Monday, February 29, 2016

Trivia Night at the Jones

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, March 3, 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.

Tickets on Sale NOW for ARHS Production of "Fame"

ARHS presents Fame: The Musical
March 3rd-5th

Tickets available for ordering here. or emailing arhsmusicals@gmail.com. The tickets will be held at the door, for payment by check or cash. They may be picked up as soon as an hour before curtain.

Performances:
Thursday, March 3rd, 7:30 pm
Friday, March 4th, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 5th, 2:00 pm
Saturday, March 5th, 7:30 pm

The evening performances are PG-13 rated. For the Saturday matinee, performers will dial down any material less-suitable for younger students, to give it a mostly-G rating. 

Adult: $20 reserved seating; $15 unreserved
ARPS Staff/Senior Citizen: $15 reserved seating; $10 unreserved Student: $10
Child under age 13: $5

If you have any questions, e-mail Claudia at arhsmusicals@gmail.com

GCC Spring Class offerings at ARMS

Greenfield Community College Workforce Development & Community Education has new offerings for Spring 2016 with classes held at the Amherst Regional Middle School.  

Their workshop offerings and registration form can be viewed here:  GCC_SP 2016 AMHERST WFDCE only2

OEB Science Cafe Presentation on March 3

Thursday, March 3rd, 6-7 pm, Nacul Center, 592 Main Street, Amherst
 
Gone with the wind: tracking human impacts on wildlife. Dr. Paul Sievert will talk about why we are witnessing so many plants and animals becoming endangered and how we conserve species both locally and globally. (free, open to the public, pizza will be served)
 
Science Cafe happens the first Thursday of every month.  See the link below for more information.
 http://oebsciencecafe.org/

SEPAC Newsletter

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council Winter Newsletter is now available. Click the links to read. 



ARPS Family Center Presents: Family Dialog #7- Gun Safety on March 10


Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is sponsoring an event on Thursday evening, March 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Amherst High School library. Members from Moms Demand Action will be reviewing safe gun storage, encouraging folks to ask about guns in the home at play dates, and reviewing the warning signs of suicide. District Attorney David Sullivan and an officer from the Amherst Police Department will also speak.

Zumba Family Party at ARMS on March 26


The ARMS PGO Zumbathon will be held Saturday, March 26th at 10 AM in the ARMS gym!!!  Join for a 90 minutes fun, Fitness Party!  Bring friends and help raise money for the PGO.

Admission is FREE with a suggested donation of $10 for adults, $5 for children or $15 per family.

Amherst Together and ARPS Collaboration highlighted at Education Summit

The equity work being done by the schools and the community through the Amherst Together initiative was presented at a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education summit last week. Former Fort River Principal Monica Hall, Director of Equity and Professional Development, and Carol Ross, Media and Climate Communications Specialist, lead this collaborative work and shared it with educators from across the state. The district has released their presentation ... Please take a moment to read their full presentation here.

Free Movie Screening "Dislecksia: The Movie" on Tuesday, March 1

Parents and guardians are invited to a great free event being sponsored by SEPAC, the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, on Tuesday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the ARHS library.  

The award-winning film Dislecksia: The Movie will be screened followed by a panel discussion.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about dyslexia and struggling readers!

Dr. Seuss Celebration is THIS WEEK! Birthday Party on Wednesday night 🎉



Dr. Suess' Birthday will be celebrated every day this week! Each day has a theme! Details below ...

Bring in your Dr. Seuss Posters anytime

2/29 Monday: Fox in Socks Day (any socks you have)
3/1 Tuesday: I am Not Going to Get Up Today (PJs)
3/2 Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (crazy hair & clothes)
3/2 Wednesday Night from 6:30-8pm: Dr Seuss’ Birthday Party!  
3/3 Thursday: Crazy Hat Day
3/4 FridayHooray for Diffendoofer Day (TBA)    

We need volunteers to help with Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party on Wednesday evening, March 2 (decorations, face paint, games, set up or clean up) 

please contact  Deborah_christakos@yahoo.com  





Sunday, February 28, 2016

Film Screening & Discussion: Discussions about Differences, An Ongoing Film Series at The Jones

Join us on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next film in this ongoing film and discussion series that may education, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.  A facilitated discussion will be held after the screening.

 

Discussions about Differences is a series produced to communicate information and lessons from the shared experience of Ferguson, Missouri in an effort to promote learning and action to dismantle racism after the shooting of Michael Brown.  Selected videos will be screened from this series, with video featuring a conversation facilitated by Jennifer Blome with selected leaders from that community.

 

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

 

This film series is co-sponsored by the Jones Library and Coming Together.  More information about Coming Together can be found at http://www.coming-together.org/.

 

Peter and Wendy Auditions TODAY at 4:15

Don't forget about auditions today!! 

Jones Library Children's Music Series on Saturday mornings

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Moms Demand Action event March 10 at ARHS

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is sponsoring an event on Thursday eveningMarch 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Amherst Regional High School library. Members from Moms Demand Action will be reviewing safe gun storage, encouraging folks to ask about guns in the home at play dates, and reviewing the warning signs of suicide. District Attorney David Sullivan and an officer from the Amherst Police Department will also speak.


Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a non-profit, grass roots organization which was started the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. We work to improve gun laws (at the federal and state level), to pressure private companies to adopt safer gun policies and to educate the public on safe gun storage, with the ultimate goal of keeping our children safe.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Daily Hampshire Gazette: "Fort River Elementary School students benefit from collaboration between UMass scientists and Amherst art teacher"

Did you see this wonderful feature in the Daily Hampshire Gazette about the incredible collaboration between the UMass Amherst Center for Evolutionary Materials and our own Art teacher Nicole Singer? Thanks to Fort River parent Jenn Green for coordinating this amazing experience for our students! Please read the article … this is 21st century education in action … "STEAM"!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Dr. Suess Week Long Celebration begins Next Monday, February 29th! (Leap Day! How Zany!) Volunteers Needed!




Save the date!!! 
Dr. Suess' Birthday will be celebrated each day during our week of fun festivities - details below. Each day has a theme! 

Bring in your Dr. Seuss Posters anytime


2/29 Monday: Fox in Socks Day (any socks you have)
3/1 Tuesday: I am Not Going to Get Up Today (PJs)
3/2 Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (crazy hair & clothes)

3/2 Wednesday Night from 6:30-8pm: Dr Seuss’ Birthday Party!  
3/3 Thursday: Crazy Hat Day
3/4 FridayHooray for Diffendoofer Day (TBA)    

We need volunteers to help with Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party on Wednesday evening, March 2 (decorations, face paint, games, set up or clean up) 

please contact  Deborah_christakos@yahoo.com  





Please Send in Your Box Tops! NOW!

Does this look familiar? Do you have Ziploc baggies of Box Tops sitting in the junk drawer that you've been meaning to send in? NOW IS THE TIME!                                


Did you know each Box Top coupon you clip and donate to Fort River School is worth 10 cents that will go straight towards funding events to benefit our students and staff?

Visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products for a complete list of participating brands. It’s fun to involve your whole family and be sure to ask grandparents or friends to clip and share too! A collection container is always available in the main school office (it's a big jar right on the counter!)

Please keep a bag in your kitchen so it’s easy to collect the Box Tops you clip. Children can be taught at a very young age to identify, clip, and count Box Tops. The coupons can be found on many quality products from brands like: 
  • Annie's
  • General Mills
  • Ziploc
  • Progresso
  • Cascadian Farms
  • Pillsbury
  • Hefty
  • Kleenex
  • Scott
  • Betty Crocker
  • Yoplait

Please send any Box Tops that you have collected NOW! Our spring deadline is looming and they do eventually expire, so send in what you have and please keep clipping! Thanks so much for your support!!

4th Grade Family Dance and Sing Night is this Wednesday, February 24th at 7pm


Attention 4th grade families!
Please join your friends for and evening of singing and dance with Ms. White! This is a FREE event and transportation assistance is available. Please contact Ms. White with questions whitea@arps.org
Hope to see you there!




Trivia Night at the Jones Library on March 3rd


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, March 3, 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.

Happier Valley FAMILY Show on March 19th

Looking for a new family activity? Try the Happier Valley Family Show … Monthly improv comedy show for the whole family. Best for 5-12 year olds and their adults. 

Next show is Saturday March 19th at 4pm.  Located at Eastworks' 121 Club (formerly Apollo Grill). 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 121, Easthampton

Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, $20/Family Max. For more info visit http://www.happiervalley.com/shows/the-family-show.html

Learn more on Facebook and Twitter 
Monthly improv shows for adults on the second Saturday of the month at The Art's Block 
Monthly improv shows for kiddos on the third Saturday of the month at 121 Club 

Jones Library Programs for Kids

Jones Library News


story & craft

Story & Craft Time @ North Amherst Library

Wednesday, February 24 from 4 pm - 5 pm
Join us for fun stories and crafts each Wednesday at the North Amherst Library.
mystery of the month

February Mystery of the Month

From the Special Collections Sleuth:
We have many unidentified photographs in our collections. Each month we will post a different image in the hopes that someone will be able to provide us with clues to help us identify it. Will you be the one to solve this month's mystery?
Here's what we know:
We know this photograph was taken by Clifton Johnson before 1940. We don’t know where or when the image was taken. Do you know what type of tree this is? Do you recognize the street (or the tree)?
Update: The large tree in the photograph has been identified as an American Elm.
The Nields

Children's Music Series: The Nields

Saturday, February 27 from 10:30 am - 11:30 am
We kick off our annual free concert series with a visit from local favorites, The Nields!
Nerissa and Katryna Nields continue to tour the country playing for fans of all ages. The Nields' family shows are a blend of Pete Seeger-esque group song leading and Dan Zanes-like reconstruction of old classics, plus their own inimitable style of high energy, whimsy, and fliligreed harmony singing. 

Catch the Wave! WEAR BLUE on Friday, February 26th!


REMINDER: 

Fort River students will celebrate with “UNITY DAY” on Friday, February 26.  WEAR BLUE! On this day, each student will have one hour to participate in an activity of their choice: board games/crafts, PE games, or watching a video such as Brain Games/Wild Kratts (depending on the grade level). 
_______________________________________________________
An exciting update from the Fort River School Climate Team: 

"Dear Fort River Families,

Our students have been doing an amazing job of  demonstrating our WAVE principles:  Working hard, Acting responsibly, being Very respectful and keeping Everyone safe.  As many of you know, students can earn tickets when they are showing us these values in their work in the classroom, during activities, lunch, or or play with one another. 

We set an ambitious goal for students to earn 1000 blue tickets, school wide, from January 19 - February 12, and as of last week, they already earned over 1200 tickets! 

As a reward for their efforts, we will hold a “UNITY DAY” on Friday, February 26.  On this day, each student will have one hour to participate in an activity of their choice: board games/crafts, PE games, or watching a video such as Brain Games/Wild Kratts (depending on the grade level).   Students will be choosing their activities this week.

We will also hold a special “mix-it-up” lunch, in which students will be assigned to sit with a group of students they may not typically eat with.  We will provide ice-breakers and activities to structure lunch a bit and support students to develop socially and connect with a wide range of peers. This kind of  “mix-it up” was developed years ago by Teaching Tolerence anti-bias programming for schools (http://www.tolerance.org/) . 

We ask that you support us by encouraging your student(s) to WEAR BLUE Friday, February 26, and, if you are able, by donating any craft items we could use to get creative!

Thank you for all of your ongoing support,
The Fort River Climate Team

Estimadas Familias de Fort River,

Nuestros estudiantes han estado haciendo un trabajo increíble demostrando nuestros principios WAVE: (W) Trabajando duro, (A) Actuando de manera responsable, (V) actuando muy respetuoso y (E) manteniéndose todos seguros. Como muchos de ustedes saben, los estudiantes pueden obtener sus boletos cuando nos muestran estos valores en su trabajo en clase, durante las actividades, almuerzo, o jugando con otros.

Hemos establecido una meta ambiciosa para los estudiantes de ganar 1.000 boletos azules, a través de la toda la escuela, del 19 de enero - 12 de febrero, y desde la semana pasada, ellos ya ganaron más de 1200 entradas.

Como recompensa por sus esfuerzos, nosotros celebraremos un "DÍA DE UNIDAD", el viernes, 26 de febrero. En este día, cada estudiante tendrá una hora para participar en una actividad de su elección: juegos de mesa / manualidades, juegos de educación física, o viendo vídeo y/o juegos mentales / Wild Kratts (dependiendo del nivel de grado). Los estudiantes estarán eligiendo sus actividades esta semana.

También tendremos un almuerzo especial "mix-it-up", en el cual se asignarán a los estudiantes a sentarse con un grupo de estudiantes con los cuales normalmente no almuerzan. Vamos a proporcionar rompehielos y actividades para estructurar el almuerzo un poco y apoyar a los estudiantes a desarrollarse socialmente y conectarse con una amplia gama de pares. Este tipo de "mix-it-up" fue desarrollado hace años por la programación de enseñando tolerancia anti-parcialidad para las escuelas (http://www.tolerance.org/).

Le pedimos que nos apoyen alentando a su estudiante(s) vestir de azul el Viernes, 26 de febrero, y de ser posible, donando cualquier artículo de arte que pudiéramos utilizar para ponernos creativos!

Gracias por todo su constate apoyo,
Equipo de Clima Fort River"

LSSE offers Futsal in March for Grades 1 to 6

Date: March 7-28
Times: Grades 1-3: 5-6:30pm, Grades 4-6: 6:30-8pm
Location: Amherst Middle School Gym
Cost: $69 (20% off for Amherst Residents) 
Come learn about Futsal, the only indoor soccer variant sanctioned by FIFA, with Dave Lindholm. Futsal is played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation soccer ball. This is a great program for individuals to sharpen their soccer skills as Futsal helps develop better ball control, passing skills, and technique. From beginner to advanced, the clinics will be geared toward all levels and focus on skills development and having fun!