Family Sing Night

Fort River
Family Sing Night
A Smashing Success!

(See event photos below.)

Kudos go to Fort River's beloved music teacher Anne White and all the musicians who were part of Thursday night's community event! The first ever FAMILY SING NIGHT was a huge success and many thanks go out to everyone who was a part of it.

Musicians Peter Lamdin (guitar), Brent Nielsen (stand-up bass), Sue Dunbar (drums), Paul Gunnells (banjo), Juan Carlos Carpio (guitar, singer), and of course Anne White, rocked the music last night. Thanks also to Peter Michaels for providing and operating the sound system.

Also many thanks to Judy Stern and Libby Stanforth for coordinating the event and bake sale. Ali Wicks-Lim, Iris Berkman, Shari Abbott, all you bakers and many student helpers...thank you!

Nearly $500 was raised to offset the PGO's costs of bringing MarKamusic to Fort River on March 2. MarKamusic, a seven piece Latin music ensemble, will conduct three student workshops involving song, dance, percussion, and drumming circles, and give an all-school performance. The Fort River PGO is very proud to be working with Anne White on this project and grateful to our community whose financial support makes this all possible. These are your Annual Fund dollars being put to good work!!

Pam Rietkerk
PGO President


Click on pictures for larger view.

Donations are still being gratefully accepted and checks can be made out to Fort River PGO with MarKamusic in the memo line. Thanks for your support!

Yearbook Help Needed

Parent/student volunteers are needed for the Fort River Yearbook.

We need:

• Someone to help input formal photos into the computer page layouts, requires about 30 minutes per class. Work done in school computer room done mostly after school.
• Someone to help take candid photos during school time and events. Yearbook camera available for use by adult.
• Someone to sort candid photos from email address into grades and categories.

If volunteers are not found yearbook layout may need to be adjusted. Contact Kathy Niedzielski, stonyhill4@verizon.net or 253-3201.

Talent Needed for the International Fair

The Fort River International Committee is looking for singers, dancers and musicians to perform on the evening of May 13th at the Second Annual International Fair.  Please contact Rebecca Fricke at 253-7914 or rebfricke@gmail.com.

Time and Talent Survey

Please don't forget to take the PGO's online Time and Talent Survey to help us find out more about you and how you may be able to help out!

It's easy!

Just click here.

Amherst Bulletin Article on Fort River 6th Grade Teacher Mr. Wallace

In case you haven't seen it, the Amherst Bulletin published a profile of Fort River's own Mr. Wallace in yesterday's edition.

You can read the article online here: http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/198004/

Multi-Arts’ winter break Camp

Showers of creativity and eruptions of happy memories!

On the menu to brighten the skies: theater, fashion design, art, creative writing, and dance.

Monday, February 21 - Friday, February 25
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. • $280
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • $150

Grades K to 6: groups organized by age
Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church • Amherst

Fun and active, this might just be what you are look for!

Don't delay, click now!

http://www.multi-arts.org/03pdfs/RegistrationForm_schoolBreak_2011.pdf

Click on image to enlarge

Please note: this event not sponsored by the FR PGO.

LSSE Vacation Camps

Click on image to enlarge
This event not sponsored by the FR PGO. 

Amherst Ballet February Vacation Camp

Amherst Ballet is offering a February Vacation winter camp for boys and girls ages 6-12
"The Goldfinch Club" The story of a young girl and the birds she so loves…

February 22-25

9:00-4:00

Join us during school vacation for dance and art projects as we learn choreography and create costumes, props and sets for a special story to be performed in our own studio theater! Be part of the story about a group of children who form a club that purchases seeds and plants to attract goldfinches to the garden. Children will make their own pair of wings to dance in and keep and create nests and other sets from the goldfinch habitat. The number of participants is limited to 18. Children will be grouped based upon age.

Please contact Amherst Ballet for more information: 549-1555 or info@amherstballet.org www.amherstballet.org

Please note: this event not sponsored by the FR PGO.

Auditions for ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Auditions will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) musical production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND Monday, March 7th at the Amherst High School Cafeteria from 4pm to 6pm. All those auditioning should arrive at 3:45 and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of those cast in the show will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the auditions.

Among the roles to be cast in this song- and dance-filled performance are Alice, the Queen, the King, the Knave, the Ace, the Cards, the Duchess, the Cook, The Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Dormouse, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Humpty Dumpty, the Lobsters, Caterpillars, and Flowers. Students in grade Kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to audition. There are 50-60 roles available, with parts for every age group. Assistant Directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals. This is a group audition, and no advance preparation is necessary --though a smile always helps!

The Missoula Children’s Theatre touring productions are complete with costumes, scenery, props and makeup. The MCT Tour Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals throughout the week from 4:00-8:30 Monday, March 7th – Friday, March 12th. Not everyone will need to be present at every rehearsal.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND will be presented on Saturday, March 12th at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm in the Amherst High School Auditorium. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students under 18 and seniors.

For more information, go to “Children’s Theatre” at ALSCT.org, or call Susan at 413-461-6722. ALICE IN WONDERLAND—Join us for an amazing and “Wonder”-ful experience!

Please note: this event not sponsored by the FR PGO.

Cross-country ski lessons

What to do during February Break? Try Cross-Country Skiing? The Amherst
High School Nordic ski team will be giving informal lessons on Tuesday,
February 22 from 10 am to noon at Northfield Mountain, weather permitting.

Lessons are free for kids and students and a donation is suggested for
adults. You can rent skis from Northfield Mountain. Check out their site
at: http://www.firstlightpower.com/northfield/default.asp

Please pre-register with Mary Jo at mjmaf@aol.com or call at 259-1263.

Please note: this event is not sponsored by the FR PGO.

Coffee with the Principals POSTPONED to Friday, Feb. 11

This month's Coffee with the Principals has been postponed one week until Friday, Feb. 11th. Hope to see you all there!

Time and Talent Survey

Dear Fort River Parents and Guardians,

The PGO knows that there is a wealth of talent and energy in our community that can help to make Fort River School a better place for our kids. In order for us to get a better sense of who you all are, we have set up an easy online survey to gather information on how you can help us. Please take a minute to fill it out.  THANKS! 

Sincerely,
The PGO Executive Board

P.S. Thanks to Claudia Donald for setting up the survey for us!

Click here to take the survey

Family Sing Night Is Coming!

Please join Fort River's music teacher Anne White for

Family Sing Night

Thursday, February 17th

6:30-8:00 pm

Fort River Gym

Anne White and the Fort River PGO are pleased to announce two very special upcoming events. On March 2nd, the Latin musical group MarKamusic will conduct student workshops and give a school wide performance. On Thursday, February 17th, as a fundraiser to help bring MarKamusic to Fort River, you and your family are invited to the Fort River Family Sing Night where Mrs. White will be joined by parents and teachers to lead everyone in songs from around the world.

Please join us and make a suggested donation of $2.00 or whatever amount you like.

There will also be a student run bake sale to satisfy your sweet tooth!

We would like this event to represent the rich cultural diversity of our school community. As part of the music curriculum, Mrs. White will be working with students and parents to learn special songs to teach all families on this evening. Parents and other family members, we welcome your input and involvement. Please contact Mrs. White at whitea@arps.org, or 362-1238, if you want to help with the music.

A parent coordinator is also needed for the bake sale. If you would like to help with this event, please contact Pam Rietkerk at pam.fortriver@gmail.com or 256-2605.

This is going be a great community event!

About MarKamusic

MarKamusic performs traditional, folkloric and pop music of South and Latin American origin, fused with Latin jazz and western textures and instruments. The group has played its unique repertoire at international music festivals, educational events in schools, museums, and cultural institutions.

During its performances, MarKamusic accents the contributions of the four major cultural influences that have shaped modern Latin American music—the indigenous South American, the West African, the Euro-Iberian, and the contemporary North American. Traditional rhythms and melodic forms from these diverse cultures intermingled over the centuries, creating much of what is Latin American popular music today.

MarKamusic’s musical purpose is to drive home to its audiences that America is larger than just the United States: that America, in fact, extends from Alaska to the southernmost tip of Chile. The members of MarKamusic also feel that the diverse cultures of the Americas— tied by history and geography, but separated by politics and language—can effectively be reconciled by the sharing (indeed, by the merging) of their many musical expressions. MarKamusic’s musicians: one Peruvian, three Puerto Ricans, one Ecuadorian and one Guatemalan represent the potential of this harmonious exchange.

http://www.markamusic.com/

Bake Sale Coordinator for the Family Sing Night Needed

Ann White and the PGO are still looking for a parent(s) to coordinate and staff a bake sale at the Family Sing Night on Thursday, February 17. This is a fundraiser to help bring musical group MarKamusic to Fort River in March.

Duties include: setting up/monitoring a sign up sheet for donated baked goods, getting a few other parents and students to help sell goods, set up/clean up. Piece of cake!!

Please contact Pam at pam.fortriver@gmail.com to volunteer.

Superintendent Search News

Maria Geryk's visit and interview for the position of Superintendent of Schools have been postponed to Thursday, February 3, with an interview at 6 pm in the ARHS library.

The decision for selecting the superintendent will be made on Sunday, February 6. The Joint Meeting of Union 26 and Regional School Committees will take place from 1 to 3 pm at Town Hall, Amherst.

The interviews of the other two finalists, John Bayliss and Gerald Kohn are being aired on the education channel of ACTV. Click here for the schedule. 

You can also view the evening interviews online by going to the following webpage: http://www.actvamherst.com/.

Multi-Arts Winter Break Program

Weather forecast for Multi-Arts’ winter break!
Showers of creativity and eruptions of happy memories!


On the menu to brighten the skies: theater, fashion design, art, creative writing, and dance.

Monday, February 21 - Friday, February 25
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. • $280
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • $150

Grades K to 6: groups organized by age
Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church • Amherst

Fun and active, this might just be what you are looking for!

Don't delay, click now!

Registration Form here: http://www.multi-arts.org/03pdfs/RegistrationForm_schoolBreak_2011.pdf

Please note: this event is not sponsored by the Fort River PGO.