Monday, April 27, 2015

Car Wash and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 2nd from 9 am to 12 pm


Time to remove the Grime! Get rid of all that salt and sand left over from our epic winter ... Bring your vehicle to the 6th Grade Car wash this Saturday between 9 am and 12 pm! Be sure to bring extra cash as freshly made baked goods will be available ;-) Additionally the 5th Grade will host their annual Tag Sale featuring an excellent variety of clothing, games, puzzles, and household goods. Fun for all!!! 

HELP STILL WANTED from ALL 6th Grade families! Everyone needs to pitch in! 

We need Car Wash volunteers, Bake Sale volunteers, and donated items for the car wash. Kids will sign up for shifts at school.

We are also asking for ALL families to bring an item for a bake sale table (no sign up necessary). Finally, we STRONGLY encourage you to plan to get your car washed by our expert and well-supervised automotive detailers! Thanks in advance!

Click here to volunteer for the 6th Grade FUNdraising Car Wash and Bake Sale

Questions? Please contact your Classroom Parent or our generous 6th Grade Event Coordinators, Catherine M. or Tammy R.

Latin American Heritage Potluck Celebration on Wednesday, April 29 from 6 to 8 PM


Please bring your favorite Latin American dish to share a potluck! 

Fort River performers include:
* students presenting songs in Spanish that they've been learning in music class
* a special dance troupe performing a folkloric dance from El Salvador 
* Spanish poems 
* Local musician Ahmed Gonzalez will  serve as our DJ for the dance party ... Cumbia, merengue, salsa, and more!

Transportation is available for students and their families ... Here is the bus schedule:

Pickup times:
5:30 pm at Mill Valley 
5:45 pm at Rolling Green
5:50 pm at Colonial Village

Dropoff times:
8:10 pm at Colonial Village
8:15 pm at Rolling Green
8:30 pm at Mill Valley




5th Annual AEF Spring Sprint on May 9th

Register at https://www.runreg.com/5568


Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament Championship May 2-3


Fabulous Layouts!  Amazing Aerial Acrobatics! 30 of the top Ultimate teams in the USA will be in Amherst May 2-3 to battle for the Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament championship.  9:30am - 5pm, Saturday & Sunday, May 2-3 at Amherst Regional High School (21 Mattoon Street, Amherst, MA).  Boys Championship on Sunday 3:30pm; Girls Championship game on Sunday 1:45pm. Come cheer our Amherst Hurricanes on! Free!

Friday, April 17, 2015

Daffodil Run for Big Brothers Big Sisters - April 26


The Daffodil Fun Run is a 5k road race in Amherst that raises funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, a program of the Center for Human Development. In this fun and festive community event, participants race past many of the 50,000 daffodils that were planted in celebration of the Town of Amherst's 250th anniversary. The event is held each year at the beginning of spring, when the daffodils are in full bloom.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County provides one-to-one mentoring relationships to local children in need of positive adult influence and friendship. We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of our business sponsors and donors in the Hampshire County Community.

When? - Sunday, April 26, 2015

Start time: Walkers 10:30 a.m & Runners 11:00 a.m. at Kendrick Park 

Please register early! You can register at RunReg.com or in person at Energia Fitness or 50/50 Fitness in Hadley and if you register on site, you will receive a complimentary group fitness class card, valid at both locations!

We are limiting participation to 1,500 runners and walkers this year, so the sooner you register the better!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Multi-Arts @ The Jones on Sunday, April 12

Sunday April 12, 2015 1:30 pm

Jones Library


Open to children of all ages and parents/caregivers

Come to our free, fun and creative workshop at the Jones Public Library, Amherst. Titus Neijens will guide you and your child to create 3D structures born from your imagination: cats, dogs, mask, airplanes, just to name some. 


PS: 

Join us on April Arts Camp 20-24. One day, two days or a full week.

http://www.multi-arts.org/spring-break-2015.html

Coffee with a Principal & PGO meeting this morning Friday, April 10 @ 8:45am


Please join us for Coffee with a Principal this morning followed by a PGO meeting. Small children always welcome! Hope to see you there! 


Fort River Talent Show TONIGHT

The 2nd Annual Fort River Talent Show is TONIGHT at 6:30pm. 

The Talent Show is a FUNdraiser for 5th and 6th grade field trips and PGO academic support. 

Good luck to the performers! Hope to see you there!


ARHS Wind Ensemble at UMASS Sunday April 12 @ 2pm

Come out and see the ARHS Wind Ensemble with UMASS Concert Band!  Sunday, April 12th 2:00 pm.UMASS Fine Arts Center. It promises to be a great afternoon.

Save the Date - High School Math Night May 7


Save The Date:  Math Night at ARHS will be held May 7, 2015 from 6:30-8:00 pm in the ARHS Library. This program is intended for parents and guardians of students who will be entering the new math courses, Integrated Math 1, Integrated Math 2, and Integrated Math 2 Honors.  More information will be coming soon from Math Department Chair, Jane Mudie.

Spring Workshop Series for Gardeners today and April 17 @ 4pm

Wildflowers of the Northeast @ The Jones on Tuesday, April 28 @ 7pm


An opportunity to learn about the wildflowers in our region comes to the Jones Library in a presentation about the wildflowers of the northeast by local naturalist John Root.  Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7 pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2015.

This presentation is a visual one that celebrates the intricacy and enchanting beauty of our native and naturalized flora. Audiences learn distinguishing characteristics of the major plant families as a basis for field identification. The survival value of these plants’ unique adaptations in accomplishing such essential functions as photosynthesis, pollination, and seed dispersal is also discussed. Questions and comments are welcome throughout the presentation. Handouts with  descriptions of plant families, informative websites, and a bibliography for further study are offered to participants. Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at413/259-3223.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Amherst Together presents "One Drop of Love" Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m.

Amherst Together presents
One Drop of Love

Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium

Admission is free and open to the public

Please see attached press release and promo flyer.

AMHERST– Amherst Together presents One Drop of Love on Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium.

Produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, this extraordinary one-woman show by Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni incorporates filmed images, photographs and animation to tell the story of how the notion of race came to be in the United States and how it affected her relationship with her father. To tell her story, DiGiovanni travels back in time to the first US census in 1790, to cities across the United States, and to West and East Africa, where both father and daughter spent time in search of their racial roots.

An award-winning actor, producer and educator, Cox DiGiovanni has been featured in the New York Times and on NPR as a spokesperson on using the arts to explore racial identity. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cape Verde, West Africa, and has designed curricula for and taught English as a Second Language to students from all over the world. She has been honored with the Peace Corps’ Franklin H. Williams Award and with Peace Corps Fellows and Hollywood Foreign Press Association scholarships. She holds a bachelor of arts in Spanish and education, a master of arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and a master of fine arts in television, film and theater.  DiGiovanni developed “One Drop of Love” as the thesis project for her Master of Fine Arts degree in film, television, and theater from California State University Los Angeles. DiGiovanni, who appeared in the Academy Award-winning film “Argo,” is also the co-creator, co-producer, and co-host of the award-winning weekly podcast Mixed Chicks Chat, and co-founder and co-producer of the Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival.

There are many different kinds of conversations occurring in our community regarding identity,” says Carol Ross. “Not everything is black or white, literally and figuratively.  What Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni brings to the table is a moving and insightful microscope to our belief that there is such a thing as race and how the assignment of identity plays out in destructive ways that impact each and every one of us. This is a critical component that often gets missed in our attempts to dismantle this social construct.

About Amherst Together
Amherst Together is a creativity hub for advancing community, collaboration, equity and inclusion in Amherst. Through collective impact, Amherst Together will continue to evolve as an organizing infrastructure for effective community engagement, connecting people, ideas, and resources for building sustainable progress in everyday social practices.For more information, please visit amhersttogether.org. 

Follow Amherst Together on Instagram at instagram.com/amhersttogetheror on Twitter at twitter.com/amhersttogether.

AMHERST TOGETHER | 170 Chestnut Street | Amherst, MA 01002 | 413.362.1820

Media contact: Carol Ross, rossc@amhersttogether.org, 413.362.1820






Fort River PGO Book Share Coming Soon!



Spring Cleaning???
Please set aside children and young adult books for the FR Book Share!

Even though the thermometer doesn't seem to know it's spring, it is time to look over your bookshelves!  Once again, the Fort River PGO will be holding a Book Share.  Books that your kids have outgrown can be brought in to be shared with others.  We are hoping to collect over 800 books so that each child can bring home two books.  Books for 5th and 6th grade are especially desired. More information on when books will be collected will be coming out soon!

UMass International Festival this Saturday on the Common

Travel Abroad while staying here in Amherst! Enjoy food, games, music, and wholesome family fun on Saturday, April 11 from noon to 5 PM on the Town Common. Hosted by the UMass International Students Club. Learn more at Facebook.com/ISC.UMass

Whole Children "Wild Goose Chase" on May 17

Whole Children is bringing some inclusive family fun to Look Park with its "Wild Goose Chase" Run and Carnival on May 17. To ensure that every age and ability can get in on the fun, the running events include an age-graded start 5K race, a 1-mile run/walk, and kids races.

The day isn't all about running either! There will be a carnival including horse-drawn hayrides, face painting, live music, train rides, Hulu hooping, and much more. All young entrants will receive a T-shirt along with other goodies like ice cream gift certificates and, of course, medals for completing the race. 

Whole Children is a grassroots organization started by parents of children with disabilities that offers a wide range of afterschool, weekend and vacation enrichment programs for children of all ages and abilities. With over 75 classes a year, Whole Children provides everything from theater to sports programs for close to 800 families in the Valley. 

All of the proceeds from The Wild Goose Chase and carnival will support  Whole Children’s programs, including the scholarship fund.

Grow Food Amherst Sustainable Agriculture Expo on Sunday, April 12

Learn, Discuss, and Explore the World of Sustainable Agriculture
 
...at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst


Events will include activities for children, informational tables, and a raffle with goods donated by local farms and vendors.  The Expo is designed to educate you on the meaning of sustainable agriculture, with answers to questions on how to live a more sustainable life.  Learn about: 
  • the history of sustainable agriculture,
  • soil health,
  • legislation,
  • local food,
  • food justice, and
  • methods of sustainable agriculture.

Please stop by any time between 2:00 and 4:00 pm!
 
Sponsored by the Sustainable Food & Farming program of the UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture, the Amherst League of Women Voters, and the Green Sanctuary Committee of the UU Society.
 
This is a free, family-friendly event

Harvard Innovation Education Fellow Tony Wagner to speak at Amherst College on Saturday April 11

All ARPS faculty, administrators, staff, parents/guardians and community partners are invited to attend a presentation by Dr. Tony Wagner on Saturday, April 11 in Johnson Chapel on the Amherst College campus.  Doors open at 9am and the presentation begins promptly at 9:30am. Please see attached flyer for details. This is a FREE event and the community is invited to attend. Hope to see you there! 


Monday, April 6, 2015

2nd Annual Fort River Talent Show

The 2nd Annual Fort River Talent Show is scheduled for THIS Friday, April 10 at 6:30pm. An earlier message had the incorrect date. 

The Talent Show is a FUNdraiser for 5th and 6th grade field trips and PGO academic support. 

Volunteers are still needed for the Talent Show on Friday and also for the dress rehearsal after school on Thursday, April 9. Click here to sign up to volunteer:


Hope to see you there!


Sunday, April 5, 2015

Coffee with a Principal & PGO meeting this Friday, April 10 @ 8:45am

Please join us for Coffee with a Principal this Friday followed by a PGO meeting. Small children always welcome! Hope to see you there! 


6th Grade Graduation - More Volunteers Needed!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has volunteered for tasks and events related to 6th grade graduation! If you have not, please sign up using the links below. We need EVERYONE's help to make this a day for our 6th graders to remember.

FORT RIVER TALENT SHOW!
The 6th grade will host the 2nd annual talent show.  Dawn Lepere is coordinating this event but will need volunteers to help her in overseeing the dress rehearsal and the show as well as, set-up, clean up etc. (April 9 rehearsal, April 10 show).


GRADUATION!

Graduation needs include Class Gift Coordinator, Decorations Coordinators and Volunteers, Food Coordinators and Volunteers, Slide Show/Photography  Experts, Invitation and Program Graphic  Designer(s), and "Pound the Pavement" Parents willing to solicit donations from community businesses and supporters.

Click here to volunteer for Graduation Activities 

SAVE THE DATE!!!! 

Car Wash and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 2nd 

HELP WANTED for the 6th Grade Car Wash and Bake Sale - Saturday, May 2, 9am-12pm at Fort River School (rain date Sunday, May 3).

We need Coordinators, Car Wash volunteers, Bake Sale volunteers,  and donated items for the car wash. Kids will sign up for shifts at school.

We are also asking for ALL families to bring an item for a bake sale table (no sign up necessary). Finally, we STRONGLY encourage you to plan to get your car washed by our expert and well-supervised automotive detailers! Thanks in advance!

Click here to volunteer for the 6th Grade FUNdraising Car Wash and Bake Sale

Questions? Please contact your Classroom Parent or our generous 6th Grade Event Coordinators, Catherine M. or Tammy R.

Fort River Dives Into Reading! Book Share Coming Soon!



Spring Cleaning???
Please set aside children and young adult books for the FR Book Share!

Even though the thermometer doesn't seem to know it's spring, it is time to look over your bookshelves!  Once again, the Fort River PGO will be holding a Book Share.  Books that your kids have outgrown can be brought in to be shared with others.  We are hoping to collect over 800 books so that each child can bring home two books.  Books for 5th and 6th grade are especially desired. More information on when books will be collected will be coming out soon!

Earth Day Poem Contest

The 2015 American Chemical Society Chemists Celebrate Earth Day illustrated poem contest for K12 students has 
“Climate Science—More Than Just A Weather Report!”  as a theme.  Last fall, our Local Section took second
prize in the national contest!  The deadline is April 28, 2015.

For more information and entry instructions, please contact:
Dr. Sharon Palmer, CCED Coordinator, Connecticut Valley Section
palmers@arps.org 

"Have a Blast!" UMass Department of Chemistry STEM event on April 17

Interested in a fun, interactive, and educational event on a Friday night? The UMass Amherst Chemistry Department invites you to our Chemistry Demonstration Show. See exciting demonstrations and learn why chemistry is not magic! Stay after the show for some fun hands-on activities!

Friday April 17th at 7 PM

Integrated Sciences Building Room 135 
661 North Pleasant Street
Amherst MA 01003
(not a University sponsored event)

*Free and open to the public

Contact Raina Kittilstved for more information: rkittilstved@chem.umass.edu


Children's Writing Contest at the Odyssey Bookshop

22nd Annual Children's Writing Contest at the Odyssey Bookshop


All kids grades 1 through 5 welcome. Deadline April 24. Visit www.odysseybks.com for details. 


Multi-Arts at the Jones on April 12

Join us for a Family Afternoon with Multi-Arts!


Sunday April 12, 2015 1:30 pm

Jones Library

Open to children of all ages and parents/caregivers

Come to our free, fun and creative workshop at the Jones Public Library, Amherst. Titus Neijens will guide you and your child to create 3D structures born from your imagination: cats, dogs, mask, airplanes, just to name some. 


PS: 

Join us on April Arts Camp 20-24. One day, two days or a full week.

http://www.multi-arts.org/spring-break-2015.html