Thursday, December 19, 2013

Check Back Packs for the 2013-14 Directory

Thank you to parent Oliver Lindsey who has been plugging away at our Fort River Directory for the past few months.  And thank you to our community for your patience and understanding as technical issues were worked through.

World Eye Book Fair & Chili Cook - Off - A Celebration of our Fort River Community

Thank you to everyone who made last Thursday's World Eye Bookfair and Chili Cook Off such a wonderful community event.  We are awaiting the results of the book sales but the chili supper raised nearly $200 to support our Fort River Library.  Congratulations to our Chili Champs - Carter Hampson (Fan Favorite), Rebecca Kennedy (Kid Pleasin') and Liz Markovitz (Some Like It Hot)!  Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped with set up and clean up lead by Carol Slaughter, Teri Larkin and Amy Hampson.

Barnes & Noble Gift Wrapping Table

 
Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to help wrap gifts  - MaryBeth Meade (our fearless leader!), Chandra Fields, Cathryn Brubaker, Liz Larson, Reiko Sono and Mika Mizuhara.  While the snow threw a white blanket on our Tuesday shifts, we were able to enjoy some holiday fun while raising money to support our school library.

Lost and Found

A number of lost items have been reunited with their kids.  Thank you to Deb Leonard for organizing the Lost & Found tables and taking care of the leftovers.  As our kids dress in more (easily shed) layers, please remember to clearly mark clothing and other items with names!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Fort River PGO Barnes & Noble Bookfair

Here's a link to download more vouchers. Feel free to share with Friends and Family!

Fort River PGO Gift Wrapping Fundraiser

As a part of the Barnes & Noble Book Fair fundraiser (Sunday, December 15), the PGO will have a gift wrapping table set up on Monday Dec. 16 and Tuesday Dec. 17. We are looking for volunteers to be at the table during those days for 2 hour shifts. Volunteers will gift wrap customers' purchases as a free service, and we will have a donation jar at the table for the Fort River Library. As a bonus, we can have our Book Fair flyers out on the table for customers to still use for their purchases to count towards the library fundraiser!

To see times and to sign up for a shift, please click here for the Please Bring It sheet. If you have questions, please contact Mary Beth Meade or the PGO.

Ski, Skate and Snowboard Sale


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Chili Cook-Off


The Fort River PGO invites all families to a

  Chili Cook-Off 



 On Thursday, December 12th from 6-7:30 pm
the Fort River PGO will host its 2nd annual

Fort River Chili Cook Off

Come check out the World Eye Bookshop fair with your family
and enjoy a community chili supper with a competitive edge!

Here’s how you participate:
                                      
Sign up and make a pot of your best chili.
                                                                                                               
Bring your chili in a crock-pot for folks to enjoy and vote for their favorite one.
(Don’t have a crock-pot? No problem, we will have loaners to transfer from your pot to keep warm.)
                                                                                          
This year’s Chili Champ will be determined by popular vote
                                                                                                                 
Not a Chili Chef?  No problem!  We also need cornbread.
                                                                                                                
Or take the night off from cooking, bring the family
to enjoy some chili ($1/bowl) and a few new books!
We need lots of chili and corn bread makers to have a fun and successful event!  The BEST way to sign up is by going online to the “bring it” sign up sheet which can be found at http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/1YkvoJMvRos.  If you have questions, please contact us at pgo.fortriver@gmail.com or call Liz Larson 230-3453.

Whether you make chili or NOT, come for an evening of fun & support the Fort River Library!

El Jueves, 12 de diciembre de 6-7:30 pm
el PGO de  Fort River albergará su segundo anual

Fort River Chili Cook Off

Venga y revise la World Eye Bookshop fair con su familia
y disfrutar de una  comunidad cena de chili con una ventaja competitiva!

He aquí cómo usted participa:

Regístrate y hacer una olla de su mejor chili.

Traiga su chili en una olla de barro para la gente a disfrutar y votar por su favorito.
(¿No tiene una olla de barro, no hay problema, vamos a tener prestamistasque la pasaran  desde su olla a una de barro para mantener el calor.)

Este año, el Chili Champ será determinado por el voto popular.

No es un Chef Chili? No hay problema! También necesitamos el pan de maíz.

O tome la noche libre sin cocinar , traer a la familia
para disfrutar de un poco de chile ($1/bowl) y algunos libros nuevos!
                         
Necesitamos un montón de chili y maíz fabricantes de pan para tener un evento divertido y exitoso!  La mejor manera de inscribirse es por ir en línea a la "traerlo" hoja de inscripción que se puede encontrar en http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/1YkvoJMvRos.  Si tiene preguntas, por favor contacte con nosotros en pgo.fortriver@gmail.com.


Como sea Si usted hace chili o NO, 
venga para una noche de diversión

Y apoyede a la Biblioteca Fort River!

World Eye Bookfair

Coffee with School Committee Members

Please join us in the Fort River Cafeteria at 8:45 AM this Friday morning for a special Coffee with School Committee Members.   As Monica is on maternity leave, we are taking the opportunity to welcome 2 members of our Amherst School Committee, Kathleen Traphagen and Katherine Appy. They will be on hand to discuss how the school committee, which is responsible for the operations of the Amherst elementary schools, works and offer advice on the effective ways for parents and guardians to work with the school committee to ensure that all have a voice in issues that are critical to our schools and our children.

Doughnut Fundraiser News

Many THANKS to all who supported our Glazed Doughnut fundraiser last month.  We raised over $300 to help fund PGO programs such as teacher grants and classroom set up.  Thank you to parent Dawn Lepere for developing and running with the idea which not only supported our PGO but a new local business as well! 

Family Outreach of Amherst - Valley Gives

 
 
Family Outreach of Amherst (FOA) is excited to be participating in Valley Gives Day on 12/12 this year! As you may know, FOA has a new partnership with the Amherst schools and opened a satellite office at the family center located in the Amherst Regional Middle School. Our caseworkers work with families from every school in the district who may have issues with housing, food insecurity, or other problems that could keep a student from reaching their full potential.

FOA receives NO FUNDING from the school district and relies on our generous community to continue to do this important work. Making a donation will allow FOA to keep our caseworkers helping families become strong and thrive.

Valley Gives Day, 12/12/13, will be an exciting day--be sure to keep an eye out for email and Facebook updates. If you haven't already, please like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHDFOA
Here is the link to the FOA Valley Gives page: http://valleygives.razoo.com/story/Familyoutreachofamherst
Join us on 12/12/13!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Chili Cook-Off


The Fort River PGO invites all families to a

  Chili Cook-Off 



 On Thursday, December 12th from 6-7:30 pm
the Fort River PGO will host its 2nd annual

Fort River Chili Cook Off

Come check out the World Eye Bookshop fair with your family
and enjoy a community chili supper with a competitive edge!

Here’s how you participate:
                                      
Sign up and make a pot of your best chili.
                                                                                                               
Bring your chili in a crock-pot for folks to enjoy and vote for their favorite one.
(Don’t have a crock-pot? No problem, we will have loaners to transfer from your pot to keep warm.)
                                                                                          
This year’s Chili Champ will be determined by popular vote
                                                                                                                 
Not a Chili Chef?  No problem!  We also need cornbread.
                                                                                                                
Or take the night off from cooking, bring the family
to enjoy some chili ($1/bowl) and a few new books!
We need lots of chili and corn bread makers to have a fun and successful event!  The BEST way to sign up is by going online to the “bring it” sign up sheet which can be found at http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/1YkvoJMvRos.  If you have questions, please contact us at pgo.fortriver@gmail.com or call Liz Larson 230-3453.

Whether you make chili or NOT, come for an evening of fun & support the Fort River Library!

El Jueves, 12 de diciembre de 6-7:30 pm
el PGO de  Fort River albergará su segundo anual

Fort River Chili Cook Off

Venga y revise la World Eye Bookshop fair con su familia
y disfrutar de una  comunidad cena de chili con una ventaja competitiva!

He aquí cómo usted participa:

Regístrate y hacer una olla de su mejor chili.

Traiga su chili en una olla de barro para la gente a disfrutar y votar por su favorito.
(¿No tiene una olla de barro, no hay problema, vamos a tener prestamistasque la pasaran  desde su olla a una de barro para mantener el calor.)

Este año, el Chili Champ será determinado por el voto popular.

No es un Chef Chili? No hay problema! También necesitamos el pan de maíz.

O tome la noche libre sin cocinar , traer a la familia
para disfrutar de un poco de chile ($1/bowl) y algunos libros nuevos!
                         
Necesitamos un montón de chili y maíz fabricantes de pan para tener un evento divertido y exitoso!  La mejor manera de inscribirse es por ir en línea a la "traerlo" hoja de inscripción que se puede encontrar en http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/1YkvoJMvRos.  Si tiene preguntas, por favor contacte con nosotros en pgo.fortriver@gmail.com.


Como sea Si usted hace chili o NO, 
venga para una noche de diversión

Y apoyede a la Biblioteca Fort River!

World Eye Book Fair


Barnes & Noble Book Fair


Gift Wrapping Fundraiser


As a part of the Barnes & Noble Book Fair fundraiser (Sunday, December 15), the PGO will have a gift wrapping table set up on Monday Dec. 16 and Tuesday Dec. 17. We are looking for volunteers to be at the table during those days for 2 hour shifts. Volunteers will gift wrap customers' purchases as a free service, and we will have a donation jar at the table for the Fort River Library. As a bonus, we can have our Book Fair flyers out on the table for customers to still use for their purchases to count towards the library fundraiser!

To see times and to sign up for a shift, please click here for the Please Bring It sheet. If you have questions, please contact Mary Beth Meade or the PGO.

Baby Announcement


Family Outreach of Amherst - Valley Gives

 
 
Family Outreach of Amherst (FOA) is excited to be participating in Valley Gives Day on 12/12 this year! As you may know, FOA has a new partnership with the Amherst schools and opened a satellite office at the family center located in the Amherst Regional Middle School. Our caseworkers work with families from every school in the district who may have issues with housing, food insecurity, or other problems that could keep a student from reaching their full potential.

FOA receives NO FUNDING from the school district and relies on our generous community to continue to do this important work. Making a donation will allow FOA to keep our caseworkers helping families become strong and thrive.

Valley Gives Day, 12/12/13, will be an exciting day--be sure to keep an eye out for email and Facebook updates. If you haven't already, please like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHDFOA
Here is the link to the FOA Valley Gives page: http://valleygives.razoo.com/story/Familyoutreachofamherst
Join us on 12/12/13!

Amherst Education Foundation - Valley Gives



Monday, November 25, 2013

Fort River PGO Doughnut Fundraiser Info

DOUGHNUT PICK-UP INFORMATION:
Your fresh baked doughnut orders will be ready to be picked up in the Fort River front lobby after school at the following times this week:
Tuesday, November 26th until 4:30

and
Wednesday, November 27th until 2:20
Please contact Dawn Lepere at dawnlepere@gmail.com or 835-0164 with any questions.  

Fort River PGO Book Fairs

UPCOMING PGO SPONSORED BOOK FAIRS

After much thought and feedback from families and staff, the PGO has opted not to host a Scholastic Book Fair this year.  Instead, we have teamed up with 2 other book sellers to have smaller, more focused book fairs that will help raise funds for new books and resources for the school library. 

December 12 - World Eye Bookshop


This year, Fort River will welcome World Eye Bookshop (www.worldeyebookshop.com), an independent bookseller with stores in Greenfield and Florence.  They have worked with a number of schools in the Valley to organize book fairs and have a wonderful stock list with quality books and gifts at a variety of price points.  The event will include a supervised story time in the library (to give parents the opportunity to shop without little eyes seeing what is bought) and our second annual Chili Cook Off.  The whole evening will be an opportunity for community while supporting the library.  The Fort River library will receive 15% of the proceeds from the book sales.  Teachers will be able to put together wish lists for their classrooms.  The book fair will be held in the gym at the school and will be open from 3:00 - 7:00.


December 15 - Fort River Day at Barnes & Noble


December 15th will be Fort River Day at Barnes & Noble, Hadley.  Flyers with the details will be going home so that anyone presenting the flyer will get a portion of their purchase credited to the school.  In addition, there is a 5 day, online component that friends and family near and far will be able to take advantage of.  Look for more details on how to participate on line in backpacks in the next few weeks.


As a continued part of the Barnes and Noble Book Fair fundraiser on Sunday, December 15, we can have a gift wrapping table set up on Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th.  We are looking for volunteers to be at the table during those days for 2 hour shifts.  Volunteers will gift wrap customers' purchases as a free service, and we will have a donation jar at the table for the Fort River Library.  As a bonus, we can have our Book Fair flyers out on the table for customers to still use for their purchases to count towards the library fundraiser.
 
Please sign up for shifts using the Please Bring It site, "Barnes and Noble Gift Wrapping Table Fundraiser" page, using the link below.

PROXIMA FERIA DEL LIBRO PATROCINADA POR EL PGO 

Después de mucho pensamiento y opinión de las familias y el personal, el PGO ha optado por no acoger una Feria del Libro Scholastic este año. En cambio, nos hemos asociado con otros 2 vendedores de libros para tener las ferias del libro más pequeñas y focalizadas que ayuden a recaudar fondos para los nuevos libros y recursos para la biblioteca de la escuela.

12 de diciembre - World Eye Bookshop 

Este año, Fort River acogerá World Eye Bookshop (www.worldeyebookshop.com), un librero independiente con tiendas en Greenfield y Florence.  Han trabajado con varias escuelas en el Valle organizando  ferias de libros y teniendo una maravillosa lista de valores con los libros y los regalos de calidad en una variedad de puntos de precio.  El evento contará con un tiempo de la historia supervisada en la biblioteca (para dar a los padres la oportunidad de hacer compras sin ojillos de ver lo que se compra) y nuestro segundo anual Chili Cook Off.  Toda la noche será una oportunidad para la comunidad, mientras que el apoyo a la biblioteca.  La biblioteca de Fort River recibirá el 15 % de los ingresos de las ventas de libros.  Los profesores serán capaces de armar listas de deseos de sus aulas.  La feria del libro se llevará a cabo en el gimnasio de la escuela y estará abierta de 3:00-7:00.

15 de diciembre - Día de Fort River a Barnes & Noble

15 de diciembre será el Día Fort River a Barnes & Noble, Hadley.  Volantes con los detalles se van a casa para que cualquier persona presentando el volante recibirá una porción de su compra se acredita a la escuela (10 % de hasta $2000).  Además, hay un 5 días, componente en línea que los amigos y familiares cercanos y lejanos podrán aprovechar.  Busque más información sobre cómo participar en la línea de mochilas en las próximas semanas.

Multi-Arts Workshop

Create a movie about your family

Celebrate your holidays with an entertaining short movie about your
family. Bring a smile and a warm feeling to your family party

Two hours individual workshop with Multi-Arts

Fee: $45 / $25 for Multi-Arts’ members/ $15 low income families
Saturday, November 23th
Place: Multi-Arts, Hadley

To register email us at info@multi-arts.org
For more info: 413-584-7951

Your family will laugh, feel moved and have fun together

Amherst Survival Center Gift Program

Holiday Gift Program
  
Register as a Gift Giver!

This holiday season you can SIGN UP to be a donor and buy a holiday gift for a child in our community.

You sign up and we will share with you:
the child’s age, gender, a specific gift they’ll enjoy at a value of $25.00-$50.00

It’s so easy: register with the Center, then bring your gifts to the Amherst Survival Center by December 6 or bring them to the Immanuel Lutheran Church on December 10.

Gifts will be distributed to all children on December 11.
Families are already signing up their children for this program.

Who can sponsor a child for a holiday gift?
   
  • Workplaces
  • Stores
  • Student groups (for e.g. fraternities, sororities, classes, scouting organizations)
  • Sports teams
  • Faith-based congregations
  • Families
To register contact Tim Kennedy at 549-3968 x101 or e-mail Tim at tim@amherstsurvival.org.

Amherst Education Foundation

Giving Thanks for Our Great Schools

Valley Gives is an online day of giving for hundreds of nonprofits throughout the Pioneer Valley, organized by the Community Foundation of Western MA. 

Thanks to you, last year AEF participated & raised funds vital to our grant making.  We were also lucky to earn special prize money for having so many donors!  In fact, we earned $20,000! 

 We hope that you’ll join us again this year.  In fact, share this news with your friends & invite them to give what they can to help keep our schools strong!


Why do you love our schools?
 
Please help us today AND on the 12th!:

·         Like AEF on Facebook & follow us on Twitter to learn more about the grants that your donations help to fund.

·         Mark your calendars for 12.12.13!

·         Bookmark our Valley Gives website:  http://valleygives.razoo.com/story/Amherstedfound.

·         Tell your friends to join us too!  Let’s get the entire community to step up for our schools!!

·         ... Then make your donation on 12.12.13!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Fort River PGO Doughnut Fundraiser!

DOUGHNUT ORDERS ARE DUE THIS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21st!!! 
No school on Friday!
Payment for the orders (cash or check made out to Fort River PGO) must be submitted with the orders!
Don't miss out on this delicious opportunity to support Fort River Elementary!
PICK-UP INFORMATION:
Your fresh baked doughnut orders will be ready to be picked up in the Fort River front lobby after school next Tuesday, November 26th until 4:30
and
Wednesday, November 27th until 1:00
Please contact Dawn Lepere at dawnlepere@gmail.com or 835-0164 with any questions.

Warm Winter Clothing Share




Friday, November 15, 2013

Amherst Education Foundation


Panel on Affordable Housing in Amherst

Event: Panel: "Amherst: The Challenge of Affordable Housing"

Panelists: Jan Dizard of Interfaith Housing, Inc.; Connie Kruger of Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; Denise LeDuc of Amherst Housing Authority; Greg Stutsman of Housing and Sheltering Committee

Date: Thursday, November 21

Time: 7:00- 8:30 pm

Place: Woodbury Room, Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst

Free and open to the public

Sponsor: League of Women Voters, Amherst

For more information: www.lwvamherst.org
LWVAmherst 253-0633

Special Education Parent Advisory Council



Starlight's Youth Theatre


Thursday, November 7, 2013

Coffee with a Principal

Please join us this Friday for a very special Coffee with a Principal.  As you know, Principal Monica will be going on maternity leave at the end of the month and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the Hall family's soon to be newest member.  Come and enjoy some cake, conversation and community in the Fort River cafeteria, Friday, Nov. 8, 8:45 - 9:30.  As always, this will be a chance to catch up on what is going on at school and in the PGO.  And save the date for our December 13th coffee when we will welcome members of the School Committee as our guests.

Por favor, únase a nosotros este viernes para un café muy especial con la directora. Como ustedes saben, la Directora Mónica se va de baja por maternidad, al final del mes y queremos aprovechar esta oportunidad para celebrar la familia Hall que pronto tendra un nuevo miembro. Ven a disfrutar de un poco de pastel, la conversación y la comunidad en la cafeteria de Fort River  cafe, Viernes, 8 de noviembre a las  08:45am - 9.30 am. Como siempre, esta será una oportunidad de ponerse al día sobre lo que está pasando en la escuela y en el PGO. Y ahorrar la fecha para nuestro 13 de diciembre, cuando el café para dar la bienvenida a los miembros del comité de la escuela como nuestros huéspedes.

Woven Word Young Writers Workshops

Registration is now open for Woven Word Young Writers Session II workshops. Workshops are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Hadley, beginning the week of November 19.   Woven Word focuses on developing each individual’s creative voice in a safe, affirming space among peers.  Now in its 14th year, the workshops build on a wealth of experience in what makes young writers tick.  We offer an enriched setting complete with great prompts and lots of permission to have fun among a group of supportive young writers.   
For More Information and Registration Contact:
Lynn Bowmaster, 413-584-3373, Lrbowmaster@gmail.com,
or visit the website at www.wovenwordyoungwriters.weebly.com
to see writer, parent and teacher references. 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts Troop 500 Amherst Open House for prospective scouts (grades 5-12; ages 11-17) and their families Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street, Amherst.  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.   Troop 500 does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or sexual preference. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Michelle Chandler at (413) 256-5412

Mobile Dentist Smile Program

The ARPS Family Center is partnering with the Mobile Dentist to provide FREE dental care to families in the Amherst, Pelham and Regional Public Schools. The Mobile Dentist are innovative, on-site dental outreach providers. Their mission is to bring state-of-the-art dental care to income-eligible students in the most comfortable and effective way possible. The ARPS Family Center will mail the Mobile Dentist forms to income-eligible families. Once parents/guardians complete and return the forms to school, appointments will be made based on the dental services needed by the students. Please direct ALL questions to the ARPS Family Center 413-362-1875 or mortonad@arps.org.

The Mobile Dentist will visit schools on the following dates:
Dec 3 Wildwood
Jan 7 ARHS & SEC
Jan 8 Pelham
Jan 9 Crocker Farm
Jan 16 Fort River
Jan 17 ARMS

Pumpkin Composting Opportunity


Friday, October 25, 2013

Fort River Silent Auction Info

We are planning the first ever Fort River Silent Auction, Spring 2014
 
We need volunteers who can:
  • help plan the party
  • shop for donations
  • enter data 
  • design signs or displays
Come and join us on  
Wednesday, Nov. 6th at 8:45am 
in the cafeteria, where we will set out the details and begin planning.   Let's make this a fun event for the entire Fort River community.
If you wish to help, but can't make the meeting please contact Deborah_christakos@yahoo.com or Angelarusso25@yahoo.com

 
Estamos planeando la primera Subasta Silenciosa de Fort River, Primavera 2014

Necesitamos voluntarios que puedan:
ayudar a planificar la fiesta
tienda para donaciones
introducir datos
signos de diseño o mostrar
 
Ven y únete a nosotros en Miércoles, 06 de noviembre a las 8:45 am en la cafetería, donde pondremos los detalles y empezaremos a planificar. Vamos a hacer de este un evento divertido para toda la comunidad de Fort River.
 
Si usted desea ayudar, pero no puede asistir a  la reunión, por favor póngase en contacto con Deborah_christakos@yahoo.com o Angelarusso25@yahoo.com