UMass event: Madiba's Gifts: Nelson Mandela's Life and Legacies - A Tribute

 http://www.umass.edu/events/madibas-gifts-nelson-mandelas-life-and-legacies

April 4, 2014, 4:00 pm-7:00 pm
UMass Amherst Campus
Bowker Auditorium, Stockbridge Hall

 

Free admission

Handicap access available

Contact:  External Relations and University Events

events@umass.edu ; 413-577-1101 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 

Please join the UMass Amherst community in celebrating Madiba's Gifts: Nelson Mandela's Life and Legacies - A Tribute.  Sponsored by the Office of the Chancellor with the support of the Five College African Studies Council as a part of the Africa Day celebrations, this event features Keynote Speaker Garrey M. Dennie, former speech writer for Nelson Mandela and Professor of History at St. Mary's College of Maryland.

Panel conversations include:
The South African Struggle: Global Connections
The South African Struggle: Voices from Within

Featured performances by:
The Amandla Chorus
The Amherst Area Gospel Choir
The Five College West African Music Ensemble
The Wonberi Dancers

This celebration is free and open to all.  A reception immediately follows the event.          

---

 

This week & upcoming - Crocker Farm & ARPS

Crocker Farm
* Mural Artist Joshua Winer in residence on Tues, Wed, Thurs for the next 3 weeks (April 1-17th); parents volunteers sought to help with the mural project during art classes (Link here)
* Book collection for the Crocker Farm used book swap.  Collection boxes in the front foyer & parent pickup areas; chapter books for older readers especially wanted (link here)

ARPS
*Mon, 3/31, ARPS Family Center workshop on eating disorders, ARHS Library, 7 pm  (link here)
*Tues, 4/1, Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) meeting, ARMS, Professional Dev Room, 6:45 pm (link here)

Upcoming at Crocker Farm
* Mon-Tues, 4/14-4/15:  Used Book Swap
* Wed, 4/16: Cambodian Celebration during the day
* Fri, 4/18:  School closed
* Mon-Fri, 4/21-4/25:  School vacation week

*Please note: the 3rd-4th grade concerts that were originally scheduled for the week of 4/14 have been rescheduled until after school vacation week.

Lego Club & Comic Book Club at the Jones Library

 

(Not a school or PGO-sponsored activity)

UMass Study on Hyperactivity Seeking Participants Ages 4-7

To learn more about this study, please contact Claudia Lugo at 413-349-9881 or earlybehavior@gmail.com.






















(Not a school or PGO-sponsored event)

ARPS Family Center Workshop on Eating Disorders

How to Determine if Your Child is Developing an Eating Disorder

March 31,  7:00 PM 

Amherst Regional High School Library  

21 Mattoon Street. Amherst

·         When should you worry if your child has an eating disorder?

·         What are the behaviors which lead to eating disorders?

·         How do you determine if your child has developed an eating disorder?

·         What’s the best treatment for your child?

Families are invited to a free presentation by Claire Norton which will provide beneficial information regarding a healthy lifestyle and methods to develop a positive relationship with food.

Claire Norton is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist in the State of Massachusetts.  Ms. Norton holds a M.S. in Nutrition Science from Trinity College, Dublin Ireland and is currently a UMASS Nutrition Department faculty member. She is the Clinical Nutritionist at the Adolescent Health Clinic, which uses a family-based treatment approach in the treatment of adolescent eating disorders.

 For more information please contact burnsj@arps.org or 413-362-1875

Earth Day Poem Contest (K-12th gr) - Entries due April 14th

The Connecticut Valley Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
is sponsoring an illustrated poem contest for students in Kindergarten - 12th grade on the Wonders of Water.

Contest Deadline: April 14, 2014
Contact: Dr. Sharon M. Palmer, Amherst Regional High School, Amherst, MA 01002
palmers@arps.org, 413-362-1537 (messages)

The winners of the Connecticut Valley Section illustrated poem contest will advance to the ACS
National Illustrated Poem Contest!

Entry forms are available at the link HERE





 

LSSE Spring Sports - Flag Football, Softball, Volleyball

Visit LSSE.org or call the LSSE offices (413-259-3065) for more information & to register:


Youth Flag Football Clinic
For the past four seasons, the Town of Amherst Leisure Services in conjunction with Amherst College head coach EJ Mills, Amherst College Football coaching staff and Amherst Youth Football volunteers have run an instructional program to teach the game of non-contact flag football to boys and girls of all abilities in grades 1-6. Coach Mills has been Amherst’s head coach for 17 years and has been named the Division II/III New Eng-
land Head Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, the NESCAC Coach of the Year and the American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year for this past season. In the past four seasons Coach Mills has compiled an impressive record of 27-5!

Who: Boys and Girls currently in 1st through 6th grade
What: Flag Football Clinic taught by EJ Mills in a fun & interactive environment
When: Mondays & Wednesdays,  April 7th-April 30th;  5:00-6:30 p.m.
Where: Groff Park Mill Lane, Amherst MA

 Amherst Girls’ Rec Softball League
This is a recreational league that emphasizes skill
development, teamwork, and fun.
All players and coaches will practice together for
the first two weeks. After this two week period,
players will be divided into four even teams. Each
team will then play a scheduled season.

Games will take place at the Middle School and High School Fields.
Ages:  6-12
Dates: April 22-June 12th
Tuesday/Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30pm.
Price: $89   ***Sign up before April 1st and save $20!***


Youth Volleyball Clinics
 
For those in grades 5-8 who would like to improve their volleyball skills. The emphasis will be on having fun while learning good fundamentals, with the eventual goal of playing competitive games.  This is an excellent program for individuals interested in playing competitive volleyball at the high school level in the future.

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 8th-May 22nd, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.,
Where:  Middle School Gym (no clinic 4/22 & 4/24)
Instructor: Sue Adair, Middle School Volleyball Coach
Price: $89

LSSE Art & Horseback Riding Classes

OEB Science Café Series at Esselon Café

Web site for more info: oebsciencecafe.org

   (not a school or PGO-sponsored event)

Auditions for Missoula Children’s Theatre’s Robinson Crusoe

Contact:   Susan Raker

Amherst Leisure Services Community Theatre

413-461-6722

Auditions will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) musical production of ROBINSON CRUSOE Monday, April 7th 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.

Join the hula dancing Chameleons and many other original characters at Friday’s Seaside Resort this April 12^th when the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) and more than 50 local students present ROBINSON CRUSOE. Among the roles to be cast are Robinson Crusoe, his sole companion, a goat named Wilson, Leonard the Leopard, Friday’s Family, the Oscar Octopus Octet, a family of Goats, the very hairy Frowny-Face Tribe, and the colorful Chameleons. 

Students from Kindergarten to 12^thgrade are encouraged to audition. 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, April 7^th – Friday, April 11^th. Not everyone will need to be present at every rehearsal.

  

ROBINSON CRUSOE will be presented on Saturday, April 12^th 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 Radek at 413-461-6722.  We’ll have a wonderful time together by the sea!

(not a school or PGO-sponsored activity)

Crocker Farm Mosaic Project - Parent/Guardian Helpers Needed

For the next three weeks (April 1-17), on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, Crocker Farm students will be engaged in creating a mosaic mural (5' x 10') with visiting artist Joshua Winer. Joshua Winer's work can be found here: www.schoolmosaics.net and www.joshuawiner.com.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS MURAL POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN.

For each art class, we truly need to have parents helping the children with the hands on work of this mosaic. We are looking for three parents per time block and if parents can sign up for a few blocks consecutively- or for a half/whole day of help- that would be helpful. Josh will briefly teach the parents the task they will be doing while the children are also learning and listening in, then the parents lead their group of kids in this activity with Josh's and Ms. Travis' help and supervision.

Parent helpers are a bit like the grease for this mosaic machine; without enough help per art period, we won't be able to get all kids involved with all parts of the mural process. So please sign up for as much time as you are able. We promise it will be great fun in the process.

Sign up link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0549A8AB23A57-parent 

Here are the various tasks the parents lead the students in doing:

1. breaking ceramic tile with hammers to create tile pieces
2. cutting ceramic tile with nippers to create tile ribbons
3. cutting glass tile with wheeled nippers
4. laying down dry tile to test colors and patterns
5. cementing tile onto the panels
6. cleaning cement off tile with scrub pads and tools

When you come, please wear work clothing or a smock. If you want to bring work gloves, this can be useful for some of the work. Please join us in this wonderful experience by helping the children have the hands-on support that they need to make this mosaic a success. Again, here is the link and we very much appreciate your support.

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0549A8AB23A57-parent

Much warmth,

Laura Ginsberg-Peltz

oceanlaura@gmail.com

Talk: Inside the Science of Genetically Modified Plants

Inside the Science of Genetically Modified Plants 

Presented by Prof. Elizabeth Vierling
Elizabeth Vierling is a Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research program is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. 

Tuesday, April 15th, 7PM  – 8:30 PM, Amherst Town Hall, Town Room

Come ready to learn and leave with the vocabulary and a basic understanding of genetic modifications of plants.

ARPS Family Center Feb/March 2014 Newsletter

The latest ARPS Family Center Feb/March 2014 Newsletter is online here! 

Family Math Night - Wednesday, 6 pm

Hope to see you there!

 There will be math games & prizes. 

 

 Everyone who attends will go home with

 a math fun goodie bag.  

 

 Regular pizza (& gluten-free pizza) will be provided.

 

Questions for the Superintendent?

Come ask her on Friday morning at our coffee!

(click on image to enlarge)

This week & upcoming @ Crocker Farm & ARPS

Crocker Farm
* Wed, 3/26:  Family Math Night, 6-7:30 pm, pizza, prizes, and more (link here)
* Thurs, 3/27:  School Governance Council meeting, 5 pm, all are welcome
* Fri, 3/28:  PGO Coffee with the Superintendent, 8:50 am, community room (link here)
* Book collection starts for the Crocker Farm book swap -- collection boxes will be
     set up in the front foyer, parent pickup area, & in classrooms  (link here)

ARPS
* Tues, 3/25:  Joint Amherst, Regional, Pelham School Committee meeting, 7 pm,
    ARHS library.  Items on the agenda include a discussion of cameras on buses,
    and a teaching and learning update (link to the agenda here)

Upcoming at Crocker Farm
* Mon-Tues, 4/14-4/15:  School Book Swap
* Wed, 4/16: Cambodian Celebration during the day
* Fri, 4/18:  School closed
* Mon-Fri, 4/21-4/25:  School vacation week

*Please note: the 3rd-4th grade concerts that were originally scheduled for the week of 4/14 have been rescheduled until after school vacation week.

Support the ARHS African Scholar Program

Liven up your March Madness menu with some savory dishes from West Africa! Order delicious TAKE-OUT MEALS from the ARHS African Scholars Program.

The Menu:
(1) Vegetarian Thiou: Chunky vegetable stew in a savory sauce, served with jasmine rice

(2) Chicken Yassa: Chicken cooked with onions, olives, and lime served with jasmine rice and vegetables

Orders due by Monday, March 23. Download the order form (HERE) or call or text 413-687-0910 or e-mail Bruce Penniman at penniman@english.umass.edu.

Meals (in microwavable containers) will be available for pick-up on Thursday, March 27, 3-5 p.m., at Amherst Regional High School

Proceeds benefit the African Scholars Program scholarship fund, which assists students who are working to participate in ARHS’s exchange program with schools in Senegal and The Gambia.

For more info, please contact Mr. Penniman or visit http://blogs.arps.org/africanscholars/

Kindergarten Registration for 2014!

Kindergarten Registration for 2014-2015 school year will be April 7th, 8th and 9th between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. April 9th there will be an opportunity to register in the evening 6:00-7:00 p.m. Please see the Kindergarten Registration Flyer or call for questions.

Amherst & Pelham 2014 Kindergarten Registration
The Amherst and Pelham Schools will begin kindergarten registration for the 2013/2014 school year on:

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM each day
Amherst parents/guardians are urged to register at The Amherst Middle School (170 Chestnut Street).  Pelham parents/guardians should register at the Pelham Elementary School during the same hours.

There will be one EVENING REGISTRATION session to accommodate those whose schedules prevent them from registering during the day. The evening registration will take place on:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 6:00-7:00 PM
AT AMHERST PELHAM REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

There will be interpreters for the following languages present during the evening session to assist families: Spanish and Chinese. Parents/guardians from any area of Amherst or Pelham may register their children at this evening session.

Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2014 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten for the fall. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

An original birth certificate, proof of immunization, proof of residency in the district and a current physical examination are required for admission. The original birth certificate, proof of residency, and immunization record should be brought to registration. A physical examination can be performed up to the start of school and forms for a physician to fill out will be available at registration. If parents/guardians have questions concerning student eligibility, they are requested to direct their questions to the appropriate building principal.

Central Office – 413-362-1810
Pelham – 413 362-1100

It is important that you register and make a screening appointment so placement can be made in a timely fashion.

African American Achievement Night

African American Achievement Night is scheduled for Friday, May 2 in the ARMS Auditorium (170 Chestnut Street) from 6:30-8:30pm. All are welcome!

The community is invited to participate in this special event honoring students in the Amherst, Pelham and Regional Public Schools. Awards will be presented to students in Grades PreK-12 who have made accomplishments in the areas of academics, leadership/community service, fine & performing arts and athletics. The evening will also feature music, dance and spoken word performances and a special ceremony to honor the ARHS Seniors who will graduate in June. Last year, over 500 people attended the awards night and enjoyed music, song, spoken word and dance.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to nominate their children. Staff at all schools were asked to nominate students too.

Nomination form can be found here. Please complete and send to Kimberly Stender, stenderk@arps.org, by April 17. Thanks and enjoy the day!

Kimberly Stender
Community, Partnerships & Volunteers
Office of the Superintendent

Nominations Sought for ARPS Community-Building Award

At the 2013-2014 Convocation, Dr. Faye Brady announced a new annual award that will honor two Amherst, Pelham or Amherst-Pelham Regional School District employees who "have helped to foster a sense of belonging among students and have helped to build bridges of understanding and acceptance among them." More information about the award criteria is available here and nomination forms are available here.

Nominations are due on June 1st, 2014.

Book swap -- April 14th & 15th

Bring your used books (all reading levels—fiction/nonfiction) to school BEFORE April 11th!! 

We’ll have collection boxes in classrooms and the main office.

All students will be able to take home books regardless of whether they've brought books in or not!

The more books we collect, the more we’ll have to give away!  We’re especially grateful for donations of chapter books for older readers.

Any questions?   Want to help sort books on April 11^th or can work a shift April 14^th or 15^th?  Please contact Tracy Zafian, Crocker Farm PGO, at tmz23@zafian.com.  

Intercambio de libros -- El 14 y 15 de abril

Traigan sus libros usados (de todos niveles de dificultad– y de todo tipo de tema) a la escuela Crocker Farm ANTES del 11 de abril.  Cajas de colección se encuentran a las entradas principals (cerca de la oficina central de Crocker Farm).  

Todos los alumnos tendrán la oportunidad de elegir libros para llevar a casa – no importa se pueden donar libros viejos o no – Habrá libros para todos.

Especialmente buscamos libros con capítulos para los alumnos de los grados mayores.  Si tiene preguntas o si desean ayudar con esto – por favor mande un mensaje electrónico a Tracy Zafian – tmz23@zafian.com.

 

LSSE Indoor "Futsal" Soccer

click to enlarge

It’s not too late to sign up for LSSE Indoor “Futsal” Soccer!

Who: Boys and Girls ages 6-11
What: 4 Futsal Clinics
When: Mondays, March 10th-31st
Grades 1-3: 5:00-6:30 PM
Grades 4-5: 6:30-8:00 PM
Where: Amherst Middle School Gym

Cost: $69

Come learn about Futsal, the only in-door soccer variant sanctioned by FIFA, from Devin O’Neill, assistant coach for the Men’s Soccer team at UMass. Coach O’Neill was an All-New England soccer player at Middlebury College (‘91) and brings 19 years of experience at the collegiate level. Futsal is played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regulation soccer ball. This is a great program for individuals to sharpen their soccer skills as Futsal helps develop better ball control, passing skills, and technique. From beginner to advanced, the clinics will be geared toward all levels and focus on skills development and having fun! 

For more information or to register, please visit www.lsse.org or call the LSSE front desk at 413.259.3065. Questions? Contact Nate Valeri, Sports & Recreation Director, at valerin@amherstma.gov. 

LSSE Girls Softball

click to enlarge

Amherst Girls’ Rec Softball League 

This is a recreational league that emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and fun.

All players and coaches will practice together for the first two weeks. After this two week period,
players will be divided into four even teams. Each team will then play a scheduled season.

Games will take place at the Middle School and High School Fields.

Ages:  6-12

Dates: April 22-June 12th, Tuesday/Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30pm.

Price: $89
***Sign up before April 1st and save $20!***
To register please visit www.lsse.org or call the LSSE front desk at 413.259.3065.

Interested in coaching? Contact Nate Valeri, LSSE Sports and Recreation Director at 259-
3144 or valerin@amherstma.gov.

Money Smart Week Comes to the Jones Library

Money Smart Week® Comes to the Jones Library

Libraries have long been advocates for reading and literacy for the people in their communities.  Another community need now being addressed by libraries in an annual campaign is financial literacy and money management.  Money Smart Week®, a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances, will be observed with several of programs at the Jones Library during the week of April 5 – 12, 2014.

On Saturday, April 5 at 10:30 am, Sally Wendt and Myra Ross will present Paying for College:  What Parents Need to Know.  Parents can begin to learn some of the basics about paying for college, including saving, minimizing costs, and maximizing financial aid.  Sally Wendt is an independent college admissions counselor.  Myra Ross is the college advisor at Amherst Regional High School.

On Tuesday, April 8 at 7 pm, learn how to get a handle on your debt at a workshop called Budgeting:  Paying Down Debt.  This workshop will cover some budgeting basics, with a special focus on paying down debt more quickly using workable tips provided in the workshop, co-sponsored by UMass Five College Federal Credit Union.  Please register for this workshop at the Reference Desk or by calling 413/259-3096.

On Thursday, April 10 at 10:30 am, there will be a children’s story hour with a special focus on money and saving.

Money Smart Week® was an effort originally created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, and has since grown to be a nationwide initiative.  Partner organizations work together to stress the importance of financial literacy, inform consumers about where they can get help, and provide free educational seminars and activities throughout the week.  For more information, visit http://www.moneysmartweek.org/.

All programs are free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Town Election March 25th

Next Tuesday is town election day in Amherst, & polls will be open 7am-8pm. 

Amherst Media has posted a recording of the recent League of Women Voters candidate forum & video messages from candidates, including Vira Douangmany & Katherine Appy who are running for School Committee (SC). The SC portion of the candidates forum starts @ 52:40 on the forum video. Click on "Town Elections" to see the video list.
Link to Amherst Media (http://www.amherstmedia.org/meetings)

Sample ballots & more election info is on the Amherst town web site: http://www.amherstma.gov/vote  or you can contact the Town Clerk for election-related questions: 413-259-3035; email:  townclerk@amherstma.gov.
The Town Clerk is responsible for conducting all elections. 

Youth Action Coalition (YAC) Annual Fundraising Celebration - Mar 23rd

YAC promotes youth empowerment through creative expression & social action projects.   

Lights, Camera, Youth Action!

Our 7th Annual Fundraising Celebration..

Lights, Camera, Youth Action!

Sunday, March 23, 3-5pm
Student Union Ballroom
UMass Amherst

Join us for an inspiring afternoon!

                            * Exhibition by Arts-for-Change youth members
                            * Presentations by YAC youth and adults
                            * Silent Auction items donated by local artisans and businesses
                            * Live Music by the Amherst Regional High School Jazz Ensemble
                            * Hors D’oeuvres and Desserts by UMass Catering
                            * A Vital Opportunity to Support Youth Action Coalition!

Join the event on Facebook

Event details:
The first hour includes exhibit viewing, a silent auction, live music by the ARHS Jazz Ensemble, an hors d’oeurves and dessert buffet and cash bar.

The second hour is a sit-down presentation that includes youth testimonials, a video screening and a spoken word performance piece.
This is YAC’s biggest event of the year and a critical way to raise funds from our community. There is no ticket price for this event, but we will be asking for your contributions during our presentation.

________________________________________________________________

Event Sponsors
This event is made possible by the generosity of the individuals and businesses listed below. Thanks to their support, there is no cost to attend the event. Donations will be requested at the event and all funds received will directly support Youth Action Coalition’s Arts-for-Change Project.


Auxiliary Enterprises at UMass Amherst: Hotel UMass & UMass Catering * Eileen Fisher * Amherst CopyCat * Amherst Pediatrics, LLP * Art Alive * Bresnahan Insurance Company * Hadley Family Practice * Hope & Feathers Frame Shop * Integrity Development and Construction * Law Offices of Lawrence J. Farber * Greenfield Savings Bank * Rotary Club of Amherst * 100% of YAC’s Board of Directors!




________________________________________________________________
Silent Auction Items:

Bidding will take place at the event beginning at 3pm. Last bids at 3:55. Don’t be late!

Art and Jewelry
Artwork by Ana Keck
Pottery by Don Curtis
Glass earrings and gift card to attend glass class by Katie Ray Arts
Seriagraph print by Veda Myers
Large ceramic vessel by Steve Saxenian
Photograph by Patricia Scialo
Silver Jewelry by Tobi Sznajderman
Earrings by M&M Links

Cafes, Stores, & Goods
Amherst Books Gift Certificate
Carol Ross–Photographic Book
East Heaven Hot Tubs Gift Certificate
Esselon Coffee–5 lbs of coffee
Loose Goose Cafe–Picnic for 2
Ghepetto’s Restaurant–Gift card
Hampshire Children, Youth and Learning–Basket of goods
Nat Falk Store–Gift card
Ode–Gift card
The Toy Box–Gift card
Media Education Foundation–DVD package
Wendy’s Country Attic

Events & Services
Andrea Battle–Life Coaching Sessions
Celeste Cze–Massage
Admission to the CLPP 28th annual conference, From Abortion Rights to Social Justice: Building the Movement for Reproductive Freedom.
Fine Arts Center–tickets for 2 to spring performance
Hampshire Athletic Club–1 month membership
Hunt’s Photo & Video–custom instruction, ink-jet prints and sensor cleaning
Noho Bodyworks–Massage
Rosie Black Photography–2 hour photo shoot
Sei Bella Salon–Haircut and color with Carrie Whiteman
Small Ones Farm–basket of farm treasures
Stone Soup Farm–CSA Farmshare
Workshop 13–Gift certificate for an art class

________________________________________________________________
Student Union Ballroom: 280 Hicks Way, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Parking: Campus Center Garage $5. Free parking in outer lots

Crocker Farm's Annual Book Swap Coming in April

Next week, we'll be starting to collect books at school for this event, so now is a great time to look at home for any to donate.

The more books we collect, the more we'll have to give away!   We're especially grateful for donations of chapter books for older readers.

More details coming soon.    Book swap will be held the week before the April break.  Dates TBD.     

Chess club done for the year

The Crocker Farm chess club was a great success this year.    

We hope everyone had fun! 

MANY thanks to coordinator David Schmidt, Dave Higham & our other volunteers, including from Amherst College, special guest Chess Master Charles Hertan, & Ms. Mattone for letting us use her classroom.  

2014-2015 School Calendar

Next school year's calendar is posted on the ARPS web site, & can be downloaded HERE. 
For 2014-2015, school will start the last week of August for grades 1-6.
Kindergarteners will have orientation the last week of August, & then start school after Labor Day. 

Whitsons Food Services 2014 Customer Survey

Whitsons is conducting a brief survey to receive feedback on our school nutrition program and how we can improve our services. We need your input regarding the current program and any changes you would like to see implemented. We will use this information to develop new options and services. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!

Special Note:  If you have a child or children in elementary school, please select grade 6 in question one and then list your child's actual grade level in the comments section of question six. 

Whitsons está llevando a cabo una breve encuesta para recibir información sobre nuestro programa de nutrición escolar y de cómo podemos mejorar nuestros servicios. Necesitamos su opinión respecto al programa actual y los cambios que le gustaría ver implementados. Usaremos esta información para desarrollar nuevas opciones y servicios. Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para compartir sus pensamientos con nosotros!

Si usted tiene un hijo o hijos en la escuela primaria, por favor seleccione el grado 6 en la pregunta uno y luego una lista actual nivel de grado de su hijo en la sección de comentarios de la pregunta seis. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JRCMS6J

Free Show: The Magic Flute at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls

click to enlarge


Screening of The Metropolitan Opera’s production of THE MAGIC FLUTE
SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 at 2:00 PM

FREE SHOW

Memorial Hall- 51 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 Phone: (413) 625-3052

Tickets available at Memorial Hall the day of the show

For more info: http://shelburnefallsmemorialhall.org/free-show-the-magic-flute/

Jones Library Spring 2014 Kids Programs

For more info please visit http://www.joneslibrary.org/juv/programs.html or see flyer below!

click to enlarge

Western Mass Hockey School

The Western Mass Hockey School, now in its 14^th year, will take place August 11^th through August 14^th at Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, MA.

 

The Western Mass Hockey School will provide your young hockey player the right environment to further develop the fundamental skills required to improve within our sport. This is a great opportunity to learn both on and off the ice from an experienced coaching staff that is committed to providing high quality hockey instruction right here in the Pioneer Valley.

 

We are limited as to the number of campers we can accommodate so please be sure to register early in order to secure a spot in our camp this August. If you require additional information, please feel free to email us at quesnelle@nehf.net.