Saturday, December 26, 2015

LSSE Stages Mary Poppins in January


mary poppinsTickets are on sale now for Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater’s performances of Mary Poppins at Bowker Auditorium.  

Performances will be:  Thursday, January 14 at 7:30 pm (general admission); Friday, January 15 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, January 16 at 1:00 pm; Sunday, January 17 at 1:00 pm; Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 pm; Friday, January 22 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, January 23 at 1:00 pm; Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 pm.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students/seniors and $10 for children age 10 and under.  For the general admission seating on January 14, 2015, tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under.  There is a $1.75 processing fee per ticket.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the LSSE office in the Bangs Community Center; through amherstma.gov/948/Community-Theater; or by calling LSSE at 413-259-3065.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Happy Vacation and Thanks!



Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to our Annual Fund, participated in our various fundraisers, and/or celebrated with friends at Pub Night and the Barnes and Noble Book Fair!

If you are making 2015 year end charitable gifts, we hope that you will please consider Fort River Elementary School among your donations this year. The Fort River PGO recently launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign, and with the help of our community we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families! 

Your dollars will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Fort River Chili Night January 28th


Save the Date!

Fort River's annual Chili Night will be held on January 28th. Prepare for culinary delights as the chefs battle for the coveted "Golden Ladle" award. 

More details coming soon. Please click here to email Allison P. if you'd like to volunteer. 

December Camp - KidsAfrik in Northampton (December 28-30th)

KidsAfrik  is providing a 3 day camp and cultural retreat for children ages 7-15

over the December break. 

Location:  Allsport Soccer Arena, Northampton, MA
Cost $159 for 3 days (Dec 28-30th)

Web site for more info:  http://www.mymobilesocceracademy.com/#!cultural-camp/cr7l

Amherst Lions Club Ski, Skate, and Snowboard Sale January 8th and 9th

Food for Fines at the Jones Library & Branches

Amherst, MA – The Jones Library and branches will be offering a “food for fines” amnesty period from January 2 – 31, 2016.    Library patrons who bring a non-perishable, non-expired food donation or make a monetary contribution to the Amherst Survival Center when they return overdue library materials during this time will have the fines on those materials forgiven. 

“This is a great opportunity for patrons with long-overdue library materials to get those items back to the library without having to pay the fines that are accumulating,” says Amy Anaya, Head of Borrower Services at the Jones Library.  It’s important to note that the amnesty applies only to items that are being returned during this time, and not to existing overdue fines on items that have already been returned or for billed or lost items.

Holding a Food for Fines drive is a long-standing annual tradition at the Jones Library.  The food and funds collected will support the work of the Amherst Survival Center, the local service agency that assists many in our community in meeting their basic needs.

For further information about Food for Fines, please contact Amy Anaya at anayaa@joneslibrary.org or 413/259-3132

Amherst Cinema Family Films







Saturdays at 10am, $5 general admission!

Parents, different films will be appropriate for different ages. We recommend commonsensemedia.org as a helpful resource in determining what's right for your child.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Trivia Night at the Jones Library

The Jones Library invites area trivia buffs to at our monthly Trivia Night, hosted by Mark “Harpo” Power, on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm.  The next Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2016 in the Woodbury Room.  All trivia aficionados are invited to join in the fun and support the Jones Library!

Bring friends and family as a team, or form teams on the spot, with a maximum of five per team. There will be two rounds of 15 questions each, and there will be prizes for the top teams.  Doors open at 6 pm, and the event starts promptly at 6:30 pm.  There is a suggested donation of $5-$10 per person to participate.  All proceeds benefit the Jones Library.  Refreshments will be served.

Open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Help the Goat Girls get Quality Nutrition this Winter!

Please consider donating your used Christmas Tree to the Goat Girls herd. They will appreciate this source of quality nutrition during the bleak winter growing season, and you will be recycling and helping our environment. Win win!! 

Drop off at Many Hands Farm CSA, 132 Pelham Road. 

Monday, December 14, 2015

Annual Fund Appeal

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their contribution to the 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund! Every dollar helps! 

If you have not yet contributed, we hope that you will please consider Fort River Elementary School among your top charitable donations this year. The Fort River PGO launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign last month, and with the help of our community, we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families.

Your dollars will not only stay local, in your community, they will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.


Thank you for considering this worthy cause! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:


Fort River PGO

70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Availability in Amherst Public Schools Early Education Program for January - June 2016

Please call Michele Regan-Ladd. Preschool Coordinator, 413-362-1610 with questions or to apply.


Early Dismissal on Wednesday, December 16

This Wednesday, December 16th, is an early dismissal for all ARPS students. Elementary students will be dismissed at 1:20 pm.

Holiday Recess

School is closed Thursday, December 24, 2015 through Sunday, January 3, 2016. Classes resume on Monday, January 4, 2016. 

Elementary School Building Project Updates

The Amherst Elementary School Building Project team hosted a community forum last week on December 8.


Here is the slide from the presentation with the updated project schedule: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By0mz4P0v3bWX1c3Q2VJd3ZWdkE

Here is the final version of Preliminary Design Plan submitted to the MSBA earlier last week: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By0mz4P0v3bWU25nQkxVWWZOc0xVSEtobzJoUDQzc0xmNDVZ

Here is an updated draft of implications of enrollment options for the building project: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By0mz4P0v3bWeFZuQ25ZZ1Y3Vmc

Sunday, December 13, 2015

New Girls Daisy Troop for Kindergarten and Grade 1

Contact Ann Ho, a senior nursing student at UMass, for more details about this new Daisy Troop for K and Grade 1 girls 

anneho.girlscouts@gmail.com

Capacidad Vacation Child Care!

Amherst Hats for Sale! Proceeds benefit Crocker Farm 6th Grade




The Crocker Farm 6th grade is selling Amherst hats to raise money for their end of school year field trip and graduation festivities.

They are warm and nice, and at just $10 each, a great bargain! The first order of the hats sold out quickly and a new order has been placed. Get yours today!


Order form in English HERE  
Order form in Spanish HERE

Any questions? Please contact Stacey (snwmac@yahoo.com) or Angela (pav4all@yahoo.com).





Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Fort River Band and Orchestra T-Shirts


Band and Orchestra Tee Shirt Order Form

This year, we have the opportunity to order Band and Orchestra Tee shirts! These are colorful cotton shirts with a white Band and Orchestra logo on the left chest. We will wear these for in-school concerts, and to show our Band and Orchestra pride in the school and our communities. Please return this order form by December 11, 2015.

Name _________________________________ 
School_________
Grade _____ 
Classroom Teacher_________________

Please indicate your child's size: 
_____ Small (chest: 34”)
_____ Medium (chest: 36”) 

_____ Large (chest: 38”)
_____ Extra-Large (chest: 40”)
_____ I would like to donate a shirt(s) to a student who is unable to purchase one
_____ I cannot afford to purchase a shirt at this time, and would like to request a fee waiver.


Please select a color for your shirt: 
_____ Red
_____ Blue
_____ Green

_____ Yellow 
_____ Purple 
_____ Orange

The shirts cost $10 each. Please make checks payable to AMHERST-PELHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Thank you,
Katie LaFond and Heather O’Mara Band and Orchestra Directors Amherst-Pelham Elementary Schools lafondk@arps.org omarah@arps.org 

Fort River Library Volunteers Needed!



a request from Ms. Ludington 

If you have any free time and are willing, the Fort River Library needs you. Below is an overview of the jobs that we need help with. Usually we can train you in 30-40 min. for the job(s) you choose. Book repairs can be done at home or here. Give us a call or stop by to see what it might feel like to work in the library. Try it. Your schedule to volunteer can be whenever you are free and flexible.



  1. Shelving and “Reading” shelves: putting books back on the shelves in order and keeping them in order (alphabetically & numerically)
  2. Cover, clean and repair books.
  3. Updating/edit our computer catalog records
  4. Sign Making

Happy reading,
Fran Ludington, Librarian, Joanne Shea, Paraeducator Email: ludingtf@arps.org 

___________________________________________________



Si tiene tiempo libre y está dispuesto, la biblioteca de Fort River lo necesita. A continuación se muestra un resumen de los puestos de trabajo en que necesitamos ayuda. Por lo general, podemos entrenar en 30- 40 minutos para el trabajo (s) que usted elija. Reparaciones de libros se pueden hacer en casa o aquí. Llámenos o visítenos para ver lo que puede ver cómo se siente trabajar en la biblioteca. Inténtelo. Su horario de voluntario puede ser cuando usted esté libre y flexible.


  1. Estantería y “Lectura”: Poner los libros en los estantes organizar los estantes y mantenerlos en orden (alfabéticamente y numeralmente)
  2. Cubrir, limpiar y reparar libros.
  3. Actualizando/editar nuestros registros de catalogo
  4. Hacer letreros

Feliz Lectura,
Fran Ludington, Bibliotecaria, Joanne Shea, Paraeducatora Correo electrónico: ludingtf@arps.org 

Barnes & Noble Book Fair in Hadley and ONLINE through Thursday, December 10th


THANK YOU TO everyone who visited the Fort River Book Fair on Saturday at the Barnes & Noble store in Hadley!!!! We had an awesome turnout, and the entertainment was fantastic!

Did you miss it?  You can still support the school and our classrooms by using our book fair code either on line or at the store until this THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10TH.  

There are a number of books from our teacher wish lists that are still available. Some can be found in the store and most are on line.  

Remember to use our Book Fair Code #11609500 when checking out.  You can also bring a copy of the voucher to use at checkout in the store or simply mention that your are shopping to support Fort River.

Thanks also to our Book Fair Coordinating Team: Liz Larson, Shilpa Cunniffe, and MaryBeth Meade, and to all of our amazing volunteers! Great job everyone! 





Amherst Elementary School Building Project Public Forums on Tuesday, December 8th

The Amherst Elementary School Building Project is having more public forums on Tuesday, December 8, at 3:30pm and 7:00pm in the Amherst Regional Middle School Library. The “Preliminary Design Program” that will be discussed can be found here.

Here is a story from MassLive about the recently approved option for a k - 6 school that would replace BOTH Wildwood and Fort River.

Please also join us for Fort River Night at the Pub on Tuesday!

Pub Night and Public Forums - Great Pair!




Tuesday, December 8th

15 East Pleasant Street in Downtown Amherst

Take a night off from cooking, bring family and friends, and enjoy dinner at The Pub with our Fort River community! Tell your server you are a Fort River Family and The Pub will donate 15% of your bill to our PGO!

Were you planning on attending one of the Amherst Elementary School Building forums tonight? Dinner at The Pub will make life so much simpler for you and your family! Please join us at The Pub!



Annual Fund 2015 Appeal

Please consider Fort River Elementary School among your top charitable donations this year. The Fort River PGO launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign in November, and with the help of our community, we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families! Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!

Your dollars will not only stay local, in your community, they will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! We do not have an online platform for donations this year. This means you can be assured that every single penny you provide makes it into the PGO checking account at Florence Bank! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

December Principal's Newsletter/School Improvement Plan


"Hello Fort River Families!

Fort River School is a vibrant school with amazing students, excellent teachers, and an engaged community of families. I am proud to serve as the instructional leader of this community of learners. With a shared vision and identified priorities for continued school improvement, the Fort River School Improvement Plan illustrates goals that focus on collaboration, equity for all, and community building.

The full School Improvement Plan can be found on our website. Below is an outline of our goal areas this year:
  • 80% of students reading at an average or above average level
  • Students will demonstrate average or above rate of improvement
  • Allocation of time for increased teacher collaboration
  • All students will have at least one opportunity to participate in a culminating Arts Integration experience
  • Teachers will engage in vertical and horizontal alignment around curriculum and instruction
  • According to the family needs assessment, the discipline approach will work “quite well” or “very well” for students
  • Using restorative practices and through interventions, the number of discipline incidents will be decreased by 20%
  • 95% of families will report they are “quite involved”
  • 85% of families will report Fort River values the diversity of children’s backgrounds and teaching materials support cultural diversity

Patterns and trends have guided the goal development and refinement for the 2015-2016 school year. It is through a strong collaborative commitment to improvement and data driven assessment of goals and objectives that Fort River will continue to make improvements.

Our work to articulate and refine our shared vision is ongoing, and demands an “all hands on deck” approach. Our goals will be reached when all stakeholders participate in the learning and growth of our students. The School Improvement Plan serves as a living and evolving document, a road map that will lead us towards improved excellence. Additionally, the plan fosters healthy transparency between the school, families, and community. We are committed and accountable for the goals and objectives within the plan. I am confident that as a learning community, our school improvement plan will represent and guide us to cultivate a culture of student success and high levels of achievement.

Sincerely,
Principal Bobbie Finocchio

________________________________________________
Hola Familias de Fort River!

Fort River es una escuela vibrante con estudiantes increíbles, excelentes maestros, y una comunidad comprometida a las familias. Estoy orgulloso de servir como líder de instrucción de esta comunidad de estudiantes. Con una visión compartida y prioridades identificadas para la mejoría continua de la escuela, el Plan de Mejoría de la Escuela Fort River ilustra objetivos que se centran en la colaboración, la equidad para todos, y la construcción de la comunidad.

El Plan de Mejoramiento Escolar completo se puede encontrar en nuestra página web. A continuación se muestra un resumen de nuestras áreas objetivo este año:
  • El 80% de los estudiantes que leen en un promedio o por encima del nivel medio
  • Los estudiantes demostrarán mejoramiento de promedio o por encima de la tasa de mejoría
  • Distribución de tiempo para una mayor colaboración de los maestros
  • Todos los estudiantes tendrán al menos una oportunidad de participar en una experiencia de integración de las Artes culminadas
  • Los maestros participarán en la alineación vertical y horizontal alrededor del currículo e instrucción
  • De acuerdo con la evaluación de las necesidades de la familia, el enfoque de la disciplina funcionará "bastante bien" o "muy bien" para los estudiantes
  • El uso de las prácticas restaurativas y por medio de intervenciones, el número de incidentes de disciplina serán reducidas por un 20%
  • 95% de las familias reportan que están "bastante envueltas"
  • 85% de las familias reportaran que valoran la diversidad de orígenes de los niños y los materiales didácticos apoyar la diversidad cultural en Fort River. 

Patrones y tendencias han guiado el desarrollo de metas y refinamiento para el año escolar 2015 hasta 2016. Es a través de un fuerte compromiso de colaboración para la evaluación de la mejoría y de datos impulsado de las metas y objetivos que Fort River seguirá para hacer mejoras.

Nuestro trabajo para articular y refinar nuestra visión compartida está en curso, y exige un enfoque de "manos a la obra”. Nuestros objetivos se alcanzarán cuando todas las partes interesadas participen en el aprendizaje y el crecimiento de nuestros estudiantes. El Plan de Mejoramiento Escolar sirve como un documento vivo y en evolución, una hoja de ruta que nos conducirá hacia la mejora de la excelencia. Además, el plan promueve la transparencia saludable entre la escuela, las familias y la comunidad. Estamos comprometidos y responsables de las metas y objetivos del plan. Estoy seguro de que como comunidad de aprendizaje, nuestro plan de mejoramiento escolar representará y nos guiara a cultivar una cultura de éxito de los estudiantes y los altos niveles de logro.

Sinceramente,

Principal Bobbie Finocchio"

News from the Superintendent

News from Superinendent Maria Geryk:

"... I am happy to share a news story about a group of 15 ARMS students who have taken what they learned through their Inquiry Project in Social Studies and turned it into an opportunity to advocate for social justice.  The full story, which was featured on WGGB News 40, is printed in the newsletter and you can view the video here.

… estoy feliz de compartir una noticia acerca de un grupo de 15 estudiantes ARMS que han tomado lo que han aprendido a través de su Proyecto de Investigación en Estudios Sociales y lo convirtieron en una oportunidad para abogar por la justicia social. La historia completa, que fue presentado en WGGB Noticias 40, está impreso en el boletín y se puede ver el vídeo aquí.

For those who want to delve into the details of the Amherst Elementary Building Project, the Project Design Proposal (PDP) has been completed and approved by the Wildwood Building Committee.  More information is included in the newsletter, and you can access the full draft PDP at this link.  The final version will be posted next week.

Para aquellos que quieran profundizar en los detalles del proyecto de construcción de Escuela Elemental de Amherst, la Propuesta de Diseño del Proyecto (PDP) se ha completado y aprobado por el Comité de Construcción de Wildwood. Más información se incluye en el boletín de noticias, y puede tener completo acceso al proyecto PDP en este enlace. La versión final se publicará la próxima semana."

Friday, December 4, 2015

Town of Amherst Nominating Papers

As of December 1, nominating papers for town-wide offices, including School Committee, will be available at the Town Clerk’s office. Nominating papers (with at least 50 voters supporting) are due February 9, and the election will be March 29, 2016. More info at: http://www.amherstma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1630

Nomination papers for Moderator, Select Board, School Committee, Housing Authority, Jones Library Trustee, Redevelopment Authority, Elector of the Oliver Smith Will, Charter Commissioners and Town Meeting Member will be available at the Town Clerk’s office beginning December 1, 2015.

All voters registered to vote in Amherst are eligible to run for town office and town meeting member.

Town-wide office and charter commissioner nomination papers must be signed by at least fifty registered voters in Amherst. Candidates are advised to collect more than fifty signatures to ensure the requisite number of certified signatures.

Town meeting member nomination papers must be signed by at least one registered voter of the precinct in which the candidate resides.

Nomination papers for all of the above offices must be filed at the Town Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Voters in each precinct will elect eight town meeting members for three years, and elect other members as necessary to fill existing vacancies for two or one year terms. Amherst residents must be registered voters by Wednesday, March 9, 2016 to vote in the March 29, 2016 Annual Town Election.

http://www.amherstma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1630

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Giving Tuesday - Please Consider Fort River School!

#givingtuesday is Tuesday, December 1st! 

The day provides a tremendous opportunity to support the hard work of your favorite non-profits! 

Please consider Fort River Elementary School among your top charitable donations this year. The Fort River PGO launched our 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund campaign in November, and with the help of our community, we can fully fund our planned initiatives and maintain needed support for our teachers, students, and families! 

Did you know that the PGO provides a printed Directory to each family annually free of charge? Did you know that each child receives a printed Yearbook at no cost every June? 

Have you attended Chili Nights, PGO Movie Nights, Popsicle Parties, or Dr. Suess Night? All of these community events were organized and funded by the PGO. How about the new Pumpkin Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast held on Halloween Day? This well attended, super fun inaugural event was made possible by the hard work of the PGO and generous donations from community partners. The PGO also budgets support for field trips, 6th grade graduation, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon, Coffees with the Principal, the Winter Coat Drive, Book Share, and grade-wide potlucks and events.

All classroom teachers and specialists receive seed money from the PGO to set up their classrooms each fall. The Guidance Team has a sizable discretionary fund provided by the PGO specifically for supporting our most at risk students and families. 

Your dollars will not only stay local, in your community, they will stay RIGHT IN YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL when you make a charitable contribution to the Fort River PGO. Every cent is tax deductible.

Thank you for considering this worthy cause! We do not have an online platform for donations this year. This means you can be assured that every single penny you provide makes it into the PGO checking account at Florence Bank! Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be sent into the Main Office or mailed to:

Fort River PGO
70 S. East St.
Amherst, MA 01002

FINAL CALL for Gift Card Orders! Send in Orders by Tuesday, December 1st

GIFT CARD ORDERS ARE DUE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1st! 

Help the Fort River PGO earn money for school programs by doing nothing! (Well, almost nothing.) 

The PGO is selling gift cards! Do you already plan to purchase gift cards to give to your children, family, friends, and teachers during the holidays? Now your gift can give EVEN MORE!  

Do you make weekly trips to Stop and Shop or Target? Your routine household shopping can earn money for Fort River and it won't cost you anything! This is money that you would already be spending, but if you use our gift cards, you will be earning money for Fort River as we purchase the gift cards at a discount (from 3-16% depending on the retailer – listed in the table below.)

Use the cards for:
  • ·      Purchases that you already make on a regular basis like groceries or gas.
  • ·      Holiday shopping.
  • ·      To give as gifts to teachers, mail carriers and bus drivers.
Again, this is money you already have budgeted, but if you use our gift cards, you are helping the PGO fund school programs for your students. 

The PGO needs financial contributions to maintain our level of support for classrooms! This type of easy passive fundraiser helps every teacher and student at Fort River!

Please make checks payable to: Fort River PGOUse this form to order as many gift cards as you wish, attach your check, and return to your child’s teacher or to the PGO mailbox in the office.

Orders must be picked up in person in the Fort River lobby either on WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9th from 8:30-9:15am or THURSDAY DECEMBER 10th from 3-6pm. If you cannot make either date, please email Stacey Beganny to make other arrangements. (sbeganny@gmail.com)

Click here to access the order form.