE having healthy, productive opportunities that teach
teamwork and so much more!

Teachers / parents - donated artwork from children is welcome!  First
name and age / grade of child optional.  Letters in French to children
/ community members also welcome.

*1000 + children, many orphans, many families including 5,000 + adults
living in tents around the center, coming for food, "school," etc.

Tax deductible Financial donations to "Afya" to help offset
transportation costs and other needed supplies, (bulk foods that
distribute well in this community) will be delivered as well.

Contact Leigh Salvage, Ft. River parent of 6th grader Matt, for more
information, or see below.  413-230-0806 - cell or
leighann716@gmail.com.

WEB LINKS:
Amherst Bulletin Articles:
* http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/165899/    Details Mariaelena
Garcia's Amherst effort.
* http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/168317/    Hadley Elementary
sends supplies.  Our own sub, Nancy Yahman, helped with this.

* afyafoundation.org for information on the foundation connecting
Amherst to this community.  Afya is also connected to PIH - "Partners
in Health".

* Images of children at St. Clare's:
http://www.opticalrealities.org/MexicoCarribean/Haiti/St-Claire-Delmas/10994543_jejrd#768768862_UvWwd

Upcoming Community Events

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

In case your kids haven't already informed you yet,  

The Amherst Rotary Community Fair is taking place this weekend!

May 6, 2010 - May 8, 2010
The Fair will run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - May 6th, 7th, and 8th.d

Hours will be:
4-10pm Thursday
2-10pm Friday
10am-10pm Saturday

Rides, games, food, and fun at the annual Amherst Town Fair. Presented by Amherst Rotary Club. On the Amherst Town Common.

Of course, the Amherst Rotary Club will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and French fries with all the fixings. So Shut your TVs off and come out to celebrate spring with your friends and neighbors at the Amherst Community Fair!

ALSO AT THE FAIR: buy your Multi-Arts raffle tickets and Crocker Farm Playground t-shirts in support of the ongoing push to raise money for the new playground at Crocker Farm!

Location: Amherst Town Common

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! This year's program ended on March 25th. This year we earned $567.66 for Fort River with 123 people participating.  Thanks to everyone who signed up.  Remember, you will need to sign up again next fall!

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. 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.