Baystate Textiles Recycling Program at ARPS

Now you can drop your clothing and other textiles into collection bins located at each school. Convenient and easy! The collections are weighed weekly and each school's PGO will receive a check based on the bulk weight. Help the Fort River PGO earn FREE CASH while also helping our planet Earth by up-cycling your textiles. Thanks!

SPRING FUNDRAISER - Dutch Mill Bulbs - DUE MAY 1st

Dear Fort River Families & Staff,

Just in time for MOTHER’S DAY! These spring bulbs and plants are a great way to beautify our community while helping the PGO fund curriculum mini-grants, Field Day and the Yearbook!

• Each bulb package option is conveniently priced at $10. We keep 50%!
• Checks should be made out to "Fort River PGO.” Cash is also accepted!
• Order forms and payment should be returned to your classroom teacher or the Main Office by Tuesday May 1st.
• Our custom Fort River online fundraising link is available for supporters outside of the local area: https://groups.dutchmillbulbs.com/shop/?affiliates=fortriverpgo

Be sure to let out-of-town friends and relatives know that they can also participate in our flower bulb fundraiser by using our custom link above. You can also use this link to send orders directly to your someone special for Mother’s Day! Online orders are shipped directly to the customer based on the appropriate planting time for the state in which they live. A minimal shipping fee may apply (no shipments to Alaska or Hawaii.) Online orders will be accepted through Tuesday May 8th.

Questions? Please email Stacey Beganny: stacey.fortriver@gmail.com

RECAUDACIÓN DE PRIMAVERA - Dutch Mill Bulbs

¡Justo a tiempo para el DÍA DE LAS MADRES! ¡Estos bulbos de primavera y plantas son una excelente manera de embellecer a nuestra comunidad y al mismo tiempo ayudar al PGO a financiar las minibecas de currículo, el día de juegos (Field Day) y el anuario!

• Cada opción de paquete de bulbos tiene un precio asequible de $10. ¡Conservamos el 50%!
• Los cheques deben hacerse a "Fort River PGO". ¡También se acepta efectivo!
• Los formularios de pedido y el pago deben devolverse a la maestra o la oficina principal antes del martes 1 de mayo.
• El enlace de Fort River para recaudación de fondos en línea está disponible para colaboradores fuera del área local: https://groups.dutchmillbulbs.com/shop/?affiliates=fortriverpgo

Asegúrese de que los amigos y familiares de fuera de la ciudad sepan que también pueden participar en nuestra recaudación de fondos con bulbos de flores utilizando el enlace personalizado anterior. ¡También puede usar este enlace para enviar sus pedidos directamente a aquellas personas especiales para el Día de las Madres! Los pedidos en línea se envían directamente al cliente en función del tiempo de siembra adecuado para el estado en el que viven. Se aplicará una tarifa de envío mínima (sin envíos a Alaska o Hawai). Se aceptarán pedidos en línea hasta el martes 8 de mayo.

¿Preguntas? Por favor envíe un correo electrónico a Stacey Beganny: stacey.fortriver@gmail.com

Fundraiser for Clean Water in Puerto Rico

The people of Puerto Rico continue to suffer from lack of basic needs following devastation from two hurricanes in late 2017. 

One of the ARHS staff members, Mari Vicente, has been working with Waves for Water, a non-profit that works throughout the world bringing water purifying filters to disaster-ridden places. W4W has been in Puerto Rico since the last hurricane swept through it on September 20th, 2017. Here's the link to Ms. Vicente's fundraising page: http://www.wavesforwater.org/courier/9527.  Please help W4W and her reach their goal of providing water filters to 100 Puerto Rican families in need.  Any amount helps. !Muchas gracias! 

Local Vocal Chord Bowl on April 7 at 7 PM

Mark your calendars for some incredible acapella!

Saturday, April 7

7 PM

Amherst Regional High School

The Local Vocal Chord Bowl takes place at ARHS and features adult, college, and high school acapella groups. It is a joyous intergenerational celebration of making music AND it is a FUNDRAISER for music and arts programs at ARHS and at Northampton High School. In the last three years, the event has raised over $12,000 for the schools.

RESCHEDULED! Family Math & Pi Night now Wednesday, March 14 from 6 - 7:30 pm

Fort River Elementary School presents a Title 1 and PGO sponsored school-wide event

Family Math & Pi Night - Math is everywhere!

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

6:00 -7:30 pm

Please click here to sign up to help with the pie auction.

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Noche Familiar de Matemáticas y  Pi/Family Math & Pi Night

¡Matemáticas en todos lados!/Math is everywhere!

Miercoles, 13 de Marzo del 2018/Wednesday, March 13, 2018

6:00 -7:30 pm

la subasta silenciosa de torta en beneficio del viaje a Boston del 5º grado

Pie silent auction to benefit 5th grade Boston trip

Juegos de Matemáticas "jugar y tener"/“Play and Take” Math Games

         

6:00-6:30

Cena de pizza y la introducción en la cafeteria

Pizza dinner and introduction in the cafeteria

6:30-7:15

Juegos de matemáticas y la subasta silenciosa a través de la escuela

Math games and silent auction throughout school

7:15-7:30

Sorteo del gran premio en el vestíbulo principal

Grand prize raffle in the main lobby     

* Los autobuses recogerán en Mill Valley a las 5:30 p.m., Rolling Green @ 5:40 p.m. y Colonial @ 5:50 p.m. y los regresará después del evento 

*Buses will pick up Mill Valley @ 5:30, Rolling Green @ 5:40, and Colonial @5:50 and drop off after the event

Family Math & Pi Night - Math is everywhere! March 13 from 6:00 -7:30 pm

Fort River Elementary School presents a Title 1 and PGO sponsored school-wide event

Family Math & Pi Night - Math is everywhere!

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

6:00 -7:30 pm

Please click here to sign up to help with the pie auction.

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Noche Familiar de Matemáticas y  Pi/Family Math & Pi Night

¡Matemáticas en todos lados!/Math is everywhere!

Martes, 13 de Marzo del 2018/Tuesday, March 13, 2018

6:00 -7:30 pm

la subasta silenciosa de torta en beneficio del viaje a Boston del 5º grado

Pie silent auction to benefit 5th grade Boston trip

Juegos de Matemáticas "jugar y tener"/“Play and Take” Math Games

         

6:00-6:30

Cena de pizza y la introducción en la cafeteria

Pizza dinner and introduction in the cafeteria

6:30-7:15

Juegos de matemáticas y la subasta silenciosa a través de la escuela

Math games and silent auction throughout school

7:15-7:30

Sorteo del gran premio en el vestíbulo principal

Grand prize raffle in the main lobby     

* Los autobuses recogerán en Mill Valley a las 5:30 p.m., Rolling Green @ 5:40 p.m. y Colonial @ 5:50 p.m. y los regresará después del evento 

*Buses will pick up Mill Valley @ 5:30, Rolling Green @ 5:40, and Colonial @5:50 and drop off after the event

Chili Night for a Chilly Night 2018 - Thanks and Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who helped make the 2018 PGO Chili Night the best ever! We raised over $400 and had a total of 18 chilis! Attendance was fantastic and the food was fabulous. Congrats to ALL cooks for their tasty entries and to our winners on their success!

Best Name
"May the Chili be with You" by Lisa Solowiej

5-alarm
"Sweet Heat n' Meat" by Angela Russo

Kid Pleasin'
"Hot Chili in the City" by Steph Jones

Golden Ladle
"Turktacular Chili" by Nate Cartel 
(with a 1 vote margin over Craig Albertson's "Green Chicken Chili")

6th Annual CHILI NIGHT for a CHILLY NIGHT on January 24

BRRRR! Are you looking forward to steaming hot chili next week? 

The Fort River 6th Annual CHILI NIGHT for a CHILLY NIGHT is just days away! Don't forget to add your chili ingredients to your grocery list! Many, many more cooks are needed! (There are 15 openings on the sign up list!) We have extra crockpots if you need one - email Stacey - stacey.fortriver@gmail.com

Don't do chili? How about making some cornbread? At least 10 volunteers are needed to bake or purchase cornbread! Sign up NOW! 

Donations of tortilla chips and beverages (no soda!) are also needed! Please sign up! 

Don't cook at all? You can donate your time helping to set up! Follow this link to sign up: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/iMSHyEFLb80

YOU HEARD ABOUT THE PRIZES, RIGHT??? Everyone votes for their favorite chili with prizes for 5-Alarm, Kid-Pleasin', and the Golden Ladle! 

Dinner is $1 suggested donation per bowl. All funds raised support our teachers and learners! We hope to see you there! 

Wednesday, January 24

6 - 7:30 pm
Fort River Cafeteria

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. 

80's MUSICAL BINGO NITE! A Benefit for the Amherst Survival Center on January 18

80's MUSICAL BINGO NITE! A Benefit for the Amherst Survival Center

Thursday, January 18, 5:30-8:30pm at the High Horse (upstairs), 24 N. Pleasant Street in downtown Amherst!

Come and enjoy the music of the 80's -- Prince, the Go-Gos, Michael Jackson,  Pat Benatar, Whitney Houston, and more... and play bingo! Instead of numbers, we'll be listening to the best songs of the decade. Tickets are $20 per person for four rounds of Bingo! Tickets sold in advance online: www.amherstsurvival.org/bingo or at AJ Hastings, the Center, or the High Horse. Limited number of tickets will be sold at the door.

80's attire and hair style are optional. Prizes will be given for each round of Bingo, best 80's attire, best 80's hair and 80's trivia knowledge. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Amherst Survival Center's programs. 

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/927180104103550/

Leverett Community Chorus Presents Sanctuary Benefit Concert on January 28

Lucio Perez, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, has been in Sanctuary at First Church Amherst for over two months now, while his lawyers seek to prevent his deportation by ICE.  Those who would like donate to support him and his family can go to https://tinyurl.com/ImSanctuaryFund for more information and an online donation link. Click here for coverage from the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

All are warmly invited to the concert by the Leverett Chorus that will serve as a fundraiser for Lucio and his family.  The concert will be held on January 28 at 4pm at the Jewish Community of Amherst. Click attached flyer for details.

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

Family Photo Sessions - Thank You!

Thank you to Lexi from Monesson-Olson Photography for partnering with Fort River! Lexi offered discounted mini portrait sessions to our families last Saturday and will be donating a portion of the session fees to the PGO. We are so grateful! 

If you missed out please follow Monesson-Olson Photography on Facebook to stay informed about future group sessions. She also offers a variety of scheduling options on her website. Thanks to all of the families who signed up to take advantage of this incredible opportunity!

Buy Your Gift Cards from Fort River - DUE November 8

The PGO is once again selling gift cards that you can use for your normal weekly purchases at the grocery store or for Holiday shopping. This is money that you would already be spending, but if you use our gift cards, you will be earning money for Fort River! You pay full face value, but the PGO buys the gift cards at a discount (from 2-16% depending on the retailer.)

Use the cards for:

• Purchases that you already make on a regular basis like groceries (eg. Stop & Shop, Whole Foods)
• Holiday shopping (eg. L.L. Bean, Old Navy)
• To give as gifts to teachers, mail carriers and bus drivers (eg. Starbucks, Panera)

This is money you already have budgeted, but if you use our gift cards, you are helping the PGO fund school programs for your students. 

Please make checks payable to: Fort River PGO. Use this form to order as many gift cards as you wish, attach your check and return to your child’s teacher or to the PGO wall box in the office.

Gift card orders are due by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8th. We aim to deliver the cards before Thanksgiving so that you can have them in hand for Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Since gift cards are essentially cash, we will not be sending them home in backpacks. Parents MUST pick them up in person in the Fort River lobby the week of November 20th -- exact times to be determined, but there will be a before and after school option.

Questions? Please email Stacey Beganny at stacey.fortriver@gmail.com. Click here for the order form: http://bit.ly/2xzO7Xl

Feed the Spirit: A Celebration for the Amherst Survival Center on November 4

Saturday, November 4, 2017, 5:00-9:00 PM at the Montague Retreat Center

Tickets are now on sale for Feed the Spirit, the Amherst Survival Center’s fall celebration benefiting our basic needs programs!

Why attend Feed the Spirit?

With a spectacular aerial and acrobatic performance by the Vermont-based troupe, Nimble Arts, delicious food, and a Fund-A-Need auction, Feed the Spirit is sure to be a fun night! 

Join us and help raise critical funding for our programs that will help 200 of your neighbors tomorrow and over 6,000 in the course of a year.

Looking forward to seeing you on November 4th. Get your tickets here.

https://amherstsurvival.org/feedthespirit-register/

Family Portrait Sessions on November 4 - Sign Up Now

Local photographer Lexi Monesson-Olson will offer family portrait sessions to the Fort River community on Saturday, November 4 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. at Fort River Elementary School. Sessions will run for 15 minutes per family and will cost $25. Lexi has generously agreed to donate $10 from each session to the Fort River PGO! 

Every family will receive one high resolution digital image and have the opportunity to purchase more for $12.99 each. Family photos make great gifts! Lexi specializes in child and family portraiture making this an incredibly affordable way to get professional photos that you will cherish. She also offers a variety of scheduling options on her website if November 4th doesn't work for you or you'd like to book a longer session. 

Please check out Lexi’s portfolio and client testimonials on her website: http://www.mophotography.us/  

Please sign up here: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/SO6sRHcTz1I

Thank you Lexi for this amazing opportunity!

Fort River Family Portrait Sessions on November 4

Local photographer Lexi Monesson-Olson will offer family portrait sessions to the Fort River community on Saturday, November 4 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. at Fort River Elementary School. Sessions will run for 15 minutes per family and will cost $25. Lexi has generously agreed to donate $10 from each session to the Fort River PGO! 

Every family will receive one high resolution digital image and have the opportunity to purchase more for $12.99 each. Family photos make great gifts! Lexi specializes in child and family portraiture making this an incredibly affordable way to get professional photos that you will cherish. She also offers a variety of scheduling options on her website if November 4th doesn't work for you or you'd like to book a longer session. 

Please check out Lexi’s portfolio and client testimonials on her website: http://www.mophotography.us/  

Please sign up here: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/SO6sRHcTz1I

Thank you Lexi for this amazing opportunity!

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/

Original Works PGO Fundraiser

This year the PGO teams up with Original Works to create student designed art printed on a variety of products. This week, Fort River students will bring home a piece of white paper to make their own drawing or design. The paper should be returned to school by Friday, October 13th - there will be a box in the Main Office labeled "Original Works Art."  

Later in October, students will bring home an order form listing the many products that can be ordered with their unique design printed on them. Any products ordered will arrive at school in early December. Students do not have to participate or order items.  

• Please be sure students write their NAME and TEACHER on the back of the paper
• Images or color should fill the page

This fundraiser will benefit the Fort River PGO and the activities and events it supports.  

Thank you for participating.

Family Outreach of Amherst Hosts 6th Annual Warm-Up the Night!

message from Family Outreach of Amherst ...

You won’t want to miss the party of the year! 

Join us as we transform the tent at The Lord Jeffery Inn into a strolling culinary extravaganza! Enjoy delicious small bites, sips and tastes from an eclectic mix of local food vendors. Years past have included local restaurants such as 30 Boltwood, Food 101, Blue Heron, Bistro 63 at the Monkey Bar, The Pub, Osteria Vespa, Johnny’s Tavern, Penyew Catering, Sutter Meats, Black Sheep Deli, Banh Mi Spot, Ginger Garden, and many more! We will have live music, special tastings, and more!

If you have any questions or are interested in partaking as a food vendor/contributing as a sponsor, please contact Rachel Condry at (413) 548-1272 or rcondry@chd.org.

Date and time: Thursday, October 19, 5:30 – 8:30pm

Location: The Lord Jeffery Inn (30 Boltwood Ave, Amherst)

Event URL: http://chd.org/child-adolescent-and-family-services/educational-developmental-support-services/family-outreach-amherst/family-outreach-events/