Order Your Coffee NOW!

The next orders for Crocker Java are due this Wednesday February 3rd.

Just $8.50 per pound of organic, Fair Trade, caffinated goodness... give it a try! The PGO offers this service to you Every Month so you can order from us just once or keep coming back each month. We sell regular, decaf, hot cocoa & dark chocolate covered espresso beans - YUM!

Click HERE to download an order form.

Looking Ahead to February

Get those calendars ready... save the dates!

Thursday, February 4- CF Band/Orchestra.Chorus performance- 1:30 and 7pm
Friday, February 5- Coffee w/ Mr. Morris 8:45-9:30 am. Community Room
Saturday, February 6- LSSE Winter Fest at Cherry Hill Golf Course
Monday, February 9- CF Night at the Pub! Eat out to benefit the PGO!
Thursday, February 11- PGO Meeting 6:30-7:30 Community Room
February 15-19-NO SCHOOL- Winter Break

Wednesday Clubs continue throughout the month with the exception of Feb 17th (Winter Break).

Events for families attending a new school in the fall:

Wildwood and Fort River have announced dates for Incoming Families Informational Meetings:

Tour and information sessions for future Wildwood families: Feb. 25 at 6:00 PM and Feb. 26 at 8:30 AM and noon at Wildwood School
Tour and information sessions for future Fort River families: Feb. 11 at 6:00 PM and Feb. 12 at 8:00 AM and noon at Fort River School

Wildwood Get Together at the Moan & Dove, Feb 9th.

There will be an informal, fun, get-together for the parents and guardians of ALL children who will be attending Wildwood Elementary next year. We are hoping to spend time getting to know one another in a casual, no-pressure setting. We will meet for drinks, good conversation and laughs at the Moan and Dove on Tuesday February 9th at 7:30 pm. Please spread the word and bring friends. Any questions? Contact, Andrea Coleman (colemanbaird@gmail.com)

Band Concert!

You'll be tapping your toes and humming along. Come hear wonderful music played by our very own Crocker Farm musicians!

When: Thursday, Feb 4, 1:30 and 7 p.m.
Where: Crocker cafeteria

See you there!

Movie Night tonight

Grab your sleeping bag and a friend and come watch "Ratatouille" at Crocker Farm tonight! Doors open at 6, movie starts at 6:30. Popcorn and drinks will be for sale.

(Although after watching this movie, you'll wish you had take out from Chez Albert!)

Sew, can you help?

We need someone who can sew! The teachers working on Math Night (coming March 24th -- mark those calendars!) are searching for a volunteer who knows how to sew.

This year at Math Night, each family will decorate a fabric square to be made either into a quilt or a banner. This is where the sewing expert is needed. Can you help create the quilt or banner?

We already have one parent volunteer for this project but we need another. If you can help, please email us at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com.

Big Brown Envelope Playground Fundraiser!

Look this week in your child's folder for our Big Brown Envelope Fund Raiser to help build the new Crocker Farm playground! This is the first in a series of events planned to help us reach our goal of $43,000. You can donate by returning the Big Brown Envelope to school in your child's backpack, or by clicking the "Donate" button on the top right of this blog.

You can also make your gift tax-deductible by visiting the Crocker Farm "donate" section of the Amherst Education Foundation website. All funds donated through AEF in this way will be allocated to the playground fundraiser.

Please help us build a beautiful new resource for our children and for our community. Thank you all for your support!

Budget Forum Announced

Regional School Committee Public Budget Hearing Feb. 2 - 6th Grade Parents Take Note!

Tuesday, February, 2nd at 6:30pm the Regional School Committee will host a public budget hearing at the Town Room in Amherst Town Hall.

6th Grade parents and guardians may be particularly interested in reviewing the Middle School budget priorities for next year and giving the administrators your feedback.

Please join the discussion about the FY11 priorities for our schools. All community input is welcome.

Hope to see you there!

3rd Grade Bake Sale Tomorrow

Ms. Holland's class will be holding a bake sale Thursday, January 28th outside their room (24) to subsidize the cost of their upcoming field trip to the Springfield Museums. The bake sale will be held from 9:00 - 11:30 AM and 1:30 - 3:00 PM. All items will be priced from 25 - 50 cents.

A New Playground For Crocker Farm!!

Calling all Amherst residents...

We need your help building a new playground at Crocker Farm! Our existing equipment is almost 20 years old, in bad shape, and many components are broken. The landscaping needs to be updated to adhere to legal codes and provide basic safety. There is simply not enough equipment to meet the physical needs of the school.

The proposed new playground for Crocker Farm is a lively outdoor space which will better support Crocker Farm's growing student body. It also will be a destination play area for the greater Amherst community. Playgrounds encourage children to develop strong social skills, understanding of spatial concepts, and appreciation for physical activity.

With redistricting, it is more important than ever to create a play space that meets the physical needs of a expanding school. We have an ambitious goal of raising $40,000 to have a new playground installed this summer. Please help us reach this goal by donating today! Donations can be made right here at the button on the top right of the page or mailed to:

Crocker Farm PGO
280 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002
ATTN: Playground

For more information, please contact Becky at 230-3306 or email the PGO at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support!

Wednesday Club participant needs a ride!

If you're a Wednesday Club parent or guardian who lives near Bay Road, would you be able to give another Wednesday Club student a ride home? If this is something you can do, please email us (CrockerFarmPGO@gmail.com) and we'll connect you. Thanks!

Friday Night is Movie Night

Wear your pajamas, bring your sleeping bags and join us this Friday, January 29th in the cafeteria for Movie Night! This month's showing is Ratatouille. Doors open at 6PM and the movie begins promptly at 6:30 PM. As always, there will be popcorn and drinks for sale. If you are able to help, please email us at crockerfarmpgo@blogspot.com. Hope to see you there!

2- Hour Delay Today

Let the kids sleep in! Due to slippery road conditions, there is a two hour delay this morning. Enjoy the late start!

Support Athletics in Amherst

Support Athletics in Amherst - Monte Carlo Night - March 13!

As you probably know, the athletics budget at the regional level is being cut yet again, and the likelihood is that in the coming years, the only funding for athletics will be for the Athletic Director's salary.

This means all coaches and equipment must be paid for through fund raising efforts.

You may think this does not pertain to you at the elementary level, but your children will soon be in middle and high school, and without support, sports teams may be cut before your child can take advantage of the opportunity.

So...

Get your tickets now for MONTE CARLO NIGHT! Saturday, March 13, at Valentine Hall on the Amherst College Campus. This adults only event is a fabulous chance to get out of the house, see your friends, gamble (with funny money), dance, and more. You are not required to dress formally, although some people do take the opportunity to put on the black tie and gown!

To find out more, and get your tickets, just click here.

Coffee with the principal tomorrow!

Join the PGO, Mr. Morris, and School Committee member Andy Churchill for coffee Friday morning at 8:30 while we talk to about budgetary and school-related issues! Children are always welcome with you.

Hope to see you there!

Additional Preschool Wish List

Linda Prothers, another one of our preschool teachers, has a wish list, too! She would love to have:

gallon Ziploc bags
1 or 2 hand crank pasta makers
any Playmobil sets your family might have outgrown

If you can help, please bring your clearly labeled items to her classroom or the front office.

Thank you!

New Wish List

Alicia Chin-Gibbons (Preschool 2 Room 12) has requested the following items:


1. 1-2 yards Fuzzy material
2. 3 yds. Spandex (stretchy material)
3. Low odor dry erase markers
4. Crayon Rocks at The Toy Box
5. Plain vinyl or hard plastic place mats

Any one wishing to donate any item mentioned can do so by leaving it in the office (labeled of course!) or by bringing it to her room. Thanks for your support!

How do YOU read your Chronicles?

If you aren't receiving the Crocker Chronicles online and would like to, just click here to sign up! Easy, speedy, and saves a tree! What's not to love?

The Crocker Chronicles: coming soon to an email in-box near you.

Need a February vacation idea?

WINTER VACATION CAMP

Hitchcock Center Staff
Young Naturalists (ages 6-8)
Nature Explorers (ages 9-11)
Monday - Friday, February 15-19, 2010, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join us for your choice of from one to five days of winter exploration. We'll spend time indoors focused on animal tracks and signs, snow geology, evergreens or winter weeds. And we'll go outside every day to experience both the excitement and peace of nature in winter. Songs, crafts, games, and live animal observations will all be a part of our days. Call (413) 256-6006 to pre-register. Partial scholarships may be available.

Members: $45 / day; Non-members: $55 / day

Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Inc.
525 South Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 256-6006
fax (413) 253-2809
hcenter@crocker.com

PGO Meeting this Thursday

Before you head out for the long weekend, please join us in the Community Room this Thursday, January 14th from 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM for an update on all PGO activities. January's agenda features plenty of updates, new initiatives and reorganization info. As always child care and snack are provided. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday Clubs Registrations Due... Wednesday

Don't forget to send in your child/ren's Wednesday Club Registration forms (and donation checks) by Wednesday the 13th.

MLK DAY is Here!

Please join us tomorrow, Tuesday, January 12th for Crocker Farm's annual MLK Celebration! This year's theme is: Step Up Now!

There will be a Potluck Breakfast from 8:00 - 9:00 AM- Please bring a finger food to share.

The Whole School Assembly begins at 1:30 PM.

Both events will be held in the cafeteria.

Questions? Contact Becky at 230-3306 or beckydemling@yahoo.com.

We hope to see you there!

Open House Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

At last night's Open House for all in-coming families, one dad goodnaturedly asked for the recipe for our oatmeal raisin cookies. In another example of the PGO immediately responding to a Crocker Farm need:

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2 sticks of butter
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
1 t baking soda
2 c oatmeal
2 c raisins

Cream butter & sugars. Add eggs & vanilla, beat til smooth. Gradually stir in flour, baking soda, oatmeal, & raisins. Bake at 350 for 11 minutes.

The Crocker Farm PGO: supporting Crocker Farm Elementary School one cookie at a time.

Wednesday Clubs Are Here!

At long last the PGO is excited to announce that a 6 week session of Wednesday Clubs will begin on January 20th. Look for a registration form in your email and in your child's backpack!

Registration forms are due back to school no later than Wednesday January 13th!

With 8 wonderful club topics to choose from (such as Beginning Gardening, Fun with Food, Spanish Superheros, Athletics, Intermediate Chess and more) there's sure to be something for every kid!

January Calendar of Crocker Farm Events

12 - MLK Day Breakfast 8:00-9:00am Cafeteria
12 - MLK Day Assembly 1:30pm Cafeteria
13 - Wednesday Clubs Registration Forms due14 - PGO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm Community Room
15 - Teacher Workday - No School
18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School20 - Wednesday Clubs 1:20 - 2:50pm
22 - (new date) First Friday Coffee w/ Mr. Morris 8:45 - 9:30am Community Room
26 - School Committee Meeting 7:00, High School Library
27 - Wednesday Clubs 1:20 - 2:50pm
29 - CF Movie Night (Showing Ratatoulle) Cafeteria doors open at 6:00, movie starts at 6:30

National Girls & Women In Sports Day

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is a day to recognize, celebrate and encourage girls and women in sport. By “girls and women in sport,” we refer to girls in all levels of athletics, from the nationally ranked collegiate athlete to the recreational exerciser. Smith College wants to do its part to promote girls in sport so we are offering this day of sports clinics to local 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls.

Sunday, January 31, 2010
12:30pm Registration at Indoor Track & Tennis Building

Youth Sport Clinics: all girls will participate in five different sports (Girls will be randomly assigned to sports that could include Frisbee, field hockey, lacrosse, rowing, tennis, softball, rugby, volleyball, soccer, rock climbing, and others TBA).

4:00pm Parent Pick-up at Drop Off for Registration

All participants will receive a t-shirt, certificate, and snacks!


Name _______________________________ Grade _____________ Phone ________________

Address ___________________________ City _________________ Zip __________

I hereby state that my daughter is in good physical health and may participate in the NGWSD activities. I also give my permission to a member of the NGWSD Staff, in case of emergency, to allow my daughter to be treated in the emergency room at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Signature of Parent/Guardian ______________________________________________________

Send to: SAAC, Ainsworth Gym, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063
For further information, contact the Athletic Department at 585-2705
All events, t-shirts, and snacks are free, compliments of Smith Athletics

Munson Library PC Help

PC Software Doctor Hank will be at the Munson Memorial Library on Tuesday: January 19^th, January 26^th, February 2^nd, and February 9^th from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to help PC users with those pesky software problems. Bring that new laptop or use one of the Munson Library’s computers to find the answers that the manual does not explain.

Call the Munson Memorial Library for more information at 259-3095 after 2:00 p.m. PC Software Doctor Hank is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is free and open to the public.

MLK Day on January 12th

You are invited to Crocker Farm's MLK Community Celebration on

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
(Snow Date: January 21, 2010)

Potluck Breakfast from 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Whole School Assembly- 1:30 PM

Both events will be held in the cafeteria.

This year's theme is: Step Up Now!

Please bring a finger food to share at breakfast.

ARPS Community Workshops - Open to all

The following series of workshops are being offered to families and community members over the course of this school year. School staff are also invited to attend these presentations. All workshops will take place in the evening and there is no fee.

Educational Implications of Chronic Medical Conditions in Children
Presenter: Dr. Emily Gonzalez
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: Professional Development Center at the Amherst Middle School


Family Literacy Support (ten week program)
Through the Family Story Power Project and a special Family Literacy Session families will take an active role in helping children become lifelong readers and writers. The Family Story Power Project is a ten week program for families facilitated by a LitLife Team Leader or school-based leader and cultivates a group of parents or caregivers and children in falling in love with books and stories. These sessions will focus on everything parents want to know about how to foster a love of reading at home, including suggestions for books, reading strategy support and writing techniques for families to use together.

Presenter: Pam Allyn, LitLife Team Leader
Dates: Spring, 2010 Exact dates will be announced


The Socio-Emotional Lives of Preschoolers
Presenters: Dr. Emily Gonzalez and Dr. Fran Kelly
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: Professional Development Center at the Amherst Middle School



Please see the attached flyer for more details. To register for a workshop please contact Sharon Gross at GrossS@arps.org or call 413-362-1828.

Art Class Opportunity!

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is offering an art class for children ages 5-7 on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Entitled "Spaces and Places," this class runs from January 12 through February 9th. For more information, please call the museum at 413.658.1133 or visit: www.picturebookart.org/Programs_Events/Classes and register online.

A Crocker Farm family will be bringing their child from school to this class every week and has volunteered to bring one more child. If you are interested in sending your child, please email us and we will put you in touch with this family.

Coffee Coffee Coffee and Hot Chocolate Too!

The next orders for Crocker Java are due this Wednesday January 6th. Don't forget to pick up some delicious coffee and hot cocoa for these cold winter days!

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. And we offer this service to you Every Month so you can order from us regularly or just once in a while.

Click HERE to download an order form.

A look ahead to 2010...

Happy New Year from the PGO! 2010 will be an exciting year with its share of change and celebration. We have so many things coming up, please save the date.

January 8th: Coffee with the Principal rescheduled to January 22nd.

January 12th: CF MLK Day Celebration
Please join us for this amazing and inspiring tradition. The day begins with a community potluck breakfast in the cafeteria from 8-9AM. The all-school assembly will be held at 1:30 PM. These events are open to the entire community. We hope everyone can join us. As always, siblings are welcome.

Please bring a breakfast dish to share. Volunteers are also needed to help set-up for the event on Monday, January 11th. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Becky at 230-3306. The snow date for this event is January 22nd.

January 14th: The January PGO meeting will be held from 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM. Childcare is provided.

January 15th: No School Day- Teacher Meetings

January 18th: No School Day- MLK Day

January 20th: Wednesday Clubs begin- look for details next week!

January 22nd: Coffee with the Principal (rescheduled from the 8th) at 8:30 AM in Community Room. Our special guest speaker will be Andy Churchill, Chair of the Amherst School Committee. He will discuss the upcoming FY 11 School Budget.

January 29th: Movie Night- showing Ratatoulle
The PGO will begin its fundraising drive for a new playground this month. We have equipment selected, grants applied for on our way to building a front playground that we can be proud of! We have a lofty goal of $40,000 to make this happen and need everyone to be part of it. If you are interested in lending a hand, please contact Becky at 230-3306 or beckydemling@yahoo.com.

Have a safe and very happy new year!