Amherst School Committee Meeting, Dec 22nd, agenda & materials

The Amherst School Committee has a full agenda for their last meeting of 2015.  The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec 22nd, 6 pm, at the Amherst Regional High School Library.  

The agenda includes continued discussions on the elementary school building study, a vote on whether to conduct a staff survey about the elementary building options, updates on the FY2017 budget, & discussions regarding new restraint regulations, field trips, and the district's new wellness policy.  

The Wellness Policy (Policy ADF) reflects the district's commitment to promoting wellness for its students in a variety of areas, including related to physical activity & nutrition.  For physical activity, the policy states that in K-6th grades, "recess shall be offered at least once a day, with preference for additional activity for all."  In terms of food and nutrition, the policy gives preference to fresh foods, freshly cooked foods, and locally produced foods for snacks and meals provided by the district.  The policy also states that staff "shall refrain from using food as a reward or punishment and shall whenever, possible recognize celebrations such as birthdays using alternatives to food. Ideas for celebrations will be developed and shared to assist classroom teachers and families."  

The full agenda packet, including supporting materials for the meeting, is available at this link.

AgendaPacket_SC_Dec22nd

Crocker Farm Preschool Openings Starting in January

Contact Michele Regan-Ladd, Crocker Farm Preschool Director, for more information or to apply: 413-362-1610.

Capacidad Vacation Care, at Fort River School, Dec 28-31st

Capacidad Vacation Care for Elementary School Children
Dec 28-31st
Location: Fort River Elementary School
Cost: $65 per day per child

For more information:  email capacidad.programs@gmail.com or call 413-253-5659

December camp - KidsAfrik in Northampton (Dec 28-30th)

KidsAfrik  is providing a 3-day camp & cultural retreat for children ages 7-15
over the December break.
Location:  Allsport Soccer Arena, Northampton, MA
Cost $159 for 3 days (Dec 28-30th)

Web site for more info:  http://www.mymobilesocceracademy.com/#!cultural-camp/cr7l

Coffee with the Principal & Special Guest Assistant Superintendent Mike Morris, Mon, Dec 21st

All are invited to attend next Monday's coffee with the Principal with special guest Assistant Superintendent Mike Morris. 

 8:45-9:45 am in the Crocker Farm cafeteria 

The main topic: the elementary school reconfiguration project. 

Have questions, concerns, thoughts about the project? This is a great forum to share them. 

In January 2016, the Amherst School Committee is slated to vote on which grade configuration option they support. To learn more about this project & the options, you can visit the project web site here (http://wildwood.projects.joslinlesser.com/) or the Facebook page for the project, https://www.facebook.com/Amherst-Elementary-School-Building-Project-968374979880827/

The district recently created a chart summarizing the implications of the main options under consideration.   The chart is shown below (click on it to enlarge it) & can also be downloaded at this link. 

Recent Evening Events for Families - Thank You Crocker Farm teachers & staff!

In the past week, Crocker Farm had three wonderful events:
* a winter chorus concert for 3rd & 4th grade classes
* a Title I Literacy Night with dinner for children who receive reading intervention services & their families
* a winter chorus concert for 5th & 6th grade classes

Many thanks to the teachers & staff who made these events possible.  It's always great seeing so many families at Crocker Farm.

(K-2nd graders will have their concert in the spring of 2016).

PGO & Year-End Giving

The PGO is so appreciative of each & every donation that we receive, big or small, including the unexpected donation that we received a few days ago.

All money donated to the Crocker Farm PGO is used for PGO activities that support the Crocker Farm community, including  classes, teachers/staff, students, and families. Donations to the Crocker Farm PGO are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Donations can be made at the link below or sent in to the PGO.  For families who make year-end donations, please consider including Crocker Farm in your year-end giving.  Thank you for your support. 

https://www.razoo.com/us/story/Crocker-Farm-Parent-Guardian-Organization

Crocker Farm Lost & Found -- Items to be Bagged up over the December Break

A BIG THANK YOU to Ms. Bobbitt for doing such a wonderful job organizing the Lost & Found.

Unfortunately, there are many coats, sweatshirts, lunch boxes & other items in the Lost & Found & new items are added daily. If your child came to school with clothing or another item that never made it home, please come take a look. Over the December break, Lost & Found items will be bagged up & then donated to the Amherst Survival Center.

Jones Library Star Wars-themed Event for Kids, Sat, Dec 19th

 

Children’s Craft & Family Film Screening

 

As excitement builds for the next film in the Star Wars series, the Jones Library is taking a lighthearted look at the genre.  Join us for a screening the 1987 film written and directed by Mel Brooks, in which a space bum helps rescue a princess from an evil overlord with the help of a benevolent elder.  Although it borrows most of its plot from the Star Wars series, this film also pokes fun at Star Trek, Snow White, and Planet of the Apes, in true Mel Brooks fashion.

 

Join us in the Woodbury Room on Saturday, December 19 at 2 pm for the screening of this feature film.  More information about the movie can be found on the Jones Library website at www.joneslibrary.org.  The film is rated PG.

 

Children ages 7 and up are invited to attend a Jedi Training at 11 am on the same day. Come make your Light Saber and a Star Wars craft, then test your skills with our Jedi obstacle course! Costumes welcomed and encouraged. Drop-ins are welcome for the Jedi obstacle course, but registration is required for the craft project.  Please contact the Children’s Room at 413/ 259-3091 to register.

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

###

Janet Ryan

Head of Programming & Outreach

43 Amity Street

Jones Library

Amherst, MA 01002

Crocker Farm 6th grade selling Amherst winter hats for $10 - get yours today

The Crocker Farm 6th grade is selling these hats to raise $ for their end of school year field trip & graduation festivities.

They are warm & nice, & at just $10 each, a great bargain. The first order of the hats sold out quickly & a new order has been placed. Get yours today!

& they are not just for Crocker Farm families - sales are open to all!

You can download the order form HERE  
Order form in Spanish HERE

Any questions? Please contact Stacey (snwmac@yahoo.com) or Angela (pav4all@yahoo.com).

Afterschool Chess Club Seeks Parent Volunteers

The last two years, the Crocker Farm PGO has run a weekly afterschool chess club over the winter months (January to March). It has been a great success with over 50 students participating each year.

We would love to run it again this year if we have volunteers for it. The plan is to have the chess club meet once a week afterschool from 3:15-4:15 pm (day tbd based on volunteer availability). There would be 5 weeks for students in grades 4-6, & then 5 weeks for students in grades 1-3, & sessions would run Jan-Mar.

If you would like to help with one or both age groups, please email crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com or otherwise get in touch asap. Chess boards & pieces provided. A basic knowledge of chess is a plus, but chess mastery is not required.  Thank you.  

Crocker Farm PGO fundraiser for its Field Trip Fund & other activities

For #GivingTuesday & since, the PGOs in the ARPS PGO combined non-profit (for Crocker Farm, Wildwood, & Amherst Regional Middle & High Schools) have raised almost $3500.  (Wow!) However, sadly, only 1% ($35) of this total has been for the Crocker Farm PGO.  :( 

Through the end of Dec, the Crocker PGO is trying to raise money for our Field Trip Fund to help keep field trips affordable for all regardless of cost & families' ability to pay.  Any donation big or small for the fund would be greatly appreciated & would go to good use.

You can also donate to the PGO's general fund & help support the PGO's other activities & grant programs.  Please help us help our school community.  

The link to our donation site is here:  https://givingtuesday.razoo.com/story/Crocker-Farm-Parent-Guardian-OrganizationDonations can also be sent or dropped off to the school: Crocker Farm PGO, 280 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002.  

Thank you for your support.  

Crocker Farm 6th Grade Fundraiser - Amherst Winter Hats for Sale

The order form for the hats is going home in backpacks soon.  You may have already seen it.  The hats are $10 each, & the proceeds will go to support the end of school year field trip & activities for this year's Crocker Farm 6th grade.   If you have any questions, please contact Stacey (snwmac@yahoo.com) or Angela (pavs4all@yahoo.com).

They make great holiday gifts & are also good for keeping for yourself.   The hats are made of 100% acrylic yarn.

(click to enlarge)

Fort River School Bookfair at Barnes & Noble Today

The Bookfair continues online 12/5/15 to 12/10/15.  Enter Bookfair ID# 11609500 at checkout at earn $ for the Fort River PGO, at no cost to you.  It's an easy way to support a fellow Amherst school & their students & teachers.  

Update on the Elementary School Building Study - Meeting this Thurs, Public Forum next Tues

The Wildwood/Elementary School Building Committee (SBC) meets this Thursday, Dec 3rd, 4 pm, at the ARMS Library.

At the meeting the SBC will be voting on approving the Prelimnary Design Program (PDP) for submission to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on Monday, for the MSBA's review. 

A copy of the draft PDP can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By0mz4P0v3bWa0ZZN3QyWnBkTkpYZC1nclFIVkVfUWdSZmFn/view

The PDP focuses on 3 elementary school alternatives:
1) a new K-6 school to replace the existing Wildwood School (the new school would be for up to 360 students)
2) a new K-6 school which would have two K-6 "schools with a school" to replace the Fort River & Wildwood Schools (670 students)
3) a new grades 2-6 school to serve the whole town (750 students) & replace Wildwood & Fort River.  Crocker Farm would become a K-1 school & continue to house the district's preschool. 

The PDP includes the Educational Program, Initial Space Summary, Evaluation of Existing Conditions, Site Development Requirements, Preliminary Evaluation of Alternatives, Local Actions.  It essentially lays out the goals of the project & the options for meeting those goals, & includes a detailed investigation of the current issues & possible solutions.  The MSBA will review & approve it, & might make additional suggestions. 

You can learn more about the school building study at the project web site: http://wildwood.projects.joslinlesser.com/
 

Upcoming School Concerts, 3rd-6th grades

Save the dates:
Tues, Dec 8th, 6:30 pm: Concert for 3rd & 4th grade classes & families
Wed, Dec 16th, 6:30 pm: Concert of 5th & 6th grade classes & families

There will be a concert for K-2nd grade classes in the spring.

Conciertos de invierno para grados 3-6

El Martes 8 de diciembre:  concierto por los estudiantes de tercer y cuarto grados
El miércoles 16 de diciembre: concierto por los estudiantes de tercer y cuarto grados

Un concierto para el kindergarten, 1er grado y 2o grado se celebrará en la primavera

Merry Maple & Other Downtown Holiday Festivities

Merry Maple this Friday, activities start at 3 pm. This year is Merry Maple's 40th anniversary.  
https://www.facebook.com/MerryMaple

Find out more about all the holiday festivities downtown this Dec here: http://www.amherstdowntown.com/events/holidays/

Giving Tuesday, Crocker Farm, & the ARPS PGO

There are many great organizations worthy of support on #GivingTuesday. Please consider adding Crocker Farm & the ARPS PGO to your list. The Crocker Farm PGO is raising money for our field trip fund to help keep field trips affordable for all.  We are hoping to hoping to raise $1,000 by the end of Dec.   Every donation big or small is greatly appreciated.  
You can donate here:
https://givingtuesday.razoo.com/story/Crocker-Farm-Parent-Guardian-Organization 

The ARPS PGO is a partnership between the PGOs at Crocker Farm, Wildwood, ARMS and ARHS, & donations to the ARPS PGO are distributed among the 4 partner schools. The ARPS PGO is also raising $ for the new preschool playground at Crocker Farm. The Crocker Farm preschool serves 65 children from throughout Amherst, including many with special needs. 
https://givingtuesday.razoo.com/story/Amherst-Regional-Public-Schools-Parent-Guardian-Organization

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!  

Winter craft at the Jones

For the small but oh-so-crafty people in your life...

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Calling all 1st and 2nd graders!

Book groups aren't just for the grownups in your life!

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Giving Tues - Dec 1st - Please consider a donation to Crocker Farm's Field Trip Fund

December 1st next week is Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving to support charitable causes.

For Giving Tuesday & through the end of December, the Crocker Farm PGO is collecting donations for our FIELD TRIP FUND to help
KEEP SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS AFFORDABLE & ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY.  

Donations made now count for Giving Tuesday. We are hoping to raise up to $1000 by year's end, which equals just under $3 per Crocker Farm student. The cost of field trips keeps going up & donations to the Field Trip Fund will be a BIG HELP. 

THANKS IN ADVANCE.
EVERY DONATION BIG OR SMALL IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

(Minimum donations of $10 are required for the link below).

Donation site:  https://givingtuesday.razoo.com/story/Crocker-Farm-Parent-Guardian-Organization 
Donations can also be made via cash or check to the Crocker Farm PGO, 280 West St, Amherst, MA 01002

LSSE - Special 20% off discount

New! ONE TIME SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE NOW ON ALL YOUTH PROGRAMS

Amherst Leisure Services & Supplemental Education (LSSE) is now offering a 20% discount for youth (0-18 years old) meeting one of the following criteria:

•       Siblings registering for the same program at the same time;

•       Youth who participated in an LSSE Program within the last year;

•       Any youth new to an LSSE program.

The discount can apply to registrations made online, over the phone, or in person. For online registrations use WEBB20 in the coupon code. 

Fee subsidies are also available based on income qualifications. Please see the web site for details: http://www.amherstma.gov/2158/Fee-Subsidy-Scholarship

Fort River PGO Bookfair at Barnes & Noble next Sat, Dec 5th

A great opportunity to support another Amherst elementary school at no cost to you.

BARNES & NOBLE BOOK FAIR TO BENEFIT FORT RIVER SCHOOL

Start getting those holiday book shopping lists ready!  On Saturday, December 5th, Fort River will be hosting a book fair at Barnes & Noble Hadley.  On that day, Fort River School & the Fort River PGO will get a percentage (10-15%) of every purchase made by customers who mention Fort River School at checkout.

The Fort River PGO is also hosting a wrapping table that day.  Make your gift purchases & get them wrapped at the same time.  Easy peasy & less work for you.  

This coming week at Crocker Farm

Reminder:
School is open Mon & Tues, regular hours
There is no school on Wed, Thurs or Fri for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Next Monday, Nov 30th, is a teacher curriculum day & there is no school for students.
Students will return on Tuesday, December 1st.

Enjoy the school break.

Wildwood/Elementary School Building Study - next public forum, Dec 8th

pdf of the forum flyer: here


The next public forum on the Wildwood/Amherst Elementary School building study has been scheduled for Dec 8th, at the Amherst Reg MS Library. Identical presentations will be made at the 3:30 & 7:00 pm sessions.

To learn more about the study, you can visit the study web site here  or
the district's Facebook page on the project here.

The Amherst School Committee is planning to vote on their preferred option for grade configuration at a School Committee meeting in January 2016.

In the meantime, the Wildwood School Building Committee is meeting regularly (monthly or more often) & discussing details of the potential new construction.  Many of the details related to the design of any new building/renovations will be decided on by this committee.

The agendas & minutes of the School Building Committee's meetings are posted on the project's web site. 

Family Photo Project at Crocker Farm

Professional photographer Travis Weitzman, the son of Crocker Farm art teacher Diane Travis took pictures of many families at Curriculum Night for the Crocker Farm "Family Photo Project".   Diane Travis, Toby Bobbitt, Tara Luce, & Amy Baver assisted with the photo shoot.

The families who participated have now been sent a copy of their photos. A second copy will be put up on a bulletin board at Crocker Farm near the main office.   The photos are beautiful, and an impressive reminder of how special the Crocker Farm community is.

Any families who did not have the opportunity yet to participate in the Family Photo Project are welcome to send in their personal family photo to add to the bulletin board display.  Photos can be sent in to Toby Bobbitt's attention.

A BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Weitzman, Ms. Travis, & everyone else who has worked on the Family Photo Project.    The Crocker Farm PGO was proud to help fund the photo printing costs.

Downtown Amherst Donation Days - Ends today

See the full listing of upcoming downtown Amherst holiday events here:
http://www.amherstdowntown.com/events/holidays/


Amherst Downtown Donation Days
November 19-22nd, 2015
Start the season of giving during Downtown Donation Days! Downtown Amherst businesses are coming together for four days of giving during this holiday season!  Participating businesses will donate a portion of the proceeds to a downtown non-profit of their choice. Start your holiday shopping early at these participating businesses:
Elements Hot Tub & Spa, The Blue Marble, Zanna, J Austin, Laughing Dog Bicycles, Osteria Vespa, Hope & Feathers Framing & Gallery, A.J. Hastings, Baku’s African Restaurant, Bistro 63 at the Monkey Bar, Pasta E Basta, Russell’s Liquors, Amherst Copy & Design Works, Amherst Optical Shoppe, Chez Albert, FOLCWALD Gallery of Sculptural Art, Hair by Harlow Day Spa, Henion Bakery, Knowles Flower Shop, M & M Links Jewelry and Acessories, Ren’s Mobil Station, TOY Box, Vici Hair Studio & Beauty Bar, B.Home, The Pub, Artefakt,The Mercantile, Judie’s, Bertucci’s, The Chopping Block, Amherst Books, High Horse, The Black Sheep, Lumber Yard, Mystery Train Records & Panda East

List of downtown Amherst non-profits: 
Emily Dickinson Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, First Congregational Church, Amherst History Museum, Friends of the Jones Library, Unitarian Meetinghouse, Grace Church, St Brigid’s Church, Kestrel Land Trust, Amherst Boys & Girls Club, Craig’s Doors, Trust for Public Land, First Congregational Church, Youth Action Coalition, Not Bread Alone, Family Outreach of Amherst, Amherst Community Connections, Hillel House, MERCY House, Knights of Columbus, Pacific Lodge, Amherst Cinema & First Baptist Church & Pioneer Valley Health Center, Friends of Amherst Community Theater (Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater)

Amherst Youth Hockey programs & their new teams for girls

From Karen Skolfield

VP & Girls’ Division Coordinator 

Amherst Hockey Association

It’s not too late to sign up for the Amherst Hockey Association's popular Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs, the all-girls Learn to Play team, and the all-girls house team. Practices begin Nov. 19 (girls’ house team) or Nov. 21 (LTS, LTP, all-girls LTP), and late registrations will still be accepted provided there is space.

 

Learn to Skate practices are Saturdays at 1-2:20, from Nov. 21 - March 12. No skating experience necessary - we’ll divide skaters into groups from our “bucket brigade” on up to more experienced skaters. Coaches lead skaters in fun drills, games, obstacle courses, and more to get all kids skating with confidence. The cost is $120; additional $48 USA Hockey registration required for children 6 and up (free USA Hockey registration for children under 6). 

 

Learn to Play practices are Saturdays at 2:30-3:50, from Nov. 21 - March 12. Beginning in December, there will be additional cross-ice games on Sundays. Children rapidly become better skaters as they forget to think about their feet and focus on the puck. Practices are full of fun with a variety of games such as freeze tag and soccer on ice, obstacle courses, small-net hockey games, “beat your best time” races, and more. The cost is $325; additional $48 USA Hockey registration required for children 6 and up (free USA Hockey registration for children under 6). 

 

The All-girls Learn to Play team is for girls age 4-8. The girls’ team will be part of co-ed practices (see details, above) and will play their games against co-ed teams. Girls also have the option of being on a co-ed team, if they prefer. 

 

Our All-Girls House Team is for girls age 9-15. The Girls' House Team will be on the ice two evenings per week starting Nov. 19 through mid-March. The focus is on FUN first with low-stakes scrimmaging, obstacle courses, and skill building. There are additional, optional on- and off-ice events with the Girls’ Division. Cost: $325 plus the $48 USA Hockey registration. 

For more information, email Dan Feldman at mbedan@comcast.net or go to www.amhersthockey.org to register. 

Book fair to benefit Jones Library

Aw snap! Did you miss the chance to support Crocker Farm at the Barnes and Noble book fair earlier this month? That's okay.  You can still support another worthy cause at the bookstore!

Stop by Barnes and Noble THIS Saturday, Nov. 28, and finish off your holiday shopping while supporting the Jones Library. Done and done!

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Can't make it to the bookstore? Hey, that's okay too! You're busy. You've got elementary-aged people living with you. Say no more. Do all your shopping online at Barnes & Noble and just remember to type in the Book Fair ID 11714409 when you check out.

And hey. Thanks.

Make stuff! For Free!

Do you know anyone ages 8-12?

Do those kids happen to have a free Saturday?

Does the Jones have something cool for them!

Come get your craft on!

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Crocker Farm Student Directory -- Last Call for Families to be Included

The PGO volunteers are working hard to get this year's Crocker Farm Student Directory out the door.  

However we still have not heard back from over 75 families, & we want the directory to be as complete as possible.   This week, the PGO will be sending out emails & final reminders this week to families that we are still waiting to hear back from.     If you get such a reminder, please respond ASAP.

You can submit your family's contact info here if you have not already done so.  Crocker Farm Student Directory Form.   The Student Directory is a great tool for social and class events.

Thank you for your help! 

 

(Please accept our apologies if you already submitted a directory form & are contacted again. This is a huge volunteer effort!)

 

 

School Committee Meeting Tonight - Elementary School Building Study updates & more

Amherst School Committee meeting tonight, 6 pm, at the HS Library. 

Agenda items include updates on the elementary school building study, & discussions on the District Improvement Plan & School Improvement Plans. 

The full agenda is posted here: http://www.arps.org/…/Kim%20SC%…/ASC%20Agenda%2011.17.15.pdf

Amherst Survival Center Holiday Gift Program

 

                                          

HOLIDAY GIFT PROGRAM 2015

new children's books, games, warm winter accessories WHO? Families from the 13 towns who use the Amherst Survival Center's Food Pantry are eligible for the Center's Holiday Gift Program for their children.  These towns include Amherst, Belchertown, Deerfield, Granby, Hadley, Leverett, Pelham, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, South Hadley, Sunderland, Ware, & Whately.   WHAT? Here's what we distribute: three (3) NEW children's books (lists with suggested titles here) per child, a family game (board games, card games, dice games, and video games), and warm winter accessories. WHERE DO FAMILIES PICK UP THE BOOKS & GAMES? The Center's workshop room is set up so that families can access these holiday gifts when they're in the Center during the month of December. Last year (2014) we distributed almost 2,000 NEW children's books. For many of the recipients, these were their very first books. Your donations became a cornerstone of their personal libraries.     WHERE CAN YOU BRING YOUR DONATION? Bring your donation(s) to the Center during our open hours now through December 18, 2015 In addition, there are collection boxes accepting donations of NEW children's books, games and warm winter accessories (hats, gloves, scarves) at these local locations: In-store book drive at Amherst Books, 8 Main Street, Amherst Amherst Chamber of Commerce, 28 Amity Street, Amherst In-store book drive at Barnes & Noble, 335 Russell Street, Hadley Cowls Building Supply, 125 Sunderland Road, North Amherst Easthampton Savings Bank, 100 East Street, Hadley The Lift Salon, 68 Cowls Road, North Amherst TD Bank, 234 Triangle Street, Amherst   QUESTIONS?   Contact Tracey Levy at tracey@amherstsurvival.org or 413-549-3968 x102.

Toy Fund Program for Qualifying Families

The Berkshire Children & Families agency is currently accepting applications from families who wish to be considered for this year's Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.   The fund gives parents vouchers for children ages 1 through 14 to be used for holiday gifts.  

Applications are not accepted over the phone.  They can be picked up at the following locations:
* Amherst Family Center – 1200 N. Pleasant St, Amherst
* Amherst Survival Center - 138 Sunderland Rd, Amherst
* Berkshire Children and Families – 220 Russell St, Hadley
* United Way of Hampshire County – 71 King St, Northampton
* Community Action Offices, 17 New South St, Suite 116, Northampton
* Daily Hampshire Gazette, 150 Conz St, Northampton
* Center for New Americans,42 Gothic St, Northampton
* Easthampton Community Center, 12 Clark St, Easthampton

Applications must be received by November 30, 2015.


Cash donations for the Toy Fund are accepted at this web site:   http://toyfund.gazettenet.com/
Donations to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund are tax deductible.  The Toy Fund is a donor-advised fund of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, a 501(c)3 organization. 

Last week of the ARPS Winter Coat Shares - at Wildwood through Wed

The Amherst school PGOs continue their winter Coat Shares this week at the Wildwood Elementary School. Through Wednesday during school hours.  If your family still needs coats or other warm items for the winter, feel free to stop by. 

Thanks again to the Fort River PGO, the ARHS & PGOs, & the ARPS Family Center for their work on last week's Coat Shares, & thank you to the Crocker Farm volunteers.  At Crocker Farm, this is one of the PGO's most important school community events.  We collected over 60 coats, 75 hats, 20 pairs of snowpants, plus boots, scarves, snowsuits, & more. Our leftovers went to Fort River for their Coat Share.

Coffee with the Principal & Special Guests Tara Luce & Amy Baver, Nov 20th

 Next Fri morning: 

Coffee with the Principal & Special Guests Amy Baver, our new school psychologist, & Tara Luce, the Crocker Farm guidance counselor.

Come meet Ms. Baver, hear about the ways in which the Crocker guidance & counseling staff help students, learn about the lunch assigned seating & incentive program, & more. 

All invited. Small children always welcome.

This Saturday

(not a school sponsored event)

Crocker Farm Bookfair Continues Online through Thurs, Nov 12th

MANY THANKS to everyone who joined us at Barnes & Noble on Saturday for the Crocker Farm bookfair. It was a great success. If you meant to stop by & didn't make, or did come & then thought of other books or purchases you forgot to make while there, the bookfair is continuing online through this Thurs, Nov 12th. Please enter our bookfair ID 11714474 when checking out, & Crocker Farm will earn 10%. Thanks again for your support! 

Also, special thanks to Miss Leticia, preschool teacher Amy C., & the volunteer mom & daughter who generously spent all day on Saturday at the PGO's table at Barnes & Noble encouraging people to participate in our bookfair & raise money for our school.    

Thank you too to Barnes & Noble for partnering with us on this fundraiser.   

Bookfair link & details here:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/terms-and-conditi…/bookfairs

Crocker Farm Winter Coat & Clothing Share - Monday & Tuesday

Monday (11/9): 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Tuesday (11/10): 8:30 am-2:30 pm

In the school lobby

All school & community families are welcome to come by & look for what they need for this coming winter. The PGOs at the other Amherst schools will be having their coast shares later this week & during the next few weeks. Please check the flyer for details.

Thanks to everyone who donated coats, etc. to Crocker Farm & to the wonderful volunteers (Lisa, Sue, Ruby, Christine) who helped set up the lobby. We are still looking for volunteers to help with the distribution on Mon & Tues. You can signup here:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ca9ac22a5fa7-winter

& if anyone is still going through their winter clothes for this year, & hasn't yet got rid of what they don't need, we could definitely use more of the following, as we don't have that many of them, & they are always in the most demand. Thank you!
* more winter boots (especially large sizes)
* more snowpants (especially size 8 & up),
* big size jackets (size 10/12+ especially)
* waterproof mittens/gloves