Hillside Pizza Orders Due THURSDAY, January 28th

Help the 5th Grade fund their field trip! 

URGENT!! Pizza!! Pizza!! 

Help the 5^th grade class go on their field trip to Boston AND enjoy yummy Hillside Pizza and cookies for the Superbowl and beyond!  

Who doesn’t like some pizza in the freezer for a quick dinner on a hectic night? All made with natural organic ingredients. There are lots of options:   plain, pepperoni, pesto, asiago, pesto, sundried tomato and gluten free. Choose between large 16 inch pizza’s and 13 inch party packs of 3 (or better yet, get some of each). There are also tubs of cookie dough: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and maple sugar. Each tub makes 3 dozen and the dough freezes well to use as you eat.

We really need your help to make our trip happen. Please have orders in by January 28^th and we will have them available for pick up Thursday, February 4^th  after school between 3-5 in the lobby, just in time for Superbowl weekend. Please make checks payable to Fort River School.  

Need a new form? Click below to print one.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-2bHm-1AjRfVUVzYmZFM2NWMUU

No School on Friday, January 29th

The Amherst Elementary Schools have a Curriculum Day for staff this Friday. There is no school for Fort River students. 

Preschool Screenings

Wondering if your child is developing as they should be?

The Amherst Public Schools will be providing free Developmental Screenings for children ages 3 - 5 years.

Developmental Screening is a quick look at your child's overall development:

*Speech/Language

*Gross and Fine Motor

*Memory

*Ability to Reason 

*Color Naming and Counting

Screenings will be held on Friday, February 5th at Crocker Farm School. 

Please call Michele Regan-Ladd, Preschool Coordinator, at 413-362-1610 to schedule an appointment. 

Jump Rope for Heart in February

Trying to beat the winter blues? Grab a few jump ropes and head outside to practice with your kiddos! Ms. Keizer recently sent home FUNdraising forms for the Jump Rope For Heart which will take place during the week of February 8th. 

Students LOVE this event! Get your hearts pumping by jumping! 

Chili Night for a Chilly Night! This Thursday! Spice up your Week!

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

Volunteers are needed! Please click below to sign up. Please also sign up if you plan to bring chili or bake corn bread ... Many chefs are needed to make this annual Fort River tradition a huge success. Thanks!!!

http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/udF2k+WFTI8

Second Grade families will host a Dessert Bake Sale and will be collecting donations to support the annual Wingmasters program. 

Habitat for Humanity - Home Ownership Opportunities in Amherst

Information Session 

Jones Library, Amherst 

Sun, January 24th, 3 pm

Deadline for Submitting Housing Application:  February 1st 

HOUSING APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
For 2 Affordable Homeownership Opportunities in Amherst

Applications are available at the Jones Library, Amherst Town Hall & the Pioneer Valley Habitat office.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1st 2016

Two unit condominium: each unit has 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms
Homes are priced up to $135,000 with the final price and mortgage term set to ensure the selected family’s housing costs do not exceed 28% of their total income. Monthly payments may range from $650-$1,000 which include mortgage principal, taxes and homeowner association fees. Monthly payments will vary depending on the length of the mortgage, final sale price of the home and property taxes charged by the town.

Running for Town Meeting?

The deadline for getting your name on the ballot as a candidate for Town Meeting is February 9, 2016. Sign up in the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall. You must be a registered voter in the Town of Amherst. All it takes is one signature. If you have any questions, contact the Town Clerk at 259-3035, TownClerk@amherstma.gov or email the Town Meeting Coordinating Committee (TMCC) at townmeeting@amherstma.gov. 

Within a few weeks, the Amherst League of Women Voters will contact candidates who have signed up to be on the ballot to write a few sentences about themselves that will be published in the Amherst Bulletin Election Guide the week before the election. Participating in the Election Guide is a good way to increase votes for a candidate. 

If you miss the deadline to be on the Ballot…
If you miss the deadline, you can run a “write-in” campaign by asking friends and neighbors in your precinct to vote for you. Write-in candidates are also advised to contact the Amherst League of Women Voters (http://www.lwvamherst.org/) to participate in the LWV Election Guide that is published in the Amherst Bulletin the week before the Annual Election.

The Annual Town Election takes place on March 29, 2016.

The Annual Town Meeting begins on Monday, May 2, 2016.

Once you are elected you will be mailed packets of information about issues to be decided at Town Meeting. An orientation for newly elected Town Meeting members will take place before the first session of Town Meeting. Educational events such as a Warrant Review, Bus Tour, and Precinct Meetings take place in the month before Town Meeting. Additional information for town meeting members can be found at www.amherstma.gov/tminfo and www.amherstma.gov/tm and by joining the Town Meeting listserv by sending an email to townmeeting@amherstma.gov. Town Meeting members can also join the Town Meeting Email Discussion Group by sending an email with your name, precinct number, and contact information to amhersttownmeeting-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .

Do you need Dependent Care so you can attend Town Meeting Sessions? The Town offers some financial support for Town Meeting members who need to pay for care for children or other household members so they can attend Town Meeting. For reimbursement (at least partial - up to $30 per session), receipts must be turned in to the Select Board Office within 2 weeks of the adjournment of Town Meeting.

SEPAC Workshop on January 27

On January 27, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., the Federation for Children with Special Needs presents Basic Rights In Special Education: A Workshop for Parents and Professionals Presented in Spanish. The workshop will be held at the ARPS Family Center in ARMS.

The Basic Rights workshop provides families with an introduction to their rights and responsibilities under:  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); Massachusetts Special Education Law.  This workshop is designed to help parents learn to be effective partners with their child’s school to decide their child’s eligibility for special education, and to plan, make decisions and monitor their child’s progress in school.

For further information contact Yaldira Felix Brown ARPS Family Center at 413 362-1876 or Nancy Stewart sepac@arps.org 413-687-4255.  Please call or email to let us know you are attending.  The Federation for Children with Special Needs is supported in part by grant #H328M140014 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs and the Massachusetts Department of Education.

FlyerBasicRightsinSpanish116_January 2016

Old Fashioned Letter Writing at the Jones Library

An Old Fashioned Letter Writing program will be held at Jones Library on February 11 from 5 to 6 pm.  Using the Special Collections exhibit Courtship by Mail as inspiration, teens will learn about the art of letter-writing and create some of their own mail to send.  As inspiration, an exhibit of vintage Valentines and old love letters will be on exhibit.     Participants will get to experience this exhibit in an exclusive after-hours session (Special Collections will be closed to the public but open to teens).  We’ll have lot of letter-writing supplies on hand, and even have tips for finding celebrity addresses. This program will be led by Special Collections Curator Cynthia Harbeson and Mia Cabana (Head of Youth Services).  Register by calling the Jones Library Kids’ Room at 413-259-3091or kids@joneslibrary.org

Trivia Night at the Jones Library on Thursday, February 4

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, February 4, 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.

Soup For Syria on January 31

SOUP FOR SYRIA, a community-wide benefit for Syrian refugees, will be hosted by the Jewish Community of Amherst, 742 Main St. Amherst, on Sunday, January 31 at 4:30pm. Professor David Mednicoff, UMass Director of Middle Eastern Studies, Michel Moushabeck, publisher of the cookbook Soup for Syria, and Michael Kane of Valley Syrian Relief will update us on the Syrian refugee crisis, the greatest refugee crisis since World War II with over 12 million victims. Music will be performed by musicians from the Layaali Arabic Music Ensemble and Klezperanto. Delicious soups from Soup for Syria will be served. A collection will be taken for the Syrian American Medical Society Foundation, providers of desperately needed services. Attendees can purchase Soup for Syria and books by Syrian authors to further support Syrian refugees. The event is free and the public is welcome. For those who wish to contribute but are unable to attend a check payable to SAMS can be sent to the JCA, 742 Main St. Amherst, MA 01002. For more information call (413) 256-0493.

Pizza Fundraiser for 5th Grade Field Trip - Order Today!

URGENT!! Pizza!! Pizza!! 

Help the 5^th grade class go on their field trip to Boston AND enjoy yummy Hillside Pizza and cookies for the Superbowl and beyond!  

Who doesn’t like some pizza in the freezer for a quick dinner on a hectic night? All made with natural organic ingredients. There are lots of options:   plain, pepperoni, pesto, asiago, pesto, sundried tomato and gluten free. Choose between large 16 inch pizza’s and 13 inch party packs of 3 (or better yet, get some of each). There are also tubs of cookie dough: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and maple sugar. Each tub makes 3 dozen and the dough freezes well to use as you eat.

We really need your help to make our trip happen. Please have orders in by January 28^th and we will have them available for pick up Thursday, February 4^th  after school between 3-5 in the lobby, just in time for Superbowl weekend. Please make checks payable to Fort River School.  

Need a new form? Click below to print one.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-2bHm-1AjRfVUVzYmZFM2NWMUU

Winter Youth Conditioning Clinic beginning February 7th

Winter Youth Conditioning Clinic in Amherst beginning February 7th.  Get in shape for spring! Working with Patrick Schilling, experienced Exercise Physiologist, develop strength, power and flexibility between and during your sport seasons. Join us for 8 weeks of classes that will focus on keeping you fit and prepare for the next season with exercises that are challenging, creative, and fun! Grab a friend and sign up today! 

TWO OPTIONS:  

Sundays, February 7-April 3 (no class March 27); age 12-16 5-6pm, age 8-11 6-7pm 

and/or 

Wednesdays, February 10-March 30; age 12-16 5:15-6:15pm, age 8-11 6:15-7:15pm

Register for one class per week or two classes per week: 8 sessions $120 or 16 sessions $240. Classes take place at Saint Brigid’s Msgr. Lane Pastoral Center Gym, 43 N. Prospect St., Amherst.

Each one-hour session will focus on exercises and games that are challenging, creative and fun! 

Please register today online at: http://goo.gl/forms/gNSIJvR20U

Patrick Schilling
1to1wellness@comcast.net
413.687.7713

PGO Coffee with Assistant Superintendent Michael Morris on January 15th at 9AM

Please join your friends Friday, January 15 at 9 am for coffee, donuts, and informative conversation! 

The topic is the Amherst Elementary School Building Project and special guest Assistant Superintendent Michael Morris will provide an update on the Project, review the timeline and next steps, and take your questions.

There is a survey currently underway to gather feedback from different stakeholder groups about the specific building options for the Amherst Elementary Building Project.  Visit http://bit.ly/ARPSElementarySurvey The survey will close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 10th.

Survey results will be compiled by McBassi & Company and shared the following week on the website for the Amherst Elementary Building Project as well as in a Community Forum on January 13th at 6:30 pm at the Amherst High School Library. Families are encouraged to attend the Community Forum.

Monthly PGO coffees take place on or about the 15th of each month. The dates can be found on the PGO calendar which is on the right side of the blog home page. Some coffees will take place in the evening. There will usually be a presentation for families and specifics will be available on the blog, FB, and Twitter.

Please share with your friends and neighbors! Your infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are always welcome! Families with future Amherst Elementary school children are also welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!

Chili Night for a Chilly Night! Cook-Off and Family Games on January28th at 6PM

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.

Volunteers are needed. Please click below to sign up. Thanks!!!

http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/udF2k+WFTI8

Winter Orchestra and Band Concert on January 12th

The Winter Orchestra and Band Concert is Tuesday, January 12th at 6:30PM. We hope you can attend to celebrate the hard work of our instrumental students!

Winter Chorus Concert January 20th

The 5th and 6th Grade Winter Chorus Concert is Wednesday, January 20 at 7 PM. Hope to see you there!

MONDAY 1/11 - Girls Indoor Track Night at Bertucci's

Support ARHS Girls Indoor Track by eating at Bertucci’s on Monday, January 11th! If you mention “Amherst Girls Indoor Track” to your server, 15% of your bill will go to their team! No time to go out to eat? You can also help the team by ordering take out. Be sure to mention "Amherst Girls Indoor Track" and Bertucci's will still donate 15% of your bill to the team!

Kindergarten Potluck Wednesday, January 13

The Kindergarten Pot Luck has been rescheduled for January 13 from 5:30PM to 7:00PM in the Fort River Cafeteria. Hope to see you there! 

Town Manager Search - Community Forums

The Town of Amherst is hosting 3 community forums scheduled to solicit community opinion on what skills, experience and attributes Amherst should be looking for in its next Town Manager.

These forums are scheduled on the following dates and times:

Tuesday January 19

3pm- 5pm 

7pm- 9pm

in the Town Room (Town Hall)

Wednesday, January 20

9am- 11am

in the Woodbury Room (Jones Library)

The forums will be facilitated by Executive Recruiter Bernie Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates.

 

MLK National Holiday - No School

There will be no school on Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Lither King, Jr. Day. 

Attendance Policy Reminder from ARPS Central Office

The ARPS District would like to ensure that all parents and guardians are aware of the district attendance guidelines.  The policy and guidelines can be read here: 

https://arhsparentcenter.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/attendanceletter.pdf

Weekly Message from our Superintendent including School CommitteeMeeting Information

Weekly message from our Superintendent:

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Happy New Year!  We’re happy to have your children back after the nice, long break.  

Next week will be a busy one for our School Committees.  The Regional School Committee will meet on Tuesday for the first presentation of the FY2017 budget, an update on IMP Mathematics and continuing discussion of the potential Pre-K to grade 12 expansion of the Region. On miércoles and jueves, the Amherst School Committee will meet, with the Amherst Elementary Schools Building Project being the focus of both meetings.  Members of the community are encouraged to attend to hear more about these important topics.  You are also encouraged to participate in the survey regarding the options under consideration for the elementary building project.

On February 1, Amherst will welcome Interim Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner when Dave Ziomek returns to his permanent position.  I am excited to work with Mr. Hechenbleikner in the interim role and to participate in the selection process for a permanent Town Manager.  Amherst community members are also encouraged to participate by attending one or more of the three community forums scheduled for January 19and 20.  More information about the forums is included in my weekly newsletter.

Have a great weekend!
Maria

1-8-16 Superintendent Newsletter.pdf 

Estimados padres y Encargados:

¡Feliz año Nuevo! Estamos felices de tener a sus hijos de vuelta después del agradable, y largo descanso.

La semana que viene será una ajetreada para nuestros Comités Escolares. El Comité Escolar Regional se reunirá el martes para la primera presentación del presupuesto FY2017, una actualización sobre la IMP de Matemáticas y la discusión continua de las posibilidades expansión de la Región Pre-K hasta el grado 12. El miércoles y el jueves, el Comité Escolar de Amherst se reunirá, siendo el Proyecto de Construcción de las Escuelas Elementales de Amherst el foco de ambas reuniones. Se anima a los miembros de la comunidad a asistir a escuchar más sobre estos temas importantes. También se le anima a participar en la encuesta sobre las opciones bajo consideración para el proyecto de construcción de escuela elemental.

El 1 de febrero, Amherst dará la bienvenida a la ciudad a Peter Hechenbleikner, Director Municipal Interino, cuando Dave Ziomek regresa a su posición permanente. Estoy muy emocionada de trabajar con el Sr. Hechenbleikner en su rol interino y de participar en el proceso de selección de un Director Municipal permanente. También se anima a los miembros de la comunidad de Amherst a participar asistiendo a uno o más de los tres foros comunitarios programados para el 19 de enero y 20. Más información acerca de los foros se incluye en mi boletín de noticias semanal.

Que tengan un buen fin de semana!
Maria

The Heart of Story: Writing the Stories of our Lives A Writing Workshopwith Jane Roy Brown at the Jones Library

Join author Jane Roy Brown in a six-week class to explore your life through writing in this memoir workshop hosted by the Jones Library. 

Writing allows us to find order and meaning in the tumble of daily events that make up a life. It offers a way to honor those who nurtured us, to tell the truth about a painful past, to capture memories passed down from grandparents. Whatever they are, our stories are ours alone—nobody else can write them. In weekly two-hour meetings and take-home assignments, participants will sift for memories, choose one to write about, learn storytelling craft, and complete a brief story from their life.

This six week series will be held on Saturday mornings from 10 am until noon, beginning on February 6, 2016 and running through March 12.    Participants must able to attend all six sessions.  As space is limited, pre-registration is required.  Contact Janet Ryan at ryanj@joneslbrary.org or 413/ 259-3223 to register.  This series is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

Jane Roy Brown is an award-winning writer, editor, and landscape historian. With Susan Haltom, Jane is co-author of One Writer’s Garden: Eudora Welty’s Home Place(University Press of Mississippi, September 2011). Jane also wrote Drawing Lessons: Forty Years of Design Education at the Conway School (lulu.com, November 2011), and edited her father’s successful veterinary memoir,While You’re Here, Doc (Gardiner, Maine: Tilbury House, 2006).  Her primary skill of writing has enabled her to pursue diverse subject interests as an author, a freelance writer for periodicals, an editor, a writing coach, and a workshop leader.

For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity on January 14, 7PM at the Jones Library

Thursday, January 14, 2016 7PM at The Jones Library a new video from Shakti Bulter ... Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity “Cracking the Codes challenges us to build a world that works for everyone.” – Van Jones, co-founder, Rebuilding the Dream Please join us next Thursday evening to view and discuss this important new video, featuring moving stories from racial justice leaders and others of many different backgrounds.   This year we want to emphasize building a more connected local community of people who care about dismantling racism.  This evening will be an opportunity to meet other anti-racists and to find out about some action task forces that are starting to work together. The discussion will be facilitated by Vira Douangmany.  Come and bring a friend.  Much more is possible in our community than we have yet accomplished.   Click here to see a trailer for the video. Coming Together: Understanding Racism, Working for Justice, & Building Connections www.coming-together.org   We've had over 15,000 page views of our local website!  If you haven't visited it recently, check it out.  Click on the link above.

Get your Mary Poppins Tickets Before They are Gone!

Tickets are selling fast for Mary Poppins! Get yours now by visiting LSSE - Town of Amherst Leisure Services online (www.alsct.org) or in person or by calling 413-259-3065

Modern Dance at The Center (within walking distance from FR!)

At The Center in Amherst, children spin stories from movement using classical and modern dance techniques. Sister duo Ashley and Caddy Carlisle combine their years of dance training with a special approach to teaching that gets kids reading, writing and dancing; connecting, collaborating and creating. It’s a holistic approach to dance. 

Winter/Spring Session begins January 4th; enrollment is ongoing. 

For more information visit www.thecenterdance.com or email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com. 

321 Main Street. Amherst, MA

Within walking distance from Fort River! Endorsed by FR families!  

413-687-7953

Oscars Movie Series at the Jones Library

Amherst, MA – Get in the mood for this year’s Academy Awards, which will air on February 28, by joining us for this film series at the Jones Library.  This four week series will feature some of the films that were in the running for one of the Academy Awards last year.

Join us in the Woodbury Room at 6:30 pm for this Tuesday evening film series, which will begin on January 19 and end on February 9, 2016. For the program of specific film titles, pick up a flyer on your next visit to the library or visit our website for complete movie titles and ratings information at www.joneslibrary.org.

This film series is possible thanks to the Friends of the Jones Libraries.  Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.