DATE CHANGE: Bus/Van Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast on Tuesday JUNE 19 at 9 am

Please join the families of Fort River for an appreciation breakfast to say thank you for all that our transportation professionals do to get our kids to and from school safely.

Tuesday JUNE 19, 9:00am (NOTE DATE CHANGE)
THE FORT RIVER CAFETERIA

We need many food items for the breakfast including eggs, sausage, bagels, juice, fruit, etc. Click here to donate! Thank you!

PGO Meeting on June 11 at 9 am

General PGO Meeting

Monday, June 11
9 - 10 am

Please join the PGO Board for our monthly meeting. All current Fort River parents and guardians are welcome! Parents of registered Kindergarteners or other newly enrolled students may also attend. Sign in at the Main Office to get directions to our meeting location.

New officers will be elected for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year (agenda item deferred from May). Please come if you'd like to be more involved in your child's school. Co-Officers can be appointed to a single position so that responsibilities are able to be shared. Budget, fundraising, grant proposals, and volunteer needs will also be discussed. The current Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications person (blog + social media + emails) are stepping down due to student graduations.

Small children are always welcome! We REALLY need more volunteers and help! Thanks for considering! 

Summer Garden Volunteers Needed - Orientation June 9

We are looking for support from families to help the school gardens have a healthy summer growing season!

Families are invited to join Leila and Jen for an on-site garden volunteer training at your school on Saturday, June 9.

Wildwood @ 9 am

Fort River @ 10:15 am

Crocker Farm @ 11:30 am

In the session (under an hour) you’ll become familiar with the garden space, learn about the plants we’re growing, and learn how to access and use the garden tools. The summer volunteer “work” is fun and kid-friendly! Families who help care for the gardens are also welcome to harvest from the gardens as certain crops become ready.

Sign-ups for summer weeks will take place at the orientation sessions. Volunteers will also be asked to sign a liability waiver, per district protocol. If you are interested in caring for the garden this summer, please complete this short form. Questions can be sent to Jennifer Reese at reesej@arps.org.

FIELD DAY IS COMING! Wednesday, June 13th (Rain date June 14th)

Field Day is a school wide event that allows the entire school to get outside for sun and fun. In the morning, students will participate in field day activities together in multi-aged groups to build school unity across grades. Groups will rotate through a variety of outdoor and indoor activity stations on the fields, on the playground, and in the gym. This year, the afternoon will also be filled with community building games and activities.

Schedule:
9:00 am - 11:30 am: Grades K – 6 Field Day
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Picnic lunch & recess (bring your own or purchase cafeteria lunch)
1:00 - 3:10 pm: Afternoon elective activities

Field Day is an exciting day for students, and they have made many wonderful memories in previous years. Please consider volunteering to help make Field Day 2018 another huge success.

We will need lots of parent volunteers to fill a number of important roles. Parents can volunteer as an activity station worker or a group leader; parents can help set up or clean up.

Volunteers can sign up on the “Bring It” section of the Ft. River blog: (http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/ZR90d5H2bU8) or

by filling out the form below and leaving it in the PGO mailbox, or

by emailing the coordinators, Christine St. Laurent (cwstlaurent@gmail.com) or Tom St. Laurent (tomstlaurent.ht@gmail.com). 

Thank you and we are looking forward to seeing you on June 13th!

Field Day 2018 Spanish
Field Day 2018 English

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

ARHS Project Graduation/Senior Party Volunteers Needed!

Attention families of the ARHS Class of 2018!

Please consider joining in the 35+ year-old tradition of throwing a SAFE Party for the Graduating Seniors and their invited guests. Over 40 local businesses stepped up to sponsor this event in 2017. It truly takes a village!

We need volunteers at the event to help with registration, security, monitoring games, shuttle, set-up and clean-up, first aid, etc. The party happens after Graduation on Friday June 8th and runs from 10:30 pm to 3:00 am. We need volunteers for all sorts of time slots. This year the party will be at Hampshire Athletic Club on Gatehouse Road in Amherst. 

All ARHS families encouraged to volunteer!

Click here for party details

Click here to volunteer via Sign-Up Genius or for more information please contact:

Tracy Farnham

413 531 7641

tqfarnham@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed for Around the World at Fort River

The PGO is still looking for volunteers for a spring evening event celebrating our unique cultural identities. 

Around the World is a Fort River tradition, however it can't continue with volunteer support. Please consider chairing or serving on a small committee to organize this event. The evening generally includes potluck dishes from around the world and wonderful musical and dance performances. Last year students made posters celebrating their identities. We can't schedule this wonderful evening event for families until more volunteers offer to help. Reply to ftriver@gmail.com to volunteer. Thanks for considering!

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/

School Picture Day THIS Tuesday, October 17th!

SAY CHEESE! PLEASE HELP!

Volunteers are STILL needed for School Picture Day THIS Tuesday, October 17th! This is a fun activity for parents and guardians. Please consider volunteering if you have any availability during school hours.

We need volunteers to help direct the students to their individual photos and to help each class with the group photo. Please sign up to help out for 30 minutes, one hour or longer at this URL address: 

http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/iUSJ7QoxGpk 

Please be certain that your CORI is up to date and check in at the Main Office when you arrive. Thank you in advance for your help! If you have questions, please contact Rebecca at rebecca.fortriver@gmail.com. Remember to complete your child's picture envelope and send it in to school on or before the 17th. Thanks!

Members Sought for Fort River School Building Committee - Deadline October 13

The PGO is still accepting applications for the PGO appointee position to the School Building Committee. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on October 13 (THIS Friday). Thank you to all who have applied thus far.

For background see this post: https://ftriver.blogspot.com/2017/10/members-sought-for-fort-river-school.html

FORT RIVER COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS THE FORT RIVER PGO APPOINTEE SHOULD COMPLETE THIS FORM. The Fort River PGO Board will select a representative from the pool of applicants. The appointee will be expected to provide School Building Committee updates to the Fort River PGO on a regular basis (minimum monthly). 

Here is the URL for the Fort River PGO appointee application: https://goo.gl/forms/kdg07j59K66mmJ632

There are other ways to apply to join the Committee; please read on for details or visit arps.org.

Community members are encouraged to complete the application available here for the following positions:  

1) Community Member with Green Energy Expertise and Architectural Background; 

2) At-Large Parent/Guardian/Caregiver; 

3) At-Large Community Member (2 positions).

Community members interested in serving as the SEPAC representative should email Nancy Stewart, SEPAC President at sepac@arps.org.  Please include your name, contact information and brief description (two paragraphs or less) explaining your interest in serving.

The deadline for applications to all positions is 12:00 Noon on Friday, October 13. All applications will be considered; however, preference may be given to women and people of color, parents/guardians/caregivers, and those with Amherst town government experience.

Fort River Picture Day is October 17 - Volunteers Needed!

SAY CHEESE! Volunteers are needed for School Picture Day next Tuesday, October 17th! This is a fun activity for parents and guardians. It's so sweet to see all of our students looking their best for school photos!

We need volunteers to help direct the students to their individual photos and to help each class with the group photo. Please sign up to help out for 30 minutes, one hour or longer at this address: 

http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/iUSJ7QoxGpk 

Please be certain that your CORI is up to date and check in at the Main Office when you arrive. Thank you in advance for your help! If you have questions, please contact Rebecca at rebecca.fortriver@gmail.com. Remember to complete your child's picture envelope and send it in to school on or before the 17th. Thanks!

Library Volunteers Wanted

Lani Blechman is our new Fort River Librarian and she has an important message for families: 

"I want to put a call out for library volunteers. I'm hoping to find volunteers who will shelve books, and I am also always willing to work with volunteers on their skills/passions (book repair, reading with students, creating programming, sharing folktales, creating displays, etc.)."

This is a wonderful opportunity for adults who have some free time during the day. Historically library volunteers continue their work for years because they find it so enjoyable to be present and helpful during the school day. 

As a reminder, all school volunteers must have a current CORI check on file. Please see Suzanne in the Main Office for assistance. 

Classroom Parents Needed

Each year parents and guardians are invited to volunteer as classroom parents. This is an extremely fun and rewarding opportunity!

Classroom parents serve as a vital link between teachers and families. Each classroom teacher has one to several room parents. Individual teachers utilize classroom parents in a manner that is comfortable for them and their classroom. These volunteers support classrooms in a variety of ways, depending upon the teachers’ preferences. Examples include:

• Communicating with the teacher regularly to determine classroom needs
• Keeping families informed of classroom events via email (or occasionally printed flyers)
• Creating and updating online “Wish Lists” for the teacher and classroom (if desired)
• Helping to plan classroom events and parties
• Recruiting field trip volunteers 

Additionally, the school administration and the PGO both utilize classroom parents as an important added means of communication with families. Room parents will be periodically asked to send email reminders to families about upcoming school-wide events and opportunities. Finally, classroom parents may organize a group class gift for the teacher at the end of the school year.

Volunteers are needed to serve as Classroom Parent for every classroom! Grab a friend and share the fun! If you can't personally volunteer please help us find someone for your child's class. Ask your friends and neighbors if they'd be willing to help. Choosing to become a class parent ensures that you will get to know your school community and most of the tasks can be done from home in your PJs! 

Thank you for considering this fun opportunity! Please complete the attached form to volunteer or email ftriver@gmail.com.

Classroom Parent Volunteer Sign-Up

Volunteers Needed for 2017-2018 School Governance Council

The state-mandated Fort River School Governance Council reviews the annual budget for Fort River and helps prepare the School Improvement Plan. The School Governance Council is comprised of parent/guardians, teachers, community members, and Principal Chamberlain (chamberlaind@arps.org). A two year term commitment is optimal but not required.

Parents/guardians will be elected representatives at the Fort River Open House on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. If you are interested in serving on the School Governance Council, please fill out the nomination form and return it to the Fort River main office or email the requested information to rebecca.fortriver@gmail.com no later than September 30, 2017.   

Candidate information will be made ​​available to the Fort River community prior to the election at the Open House. Questions about serving on the School Governance Council or the election process can be directed to Principal Chamberlain.

___________________________

El mandato estatal Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela de Fort River revisa el presupuesto anual para Fort River y ayuda a preparar el Plan de Mejoramiento Escolar. El Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela está compuesto por los padres / tutores , maestros, miembros de la comunidad, y el directora Chamberlain (chamberlaind@arps.org). Un termino de compromiso de dos años plazo es óptima, pero no necesita.

Padre/tutor serán elegido en Fort River Open House 11 de octubre de 2017. Si usted está interesado en servir en el Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela, por favor llene el formulario de nominación y devolverla a la oficina principal de Fort River o correo electrónico la información solicitada a rebecca.fortriver@gmail.com a más tardar 30 de septiembre 2017.

Candidato información se pondrá a disposición de la comunidad de Fort río antes de la elección en la Open House. Preguntas sobre servir en el Consejo de Gobierno de la Escuela o el proceso de elección pueden ser dirigidas al Directora Chamberlain.

FIELD DAY IS THIS WEDNESDAY!!

Wednesday, June 14^th (Rain date June 15^th)

Field Day is a school wide event that allows the entire school to get outside for sun and fun. It is a highlight of the entire year for students, staff, and families! In the morning, students will participate in field day activities together in multi-aged groups to build school unity across grades. 

We need MANY, MANY MORE parent volunteers to make field day a huge success. Parents can volunteer as an activity station worker or a group leader; parents can also help set up or clean up. 

Volunteers can sign up at http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/l5SYxUf+Qt4 or by by emailing Rebecca Kennedy at rbershadker@yahoo.com or Tim Hope at timothylhope@outlook.com

More Donations Needed for Bus/Van Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast on June 7

Bus/Van Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast

It's time to join the families of Fort River for an appreciation breakfast to say thank you to all of our drivers and crossing guards for everything they do to get our kids to and from school safely.

Sign up on Please Bring it to donate and help:

http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/QpO9umRft7o

Thank you for making this a special morning for our safety professionals!

Field Day on June 14

FIELD DAY IS COMING!!

Wednesday, June 14^th (Rain date June 15^th)

Field Day is a school wide event that allows the entire school to get outside for sun and fun. It is a highlight of the entire year for students, staff, and families! In the morning, students will participate in field day activities together in multi-aged groups to build school unity across grades. 

We will need lots of parent volunteers to make field day a huge success. Parents can volunteer as an activity station worker or a group leader; parents can also help set up or clean up. Volunteers can sign up at http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/l5SYxUf+Qt4 or by by emailing Rebecca Kennedy at rbershadker@yahoo.com or Tim Hope at timothylhope@outlook.com

Bus/Van Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast on June 7

Bus/Van Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast

It's time to join the families of Fort River for an appreciation breakfast to say thank you to all of our drivers and crossing guards for everything they do to get our kids to and from school safely.

Sign up on Please Bring it to donate and help:

http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/QpO9umRft7o

Thank you for making this a special morning for our safety professionals!

Seeking Summer Garden Volunteers

Our elementary school gardens need your help to have a healthy summer growing season! 

Families are invited to join Leila Tunnell (Brookfield Farm educator) and Jennifer Reese (school garden coordinator) for an on-site garden volunteer training at your school this June. In the session (under an hour) you'll become familiar with the garden space, learn about the plants we're growing, and learn how to access and use the garden tools. As one of the garden caretakers last summer, I (Jennifer) can attest to the fact that the "work" is fun and kid-friendly. My then 4-year-old, 7-year-old, and I did all that we needed to do in 1-2 hours per week. Families who help care for the gardens are also welcome to harvest (conservatively) from the gardens as crops become ready.

Sign ups for summer weeks will take place at the orientation sessions. Volunteers will also be asked to sign a liability waiver, per district protocol.

Please RSVP here if you plan to attend a session so that we can plan accordingly. Thank you!

Orientation sessions: 

Crocker Farm: Saturday, June 3rd, 10-11 am

Fort River: Sunday, June 4th, 10-11 am

Wildwood: Sunday, June 4th, 1-2 pm

​Questions or comments? Please contact Jennifer Reese (reesej@arps.org) or Leila Tunnell (ltunnell18@gmail.com).

RESCHEDULED!!!! NOW ON SUNDAY 4/30 Annual Fort River Car Wash, Bake Sale and Tag Sale on Sunday, April 30, 9 - noon

EDIT: RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY due to weather!

Please come out for the annual Car Wash, Bake Sale and Tag Sale on Saturday, 4/29, 9am-12pm at Fort River. This is an important fundraiser for the 5th and 6th grade trips and a very fun morning at school!

The 5th grade is collecting items for their tag sale from the school community. Please go through closets and storage and find items to donate! Items can be dropped off to the 5th grade quad all week.

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED! 5th grade families please click here to volunteer on Friday (item tagging and sorting) or Saturday. 6th grade families please click here: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/Rq6Ynz$0VDg

Be sure to stop by Fort River on the 29th and and tell friends and family to come out for a car wash, shopping, and leave with a sweet treat! Feel free to print and post the attached flyer in your workplace or anywhere local. Share widely!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-2bHm-1AjRfZ1gxVmxsZmhRQ00/view?usp=sharing