Sneakers Needed!

We have a request from Dianna Spaulding for any old sneakers that might be in good condition for use by children who don't have sneakers or who have forgot them for P.E. Please bring in great “used” sneakers to Dianna in the PE office.

Volunteers Urgently Needed

Science Day Bake Sale Coordinator(s) - We are looking for someone to coordinate the Bake Sale before and after the Boston Museum of Science demonstration for students and families on Wednesday, October 10 at 4:30 in the Fort River gym. The proceeds from the bake sale will help defray some of the cost of having the Boston science museum educators come to us. The coordinator would be in charge of setting up the table, arranging for people to sell food (a great way for kids to help!), and cleaning up at the end. Please contact Betty Sharpe (256-4716, elizabeth.sharpe@comcast.net ) if you are able to help with this. School Council Members – Several seats will open this year at the Fort River School Council, a state-mandated elected body of parents and staff that help define the policies and procedures of the school. It meets monthly to work on the development of the budget, develop a school improvement plan, and make recommendations to the principal. If you are interested in running for one of the vacant seats (this is a two-year commitment), please contact Catherine Sanderson (casanderson@amherst.edu).

Big Thank Yous to...

Amy Rose for purchasing and planting the lovely mums in the front of school, Jenny Reynolds for coordinating work on the school directory, Alan Schlingenbaum and Dror Shmerling for work on data compilation for the directory, Pamela Brigham, Cheryl Edgerly, Mary Ellen Sailor, and Joanne Swanson for their work on ad sales for their directory, Pat Ononibaku for coordinating the Family Fair, and Shari Abbott and Anne Duffy for assisting with coordinating the family fair.

Big Thank Yous to...

Amy Rose for purchasing and planting the lovely mums in the front of school, Jenny Reynolds for coordinating work on the school directory, Alan Schlingenbaum and Dror Shmerling for work on data compilation for the directory, and Pamela Brigham, Cheryl Edgerly, Mary Ellen Sailor, and Joanne Swanson for their work on ad sales for their directory.

Volunteers Urgently Needed

Room Parents. Room parents check in with their teacher monthly to see what he or she might need (e.g., help with an event, field trip volunteers, etc.), organize a class potluck at the start of the year, and work with their grade representative to plan one grade-wide event. They might also organize a class gift in December and/or at the end of school. We need a room parent for Davis in 4th grade. School Council Members. Several seats will open this year at the Fort River School Council, a state-mandated elected body of parents and staff that help define the policies and procedures of the school. It meets monthly to work on the development of the budget, develop a school improvement plan, and make recommendations to the principal. If you are interested in running for one of the vacant seats (this is a two-year commitment), please contact Catherine Sanderson (casanderson@amherst.edu).

A message from Parent Council President

We hope you and your kids are settling in well to the new school year‹and we hope to see you soon at various Parent Council events! Please contact any of the Executive Board members if you have questions or suggestions about Parent Council. Executive Board President: Catherine Sanderson (256-4977; casanderson@amherst.edu) Vice Presidents: Sue Borden (253-1608; szborden@yahoo.com) Elly Hosea (259-1334; elly_hosea@yahoo.com) Secretary: Ann McLaughlin (256-3768; damclaughlin@comcast.net) Treasurer: Lynn Hayes (253-7207; hay3bay@comcast.net)

Annual Family Donation Fund Update

We've already received a great response to our Annual Family Donation Fund, in which we ask all families at the start of the year to make a donation to support Parent Council activities (field trips, cultural events, books for the library, scholarships for children in need, etc.). We have already raised $2,239 from 65 families (18% of families so far)! Although we suggest a donation of $20 a child, larger and smaller amounts are welcome and all contributions are tax deductible (and anonymous). Checks (made out to Fort River Parent Council) or cash can be sent to the Parent Council mailbox in the main office or to Catherine Sanderson, 23 Alyssum Drive.