Update on Principal Search Process and Request for Volunteers

Letter from Superintendent Maria Geryk about Principal search process:

April 5, 2016

Dear Fort River Families:

As you know, Ms. Finocchio will be leaving her position as Principal of Fort River School as of June 30^th.  She has done a wonderful job during her time here, and I know our Fort River families join me in wishing her the best as she moves back to eastern Massachusetts.  Fort River is fortunate to have an outstanding Vice-Principal, Diane Chamberlain, and exceptional faculty and staff who will provide stability and support during this time of transition.

The district has now posted the Principal position and will soon begin the hiring process, which starts with the appointment of a Screening Committee.  The Screening Committee will consist of three parents/guardians, three members of the Fort River staff, and two Central Office administrators.  The role of the Screening Committee is to review all applications, conduct initial interviews, and recommend finalist candidates to me.  The timeline for the screening and selection process is as follows:

STEP I:  Screening Committee Review of Applicants—Complete by April 25, 2016

Screening Committee members must be available to come to Central Office to review the candidate pool and participate in a meeting at which semi-finalist candidates will be selected.  

STEP II:  Screening Committee Interviews—Week of May 2, 2016 

Members of the Screening Committee must be available to participate in semi-finalist interviews during the week of May 2.  At the end of the day on Friday, May 6, the Screening Committee will meet with me to review the candidates and make a recommendation about which candidates to invite for finalist interviews.  The formal role of the Screening Committee ends with this recommendation.

We hope to invite finalists to Fort River School during the week of May 16, 2016.  During these visits, finalist candidates will spend a day at Fort River touring the school and observing classrooms.  Each candidate will meet with students, teachers, administrators, and me.  There will also be evening public forums so parents and guardians can meet and provide feedback about each finalist.  The goal is to select and announce the new Fort River Principal to the community by May 27, 2016.

If you are interested in serving on the Screening Committee, please contact Kathryn Mazur, Human Resources Director, by April 8, 2016.  She can be reached by telephone at 413-362-1803 or by email at mazurk@arps.org.  

Sincerely,

Maria Geryk, Superintendent of Schools

 

5 de abril del 2016

Estimadas familias de Fort River:

Como saben, la Sra. Finocchio dejará su puesto como Principal de la Escuela de Fort River a partir del 30 de junio. Ella ha hecho un trabajo maravilloso durante su tiempo aquí, y sé que nuestras familias de Fort River se unen a mí deseándole lo mejor cuando se mude de nuevo al este de Massachusetts. Fort River tiene la suerte de tener una excelente Vice-Principal, Diane Chamberlain, y una facultad y un personal excepcional que proporcionaran estabilidad y apoyo durante este tiempo de transición.

El distrito ha publicado la posición de Principal y pronto comenzará el proceso de contratación, que se inicia con el nombramiento de un Comité de Selección. El Comité de Selección estará compuesto por tres padres / encargados, tres miembros del personal de Fort River, y dos administradores de la Oficina Central. La función del Comité de Selección es revisar todas las solicitudes, realizar las entrevistas iniciales, y recomendarme los candidatos finalistas. La línea de tiempo para el proceso de selección y la selección es el siguiente:

PASO I: Revisión de los Solicitantes por el Comité de Selección-Completado para el 25 de abril 2016 

        Los miembros del comité de selección deben estar disponibles para venir a la oficina central a revisar la lista de candidatos y participar en una reunión en la cual se seleccionarán los candidatos semifinalistas. 

PASO II: Entrevistas del Comité de Selección -Semana del 2 de mayo 2016 

       Los miembros del Comité de Selección deben estar disponibles para participar en las entrevistas de los candidatos semi-finalistas durante la semana del 2 de mayo. Al final del día, el viernes 6 de mayo, el Comité de Selección se reunirá conmigo para revisar los       candidatos y hacer una recomendación acerca de cuáles candidatos se deben invitar a las entrevistas de finalistas. La función formal del Comité de Selección termina con esta recomendación.

Esperamos invitar los finalistas a la Escuela de Fort River durante la semana del 16 de mayo del 2016. Durante estas visitas, los candidatos finalistas pasarán un día en Fort River recorriendo la escuela y observando los salones. Cada candidato se reunirá con los estudiantes, maestros, administradores, y conmigo. También habrá una noche de Foro Público, para que los padres y encargados puedan reunirse y proporcionar comentarios sobre cada finalista. El objetivo es seleccionar y anunciar el nuevo de Principal Fort River a la comunidad para el 27 de mayo del 2016.

Si usted está interesado en servir en el Comité de Selección, por favor, póngase en contacto con Kathryn Mazur, Directora de Recursos Humanos, antes del 8 de abril del 2016. Se le puede contactar por teléfono al 413-362-1803 o por correo electrónico a mazurk@arps.org.

Sinceramente,

Maria Geryk, Superintendente de Escuelas

Change a Light Change the World! Green Energy Fundraiser

Information came home last week in your child's backpack about this awesome fundraiser! In partnership with Eversource, Fort River will keep 100% of the money spent on residential energy efficient supplies (light bulbs, powered strips, etc.)

Students attended an Assembly on Wednesday, March 30 to learn about easy ways that we can all help to protect our planet Earth. 

Forms and payment are due by April 13. Click the link for easy access to the order form:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-2bHm-1AjRfcm96RkV6N3MyWG8

2nd Annual International Festival on the Town Common - April 9

Students, residents and visitors to the Amherst Common on April 09, 2016 will be able to join in one of the biggest event in Amherst for the spring 2016 as well as celebrate and raise awareness of the colorful cultural diversity within our community. Everyone will be given the opportunity to achieve the dream of traveling around the world in one day with our collaborative cultural booths, contemporary performances, exclusive souvenirs and handmade goods from your favorite countries, as well as enjoying our local vendors’ authentic food. Exclusively, there would be more activities for kids such as the petting zoo, arts and crafts provided by Amherst Family Center and UMass Craft Center. 

There is no entrance fee. Hours are from 1:00 p.m., to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 09, 2016 

For more information, please visit www.umassisc.weebly.com and https://www.facebook.com/isc.umass or contact umass.isc@gmail.com

ARPS Forming Food Services Visioning Group - Looking for Parent & Community Participants

ARPS is seeking a couple of parents from each school to serve on a Food Services Visioning Group. The group will begin meeting this summer. See details and contact information below.

From the ARPS Finance Director, Sean Mangano

March 31st, 2016

Good afternoon,

Food services are more complex than ever with various trends/movements rising to the surface: organic, buying local, nutritional standards, GMOs, service delivery... The district is forming a visioning group to identify goals and priorities and set a clear direction for the food service program. 

The group will include parents, School Committee members, community members, Wellness Committee members, and teachers.

I envision four or five meetings during the summer and fall with a recommendation to school committee in the winter.

Please email me if you would like to participate.
Thank You.
Sean Mangano
manganos@arps.org

       

Principal Finocchio Announces Departure from Fort River

Last Friday Principal Finocchio announced that she would be leaving Fort River on June 30th of this year. We are extremely sad to see her go and wish her the best! We will share any details about the search for her replacement as they become available. 
Announcement from Principal Finocchio:
April 1, 2016
Dear Families, 
I write this letter to inform you that as of June 30, 2016, I will be leaving the position of principal of Fort River Elementary School.  At this time, I need to relocate back to Eastern Massachusetts to be with my family.  
It is not without sadness that I leave Fort River. Fort River School and the Amherst community will always be special to me.  I feel fortunate and privileged to have had the opportunity to serve as principal for the last two years. It has been an honor to experience strong partnerships with the students, staff, and families in the community.  Although I am leaving Amherst, the fond memories and learning experiences I have had here will stay with me always. 
I am very proud of the achievements and growth our students have made and I know the good work will continue. I am eager to hear about the continued success of our students. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, your children and this outstanding community. To say the very least, I will miss the Fort River School!  
Sincerely, 
Bobbie Finocchio
Principal  

__________________________________
1 de abril del 2016
Queridas familias,
Escribo esta carta para comunicarles que el 30 de junio del 2016, estaré dejando mi cargo de Principal de la Escuela Elemental de Fort River. En este momento, necesito reubicarme de nuevo al este de Massachusetts para estar con mi familia.
No es sin tristeza que dejo la Escuela de Fort River. La Escuela de Fort River y la comunidad de Amherst, siempre serán especiales para mí. Me siento afortunada y privilegiada de haber tenido la oportunidad de servir como principal durante los últimos dos años. Ha sido un honor experimentar alianzas firmes con los estudiantes, el personal y las familias de la comunidad. A pesar de que estoy dejando a Amherst, los recuerdos y las experiencias de aprendizaje, que he tenido aquí permanecerán conmigo siempre.
Estoy muy orgullosa de los logros y el crecimiento que nuestros estudiantes han alcanzado y sé que el buen trabajo continuará. Estaré ansiosa por escuchar sobre el éxito continúo de nuestros estudiantes. Gracias por la oportunidad de servirles a ustedes, sus hijos y esta comunidad excepcional.  ¡Lo mínimo que les puedo decir es que extrañare La Escuela de Fort River!
Sinceramente,
Bobbie Finocchio

2016 Talent Showcase on May 6th! Apply now to be included in theshow!Deadline April 15

Your student is invited to participate in the annual Fort River Talent Showcase! * Please Note! *  Students of all ages are encouraged to participate - this is a change from prior shows. 

The 2016 Talent Showcase will take place on Friday, May 6, at 6:30 PM in the Fort River gymnasium. Bus transportation will be available and schedules will be released prior to the show. A rehearsal will be held immediately after school on May 4.

Proceeds will benefit the 6th Grade Class Graduation and the Fort River PGO. All money raised will stay at Fort River. We will be asking for a suggested donation for adult admission to the show and all kids will attend for free! 

An application packet, including a permission slip, was sent home with students last week. Applications are due by April 15. The documents are also linked here:

Overview

Requirements

Application

Permission

Annual 5th Grade Tag Sale on Saturday, April 30th

SAVE THE DATE AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD DONATIONS! 

The Annual 5th Grade Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, April 30th at Fort River in conjunction with the 6th Grade Car Wash.  

Please gather your household items, clothes, games, books, etc. to donate to the Tag Sale.  You can drop off your donations the week before the Tag Sale, M-F 4/25-4/29, before or after school in Linda Castronovo’s classroom, room F-4. Large items such as furniture can be delivered the morning of the Tag Sale beginning at 8 am, on 4/30.