ARMS Interim Principal Finalists Visit on June 19

On Tuesday, June 19, ARMS faculty, staff and families will have the opportunity to meet the three Interim Principal finalists who were chosen to move forward by the ARMS Interim Principal Search Committee. The community is invited to meet with the candidates at the following times:

Community Meetings: 

Joseph Smith 5:00-5:45 p.m. ARMS Library 

Rebecca Sweetman 5:45-6:30 p.m. ARMS Library 

Roberto Soto 6:30-7:15 p.m. ARMS Library

Attached you will find the schedule for Tuesday's meet and greet of all three finalists, as well as each of their resumes.

ARMS Interim Principal Finalists Meet and Greet Schedule.pdf

Interim Principal Finalist Resumes.pdf
Joseph Smith Resume.pdf (inadvertently omitted from above PDF packet)

ARMS PGO Seeks Volunteers for 2018-2019 School Year

Calling all incoming Middle School parents to be a part of the Middle School PGO.

We are going to have a transition meeting one evening during the first week of June, so that the current PGO can download all of our knowledge to the future PGO, and so we can try to fill some of the leadership roles for next year.  Even if you are not interested in taking a leadership role, we need lots of general PGO members to help with various events and activities. Please consider coming to hear about the PGO. There will be refreshments!!

If you are interested and willing to join us, please fill out this Doodle with your availability, so we can schedule the meeting as soon as possible:

https://doodle.com/poll/s76k2p9quttecqkf

Thank you!

The ARMS PGO

ARMS Students Successfully Petition Town Meeting on Climate Change Article

A Resolution crafted and presented by Amherst Regional Middle School students to stand in agreement with the Paris Climate Accord of 2015 was passed unanimously at Amherst Town Meeting on May 16.

"Town Meeting unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday to stand by the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, and to do so by encouraging town officials to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025." - Daily Hampshire Gazette

Read more about these inspirational students here. 

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.

 

Annual Black Scholars Rising Showcase on May 18

The Annual Black Scholars Rising event will be held on Friday, May 18th from 6:00 to 7:30 in the Middle School Auditorium with a reception to follow in the Middle School Cafeteria. Would you mind including that on your calendars and share it with staff & families?

This year, the BSR Committee is working closely with students and the evening will be a showcase of their skills and talents, as well as presenting stoles to the graduating seniors.

Black Scholars Rising 2018 Flyer

Black Scholars Rising 2018 Flyer – Spanish

Black Scholars Rising 2018 Flyer – Portuguese

Support Amherst Athletics during Valley Gives on May 1

Dear Families of Amherst High School and Middle School Athletes,

The Amherst Hurricane Boosters are a group of parents, staff and community members who are dedicated to supporting Amherst student athletics. This group finances major projects such as playing field lighting, sports sounds systems, and scoreboards as well as smaller items for individual teams.

For the first time, the Amherst Hurricane Boosters (under the name Amherst High School Athletics) will be participating in Valley Gives Day – a 24-hour period of online philanthropy across the Valley on Tuesday, May 1.

What makes Valley Gives Day so special is that we are eligible to receive cash prizes throughout the day that can amplify your donation and help us raise thousands of extra dollars to benefit Amherst school sports. The emphasis is on the NUMBER of donors, not the AMOUNT of each donation, so donations of any size can help us win extra prize money.

We will be updating the Boosters community about our fundraising totals throughout the day on Tuesday, May 1, via email, but primarily on the Booster’s Facebook page.

Please help us by taking these four simple actions;

1. Set reminder for Valley Gives Day
2. Like, follow, and turn notifications ON for the Amherst Hurricane Boosters’ Facebook page
3. Invite your friends to like and follow the Amherst Hurricane Boosters’ Facebook page
4. Share this email with your family, friends, kids’ teammates, and ARHS alums.

Here are some tips to help the Boosters reach — and even surpass — our fundraising goal:

MOST INDIVIDUAL DONORS:

$500, $1,000, and $1,500 prizes will be awarded to organizations that have the most “unique donors” contributing. A unique donor is identified by the name/address/email address of each individual. This means that if you and your partner have your own individual email addresses, please consider dividing the amount your family plans to give to the Boosters and each give separately, as you will each be counted as an individual donor. All donations need to be made on a person’s own credit card.

MILLENNIALS ROCK!

If we get donors who are aged 18 or 19, 20-29, AND 30-39 we are eligible to be randomly selected for an extra $4,000 prize. We can also win $1,000+ if we have the most donors under 40 years old. Remember, everyone needs to use their own credit card. 

GOLDEN and POWER HOUR TICKETS:

Throughout the day, 20 organizations will be randomly selected to receive a $500 Golden Ticket or $1000 Power Hour Tickets. To learn more about prizes, please click here.

We hope that you, your family, and your friends will give as generously as you are able to support the Hurricanes Boosters on Valley Gives Day!

Gratefully,

Rich Ferro and Karen Stiles Dunn

Amherst Hurricane Boosters

Chinese Language Program at ARMS and ARHS: Information Session on February 6

Are you interested in Chinese language instruction at ARMS and ARHS?

ARHS will host an information session at 7 pm on February 6th in the high school library to share the details of the 2018-2019 Chinese language program.

For further information, please contact Ericka Alschuler, Interim Assistant Principal, at 362-1714.

5th/6th Grade Chorus Concert on January 16 at ARMS at 7pm

Fifth and Sixth Grade students have been learning about different winter holidays from around the world, and have also been hard at work on the songs for the winter concert. The concert is at 7 pm on January 16th in the Amherst Regional Middle School auditorium. If you are able to carpool students who may need a ride to the concert, or you need to coordinate transportation for your student, please let Ms. Krasner know!

Chinese Language Placement Information

Attention 6th Grade Parents: Are you interested in Chinese language instruction at ARMS and ARHS?

In order to finalize Chinese language offerings for next year, ARMS/ARHS staff are inviting rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students and prospective upperclass transfer students to schedule a placement meeting with Yiping Yan, the Chinese language teacher. Meetings can be scheduled by emailing Ms. Yan at yany@arps.org.  Meetings will be scheduled after school between January 8 and January 19.

An information session will be held at 7 pm on February 6th in the ARHS library to share the details of the 2018-2019 Chinese language program. For further information, please contact Ericka Alschuler, ARHS Interim Assistant Principal, at 362-1714.

ARMS PGO Online Amherst Merchandise Store Open Through November 20

The ARMS PGO online Amherst merchandise store is now open. But act fast, because the store will be closing at midnight on Monday, November 20. The selection includes lots of great Amherst merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, athletic tops, shorts, sweatpants (new!), hats, scarves, caps, bags, socks, and headbands. Something for everyone on your holiday shopping list. 

Items will be available for distribution to ARMS students or pickup in the ARMS office on December 8. You can order online at https://amherstregionalmiddleschool.itemorder.com 

Click here for a printable merchandise flyer: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-2bHm-1AjRfLS1WbEZUR0ZKR0E

Soup for Puerto Rico TONIGHT, October 16 at 5:30

Join the ARMS PGO and community at their Soup for Puerto Rico and Survival Night! Eat, see a few performances, and enjoy a night of community. Donations accepted for Hurricane Maria relief.

If you'd like to contribute a batch or more of soup, please deliver it to the middle school by Monday morning at 9 AM. Here are the recipes for the 3 Puerto Rican soups:

https://thenoshery.com/sancocho-stew/

http://eatingveganlikearican.blogspot.com/?m=1

http://hispanickitchen.com/recipes/asopao-de-pollo-puerto-rican-chicken-and-rice-stew/

Amherst Middle School Pool opens for Community Swims

Amherst Regional Middle School Pool

2017 Fall Open Swim Schedule

Saturday & Sundays, September 24-November 18
Adult Lap Swim: 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Open Swim: 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. * If space allows a lap lane will be put in during the open swim hours

Location: Amherst Regional Middle School is located at 170 Chestnut Street in Amherst. Please enter through the far north end doors. The pool and locker rooms are located upstairs.

Daily Admission Fees:
Amherst Residents: Adult $3, Youth/Seniors $2 

Nonresidents: Adults $4, Youth/Seniors $3

                     

LSSE would like to thank the Amherst Regional School District for their support of this important collaboration!

Attention 6th Grade Families: Fall Sports Registration Open Now

Online fall sports registration is now open. Ensure a smooth start to the fall season by registering NOW. Current sport physical forms should be on file with the school nurse before the first day of tryouts. Please call the nurse's office at the high school at 362-1743. Questions for middle school registrants please contact the middle school nurse at 362-1975.

REGISTRATION:

https://www.familyid.com/organizations/search?query=amherst

You’ll need to set up an account with FamilyID,  if you don’t already have an account.  Any technical questions with this program please call the 888# at the top of the FamilyID screen. They are very helpful.

By submitting registration forms electronically you and your child are acknowledging that you have both read the documents and you will adhere to the MIAA/Amherst High School policies on these forms. By registering electronically you are fulfilling the signature requirements of registration.

PAYMENT:

Payment is due right away.  Payment is required to try out/practice/participate.  If there is a financial hardship, please contact Rich Ferro, the Athletic Director at ferror@arps.org

Payment can be done online or you can drop off your payment or mail to:

ARHS Athletics

Amherst Regional High School

21 Mattoon Street

Amherst, MA 01002

ATTN: Sports Registration

VERY IMPORTANT: Clearly write your child's name and sport in the MEMO of the check when you pay. 

START DATES:

HIGH SCHOOL - Football begins Friday, August 18th.  All sports other sports begin tryouts on Thursday, August 24th.  

MIDDLE SCHOOL - Middle School sports will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Wednesday, August 23rd is Fall Sports Information Night for athletes and their parents/guardian.  Time:  6:30 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria.  Meet the coaches, get schedules, find out about practice schedules, etc.  Hope to see you there!

SCHEDULES:

See http://miaa.net/schools/public/AmhPelA2 for game times and to set up alerts for changes.  

SPORT SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

Need specific sport information?  Please reach out to the coach.  Contact information for the coaches can be found under the high school “Sports” tab under the "Coaches contact Information" tab. 

DEADLINE TO REGISTER & PAY:

Deadline for registration & payment is August 1st.

ARMS Science Club in the News

The ARMS Science Club, under the direction of Team Y Science Teacher Jennifer Welborn, was featured in the Amherst Bulletin and Daily Hampshire Gazette last week. The club is modeled on UMass Amherst’s Integrated Concentration in Science program and is co-facilitated by a Fort River parent. UMass students serve as mentors. To read the article, click here: http://www.amherstbulletin.com/Amherst-middle-schoolers-asking-complex-questions-at-science-club-10268014

Climate Change Film "Before the Flood" on May 16

The Leonardo DiCaprio documentary "Before the Flood" examines how climate change affects us and what society can do about it. Learn more at https://www.beforetheflood.com/

Tuesday, May 16

ARMS Auditorium

Doors open 6:30 to main lobby-gallery

Movie: 7:00-8:40

Refreshment sales will support the ARMS 7th Grade Environmental Action Group. Rated PG for thematic elements, some nude/suggestive art images, language and brief smoking.

“Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future for all.”  - BAN KI-MOON, Secretary General, United Nations

Art Exhibit "Pioneering Voices: Portraits of Transgender People" at ARMS

On view in the ARMS Lobby Gallery ...

"Pioneering Voices: Portraits of Transgender People"

All families are invited to visit the photo-text exhibit featuring photographs and interviews with people of all ages who are transgender with some of their family members. Through first-person accounts and positive images, this exhibit seeks to challenge damaging myths and stereotypes about transgender people and to educate people about this marginalized, and often invisible group of people. This is a sequel to the photo exhibit and curriculum called “In Our Family” that all ARMS advisories studied in Jan-Feb 2017. An ARMS all-school curriculum engages students in respectful questioning and dialogue about this exhibit during Advisory classes. The Middle School community welcomes you with "open ARMS" to explore the exhibit.

Youth on Broadway Performance May 6 and 7

Youth on Broadway is a musical revue performed by area kids and teens. This is a wonderful opportunity to see and support youth in the arts, while taking in some fine entertainment. The show runs May 6 at 1:30 and 7 pm, and May 7 at 1:30 pm at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium.

Tickets at LSSE 413-259-3065 or at the door.

ARHS and ARMS Teachers Participate in Civic Initiative at UMass

ARHS and ARMS teachers traveled to Pakistan on a US State Department grant through the Civic Initiative at UMASS.  Teachers visited a wide range of schools in Lahore and Islamabad and many cultural sites. They were inspired by all of their interactions and surprised by the commonalities of their challenges in student centered classrooms.  You can view photos from the trip here: 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HumddnlLn_EniNI3unz1sbecfbL2UdLpMrVQ1p-QrxA/edit#slide=id.p

ARMS PGO presents Keep Calm and Carry On: Helping Teens Manage Stress and Anxiety

On Thursday, March 30, the ARMS PGO is sponsoring a program with Mary Kate Oakley, M.A. from the Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences at UMASS about how to help kids manage stress and anxiety.

Topics will include how to tell the difference between normal stress and anxiety, how teens might respond to different situations, and concrete strategies that parents can use to help teens navigate these issues.

The program will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the ARMS library.  Please join us for this interesting and timely event – just in time to help your kids manage the stress of MCAS testing.

ARMS Educator Nominations Sought

The ARMS Educator award will honor an educator who embodies the ARMS core values and demonstrates their commitment to supporting their colleagues, their students and their community. Although the award will only recognize one individual each year, the ARMS PGO hopes that the process will raise community awareness of the efforts of the middle school community as a whole. Nominations can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by students.

Go to http://armspgo.blogspot.com/p/amherstregional-middle-school-educator.html for all the information you need to submit your choice for the award. The deadline for nominations is April 15th, 2017.