Looking for Something to do Over the Break?

The Child Learning and Development Lab of Amherst College is looking for kids ages 8-10 to participate in a fun, 30 minute research study exploring their understanding of luck. Check out the video at: http://tinyurl.com/joqcqgc

Kids earn a $5 gift card or a small prize for their participation.
Contact: cladlab@amherst.edu or 413-542-5670 
Appointments are scheduled with family convenience in mind.

Studies take place on the Amherst College campus, where you will be provided with a reserved parking spot and access to the free Mead Art Museum following your participation in the study.

Art Museum Hours:
Tuesday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 30, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

6th Annual Amherst College Baseball 2017 Winter Instructional Clinic

26th Annual Amherst College Baseball 2017 Winter Instructional Clinic

Dear Coaches,

We hope that you enjoyed the excitement of the MLB season and that you and your teams had successful seasons. This email is in regard to the 2017 Amherst College Baseball Winter Instructional Clinic. For the seventh straight year we have been able to keep the clinic fee constant to encourage attendance. Some of your players participated in last year’s winter clinic and we hope that you will forward this information to your team so that you have more participation this year.

The purpose of the instructional clinic is to provide an environment where participants develop their baseball skills while having fun. Players will participate in small groups and will be given individual attention and instruction by college coaches and college players.

The clinic will take place in Calvin Coolidge Cage at Amherst College. There will be sessions for two age groups. With the younger group (ages 9-13), we concentrate on basic techniques to help participants develop proper mechanics and to build their confidence. There will be competitive and fun games for the participants to use what they have learned and to challenge their skills.

With the older group (14-16), we concentrate on individual techniques and skills they will need to master in order to compete at the college level. We will teach techniques and drills that participants can practice at home or in small groups, as well as use in game situations.

Session 1 - Hitting Clinic

All Age Groups (ages 9 – 16): Monday, January 16 (6:30 – 8:15 p.m.)

* Clinic will be divided into two sections for age groups 9-13 & 14-16

                                                          

Session 2 - Pitching & Positional Play (catching, infield, outfield)

All Age Groups (ages 9 – 16): Wednesday, January 18 (6:30 – 8:15 p.m.)

       * Clinic will be divided into two sections for age groups 9-13 & 14-16

Cost for attending one session: $60

Cost for attending two sessions: $110

To register for the clinic, please fill out and submit the online registration form that can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/jlgwwmp

For questions, call: 413-542-2284

Information and clinic details will be sent to participants upon registration.

Vote CF Alum for Athlete of the Week on MassLive until Wed at 12 p.m.

Erin Klaes, a 2014 grad of Crocker Farm needs votes for Athlete of the Week on MassLive?

You can vote at: http://tinyurl.com/hvpocdd  

Vote each day until Wednesday, 12 p.m., on every device you have, including Ipods, Ipads, phones, etc...

           Thank you! 

Florence Bank Community Choice Grants: Get Out the Vote!

Dear Crocker Farm Families,

The PGOs of the ARPS PGO (CF, WW, ARMS, & ARHS) are campaigning together in the hope of getting at least the minimum 50 votes to earn money through the Florence Bank grants program. Each Florence Bank account holder is eligible to vote once for the community organization of his or her choice. 

The ARPS PGO is urging Florence Bank customers to consider voting for the "Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO," the name of our joint 501(c)3 organization.  

You can vote in the following ways:
1. Online: Visit Florencebank.com/Vote to view the online voting site cast a vote online. Please note: The ARPS PGO does not appear among the list of organizations in the auto-complete dropdown menu on this website, but you can type in "Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO" in the organization box to vote for the PGOs.
2. Facebook: Visit Facebook.com/FlorenceBank, click on the Customers' Choice Community Grants tab to learn more about the program and cast your vote.
3. Paper Ballots: See attached templates. Ballots are available through the PGOs or at any Florence Bank location. 

Voting is open through Dec 31, 2016, but why wait. Please vote today.  

Thank you!

Teacher (Book) Wish Lists

Hello Crocker Farm Famiies,
Some of you inquired about the book wish lists the school library and (pre-K to 6th grade) teachers submitted for the Barnes & Noble fundraiser. Some of those lists have not been filled as yet. Here is a link to the lists (with the books that were bought crossed out) for you: http://tinyurl.com/zk9psfk
Thank you!

Amazon Smile Shopping to Benefit CF PGO!

Dear Families,

If you are buying gifts via Amazon this time of year, visit smile.amazon.com to help generate funds for the Crocker Farm PGO. Register at the site and select Amherst Regional Public Schools Parent Guardian Organization (ARPS PGO) as your charity. Once you do so, a percentage of each purchase will be donated to the ARPS PGO.

The ARPS PGO is a 501(c)3 organization consisting of the PGOs for Crocker Farm, Wildwood, Amherst Reg Middle School, & Amherst Reg High School. Any Amazon Smile proceeds will be shared among the PGOs.

Thanks for your support!

Crocker Farm PGO

Norma Jean Anderson Civil Rights and Academic Achievement Award Nomination Deadline: Jan 6, 2017

The Norma Jean Anderson Civil Rights and Academic Achievement Award applauds the contributions of a current teacher, administrator, or staff member (in the Amherst and/or Amherst-Pelham Regional school districts) who promotes the ideals of a just and respectful community built on compassionate relationships. Many teachers, administrators and staff who share these goals are acknowledged for their contributions. The RaDAR Committee will make the final selection of the recipient, and the award will be presented at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast on Jan. 14, 2017.

Past recipients include: Roger Wallace Jasmine Robinson Momodou Saar, Mary Custard ShariAbbot Rachel Coblyn, Liz Heygood, and Alicia Lopez, and Agnes Zsigmondi McCraven.

HOW TO NOMINATE: 
Who is Eligible for Award: Nominee must be a current employee of the Amherst and/or Amherst-Pelham Regional School District as a teacher, administrator or staff person. Nominations are welcome from any member of the community, especially students, parents, and school employees. 

TO NOMINATE: 
1. Provide a statement of at least 1 page explaining why this candidate should be selected. The focus should be removing systematic privilege based on race and class in our schools. 
2. Email the statement to Pat Ononibaku (patbaku@aol.com). 
3. In lieu of a written statement, you can call and share your reasons for nominating the candidate to Pat Ononibaku at 413-627-0043.

All nominations have to be received by JANUARY 6, 2017.
For more information, visit: http://preview.tinyurl.com/hopgd7y

Two-Day Ski, Skate and Winter Gear Sale: Jan 6 & 7

Sell Your Outgrown or Lightly Used Winter Gear on Consignment to Support the Amherst Historical Society & the Crocker Farm PGO.

Clean out your garage and basements and earn extra money from your unwanted winter gear. The Historical Society will be accepting lightly used winter sports equipment to resell, either as donations or on consignment, during its 2-day ski, skate, and snowboard sale. Consignors earn 50% of all revenue from their sold items. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Society’s partner in this event: the Crocker Farm Parent-Guardian Organization.

Consignments will be accepted only on Friday, Jan. 6, 4 to 6 p.m., at Crocker Farm School. The Society reserves the right to refuse any consigned or donated items not in usable condition. The 2-day ski, skate, and snowboard sale runs Friday, Jan. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crocker Farm Elementary School. (280 West Street). The Winter Gear Sale features both new and used equipment at rock-bottom prices so that the entire family can afford to get the equipment they need. Experts will be on hand to help individuals buy just the right item and the right size.

The Amherst Historical Society reserves the right to refuse any consigned or donated items not in usable condition. You must pick up your money or unsold items after the sale ends on Saturday afternoon, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Any unclaimed items will be donated or discarded and uncollected funds will be considered a donation.

For information, contact Bonnie MacCracken at 413-256-6857 or at  amhersthistory.org

A 21st Century Nutcracker: Dec. 18th!

Join The Center Dance in Amherst on Sunday, Dec. 18, for an exciting spin on a wintertime classic, a 21st Century Nutcracker, incorporating dance styles from across the globe (and right next door!) set to Tchaikovsky's timeless score.

Curtains will rise in the Amherst Regional High School auditorium at 4:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online (www.thecenterdance.com) or at The Center Dance Studio (321 Main Street, Amherst).

Ticket Prices: Advance: $10/general public, $8/seniors & children 12 and under
At Door: $12/general public, $10/seniors & children 12 and under
Also check out: https://www.facebook.com/events/1741743726151503/

GIFT IDEA FROM AMHERST EDUCATION FOUNDATION

 Dear Families,

Are you trying to figure out how to thank your children’s teachers for their wonderful work this holiday season? Here’s a great way to give a gift that teachers appreciate and is an easy way to remain in compliance with the law that forbids public employees from receiving gifts valued at more than $50. AEF’S THANK A TEACHER/STARS IN OUR SCHOOLS!

        

Contribute to AEF in a teacher’s name and they will get the gift that keeps on giving: money that comes back to the schools in the form of excellence grants. The teacher will receive a card from AEF indicating that you supported AEF in their honor. Click here Thanking a Teacher through our Stars in Our Schools; or go towww.amhersteducationfoundation.org and click on “Stars in Our Schools”.

How is AEF helping the elementary schools? AEF grants are funding the following programs: 

Math coaches are receiving training to help underperforming kids in grades 3-6! Students with special needs district-wide have much-needed laptop computers! Music teachers are bringing visiting artists to the schools!

Thank you and happy holidays,

The Board of Amherst Education Foundation

Ethan Clotfelter, Becky Michaels, Clare Bertrand, Meg Robertson, Isabella Dell'olio, Rick Hood, Michael Hutton-Woodland, Sue Kelly, Ken Leblond, Sovann-Malis Loeung, Amanda Rivera Lopez, Susan Kennedy Marx, Jennifer Mendelsohn, Adelia Pope, Megan Rosa, Amanda Seaman, Sudha Setty, Jen Veshia