Happy New Year!

Welcome Back! 

We hope you had a restful break! The PGO has LOTS of exciting events planned this winter and we hope to see you at many of them! Beat the winter blues by joining in for some family fun with your child and their friends. Watch this space for all the details!

ARPS Warm Winter Coat and Clothing Share

To help everyone stay warm this winter, the Amherst school parent & guardian organizations (PGOs) are collecting winter coats & other outerwear for students (preK through 12th grade) & families.

We are seeking donations of clean, gently-used winter outerwear in ALL sizes (especially student sizes)

* coats * snow pants * snow boots * hats
* jackets * gloves/mittens *scarves * snowsuits

AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (ARHS) 21 Mattoon Street, 413-362-1700
Collection: Now through December 1st in the lobby
Distribution: Through the ARPS Family Center, November 20th into December

CROCKER FARM ELEMENTARY 280 West Street, 413-362-1600
Collection: Now until November 13th, in the lobby & at the preschool entrance
Distribution: November 14th, November 15th, November 16th

FORT RIVER ELEMENTARY 70 South East Street, 413-362-1200
Collection: Now until November 16th, in the lobby
Distribution: November 17th through November 29th (school days only)

WILDWOOD ELEMENTARY 71 Strong Street, 413-362-1400
Collection: Now until November 17th in the lobby
Distribution: November 20th through December 15th (school days only)

AMHERST REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL (ARMS) 170 Chestnut Street, 413-362-1800
Collection: November 6th through December 1st in the lobby & near the auditorium
Distribution: Through the ARPS Family Center, November 20th into December (as supplies last)

MANY THANKS for your donations. Thank you too to the businesses and community partners who are helping with this effort. Any winter clothing that is not given out at the schools will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center.

The International Fair is Coming Soon and We Need Your Help!

Don't forget that the International Fair is coming on Friday, May 13th from 5:30-7:30pm.

This fun event will include a potluck meal featuring delicious international dishes, games, and multicultural creative arts and performances.

You will be contacted shortly by your room parent with more information about how you can help make this event a success.

Also, we are still looking for talent (singers, dancers and musicians)  to perform during the fair.  Please contact Rebecca Fricke at 253-7914 or rebfricke@gmail.com if you are interested!

Let's Move Amherst Elementary!

The Amherst College Swim and Dive Team in conjunction with the Amherst College Athletic Department and the Crocker Farm, Fort River and Wildwood Parent Guardian Organizations are pleased to announce the inaugural "Let’s Move Amherst Elementary!"

The event will take place on Sunday, April 3, 2011 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the Amherst College Alumni Gym. The event is free, and open to all K–6 Amherst students and their families; no registration required. Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s Campaign for Public Health, the goal is to promote active lifestyle choices that build healthy families, schools and communities. The day will feature a variety of options for families to move together, including parent/child yoga, Jazzercise classes, a one-mile walking loop, pick-up games and a boot camp. All families are encouraged to come out and be Sixty Minute Superstars!

In addition to these fun-filled exercise options, there will be talks about healthy meal choices from local nutritionists, information about sun protection, an "Ask a Pediatrician" table, as well as nutrition information from local restaurants and fitness centers.

All activities will be facilitated by Amherst College Students, student athletes and local fitness instructors. Healthy snacks will be provided.

For more information, please contact Andrea Jensen at ajensen11@amherst.edu or Becky Demling at beckydemling@yahoo.com

This event is being sponsored by the Amherst Elementary Parent Groups, the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement, Amherst College Athletic Department and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.

Family Movie Night is Coming Soon!

Fort River

Family Movie Night

UP 

Wednesday, March 30

There will be two screenings of the film:

4:00pm & 6:15pm

Bring your bean bag, pillow pal, sleeping bag or yoga mat and join friends and families to stretch out and watch the film UP (rated PG).

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Pizza will be sold after the first screening and during the second screening.

If you would like to help out with set up/clean up, please contact pam.fortriver@gmail.com.

 This is a FREE event for families. 

Please note, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult.

Family Movie Night!

Fort River

Family Movie Night

UP 

Wednesday, March 30

There will be two screenings of the film:

4:00pm & 6:15pm

Bring your bean bag, pillow pal, sleeping bag or yoga mat and join friends and families to stretch out and watch the film UP (rated PG).

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Pizza will be sold after the first screening and during the second screening.

If you would like to help out with set up/clean up, please contact pam.fortriver@gmail.com.

 This is a FREE event for families. 

Please note, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult.

Family Movie Night: Wednesday, March 30th

Fort River

Family Movie Night

UP 

Wednesday, March 30

There will be two screenings of the film:

4:00pm & 6:15pm

Bring your bean bag, pillow pal, sleeping bag or yoga mat and join friends and families to stretch out and watch the film UP (rated PG).

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Pizza will be sold after the first screening and during the second screening.

If you would like to help out with set up/clean up, please contact pam.fortriver@gmail.com.

 This is a FREE event for families. 

Please note, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult.

Next PGO Meeting

There has been a change in the PGO meeting schedule. The next PGO meeting will be on Thursday, April 14 at 8:45am in the Fort River cafeteria.

Family Sing Night

Fort River
Family Sing Night
A Smashing Success!

(See event photos below.)

Kudos go to Fort River's beloved music teacher Anne White and all the musicians who were part of Thursday night's community event! The first ever FAMILY SING NIGHT was a huge success and many thanks go out to everyone who was a part of it.

Musicians Peter Lamdin (guitar), Brent Nielsen (stand-up bass), Sue Dunbar (drums), Paul Gunnells (banjo), Juan Carlos Carpio (guitar, singer), and of course Anne White, rocked the music last night. Thanks also to Peter Michaels for providing and operating the sound system.

Also many thanks to Judy Stern and Libby Stanforth for coordinating the event and bake sale. Ali Wicks-Lim, Iris Berkman, Shari Abbott, all you bakers and many student helpers...thank you!

Nearly $500 was raised to offset the PGO's costs of bringing MarKamusic to Fort River on March 2. MarKamusic, a seven piece Latin music ensemble, will conduct three student workshops involving song, dance, percussion, and drumming circles, and give an all-school performance. The Fort River PGO is very proud to be working with Anne White on this project and grateful to our community whose financial support makes this all possible. These are your Annual Fund dollars being put to good work!!

Pam Rietkerk
PGO President


Click on pictures for larger view.

Donations are still being gratefully accepted and checks can be made out to Fort River PGO with MarKamusic in the memo line. Thanks for your support!

Family Sing Night

Please join Fort River's music teacher Anne White for

Family Sing Night

Thursday, February 17th

6:30-8:00 pm

Fort River Gym

Anne White and the Fort River PGO are pleased to announce two very special upcoming events. On March 2nd, the Latin musical group MarKamusic will conduct student workshops and give a school wide performance. On Thursday, February 17th, as a fundraiser to help bring MarKamusic to Fort River, you and your family are invited to the Fort River Family Sing Night where Mrs. White will be joined by parents and teachers to lead everyone in songs from around the world.

Please join us and make a suggested donation of $2.00 or whatever amount you like.

There will also be a student run bake sale to satisfy your sweet tooth!

We would like this event to represent the rich cultural diversity of our school community. As part of the music curriculum, Mrs. White will be working with students and parents to learn special songs to teach all families on this evening. Parents and other family members, we welcome your input and involvement. Please contact Mrs. White at whitea@arps.org, or 362-1238, if you want to help with the music.

A parent coordinator is also needed for the bake sale. If you would like to help with this event, please contact Pam Rietkerk at pam.fortriver@gmail.com or 256-2605.

This is going be a great community event!

About MarKamusic

MarKamusic performs traditional, folkloric and pop music of South and Latin American origin, fused with Latin jazz and western textures and instruments. The group has played its unique repertoire at international music festivals, educational events in schools, museums, and cultural institutions.

During its performances, MarKamusic accents the contributions of the four major cultural influences that have shaped modern Latin American music—the indigenous South American, the West African, the Euro-Iberian, and the contemporary North American. Traditional rhythms and melodic forms from these diverse cultures intermingled over the centuries, creating much of what is Latin American popular music today.

MarKamusic’s musical purpose is to drive home to its audiences that America is larger than just the United States: that America, in fact, extends from Alaska to the southernmost tip of Chile. The members of MarKamusic also feel that the diverse cultures of the Americas— tied by history and geography, but separated by politics and language—can effectively be reconciled by the sharing (indeed, by the merging) of their many musical expressions. MarKamusic’s musicians: one Peruvian, three Puerto Ricans, one Ecuadorian and one Guatemalan represent the potential of this harmonious exchange.

http://www.markamusic.com/

Happy New Year and January Events

Hi Everyone,  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break and are now back into the swing of things! I just wanted to remind you of a few upcoming Fort River events. -- Ann McLaughlin

Coffee with the Principals. Friday, January 7th at 8:30am.  All parents/guardians are invited to the monthly coffee, sponsored by the PGO. Acting Superintendent of Schools Maria Geryk and Interim Asst. Principal Karen Lowe are planning on attending. This coffee will be held in the conference room located in the Fort River Main Office.

Fort River Roasters Coffee Orders Due. Friday, Jan. 7. You can download an order form here.

Fort River 5th and 6th Grade Chorus  Concert. Thursday, January 13 at 7pm.  At the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium. EVENT POSTPONED--new date TBA.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday, Jan. 17th. NO SCHOOL.

Fort River PGO Meeting. Friday. Jan. 21st, 8:45-9:45am. Fort River Cafeteria. Please note date change.

Teacher Curriculum/Workday, Friday, Jan 28. NO SCHOOL.

FORT RIVER READS!!!

On Thursday, December 9 from 6-8pm the PGO Presents:

FORT RIVER READS!!!!

Book Event & Community Marketplace

Your family is invited to an open house style evening featuring great books from Scholastic, music, homemade chili, pizza, baked goods, cider and coffee, and the opportunity to shop at a marketplace featuring FR businesses and artisans. (Chili and cornbread dinner $2, pizza slices $1, and baked goods for sale.)

This special event will include the Book Fair collection, as well as many new titles, popular book sets, and fun merchandise from Scholastic only available on this evening.

Marketplace vendors will include:

Lisa Pope, Pampered Chef consultant

Bedscape Design, Fiber art by Rebecca Fricke

Original Works by Multi-Arts

Judy Stern, Amigos de Los Niños con Bendicion

Lbaggies by Pam and Matt Lewis  

Todd Felton, travel writer and photographer


Rebecca Guay, professional artist of children’s books, graphic novels, and book covers

Show of Cards, a folk/rock/Dutch pop band selling their original CD “Leap Year”

Ellare Books, children’s books distributed by Diane Caraker

Our generous vendors will contribute a portion of sales to the Fort River Library.

And don't forget that the Winter Sports Swap takes place this evening (See below for more information).

Please join us for this new event celebrating literacy and community and raise money for our beloved Library.

Don't Forget to Help Us Welcome New Fort River Families!

The New Family Welcome Popsicle Party is Tuesday, August 31 from 6:30-7:30pm on the FR playground. We have MANY new students in EVERY grade joining the Fort River community this Fall. Please drop by with your kids, have a popsicle, and welcome the new families to our community!

Faculty/Staff Welcome Back Brunch--Your Help Needed!

A "Welcome Back" event is planned for our fabulous Fort River faculty and staff on Wednesday, September 1st. Help is needed! WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS AND LOTS OF DONATIONS OF FOOD AND SUPPLIES FOR THIS EVENT!

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE SIGN-UP SHEET

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

New Family Welcome--Help Us Welcome Fort River Newcomers!

The New Family Welcome Popsicle Party is Tuesday, August 31 from 6:30-7:30pm on the FR playground. We have MANY new students in EVERY grade joining the Fort River community this Fall. Please drop by with your kids, have a popsicle, and welcome the new families to our community!