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).

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.

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!

 

 

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.

Nordic Rocks skiing in top 8 worldwide!

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this program to Fort River!

The CXC’s Nordic Rocks Program has been selected as one of the Top 8 programs worldwide in the SnowKidz Awards competition hosted by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

The SnowKidz Awards showcase the World’s Best Kids Snow Programs, recognizing best efforts to bring kids to the snow. Each national ski association gets a chance to submit one program from their country, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard chose Nordic Rocks as the submission for USA. Judged by an independent panel on strict judging criteria, the Top 8 programs were announced by FIS on May 5. The top 3 will be announced shortly. 

Saturday Arts with Virtual Multi-Arts

Multi-Arts invites children to check them out on Saturdays and browse around through the several activities offered: from theater to arts, to mime; even quiet time, a time to settle down with a blanket and listen to the enchanting reading of Josh Gold. Children LOVE this quiet time! 

The program is free (with donations accepted for the teachers). Please, see  the attached schedule.

If your child would like to join us, register here:  
https://forms.gle/SFWFtAegNeyCyVY3A or visit: www.multi-arts.org

Virtual Student Directory

Many families have requested a virtual directory now that home-schooling is continuing through the end of the school year. The PGO cannot simply post September's printed version as families did not give explicit permission for that purpose. Families MUST fill out this form in order to authorize the PGO to include your family in this new virtual directory.  Once completed, everyone will receive a copy of the directory in the form of a Google Sheet. We hope that this resource will help your student to make social connections during this challenging time. The Fort River directory is an internal resource that is private and not disseminated to any outside vendors -- it is only used to distribute Fort River-related information. Only fill out the fields that you want to be included in this directory. Please complete this form by Wednesday, May 6th.

Click here to fill out the form!


¡Haga clic aquí para llenar el formulario!

Muchas familias han solicitado un directorio virtual ahora que la educación en el hogar continúa hasta el final del año escolar. La PGO no puede simplemente publicar la versión impresa de septiembre ya que las familias no dieron permiso explícito para ese propósito. Las familias DEBEN completar este formulario para autorizar a la PGO a incluir a su familia en este nuevo directorio virtual. Una vez completado, todos recibirán una copia del directorio en forma de Google Sheet. Esperamos que este recurso ayude a su estudiante a hacer conexiones sociales durante este momento desafiante. El directorio de Fort River es un recurso interno que es privado y no se distribuye a ningún proveedor externo; solo se utiliza para distribuir información relacionada con Fort River. Solo complete los campos que desea incluir en este directorio.Complete este formulario antes del miércoles 6 de mayo.

Kendrick Park Playground

The Town of Amherst is designing a playground for the children of Amherst, to be located in Kendrick Park.  The Planning Department, LSSE and DPW staff are working together to prepare a design, with input from the public.  

During the summer of 2019 the Town of Amherst applied for a PARC grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was awarded $400,000.  In the fall CPAC (Community Preservation Act Committee) and the Town Council voted to match this grant with about $260,000 from town funds to build a playground that will serve Downtown Amherst.   

Despite the covid-19 pandemic, work is proceeding, and LSSE and the Planning Department want to hear from you before a design is finalized in the next couple of months!  Please see https://www.amherstma.gov/3527/Kendrick-Park-2020 for more information, including the preliminary design that was presented to the Planning Board  in March, 2020, and a link for submitting comments.

Art from the Heart Contest