#artcontinues this Wednesday 12/7 at Bread & Butter Cafe

A message from former Fort River Art teacher Teri Magner about #artcontinues ...

Just a reminder that this Wednesday is the last open-to-the-public #artcontinues Wine & Painting event in 2016.  We have some scheduled private parties and we still have a few other open dates in December.  If you would like to host one, with a minimum of 10 guests, email me about price packages and details!  You could host a fantastic holiday party or an amazing gift-making party with our canvas, tote bag, and apron options!  Or plan now for a January party for your book group or other friends.  Book your date now!   

This Wednesday is a choice night, as we are bringing back, by popular demand, 

Georgia O'Keeffe's Red Poppy.  We are also offering her Oriental Poppies as a new option!

This BYOB event is on Wednesday, December 7th, from 6:30pm-9:00pm at Bread & Butter Cafe.

Sign up now at terimagner.com as we are expecting a full house!

If you haven't tried this yet, "nobody does wine & painting like we do".  Everyone winds up with a masterpiece!  Enjoy the pics (and see some friends and their successes) at terimagner.com

EAT.  DRINK.  PAINT.     

Best, 

Teri

#artcontinues

terimagner.com

Multi-Arts Children’s Theater Company presents “The First Connection” on December 9th

The Multi-Arts Children’s Theater Company production of “The First Connection” by Xinef D’Agnos will be performed on Friday, December 9, 2016 at the Northampton Community Music Center (NCMC), 139 South St, Northampton, MA at 5pm. Donations accepted to benefit NCMC and the Northampton Patent’s Center. Admission is free to the public. 

“The First Connection” is a hilarious play about aliens trying to take over Earth. It is an entertaining and inspiring play where the unexpected happens. 

Play synopsis: An alien race has searched for a new planet to inhabit for many years, and decide to target Earth. The aliens arrive in the form of a female teenage robot named Emma to study humans in high school in preparation for world domination. Instead, the aliens find friendship, and learn about human emotions.

The playwright, Xinef D'Agnos, an alum of Multi-Arts, is a published author, and writer who has written and directed several plays for Multi-Arts summer camp. Mr. D’Agnos also teaches creative writing workshops to adults for a youth development program, and works with social justice initiatives though the creative arts. He is also a choir director, and acting director of the arts at Hope Community Church of Amherst. 

Sonia Arrubla is the artistic director of the Multi-Arts Children’s Theater Company. A former Colombian theater and television actor, Sonia graduated from New York University’s prestigious Film and Television MFA program in 2001.  She currently works as a theater director and film editor. Her short films have won various international awards.  

Multi-Arts, a non-profit organization, has been offering world-class, innovative performing arts programming for children ages 4 to12 for over 16 years. Its mission is to introduce the arts to all children, regardless of their financial status and/or ethnic background, and to present the children’s work to the larger community. Classes are taught by internationally renowned performers and teachers who work side by side with the children to create original theater productions integrating several arts into a single project. For more information, please visit www.multi-arts.org. 

Contact: Catalina Arrubla

Tel: 413-584-7951

Email: carrubla@gmail.com

Website: multi-arts.org

Barnes & Noble Book Fair THIS SATURDAY, December 3rd

Our Barnes & Noble Book Fair to benefit Fort River is THIS SATURDAY, December 3rd! Since it is the holiday shopping season, we have a fabulous opportunity to raise some much needed money for our school and teachers.  The key is getting the customers at the store to mention Fort River at check out. There is NO COST to shoppers; B&N simply credits Fort River every time our school is mentioned at checkout. It's free money for our school!

Volunteers are needed to really make this day successful for Fort River teachers and students.  Please use the link below to sign up for this festive holiday FUNdraiser.  Please sign up here: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/GV0aZpZ3fEY

TODAY is GIVING TUESDAY

Kick off December, the month of giving, with a donation to the PGO on Giving Tuesday! Your financial contribution to the Fort River PGO in any amount will allow us to continue to provide our school much need funding for enrichment activities, field trips, and classroom supplies.

Please make checks payable to Fort River PGO and send into the Main Office or donate online via PayPal (link top right on this page.)

Every donation helps! Your contributions support daily work in the classrooms by providing curriculum materials for special units, supplementing field trips funds to make them more affordable, and sponsoring visits from authors and other guests. The PGO also hosts numerous school wide events including the upcoming Barnes & Noble Book Fair and the Annual Chili Night for a Chilly Night, and every Fort River family received a Family Directory thanks to your generous donations! Catch the WAVE!

Holiday Toy Fund for Qualifying Families - Applications due by Nov 28th

Holiday Toy Fund for Qualifying Families - Applications due by Nov 28th

The Berkshire Children & Families agency is currently accepting applications from families who wish to be considered for this year's Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.  

The fund gives parents vouchers for children ages 1 through 14 to be used for holiday gifts. 

Applications are not accepted over the phone.  The required eligibility forms can be picked up at the following locations:

* Berkshire Children and Families – 220 Russell St, Hadley

* Amherst Family Center – 1200 N. Pleasant St, Amherst

* Amherst Survival Center - 138 Sunderland Rd, Amherst

* United Way of Hampshire County – 71 King St, Northampton

* Community Action Offices, 17 New South St, Suite 116, Northampton

* Daily Hampshire Gazette, 150 Conz St, Northampton

* Center for New Americans,42 Gothic St, Northampton

* Easthampton Community Center, 12 Clark St, Easthampton

* South Hadley Family Center, 7 Woodbridge St, South Hadley

* Gateway Family Center, 9 Russell Road, Huntington

Applications must be received by November 28, 2016.

Applications should be mailed to:

Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, c/o Berkshire Children & Families, 200 Russell St, Ste 200, Hadley, MA 01035

Cash donations for the Toy Fund are accepted at this web site:   http://toyfund.gazettenet.com/

Donations to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund are tax deductible.  The Toy Fund is a donor-advised fund of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, a 501(c)3 organization.

No School on 11/23, 11/24, and 11/25

There will be No School on Wednesday, November 23, Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25. Enjoy the break!

Norma Jean Anderson Civil Rights and Academic Achievement Award Call for Nominations

The Norma Jean Anderson Civil Rights and Academic Achievement Award applauds the contributions of a current teacher, administrator or staff member in the Amherst and or Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts who promotes the ideals of a just and respectful community built on compassionate relationships. 

Click here to learn more about the award and how to nominate someone.

Dr. Norma Jean Anderson 

(1936—2006)

"This award honors the memory of Norma Jean Anderson who lived and worked in our community and left a legacy of courage, determination and foresight. Dr. Anderson was born in Springfield, IL in 1932. She graduated the University of Illinois with a degree in Business and became the first black school teacher in her hometown. Dr. Anderson completed her doctorate at the University of Illinois in 1966. In 1970, Dr. Anderson came to the School of Education at UMASS Amherst as Associate Dean of Admissions and Alumni Affairs. She lead efforts to recruit a more diverse student body. After retiring from the University in 1994, Dr. Anderson was an educational consultant both nationally and internationally. “She will be remembered for many things, among them her leadership in addressing issues of institutional racism and instilling values of social justice at the School of Education and across the University”

- University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor, John Lombardi, 2006