Showing posts with label pgo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pgo. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

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.
FORT RIVER COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS THE FORT RIVER PGO APPOINTEE SHOULD COMPLETE THIS FORMThe 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.

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.



Monday, September 4, 2017

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

Monday, May 1, 2017

Post-Building Project Presentation by Dr. Morris

Thank you to everyone who attended the presentation by Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Morris last Friday morning. About 40 people attended on short notice - what a fabulous turnout! The PGO is grateful to have had the opportunity to host Dr. Morris and Ms. Hazzard, Chair of the Amherst School Committee, for this timely and in depth discussion of such an important topic.

If you missed the presentation it will be given again at the other elementary schools this Friday, May 5. The Crocker Farm PGO will host Dr. Morris from 9-10 am at Crocker Farm School, and the Wildwood PGO will host from 12-1pm in the Green Room at Wildwood. Families are welcome to attend either session.

Dr. Morris wants as many families to hear this presentation as possible. He will share information on challenges faced by our district, including (1) Financial, (2) Enrollment, and (3) Infrastructure, and looks forward to listening to your concerns and hearing your suggestions.


Small children are welcome.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Meet the School Committee Candidates before Pi and Math Night on Wednesday, March 15th

The Fort River Parent Guardian Organization (PGO) has invited the four candidates for School Committee to meet and mingle with our families before our annual community Pi and Math Night on March 15th (RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 14th due to snow).  Families are invited to meet and ask questions of the candidates from 5:30-6:00 and to learn about their goals for our schools.  While there will not be formal presentations, the candidates may bring campaign materials to distribute.

The League of Women Voters is also promoting two additional opportunities to meet candidates. There are many competitive races, especially in Town Meeting.

March 16, 7-9 p.m., Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium
Candidates for town-wide office in Amherst will speak. Hosted by Amherst LVW.

March 18, 10 am to 1:30 pm, Amherst Regional Middle School

Ninety minute sessions Town Meeting Candidates to meet with their neighbors. Hosted by the Town Meeting Coordinating Committee. Facilitated by Amherst LWV moderators.
Precincts 1-5 at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Precincts 6-10 at 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Monday, November 23, 2015

PGO Gift Card Fundraiser - Order Now! Earn Free Money for Fort River! Deadline December 1!

Help the Fort River PGO earn money for school programs by doing nothing!

(Well, almost nothing.) The PGO is selling gift cards that you can use for your normal weekly purchases at Stop and Shop or Target, for example. This is money that you would already be spending, but if you use our gift cards, you will be earning money for Fort River as we buy the gift cards at a discount (from 3-16% depending on the retailer – listed in the table below.)

Use the cards for:
  • ·      Purchases that you already make on a regular basis like groceries or gas.
  • ·      Holiday shopping.
  • ·      To give as gifts to teachers, mail carriers and bus drivers.

Again, 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 full face value gift cards as you wish, attach your check and return to your child’s teacher or to the PGO mailbox in the office.

Gift card orders are due by TUESDAY DECEMBER 1st. 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 either on WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9th from 8:30-9:15am or THURSDAY DECEMBER 10th from 3-6pm. If you cannot make either date, please email Stacey Beganny to make other arrangements. (sbeganny@gmail.com)

Click here to access the order form.



Giving Tuesday - Please Remember Fort River!

On December 1st, "Giving Tuesday" follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday! It is an opportunity for reflection and a chance to support the many successful and thriving non-profit organizations that make the Valley such a wonderful place to live.

The Fort River PGO has kicked off the 2015 - 2016 Annual Fund. The youngest students in each household were sent home with Appeal letters in their backpacks at the end of last week.

Please consider financial support of the PGO during this giving season. The work that the PGO does to support teachers and students at Fort River is dependent upon generous donations now and throughout the year. Annual appeal gifts directly support teaching and learning in Fort River classrooms. All donations are tax-deductibile.

Checks made out to "Fort River PGO" can be returned to the Main Office or mailed in the return envelope that was provided with the Appeal request. Thank you so much for supporting Fort River Elementary School!

Monday, September 28, 2015

Student and Family Directory … IMPORTANT CHANGES!

The PGO will be publishing a Fort River Student and Family Directory and hopes to include our entire community. The directory will be made available for free and is intended to help families arrange playdates and gatherings outside of school. 

For privacy reasons the PGO does not have access to contact information that families provided to the ARPS District or to Fort River Elementary School. Each family must submit their own information in order to be included in the directory. 

Please supply the information you would like to be included in the directory by filling out the form here or clicking the URL here: 


Paper copies of this form will be send home later this week, however the volunteers producing the directory appreciate the help with data entry (and it's probably more efficient and accurate for you as well).

Please fill out one form per family. The deadline is Friday, October 16th. Please submit any questions to fortriverdirectory@gmail.com

The Fort River Student and Family Directory is an internal resource that is private and is not disseminated to any persons, vendors, or businesses outside of the Fort River community. The directory should not be used to solicit business. 

Help is eagerly welcomed from anyone possessing experience with databases, layout/formatting, and production of small scale publications. Please contact sarah.fortriver@gmail.com to volunteer. Thank you!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

THANK YOU!!

Thank you to all the families and friends who joined us at Barnes & Noble last Sunday to kick off our summer reading and raise some funds for the coming school year. Thank you especially to Flavia Cunha, Yuko Mizutani, Inkygyoung Kim and Salomé López for sharing a book during our story times; Amy Hampson & Liza, Becky Schneider, Bridget Hynes, Kristen DeLuca & Siena, Emily Coleman & Juliet and MaryBeth Meade for their help at our craft and welcome tables and to our fabulous and talented Fort River families for their performances - Dawn Lepere & Jeff Starns, Seiha Krouch & Thyda Ty, Champion Bakare, and Milena & Carina Gravante-Gunnells with their father Paul on keyboard. 

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Coffee with a Principal - This Friday, June 12th 8:45am - 9:30am


Please join other parents and guardians this Friday morning at our monthly Coffee with a Principal. Topics change each month and there is always time for questions and dialogue. PGO officer elections for 2015-16 will take place immediately afterwards. It is not too late to nominate yourself or a friend for a position. The current officers are stepping down but will be available to mentor new volunteers. Please contact Liz Larson at liz.fortriver@gmail.com with questions. Infants and small children are ALWAYS welcome at Coffees and PGO meetings. Hope to see you there!  

Monday, June 8, 2015

THANKS to our Awesome Volunteers!

 ** THANK YOU Volunteers !!
The PGO Book Share event was held last week, hopefully your student came home excited to show off the book(s) selected for keeping!!  All of the students were very interested in a variety of book choices, and were polite while visiting the library to participate in the Book Share.  A special thank you to Fran Ludington, for being the library liaison and anchor for the event.  Thank you to Deb Leonard, Liz Larson, Rebecca Kennedy, Allison Page, and Mary Beth Meade, our parent volunteers this year!   Happy summer reading!

Fort River Barnes & Noble Book Fair this Sunday, June 14 in Hadley


Visit the Fort River Barnes & Noble Book Fair this Sunday, June 14 in Hadley! Fun activities planned throughout the day! 


Use Book Fair ID 11614765 at checkout at http://bn.com/bookfairs to support our school with your online purchases! Available June 15 - June 19. 


HELP NEEDED! The PGO Book Fair at Barnes & Noble will be held on Sunday, June 14th. Many volunteers are needed to help with this daylong event. Please contact Liz Larson liz.fortriver@gmail.com for information. Kid participation is desired with this FUNdraiser! 

On the day of the fair, our school will get 10% of the sales for everyone who mentions Fort River at check out, funds that we will use to help kick off our next school year.  Our goal is to raise $1200 for our classroom set-up grants for teachers and staff.

Annual Staff and Teacher Appreciation Celebration - Thanks for your support!

Thanks to our great community of families for your continued support in honor of the staff and teachers at Fort River!  Every staff member received a special envelope at school the morning of the celebration filled with a note of gratitude from the PGO and the hundreds of beautiful appreciation notes collected from children in all grades.  Almost 70 staff enjoyed a wonderful after-school gathering at the Amherst Brewing Company. Thanks to the support of Fort River families, we more than covered the costs of the celebration and gifts, and staff were so grateful at the outpouring of generosity of our community. It really shows how much our families care about the staff and teachers of Fort River!  Leftover funds will go back to the staff towards upcoming events this spring and early fall.


Thank you everyone for your support!  Special thanks to Suzanne Severin, Karen Bonneau and the front office team, and parents Shari Abbott, Sue Borden, Sarah Cartel, Deb Christakos, Traci Hess, Tim Hope, Liz Larson, Dawn Lepere, Yuko Mizutani, Rebecca Schneider and our student helpers for making the day a success.  Special thanks to Paul Gunnells for his time and talent as the piano accompaniment at the event and well into the evening!

 

-Suzanne Schilling

Saturday, June 6, 2015

FIELD DAY is June 17!

FIELD DAY IS COMING!!!!!!


Mark your calendar for a day of fun at Fort River School, on Wednesday, June 17, 2015.  Field Day is a school wide event that allows the children to get outside for sun and fun. This year, Kids in grades 1-6 will participate in field day together (from 9-11:30am) in multi-aged groups to build school unity across grades. Groups will rotate through a variety of outdoor activity stations on the fields/playground where kids will work together and have fun.



Kindergarteners will have their own special stations from 10-10:45 am.  


The day will work like this:

9-11:30 Grades 1 - 6 

10 - 10:45 Kindergarteners join

11:30 picnic lunch (bring your own or purchase) 

 

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 help set up or clean up.  


Volunteers can sign up here http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/l5SYxUf+Qt4 or print and fill out this form https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-2bHm-1AjRfaGx4RE1JbWhybzA and leave it in the PGO mailbox, or email Rebecca Kennedy at rbershadker@yahoo.com.


Field Day Volunteer Sign Up

Name_____________________________M

Telephone____________________ Email_______________________________

I can:

____Set up equipment before school (7:30-8:30 am)

____Run an activity station (____8:45-10:15, ____10-11:30am; ____both)

____Serve as a Parent Group Leader (___8:45-10:15; _____10-11:30 am; ____both)

____Work a kindergarten station (9:45-10:45 am)

____Clean up and put away equipment (12:00pm-1pm)

____Do anything you need me to do

Monday, June 1, 2015

HELP NEEDED for PGO book Fair @ Barnes & Noble on June 14th

HELP NEEDED! The PGO Book Fair at Barnes & Noble will be held on Sunday, June 14th. Many volunteers are needed to help with this daylong event. Please contact Liz Larson liz.fortriver@gmail.com for information. Kid participation is desired with this FUNdraiser! 

On the day of the fair, our school will get 10% of the sales for everyone who mentions Fort River at check out, funds that we will use to help kick off our next school year.  Our goal is to raise $1200 for our classroom set-up grants for teachers and staff.






The theme for the day is “Travel the World in a Book” and we want to celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity we have at Fort River. Families are invited to share something from their heritage - a craft, a performance or a favorite story.  There will be multi-cultural story times and anyone who would like to come in to share a book in the store, either in the original language or in English, is most welcome.  We also welcome ideas for craft tables (such as origami) that would appeal to the customers at the store.


For more information on the story time schedule or if you have a craft or performance idea
, please contact Liz Larson (liz.fortriver@gmail.com230-3453)

Cambodian Celebration a Tremendous Success!

Many, many thanks to everyone involved in the Cambodian Celebration last Friday!

Please see the lovely note below from the ARPS Central Office:

"Thank you for a wonderful celebration on Friday. The students and staff did a remarkable job and the performance was great. 22News did an amazing story - please see link below. We tweeted it and Maria will include this in her weekly newsletter."



PGO Book Share This Week! Free Books For All!


The 2015 PGO Book Share will be held THIS WEEK June 1- 5! Please remember to donate some gently used books so that there are plenty for all of the Fort River students! WE NEED MANY MORE DONATIONS!! A collection box is in the lobby by the office.   

THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO HAS VOLUNTEERED TO HELP WITH THIS EVENT! There are additional opportunities to help. Please sign up using the link below or simply show up. (Up to date CORI required for all volunteers) 

Any questions, call Mary Beth Meade 835-0239

If you would like to help during the time your child will be selecting books please see the schedule below.  

Grades 2, 3, 4, and 6 will be attending the event during their regularly scheduled library time. Other classes will visit as follows: 

1 (Rondeau): Wed, June 3 at 9
1 (Hickson): Wed, June 3 at 11:30
5 (Castronovo): Mon, June 1 at 10:40
5 (Sautter): Tues, June 2 at 1:35 

Saturday, May 23, 2015

PGO Planning Survey - Takes 3 minutes or less!


Please take this brief survey to share your feedback with the PGO. This input will assist with budget and event planning for next year. THANKS! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WMKXCMC

Thursday, May 21, 2015

SAVE THE DATE! FORT RIVER TRAVELS THE WORLD JUNE 14, 2015


On June 14th, the Fort River PGO will host a book fair at Barnes & Noble in Hadley.  On that day, our school will get 10% of the sales for everyone who mentions Fort River at check out, funds that we will use to help kick off our next school year.  Our goal is to raise $1200 for our classroom set-up grants for teachers and staff.


The theme for the day is “Travel the World in a Book” and we want to celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity we have at Fort River. Families are invited to share something from their heritage - a craft, a performance or a favorite story.  There will be multi-cultural story times and anyone who would like to come in to share a book in the store, either in the original language or in English, is most welcome.  We also welcome ideas for craft tables (such as origami) that would appeal to the customers at the store.


For more information on the story time schedule or if you have a craft or performance idea
, please contact Liz Larson (liz.fortriver@gmail.com230-3453)



Volunteers Needed! Fun!


Please help recognize the awesome staff and teachers of Fort River!
On the day of the Staff & Teacher Appreciation Celebration, each staff member will receive a thank you card from the PGO, along with any personalized notes made by students. We need help collecting notes during lunch times. 

If you can sign-up for a lunch shift on Tues 5/26Weds 5/27 or Thu 5/28, please email Suzanne Schilling. All supplies will be provided and should be picked up (and returned after the lunch shift) at the PGO mailbox in the office.

Lunch times below - email patsueschilling@comcast.net by Friday, 5/22 to sign up.

Please indicate the grade and day you will be helping so enough supplies are available. 

As a reminder, all school/district volunteers MUST have an up to date CORI on file. Thank you!

Grade K (Cafeteria 2) 12:15 – 12:45
Grade 1 (Cafeteria 3) 12:15 – 12:45
Grade 2 (Cafeteria 2) 11:30 – 12:00
Grade 3 (Cafeteria 3) 12:45 – 1:15
Grade 4 (Cafeteria 1) 11:20 – 11:50
Grade 5 (Cafeteria 1) 11:55 – 12:25
Grade 6 (Cafeteria 1) 12:40 – 1:10

Staff & Teacher Appreciation Celebration

The annual Staff & Teacher Appreciation Celebration will take place at Amherst Brewing Company on June 5th. Please express your thanks to our amazing staff by making a contribution in their honor.


The PGO needs your help to keep this special tradition going.  Please complete the linked form and send your contribution to the office by Friday, May 29:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-2bHm-1AjRfa0l6ZnRQbUVkbmc/edit?usp=docslist_api) Paper forms also went home with students. Thank you!

 

Every teacher will receive a personalized thank you note from the PGO the day of the celebration. If your child and family would like a little note to be included with their thank you gift, please send to the PGO mailbox by May 29.


You do not need to participate in the fundraiser to send in a note for any teacher or staff member.

 

La Celebracion Anual de Apreciacion a los Maestros y Personal tendrá lugar en Amherst Brewing Company el 5 de junio.

Por favor, expresa tu agradecimiento a nuestro increible personal haciendo una contribución en su honor.

El PGO necesita tu ayuda para que esta tradicion siga.  Envíe su contribución de cualquier cantidad a la caja PGO el 29 de mayo.  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-2bHm-1AjRfQ0Q4Z0ItZW9XT0E/edit?usp=docslist_api ¡Gracias!

 

Cada maestro recibirá una nota personalizada de agradecimiento por parte del PGO el día de la celebracion.

Si su hijo y su familia les gustaría que una pequeña nota se incluyera con su regalo de agradecimiento, por favor coloquela en el buzón PGO el 29 de mayo.

Usted no tiene que participar en la recaudación de fondos para enviar una nota para cualquier profesor o miembro del personal.