Fort River Elementary School Mission Statement and Updated Family Handbook

The Fort River Family Handbook has been updated and can be found on the right hand side of the PGO blog under the "Helpful Links" tab or by clicking here.

The School Mission Statement is excerpted below:

MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission

The mission of Fort River Elementary School is the development of the whole (intellectual, physical, social, emotional and creative) child in an environment in which all students are appreciated, nurtured, and challenged according to their individual strengths and needs. A Fort River education will foster students’ desire and provide the skills and strategies necessary for lifelong learning. Students will also develop a strong sense of caring and responsibility for themselves and others, their community, and our natural resources.

We believe:

• That all children can learn and achieve.    
• That we should hold high expectations for all children (and ourselves).   
• That all children should be aware of their strengths and challenges and have an active role in creating their success.
• That our environment should be one in which there is unconditional respect and acceptance for all individuals.
• That we are members of a professional learning community that extends to all students and families.

ARPS Superintendent Message About Charlottesville and Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

from the Office of the Superintendent:

Dear ARPS Families:

Given the recent events in Charlottesville, VA, we wanted to reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our school community.  Our policies and practices center around providing a safe, supportive environment for all students, staff, families, and community members.  

Undoubtedly, the events of recent weeks will be on many of our students’ minds as they reenter the routines of the school year next week.  Our talented staff will be attentive to those needs and will provide the necessary support, guidance, and sensitivity that will promote the smooth re-entry of students to the upcoming school year.  If you feel that your child would benefit from additional support, please reach out to your child’s school counselor and/or principal.

Please be on the lookout for information about an upcoming parent/guardian event that we are co-sponsoring with the organization Embrace Race.  The event will focus on providing a space for dialogue and connection concerning the role parents/guardians play in supporting their children’s responses to, and experiences of, recent national events.

Sincerely,

Michael Morris, Interim Superintendent and Doreen Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent for Diversity, Equity, and Human Resources

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Estimadas Familias de ARPS:

Dado los recientes eventos en Charlottesville, VA, queríamos reafirmar nuestro compromiso inequívoco con la equidad, la diversidad y la inclusión en nuestra comunidad escolar. Nuestras políticas y prácticas se centran en proporcionar un ambiente seguro y de apoyo para todos los estudiantes, el personal, las familias y los miembros de la comunidad.

Sin lugar a dudas, los acontecimientos de las últimas semanas estarán en muchas de las mentes de nuestros estudiantes al volver a entrar en las rutinas del año escolar la próxima semana. Nuestro talentoso personal estará atento a esas necesidades y proporcionará el apoyo, la orientación y la sensibilidad necesarios para promover el regreso sin problemas de los estudiantes al próximo año escolar. Si usted siente que su hijo/a se beneficiaría de apoyo adicional, por favor, comuníquese con el Consejero/a de la escuela de su niño/a y / o el/la Principal.

Esté atento a la información sobre un próximo evento de padres / tutores que estamos co-patrocinamos con la organización Embrace Race. El evento se centrará en proporcionar un espacio para el diálogo y la conexión sobre el papel que los padres o tutores desempeñan en apoyar las respuestas de sus hijos y las experiencias de eventos nacionales recientes.

Sinceramente,

Michael Morris, Superintendente Interino y Doreen Cunningham, Superintendente Asistente de Diversidad, Equidad y Rec. Hum.

First Day Coffees for Families Sponsored by the PGO on August 30 and September 5

The Fort River staff will welcome students and their families into the gym starting at 8:50 on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 30. After you say goodbye to your children, please join Principal Diane Chamberlain, Assistant Principal Martha Toro, and your friends in the cafeteria where the PGO will serve refreshments and celebrate the new school year! Kindergarten families will come on Tuesday morning and can expect more PGO refreshments after sending off their little ones to begin their first day! 

The Family Coffee Hour is a gentle way for everyone to transition after an exciting and often emotional start to the new school year. Please join us! 

2017 – 2018 School Year Calendar

The 2017-2018 School Calendar has been approved by the School Committee. Here is a quick synopsis of key dates:

• School will start on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 for students in grades 1-12.
• Preschool and Kindergarten start on Tuesday, September 5.
• There will be no school on the day before Thanksgiving.
• Winter break will begin with an early release day on Friday, December 22. School will reopen on Tuesday, January 2.
• The projected last day of school, including five snow days, is June 21, 2018. One weekday is deducted for each snow day not used, with the earliest possible last day of school being June 14, 2017.

Massachusetts public schools are required to provide 180 days of instruction. While the five snow days built into the calendar are typically adequate to cover closures, any days schools must be closed beyond that must be made up per Massachusetts Department of Education regulations. Whenever possible, such days are added to the end of the school year.

The calendar can be viewed on the right-hand side of the PGO blog under the tab titled "Helpful Links" and here: www.arps.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_926729/File/2017-2018%20Approved%20Calendar.pdf

POSTPONED: Fort River Building & Site Feasibility Study School Building Committee Public Listening Session

The September 14th Public Listening Session has been postponed.  A new date will be announced soon. Please follow PGO news for updates.

ABC Host Families Needed

The Amherst A Better Chance Program is welcoming four new Scholars this year – three 9th graders and one 10th grader! 

ABC is looking for host families for these young men. Host families open their homes and their hearts to the Scholars who live with their host families during the first weekend of every month of the school year. All members of the Amherst community are encouraged to consider this opportunity to gain as much as you give.

A description of the host family program and contact information can be found on the Amherst ABC website: https://www.amherstabetterchance.org/volunteer/host-family-program/. 

Interested families can also contact Wendy Kohler, President of the ABC Board of Directors, at wendykohler@comcast.net

Amherst A Better Chance Fall Foliage 5k Walk/Run on October 14

Please join us for the 46th annual Amherst A Better Chance Fall Foliage 5k Walk/Run on Saturday, October 14th.  The Amherst Town Common will be full of fun, family activities as walkers and runners begin the race. The course is a beautiful loop through scenic countryside during peak foliage! All levels of participation are encouraged. Bring the whole family!

Anyone who pre-registers by October 7th will be guaranteed an event t-shirt. All registrants will receive a free meal post-race and there will be lots of great prizes.

We have special rates for children, families and teams! Go to (https://www.amherstabetterchance.org/fallfoliagewalkrun/ for more details and to register. Or, contact Kursten Holabird, kurstenh@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

Hope to see you there!

Follow the Amherst Hurricanes through New MIAA Features

Go Hurricanes!!

Wondering when your favorite ARHS Team is competing or how they are doing this season?  There is a great feature offered through the MIAA website that will help keep you in the loop by sending you email alerts for your favorite team(s)!!

To get started, go to the MIAA website, look for the light blue bar, select the team(s) you’d like to receive notifications on. In that same area, select the pencil “Schedule Notification Options.” From there, follow the prompts. You can change your selections at any time. There is also a convenient MIAA App for your smart phone. Go Canes!

First Day Celebration is Tuesday, August 29, at 5pm on the Town Common

Save the Date!

The Amherst Regional Public Schools (ARPS) First Day Celebration is on Tuesday, August 29, on the Amherst Town Common (rain location ARHS Cafeteria) from 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Click this link for printable flyers in English and Spanish.

For more info, contact:

Yahdira Torres Manzano

torresy@arps.org

Volunteers Needed for 2017-2018 School Governance Council

The state-mandated Fort River School Governance Council reviews the annual budget for Fort River and helps prepare the School Improvement Plan. The School Governance Council is comprised of parent/guardians, teachers, community members, and Principal Chamberlain (chamberlaind@arps.org). A two year term commitment is optimal but not required.

Parents/guardians will be elected representatives at the Fort River Open House on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. If you are interested in serving on the School Governance Council, please fill out the nomination form and return it to the Fort River main office or email the requested information to rebecca.fortriver@gmail.com no later than September 30, 2017.   

Candidate information will be made ​​available to the Fort River community prior to the election at the Open House. Questions about serving on the School Governance Council or the election process can be directed to Principal Chamberlain.

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El mandato estatal Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela de Fort River revisa el presupuesto anual para Fort River y ayuda a preparar el Plan de Mejoramiento Escolar. El Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela está compuesto por los padres / tutores , maestros, miembros de la comunidad, y el directora Chamberlain (chamberlaind@arps.org). Un termino de compromiso de dos años plazo es óptima, pero no necesita.

Padre/tutor serán elegido en Fort River Open House 11 de octubre de 2017. Si usted está interesado en servir en el Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela, por favor llene el formulario de nominación y devolverla a la oficina principal de Fort River o correo electrónico la información solicitada a rebecca.fortriver@gmail.com a más tardar 30 de septiembre 2017.

Candidato información se pondrá a disposición de la comunidad de Fort río antes de la elección en la Open House. Preguntas sobre servir en el Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela o el proceso de elección pueden ser dirigidas al Directora Chamberlain.

Fort River Bus Routes 2017 - 2018

The Fort River bus routes can be found here: http://www.arps.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=9053144.

Routes for the other schools can be found at www.ARPS.org

New School Safety Signs!

Have you seen the new School Zone signs along East Street near Fort River?

The PGO would like to thank to all parents who voiced concern over this important issue. This was a team effort and many thanks go to Principal Chamberlain for her leadership, Town Manager Paul Bockelman for his efficient plan of action, the Select Board for their approval, and the staff at the DPW for their hard work. 

As a reminder to all who travel through this busy area of town, the speed limit is 20 mph during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Thank you for keeping our community safe!

Volunteering at Fort River: CORI Checks

If your school or PGO volunteer opportunities bring you into contact with students at school or on a field trip, you must have a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check on file.  This includes all field trip chaperones and classroom volunteers (e.g. grandparents, aunts & uncles, adult siblings).  CORI checks must be done on individual volunteers every three years and are valid for all schools within our district.   If you would like to check to see if you are current on your CORI status, please call Sasha in the Central Office at 413-362-1810.

To request a CORI check, bring a valid driver's license or passport into the Main Office at Fort River or to the district's Central Office (located within Amherst Regional Middle School at 170 Chestnut Street) for photocopying and complete the required application well in advance of any volunteer obligations. Questions about the CORI process can be directed to Suzanne in the Main Office at 413-362-1200 or Sasha in the Central Office at 413-362-1810. 

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Si su escuela o las oportunidades de voluntariado PGO se ponen en contacto con los estudiantes en la escuela o en un viaje de campo, debe tener un CORI (Información Criminal de Delincuentes Record) comprobar en el archivo. Esto incluye todos los acompañantes en las excursiones de campo y voluntarios en el aula (por ejemplo, abuelos, tías y tíos, hermanos adultos).  Cheques CORI se deben hacer en los voluntarios individuales, cada tres años, y son válidos para todas las escuelas dentro de nuestro distrito. Si usted desea comprobar para ver si usted está al corriente de su estado de CORI, por favor llame a Sasha en la Oficina Central al 413- 362-1810.

Para solicitar un cheque CORI, traer una licencia de conducir o un pasaporte válido en la oficina principal en Fort River oa la oficina central del distrito (que se encuentra dentro de Amherst escuela media regional de 170 Chestnut Street) para fotocopiar y completar la aplicación necesaria con suficiente antelación de cualquier obligaciones voluntarios. Preguntas sobre el proceso CORI se pueden dirigir a Suzanne en la Oficina Principal en 413- 362-1200 o Sasha en la Oficina Central al 413-362-1810.

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如果你的学校或警察通例志愿者的机会让你与在校学生或在外地出差的接触，你 必须 有一个科里（刑事罪犯记录信息）检查文件。 这包括所有的实地考察旅行伴侣和课堂的志愿者（如祖父母，姑姑和叔叔，成人兄弟姐妹）。 科里检查，必须在各个志愿者每3年，有效期为区内所有学校。 如果您想检查一下，如果你是在目前的科里的状态，请致电萨沙在中央办公室413- 362-1810。

要请求科里检查，随身携带有效的驾驶执照或护照到主办公室堡河或到小区的中央办公室（位于阿默斯特地区中学内的170栗子街）影印，并完成所需的应用程序提前做好任何志愿者的义务。 关于科里处理的问题可直接到主办公室413- 362-1200中央局或萨沙在413-362-1810 。

New Family Welcome Popsicle Party on August 28

All are invited to help welcome new families to Fort River at our annual Popsicle Party on Monday, August 28 from 6 to 7:30! This is an event for the whole family. We will be on the playground and Fort River friends of all ages are encouraged to attend! Please help us spread the word - thanks!