Sixth graders - this one's for YOU!

Amherst College Swimming & Diving Lessons for kids

Amherst College Swimming and Diving Lessons for kids run from early April to early May.   Registration deadline is March 22nd. 

Registration Forms and information are available at this link:
https://www.amherst.edu/athletics/teams/winter/swimming/lessons  

For more information, please contact Karin Brown.   

Karin Brown
Assistant Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach
Amherst College
Phone: 413-542-8196

Childcare for Principal Finalist Review Night

Please see the pre-registration form below for childcare for the principal finalist review nights on March 4 and 6. If you are planning on attending and need childcare, please complete and return to the office by TOMORROW, Friday, March 1.

If you have any questions, please call the school at 413 362 1600.

(Click on the image to enlarge it.)

Save the Date!

Community Skate to support

6^th Grade Graduation at Crocker Farm!

 Mullins Ice Rink at UMass

Sunday, March 10, 2013

11:30 AM -1:20 PM

(please note this is the first day of daylight savings)

Spring ahead with 6th grade students and their families with a late winter skate!

This event is open to the public.  All are welcome.

Admission is $4 per child, $6 per adult.  Skate rental is $4.

Baked treats by donation.

All admission proceeds benefit the 6^th grade graduation fund.

For more information, please contact

Rachel at rcl20@verizon.net or Becky at 413-230-3306

La búsqueda del nuevo principal

Estimada Familia Crocker Farm

Estoy escribiendo actualizarlos acerca de la búsqueda del nuevo principal para la escuela Crocker Farm.  Los miembros del comité de selección se reunieron la semana pasada y han recomendando una lista de finalistas a la superintendente Geryk.

Hay cinco finalistas que visitaran el distrito; dos de ellos lo harán el lunes, 4 de Marzo y los otros tres, lo harán el miércoles, 6 de marzo.  Dentro de los próximos días, yo brindare información mas especifica acerca de los nombres de los finalistas, junto con la información biográfica de cada uno de ellos.  Hay un retraso en la liberación de las identidades de los finalista, con el fin de poder acomodar su disponisbilidad y poder notificar a sus empleadores actuales acerca de sus estado como finalistas, sin embargo, yo quise que la comunidad supiera tan pronto pude cuando estas visitan se realizaran. Los foros públicos empezaran en el atardecer del lunes, 4 de marzo a las 6:30 p.m  y el miércoles, 6 de marzo a las 6:15 p.m., en la escuela.

CF Principal search information

** Update on search for a new principal of Crocker Farm School **

Screening Committee members met last week and have recommended finalists to Superintendent Geryk.  There will be five finalists visiting the district; two candidates on Monday, March 4, and three candidates on Wednesday, March 6.  

Within the next day specific information about the names of the finalists, along with background biographical information about each will be forthcoming.  There is a delay in releasing the identities of the finalists in order to accommodate their ability to notify their current employers of their status as finalists.  

The evening public forums will be held at Crocker Farm at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 4, and 6:15 pm on Wednesday, March 6. 

Public hearing Tuesday!

The Superintendent and the School Committee chair have agreed to delay the budget vote in order to have a public hearing about the budget on this Tuesday, February 26th, at 7 pm in the high school library.

Questions?  Want to know more?  Click here.

Please come and share your thoughts on the proposed budget.

Reminder: Meeting for 6th Grade Parents about 7th Grade Math

Grade 6 Parent/Guardian Math Meeting

Date: February 27, 2013
Time: 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Amherst Regional Middle School Library

You are invited to a conversation with the Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Rhonda Cohen, and the Math/Science Coordinator K-8, Dr. Ian Stith, to learn about where we are in the process regarding the 7th grade math program.  Given that the district is reviewing the 6-12 math program, we are especially interested in meeting with parents/guardians to learn more about their child's experiences in our current program and answer any questions you might have.

 

School Regionalization Forum - Sat March 2nd, 10 am

Amherst Regional School District Planning Board (RSDPB) Forum
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013, 10 am
ARHS Library

The RSDPB is a 12-member committee consisting of representatives from Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury who have been meeting and gathering information as a first step as these four towns explore the possibility of creating a regional school district that includes the elementary schools. 


At next Saturday's forum, RSDPB members will meet with Amherst residents to provide information about this process and gather feedback on the Report to Our Communities and the consultants' findings presented at a February 2nd four town forum regarding regionalization. 
 
Then, On March 9th, the RSDPB is expected to vote on whether or not to move forward in exploring a preK-12 or preK-6 region for elementary schools. If the RSDPB votes to continue explorations, residents in all four towns would eventually have to approve any elementary region.
 
For more info:
Go to http://RegionalSchoolPlanning.com for materials from the Report to Our Communities, including reports from the four town regionalization forum. 
 

Go to http://amherstmedia.org/meetings under Miscellaneous for cable rebroadcast times of the four town 2/2/13 regionalization forum.   The forum and consultants' presentations can also be viewed on-demand at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FVds_f3Tc4&feature=youtu.be

Here is the schedule of all the RDSPB upcoming forums:
Amherst: Saturday, March 2, 10 am in Amherst Regional High School Library
Shutesbury: Wednesday Feb. 27, 6:30 pm at Shutesbury Elementary School
Leverett: Thursday Feb. 28, 6:30 pm at Leverett Elementary School
Pelham: Saturday March 2, 10 am in Ramsdell Room of Pelham Library Complex

School Committee Meeting Tues 2/26 -- Includes Budget Hearing

Please note:  The vote on the budget that was originally scheduled for this meeting will now be held at a future school committee meeting (possibly on March 19th). 

The school district today released clarifying information about the budget, including explanations of decreases and increases in the line-by-line budget between FY2013 and FY2014. 

The clarifying budget documents are available here:   
http://www.arps.org/node/4412

AMHERST SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 2013

AGENDA

Welcome (7:00 p.m.)

A. Call to Order  

B. Agenda Review

C. Approve Minutes—January 15 and February 5, 2013        

Public Comments (7:05 p.m.)

Superintendent’s Update (7:15 p.m.)

New and Continuing Business

A. Enrollment Update & School Choice Hearing (7:20 p.m.)

B. Time and Learning Recommendation Vote (7:30 p.m.)

C. FY13 Second Quarter Budget Update (7:40 p.m.)

D. FY14 Budget Public Hearing #2 (8:00 p.m.)

Subcommittee Reports  (8:40 p.m.)

A. RSDPB Update                                                     

School Committee Planning (8:45 p.m.)

A. Calendar

B. Items for Future Agendas

Adjournment (9:00 p.m.)

Theatre Opportunity

Amherst Leisure Services Community Theatre

Presents

Auditions

For

Missoula Children’s Theatre’s

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

 

 

Contact:

Susan Raker

Amherst Leisure Services Community Theatre

413-461-6722

February 14, 2013

 

 

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Auditions

 

          Auditions will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) musical production of SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Monday, February 25th at the Amherst Middle School Cafeteria from 4:15pm to 6:15pm. All those auditioning should arrive at 4:00 and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of those cast in the show will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the auditions.

 

          If you’ve loved the classic story, you’ll be delighted by this fresh and cheerful new production! Among the roles to be cast are Snow White, Queen, seven Dwarfs, her Forest Friends, Black Forest Creatures, a Magic Mirror, Bats, Henchmen and the King.  Students from Kindergarten age to 12^th grade are encouraged to audition.  No advance preparation is necessary.  Assistant Directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals throughout the week, and to take on essential backstage responsibilities. There are 50-60 roles available, with parts in every age group. This is a group audition, and no advance preparation is necessary--though a smile always helps! There is a $5 Registration Fee for all those who are cast (waivers available).

 

          The Missoula Children’s Theatre touring productions are complete with costumes, scenery, props and makeup. The MCT Tour Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals throughout the week from 4:00-8:30 Monday, February 25th – Friday, March 1^st. Not everyone will need to be present at every rehearsal.

 

          SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS will be presented on Saturday, March 2nd at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm in the Amherst Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students under 18 and seniors.

 

          For more information, go to “Children’s Theatre” at ALSCT.org, or call Susan at 413-461-6722. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS—Join us for a magical time in the forest!

 

Weekend fun

Hawaiian Dance postponed to 3/8/2013

School dance has been rescheduled - due to lack of planning - to Friday March 8th at 7pm!  Check backpacks for flyers and notices!  Thanks,
The PGO

No School Monday 2/11

• Message: 

  All schools are closed.

  All Amherst-Pelham Regional, Amherst Public and Pelham Elementary Schools are closed today, Monday, February 11th.
  

School Regionalization Forum Canceled for Wednesday 2/13, will be Rescheduled

The school regionalization forum with the Amherst Regional School District Planning Board (RSDPB) that was scheduled for this coming Wed (2/13) at the high school has been canceled.   It will be rescheduled for a date still to be determined.

The RSDPB is a 12-member committee consisting of representatives from Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury who have meeting and gathering information as a first step as these four towns explore the possibility of creating a regional school district that includes the elementary schools. 

To find out more about the RSDPB and the exploration regarding school regionalization or to view the consultants' reports discussed at the Feb 2nd four town regionalization forum, please visit
http://RegionalSchoolPlanning.com

The recording of the Feb 2nd regionalization forum and the consultants' presentations is being rebroadcast on local cable and can also be viewed on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FVds_f3Tc4&feature=youtu.be

Coffee with a School Committee member!

Questions about the proposed school budget?  Thoughts about how to get more time spent on learning into the school year?  Any other school-related issues on your mind?

Come speak with School Committee member (and CF dad!) 

Amilcar Shabazz this Friday morning at 8:45.

Grade 6 Parent/Guardian Math Information

Grade 6 Parent/Guardian Math Meeting

 

Date: February 27, 2013
Time: 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Amherst Regional Middle School Library

 

You are invited to a conversation with the Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Rhonda Cohen, and the Math/Science Coordinator K-8, Dr. Ian Stith, to learn about where we are in the process regarding the 7th grade math program.  Given that the district is reviewing the 6-12 math program, we are especially interested in meeting with parents/guardians to learn more about their child's experiences in our current program and answer any questions you might have.

Budget talks and presentations

Superintendent Maria Geryk outlines the impacts of the proposed FY2014 budget at the Feb 5th School Committee Meeting.  To reduce $656K from the budget, the proposal includes cutting 1 classroom teacher from Wildwood, and cutting the following staff across the district: 0.5 Art, 0.4 Music, 0.3 PE, 1.5 Spanish, 1 ELA Curriculum Leader, 9 Paraprofessionals, 1 Educational Team Leader, 1 Guidance Counselor, 1 Clerical and ADDING 1 Steps to Success Liason to implement an achievement program for income-eligible families.  See details of her presentation at the link below.  

http://www.arps.org/files/Amherst%20budget%20adds%20&%20cuts%20presentation%20(2-5-13).pdf

If you have any input or suggestions, please email the Amherst School Committee at schoolcommittee@arps.org before the next School Committee Meeting on February 26.

Homework guidelines

The school administration is currently in the process of trying to finalize homework guidelines for grades K-6.  They really want YOUR input!  Please click here to read the guidelines in draft form.  Then let Cathy Aldrich know what you think.  Email her at AldrichCA@arps.org with your thoughts, suggestions, comments, compliments...

Amherst Schools closed Friday February 8th, 2013

Message from www.arps.org: 

All schools are closed.

All Amherst-Pelham Regional, Amherst Public and Pelham Elementary Schools will be closed Friday February 8th

Winterfest switched to SUNDAY!

Hello Everyone:

It’s Official!  In light of the most recent weather forecasts that predict that this major snow storm will last well into Saturday morning, we have postponed WinterFest to the following day, Sunday, February 10^th.  Thank you for your understanding.  Our WinterFest committee is in the process of contacting the over 100 volunteers and performers involved in this event in order to provide the same high quality production that we originally had planned for Saturday.

 

Stacey Lecuivre

Program Director, LSSE

413.259.3191

lecuivres@amherstma.gov

Vacation lacrosse clinic for girls!

Benefit Concert at Wildwood Friday 2/8 at 7 pm

Benefit concert by AyreCraft
Wildwood Elementary School
Friday February 8th at 7 pm

All proceeds will go to the Peshkov and Rolling Green Fire Funds.

AyreCraft will perform a concert of English and Scottish songs at Wildwood Elementary School this Friday. The program will include songs from the late 16th and 17th-century heyday of the lute and theorbo in England, chiefly by Francis Pilkington, Thomas Campion, John Wilson and Henry Lawes, as well as popular songs of the Restoration period from the collections of Thomas Durfey. The Scottish repertoire is selected from published sources of the late 16th through early 19th centuries.

AyreCraft is a duo consisting of tenor Donald Cotter and lutenist/theorbist Robert Castellano. (Mr. Castellano is one of the instrumental instructors at Wildwood.)

Suggested donation is $5 per person.

Youth Classics Institute

LatinSummer is returning to UMass Amherst this June! Click here for an announcement about the program. This year, we are planning an exciting, educational weekend full of unique and creative activities focused on the Latin language and the culture and mythology of the ancient Romans! Returning and new students are gladly welcomed, and the curriculum is all-new!

Despite a minor typo, the institute DOES run from 9:00-3:30 (not 13:30!).

Click here to read the announcement for more information.

February Vacation Option from LSSE

School regionalization article and info

Channel 22News, WWLP, has an article about the regionalization proposed in Amherst.  Click here to read the article.   You can also learn more on the Regional School District Planning Board (RSDPB) web site:  www.RegionalSchool.Planning.com. 

Have thoughts on the issue?  Share them!  Come to the high school on Feb 13th at 7 p.m. or send your comments to the RSDPB at regionalschoolplanningboard@googlegroups.com.

Time for action - assert your voice!

Tuesday night - 7pm in the library at the high school -- the school committee will meet to decide on the budget for next year.  There is tons of information out there and some of it is valid -- here is what we are hearing from a Fort River parent named Kristen Lynch:

"I am writing to you all as officers of the Amherst elementary schools' PGOs (I have cc'ed some parents from a previous thread).  I am very concerned about the cuts to our specials program.  I am hoping that we can quickly spread the word to our parents so that we can voice our concerns en masse at the upcoming school committee meeting on Tuesday.

The issue which I hope we can address at the school committee meeting is the reduction of the special teachers' hours.  The specials teachers were informed on Friday that specials at the schools would be reduced to .8 time.  I believe this is done by eliminating special teachers on Wednesdays.  Fort River specials teachers do not have regular classes scheduled on Wednesdays, but this time is very valuable to them.  Our music teacher teaches chorus that day, our PE teacher has sessions with various students, our art teacher has the time to create beautiful displays of the students' work, they collaborate amongst themselves to create and plan fantastic interdisciplinary units and this is only what I, as a parent, know they do.  I am sure there is more.

The next issue with reducing specials time to .8  time is that teachers will travel between schools.  My guess, and this is only a guess based on the numbers and limited information, is that they would have one full time teacher, one .8 time teacher, and one .6 time teacher for each special in the three schools.  The full time teacher would have to travel to the third school to teach .2 time.  (I don't know if I am being clear here.)  So as an example, the Fort River music teacher would teach 3 days and a music teacher from Wildwood or Crocker (whoever has seniority) would come teach 1 day. I assume the .8 time teacher would remain at one school. This is a huge problem!  Our special teachers are the cornerstone of our school.  Nobody knows all of our students better and all of the students know nobody better.  The specials teachers see every student from the time they are Kindergarteners to the time they graduate six grade.  They have valuable insight that they share with the classroom teachers.  To dilute this system by adding another teacher to teach some of the kids some of the years to save .6 of a position in each special area is foolhardy.

The third issue here is that our specials teachers are fantastic and they do fantastic things.  Cutting their salaries by .2 or .4 is financially a big deal.

So to save .6 time for each special or a total of 1.8 teacher positions for the whole district, the plan is to greatly damage something that I think works really well and is an invaluable part of each student's education.  I think it is too easy for the school committee to view specials as "extras."  I do not believe this to be true.  I hope you do not either.

What are your thoughts about reaching out to your parents with this information and trying to get a lot of people to go to the school committee meeting?   Can we send PGO mass emails to all of our parents today or tomorrow?  The meeting is at 7pm in the High School Library. (  http://www.arps.org/node/4372 ) Other suggestions?

Sincerely,

Kristen Lynch"

Victorian Valentine Workshop

On Sunday, February 10 from 1 to 3 p.m., come to Wistariahurst Museum for a Victorian Valentines Workshop that will inspire the artist in everyone!  In 1847, the year she graduated from Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts received her first Valentine’s Day card. She was so pleased with this English novelty that she tried making some valentines of her own.  With the help of her brother, a salesman who carried her cards with him along with his other samples, she received $5,000 worth of orders her first year in business!
         Esther was able to handle the large volume of orders by employing friends and using “assembly-line” techniques for the production of her cards. Her cards were covered with an array of linen lace, colored paper, hand-painted birds and flowers and hand-inscribed, rhymed messages.
         Esther found herself a true businesswoman by the end of 1849.  She continued to make valentines for two decades.  She eventually would profit $50,000 -$100,000 annually from the sale of her cards.  Esther Howland’s business success made her one of America’s first “modern woman.” 
         Channel your inner Esther by creating your own beautiful, unique card for special friends, family and sweethearts. Antique valentines, bygone love poems and enchanting phrases will be on display for inspiration. Reservations for the workshop are suggested. $5 per person

Reservations can be made online at www.wistariahurst.org or by calling 413.322.5660.