FINAL WEEK! Thank Your Teachers with a Donation to AEF by June 15

FINAL Week!

Recognize teachers and staff at the end of the year with a gift in their honor! 

Now is the time to let teachers and staff members know how much your appreciate their hard work, expertise, care, and dedication. 

You can strengthen our schools with a tax-deductible gift to Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) in a teacher’s or staff member’s name. AEF will deliver a personalized recognition card to your honoree/s. 

Please make your gift online or send your gift by mail by June 15 to guarantee delivery to honorees before their last day of the school year. As always, thank you for supporting public education and AEF, and thank you recognizing the Stars in Our Schools!

Click here to complete online gift form
Print PDF for mailing here

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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.” - ARMS Co-Assistant Principal and ELL Teacher Alicia Lopez

“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!” - ARMS Science Teacher Jennifer Welborn

“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.” - Fort River Elementary School Music Teacher Anne Louise White (retired 6/2017)

AEF Stars in our Schools - Perfect Teacher/Staff Gift!

Recognize teachers and staff at the end of the year with a gift in their honor! 

Now is the time to let teachers and staff members know how much your appreciate their hard work, expertise, care, and dedication. 

You can strengthen our schools with a tax-deductible gift to Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) in a teacher’s or staff member’s name. AEF will deliver a personalized recognition card to your honoree/s. 

Please make your gift online or send your gift by mail by June 15 to guarantee delivery to honorees before their last day of the school year. As always, thank you for supporting public education and AEF, and thank you recognizing the Stars in Our Schools!

Click here to complete online gift form
Print PDF for mailing here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.” - ARMS Co-Assistant Principal and ELL Teacher Alicia Lopez

“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!” - ARMS Science Teacher Jennifer Welborn

“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.” - Fort River Elementary School Music Teacher Anne Louise White (retired 6/2017)

Amherst Education Foundation Announces 2018-2019 Excellence Grants

Heading into its 25th year, the Amherst Education Foundation announces its Excellence Grants for the 2018-19 academic year.  Totaling $29,000.00, the grants are spread across the Amherst Elementary Schools, the Amherst Regional Middle School, and the Amherst Regional High School.

Of particular interest to elementary families is the winning proposal from Jennifer Reese, Elementary Science and Garden Coordinator:

ELEMENTARY GARDEN-BASED LEARNING 

Grantee: Jennifer Reese, Elementary Science and Garden Coordinator

Grant Amount: $5,000.00

Schools: Wildwood, Fort River, and Crocker Farm

Description: Garden educator Leila Tunnell will lead all second grade students in year-round garden-based learning at school and on field trips to Brookfield Farm.  Each elementary school will create universally accessible raised beds.  The curriculum will build on lessons individual teachers have used in kindergarten and first grade and will provide second graders with the opportunity to learn about our local ecosystem, food sources, collaboration, and problem solving.

Read about the other grantees here: https://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/grants/

ARMS "Our Immigration Stories" Art Photo/Text Exhibit Opening on June 15

Please join students and educators from Amherst Regional Middle School for a reception of Our Immigration Stories photo-text exhibit on Tuesday, May 15 from 5:30-7:00pm! Located in the ARMS Cafeteria, Library and Main Lobby-Gallery.

This work was supported by a grant from the Amherst Education Foundation, which relies on charitable donations and fundraising events to offer Excellence Grants to educators in the Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury Elementary Schools and the Regional Schools.

 

AEF Celebrates Champions for our Schools on March 17

an invitation from AEF ...

AEF Celebrates Champions for our Schools

March 17, 2018

6 - 9PM

UMass Student Union Ballroom

Join Amherst Education Foundation on Saturday, March 17, 2018 as we honor the nine principals of our school districts: Mark Jackson, David Slovin, Patty Bode, Diane Chamberlain, Nick Yaffe, Derek Shea, Lisa Desjarlais, Margot Lacey, and Jackie Mendonsa!

All of our principals will be in attendance. Come celebrate the incredible leaders of our high schools, middle school, and elementary schools along with our generous community champion Florence Bank.

Proceeds from the event will help fund the grants we provide to educators. The more money we raise, the more grants we can support! Click here to read more about AEF grants, including two current grants written by Fort River educators Ruth Killough-Hill and Amy Chang. 

Please tell your friends, neighbors, and colleagues about this fun event; the more the merrier! We have moved our celebration to the UMass Student Union Ballroom to allow more friends to attend. Last year’s party was a sellout!

We hope to see you on the 17th! Tickets available here: http://bit.ly/2DZZkra 

Can't make it? You can send Ms. Chamberlain a special note of thanks which we will include in the event program. Click here for details: http://bit.ly/2DZZkra 

The mission of the Amherst Educational Foundation (AEF) is to support Amherst area public schools in providing a challenging and enriching educational experience that maximizes the learning potential of every student and prepares them to succeed in the 21st century. Please follow AEF on Facebook and Twitter where we spread the word about the amazing work happening in our schools. 

AEF Celebrates Champions for Our Schools on March 17

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Join Amherst Education Foundation as we honor the nine principals of our school districts: Mark Jackson, David Slovin, Patty Bode, Diane Chamberlain, Nick Yaffe, Derek Shea, Lisa Desjarlais, Margot Lacey, and Jackie Mendonsa!

All nine principals will be in attendance. Come celebrate the leaders of our high schools, middle school, and elementary schools.

We hope you will join us for dinner, festivities, trivia, and more:

March 17

6-9pm

Student Union Ballroom at UMass

Here is the link to ticket sales: http://bit.ly/2DZZkra

All proceeds from the event will support AEF funded grants to educators at ARHS, ARMS, Summit Academy, and in the Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury Elementary Schools.

AEF Save the Date: Champions for Our Schools 2018! on March 17 at UMass Student Union Ballroom

Join Amherst Education Foundation for an evening of celebration, fun, and food as we honor the 9 principals of the Amherst Regional Public School District and community champion Florence Bank.

Principal honorees are Mark Jackson, Patty Bode, Diane Chamberlain, Derek Shea, Lisa Desjarlais, David Slovin, Margot Lacey, Jackie Mendonsa, and Nick Yaffe.

Doors open at 6:00pm with a cash bar followed by dinner and entertainment, including music and trivia.

Proceeds support AEF-funded grants in our public schools. If you are interested in sponsoring the event or being a Table Ambassador, please email AEF at amherstedfound@gmail.com. 

AEF Stars in our Schools Honoring Your Child's Teachers

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.”  - ARMS Co-Assistant Principal and ELL Teacher Alicia Lopez  “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!”  - ARMS Science Teacher Jennifer Welborn “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.”  - Fort River Elementary School Music Teacher Anne Louise White (retired 6/2017) 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.

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!

Amherst Education Foundation Trivia Bee on October 26 - Sign Up Now!

Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) is hosting its 23rd annual Trivia Bee next week! 

Space is still available for youth teams! Don't miss the opportunity to make history in the first ever Youth Round of the Bee. If you've never attended the Trivia Bee you've been missing a highly entertaining evening! Your kids will love this family friendly event!

State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose will emcee the event, and local community leaders act as judges for the prizes. In both the adult and youth rounds, participants will compete in teams of four and are encouraged to come up with a team name and wear costumes. Special prizes will be awarded for best costumes, best spirit, and more. 

AEF is a nonprofit organization that gives grants to teachers and administrators in the ARPS district, and the Trivia Bee is one of our most fun and successful events. Business sponsorships to fund the teams are a great way to gain visibility with local families. Individuals are also invited to fund a team as well. 

To register a team, please email Meg Rosa at megrosa78@gmail.com. For sponsorship information, please see the attached form.

Thank you for supporting AEF, and we look forward to seeing you on October 26!

Trivia Bee Sponsor Letter

Youth Round Debuts at 23rd Annual AEF Trivia Bee on October 26

The Amherst Education Foundation has added an exciting new twist to their wildly popular Trivia Bee ... a Youth Round! If you've never attended the Trivia Bee you've been missing a highly entertaining evening! Here's a message from AEF about how your kids can participate ...

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Dear Parents and Guardians,

Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) is hosting its 23rd annual Trivia Bee on October 26 in the Middle School auditorium and is thrilled to announce that we have added a new round for kids ages 14 and under. State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose will emcee the event, and we will have local community leaders act as judges for the prizes. 

As with the adult rounds, participants will compete in teams of four and are encouraged to come up with a team name and wear costumes. We will have special prizes for best costumes, best spirit, and more. The Kids Round will run from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

AEF is a nonprofit organization that gives grants to teachers and administrators in the ARPS district, and the Trivia Bee is one of our most fun and successful events. We are actively seeking business sponsorships to fund the teams. However, interested parents are invited to fund a team as well. 

To register a team, please email Meg Rosa at megrosa78@gmail.com. For sponsorship information, please see the attached form.

Thank you for supporting AEF, and we look forward to seeing you on October 26.

Thank you, 

Becky Michaels 

Co-President, Amherst Education Foundation 

Trivia Bee Sponsor Letter

Save the Date! AEF Trivia Bee on October 26 with New Youth Round!

news from Amherst Education Foundation ...

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

AEF Trivia Bee!

Thursday, October 26, 2017, 6:00-9:00pm

ARMS Auditorium

DOORS OPEN AT 5:30pm for a fun evening that includes over 100 players in costumes, raffle prizes plus refreshments, an audience trivia game and prizes.

NEW FOR 2017!

We will have a youth-only Trivia Round before the main competition. Teams of players 14 years of age and younger will answer age-appropriate questions on the way to becoming our first-ever Youth Trivia Bee Champions!

Admission is free with donations benefiting Amherst Education Foundation and Amherst public schools.

More information to come...

Notes from the Music Room

Congratulations to Ms. White on her upcoming retirement! The final Chorus Concert last week caps an incredible career and was a cherished evening for everyone in attendance. Fort River students rose to the occasion, delivering a magical performance. Ms. White shared these updates in the recent Principal Newsletter:

Thanks to special funding opportunities, we have been very fortunate to have some fabulous artists come to work with our music classes.  I would like to thank both the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Amherst Education Foundation for funding the concert given by the band, Klezamir, on April 28th.  The entire school had prepared for this concert of Yiddish music and culture. The upper grades watched a film about the history of Klezmer, learning how klezmer music has spread throughout the world. Students learned the Israeli dance, Zemir Atik, which they danced at the concert.  Younger grades read the book, "Kugel Valley Klezmer Band," and learned to sing and dance to "Tumbalalaika." The entire school got up and danced to the infectious music, and a good time was had by all! 

I also want to thank the Amherst Education Foundation for funding our district-wide Culture Bearers Project.  Through this grant we were able to bring wonderful artists to each of our district elementary schools.  At Fort River, in addition to hearing Klezamir, students learned about the Yoruba tradition of the talking drum from artist, Champion Bakare.  Children learned to dance and sing, "Kakilambe," a traditional piece of the Baga People. Tashina Bowman and Donovan Riley Robinson came and taught the students how to drum, sing and dance this song of harvest celebration. Fifth and sixth grade classes were treated to an exceptional live jazz concert by the Jeremy Turgeon Quintet.  The entire school community was treated to an evening of beautiful Latin American dance by Grupo Folklorico Tradiciones at our Cultural Heritage Night. In addition, AEF funding enabled us to procure new teaching materials for the Cambodian Afterschool program which happens at all three elementary schools. 

Thanks to AEF and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, it has been an exceptional year for musical performance and education at Fort River!

Thank you, Mrs. White, Music Teacher

 ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ 

Thank Teachers with a Gift to AEF

a message from Amherst Education Foundation:

The school year is almost over, and now is the time we begin thinking about how to thank our teachers for a terrific year. What better way to thank them than to give a gift in their name to the Amherst Education Foundation? AEF has provided more than $400,000 in grants to our public schools over the last 24 years.

“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.”

- Fort River Music Teacher Anne Louise White

AEF provides an easy way for you to make a meaningful donation to your child’s teacher(s) by going to www.amhersteducationfoundation.org and clicking on “Stars in Our Schools.”  You can donate to more than one teacher in one easy transaction! Or send a check with a note identifying the teacher(s), the school, and who is giving the donation to our mailing address at: PO Box 1363, Amherst, MA 01004.

In order for your teacher to receive a star, please make your donation by June 15.

View: AEF Stars flyer 2017

Valley Gives Day on May 2

The 4th annual Valley Gives Day is just a month away! This is a 24-hour online giving day that allows people throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond to support hundreds of local nonprofits.

This year, ARHS/ARMS Athletics (Hurricane Boosters) is participating for the first time, as well as some of the PGOs. Organizations are eligible for incentive prizes based on the number of donors – no matter how big or small the gifts – so save the date, spread the word, and help our organizations raise thousands of dollars to benefit our students and schools. The Amherst Education Foundation is another organization whose sole purpose is to raise money for grants awarded to ARPS educators. Please consider supporting AEF on Valley Gives Day.

Fort River PGO is not participating in Valley Gives Day this year but welcomes ongoing donations to the Annual Fund throughout the year. Checks may be made out to "Fort River PGO" and sent into the front office. There is also a PayPal button on the blog home page.

AEF Celebrates Music in our Schools on March 18

SPECIAL GUEST MICHELLE BROOKS-THOMPSON!

AEF is thrilled to announce its spring fundraiser: Music in our Schools!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

6 - 9 pm

Emceed by Performing Arts Department Chair John Bechtold and State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose, the evening will be filled with tributes, performances, and wonderful food and drink.

AEF will be giving a special award to ARMS Chorus Director Dave Ranen and lifetime achievement recognitions to all of our district’s music educators, past and present, who have taught for more than 20 years in the schools.

AEF has invited all music educators to be our guests at our event, and is pleased to announce that we will be joined by Fort River Music Teacher Anne White, Crocker Farm Music Teacher Eleanor Lincoln, Wildwood Music Teacher Jacob Brownell, ARHS Chorale teacher Todd Fruth, and retired Band Leader Sue Dunbar. The list is still growing!

Proceeds will support AEF's 2017 excellence grants, with a portion going directly to the ARPS music program.  Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aef-celebrates-music-in-our-schools-tickets-30365825000#tickets or by clicking here.

The event will be held at:  Marriott Center, Campus Center, 11th floor, UMass-Amherst, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA.

Save the Date! AEF Celebrates Music in Our Schools on March 18

AEF is thrilled to announce its spring fundraiser: Music in our Schools!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

6 - 9 pm

Emceed by Performing Arts Department Chair John Bechtold and State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose, the evening will be filled with tributes, performances, and wonderful food and drink.

AEF will be giving a special award to ARMS Chorus Director Dave Ranen and lifetime achievement recognitions to all of our district’s music educators, past and present, who have taught for more than 20 years in the schools.

AEF has invited all music educators to be our guests at our event, and is pleased to announce that we will be joined by Fort River Music Teacher Anne White, Crocker Farm Music Teacher Eleanor Lincoln, Wildwood Music Teacher Jacob Brownell, ARHS Chorale teacher Todd Fruth, and retired Band Leader Sue Dunbar. The list is still growing!

Proceeds will support AEF's 2017 excellence grants, with a portion going directly to the ARPS music program.  Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aef-celebrates-music-in-our-schools-tickets-30365825000#tickets or by clicking here.

The event will be held at:  Marriott Center, Campus Center, 11th floor, UMass-Amherst, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA.