Crocker Farm and the Odyssey Bookshop Pair Up!

This Saturday, Dec. 5th, from 10-6, the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley will be having an all-day in-store book sale for Crocker Farm Elementary School's library! Everything in the store is part of the fundraiser -- novels, cookbooks, those lovely SIGG water bottles, next year's calendars...you name it. If you present this flyer (just click on it and it should open in another document, ready to print) at the point of sale, 25% of your total purchase will be donated to the school library. That's all you have to do! It's a win-win: you support Crocker Farm and a local independent bookstore, and you get good books to read!

There will also be story time at the Odyssey at 10:30 with Principal Mike Morris and 11:00 with kindergarten teacher Greta Wilcox.

Come join us at the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley and help support Crocker Farm's library!

Coffee with the Principal- and Dr. Marta Guevara this Friday!

Please join Mr. Morris and the CF PGO as we host our monthly "Coffee with the Principal" this Friday, December 4th at 8:30 AM. Our special guest this month will be Dr. Marta Guevara, Director of Interventions and ELE. Dr. Guevara is also actively involved in redistricting planning. As always, siblings are welcome!

Redistricting Informational Meetings Scheduled

WHAT? A MEETING ABOUT REDISTRICTING AND NEXT STEPS

ABOUT? TO SHARE OUR PLAN TO SUPPORT STUDENTS/ FAMILIES AND ANSWER QUESTIONS

WHERE? YOUR CHILD’S CURRENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

DATES? December 7, 2009 – Wildwood
December 14, 2009 – Crocker Farm
**December 17, 2009 – Mark’s Meadow
December 21, 2009 – Fort River

TIME? ALL MEETINGS WILL BE FROM 7:00-8:30 p.m.

**Not confirmed!

***********************************************************************************

¿QUE? REUNION PARA DISCUTIR LA REDISTRIBUCION Y LOS
PROXIMOS PASOS A SEGUIR

¿MOTIVO? PARA COMPARTIR NUESTRO PLAN DE APOYO PARA
ESTUDIANTES/FAMILIAS Y CONTESTAR PREGUNTAS

¿DONDE? EN LA ESCUELA A LA QUE ASISTEN SUS NIÑOS ESTE AÑO

¿FECHA? 7 de Diciembre del 2009 – Wildwood
14 de Diciembre del 2009 – Crocker Farm
**17 de Diciembre del 2009 – Mark’s Meadow
21 de Diciembre del 2009 – Fort River

¿HORA? TODAS LAS REUIONES SERAN DE 7-8:30 p.m.

**No confirmada

Happy Thanksgiving!

The PGO wishes you all a very happy Thanksgiving! See you on Monday!

Winter Clothing Drive - Final Week

The PGO has been collecting lots of great winter outerwear & has 2 distibution times scheduled this week. If you would like any of these clothes for your family or know someone in need, please plan to come by the school Tuesday Nov. 24, 6:00 – 8:00pm or Wednesday Nov. 25, 8:30 – 10:30am.

Donations are still being accepted! We are looking for donations of: * coats * snow pants * snow boots * hats * mittens * gloves * scarves * snowsuits *

Any left over items will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center & other social service orgs. If you have any questions, please contact Erika Zekos (studiozed@comcast.net or 413-559-0224). Thank you for your donation!

Alpaca Holiday Farm Event

Craigieburn Farm Alpacas will again be hosting an Open Farm and Holiday Sale from 10am to 4pm, Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6. Drop by and see this year’s babies and the newly renovated farm store. This is a great family outing, so be sure to bring your camera. The farm is located at 243 W. Pelham Rd. in Shutesbury, one mile south of the school. For more information, go to www.Craigieburnalpacas.com or call 413-253-4485.

Amherstopoly presents $2500 to CF PGO

Amherstopoly presents a check for $2500 to the CF PGO!

This amount represents our school’s portion of the proceeds from sales to date. And there is more to come. Be a part of the exciting (and lucrative) fundraising project for Crocker Farm. Help is needed to continue the sales momentum as we approach the holiday season as well as to plan a 4 school Amherstopoly tournament for January. Contact Becky (beckydemling@yahoo.com) for more details about how you can get involved.

Amherstopoly is a collaboration of the Parent Groups of Crocker Farm, Fort River, Mark’s Meadow and Wildwood Schools to raise funds for student enrichment programs. Copies of the game are available for purchase. Games are $25 each, cash or check (payable to “Amherstopoly”). If you have any questions, please contact Becky (beckydemling@yahoo.com).

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, 100% of the money raised through school sales of the game will go directly to benefit the students. CF portion of sales will be allocated towards the playground fund.

CF Day at Interskate 91!

This Sunday is CF Day at Interskate 91! Join us from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM as we host our first CF PGO Skating Party. Your free admission ticket will be coming home this Thursday in your child(ren)'s folder. Please remember to bring it when you come or you will be charged admission. Don't have skates or blades? Don't worry- they can be rented for $4.50. This is sure to be a fun afternoon and feel free to show your CF spirit! Questions? Please call Becky at 230-3306.

Snacks needed for this Friday!

Calling all bakers and fruit cutters: The PGO is looking for individuals who would be able to bake a little something for Friday to serve as snack to our teachers during the work day. The teachers will be invited to the cafeteria for a little snack at 1:30 PM so all items must be there by then. If you have any questions or would like to sign up to bake, please contact Becky at 230-3306 or beckydemling@yahoo.com. Thanks for your support!

Maintaining excellent schools meeting

Please attend an organizational meeting to harness parent energy in addressing the current Amherst/Amherst Regional budget crisis.

When: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7 p.m.

Where: At MJ Viederman's home, 150 Blackberry Lane, Amherst. Long driveway at the end of the street -- park at the circle and walk into the long driveway, or drive in and park along the left side of the roadway.

Who: Everyone interested in maintaining excellent schools in our community.

Why: The budget situation this year has the potential of making all of our schools unrecognizable. If we work together to utilize the wealth of skill, creativity, and knowledge as a community, then we can build a cooperative plan for all students to continue to excel.

Bring: A smile, your calendar, and all of your ideas.

Enthusiastically supported by the ARMS FSP
Amherst Regional Middle School Family School Partnership

Coming Up at CF

There's a whole lot on the calendar in the next couple of weeks! Here's what's on tap for the rest of November:

9 - 19 - Winter Clothing Drive drop off in the CF Lobby
17 - Picture Retake Day
19 - CF Talent Show 1:30pm, CF Cafetorium
20 - Teacher Work Day - No School
20 - Movie Night (now showing: Up!) 6:00pm, CF Cafetorium
22 - CF Day at Interskate 91! Join us for a free afternoon of skating from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
24 - Winter Clothing pick up time 6:00 - 8:00pm, CF Lobby
24 - School Committee Meeting 7:00, High School Library
24 - Winter Clothing pick up time 8:30 - 10:30am, CF Lobby
25 - Early Dismissal - Thanksgiving Recess
26 - 27 - Thanksgiving Recess

Brrrr! It's Winter Clothing Drive Time

In an effort to ensure that all Crocker Farm children are toasty this winter season the PGO is collecting warm winter outerwear again this year. Please take a look in your closets for any gently used items (ALL sizes, children and adults are needed).

We are looking for donations of: * coats * snow pants * snow boots * hats * mittens * gloves * scarves * snowsuits *

Drop off: During school, November 9 – 19 in the school lobby.

Pick up: If you would like any of these clothes for your family or know someone in need, please plan to come by the school Tuesday November 24, 6:00 – 8:00pm or Wednesday November 25, 8:30 – 10:30am.

Any left over items will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center & other social service orgs. If you have any questions, please contact Erika Zekos (studiozed@comcast.net or 413-559-0224). Thank you for your donation!

Volunteers needed for a Budget Advisory Review Committee

The Amherst School Committee and the Amherst Regional School Committee is looking for volunteers to be part of a Budget Advisory Review Committee. This committee will work with the Budget Sub-Committee as they review budget data for the upcoming fiscal year so as to help formulate a presentation that will address common questions related to the budget and will effectively communicate the school budgets to the larger community. After the committee is formed it will serve from that time until mid January of 2010. Please submit all inquires and indication of interest to Westmorelandd@ arps.org.

PGO Meeting TONIGHT!

The CF PGO will meet TONIGHT from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM in the Community Room. We will be voting on teacher mini grant applications and be updating the community on the new playground, redistricting and so much more! Please join us! As always, free childcare is provided.

H1N1 Vaccines Available

The town of Amherst announced that there will be H1N1 vaccinations offered at the Middle School on Wednesday 11/11 from 9am-1pm for children under age 17 or pregnant woman or those caring for infants under 6 months.

go to the Town website for more info, http://amherstma.gov/ -- it's right on the front page.

Bear in mind that there are only 2000 doses available, and we have more kids than that preK-12 in the Amherst Regional schools, so they could run out before 1:00 pm.

Also remember to bring stuff for kiddos to do while waiting.

Amherstopoly - Great For Giving!

There are still a few Amherstopoly games available for sale through the PGO. Don't have one yet? Want to give one as a gift this winter? Send an email to the PGO at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com & we'll make sure you get a copy! Just $25.00 (& every penny supports the Amherst elementary schools).

Forum For Senatorial Candidates Nov. 8

A forum for candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Edward M. Kennedy will be held at the UMass Amherst on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium. The forum is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and public radio stations WFCR and WNNZ. It is free and open to the public.

An opportunity to register to vote will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Bowker Auditorium. Parking for the forum is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage, which is adjacent to Bowker Auditorium, located in Stockbridge Hall.

For more information call 617-523-2999.

AEF Thanks You For Trivia Bee Support!

The Amherst Regional Middle School auditorium was "abuzz" with contestants and spectators at the Amherst Education Foundation's 15th Annual Trivia Bee on Thursday, October 29. 120 contestants, many in costumes, competed for bragging rights to the title of Amherst area trivia champion. Hosted by AEF President (& CF mom) Katie Allan Zobel and emceed by State Representative Ellen Story, the evening of challenge, wit and fun netted a record $6,150.00 for the benefit of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury schools.

While area schools are the big winners from the event, bragging rights belong to the team of bee champion Jones Group Realtors, comprised of Doug Albertson, Tim McGee, Maureen Porter and Micki Sanderson, who won an exciting sudden death playoff against competitors New England Finishing and the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement. Winning prizes for best costume were the teams from Atkinson Family Practice (Slum"doc" Millionaires), Attorney David Noonan (the Harry Potters) and Minuteman Pest Control (the H1N1 Swine Patrol.) Awards for best team spirit went to the Amherst Club, New England Greenscape and the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement. The audience contest, themed Amherst 250th, offered a unique glimpse into Amherst's past and was won by Jackie Churchill.

The trivia bee marks AEF's first fundraising event since the organization completed its strategic plan last year, and launches what promises to be a new era in AEF history. AEF's mission is to provide significant and consistent support for area teachers and students by awarding grants, funding district-wide projects, and encouraging teacher innovation and academic excellence.

The event was underwritten by Northampton Cooperative Bank and made possible by the local businesses who provided sponsorships for the teams, donated prizes and/or helped with publicity. The Amherst Education Foundation is profoundly grateful to these businesses for their support, and is already looking forward to another successful Trivia Bee in 2010. For more information, or to make a tax-deductible gift to the schools via AEF, please visit our website at www.amhersteducationfoundation.org.

Coffe with the Principal- featuring Irv!

School Committee member Irv Rhodes will attend the Coffee with the Principal tomorrow morning- shouldn't you? The coffee starts at 8:30 AM in the Community Room. There will be coffee and breakfast treats to compliment the discussion. We hope to see you there!

IT'S SO EASY To Support Crocker Farm

There are many ways to support CF without spending an extra dime! Just take a minute to register, recycle or vote and Crocker Farm could earn hundreds of dollars for student activities! PLEASE help out by signing up for these programs TODAY. The more families that sign up the more money the school earns - it's that simple. Thanks!

* Simplified Scrip is a fantastic new fundraiser for Crocker Farm. It's easy, earns money for student enrichment & it costs you nothing more than the face value of the card! Choose from 100s of stores including Stop&Shop, Old Navy, WalMart, Target, Whole Foods, etc. You buy gift cards & the stores give Crocker Farm up to 10% of the value. You're shopping anyways, so why not support your school at the same time?? Here are the ways to start: Order online at www.simplifiedscrip.com or call in your order 1-800-514-1891
Contact Becky Demling (230-3306 / crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com) w/any questions.

Do you have a Target REDCard? Here is the link that gets you to the site where you can designate a percentage of your Target expenditures towards Crocker Farm. Go to Target!

Big Y's Education Express is back. This program earns the school "points" that can be converted into sports equipment, computers, etc. at the end of the year. Last year we earned great instruments and a new cd player for the Music Room!

Stop&Shop's A+BonusBucks program sends a check to Mr. Morris at the end of the year. Last year 60 households earned Crocker Farm over $1000! They donate 3% of your grocery purchase to Crocker Farm! How great is that? Crocker Farm's "Designation Number" is 05194.

Atkins Farm Card. When you show your Atkins Farm Shopping Card they donate a percentage of your purchase right back to us. This generous programs earns Crocker Farm $400 each year!

Collect Box Tops for Education & send them in. The drop box is in the lobby. These really add up!

Recycle your printer's ink jet cartridges at the school. Just send them in your child's backpack & we'll get $1 for each one we recycle!

The next time you clean out your child's closet check the Teacher Wish List. Chances are, someone's looking for what you're trying to get rid of!

Fresh Eggs from Crocker Parent's Chickens!

Need some eggs? Michelle has too many to handle. She has fresh, free range eggs. She has 10 dozen in the fridge right now, and the girls are laying almost 2 dozen a day. She is asking $3 a dozen, and can deliver by arrangement if she is out and about.
Call or e-mail: 256-5412
The email for the farm is blessedacre@yahoo.com.

Social-Emotional Talk

The Counselors at Amherst Regional Middle School will be presenting an educational talk/discussion session for the benefit of parents of middle schoolers. The topic of the first talk will be on the social-emotional development in early adolescence and will be given on *Thursday, November 19 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Middle School Library*. The material for discussion will include social skills, parenting, keeping students safe in cyberspace, typical development, etc. This is a great way to understand the metamorphosis taking place in your adolescent child and how to deal with it. If you would like specific items to be discussed, please send your request to the Family School Partnership Co-Chair, Rama Janaswamy (doctor_jey2000@yahoo.com), and he will make sure to pass them on to the Counselors ahead of the talk. *All parents and families, including those of prospective middle-schoolers, are welcome.*

Coffee Coffee Coffee and Hot Chocolate Too!

The next orders for Crocker Java are due on Wednesday November 4th. Don't forget to pick up some delicious coffee and hot cocoa for these chilly fall days!

Remember that this is a fundraiser for Crocker Farm and everyone gets something great - you get a yummy, organic, Fair Trade product for a very competitive price and the PGO receives $3.00 for each bag we sell. Pretty great!

Click HERE to download an order form.

Washing Machine Wish List

The custodial staff is looking for a used but working washing machine for the school. Please contact the PGO at crockerfarmpgo@gmail if you have one you would be willing to donate.

Original Works Order Forms due Tuesday!

All Original Works orders should be in by Tuesday, November 3rd. Please contact Jeanne Tuthill at 413-256-8777 if you have any questions.

Coffee with the Principal This Friday!

Please join us this Friday,November 6th for Coffee with the Principal at 8:30 AM in the Community Room. Our special guest this month will be School Committee member Irv Rhodes.