Original Works After-School Activity--Event Postponed

Please note that the Original Works Art after-school activity has been postponed until Feb. 29, 2008 (Friday). 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 Friday, Feb. 29. 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).

Jump Rope for Heart Jumpathon

Once again Dianna Spaulding needs help during the Jump Rope For Heart Jumpathon on Feb. 14 and 15. Grades 1-6 will be participating, with each class jumping for 45 minutes. 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. Two parent volunteers to help out with each session, PLUS a parent who can stay all morning or afternoon to take the students’ collection envelopes, count up the money, and tally it for each class. Please fill out the attached sheet and return it to the Parent Council box. Thanks!

Annual Family Donation Fund Update for Feb. 1, 2008

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 $5,893 from 154 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.

Beach Party

Are you feeling ready for Summer? If so, help us bring some Summer Sunshine to Fort River through the Annual Beach party (March 12th)! If you would like to help plan this exciting event, or can help out on the night of the party, please contact Sue Cairn (253-9148, scairn@verizon.net).

Don't Wait for the Elves...Time to Clean Those Bookshelves!

The Book Swap will take place in the Library during the week of March 18. Every student at Fort River can choose at least one book to bring home without spending a dime!! The number of books they receive will depend on donations. Please donate your gently used books for ages K-6. Donate as many books as you like and keep in mind that we always have a shortage of books for 5th & 6th grade. Adult level books are often great for the older kids, but please be sure they are appropriate. Reference books, dictionaries, thesauruses, are also welcome for the older grades. Collection boxes are in the Library entrances and outside the Main Office. We will collect books through the week of March 11, but the sooner we have your books the better! We also need volunteers to help with sorting, setting up, and working the Swap. Sorting and set-up will take place during school hours on Wed-Fri the week before. Details on volunteering will follow. If you are interested please contact Pam Rietkerk at pjrietkerk@aol.com or 256-2605. This is a fun event and many hands make light work!

Of Interest to Fort River Families

Please note that these events are not sponsored by Parent Council. Come visit Spring Street Preschool at their annual OPEN HOUSE on Feb 9, 2008, 10 am - 12 pm. The school is located at 64 Spring Street behind the First Congregation Church. Now accepting applications for preschoolers ages 2.9-5 years for the 2008-2009 school year. For more information contact Alicia at 256-8442 or email at springstreetpreschool@verizon.net 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. 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!

Don't Forget Our On-Going Fundraisers!

Stop & Shop's A+ BonusBucks Program: If you are a Shop and Shop customer and haven't already signed up, please do so! It's quick, easy and free. You can log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to designate online, call 1-877-366-2668 to designate over the phone, or fill out the A+ BonusBucks Form and drop it off at any Stop & Shop store. Even if you designated last year, you must re-designate this year for our school to receive credit. Please be sure to designate Fort River using ID # 05218. More info here. Box Tops for Education: For each Box Top clipped we receive 10 cents! Please send in box tops to the collection box on the table in the Front Office. More info here. Cellphones and Ink Jet Cartridges: Please help protect the environment AND raise money for Parent Council by donating your used digital cell phone(s) and ink jet cartridge(s). Your used cell phone(s) will be recycled in accordance with EPA regulations or refurbished and sold, with 100% of the proceeds going to Parent Council. Just bring your used cellphone and/or ink jet cartridges to the box in the main office.