Family Educational Series: Planning for the Future of Children With Developmental Disabilities

community notice:

Learn about putting together a system that will ensure quality care and support for your special needs child to the end of her or his life. Trusts? Guardians? Medicaid? Quality of life? Learn what you need to know in this series of lunchtime webinars—online presentations and live Q&A sessions with an attorney to help you figure it all out. As a new member of the Hampshire Valley, attorney Pamela Parker will be providing the following educational seminars free of charge to the local community. They are geared toward helping parents of children with developmental disabilities learn and navigate current and future needs. As a parent of three children with disabilities, Parker is committed to helping families of all backgrounds plan for their children’s future needs.  

Family Contributions for Future Support of Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: Special Needs Trusts

Seminar: January 16, 12:30 p.m.

Able Accounts, Sources of Funding, Use of Funds in a Special Needs Trust: 

Seminar/ Open Q&A: January 30, 12:30 p.m.

Day-to-Day Care and Assistance for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: 

Guardians, Trustees, and Other Personal Care Helpers

Seminar: February 13, 12:30 p.m.
Additional Issues/Open Q&A: February 27, 12:30 p.m.

PO Box 3685

Amherst, MA 01004

413.203.9358

Legal@parkercounsel.com

ParkerCounsel.com

Chinese Language Placement Information

Attention 6th Grade Parents: Are you interested in Chinese language instruction at ARMS and ARHS?

In order to finalize Chinese language offerings for next year, ARMS/ARHS staff are inviting rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students and prospective upperclass transfer students to schedule a placement meeting with Yiping Yan, the Chinese language teacher. Meetings can be scheduled by emailing Ms. Yan at yany@arps.org.  Meetings will be scheduled after school between January 8 and January 19.

An information session will be held at 7 pm on February 6th in the ARHS library to share the details of the 2018-2019 Chinese language program. For further information, please contact Ericka Alschuler, ARHS Interim Assistant Principal, at 362-1714.

MassDOT Bus Transportation Survey with Impact for Amherst Passengers

If you use the B43 bus, please answer this important survey, especially if you are someone who relies on it to do things like shopping or getting to medical appointments in between Amherst and Northampton. MassDOT is considering cutting some stops to make it an Express, and routing the bus up 116 to Haigis Mall at UMass and back again, not going through the center of Amherst.

Link to MA DOT Survey

Amherst Historical Society’s 2nd Annual Ski and Winter Gear Sale

The Amherst Historical Society’s 2nd annual Ski and Winter Gear sale takes place on Friday evening, January 5th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, January 6th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crocker Farm Elementary School. The school’s cafetorium will be transformed into a ski market, with experts on hand to assist shoppers with selection and sizing advice to ensure their satisfaction. This two-day sale will offer hundreds of new and used skis, snow boards, skates and accessories at rock-bottom prices.

Consignment/donation opportunities: Anyone wishing to consign or donate their lightly used equipment for inclusion in the sale can do so by bringing it to inside of the front entrance of the Crocker Farm School on Friday, Jan. 5th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to sell that out-grown winter gear at a good price and pick up better equipment.

In addition to supporting events at the Amherst Historical Society, a portion of the proceeds will again be donated to the Crocker Farms Elementary Schools’ annual sixth grade field trip. Additional information is available at the historical society’s website at www.amhersthistory.org and also contact us at info@amhersthistory.org

Thank You for Giving!

#GivingTuesday was an incredible success for our community. Over $1500 was raised on Facebook on November 28. Thanks to everyone who gave so generously!

The Fort River Student Council Necessities Drive was a huge success! Supplies for victims of Hurricane Maria are being organized by the 6th grade Council this week and will be in the hands of those who need them very soon!

The Annual Fund is ongoing. The PGO depends on donations to the Annual Fund to cover about 30% of the annual budget. If you are able to help, please use PayPal on the PGO blog or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort River PGO." Thanks!

A 21st Century Nutcracker on December 16

Join The Center Dance in Amherst on Saturday, December 16th for an exciting spin on a wintertime classic! It’s A 21st Century Nutcracker – dance styles from across the globe (and right next door!) set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.

Curtains will rise in the Amherst Regional High School auditorium at 1 and 5 PM.

Tickets are available online or, beginning 11/24, at The Center Dance Studio (321 Main Street, in Amherst).

Ticket Prices:

Advance: $12/general public, $10/seniors & children 12 and under

At Door: $14/general public, $12/seniors & children 12 and under

A 21st Century Nutcracker.  Let’s play with tradition!

PGO Meeting on December 14 at 9 am

General PGO Meeting

Thursday, December 14

9 - 10 am

Please join the PGO Board for our monthly meeting. All current Fort River parents and guardians are welcome! Budget, fundraising plans, and volunteer needs will be discussed. Small children are always welcome!