Auditions for ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Auditions will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) musical production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND Monday, March 7th at the Amherst High School Cafeteria from 4pm to 6pm. All those auditioning should arrive at 3:45 and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of those cast in the show will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the auditions.

Among the roles to be cast in this song- and dance-filled performance are Alice, the Queen, the King, the Knave, the Ace, the Cards, the Duchess, the Cook, The Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Dormouse, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Humpty Dumpty, the Lobsters, Caterpillars, and Flowers. Students in grade Kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to audition. There are 50-60 roles available, with parts for every age group. Assistant Directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals. This is a group audition, and no advance preparation is necessary --though a smile always helps!

The Missoula Children’s Theatre touring productions are complete with costumes, scenery, props and makeup. The MCT Tour Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals throughout the week from 4:00-8:30 Monday, March 7th – Friday, March 12th. Not everyone will need to be present at every rehearsal.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND will be presented on Saturday, March 12th at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm in the Amherst High School Auditorium. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students under 18 and seniors.

For more information, go to “Children’s Theatre” at ALSCT.org, or call Susan at 413-461-6722. ALICE IN WONDERLAND—Join us for an amazing and “Wonder”-ful experience!

Please note: this event not sponsored by the FR PGO.

Cross-country ski lessons

What to do during February Break? Try Cross-Country Skiing? The Amherst
High School Nordic ski team will be giving informal lessons on Tuesday,
February 22 from 10 am to noon at Northfield Mountain, weather permitting.

Lessons are free for kids and students and a donation is suggested for
adults. You can rent skis from Northfield Mountain. Check out their site
at: http://www.firstlightpower.com/northfield/default.asp

Please pre-register with Mary Jo at mjmaf@aol.com or call at 259-1263.

Please note: this event is not sponsored by the FR PGO.

Coffee with the Principals POSTPONED to Friday, Feb. 11

This month's Coffee with the Principals has been postponed one week until Friday, Feb. 11th. Hope to see you all there!

Time and Talent Survey

Dear Fort River Parents and Guardians,

The PGO knows that there is a wealth of talent and energy in our community that can help to make Fort River School a better place for our kids. In order for us to get a better sense of who you all are, we have set up an easy online survey to gather information on how you can help us. Please take a minute to fill it out.  THANKS! 

Sincerely,
The PGO Executive Board

P.S. Thanks to Claudia Donald for setting up the survey for us!

Click here to take the survey

Family Sing Night Is Coming!

Please join Fort River's music teacher Anne White for

Family Sing Night

Thursday, February 17th

6:30-8:00 pm

Fort River Gym

Anne White and the Fort River PGO are pleased to announce two very special upcoming events. On March 2nd, the Latin musical group MarKamusic will conduct student workshops and give a school wide performance. On Thursday, February 17th, as a fundraiser to help bring MarKamusic to Fort River, you and your family are invited to the Fort River Family Sing Night where Mrs. White will be joined by parents and teachers to lead everyone in songs from around the world.

Please join us and make a suggested donation of $2.00 or whatever amount you like.

There will also be a student run bake sale to satisfy your sweet tooth!

We would like this event to represent the rich cultural diversity of our school community. As part of the music curriculum, Mrs. White will be working with students and parents to learn special songs to teach all families on this evening. Parents and other family members, we welcome your input and involvement. Please contact Mrs. White at whitea@arps.org, or 362-1238, if you want to help with the music.

A parent coordinator is also needed for the bake sale. If you would like to help with this event, please contact Pam Rietkerk at pam.fortriver@gmail.com or 256-2605.

This is going be a great community event!

About MarKamusic

MarKamusic performs traditional, folkloric and pop music of South and Latin American origin, fused with Latin jazz and western textures and instruments. The group has played its unique repertoire at international music festivals, educational events in schools, museums, and cultural institutions.

During its performances, MarKamusic accents the contributions of the four major cultural influences that have shaped modern Latin American music—the indigenous South American, the West African, the Euro-Iberian, and the contemporary North American. Traditional rhythms and melodic forms from these diverse cultures intermingled over the centuries, creating much of what is Latin American popular music today.

MarKamusic’s musical purpose is to drive home to its audiences that America is larger than just the United States: that America, in fact, extends from Alaska to the southernmost tip of Chile. The members of MarKamusic also feel that the diverse cultures of the Americas— tied by history and geography, but separated by politics and language—can effectively be reconciled by the sharing (indeed, by the merging) of their many musical expressions. MarKamusic’s musicians: one Peruvian, three Puerto Ricans, one Ecuadorian and one Guatemalan represent the potential of this harmonious exchange.

http://www.markamusic.com/

Bake Sale Coordinator for the Family Sing Night Needed

Ann White and the PGO are still looking for a parent(s) to coordinate and staff a bake sale at the Family Sing Night on Thursday, February 17. This is a fundraiser to help bring musical group MarKamusic to Fort River in March.

Duties include: setting up/monitoring a sign up sheet for donated baked goods, getting a few other parents and students to help sell goods, set up/clean up. Piece of cake!!

Please contact Pam at pam.fortriver@gmail.com to volunteer.

Superintendent Search News

Maria Geryk's visit and interview for the position of Superintendent of Schools have been postponed to Thursday, February 3, with an interview at 6 pm in the ARHS library.

The decision for selecting the superintendent will be made on Sunday, February 6. The Joint Meeting of Union 26 and Regional School Committees will take place from 1 to 3 pm at Town Hall, Amherst.

The interviews of the other two finalists, John Bayliss and Gerald Kohn are being aired on the education channel of ACTV. Click here for the schedule. 

You can also view the evening interviews online by going to the following webpage: http://www.actvamherst.com/.