Sunday, December 8, 2019

Box Tops for Education


Traditional Box Tops clips are being phased out of production, but may continue to be found on many products that you buy regularly. Please look through your cabinets! You can still clip and send them to school.

Every valid Box Tops clip is worth 10¢ for Fort River. Make sure each one has a clearly visible product acronym and expiration date.

Please send them in an envelope to the Fort River PGO.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Amherst Historical Society Fourth Annual Ski & Winter Gear Sale


Amherst Leisure Services Strategic Plan

Amherst Leisure Services & Supplemental Education (LSSE) is working on a new strategic plan! The plan will be based on a shared community vision that sets priorities and prepares us for the future.

If you live in or around Amherst, we want to hear from you about which community recreation and education programs you value most, and how we can better meet you and your family's needs. This survey is for anybody in the greater Amherst area who is interested in athletics, fitness or education programs. It doesn't matter if you've participated in programs or activities offered by LSSE in the past. 

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete, and is completely anonymous. Please fill it out for yourself and your household, including any children under the age of 18. Youth ages 18 and up are encouraged to fill out their own survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019_Amherst_LSSE_Survey

AEF Stars in Our Schools

Are you looking for ways to celebrate your child’s favorite teachers during this season?

At the Amherst Education Foundation, we are excited to announce the return of Stars in Our Schools!

Make a donation in an educator’s name, 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.


Click here to make your gift! You can honor multiple teachers at once—each one will receive a personalized card!

Please make your gift by December 18 to ensure pre-holiday delivery. As always, thank you for supporting public education and the work of the Amherst Education Foundation. Click here if you prefer to print out a paper copy of the form. Completed forms can be mailed with a check made out to "Amherst Education Foundation, Inc." and sent to PO Box 1363, Amherst, MA 01004-1363.




Sunday, December 1, 2019

Amherst Winter Hat Sale!

Crocker Farm's 6th grade is selling Amherst winter hats to help fund their end of 6th grade field trip & help make it affordable for all (these are the same hats that the Crocker Farm 6th grade sold four years ago, back now by popular demand).
The hats are warm, one size fits most (adults & kids) & for $10/each, you can't beat the price. They make great gifts, or buy one (or more) for yourself.
Orders are due by next Wed, Dec 4th, for delivery before the December break. Orders from families outside of Crocker Farm happily accepted. To order, please email Tracy (Crocker Farm parent) at tmz23@zafian.com.

A 21st Century Nutcracker

 
Join The Center Dance (including many dancers from Fort River!) in Amherst on Sunday, December 15th 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 1PM and 5PM.
Tickets are available online or, beginning 11/25, at The Center Dance Studio. (general admission is $15, seniors/students/children 12 and under are $10). Tickets may be purchased at ARHS on the day of the show; cash or check only.

Winter clothing drive - Distribution

The collection of winter clothing ended November 26, and we were able to gather a variety of different items in various sizes. Thank you to everybody who was able to share! 
 
Distribution is this week - Wednesday, December 4 through Friday, December 6 - in Room 11 during normal school hours, so please come by and select items that your kids need to stay warm this winter! You don’t have to have brought anything to participate.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school: 413-362-1200, or the Fort River PGO: ftriver@gmail.com.

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La colección de ropa de invierno terminó el 26 de noviembre, y pudimos recoger una variedad de artículos diferentes en varios tamaños. ¡Gracias a todos los que pudieron compartir!
 
La distribución es esta semana, del miércoles 4 al viernes 6 de diciembre, en el salón 11 durante el horario escolar normal, ¡así que venga y seleccione los artículos que sus hijos necesitan para abrigarse este invierno! No tienes que haber traído nada para participar.
 
Cualquier pregunta o duda, por favor comuníquese con la escuela: 413-362-1200, o con la PGO de Fort River: ftriver@gmail.com.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Around the World - THANK YOU!

The Around the World – Cultural Heritage Fair ROCKED!!

The Around the World was held last Thursday - what a WONDERFUL evening! We had the best potluck in the world with lots of culture/project booths, and a variety of amazing
performances! We are so glad so MANY families and teachers attended this event and a big thank you to EVERYONE who brought the most diverse and delicious gathering Fort River has ever seen!

Thanks so much to our fabulous committee: Yoosun Park, Jumee Lee and Sylvia Fisher. So many folks gave a helping hand to set up, clean up and coordinate this event. THANK YOU!!

Please provide any feedback about the event to Yoosun Park (yoosun82@gmail.com).

Friday, November 15, 2019

Girls on the Run - Coach(es) Needed!

Girls on the Run coming to Fort River spring 2020!
We are looking for volunteer coaches to support this team. Coaches do not need to be runners.

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a unique 10 week (twice weekly) after-school program led by trained coaches who lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-5th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. Each season culminates with a Girls on the Run 5K event. This
celebratory, non-competitive event provides girls with a sense of accomplishment and instills the
value of goal setting at a young age.

More information will be coming about the program. Registration will open in January, partial and full financial aid will be available.

Interested in coaching? Looking for more information? Please contact Molly Hoyt, GOTR Program Director, molly.hoyt@girlsontherun.org or Abby Mahoney, Community Outreach Coordinator, abby.mahoney@girlsontherun.org.

PGO Annual Fund - Donate Now!


LSSE Winter 2020 Program Guide

https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/49237/Leisure-Times-Winter-2020

Jones Library Volunteer Opportunity

Please submit a letter of interest and resume by December 2, 2019 to:
Sharon Sharry, Library Director
The Jones Library, 43 Amity St, Amherst, MA 01002
sharrys@joneslibrary.org

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Starlight Youth Theater

STARLIGHT’S YOUTH THEATRE MUSICAL THEATER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
   DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.   students Grades 2-6
Come join the fun November 16, 2019 for a Registration Workshop 9:00-9:40am at Mapleridge Community Center, 659 Amherst Road, Sunderland.  Singing,  dancing and pick up materials. Regular class begins January 11, 2020. Show in early April 2020. Limited Space! Sign up today.
  FIDDLER ON THE ROOF JR.  Students Grades 7-12     
Auditions will be held November 16, 2019  9:45-11:00 am at Mapleridge Community Center, 659 Amherst Road, Sunderland. Please prepare 34 bars of music.  Please select a song from the show or another musical that will show not only your vocal ability but your personality.  You do not have to audition to sign up for the class as there are many characters that do not have solos. Class/Rehearsal begins January 18, 2020. Show date to be announced May 2020.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Shaolin Kungfu 15th Anniversary Special


Literacy Project - Free Adult Classes


Experience Indian Culture at Amherst Ballet

Learn about Indian Culture, Experience Indian Dance, and Enjoy Indian Cuisine at Amherst Ballet!

Amherst Ballet is hosting a free Indian Dance Workshop led by Ms. Monica Bhowmik as the first of its World Dance Workshop series. The workshop will start with a short lecture on Indian culture and dance by Prof. Ranjanaa Devi, the former director of the Asian Arts and Culture Program of Fine Arts Center, UMass. At the end of the workshop, participants will be treated to a reception featuring Indian cuisine.

Date and Time: Saturday, November 16 2:00-4:00 pm
Location: Amherst Ballet (29 Strong Street, Amherst)

For more information, visit www.amherstballet.org, email info@amherstballet.org, or call (413) 549-1555

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Try Hockey for Free day!

Come try hockey for free on Saturday, November 9, 2-3:20pm at the Mullins Center Community Rink! Just bring a helmet and gloves, free skate rentals will be available. Sign-up here: http://tryhockeyforfree.com/ (search for zip code 01002).

The Amherst Hockey Association will also be having a used gear sale (skates of all sizes and used hockey gear), as well as new helmets. More information can be found at http://www.amhersthockey.org

Friday, November 1, 2019

Gift Cards on sale now!


Buy Gift Cards from the Fort River PGO!

The PGO will be selling gift cards that you can use for your normal weekly purchases at the grocery store or for Holiday shopping. This is money that you would already be spending, but if you use our gift cards, you will be earning money for Fort River! You pay full face value, but the PGO buys the gift cards at a discount (from 2-16% depending on the retailer.)

Look for an order form in your child's backpack! Orders are due on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14th! Checks made payable to Fort River PGO.

Click here for an order form

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Box Tops for Education - Send them by Thursday, Oct 31!

Please take a look through your cupboards and send clip any Box Tops for education. Some common items that you may have: Annie's crackers, Pillsbury dough, Nestle water, Cheerios and other General Mills cereals, Nature Valley granola bars, Lysol/Scott/Hefty/Ziploc products, and many more. The full list of products can be found here: http://www.boxtops4education.com/Participating-Products-Page.

Every valid Box Top earns Fort River $0.10! The first submission deadline for the year is this Thursday, October 31.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Amherst Leisure Services Community Meetings

Amherst Leisure Services has partnered with the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute to carry out a recreational programming needs assessment and comprehensive strategic plan. The final plan will provide the department with a vision, mission and strategic direction for the next three to five years. Information gathered from the community will be a vital part of this process. Participation via surveys and community-wide input gathering/visioning sessions is crucial. Join a Community Meeting on either Tuesday, 10/29 at 6:30 PM at Crocker Farm Elementary School Cafeteria or Thursday, 11/21 at 5:30 PM at Wildwood Elementary School Cafeteria.

Here's the Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/400199867341356/

Winter clothing drive

The Fort River PGO’s Annual Winter Coat & Outdoor Clothing Exchange will run from Monday, October 28 through Tuesday, November 26. Bring in items you no longer need to share with others - the donation box is in the lobby. 
Items will be available for you to choose from in Room 11 from December 4 to December 6. You do not have to bring in items to take anything home. The items that you or your child choose are yours to keep.  
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school: 413-362-1200, or the Fort River PGO: ftriver@gmail.com.
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La PGO de Fort River tendrá su intercambio anual de abrigos de invierno y ropa exterior entre lunes, el 28 de octubre, y martes, el 26 de noviembre.
Traigan artículos que ya no necesitan para compartir con otros - la caja de donativos estará en el vestíbulo.
Pueden elijar artículos para mantenerse bien abrigado este invierno en Sala 11 entre el 4–6 de diciembre. No es necesario traer artículos para llevárselos a casa. Los artículos que usted o su hijo escoge son suyos para guardar.
Cualquier pregunta o duda, por favor comuníquese con la escuela: 413-362-1200, o con la PGO de Fort River: ftriver@gmail.com.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Election Day Bake Sale

Calling all bakers!!! The Fort River PGO will host an Election Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 5th outside of the gymnasium. There is no school that day, so you and your students can also sign up to work the table. Baked goods, coffee, waters, etc can be dropped off in the office on Monday the 4th, or dropped off on election day between 7-8am. All proceeds benefit PGO programming events such as Around the World, Chili Night and Field Day!

 Sign up here to bake or work!

Please contact Lisa if you have any questions: lasolowiej@gmail.com

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Amherst Nordic - meet an Olympian!

Thursday, November 7 @ 7pm
Amherst Regional High School Library

John Morton is a two-time Olympic biathlete (’72 and ’76) and has been USA Team Leader and Chief of Course at other Olympic Winter Games. A native of Walpole, NH, he skied for Middlebury and, after a tour in the Army and an Olympic / World Cup racing career, was Head Coach of the Dartmouth Men’s Ski Team for 11 years. Since 1989 he has established himself as one of the pre-eminent trail designers in the world and has worked for ski areas and schools such as Trapp Family Lodge, Rikert, Jackson (NH) and Dartmouth. John will share his experiences as an elite-level biathlete and coach, offer his thoughts on the different aspects of Nordic skiing from touring to racing and illustrate state-of-the-art trail design principles and projects. Young, old, novice, and expert skiers alike will glean insights from his talk. Come with questions; he looks forward to engaging with the audience.

This event is FREE and open to the public.
Contact: Sanjay Arwade srarwade@gmail.com

PGO Pizza Meeting - School Committee Candidate Meet & Greet

Please join the Fort River PGO for an informal Meet & Greet with the 7 candidates running for the 5 open spots on the Amherst School Committee. Pizza will be served on a first come, first served basis. Please click on the link below to let us know if you are coming so we can better estimate the amount of pizza. As always, children are welcome.

Monday, October 21st in the Fort River Cafeteria
6-6:45 Meet & Greet
6:45-7:30 PGO Meeting

Click here to RSVP

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Open House

We hope all students and families will attend this special night at Fort River! During Open House the students will be in a leadership role as guides for their families. They will have a chance to share their learning environment with you and show you samples of their work.

The PGO will also have a table - and t-shirts will be available for sale! 

Bus transportation is available.  Pick up times and locations are:  
5:30 Mill Valley office, 5:40 Center of Colonial Village, 5:50 Rolling green office.  
The bus will depart Fort River at 7:00 for the return trip.

Around the World celebration

Thursday, November 14.
6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria

Around the World is back in 2019! Come and enjoy the cultural diversity.

If you can share some poster displays, photos, artifacts, games, crafts, costumes, performances, or you want to set up a table/booth dedicated to your culture, please contact Yoosun Park (yoosun82@gmail.com). We welcome any genre, from music and dances to martial arts, crafts, etc. at any skill levels.

We also welcome volunteers who want to help with anything!
We need lots of international food to have a fun and successful event!
Please sign up: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/PJys7XGIA4A
Please help us make this event interesting, educational, and most importantly, FUN!

October PGO Meeting


Friday, October 4, 2019

Picture Day

Fort River Picture Day is Tuesday, October 15! 
In addition to providing keepsakes of your children for family and friends, Grynn & Barrett donates a percentage of sales to Fort River School.
All students will be photographed for the yearbook and will receive a class picture free of charge.
CLASS PICTURES: Group photos of your child’s class will be taken on Picture Day.  These will be provided FREE to all families.
ORDERING A PICTURE PACKAGE: Please read the order form carefully, fill out completely and return with payment to your child’s teacher by Friday, October 11. If you do not wish to order a package, please write your child's name and "No Package" on the form and return it.
LATE ORDERS: Every student photographed on Picture Day will be able to order additional pictures, packages and merchandise through the Grynn & Barrett website.

Proceeds from picture orders go to support school field trips throughout the year.
 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, to help direct students to their photos. 
Questions? contact ftriver@gmail.com.
This is a very fun volunteer opportunity!

Monster Mash at the Jones Library


Optics, Lasers and Light with the UMass Science Outreach Club



Sunday, September 29, 2019

Girls Hockey Weekend and Gear Sale

Girls - want to try hockey? Come join Amherst Hockey and the Amherst College women's hockey team at the Mullins Center for skating on Saturday, Oct. 5: 1:30-2:30 girls 8 and under and beginners, 2:30-3:20 girls 9 and up who play hockey.
Register here: https://forms.gle/M9pvvaYoFfHizgM19
(registration will also be required with USA Hockey - a link will be sent to registered participants and paper copies will be available at the event)

AHA will also be hosting a gear sale at the same time - tons of skates available in all sizes, as well as other hockey gear.

Friday, September 27, 2019

LSSE Programs Fall and Winter

Youth Swim Lessons ages 5-14 on Tuesdays & Thursdays starting 10/22



Amherst Youth Basketball Players Clinic for grades K-8
Saturday, 10/19 with the ARHS Basketball coaching staff.
Girls’ – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Boys’ – 1:00-3:00pm
$5 fee on site, no pre-registration required.

Suburban Basketball League Tryouts –
Wed. 10/23 - Boys grades 5/6 - 5:30-7:00pm, grades 7/8 – 7:00-8:30pm
Thurs. 10/24 - Girls grades 5/6 - 5:30-7:00pm, grades 7/8 – 7:00-8:30pm
Sat. 10/26 - Girls grades 5/6 - 10:00-11:30am, grades 7/8 – 11:30am-1:00pm
                         Boys grades 5/6 – 1:00-2:30pm, grades 7/8 – 2:30-4:00pm

Amherst Youth Basketball (AYBL) for girls and boys, grades k-12. 
Jamboree on 12/14/19, Games begin 1/4/20

Amherst A Better Chance Fall Foliage & Cider Run


Amherst Ballet

At Amherst Ballet, various dance classes are offered for students of all levels from ages four and up. Classes are taught by notable instructors including Junichi Fukuda (internationally active choreographer), Madeleine Bonn (Jose Mateo principal dancer), Stephanie Shumway (Deerfield
Academy faculty member), and Jennifer Bennett (Co-director of Hatchery, the School for
Contemporary Dance and Thought).


Visit www.amherstballet.org and schedule a free trial class today!
For more information, email info@amherstballet.org

AEF Trivia Bee


Friday, September 20, 2019

ARPS Spirit Week


Family Fun Fair

 
FORT RIVER FUN FAIR
Fort River School Playground
Thursday, September 26, 2019
5:30-7:00 p.m.


Please join the Fort River Community in celebrating the start of the new school year! Take a night off from cooking and have the 6th graders entertain your kids! The 6th graders will be selling pizza, drinks & dessert to raise funds for field trips and graduation activities. They will also organize fun games for the younger kids.

Thank you for your support and see you Thursday!

Amherst Boys & Girls Club Community Breakfast


Children's Learning, Language & Development Study Opporunity

The Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston is recruiting children between the ages of 8 and 12 years to participate in research studies funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Health (NIH).  

Study 1. 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. More information can be found at: https://clinicaltrials.partners.org/study/feedback_learning

Study 2. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the learning patterns of children with typical and atypical language development. The study will involve 2 visits to the lab at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. 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.  A visit will last about 3 hours. A week after the second lab visit your child will be asked to complete follow up tasks on a home computer or a mobile device. We are looking for children who were late to develop language, and who still receive services for language or learning difficulties. More information can be found at: https://rally.partners.org/study/does_your_child_stru

Payment is $60 for each in-person visit to the lab. We provide free all-day parking at the Navy Yard. Please email us at cnglead@mghihp.edu or call us at (617) 643-4821 if you are interested or if you have any questions.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

ARPS Homecoming and Spirit Week

  Amherst Regional Public Schools
Homecoming & Spirit Week






Stay tuned for Spirit Week Activities in next week's newsletter!

Monday, September 23 - dress by the color of your grade:

Parenting Workshop



Fort River School Building Committee

The Fort River School Building Committee will present its final report to the Amherst School Committee and Amherst Town Council on September 17, 2019 at 6pm in the Town Room at Amherst Town Hall.

Please join the designers, TSKP Studio, as they provide information on the  variety of options explored for multiple enrollments using a range of new construction versus addition/renovation, and various approaches to sustainable building. Cost information and strategies for complying with the Town of Amherst’s zero net energy bylaw will also be discussed.

The full final report will be  available at  https://www.amherstma.gov/3379/Fort-River-School-Building-Committee and at the Jones Library after September 17, 2019.