Dean's Beans make Great Holiday Gifts!

Orders for delivery before the December school break are due by Monday, December 2nd, & will be delivered the following week.

Winter Holiday Special:  Order any 5 items & save $5 on your total order; order 3 items & save $2 on your total order. This special is good through December 20th.  

Order forms can downloaded at this link.  Orders can also be placed by emailing Crocker Farm's Dean's Beans coordinator at jessicalamson@gmail.com & sending in a check with your child.  Checks should be made out to "Crocker Farm PGO." 

(click to enlarge)

Barnes & Noble Crocker Farm Fundraiser this Sunday

Like to wrap presents & bring a smile to people's faces?    If so, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!

The Crocker Farm PGO is hosting a gift wrapping fundraiser at the Hadley Barnes & Noble store this coming Sunday, Dec 1st from 10 a.m. -- 6 p.m.   Volunteers are needed to wrap items after they're purchased. All wrapping materials will be provided. To signup, or for any questions, please contact Justyne at justyneogdahl@gmail.com. Thank you!


Plus, on December 1st, the Jones Library is holding a bookfair at Barnes & Noble.   Mention Jones Library at the register when checking out,  and a percentage of your purchases will benefit the library. 

Even if you don't signup to wrap presents, shopping at Barnes & Noble on Sunday is a great way to support both the public library & our school at one time.  .... and won't it be nice to have your holiday gifts wrapped for you. 

Winter Clothing Distribution Update

The Crocker Farm winter clothing distribution is done. It was a great success & more than 50 people came & picked up coats and other warm clothes for the coming winter.   Thank you to all who helped with this event & those who took part in it. 
 
If you had meant to bring in clothing donations & didn't yet, the PGO's collection box will be out in the CF lobby through Fri, Dec 6th. 

If you are still looking for winter wear for your family, the other Amherst schools will be having distribution hours in the coming weeks:
Fort River Elementary: Nov 25th (8 AM – 3:30 PM) & Nov 26th (noon-5:30 PM)
Wildwood Elementary: Dec 2nd-4th (2:30 - 5:30 PM)
Amherst Reg Middle School: Dec 9th (11 AM-5:30 PM) & Dec 10th (7:30 AM-2 PM)

ARPS El Centro de Familias ARPS Presenta: Separando la ficción sobre la grasa

Lunes, 9 de diciembre del 2013

Biblioteca de la Escuela Regional de Amherst-Pelham

ARPS Family Center Workshop: Separating Fat from Fiction

Monday, Dec 9th, 7 pm.

ARHS Library

LSSE Musical Theater Performance Workshop Auditions

 For students in grades 4-12.
 Workshop taught by Becca Greene-Van Horn, Crocker Farm parent & professional actress, director, & choreographer, and Cindy Naughton, award-winning musical director.  

Zumbathon Amigos de Mi Tierra Restaurant - Dec 8

Two hours of Zumba at Crocker Farm on December 8 at 1-3 pm: a charity event to help Mi Tierra Restaurant workers.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door; 100% of the proceeds will be donated to alleviate the situation of workers affected by the terrible fire on October 27th in Hadley.   Click on the flier for details. 

Holiday Gift Givers Needed for Kids -- Amherst Survival Center

The Amherst Survival Center is still seeking holiday gift givers for close to 50 children in our community. 

Families, workplaces, faith-based congregations, sport teams, student groups, and others can sign up to help.
To do so, please contact Tim Kennedy at 549-3968 x101 or e-mail Tim at tim@amherstsurvival.org.

When you sign up, the Survival Center will assign you a child, and will share with you the child's age, gender, and a gift that they'd enjoy (value: $25-$50).

It is requested that the unwrapped gifts be dropped off at the Survival Center by Fri, Dec 6th.  The gifts will be distributed to the children on Dec 11th.

THE SURVIVAL CENTER IS ALSO STILL ACCEPTING REQUESTS FOR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE GIFTS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.   IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR CHILD TO RECEIVE A GIFT, PLEASE CONTACT TIM KENNEDY AT 549-3958 OR TIM@AMHERSTSURVIVAL.ORG  BY NEXT TUES, NOV 26TH.  


(This is not a school or PGO sponsored activity). 

Tonight - SEPAC Workshop on IEPs

November, 21st, 2013
6:00pm-9:00pm
Amherst Regional High School, Room 13

An IEP for My Child: Every child with a disability who receives special education services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This workshop takes parents step-by-step through IEP development, including how to articulate a vision, using evaluations to write measurable goals, and measuring their child’s progress. The last hour will have round table discussion with volunteer Educational Advocates. This workshop is also available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Sponsored by: Amherst-Pelham Special Education Parent Advisory Council(SEPAC) and the Federation for Children with Special Needs

La Clínica del PEI
El 21 de noviembre de 2013
6:00pm-9:00pm 
Escuela Superior, Amherst Regional High School, Salón 13
Un PEI para Mi Hijo: Todos los niños con discapacidad que reciben los servicios de educación especial deben tener un Programa Educativo Individualizado (PEI). Este taller guiará a los padres paso a paso a través del desarrollo, incluyendo como articular una visión, usando evaluaciones para escribir objetivos cuantificables, además de medir el progreso de su niño. Durante la última hora tendremos una mesa redonda con voluntarios defensores de la educación. Este taller está disponible en portugués y español.

Auspiciado por: El Consejo Asesor de Padres de Educación Especial deAmherst-Pelham (en inglés SEPAC) y la Federación de Niños con Necesidades Especiales

ActSmart Improv Performance on Peer Pressure & Bullying - Today

The ActSmart Improv Company is directed by Crocker Farm parent, Becca Greene Van-Horn.  This performance is suitable for children age 9 and older.  

La Unidad events at Mt. Holyoke Fri & Sat

La Noche Latina - Friday 11/22 6:30 pm   
4 Hours, 4 Wellness, 4 Everybody - 
FREE Family fitness event, Sat, 11/23, 1-5 pm

FREE transportation to Mt. Holyoke for these events is available.
Some free tickets are also available for La Noche Latina.
If you are interested in either, please contact Julissa Saragoza.

Julissa Saragoza
Mount Holyoke College Frances Perkins Scholar
Social-chair of La Unidad

CBL Fellow-Latin@ Parent Liaison at Crocker Farm Elementary School

917-796-5715    email:  sarag22j@mtholyoke.edu  

This Week & Upcoming at Crocker Farm & ARPS

This Week
Mon, 11/18:  Chess Club forms due back
Tues, 11/19:  Read-a-Thon celebration for participants
Tues, 11/19:  Amherst School Committee Meeting - agenda here, 7 pm, ARMS library
Wed, 11/20:  Crocker Farm Winter Clothing Share (distribution hours: 8:30 am-3:30 pm)
Thurs, 11/21:  Crocker Farm Winter Clothing Share (distribution hours: 8:30 am-7:00 pm)
Fri, 11/22:  No School (District Wide Curriculum Day)

Upcoming
Mon, 11/25:  Autumn Concert, K-2nd grade, 6:30 pm, Crocker Farm auditorium
Tues, 11/26:  Joint Amherst, Regional, & Pelham School Committee Meeting, 7 pm
Wed, 11/27:  Early dismissal (1:20 pm) for Thanksgiving
Wed, 11/27:  Dean's Beans orders due (Delivery 1st week of Dec). 
     Order forms here: English and Espanol    -- Makes nice holiday gifts! 
Thurs, 11/28:  No School
Fri, 11/29:  No School

4hours, 4wellness, 4 everybody event at Mt Hoyloke

FREE FITNESS EVENT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Saturday, November 23th, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Chapin Auditorium, 50 College St.
South Hadley, MA. 01075

  

La Unidad will be having a festival of fitness to support our best bodies, minds, and souls. We are inviting everyone to come and have fun with fitness and health. One theme: discussing diabetes and high blood pressure in communities of color and presenting solutions we can work on as a community to overcome these diseases.

There will be different sessions going on throughout the four hours:
Zumba with Shelly Perdomo
Nutrition Presentation with Ellen Perella from the Athletic Dept. and
stretching with some of our very own Athletic coaches.

Special Guest: Ryan Henry, owner and trainer from Ryfitness
https://www.facebook.com/ryfitness
He will be speaking and giving a session on strength building and exercises we can all do anywhere.

There will be music, free giveaways, and a variety of tables with services on campus and in the community that we can use for reaching our personal goals of well being of our bodies, minds, and souls. 

(not a Crocker Farm or PGO-sponsored event). 

un concierto gratis para familias - 17 de noviembre

La Academia Lander-Grinspoon presenta a:

David Grover y su grupo

En un concierto gratis para familias con niños de todas las edades

El domingo 17 de noviembre del 2013
4 de la tarde

Academia Lander-Grinspoon

257 Prospect Street

Northampton, MA

David Grover ha ganado muchos premios y honores y ha tocado en la Casa Blanca, en el "Today Show", y en las Naciones Unidas.

¡Traiga a su familia a conocer a este músico extraordinario!

Llame al 413-584-6622 para más información o escriba a: office@LGASchechter.org

Free Concert for Families - Sunday Nov 17th

(Not a Crocker Farm or PGO-sponsored event).

Volunteers Needed For Winter Clothing Distribution Next Week

The Crocker Farm PGO is seeking volunteers to help with the winter clothing share distribution scheduled for next Wednesday & Thursday. The distribution will occur in the Crocker Farm lobby.

The distribution hours are:
Wed, 11/20, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, &
Thurs, 11/21, from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm

Volunteers are needed for the above times --- it's helpful to have 2 volunteers for most of the school hour shifts -- & for setup on Tuesday (11/19) 3:15-6:00 pm & cleanup on Fri (11/22), 3:00-4:00 pm.

If you are interested in signing up to help, you can do so at this link
(http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA9AC22A5FA7-volunteers/12155766)


or by emailing Tracy Zafian, Crocker Farm's Winter Clothing Share coordinator, at tmz23@zafian.com
Please indicate your preferred days & times.  

------------
Also, we are still seeking more coats, boots, and snowpants to give out.  If you have any you no longer need, they can be dropped off in the boxes in the Crocker Farm lobby anytime during school hours through 11/19.  

THANK YOU!

Coffee with the principal THIS Friday!

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Holiday Book Fair at the Jones Library

On Saturday, November 16, thousands of beautiful, gently used books will be for sale at bargain prices at the Jones Library in Amherst.  For the first time, the Holiday Book Fair will welcome sixteen local authors and publishers selling new books, as well as new books and gifts from the Emily Dickinson Museum. 

Shoppers can visit with local authors, such as artist Nina Rossi, who makes craft items from old books, and children’s authors Diane DeGroat and Judith Inglese. Authors of books about Amherst’s history appearing on Saturday include Dan Lombardo, Pat Holland, Bill Robinson, Sheila Rainford and Ruth Owen Jones.  Gerald McFarlane, Margaret Lobenstine, Beth Anne Moonstone, Peter Blood, Annie Patterson, Seth Sherwood, and Ed Tick will all be available to sign and sell their work.  Signed books by local cartoonist Denis Kitchen will be available to purchase.

The Holiday Book Fair runs from 9:00 am-3:00 pm and admission is free.  Donations of recent books in good condition are welcome before November 14. 

The Holiday Book Fair is sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Library System.  Visit the Jones Library at 43 Amity Street in Amherst, Massachusetts. 

Questions:       Bonnie Isman, 413-256-1021 (friendsofthejones@gmail.com);

                        Linda Wentworth, 413-259-3168 (wentworthl@joneslibrary.org).

Crocker Farm family business destroyed in Hadley Route 9 fire

One of the businesses destroyed in the October Route 9 Hadley fire was the International Food Market, owned by a family with 2 children at Crocker Farm. As the family works to restart their business, they would be most grateful for donations to help them do so.
----------------------
Note from the family:
Thank you for being interested in helping us to restart after the fire.  At the present time, donation is crucial for us to reopen the business.  People can donate through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/InternationalFoodMarketHadley).  Click on www.gofundme.com/52ghxs
Or by check pay to: International Food Market Fire Recovery Fund, and 
mail to: Peoples Bank, 330 Whitney Ave, Ste 230.  Holyoke Ma 01040-9915.  Attn: Hadley-Aaron

Thank you,
Hai Cheng

Storytime at the Jones!

Crocker Farm's Winter Clothing Collection Starts Today

The collection boxes for the Winter Coat and Clothing Share are now up in the Crocker Farm lobby.  Please drop off unneeded, clean coats, jackets, boots, snow pants, hats, gloves, mittens, & scarfs to pass them along to other families.   All sizes welcome!   Collected clothing will be distributed Wed Nov 20th (8:30am-3:30pm) & Thurs Nov 21st (8:30am-7:00pm).

The Crocker Farm PGO is coordinating the Winter Clothing share with PGOs at other schools, which also are collecting and giving out coats & other winter clothes.  Please check the flyer for times & dates.  

(click to enlarge)

School Lunch on School Conference Days

Even though school will be getting out at noon for parent-teacher conferences on November 7th and 12th, all students will still have a lunch period on those days and school lunch will be available.   The lunch periods are being moved up and will start at 10:25 am.

Upcoming Musical Events at Crocker Farm -- Save the Date

K-2nd grade Autumn Musical Presentation: Nov. 25th, 6:30 pm

Chorus Winter Concerts: Dec. 16th, 6:30 pm & Dec. 17th, 9:30 am
snow date for both: Dec 18th

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Assembly: Jan. 15th, 1:30 pm,
Evelyn Harris guest artist singing solo

Band and Orchestra Concerts: Jan. 30th, 2:00 pm

Suggestions for Parent-Teacher Conference Time with Teachers

Parent-Teacher Conferences Days will be this Thurs (11/7) and next Tues (11/12). Noon dismissal each day. 
Here is a list of suggested questions for the conferences. It was handed out at the October PGO coffee with the principal.

Suggestions for Parent-Teacher Conference Time with Teachers:
1. Is my child performing at proficient level (up to grade level standard) in basic skills? If not, is my child above or below?
2. What is your plan for helping my child catch up? How can I help?
3. If my child is above grade level standard, what are you doing to challenge him/her? What can I do?
4. What do my child's scores in mathematics and reading show? What are his/her strengths and weaknesses?
5. Can we go over some examples of my child's work? Will you explain your grading standards?
6. Does my child need extra help in any area? What do you recommend?
7. Is my child participating in any intervention support? In what area?
8. Does my child do all the assigned work, including homework?
9. Does my child seem to like school and get along with classmates? 
10.Have you noticed any changes in my child since the start of school?
11.How can we work together to help my child?

Stop & Shop A+ Signup Promotion (Nov 1st-17th)

Stop & Shop is running a special promotion to encourage families to signup for this year's A+ school rewards program. The school that has the most people signup between Nov 1st to Nov 17th will win a visit from a New England Patriots player & the school will win a $100. 

Crocker Farm only has 43 people signed up so far this year for the A+ Rewards program. If you haven't signed up yet, you can click here & do so now. The Crocker Farm ID for the program is 05194. Encourage friends & family to sign up too. Crocker Farm earns $ automatically each time CF's participants shop at Stop & Shop at no cost at all to participants.   In past years, Crocker Farm has earned up to $1,000 or more through this program. 

Class Parents 2013-2014 School Year

Class parents work with teachers to determine how best to help.  They might volunteer a few hours per year organizing a class party, helping the teacher with an ongoing project, and/or assisting the teacher in other ways.

These volunteers have kindly signed up as class parents for each of Crocker Farm's classes.  Thank you to all who volunteered!  Other parents may help the teacher as well; please contact your child's teacher to find out how best to do so. 

Kindergarten:

Judith Newcomb - Maria Heim mrheim@amherst.edu

Kara McCloskey - Janine Sicks-Demers janine6demo@gmail.com, Melissa Giraud melissagiraud@gmail.com, and Eva Fairchild evafairchild@gmail.com

Greta Wilcox - Allegra Osborne missalleg@gmail.com

1st Grade:

Stephanie Joyce - Asha Kinney ashakinney@gmail.com, Sheri Andon sheriandon@yahoo.com, and Erica Boerman ericaboerman@gmail.com

Sandra Bodkin - Hallie Hughes hallie.hughes@gmail.com, Jessica Sidman jsidman@yahoo.com, and Wendy Bergoffen wbergoffen@comcast.net

2nd Grade:
Carol Carson - Elaine Caraballo e.roman2314@gmail.com

Lauren Mattone - Tina Furcolo tfurcolo@gmail.com and Mary Klaes mgklaes@comcast.net

Michael Silverstone - Maria Heim mrheim@amherst.edu and Debbie Gilmore deborahjan10@gmail.com

3rd Grade:

Mary Donoghue - Allegra Osborne missalleg@gmail.com and Elaine Caraballo e.roman2314@gmail.com

Judah Hughes - Erica Boerman ericaboerman@gmail.com

Jasmine Robinson - Melissa Matos-Auerbach meli.ma@icloud.com and Tracy Zafian tmz23@zafian.com

4th Grade:

Lisa Moriarty (Sansoucy) - Jessica Payne jessicapayne@comcast.net and Matt Cain cainmatt@gmail.com

Susan Radtke - Katie Irizarry katie_irizarry@hotmail.com, Sheri Andon sheriandon@yahoo.com,
and Angela Mills pavs4all@yahoo.com

5th Grade:

Catherine Coley - Heather Lord lordarond@gmail.com and Anastasia Morton anastasia.morton@gmail.com
Mary Donovan - Isolda Ortega-Bustamante iob2009@gmail.com, Alicia Lopez haninalopez@gmail.com, and Yasmin Brandford

Alice Goodwin-Brown - Becky Demling beckydemling@yahoo.com

6th Grade:
Christopher Prather - Angela Mills pavs4all@yahoo.com                  

Denise Harvey - Mary Klaes mgklaes@comcast.net