AEF Stars in Our Schools

Amherst Education Foundation's (AEF) Winter Stars In Our Schools Campaign is underway!

Is there a teacher or staff member that has made a difference in your child's life this year? Say "Thank You!" by making a donation to the Stars In Our Schools Campaign in honor of them and AEF will send a note of gratitude on your behalf, thanking them for all their hard work and dedication. The money raised will help us continue to make grants available in support of teachers and staff in Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury.

Please visit amhersteducationfoundation.org/stars and make your gift today!

You can also read about previous grants awarded by going to amhersteducationfoundation.org/grants

Fort River Winter Clothing Drive

The Fort River PGO is helping Fort River find winter clothing for everyone! We are looking for donations of gently used (or new) winter gear: coats, snow pants, boots, hats and gloves.

A drop-off bin will be located outside the front door of Fort River, December 13 - 23. Please make sure all clothing is clean, in good condition and put your donations in plastic bags.  

Items are available now and more will be distributed in January.

*** If you or your children are in need of warm winter clothing, please contact the school directly. ***

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a day to give back - a day of online giving, intentionally scheduled to come after the shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. On this Giving Tuesday, please consider giving to the Fort River PGO to support our teachers and our school (click the Donate button at https://ftriver.blogspot.com/)

Cool Science Art Competition

Cool Science is a free and public art competition held each fall for all K-12 artists.  Cool Science is a collaboration between the UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, University of Kansas, and Kansas City Art Institute.  Last year Cool Science received a National Science Foundation grant that helped it expand the project beyond Massachusetts to Kansas, Missouri, and Southern New Hampshire. 

Challenge Questions
This year, we are asking young artists to answer one of the following challenge questions with a visual work of art: 

1. What did you learn about extreme weather and climate that you want to teach adults?

2. Why is a weakening Polar Vortex causing wild ups and downs in winter temperatures?

3. How will our lives change as weather becomes more severe?

Competition Winners
During this winter, we will select the best entries for display on public buses in Sep-Nov of 2022.  The honorees will be recognized at our art exhibit celebrations next year.

To Learn More
For further information about the contest, please visit www.coolscience.net.

We look forward to receiving lots of creative entries from your community by January 15, 2022!

Math Curriculum Review

The district is reviewing the elementary math program for grades K-5, an action that has been called for by many staff who have expressed concerns about the efficacy of our current curriculum. It is possible, or even likely, that the Superintendent will end up recommending that we adopt a different curriculum at the end of this process, though implementation of any change(s) would not take place this year. 

It is extremely important to us to include parent/guardian eyes and voices on the Math Curriculum Review Committee.  We anticipate that the review process will go from now until May. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email ftriver@gmail.com. The committee is currently meeting every week for two hours during the work day.

Hannukah Festival of Light

Hanukkah Festival of (Laser) Light

The Pines Theater - Look Park - Florence

Saturday December 4th @ 6:30pm

Celebrate Hanukkah with a dazzling laser light show that includes science, the Hanukkah story, a giant menorah lighting, and more.  A holiday experience for children and adults of all ages and faiths. Register here to reserve your free gift bag (while supplies last). Dress warmly and bring a picnic blanket/camping chairs to sit on.

Free admission to park (includes Winter Wonderland Light Display). Free parking by the train depot.

Letters of Gratitude for Teachers and Staff

Join us in Fort River's "Letters of Gratitude" campaign and show your appreciation for the amazing teachers and staff. Letters will be for a group of teachers or staff (individual letters to specific teachers or staff are welcome, but no need to sign-up for those) and can be from a group, family, parent, or student.

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094eada72ea4f49-letters  

Letters can be e-mailed to Elizabeth (elizabeth.fortriver@gmail.com) or dropped off by December 6.

Feel free to be creative and reach out to Elizabeth with any questions. Thank you for your support!