Let's Move Amherst Elementary!

The Amherst College Swim and Dive Team in conjunction with the Amherst College Athletic Department and the Crocker Farm, Fort River and Wildwood Parent Guardian Organizations are pleased to announce the inaugural "Let’s Move Amherst Elementary!"

The event will take place on Sunday, April 3, 2011 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Amherst College Alumni Gym. The event is free, and open to all K–6 Amherst students and their families; no registration required. Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s Campaign for Public Health, the goal is to promote active lifestyle choices that build healthy families, schools and communities. The day will feature a variety of options for families to move together, including parent/child yoga, Jazzercise classes, a one-mile walking loop, pick-up games and a boot camp. All families are encouraged to come out and be Sixty Minute Superstars!

In addition to these fun-filled exercise options, there will be talks about healthy meal choices from local nutritionists, information about sun protection, an "Ask a Pediatrician" table, as well as nutrition information from local restaurants and fitness centers.

All activities will be facilitated by Amherst College Students, student athletes and local fitness instructors. Healthy snacks will be provided.

For more information, please contact Andrea Jensen at ajensen11@amherst.edu or Becky Demling at beckydemling@yahoo.com

This event is being sponsored by the Amherst Elementary Parent Groups, the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement, Amherst College Athletic Department and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.

LSSE April Vacation Camp

Critters are the fun focus of the April vacation camp “Lions and Tigers and Bears” sponsored by Amherst LSSE.

Whether large or small with feathers or furs, the critters will visit the camp or students will visit them at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory or the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

While the focus is on animals, other activities, such as sports and arts and crafts, are scheduled to keep the youngsters engaged and active.

The camp, for children in grades K-6, will be held April 19-22 at the Wildwood Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Children should bring a healthy lunch and two healthy snacks per day.

A fee subsidy for income-eligible Amherst families is available. Residents interested in the tuition waver, up to 100 percent, should apply as soon as possible. Fee subsidies are also available for the LSSE summer camps that begin in June.

For information call Stacey Lecuivre, LSSE Youth Program Director at 259-3191 or visit: www.lsse.org

Go, Kids Art, Go!

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

Pajama Party

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

AEF Spring Sprint, May 7

www.amhersteducationfoundation.org

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

Family Movie Night is Coming Soon!

Fort River

Family Movie Night

UP 

Wednesday, March 30

There will be two screenings of the film:

4:00pm & 6:15pm

Bring your bean bag, pillow pal, sleeping bag or yoga mat and join friends and families to stretch out and watch the film UP (rated PG).

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Pizza will be sold after the first screening and during the second screening.

If you would like to help out with set up/clean up, please contact pam.fortriver@gmail.com.

 This is a FREE event for families. 

Please note, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult.

Bring Your Talent to 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.

Girls' Softball League

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM

Donate Your Books to the League of Women Voters

Book collection for the League of Women Voters of Amherst’s book sale takes place from Mar 30- Apr 30.

The main drop-off site for donations of books is at the League’s sorting and pricing center at 479 West Street (Rt. 116), Unit 8. This is at the corner of West Street and Pomeroy Lane. Other drop-off locations are in collection trunks at Stop & Shop in Hadley, the UPS Store on University Drive, the Jones Library, North Amherst Library and the Munson Memorial Library in South Amherst.
Books must be in good condition and free of mildew. Magazines will not be accepted.

For information call 253-0633.

Youth Track League

Join the Amherst Tritons Swim Team

The Amherst Tritons Swim Team (ATST) of Amherst, MA is a team dedicated to building the love of the sport of swimming, fitness and confidence in boys and girls ages 5 to 18. The ATST is an independent, parent-run organization.

The team offers a tiered, ability-based program where every swimmer can feel comfortable and grow in their ability to be the best they can be. From a developmental program for those just beginning in the sport to the senior program for those who have been swimming competitively for many years, the team welcomes any and all who are interested.

The team Spring and Summer season begins at the end of April, with a new swimmer day on Tuesday, April 26th at 5:30pm at Totman Pool at UMass. For more information about, please go to the team website at atst.org or click here.

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

Amherst Math Action Plan

The long awaited math plan is now available and posted on the ARPS website at http://www.arps.org/node/2819.

This plan was discussed at both the Regional and Amherst meetings last week (which you can watch on ACTV) and there is a brief article in this week's Bulletin about the Regional SC's discussion of the plan: http://amherstbulletin.com/story/id/200871/.

Second, there will be a public forum on elementary math on Tuesday, March 22nd, at 7 pm in Town Hall.

This is your chance to share your thoughts about the math action plan with the SC and superintendent. All those who care about math in Amherst should read the report and come with their thoughts and questions!

Amherst Sustainability Festival Looking for Volunteers

Join the organizing team of a valley-wide Earth Day celebration!

The Amherst Sustainability Festival’s organizing committee is looking for volunteers to organize/coordinate a non-mechanized rail trail event involving Amherst residents (school aged and beyond).  Amherst is joining marketing forces this year with Greening Northampton, WGBY, and 93.9 The River for a valley-wide Earth Day event on April 23rd.

The Amherst Sustainability Festival will take place on the Common, but this year we adding to the fun with a group of Amherst people biking, walking or jogging on the rail trail to Hadley. A similar group will depart from Northampton and the plan is to meet in the middle at Whole Foods. We are looking for a group (or individual) to plan, organize and publicize a low-carbon procession from an Amherst rail trail departure point. If you are interested in helping to make this happen, please contact Susan Waite at the Amherst DPW at 259-3049, waites@amherstma.gov.

Family Movie Night!

Fort River

Family Movie Night

UP 

Wednesday, March 30

There will be two screenings of the film:

4:00pm & 6:15pm

Bring your bean bag, pillow pal, sleeping bag or yoga mat and join friends and families to stretch out and watch the film UP (rated PG).

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Pizza will be sold after the first screening and during the second screening.

If you would like to help out with set up/clean up, please contact pam.fortriver@gmail.com.

 This is a FREE event for families. 

Please note, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult.

Spring With Multi-Arts at Fort River

theater troupe . fashion design & art classes with Multi-Arts

Fort River Elementary School

Fridays: March 25th - June 3th: 10 classes

Fashion design & art 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. $120
Theater group 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. $120
All the classes 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. $240

SHOW: theater and fashion show: June 3th

Click on picture to enlarge.

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

Family Movie Night: Wednesday, March 30th

Fort River

Family Movie Night

UP 

Wednesday, March 30

There will be two screenings of the film:

4:00pm & 6:15pm

Bring your bean bag, pillow pal, sleeping bag or yoga mat and join friends and families to stretch out and watch the film UP (rated PG).

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Pizza will be sold after the first screening and during the second screening.

If you would like to help out with set up/clean up, please contact pam.fortriver@gmail.com.

 This is a FREE event for families. 

Please note, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult.

Next PGO Meeting Date Changed to April 13th

Due to the Middle School late start day, we have moved the next PGO meeting to Wednesday, April 13 at 8:45 in the FR Cafeteria.

Hope you can join us!

Box Tops for Education

The PGO still needs your BOX TOPS!

Earn cash for Fort River every time you shop for groceries. Clip Box Tops from hundreds of your favorite products. Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10¢ for your school—and that adds up fast! Click here to see a list of participating products. 

Thanks to the folks who have been sending in their Box Tops!

So far this year we have raised $141 for the PGO through this program. We'd love to double that by the end of the year, so keep them coming in! Have your child drop them off in the office any time.

Alice in Wonderland

It’s almost showtime!

Jump down a rabbit hole and into a world of fantastic dreams. Watch out for the Red Queen, an army of playing cards that march and dance, and -

a singing caterpillar?

Alice in Wonderland

Featuring several of your Fort River friends!

Two one-hour shows at Amherst Regional High School

Saturday, March 12th at 1:30 and 4

Tickets at the door - $12 adults / $10 children and seniors

Come have a blast in Wonderland!

Questions? See us at our website at ALSCT.org

FaceBook at Alsct (Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater)

Or contact Susan at sbraker@juno.com

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

Multi-Arts Presents

Charlotte's Doll

or

The Girl Who Didn't Listen to Her Mom

Written by Alejandra Rojas,

9th grade student at Amherst High School

An original production presented by Multi-Arts and the Amherst History Museum.

Multi-Arts and the Amherst Historical Society and Museum present the premier of "Charlotte's Doll" or The Girl Who Didn't Listen to Her Mom." The play will be held at the Jones Library meeting room, 43 Amity St. on Friday March 18, at 3:30 p.m.

It is suitable for children of all ages and is Free. There will be an opportunity to view "Charlotte's Doll" after the play at the Strong House, 67 Amity St.

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

Family Outreach of Amherst: "Salute to Families"

Click on picture to enlarge.

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

ETTA Art Studio Spring Classes

Click on picture to enlarge

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

Letter from the Superintendent

Math Volunteers Wanted for After School Math Groups

The Fort River Math Specialist, Pam Szczesny, is looking for parent volunteers to help with two after school Math Groups that will be directed towards strengthening the math skills of underperforming students in 3rd and 4th grade.

The third grade group will meet on Wednesdays from 1:20-3:00.

The fourth grade group will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05 - 4:00. Please note that parent volunteers for the fourth grade group would need to be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

2-3 parent volunteers for each group would be ideal. Pam and Polly Wagner, the district Elementary Math Leader, will provide an introduction and training for volunteers. For further details, please contact Sue Borden (FRPC.sborden@gmail.com).

Next PGO Meeting

There has been a change in the PGO meeting schedule. The next PGO meeting will be on Thursday, April 14 at 8:45am in the Fort River cafeteria.

Art and Music Education in a Time of Budget Cuts: A Forum

The League of Women Voters of Amherst supports Art and Music Education in our local communities and sponsors a public forum on Art and Music Education in a Time of Budget Cuts.

Forum participants include: Senator Stan Rosenberg; Alexandra Kennedy - Executive Director, Eric Carle Museum; Moema Furtado - UMASS Fine Arts Center, Director of Education and Engagement; Teri Magner - Artist and Fort River Elementary School Art Teacher; David Ranen – Musician and Amherst Middle School Music Teacher; and Rick Hood - Amherst School Committee.  Co-sponsored by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.  MONDAY, March 7, 7 p.m., Auditorium, Eric Carle Museum. Free. 253-0633.

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

LSSE Indoor "Futsal" Soccer Program

It is not too late to sign up for the Amherst LSSE indoor “Futsal” soccer program.  Futsal will be kicking off on Sunday, March 13, and spots are filling up fast!  Derek Shea, varsity boys’ soccer coach at Amherst High School, does a tremendous job with the children.  This program is open to both boys and girls from kindergarten through 4^th grade.  Sign up immediately as the program is quickly approaching and spots are filling up fast!

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

Hansel & Gretel: Production by Amherst Ballet

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

LSSE Vacation Camps

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

“Women's Health in the 21st Century: What We Need to Know”

Public Program presented by the League of Women Voters Massachusetts.

Speakers include Katherine Reeves, PhD, MPH (why we should talk about women's health); Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson, ScD, SM (vitamin D); Erin Snook, PhD (physical activity); Arlene Ash, PhD (using research); J. Mary Sorrell (lesbian and trans-gender health); and Joan Ditzion, MSW (growing older).

SATURDAY, March 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 pm (Speakers) followed by a health fair. Wesley United Methodist Church, 98 North Maple Street, Hadley. Free and open to the public. 253-0633.

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

LSSE Flag Football Clinic