Book Donations Needed NOW for School Book Share

The book share is back! Please bring your donations in during January so we can have a successful Book Share right before February break. 

What is the Book Share? It's a wonderful school-wide event that celebrates reading and giving. Families donate books they've finished and free up more space for more books in home libraries. Once volunteers organize the gifted books every student has a chance to "shop" the collection (with help!) All students generally leave with multiple "new to them" books!

Free up some shelf space, give a book another chance to be loved, and support literacy all at once!

Nonfiction, puzzle books, chapter books, picture books  — we want it all! We always seem to especially need chapter books for the higher grades.

There is a donation bin near the entrance to the office at Fort River. Thanks to Deb Leonard for once again coordinating this event! Contact Deb dleeleonard@gmail.com if you would prefer your donations to be picked up. Thank you!

Health Room Update

If you are cleaning out closets or looking to make further donations, here are clothing items that would be welcomed (be sure that all items are clean and laundered):

• all sizes of socks,
• elastic waist pants (especially sizes for grades K-3),
• hoodies or light fleece jackets to keep warm while inside.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon Donations Needed

The Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon will take place at the High Horse on Wednesday, June 7th. Please express your thanks to our amazing staff by making a contribution in their honor. Fort River teachers and staff will be invited and be treated to a hearty meal and tasty dessert at the luncheon.

The PGO needs your help to keep this special tradition going. Let's honor the wonderful Fort River staff by giving them a real celebration! Click here for the contribution form or to send a special message to staff.

Please send your contribution in any amount to the PGO mailbox in the office by Wednesday, May 31st (cash or Say Thank You to Fort River Staff!

~~~~~~~~~

¡Diga gracias al personal de Fort River! 

El Almuerzo de Apreciación del Maestros y del Personal tendrá lugar en el High Horse el miércoles, 7 de junio. Por favor, exprese su agradecimiento a nuestro personal increíble haciendo una contribución en su honor. Los maestros y personal del Río Fort serán invitados y serán tratados a una comida abundante y postre sabroso en el almuerzo.

El PGO necesita su ayuda para mantener esta tradición especial. ¡Honremos al maravilloso personal del Fort River dándoles una verdadera celebración! Haga clic aquí parael formulario de contribución o para enviar un mensaje especial al personal.

Por favor envíe su contribución en cualquier cantidad al buzón PGO en la oficina para el miércoles, 31 de mayo (efectivo o cheque pagadero a Fort River PGO).

Technology Classroom Requests - Please Help!

Our new Technology teacher, Mr. Takayama, requests donations of equipment for a new Yearbook club and Makerspace!

Donations can be either new or used in good condition.

• Digital cameras (at least 3 - used are fine, but new enough to be practical - for yearbook club)
• A kinect (1 or 2 - Xbox for a makerspace- 3D scanning)
• LEGO's (any kind/type for a makerspace)

Please contact Mr. Takayama with questions at takayamat@arps.org. Thank you for your support of these exciting new programs!

Recycle Electronics Day

Reminder: Sign up for TOMORROW's Curriculum Day Staff Brunch

TOMORROW Friday, January 27, is a Teacher Curriculum/Work Day, and there is NO SCHOOL for students.  A casual brunch buffet is being planned for Fort River faculty & staff. Let's show our appreciation for these incredibly dedicated and talented professionals! Volunteers can cook or purchase items and drop off at Fort River after 8:30 am. Teachers will drop in throughout the day to enjoy the feast! Any help is greatly appreciated. Here are some suggestions for the yummy meal:

• fresh whole fruit
• fruit salad
• hot morning entrees
• baked breads/muffins/bagels
• quiches or similar egg dishes
• K Cup coffee and tea refills for their Keurig coffee maker
• juice
• milk
• creamers and sweeteners

Click here to sign up at Please Bring It.

Please contact Michele Spirko with questions: michele.fortriver@gmail.com.

Donations of winter gloves needed!

Nurse Karen is in need of new or used gloves and mittens to keep in the health room for Fort River students who need them.  She could also use extra hats, socks and sweatpants.  Thanks for your generosity!

Say Thank You to Staff!

Help say thanks to the terrific Fort River staff! The annual Staff and Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is being held on May 25 at Mi Tierra Restaurant in Hadley. You can express your gratitude by making a contribution towards the fiesta.

To make a contribution to defray the costs of this big event, complete this form and submit to the PGO mailbox in the school office by May 15.

Contact Catalina Arrubla, carrubla@gmail.com or Suzanne Schilling, patsueschilling@comcast.net with any questions. Thanks for supporting our awesome school staff!

Amherst Survival Center Food Drive

The Amherst Survival Center is conducting a food drive in the schools until Jan. 28th. All elementary school children are asked to donate rice, pasta, beans or cereal. The food collection box is in the lobby of the school.

Thank you for your support of our community members who have food needs!


Cynthia Brubaker
Food Drive Chair
tel. 253-6679

Winter Sports Swap During the FORT RIVER READS!!! Book Event and Community Marketplace

The annual Fort River Winter Sports Swap will take place from 6-8pm on the evening of Thursday, December 9 at the Book Event and Community Marketplace. Please bring your used winter/sports gear and clothing--coats, hats, gloves, boots, skates, ski equipment, etc. to Fort River anytime between 3-6pm. Everyone in the community is invited to come by after 6pm and take anything they need. This is a FREE exchange--you do not need to bring anything to participate in the Winter Sports Swap. This is a great way to clean out your winter clothing/equipment or stock up on gear for growing kids! Questions? Contact Peter Wood at cpwolfwood@hotmail.com.

Fort River Reads!!!--Bakers Needed

We are gearing up for our exciting FORT RIVER READS!!! Book Event & Community Marketplace on the evening of December 9. We need volunteers to sign up to bring desserts for the bake sale. In addition, we also need donations of cornbread and/or cornbread muffins to go with the chili dinner.

Click here for the online sign-up sheet: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/JuiBQZZOpto 

Items can be dropped off at any time during the day of Thursday, December 9 or at the beginning of the event. All proceeds support the Fort River Library. Contact the Bake Sale Coordinator for more details: Erin Cherewatti (echerewatti@yahoo.com or 253-2304)

Welcome Back Event for Faculty and Staff

A "Welcome Back" event is planned for our fabulous Fort River faculty and staff on Wednesday, September 1st. Help is needed! This will be a casual drop-in brunch held from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm in the cafeteria. The teachers often linger and socialize, and then may grab some “take-out” to bring back with them as they prepare their classrooms. Volunteers are needed to set up (9:00 – 10:00 am . . . any time), provide the food (make or purchase), and clean up (1:00 – 2:00 pm . . . again, any time). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Here are some suggestions for the meal:

fresh fruit (whole is fine)
fresh veggies
salads
egg dishes
casseroles
sandwich items
quiches
noodle or rice dishes
baked goods
snacks
beverages (e.g. juice, lemonade, iced tea, fancy tea bags! Coffee will also be available.)
 
Fresh cut flowers from your garden would also be great; lots of families brought flowers in last year and many teachers commented on how lovely all of the arrangements were (any drinking glass, can, etc., will do for a creative vase!)

Let's make this a beautiful morning as the faculty and staff return for the upcoming school year! Items can be dropped off in the designated cafeteria (look for posted signs) any time after 9:00 am. Dishes will be washed and available for retrieval in the Main Office on the 1st day of school.

Please respond directly to Michele Spirko if you are able to help or have further suggestions or questions, or sign up here.

Thanks so much, and enjoy/cherish these last few weeks of summer with your kids!

Sincerely,
Michele Spirko
(mom to Colton – 5th grade, Anthea – 2nd grade, and Korinna - preschool)
spirko@pol.net

Backpacks Project

In keeping with the Social Justice Commitment of the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, aspiring toward equity of opportunity, inclusion, respect and community-building in and out of the classroom, our district has envisioned the Back Packs Project.  This initiative has been designed to help support income-eligible families to acquire the necessary school supplies their children need to be ready for the first day of school and the academic year. 

This project will provide free access to backpacks filled with appropriate, grade-level supplies, to families who qualify for Free/Reduced lunch.  Our goal is to help ease the financial burden the beginning of the school year can mean for families struggling financially.

We will be collecting supplies during the month of July and the first two weeks of August.  Donations can be dropped off in the Central Office of our district, located in 170 Chestnut Street.  If you have any questions, please write to Dr. Marta Guevara, guevaram@arps.org or call 413-362-1859. Our goal is to collect enough supplies to provide 200 back packs for elementary students and 200 for middle and high school students.  Back packs will be available for families the week before school begins.  We will notify families the schedule for distribution during the week of August 23, 2010.

The following supplies will be collected:

For elementary school students:
Assignment books
Backpacks
Colored pencils
Contraction paper
Crayons
Drawing Paper
English Dictionary (both, regular and picture)
Erasers
Folders
Glue sticks
Markers
Pencils (#2)
Pencil sharpeners
Rulers

For MS and HS students:
Assignment books
Backpacks
Binders
Calculators (both, graphic and regular)
Cards (3 x 5)
English Dictionary (both, regular and picture)
Erasers
Folders
Graphic Paper
Highlighters
Locks for lockers
Loose leaf paper
Notebooks
Pencils (#2)
Pencil sharpeners
Rulers

6th Grade Class Gift--Just a Little Bit More....

CLASS GIFT

There's still time to give to the 6th grade class gift! We'd still like more donations!!!

Each Spring, 6th grade class parents give a gift to the school. This year, we are looking to buy a granite bench and also hope to buy science equipment for classroom use. Please give what you can.  $5, $10, $25 or more -- it all helps.  Let’s give back to all the school that has meant so much to our kids.

Please put your donation in an envelope marked “6th Grade Gift.” Then mail it to Janet McGowan (706 South East Street, Amherst) or give the envelope to your child’s teacher.  You can donate right now through PayPal on this website.

6th Grade Class Class Gift--Now With PayPal!

TIME FOR THE SIXTH GRADE CLASS GIFT ! ! !

In a great and ancient Fort River tradition, the 6th grade class and their parents give a gift to the school. In past years, 6th grade classes have bought maple trees to shade the playground, a wooden dictionary stand and other equipment.

This year, we are looking to buy a granite bench, so kids can eat in the courtyard next to the cafeteria in good weather. We also want to buy science equipment for classroom use.

Please give what you can. $5, $10, $25 or more -- it all helps. Let’s give back to all the people at Fort River who have meant so much to our kids. Previous classes raised $600 to $800 and we hope this year’s parents will donate at least that much.

Please put your donation teacher in the envelope marked “6th Grade Gift.” Have your child to give it to their teacher or mail it to: Janet McGowan 706 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01002.

Checks can be made out to: “Fort River Parent Council.” (Please write: 6th grade gift on the check’s memo line.) Your donation is tax-deductible.

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And now you can also make your donation via PayPal! All you have to do is click on the PayPal button! (There's also one at the top of the right-hand column of this page under "6th Grade Gift.")

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Any amount, big or small, is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your support and generosity. We will see you at Graduation!

Janet McGowan (Janetmcgowan30@comcast.net)

Elly Hosea (elly_hosea@yahoo.com)

Betty Sharpe (elizabeth.sharpe@comcast.net)

Sixth Grade Class Gift

TIME FOR THE SIXTH GRADE CLASS GIFT ! ! !

In a great and ancient Fort River tradition, the 6th grade class and their parents give a gift to the school. In past years, 6th grade classes have bought maple trees to shade the playground, a wooden dictionary stand and other equipment.

This year, we are looking to buy a granite bench, so kids can eat in the courtyard next to the cafeteria in good weather. We also want to buy science equipment for classroom use.

Please give what you can. $5, $10, $25 or more -- it all helps. Let’s give back to all the people at Fort River who have meant so much to our kids. Previous classes raised $600 to $800 and we hope this year’s parents will donate at least that much.

Please put your donation teacher in the envelope marked “6th Grade Gift.” Have your child to give it to their teacher or mail it to: Janet McGowan 706 South East Street, Amherst, MA 01002.

Checks can be made out to: “Fort River Parent Council.” (Please write: 6th grade gift on the check’s memo line.) Your donation is tax-deductible.

Any amount, big or small, is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your support and generosity. We will see you at Graduation!

Janet McGowan (Janetmcgowan30@comcast.net)

Elly Hosea (elly_hosea@yahoo.com)

Betty Sharpe (elizabeth.sharpe@comcast.net)

Donations for Haiti Relief Wanted

Hello Ft. River Parents!

Wanted to let you know about a supply drive that is happening in Amherst - supplies will be trucked to NYC then to an orphanage in Haiti north of Port au Prince, called "St. Clare's" - through AFYA and PIH (Partners in Health) and Ft. River has a chance to help!

You can drop off supplies from this list on Saturday or Sunday at 74 North Whitney Street, from 9-5.

DROP OFF SUPPLIES in AMHERST
74 NORTH WHITNEY STREET AMHERST
SATURDAY - SUNDAY (March 27-28)
TIMES: 9-6 pm

PHONE for questions: Siobhan 374-8896 or Mariaelena Garcia - 413-222-1001.

For the orphanage
ITEMS IN NEED OF: (in brand new or excellent condition please)

* SOCCER BALLS!
* JUMP ROPES!
* Tents, Tarps, umbrellas, rain gear
* Water Bottles
* Ensure
* school supplies and backpacks
* Formula (already premixed / ready to drink strongly preferred for
lack of sanitation / clean water)
* Other Basics like clothes, shoes, rainboots, non perishable foods,
bulk foods, etc.


Our local Amherst Mariaelena Garcia is working with AFYA and PIH and they have let her know what the current important needs are...this is her fourth supply drive -

There was an article in the gazette and Bulletin about her http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/02/18/helping-is-powerful.

* Awaiting information as to whether there will be boxes in Ft. River  to collect supplies Friday afternoon... though if you can drive to Ft River Friday afternoon, 74 North Whitney Street is not that far away... it's about a 1/2 mile from Ft River - she has accepted donations left in her driveway even when she is not there if that is the only time you can stop by.

FROM FORT RIVER: - take a right on SouthEast Street as you exit the parking lot. At the light, take a LEFT on Main Street. Take your THIRD RIGHT onto North Whitney Street. # 74 is on the left on the corner of Clifton Avenue - take a left - her driveway is on Clifton
Avenue. Mariaelena Garcia - 222-1001.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

(Leigh Salvage is coordinating Ft River efforts for Mariaelena - you can also contact Leigh (Matt's mom, 6th grade), at 230-3722 -home or 230-0806 - cell or leighann716@gmail.com. We may be able to make a more organized / concerted effort for the next shipment which might be in another few weeks.)

Annual Fund Update

At the start of this year Parent Council decided to shift its focus toward student events and community building and away from fundraising.  To do so we challenged the Fort River community to help us raise a significant portion of our $13,000 budget in September, through our Annual Fund. 

So far, this year's Annual Fund has raised $6150 from about 30% of Fort River families.  Thank you to all those families who donated.  Because of this great start to our fundraising, Parent Council feels confident enough to eliminate one fundraiser.  Therefore, this year we will NOT be running the Holiday Gift Wrap Sale!

However, we are still counting on continued Annual Fund donations to get us through the year. If you have not yet donated, there is still time!  Our goal continues to be 100% participation of all Fort River families.  The suggested donation is $25-$50 a child, but donating more will help the families who cannot afford as much.  And, contributions of any size can help us reach our goal.

Once again, THANK YOU to all the families who have already donated.  If you have not, please do so.

Send cash or check (payable to "Fort River Parent Council") to the Fort River Office
(mail it or send it to school with your child to give to his/her teacher)

OR

Donate online using the PayPal link on the top right-hand column of this page!

Thanks for all your support !

Annual Family Fund: Let's Make This Happen!

This year Parent Council would like to focus time and energy on student events and community building rather than fundraising.  If we can raise a significant portion of our $13,000 budget by Sept. 25th, we will eliminate several time-consuming fundraisers. Please help us make this happen!

So far this year we have received donations from 56 of Fort Riverʼs 350 families. We have already received $3,090 so far. We are already doing better than last year, when we had raised $1085 from 31 families by 9/8/08. Let's keep the momentum going!

If you have already donated THANK YOU !!

If not, please donate soon so we can raise a significant portion of the budget by Sept 25th.

Cash or checks (to Fort River Parent Council) can be sent to the main office

OR

donate online using PayPal. Just click on the "Donate" button on the top of the right-hand column of this web page. 

Annual Fund: Don't Forget to Donate!

This year Parent Council would like to focus time and energy on student events and community building rather than fundraising. If we can raise a significant portion of our $13,000 budget by Sept 25th we will eliminate several time-consuming fundraisers. Please help us by making an early donation to our Annual Fund. Suggested donation is $25-$50 a child, but donating more will help the families who cannot afford as much. All amounts will help us reach our goal. Please choose your tax deductible donation amount:

• $25
  
  
• $50
  
  
• $75
  
  
• Other

Send cash or check (payable to Fort River Parent Council) to the Fort River Office (mail it or send it to school with your child to give to his/her teacher) or

Donate online via PayPal.

Thanks for all your support !

Sue Borden
Parent Council President