Saturday, December 12, 2020

Library book pick-up

The Fort River Library is sending library books home to each of our students! Each student will have their own library book bag ready for pick up on Tuesday. 
 
PICK UP at school: Tuesday, December 15, 11:15-12:30pm and 3-4pm
 
Please come to the parking lot. Book bags will be on the front walk. You can pull up to your students’ grade level spot, where PGO volunteers will help you. Please wear masks and practice social distancing. If you cannot make it during the pick up times, we will work on sending the Fort River Library Book Bag home to your students.

Fort River Masks for sale

Choose Love when wearing your mask! The PGO still has Fort River "We Choose Love" masks available for $10. The masks are two layers of blue material and fit all sizes. Process go to fund student supplies or mini grants for the classroom. 

They will be available during the book pick-up (Tuesday, Dec. 15) or contact ftriver@gmail.com if you can't make it and would like to purchase.

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Spanish Through the Arts

Join Multi-Arts Spanish Through the Arts

We are happy to offer our successful Spanish Through the Arts again this winter session. Children will learn Spanish using music, art and theater, making it fun and enjoyable. 
 
Children can choose Monday 5:00-6:00 p.m. Thursday 3:30-5:00 p.m. or both days. We will meet for 10 weeks. Thursday Theater class we will culminate in a final show in which children will apply the vocabulary learned during the classes. 
Monday’ meetings run from Monday, December 7th to February, 22nd  & 
Thursday’s meetings run from Thursday, December 10th to February 25th
 
Isabel Arango is our Spanish teacher and Maia Petrucha our Theater teacher. You can read about them here. Welcome to sign up here.

Call for Submissions: Dreaming the Future!

The Forbes, Jones, and Lilly libraries are collaborating with UMass's Feinberg Lecture Series, and we are asking the young people of Western Massachusetts (ages 5-18) to help us envision a future where climate change is mitigated and the world has adapted. The project, Dreaming the Future, asks young people to consider their relationship with the natural world, how they think it might change in the future, what they hope it might be like, and how to help guide humanity toward a more climate-just world. Participants are invited to respond to a variety of prompts and share their work with us; we will then publish the collection as a zine (a limited-edition publication). Participants will receive a physical copy of the booklet and it will also be available online. We are asking for submissions now through January 1, 2021. To view the prompts and find information on how to submit, please visit: https://blogs.umass.edu/feinberg/dreaming-the-future/

Mad Science HoliDaze

 Mad Science Presents: A HoliDaze Live Special

With Follow Along, Fun Hands-on Holiday-themed Science Projects
Plus a very special "Ask-a-Mad Scientist" Interactive Q&A

All from the safety and comfort of your own home

Saturday, December 19th, 5-6:30PM

$10 per participant

Hurry - sign up now. Space is limited.

westnewengland.madscience.org or direct link to registration HERE

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Center Stage Dance

 

Curtains up! The Center Dance is thrilled to announce an encore session of Center Stage: a marvelous medley of musical theater, jazz and improvisational dance styles. Students will work with the fundamentals of theatrical dance, learn choreography straight off of Broadway, and master a "step, ball change!" Whether your child is an aspiring performer, a Broadway enthusiast, or simply looking for some fun physical activity as the weather turns colder, this VIRTUAL edition of Center Stage is the place to be! 

Our 3-week mini-session kicks of Monday, November 30th. Class will meet Mondays AND Fridays from 4-5PM, and will culminate in a virtual performance (date TBD). 

Tuition: $100. Recommended for kids ages 10-13.

https://the-center-dance.square.site/product/center-stage-/148?cs=true

Giving Tuesday

 

This Tuesday, December 1 is giving Tuesday. Pick your favorite charity/non-profit and help out if you can. 

To donate to the Fort River PGO, click the Donate button on the right hand side at http://ftriver.blogspot.com/.

Sunday, November 22, 2020

ARPS Warm Winter Coat & Clothing Drive

[Espanol]

This winter an unprecedented number of Amherst children need warm outdoor clothing.The Amherst Public Schools (ARPS) Family Center is once again organizing a winter clothing drive with the PGOs' help. We are looking for donations of new (and gently used) winter coats for over 90 Amherst children, size pre-K through adult. Also needed: snow pants and boots; hats and waterproof mittens/gloves appreciated, too!

There are drop-off bins located outside the front doors of each Amherst public school. Please make sure all clothing is clean, in good condition and put your donations in plastic bags. You can see what sizes are needed most and signup to donate here:  tinyurl.com/coatsneeded 

If you prefer to give money instead of clothing, you may donate online at tinyurl.com/coats2020 or send a check (payable to ARPS PGO) or gift cards to Tracy Zafian, ARPS PGO Treasurer, 51 Blue Hills Road, Amherst.

Our goal is to finish collecting by Monday, December 14. If you have questions or need someone to pick up your clothing donation, please contact arpspgo@gmail.com.  Thank you.  Collected items will be distributed to families by the ARPS Family Center in December.  The PGOs may have an additional distribution in January. 

*** If you or your children are in need of warm winter clothing, please contact Mildred Martinez at the ARPS Family Center:  martinezm2@arps.org or 413-362-1871.  ***

Friday, November 13, 2020

Excellence in teaching - call for examples of commitment to social justice

Board members of the Roger L. Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award Foundation seek examples that illustrate elementary school teachers’ and staff members’ responsiveness and ongoing commitment to social justice during the Covid 19 pandemic.

 

Students, guardians, parents, teachers, staff, and others are encouraged to submit a brief (or longer!) description to respond to this prompt. Please email your story to Katie at klazdowski@gmail.com by November 30, 2020 and write "Excellence in Teaching" in the subject line. Thank you!

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Town of Amherst Seeking Public Input

 Town of Amherst Seeks Public Input on Block Grant Priorities

Amherst will be making its annual application to receive federal funds administered by the state in the Community Development Block Grant program. These funds are awarded primarily to projects, programs, and services that improve the lives of Amherst's low and moderate income residents.  The CDBG Advisory Committee would like to hear from the community about priorities for social services, public infrastructure projects and focus areas in town. Please click here to complete a short online form to provide input to the Committee. 
 
More information is also available at this link. 

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Fort River t-shirts and apparel for sale!

Show your school spirit while helping the PGO raise money to support the Fort River community!

Store Link: https://fortriverpgo.itemorder.com/sale (The online store will be open from Monday 10/19 through Wednesday 11/4) Orders will be distributed at Fort River by the end of November.

*All items feature our motto “Elegimos el Amor/We Choose Love”

*Students, staff and parents -- we’ve got you covered with lots of available sizes!

This year we are offering short- and long-sleeved shirts, as well as pullover hoodies. All are available in either royal blue or charcoal gray. We are also offering royal blue masks with adjustable ear loops attached to a neck strap. These masks really are one size fits all, so they are good for kids and adults!

The PGO is committed to providing a short-sleeved royal blue shirt for all students this year.  We would appreciate any support to reach that goal. If you are willing to donate any amount in addition to your child's shirt, it would be most appreciated.

To request a scholarship shirt, please email Stacey Beganny with the student’s name and size: stacey.fortriver@gmail.com

¡Ropa de Fort River a la venta!
¡Muestre su espíritu escolar mientras ayuda a PGO a recaudar fondos para apoyar a la comunidad de Fort River!

Enlace del sitio web de la tienda: https://fortriverpgo.itemorder.com/sale La tienda online estará abierta desde el lunes 19 de octubre hasta el miércoles 4 de noviembre. Los pedidos se distribuirán en Fort River a finales de noviembre.

* Todos los artículos cuentan con nuestro lema "Elegimos el Amor / We Choose Love"

* Estudiantes, personal y padres: ¡lo tenemos cubierto con muchos tamaños disponibles!

Este año ofrecemos camisetas de manga corta y larga, así como sudaderas con capucha. Todos están disponibles en azul real o gris carbón. También ofrecemos máscaras azul real con orejeras ajustables unidas a una correa para el cuello. Estas máscaras son realmente de talla única, por lo que son buenas para niños y adultos.

El PGO se compromete a proporcionar una camisa azul real de manga corta para todos los estudiantes este año. Agradeceríamos cualquier apoyo para alcanzar ese objetivo. Si está dispuesto a donar cualquier cantidad además de la camiseta de su hijo, sería muy apreciado.

Para solicitar una camiseta de beca, envíe un correo electrónico a Stacey Beganny con el nombre y el tamaño del estudiante: stacey.fortriver@gmail.com

Project Earth

  

Come, Come!! Be part of our story: Multi-Arts invites you to our virtual presentation of “Project Earth”, a humorous and entertaining story full of imagination about what our world will be in the year 3,000. There is hope! With doable actions we can change the direction our planet is heading.

 

This show will be performed by professional actors in collaboration with children. It will include throughout an original gorgeous composition by our local composer Luna Wolf. The story was created by Multi-Arts kids, and directed by Multi-Arts theater teacher Maia Kinney-Petrucha. For sure you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime!  

 

Join us for this celebration of our amazing planet on November 1st at 4pm, and help spread awareness about the changes we need to make to protect it.

 

Request our zoom link at info@multi-arts.org

AEF Halloween Costume Constest

Just in time for Halloween, the Amherst Education Foundation Trivia Bee tradition of wearing creative costumes to the event continues!   Since we are virtual this year, we suggest that teams take selfies and send them to us ahead of the event, indicating the name of their team in the email. Due to COVID, team photos may not be possible (unless it is a family team), so individual photos are suggested and we will group them by team. Winners will be announced during the Trivia Bee on Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m.

Email your photos to: amherstedfound@gmail.com by Tuesday, October 27. 

 


 

Saturday, October 10, 2020

School Directory

 Staying connected is so important!

The PGO is again offering to create a School Directory so you are able to communcate with families and friends outside of school.

Below is link to the Directory Form, due back 10/22.  Please fill it out so you can stay in touch with the Fort River Community!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeGMPsiLG1C7IuwJLTtumAgsxbQQ1tSLaE5gkh4oq6y59UnA/viewform?usp=sf_link

¡Mantenerse conectado es tan importante!

El PGO se ofrece nuevamente a crear un Directorio Escolar para que puedas comunicarte con familias y amigos fuera de la escuela.

Abajo está el enlace del formulario de directorio, que debe ser devuelto el 22/10.  Por favor, rellénelo para que pueda mantenerse en contacto con la comunidad de Fort River!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeGMPsiLG1C7IuwJLTtumAgsxbQQ1tSLaE5gkh4oq6y59UnA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Ski and Winter Gear Sale

5th Annual Ski and Winter Gear Sale - October 31, 9 am - 2 pm 

 Under the tent on the lawn of the Amherst History Museum (67 Amity Street - next to the Jones Library), with deals and choices so big - it’s scary! Proceeds benefit the museum. Shoppers can once again choose from a vast selection of new and used downhill, cross-country skis, ski poles, helmets, snowshoes, boots, skates, snowboards, outdoor clothing (including jackets, gloves, mittens, and hats) all in adult and youth sizes. Strict safety guidelines will be observed with periodic cleaning of surfaces and social distancing measures in place. Masks are required, costumes are appreciated!  For information and updates, go to: 1 DAY TENT SALE EVENT

Mad Science Halloween Spooktacular

Mad Science Presents: Live Halloween Spooktacular

With Follow Along, Fun Hands-on Spooky Science Projects
Plus a very special "Ask-a-Mad Scientist" Interactive Q&A

All from the safety and comfort of your own home for a low per-household fee.

Saturday, October 24th, 4-5:30PM

$10 per connection includes unlimited live participants per device

westnewengland.madscience.org or direct link to registration HERE

AEF Trivia Bee

Save The Date! Neither rain, nor sleet, nor a pandemic will stop AEF’s Trivia Bee. MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the 26th Annual AEF Trivia Bee — Virtual Edition: Thursday, October 29th, 2020 6:30-8:00 p.m. hosted by State Representative Mindy Domb! 

Participation is free, but we encourage donations benefiting the Amherst Education Foundation and our public schools. You can sign-up to participate here. Your support is more important than ever so even if you are not participating, consider contributing to the AEF Trivia Bee, here.

Sign-Up to Participate: https://ti.to/amherst-education-foundation/aef-trivia-bee-2020

Donate: https://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5f76778e1589a316b9410f98

To watch the Trivia Bee visit AEF’s YouTubeFacebook, or Twitter the night of the event.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Fort River Watershed Clean-Up

Complete the 2020 Census Now

2020 Census
Did you know only about 2/3 of the households in Amherst have responded to the 2020 Census?  Data collection wraps up at the end of September, so it is vital to respond now.  Please complete the 2020 Census if you haven't, and encourage friends and neighbors to do so as well.  It's quick and easy, and will only take about 10 minutes to complete.  The 2020 Census will affect funding for our community for the next 10 years!
  • It's safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected.
  • Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
  • Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government.

 

Sunday, September 13, 2020

Materials / book distribution help

The Fort River library is seeking volunteers to help in getting print and physical materials to students (including library books!). Lani is developing a delivery model that can work for delivering materials to students at home (who are learning remotely). Some opportunities to support this program will include in-person outdoor volunteers to meet the materials delivery at the bus stops (make the social distance pick ups fun and safe for students/families; possibly do door-drop off for bags that are not picked up at the bus stop). Interested in learning more? Email Lani Blechman (Fort River librarian) at blechmanl@arps.org.

Multi-Arts - Spanish through the Arts

 Join Multi-Arts Thursdays Activities: September 15 to November 12

Sign up for one or several classes


At Multi-Arts Children

Discover their inner selves.
Learn ways to express feelings and ideas, and
Experience warm human connections that make their soul grow.

 
 
We are offering:
3:30 PM Spanish through the Arts with lsabel Arango & Maia Petrucha
Learning Spanish through storytelling, theater, arts and music.
 
4:00 PM  Theater- Playwriting with Maia Petrucha.
Create a play together and turn Zoom into a stage by making our rooms the sets, our wardrobe, the costumes, and our toys the props!
 
5:00 PM    Crafts & Story Time with Josh Gold.  
Learn how to make animals and other creatures like dragons, unicorns, or robots.  Listen to Josh read his favorite books while you create your own masterpiece.  Draw your most magical ideas and watch them come alive with shapeshifting projects.
  • Thursdays 3:30-6:00 pm
  • September 15 to November 12. 
  • Final show on November 12.
Suggested contribution: 
$100-$150 per child per class. All classes: $200-$300 per child.
Families in need: Pay as you Can.
 
 Register Today  HERE
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-4xnizRC9lux57ZOrv3loYdv1JplLg6bGJbRuq0MLew/viewform?edit_requested=true

For more information: info@multi-arts.org or call 413-584-7951

Girls on the Run

 Register your girl for the Amherst GOTR team. Learn more, apply to coach and REGISTER at

www.girlsontherunwesternma.org 

Girls will have fun, make friends, increase their physical activity and learn important life skills.

For Your Girl!
• Girls on the Run (3rd-5th grades).
• 8 week program- Sept. 14th through Nov. 14th
• Fee Includes: 16 lessons with trained coaches, Curriculum and individual materials/bag, Program T-shirt, 5K Registration fee.

Whether in-person or virtually, coaches guide girls through research-based life skills curriculum teaching
life skills and promoting holistic health outcomes for girls.

Learn more, apply to coach and REGISTER at www.girlsontherunwesternma.org

Program LOCATION:
Amherst LSSE at Mill River Recreation Area
Wed/Sun 3:45-5:15. Practice times subject to change when we start losing the light!

Registration fee: $150. We offer a sliding scale from $10-$150. We have never turned a girl away based on her inability to pay the registration fee.

Saturday, September 5, 2020

Back to school fundraiser

 

Please help us in supporting our educators and to create a more inclusive and aware community! Donate on FB: https://www.facebook.com/donate/650556059177390/3192644934189420?fundraiser_source=feed&source_data[post_id]=3192644934189420

OR on our blog via Paypal: https://ftriver.blogspot.com/
 

 

Fall Sports

 

Tennis, Youth Football, Cross-Country Running, Track & Field, Ultimate Frisbee 

Details and registration: https://tinyurl.com/y63tlkje

Girls on the Run - Western Massachusetts

https://www.girlsontherunwesternma.org/

 

NEFC Junior Soccer Academy - FREE this fall! 

https://www.nefc.us/westjracademy

Joy Art classes

 

Registration is now open for the academic term small group online art lessons with Joy Art Space! There will be a few spaces opening up in the online art lesson groups starting in September.  Art lessons at Joy Art Space are a great opportunity for children and teens to get involved in an enriching after school activity where they can engage in self-expression and learn art techniques in a supportive environment.

Academic term lessons will begin the week of September 8th (the day after labor day) and Sept 14th (for the Monday group) and run continuously throughout the academic year (generally following the Amherst Regional Public School schedule).  

Lessons will continue online via zoom

Mad Science and Art Ventures Fall Sessions

 NEW FALL ART & SCIENCE

Live, Online, Interactive Sessions  - new sessions added:
 
Starting week of 10/19 4:15-5:15
Mad Science "Mad Labs"
8 Weekly Sessions, Choice of Days

Starting Week of 10/12, 4:15-5:15
Four Different ART-ventures Programs,
8 Weekly Sessions, Four Different Days
 
Check our Online Registration systems at Mad Science and ART-ventures

Friday, June 12, 2020

Last Day of School!


AEF Stars in Our Schools

The Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) is excited to announce our Spring Stars in Our Schools fundraiser. Let our teachers and staff know how much you appreciate their dedication, hard work, and expertise! Please make your gift by Friday, June 19 and let us know if there is a teacher or staff member in Amherst, Pelham, Shutesbury, or Leverett that you would like to honor, and we will send them a recognition card. 

Now, more than ever, we are asking the community to come together and help AEF continue to provide grants to our schools that support the enrichment of their educational programs. We will not be hosting a spring event so we are counting on Stars in Our Schools to raise the funds we need to continue making grants next year. Your support is critical to our efforts and we can not achieve our mission without you! Please make your gift today. 


https://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/stars-in-our-schools

Mad Science/Art Ventures summer programs



Sign up for Mad Science and/or Art Ventures.




Saturday, June 6, 2020

Book and Instrument Return


The ARPS Librarians and elementary instrumental music teachers invite families to return their library books and instruments (please contact your child's band or orchestra teacher if you wish to keep the instrument over the summer).

Items can be returned at any of the schools as follows:
- Crocker Farm - Wednesday, June 10, 12-3pm
- Wildwood - Thursday, June 11, 9am-12pm
- Fort River - Friday, June 12, 12-3pm

Drop-off will take place outside of the school building. Please pull-up to the drop-off table, wear a mask and practice social distancing.You should be able to stay 6 feet away from others at the drop-off site.

Feedback Wanted: Opening of School in Fall 2020

Your input is important as we plan for the opening of school in fall 2020 during the COVID-19 public health pandemic.  Please visit the link below where you will find link to a presentation about our planning so far and a brief survey where you can share your feedback.  Thank you!

Su opinión es importante para la planificación de la apertura de las escuelas en el otoño de 2020 ante la pandemia de salud pública COVID-19.  Por favor, visiten el siguiente enlace donde encontrarán una presentación sobre nuestra planificación hasta el momento y una breve encuesta donde podrán compartir sus opiniones.  Gracias!
ENLACE DE LA ENCUESTA: 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GHNQT3S

South Amherst July 4th Event Cancelled



Multi-Arts Virtual Summer Camp

 
Multi-Arts is going virtual this summer. Children will connect with outstanding teachers who will inspire them with many creative projects in art, music, dance, theater, mime, playwriting and story-telling. The program gives children tools to self-entertain, and means to find their voices to express ideas and opinions. Small groups and individual attention, while FUN, will inspire, motivate, and empower children. Register for one week or for the entire summer! Space is limited. There is one place where children are encouraged and challenged to think creatively, and that place is Multi-Arts. 

 Check our schedule and register today: www.multi-arts.org

Sunday, May 31, 2020

PGO Elections and last meeting of the year

Every year, the PGO elects new officers - President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator and Communications Guru(s). These officers serve on the executive committee and help define the role of the PGO in enhancing the opportunities for our Fort River students and community. Each position is for a one year term.

We have several 6th grade parents who will be leaving us this year. If you are interested in standing for a position, please feel free to contact any of the officers for more information (or email ftriver@gmail.com). You may nominate yourself or another. Nominees will be contacted to confirm his or her willingness to stand for election. Board elections will take place at the next PGO Board Meeting to be held June 5 at 10am (please contact stacey.fortriver@gmail.com for the zoom link).

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Textile recycling


The bins are still being emptied - the one at Fort River is in the south side parking lot (the visitor's lot by the playground). The Fort River PGO gets paid by the pound. Please do not leave donations beside the bin if it is full.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Need masks?

Are you in need of a mask for you or a family member? The Town of Amherst can help! Call 413-259-3002 or fill out the quick form online at www.amherstma.gov/getinvolved. With huge thanks to the volunteer community sewers for making this possible!
 
 

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Fort River Teacher Appreciation

The Fort River PGO has a long standing tradition of treating Fort River teachers and staff to a luncheon in order to commemorate Teacher Appreciation Week. In addition, we collect handmade cards from your children as the staff truly enjoys receiving these treasures. Alas, this year is different so we must adapt! The PGO is collecting virtual cards which we will compile into a video to be shared with the Fort River Community. You can either take a picture of your student holding their card(s) or simply take a photo of the card.
<link no longer available - the deadline has passed>
Please submit your photos by TUESDAY, MAY 19th! Questions? Please email ftriver@gmail.com.


El Fort River PGO tiene una larga tradición de invitar a los maestros y al personal de Fort River a un almuerzo para conmemorar la Semana de Apreciación de los Maestros. Además, recolectamos tarjetas hechas a mano de sus hijos, ya que el personal realmente disfruta recibir estos tesoros. ¡Ay, este año es diferente, así que debemos adaptarnos! El PGO está recolectando tarjetas virtuales que compilaremos en un video para compartir con la comunidad de Fort River. Puede tomar una foto de su estudiante con su (s) tarjeta (s) o simplemente tomar una foto de la tarjeta.
<el enlace ya no esta disponible: la fecha limite ha pasado>
¡Envíe sus fotos antes del MARTES 19 DE MAYO! Preguntas? Por favor envíe un correo electrónico a ftriver@gmail.com.