Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Family Dance Night at the Middle School

Come to a Family Dance Night at the Amherst Middle School
Friday, January 25th from 7 to 9 PM.
Join us for Salsa, Reggaeton & Merengue with music provided by
DJ Joey Acevedo of Noche Latina fame (the Iron Horse's weekly bash) Salsa lessons by Elizbeth Fernandez-O'Brien, dancer extraordinaire
Refreshments provided
Raffle and Cash Prize
$5 Tickets can be purchased at the door, $15 per family max.
This is a fundraiser for the 8th Grade Spanish students trip to New York.
In the Amherst Regional Middle School cafeteria
Please note that this is a family dance--not at drop-off event.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Upcoming Events

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday, Jan. 21st. NO SCHOOL. Diversity and Social Justice Committee Meeting. Wednesday, Jan. 23rd at 8:45am. In the library. Winter Choral Concert by the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Choruses. Thursday, January 24th at 7 pm. In the Amherst Middle School auditorium. Click here for more information. Teacher Curriculum Workday. Monday, Jan. 28th. NO SCHOOL. Original Art Works After-School Activity. Wednesday, Feb. 6th. See below for more information. Parent Council Meeting. Monday, Feb. 11th, 8:30-9:30am. In the cafeteria. Jump Rope for Heart Jumpathon. Feb. 14-15. Grades 1-6. Click here for more information. Beach Party. Wednesday, March 12th. Time to be announced. In the cafeteria.

Jump Rope for Heart Jumpathon


Dear Parent Council,

Once again I am asking for help during my Jump Rope For Heart Jumpathon on Feb. 14 and 15. Grades 1-6 will be participating, each class jumping for 45 minutes. (Click here for schedule.) Jump Rope For Heart is a nationwide educational event designed to promote exercise as a life-long activity. At the same time it raises money to support the vital research, community service and educational programs of the American Heart Association. Prizes are given for the donations that each student collects.
If possible, I will need at least 2 parent volunteers to help out with each session. If a parent can stay all morning or afternoon, that would be great. I need them to take the students’ collection envelopes, count up the money, and tally it for each class.
Thanks!

Yours in fitness,
Dianna Spaulding

Of Interest to Fort River Families

Please note that these events are not sponsored by Parent Council. Hampshire Athletic Club is starting a group swim lesson program for pre-school to elementary aged children of all swim levels. The lessons will be held on Saturdays beginning in February. 6 lessons for $80 ($70 for members). Maximum of 1:4 student teacher ratio. Before the lessons begin we ask that you come in on Saturday February 2nd between 12:30 and 2:30 to sign up and for a level placement test. For more information contact Julian Porcino at jcp1405@yahoo.com. Amherst Community Arts Center. Registration going on now for Winter 2008 classes at ACAC, which is the premier place in the Pioneer Valley for art classes for all ages and abilities. Winter 2008 brings some old favorites as well as some exciting new classes such as The Art of Bookmaking, and Zen and the Art of Tile Making. Call ACAC at 413-253-9265 or look for us in the Amherst Leisure Times on pages 11, 12 & 25. Or visit our website at http://www.amherstarts.org/ Shop Amherst First. By shopping through the shopamherstfirst.org website, a portion of everything you spend will be returned to Amherst First, Inc., a non-profit whose only mission is to provide additional funds to support the schools, library, departments, and programs of the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts. You get great prices at over 1,500 of your favorite online stores and Amherst receives a portion of everything you spend. Thank you for your support. Contact us at info@shopamherstfirst.org. Amherst Education Foundation. The deadline for AEF’s grant applications is February 8 at 5 pm! Past winners include teachers, staff and community members, but the real winners are our kids and our schools! The grant application can be found at http://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/Grants along with submission requirements and a listing of past awards. Northampton Family Dance. Please come to the Family Dance! Our third dance of the season will be held on Sunday, January 20. The dance takes place 3:00 - 5:00 PM at First Churches, 129 Main Street, Northampton (use the Center Street entrance across from the Iron Horse). Come enjoy a variety of folk and contra dances geared to children and families. All dances are taught, and all ages are welcome--no dance experience is necessary. Live music! Admission is $4 per person for ages 3 and up, $15 maximum per family. For more information, please call Judy Stern at 256-2613 or email judystern44@yahoo.com Multi-Arts Drama Classes for Children in 3rd-7th Grade. The course will be made up of a 12-week workshop series, exploring the children's imagination through movement, scene work, improvisation, and games. In the course, students will explore story telling in many forms: through movement, text, and research of art, children's stories and personal writings. The course brings the students on a journey of learning dramatic skills while reveling in the fun and excitement of their own imaginations. Students will share with each other their own personal sources of inspiration. The workshops will culminate with a presentation of the students' work. 12 weeks workshop Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. February 8 –May 9.Final presentation: Friday May 9, 6:00 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 N Pleasant St, Amherst. Cost: $240.Limited Space. First come first serve. For more information, or to register call 413-584-7951 or contact us at http://www.multi-arts.org/ (Financial aid available). A note from Parent Council. We will publish information about non-Parent Council sponsored events with the following conditions: 1. The event should be of interest to Fort River families. 2. The information should be sent to Ann McLaughlin at damclaughlin@comcast.net in the form of a short blurb of 100 words or less. 3. Contact information (name, telephone and/or email address) must be included. We will add new information to the blog every Friday. Thanks for your cooperation!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Upcoming Events

School Committee Meeting. Tuesday, January 15th, 7pm. High School Library. School Council Meeting. Thursday, Jan. 17th, 7pm. Principal's Office. Coffee With a Principal. Friday, Jan. 18th, 8:30-9:15am. In the cafeteria. Come join Principal Vernon-Jones or Asst. Principal Suarez-Werlein for coffee and light refreshments. Younger siblings are welcome to attend. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday, Jan. 21st. NO SCHOOL. Diversity and Social Justice Committee Meeting. Wednesday, Jan. 23rd at 8:45am. In the library. Winter Choral Concert by the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Choruses. Thursday, January 24th at 7 pm. In the Amherst Middle School auditorium. Click here for more information. Teacher Curriculum Workday. Monday, Jan. 28th. NO SCHOOL. Original Art Works After-School Activity. Wednesday, Feb. 6th. See below for more information. Parent Council Meeting. Monday, Feb. 11th, 8:30-9:30am. In the cafeteria. Beach Party. Wednesday, March 12th. Time to be announced. In the cafeteria.

Volunteers Needed for Original Works Art Project

We are in search of volunteers to help with our Original Works art project (kids draw their own picture, and parents can buy items featuring that picture, such as notecards, mugs, etc.). We need volunteers to put together the packages to go home, and volunteers to help with an after school art activity (ideally these volunteers know how to inspire and guide children to do art work!). This event will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 6th. Kids will stay for 1 hour and work on a painting that can be used for the art-works project. Questions? Contact Catalina Arrubla (carrubla@gmail.com, 584-7951).

Annual Family Donation Fund Update for Jan. 11, 2007

Thanks to all the families who have already contributed to our Annual Family Donation Fund, which supports all Parent Council activities (field trips, cultural events, library books, scholarships for children in need, etc.)! We have now raised $5,843 from 153 of our 359 families (43% of families), and are still hoping for contributions from all families (and even a $1.00 donation helps increase our goal of 100% family participation)! Although we suggest $20 a child, contributions of any size are welcome ­ and all contributions are tax deductible (and anonymous). Checks (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.