Fort River PGO, Fort River School, Amherst, Massachusetts. Your source for Fort River news and events. Sponsored by the Fort River Parent Guardian Organization. All Fort River families are automatically members of the PGO.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Don't Forget to Help Us Welcome New Fort River Families!
Faculty/Staff Welcome Back Brunch--Your Help Needed!
A "Welcome Back" event is planned for our fabulous Fort River faculty and staff on Wednesday, September 1st. Help is needed! WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS AND LOTS OF DONATIONS OF FOOD AND SUPPLIES FOR THIS EVENT!
This will be a casual drop-in brunch held from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm in the cafeteria. The teachers often linger and socialize, and then may grab some “take-out” to bring back with them as they prepare their classrooms. Volunteers are needed to set up (9:00 – 10:00 am . . . any time), provide the food (make or purchase), and clean up (1:00 – 2:00 pm . . . again, any time). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Here are some suggestions for the meal:
fresh fruit (whole is fine)
fresh veggies
salads
egg dishes
casseroles
sandwich items
quiches
noodle or rice dishes
baked goods
snacks
beverages (e.g. juice, lemonade, iced tea, fancy tea bags! Coffee will also be available.)
Fresh cut flowers from your garden would also be great; lots of families brought flowers in last year and many teachers commented on how lovely all of the arrangements were (any drinking glass, can, etc., will do for a creative vase!)
Let's make this a beautiful morning as the faculty and staff return for the upcoming school year! Items can be dropped off in the designated cafeteria (look for posted signs) any time after 9:00 am. Dishes will be washed and available for retrieval in the Main Office on the 1st day of school.
Please respond directly to Michele Spirko if you are able to help or have further suggestions or questions, or sign up here.
Thanks so much, and enjoy/cherish these last few weeks of summer with your kids!
Sincerely,
Michele Spirko
(mom to Colton – 5th grade, Anthea – 2nd grade, and Korinna - preschool)
spirko@pol.net
fresh fruit (whole is fine)
fresh veggies
salads
egg dishes
casseroles
sandwich items
quiches
noodle or rice dishes
baked goods
snacks
beverages (e.g. juice, lemonade, iced tea, fancy tea bags! Coffee will also be available.)
Fresh cut flowers from your garden would also be great; lots of families brought flowers in last year and many teachers commented on how lovely all of the arrangements were (any drinking glass, can, etc., will do for a creative vase!)
Let's make this a beautiful morning as the faculty and staff return for the upcoming school year! Items can be dropped off in the designated cafeteria (look for posted signs) any time after 9:00 am. Dishes will be washed and available for retrieval in the Main Office on the 1st day of school.
Please respond directly to Michele Spirko if you are able to help or have further suggestions or questions, or sign up here.
Thanks so much, and enjoy/cherish these last few weeks of summer with your kids!
Sincerely,
Michele Spirko
(mom to Colton – 5th grade, Anthea – 2nd grade, and Korinna - preschool)
spirko@pol.net
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Compost Coaches Needed
FORT RIVER IS GOING GREEN(ER)! Did you know that last year the Amherst elementary schools produced 70 tons of trash?!? That is 156,800 pounds. Of that, an estimated 40,000 pounds was compostable. This year Fort River will be joining the other elementary schools in Amherst and actively composting and recycling our lunch waste from the first day of school. To make this program a success, we need your help. The custodial staff has created a clearly designated composting and recycling area in the cafeteria. For the first few weeks of the school year, we need 2 volunteer compost coaches each day to help the kids separate their trash during the lunch hours. As the kids become more familiar and comfortable with the new Fort River way, they will be able to manage on their own.
If you can help, either on a regular (i.e. same day each week) or one time basis, please contact Liz Larson (nateliz.larson@gmail.com) ASAP. Training and a tour of Crocker Farm's composting program will be arranged as schedules develop. Also, if you would like to be involved in developing further green initiatives at Fort River, please let Liz know.
If you can help, either on a regular (i.e. same day each week) or one time basis, please contact Liz Larson (nateliz.larson@gmail.com) ASAP. Training and a tour of Crocker Farm's composting program will be arranged as schedules develop. Also, if you would like to be involved in developing further green initiatives at Fort River, please let Liz know.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
You're Invited!
(click on the image to enlarge & print)
The Amherst Regional Public Schools are pleased to announce the First
Day Welcome Party, a Back-to-School celebration for kids and the
community that supports them, on Wednesday, September 1 from 6:00-7:30
pm on the Amherst Town Common.Children and families are invited to bring a picnic dinner or snack and join their classmates and friends to enjoy a number of festivities. Activities are free and will include a performance by BOMBA, music, pony rides courtesy of Muddy Brook Farm, and more.
Free shuttle service will be provided between the Middle and High School parking lots and the Town Common. Or take the PVTA bus to the Town Common.
Then on On Thursday, September 2, the first day of school, parents are encouraged to join their children during First Day activities in the schools. Stay tuned for more info about activities at your child’s school!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Help Spruce Up Fort River
The start of the school year is fast approaching! We still need volunteers to work with Principal Sharick on painting and gardening projects on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21. Please let me know if you can lend a hand! Pam Rietkerk, email: pam.fortriver@gmail.com
Click here for more details.
Click here for more details.
New Family Welcome--Help Us Welcome Fort River Newcomers!
The New Family Welcome Popsicle Party is Tuesday, August 31 from 6:30-7:30pm on the FR playground. We have MANY new students in EVERY grade joining the Fort River community this Fall. Please drop by with your kids, have a popsicle, and welcome the new families to our community!
Welcome Back Event for Faculty and Staff
A "Welcome Back" event is planned for our fabulous Fort River faculty and staff on Wednesday, September 1st. Help is needed! This will be a casual drop-in brunch held from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm in the cafeteria. The teachers often linger and socialize, and then may grab some “take-out” to bring back with them as they prepare their classrooms. Volunteers are needed to set up (9:00 – 10:00 am . . . any time), provide the food (make or purchase), and clean up (1:00 – 2:00 pm . . . again, any time). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Here are some suggestions for the meal:
fresh fruit (whole is fine)
fresh veggies
salads
egg dishes
casseroles
sandwich items
quiches
noodle or rice dishes
baked goods
snacks
beverages (e.g. juice, lemonade, iced tea, fancy tea bags! Coffee will also be available.)
Fresh cut flowers from your garden would also be great; lots of families brought flowers in last year and many teachers commented on how lovely all of the arrangements were (any drinking glass, can, etc., will do for a creative vase!)
Let's make this a beautiful morning as the faculty and staff return for the upcoming school year! Items can be dropped off in the designated cafeteria (look for posted signs) any time after 9:00 am. Dishes will be washed and available for retrieval in the Main Office on the 1st day of school.
Please respond directly to Michele Spirko if you are able to help or have further suggestions or questions, or sign up here.
Thanks so much, and enjoy/cherish these last few weeks of summer with your kids!
Sincerely,
Michele Spirko
(mom to Colton – 5th grade, Anthea – 2nd grade, and Korinna - preschool)
spirko@pol.net
fresh fruit (whole is fine)
fresh veggies
salads
egg dishes
casseroles
sandwich items
quiches
noodle or rice dishes
baked goods
snacks
beverages (e.g. juice, lemonade, iced tea, fancy tea bags! Coffee will also be available.)
Fresh cut flowers from your garden would also be great; lots of families brought flowers in last year and many teachers commented on how lovely all of the arrangements were (any drinking glass, can, etc., will do for a creative vase!)
Let's make this a beautiful morning as the faculty and staff return for the upcoming school year! Items can be dropped off in the designated cafeteria (look for posted signs) any time after 9:00 am. Dishes will be washed and available for retrieval in the Main Office on the 1st day of school.
Please respond directly to Michele Spirko if you are able to help or have further suggestions or questions, or sign up here.
Thanks so much, and enjoy/cherish these last few weeks of summer with your kids!
Sincerely,
Michele Spirko
(mom to Colton – 5th grade, Anthea – 2nd grade, and Korinna - preschool)
spirko@pol.net
Come Have Coffee with the Principal on the First Day of School
Room Parents Needed
You will receive a packet on the first day of school which will give full descriptions of many volunteer opportunities. We do need to fill the posts of room parent very soon after the start of school. If you are willing to volunteer as a room parent, please contact Michele Spirko at michele.fortriver@gmail.com.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Time to Spruce Up Fort River!
Dear Fort River families,
I hope you are all enjoying your summer!
Please join Principal Sharick and others from the community on Friday, August 20 & Saturday, August 21 to spruce up Fort River for the start of the school year! These are the housekeeping projects which need some attention:
1. Painting part of the cafeteria.
One of Principal Sharick's continuing priorities is to upgrade the cafeteria. The international flags were taken down and cleaned, more new long tables have arrived, and an exciting composting program will be introduced at the start of the year. But before those clean flags are rehung, there is some painting to be done!! The plan is to paint all the outdated wood paneling on the far side of the caf. Many hands will make this easy and should make a big, bright difference. Please join us!
2. Spreading wood chips.
We also need volunteers to spread wood chips on the playground. The chips will be there and folks who want to take a break from painting can step out for fresh air and wood chip spreading! (You can also come for the spreading only!)
3. Gardening.
And once again we need a few volunteers to thin out and cut back the plantings around the Fort River sign at the entrance to the school.
Please come ANY TIME you can spare for ANY of the projects on 8/20 and/or 8/21 from 8:00am-5:00pm. Mr. Sharick will provide the donuts and coffee!! Also, if you want to help with the spreading of wood chips or gardening but cannot make those dates, let me know. We may organize an alternative time for those projects.
Please email and let me know if you can come so we can make sure we have enough help to get things done.
Thanks and enjoy the rest of the summer,
Pam Rietkerk
pamrietkerk@gmail.com
I hope you are all enjoying your summer!
Please join Principal Sharick and others from the community on Friday, August 20 & Saturday, August 21 to spruce up Fort River for the start of the school year! These are the housekeeping projects which need some attention:
1. Painting part of the cafeteria.
One of Principal Sharick's continuing priorities is to upgrade the cafeteria. The international flags were taken down and cleaned, more new long tables have arrived, and an exciting composting program will be introduced at the start of the year. But before those clean flags are rehung, there is some painting to be done!! The plan is to paint all the outdated wood paneling on the far side of the caf. Many hands will make this easy and should make a big, bright difference. Please join us!
2. Spreading wood chips.
We also need volunteers to spread wood chips on the playground. The chips will be there and folks who want to take a break from painting can step out for fresh air and wood chip spreading! (You can also come for the spreading only!)
3. Gardening.
And once again we need a few volunteers to thin out and cut back the plantings around the Fort River sign at the entrance to the school.
Please come ANY TIME you can spare for ANY of the projects on 8/20 and/or 8/21 from 8:00am-5:00pm. Mr. Sharick will provide the donuts and coffee!! Also, if you want to help with the spreading of wood chips or gardening but cannot make those dates, let me know. We may organize an alternative time for those projects.
Please email and let me know if you can come so we can make sure we have enough help to get things done.
Thanks and enjoy the rest of the summer,
Pam Rietkerk
pamrietkerk@gmail.com
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Subscribe to Fort River PGO Emails
If you aren't already receiving emails from the Fort River PGO, please
consider signing up. You'll get weekly email notifications after the PGO website has been updated, and you'll also get automatic
calendar reminders before the various Fort River events such as the
Family Fair and PGO meetings. Just click on the link below
and tell me your name and preferred email address. All Fort River
families, staff and faculty are welcome to sign up!
Subscribe to the Fort River Email list.
Have you been getting PGO emails this year? Have you recently changed your email address? Make sure I have your latest email address or else you won't be kept up-to-date on the latest PGO news! Click on the above link to let me know your new email address. Please include your old email address so I can remove it from the list.
Thanks!
Ann McLaughlin,V.P. for Website
Fort River PGO
damclaughlin@comcast.net
Subscribe to the Fort River Email list.
Have you been getting PGO emails this year? Have you recently changed your email address? Make sure I have your latest email address or else you won't be kept up-to-date on the latest PGO news! Click on the above link to let me know your new email address. Please include your old email address so I can remove it from the list.
Thanks!
Ann McLaughlin,V.P. for Website
Fort River PGO
damclaughlin@comcast.net