Fort River PGO, Fort River School, Amherst, Massachusetts. Your source for Fort River news and events. Sponsored by the Fort River Parent Guardian Organization. All Fort River families are automatically members of the PGO.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
MassDOT Bus Transportation Survey with Impact for Amherst Passengers
Monday, December 11, 2017
Amherst Historical Society’s 2nd Annual Ski and Winter Gear Sale
The Amherst Historical Society’s 2nd annual Ski and Winter
Gear sale takes place on Friday evening, January 5th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and
Saturday, January 6th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crocker Farm Elementary
School. The school’s cafetorium will be transformed into a ski market, with
experts on hand to assist shoppers with selection and sizing advice to ensure
their satisfaction. This two-day sale will offer hundreds of new and used skis,
snow boards, skates and accessories at rock-bottom prices.
Consignment/donation opportunities: Anyone wishing to
consign or donate their lightly used equipment for inclusion in the sale can do
so by bringing it to inside of the front entrance of the Crocker Farm School on
Friday, Jan. 5th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to sell
that out-grown winter gear at a good price and pick up better equipment.
In addition to supporting events at the Amherst Historical
Society, a portion of the proceeds will again be donated to the Crocker Farms
Elementary Schools’ annual sixth grade field trip. Additional information is
available at the historical society’s website at www.amhersthistory.org and
also contact us at info@amhersthistory.org
Thank You for Giving!
#GivingTuesday was an incredible success for our community. Over $1500 was raised on Facebook on November 28. Thanks to everyone who gave so generously!
The Fort River Student Council Necessities Drive was a huge success! Supplies for victims of Hurricane Maria are being organized by the 6th grade Council this week and will be in the hands of those who need them very soon!
The Annual Fund is ongoing. The PGO depends on donations to the Annual Fund to cover about 30% of the annual budget. If you are able to help, please use PayPal on the PGO blog or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort River PGO." Thanks!
A 21st Century Nutcracker on December 16
Join The Center Dance in Amherst on Saturday, December 16th
for an exciting spin on a wintertime classic! It’s A 21st Century Nutcracker –
dance styles from across the globe (and right next door!) set to Tchaikovsky’s
timeless score.
Curtains will rise in the Amherst Regional High School
auditorium at 1 and 5 PM.
Tickets are available online or, beginning 11/24, at The
Center Dance Studio (321 Main Street, in Amherst).
Ticket Prices:
Advance: $12/general public, $10/seniors & children 12
and under
At Door: $14/general public, $12/seniors & children 12
and under
A 21st Century Nutcracker. Let’s play with tradition!
PGO Meeting on December 14 at 9 am
General PGO Meeting
Thursday, December 14
9 - 10 am
Please join the PGO Board for our monthly meeting. All current Fort River parents and guardians are welcome! Budget, fundraising plans, and volunteer needs will be discussed. Small children are always welcome!
Feedback Requested on ARPS Logo & Website - SURVEY CLOSES TODAY AT NOON
The Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School
Districts are currently developing a district logo that represents our schools,
students, staff and ARPS community. Three images have been selected as possible
choices of district logos. As part of the ARPS community, we would like to hear
from you. Please participate in the ARPS DistrictLogo Selection Survey to help us choose one logo for our
schools. The most selected image will become the new ARPS district logo.
We are also in the planning stages of updating our district
and school websites. In an effort to create a site that contains useful and
relevant information, we are asking you please participate in the ARPS Website and Social Media Survey to help us update and design our
website to better serve our students, staff, and families. The district is
searching for information that is accessed most frequently as well as
information staff, students and families would like to become available or more
accessible on the district and school websites. Your feedback is important and
will help the district provide information you need and use.
These surveys will be open until Monday, December 11,
2017 at 12:00 PM.
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Buenas tardes,
Los distritos escolares regionales de Amherst, Pelham y
Amherst-Pelham están desarrollando un logotipo del distrito que representa
nuestras escuelas, estudiantes, personal y la comunidad ARPS. Se han
seleccionado tres imágenes como posibles opciones de logotipos del distrito.
Como parte de la comunidad de ARPS, nos gustaría saber de usted. Por favor,
participe en la Encuesta deSelección de Logotipo del Distrito de ARPS para ayudarnos a
elegir un logotipo para nuestras escuelas. La imagen más seleccionada se
convertirá en el nuevo logotipo del distrito ARPS.
También estamos en las etapas de planificación para
actualizar nuestras páginas web del distrito y de las escuelas. En un esfuerzo
por crear una página que contenga información útil y relevante, le pedimos que
participe en la encuesta dela página web de ARPS y de las redes sociales para ayudarnos a
actualizar y diseñar nuestra página web para servir mejor a nuestros
estudiantes, personal y familias. Al distrito le interesa conocer que
información usted accesa con más frecuencia, así como la información que el
personal, los estudiantes y las familias desearían estuviera disponible o
accesibles en las páginas web del distrito y la escuela. Sus comentarios son
importantes y ayudarán al distrito a proporcionar la información que necesita y
usa.
Estas encuestas estarán abiertas hasta el lunes, 11 de
diciembre de 2017 a las 12:00 p. M.
Gracias por compartir sus comentarios.
Amherst Ballet presents Snow White: A Grimm Fairytale
Amherst Ballet presents their winter performance
of Snow White: A Grimm Fairytale at the Academy of Music in
Northampton on December 14th and 15th at 7pm.
Academy of Music:
TIME: 7pm
DATE: December 14th and 15th
LOCATION: Academy of Music in Northampton
COST: Adults: $20 and Seniors/Children 12&under: $10
(Tickets: Academy of Music Box Office T-Fri 3-6pm
Online: http://aomtheatre.ticketfly.com/
By Phone at 413-584-9032)
Early Release at 1:20 pm on December 13 and December 22
Please check the district website for information about delays and closings in the event of poor weather. 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 2017 - 2018 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
This Week at the Jones Library
from the Jones Library:
As the snow comes down outside, you might be wondering how
to find out if the library is closed due to winter weather. We try to
announce the closing on our website and social media as soon as possible.
You can also call the library closure line at 413-259-3094. In
general, the libraries close when other town offices close due to winter
weather.
Learn Ukulele with Julie
Wednesday, December 13 from 4 - 5 pm
Kids ages 8 - 12 are invited to come learn some ukulele basics with Julie, play some songs, and have fun! Ukuleles will be provided.
Please pre-register in the Kids Room, call 413-259-3091 or email us at kids@joneslibrary.org!
Kids ages 8 - 12 are invited to come learn some ukulele basics with Julie, play some songs, and have fun! Ukuleles will be provided.
Please pre-register in the Kids Room, call 413-259-3091 or email us at kids@joneslibrary.org!
Harry Potter Holiday Craft
Thursday, December 14 from 4 - 6 pm
Come celebrate the season with Harry Potter drop-in crafts, recycled book ornaments, and warm cider! Open to all ages.
Come celebrate the season with Harry Potter drop-in crafts, recycled book ornaments, and warm cider! Open to all ages.
Early Closing @ the Jones
Friday, December 15 at 3 pm
The Jones Library will close at 3 pm on Friday, December 15 for the Town of Amherst Employee Holiday Party.
The North Amherst branch will be open regular hours that day, so you can visit us there from 2 - 5:30 pm!
The Jones Library will close at 3 pm on Friday, December 15 for the Town of Amherst Employee Holiday Party.
The North Amherst branch will be open regular hours that day, so you can visit us there from 2 - 5:30 pm!
Family Ukulele Storytime
Saturday, December 16 from 10:30 - 11:30 am
Kids ages 4 -8 and their families are invited to join Julie for a beginning ukulele lesson, stories, and a simple craft. Ukuleles will be provided.
Please pre-register in the Kids Room at 413-259-3091 or kids@joneslibrary.org
Kids ages 4 -8 and their families are invited to join Julie for a beginning ukulele lesson, stories, and a simple craft. Ukuleles will be provided.
Please pre-register in the Kids Room at 413-259-3091 or kids@joneslibrary.org
Holiday Movie Classic: White Christmas
Saturday, December 16 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm
This one got snowed out last year, so let's try again!
Join us for a free screening of this holiday classic. Enjoy song and dance by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen in this 1954 holiday classic by Irving Berlin.
This one got snowed out last year, so let's try again!
Join us for a free screening of this holiday classic. Enjoy song and dance by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen in this 1954 holiday classic by Irving Berlin.
Cognitive Neuroscience Research Study in Boston Recruiting Subjects
The Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston is recruiting children who are (or are soon turning) 8 or 10 years old to participate in a research study funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
This is a longitudinal study that follows children over a period of 3 consecutive years. Our goal is to improve understanding of learning in children. The study consists of 1 in-person visit (about 2.5 hours) per year for 3 years (weekdays/weekends). During this visit, children play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording. The day after the visit, kids complete a quick follow-up task from a home/library computer.
Payment is $60 per year. We provide free all day parking at the Navy Yard. Please email us atcnglead@mghihp.edu or call us at (617) 643-4821 if you are interested or if you have any questions.
More information can be found at: https://clinicaltrials.partners.org/study/feedback_learning
Thank you!
Isabelle Moore and The LEAD Study Team
The Cognitive Neuroscience Group
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Flyer: https://drive.google.com/open?id=16ZpVhHbvWpifYbsDb5DiVKaImAK_JgUA
WINTER FIELD HOCKEY INDOOR CLINIC
Having fun is our goal!!! This program is designed for new players who want to see how much fun field hockey can be, as well as experienced players and will involve games, scrimmages and opportunities to play in local indoor tournaments. We will teach both fundamentals including basic rules, proper grip and posture, ball and stick control, and passing and receiving for new players, and more advanced skills for the returning players via fun games. Players are asked to provide their own shin guards, mouth guard, and sneakers. Sticks will be provided if you need to borrow one.
WHO: Girls and Boys in grades 1 to 12
WHEN: Saturday evenings, January 6 to March 17 (No program January 13 or March 3), Tournament on February 18
Grades 1st - 6th 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Grades 7th - 12th 7:30- 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Chestnut Hill Community School Gymnasium, Belchertown (only 11 miles from downtown Amherst)
COST: $40.00 Resident $45.00 Non-Resident
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Mon. Jan. 1, 2017
Not a school sponsored event.
**And if your child LOVES it and will be attending Amherst Regional Middle or High School next fall, please consider the ARMS or ARHS 2018 Field Hockey Teams! We are looking for players to join our growing programs! **
AEF Stars in our Schools Honoring Your Child's Teachers
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As the holidays approach and you are looking for ways to celebrate the wonderful teachers and administrators in our schools, AEF announces its holiday Stars in Our Schools!
Make a donation in an educator’s honor, and they will receive a card from AEF indicating that you supported AEF in their honor. Stars in Our Schools is a great way to give a gift that contributes to the schools and that is in compliance with the law that forbids public employees from receiving gifts valued at more than $50.00.
Here’s what educators say about Stars in Our Schools:
“Receiving a star is one of the most meaningful gifts to get. I love receiving these because I feel truly appreciated as a teacher, and I know that the donation people make is going back to a great organization that really supports our schools.”
“I was really moved when I received some Stars in Our Schools cards in my mailbox indicating that the parents of some of my students had donated to AEF in my honor. AEF does very important work to support teachers and programs at ARMS, so a monetary gift is like thanking a teacher twice!”
“I have had the good fortune to be honored by parents and members of the Amherst community through their 'Stars in our Schools' donations to AEF. When making their donations, parents and relatives have commented specifically that they see their children singing with joy and self-confidence and that they have an appreciation for music of different world cultures. It is deeply satisfying to know that what we do in the schools gets carried out into the community.”
To make a gift, click here: www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/stars-in-our-schools
Please make your gift by December 18 to ensure pre-holiday delivery.
As always, thank you for supporting public education and AEF.
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Monday, November 27, 2017
Giving Tuesday is November 28 - So Many Ways to Give
#GivingTuesday
is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families,
organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries
around the world. Millions of people come together to support and champion the
causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.
Random
acts of kindness are a great way to teach young children about giving and
supporting each other. Helping a neighbor with yard work or donating clothes
and books are easy ways to get kids involved. The Fort River Student Council is
currently organizing a toy and necessities drive for victims of Hurricane
Maria. The Amherst Survival Center and local religious groups have ongoing
opportunities to donate or volunteer locally. The Amherst Education Foundation
provides grants to ARPS teachers allowing students to tangibly see their
families' donations at work.
The
Fort River PGO also depends on generous giving from our community so that we
can continue to support the work of our incredible teachers and staff. The
Annual Fund needs to cover about 30% of the annual budget. Please consider
joining the Fort River community on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 by including the
PGO in your end-of-year giving. If you are able to help, please click here to donate using PayPal or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort
River PGO." Thanks!
Around the World at Fort River: Save the Date and Request for Committee Volunteers
The PGO is looking for several volunteers to help organize the evening including arranging performances, decorations, and promoting with posters, flyers and announcements. If you would like to help organize the celebration, contact Deborah_christakos@yahoo.com, (413) 320-7700
Welcome Back! Time to Bundle Up!
We hope you enjoyed your homework free break and managed to get lots of rest!
It's cold outside so please send your students to school with appropriate gear. Contact the school if you need assistance obtaining warm clothing; there are lots of wonderful items available in the Winter Clothing Share.
Jones Library Film and Discussion Series: 13TH
Message from Coming Together and the Jones Library:
Join us on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next event in this ongoing film and discussion series that may educate, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.
This month’s screening of 13TH is a powerful documentary which explores the history of race and the criminal justice system in the United States by Ava DuVernay, the director of the feature film Selma. The final half of the film will be screened, as the first half was screened and discussed at the October meeting. After the discussion, work will continue in small working groups to advance anti-racism action projects that have been undertaken.
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/.
ARHS Women’s Rights Club Feminine Hygiene Products Drive
Important message from the ARHS Women’s Rights Club:
The ARHS Women’s Rights Club is running a TAMPON AND PAD drive all month! All donations will benefit the Amherst Survival Center so that hygiene products can be available to all that need it!
Look for the signs and boxes located at the school to donate what you can.
Donations should be in sealed boxes or packages. Drive will be up until the end of the month. Donations are also accepted year round at the Amherst Survival Center. We hope that this drive will bring more awareness to a natural part of human experience as well as an important public health need.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Volunteers Needed for Videotaping Fort River School Building Committee Meetings
Volunteers are needed to videotape the Fort River School Building Committee meetings. Amherst Media
will provide training and the necessary equipment, and will broadcast the
meetings for the community.
The first meeting is
Thursday, November 30, 2017 from 4 to 6 pm at the ARMS Professional Development Center
and there will likely be one or two meetings per month. Several people willing and able to take turns doing the filming would be ideal to ensure coverage of these important meetings.
PGO Meeting on November 16 at 9 am
General PGO Meeting
Thursday, November 16
9 - 10 am
Please join the PGO Board for our monthly meeting. All current Fort River parents and guardians are welcome! Budget, fundraising plans, and volunteer needs will be discussed. Small children are always welcome!
Technology Help at Amherst Libraries
Technology Specialist
Doctor Hank will be available to help you troubleshoot your computer, tablet,
e-reader, or other personal electronic device according to the following
schedule:
- Jones Library: first and third Mondays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. (in the Atrium)
- Munson Memorial Library: every Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- North Amherst Library: second and fourth Fridays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
This drop-in support is
free and open to the public on a first-come first-served basis.
IMPORTANT: Occasionally,
Dr. Hank’s visits have to be rescheduled, so we encourage you to call our Reference Desk at 413-259-3096 to
confirm.
PC Doctor Hank is funded in large part by the Friends of the Library in memory of Conrad Wogrin.
PC Doctor Hank is funded in large part by the Friends of the Library in memory of Conrad Wogrin.