Know any?
Monday, February 29, 2016
Hey, on Tuesday...
...right after you pick up some delicious treats at the Crocker Farm bake sale, you can head over to the Jones Library and hear a local author speak. Past Crocker Farm mom Cammie McGovern's new book, Just My Luck, is perfect for middle grade readers.
Know any?
Know any?
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Free music series each Saturday morning at the Jones!
Click on image to enlarge.
(Not a school-sponsored event.)
Friday, February 26, 2016
Super Tuesday Bake Sale -- Feeding Voters & Helping the PGO Support our School
Super Tuesday is coming (Mar 1st) & Voters will be Super HungryThe Crocker Farm PGO is holding a bake sale with yummy baked treats, fruit, & other snacks to keep voters from being hungry & to help them make the right voting choices.
We are seeking volunteers to bring in food & to staff our table. We'll be setup at the preschool entrance/afterschool pickup door & food can be brought there on Tues a.m. or dropped off afterschool at the Crocker Farm main office on Mon.
Thanks for your help & support! If you are at the school on Tuesday, stop by & say "hi!" We'll have lots of delicious treats including Atkins cider donuts. Yum!
Proceeds will help the PGO support teachers & classrooms (preK-6th grade) & the spring school musical.
Signup to help here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ca9ac22a5fa7-primary
Polling places are open on March 1st from 7 am to 8 pm.
Signup to help here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ca9ac22a5fa7-primary
Polling places are open on March 1st from 7 am to 8 pm.
PGO Letter to Families - February 2016
This letter is going out in backpacks as well.
-----------------
-----------------
February 26,
2016
Dear
Crocker Farm Families,
We
hope that you all had a great February vacation and enjoying this lovely
spring-like weather while it lasts. We are now more than halfway through the
school year. Wow, the time is flying by!
In
January, the PGO assisted with the school-wide Martin Luther King Jr.
breakfast, organized by a committee of teachers and staff. School teachers, staff,
families, and the PGO provided yummy baked goods, fruit, and juice, with plenty
for all. Leftover food was distributed to classrooms to use for class
snacks. A big thank you to everyone who
helped make this event a success!
In
January, the PGO also helped with the Amherst Lions Club Ski & Skate Sale.
This event is a fundraiser for the Lions Club and for the Crocker Farm PGO. On
Friday night of the sale, there was an issue with the Lions Club’s credit card
machine and no credit cards were charged for purchases. The Lions Club is
asking for people bought equipment that night to make alternative payment.
Checks can be made out to the Amherst Lions Club, and sent to Denise O’Donovan
at the Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut St, Amherst. For questions,
please contact Todd Cromack, Lions Club Ski & Skate Coordinator at tacromack@comcast.net.
Right
now, the Crocker Farm PGO is in the middle of chess club. This week we finish
up with grades 4-6, and on Fridays from March 5th to April 1st, we’ll be running
chess club for grades 1-3. Many thanks
to Chess Club leader parent David Schmidt, the parent volunteers, and to Ms.
Coley for letting us use her classroom.
Upcoming
PGO events:
·
Tues, March 1st, primary election day fundraiser: Volunteers
will be staffing a table with baked goods, fruit, and snacks at Crocker Farm. Food
contributions welcome.
·
Friday, March 4th, 8:45 a.m. Coffee with the Principal. Derek Shea will be
speaking about restorative justice and its use at Crocker Farm.
·
March 8th-24st.
Hillside Pizza and cookie dough fundraiser. Orders forms coming home
soon. Orders will due by Fri, March 18th, and will be available for pickup
afterschool on Thurs, March 24th.
·
·
Early April. The
PGO will be collecting books for our annual used book swap. The swap will be
held in mid-April before school vacation.
Books for all level readers from preschool to 6th grade are needed.
The PGO is seeking volunteers to serve on
the Crocker Farm PGO Board for next school year. Open positions include
chairperson, co-chair, and communications and fundraising coordinators. PGO
positions are flexible and can work around volunteers’ schedules, and serving
on the leadership team is a very rewarding experience. If you are interested in
serving as a PGO officer or in finding out more, please contact the PGO (email:
CrockerFarmPGO@gmail.com). We are
also seeking people to help with and to coordinate events later this spring
such as the ValleyGives Fundraiser, the Ice Cream Social, a spring tag sale,
and Bus Driver and Teacher/Staff Appreciation events.
Best
wishes to all,
Your
Crocker Farm PGO
Tracy
Zafian, Chair
Carta del grupo de padres y guardianes en Crocker Farm
Amherst, 26 de febrero de 2016
Estimadas familias de Crocker Farm,
Esperamos que todos hayan tenido una gran
vacación de febrero y hayan disfrutado de este hermoso clima primaveral,
mientras dure. Ahora estamos a mitad del año escolar. Vaya, el tiempo vuela!
En enero, la
OPG(PGO) ayudo con el desayuno de Martin Luther King Jr. en toda la escuela,
organizado por grupo de maestros y personal. Los maestros, el personal,
las familias y la OPG aportaron deliciosos horneados, frutas y jugos, en
abundancia para todos. Se distribuyó los restos de comida a las aulas
para ser utilizadas como merienda en la clase. Un gran agradecimiento a todos
los que ayudaron a que este evento sea un éxito! Muchisimas gracias!
En enero, la OPG también ayudó con la venta
Esquà y PatÃn del Club de Leones de Amherst. Este evento se realizó para
recaudar fondos para el Club de Leones y para la OPG de Crocker Farm. El
viernes por la noche del dia de la venta, hubo un problema con la máquina de
tarjeta de crédito del club de leones y ninguna tarjeta de crédito se cobró por
las compras. El Club de Leones está solicitando a la gente que compró el equipo
esa noche para hacer un pago alternativo. Los cheques pueden hacerse a nombre
del Club de Leones de Amherst, y se envÃan a Denise O'Donovan, en Amherst
Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut St, Amherst. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por
favor, póngase en contacto con Todd Cromack, Coordinador del Club de Leones de
esquà y patinaje en tacromack@comcast.net.
En este momento, la OPG de Crocker Farm está en
el medio de las actividades del club de ajedrez. Esta semana hemos concluido
con los grados 4-6, y los viernes del 5 de marzo al 1 de abril vamos a estar
ejecutando club de ajedrez para los grados 1-3. Muchas gracias al padre lÃder
del Club de Ajedrez: David Schmidt, a los padres voluntarios y a la Sra Coley
por dejarnos usar su salón de clases. Gracias!
Próximos eventos de OPG (PGO):
- Martes 1 de marzo, dÃa de recaudación de fondos elección primaria : Los voluntarios estarán aportando una mesa con productos horneados, frutas, snacks, etc. en Crocker Farm. Sus contribuciones de comida son muy bienvenidas!
- Viernes 4 de marzo, 8:45 am, Café con el director. Derek Shea estará hablando acerca de la justicia restaurativa y su uso en Crocker Farm.
- Lunes 8 de marzo al 24. recaudación de fondos de masa para galletas y pizza: Hillside pizza. Los formularios de pedido llegaran a su casa pronto. Los pedidos deben estar listos el Viernes 18 de marzo y estarán disponibles para ser recogidos después de las actividades de escuela el jueves 24 de marzo.
- ·A principios de abril. El PGO estará recolectando libros para nuestro intercambio anual de libros usados. El canje se llevará a cabo a mediados de abril, antes de las vacaciones escolares. Se necesitan libros para todos los lectores desde el nivel preescolar a sexto grado.
La PGO está buscando voluntarios para servir en
la Junta PGO de Crocker Farm para el próximo año escolar. Las posiciones
abiertas incluyen presidente, co-presidente, y coordinadores de comunicaciones
y de recaudación de fondos. Las posiciones en la junta son flexibles y se
pueden acomodar a los horarios de los voluntarios; servir en el equipo de
liderazgo es una experiencia muy gratificante. Si usted está interesado en
servir como oficial PGO o en obtener más información, póngase en contacto con
el PGO (correo electrónico: crockerFarmPGO@gmail.com).
También estamos buscando personas para ayudar y
coordinar los eventos finales de la primavera como la recaudación de fondos
Valley Gives , el Ice Cream Social, una venta de primavera y eventos de
agradecimiento al Conductor del autobús y a Maestros y Personal.
Mis mejores deseos para todos,
Tracy Zafian, Presidente, Crocker Farm OPG
Tracy Zafian, Presidente, Crocker Farm OPG
Next School Governance Council Meeting - Feb 29th
February 29, 2016- 8:00 AM
Crocker Farm office
-Review of Standards-Based Report
card discussion
-Next steps: How do we
communicate/engage with families about the work at Crocker Farm? How do
we involve families in the work?
---
School Governance Council meetings are open to all.
If you would like to join the SCC or get more involved, please contact Derek Shea, shead@arps.org.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Gun safety event at ARHS
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is sponsoring an event on Thursday evening, March 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Amherst High School library. Members from Moms Demand Action will be reviewing safe gun storage, encouraging folks to ask about guns in the home at play dates, and reviewing the warning signs of suicide. District Attorney David Sullivan and an officer from the Amherst Police Department will also speak.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a non-profit, grass roots organization which was started the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. We work to improve gun laws (at the federal and state level), to pressure private companies to adopt safer gun policies and to educate the public on safe gun storage, with the ultimate goal of keeping our children safe.
(not a school or PGO-sponsored event)
(not a school or PGO-sponsored event)
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Box Tops Due This Week - Thanks for your Help!
Please clip & submit/send in all Box Tops by Feb 25th.
They can be dropped off in the Crocker Farm office or the collection box in the school lobby.
Those 10 cents Box Tops really add up! Last school year, the PGO collected close to $350 in Box Tops.
At Crocker Farm, Box Tops earnings go to fund food for special events (e.g. the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast) & for snacks for the guidance staff to share with students who are hungry.
Many food & other products include Box Tops. Here's a current list.
You can also see the current list here:
http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products
Mobile Dentist Returns - Signup Forms Due Feb 26th
The ARPS Family Center is partnering with The
Mobile Dentist once again to provide dental care to district families of
Amherst.
Smile Programs…the mobile dentists are innovative, on-site, school based, dental outreach providers. Their mission is to bring state of the art dental care to those students in need, in the most comfortable and effective way possible. Dental care remains the greatest unmet health need among U.S. children. Over 50% of children have a cavity, which can cause pain leading to missed school.
The in-school dentist will be at Crocker Farm School on Friday, March 18th. Enrollment forms were sent home with your child on Friday, February 12th. To take advantage of this convenient opportunity and have your child see the dentist at school, please fill out and sign the enrollment form and return it to school with your child by Friday, February 26th. Together, we can keep our children healthy, in school, and learning.
Please call 362-1600 if you did not receive a registration form in your child’s backpack, and you are interested in signing your child up
Smile Programs…the mobile dentists are innovative, on-site, school based, dental outreach providers. Their mission is to bring state of the art dental care to those students in need, in the most comfortable and effective way possible. Dental care remains the greatest unmet health need among U.S. children. Over 50% of children have a cavity, which can cause pain leading to missed school.
The in-school dentist will be at Crocker Farm School on Friday, March 18th. Enrollment forms were sent home with your child on Friday, February 12th. To take advantage of this convenient opportunity and have your child see the dentist at school, please fill out and sign the enrollment form and return it to school with your child by Friday, February 26th. Together, we can keep our children healthy, in school, and learning.
Please call 362-1600 if you did not receive a registration form in your child’s backpack, and you are interested in signing your child up
Dentista móvil para visitar la escuela
El Centro
Familiar ARPS se ha asociado con el dentista móvil para brindar atención dental a nuestras familias del distrito de
Amherst. Programas de la sonrisa ...
los dentistas móviles son innovadores, basados adentro de la escuela,
proveedores dentales en el lugar donde su niño aprende. Su misión es llevar el
estado de la atención dental para aquellos alumnos que lo necesiten, de la
manera más cómoda y eficaz posible. El cuidado dental sigue siendo la mayor
necesidad de salud no satisfechas en los niños estadounidenses. Más del 50% de
los niños tienen una carie, que puede causar dolor que lleva a estar fuera de
la escuela. El dentista estará en la
escuela de Crocker Farm el viernes 18 de marzo de 2016. Los formularios
de inscripción serán enviados a la casa con su hijo el viernes 12 de febrero.
Para tomar ventaja de esta oportunidad conveniente y haga que su hijo vea al
dentista en la escuela, por favor llene y firme el formulario de inscripción y
envÃelo a la escuela con su hijo antes del viernes,
26 de febrero. Juntos, podemos mantener a nuestros niños sanos, en la
escuela y aprendiendo. Por favor llamen a 362-1600 si Usted no ha recibido un
formulario de registración en la mochila de su niño y Usted está interesado en
este programa.
Summer Camp Fair, Sat, Feb 27th
Summer Camp Fair
Saturday, February 27 from 11am-2pm
Amherst Regional Middle School, Amherst, MA.
Saturday, February 27 from 11am-2pm
Amherst Regional Middle School, Amherst, MA.
Want to know what you’re doing this Summer?
Thinking about joining a camp but not sure which ones right for your family?
Camps & Programs Attending:
The Friends Camp
Montessori School of Northampton
Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Deerfield Academy Summer Arts Camp
Lahri Bond & Deborah Bazer's Art Programs
Early Adventures/ Adventure Playground
Kasey Schmitt Sports Camps
LSSE Sports Camps
Montessori School of Northampton
Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Deerfield Academy Summer Arts Camp
Lahri Bond & Deborah Bazer's Art Programs
Early Adventures/ Adventure Playground
Kasey Schmitt Sports Camps
LSSE Sports Camps
and more
Amherst winter hats still available
Has your family reached that point of the winter where lost mittens
& hats have you scrambling to find something to keep your kids warm
before sending them off to school? The Crocker Farm 6th grade can help. The 6th grade is still selling Amherst winter hats to raise money for their end of school year field trip & celebration. The hats are warm, comfy, & at just $10 a great value too. Please contact Angela Mills in the Crocker Farm office (pavs4all@yahoo.com) if you'd like to order 1, or 2, or 3 -- a backup hat is always helpful. :)
The hats will also be for sale at LSSE's Summer Camp fair, next Saturday, February 27th, 11 am- 2 pm, at the Amherst Regional Middle School.
Fame - ARHS Musical, March 3rd-5th
ARHS presents
Fame: The Musical
Tickets available for ordering here:
http://bit.ly/arhsfametix
or emailing arhsmusicals@gmail.com
Performances:
Thursday, March 3rd, 7:30 pm
Friday, March 4th, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 5th, 2:00 pm
Saturday, March 5th, 7:30 pm
Adult: $20 reserved seating; $15 unreserved
ARPS Staff/Senior Citizen: $15 reserved seating; $10 unreserved
Student: $10
Fame: The Musical
Tickets available for ordering here:
http://bit.ly/arhsfametix
or emailing arhsmusicals@gmail.com
Performances:
Thursday, March 3rd, 7:30 pm
Friday, March 4th, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 5th, 2:00 pm
Saturday, March 5th, 7:30 pm
Adult: $20 reserved seating; $15 unreserved
ARPS Staff/Senior Citizen: $15 reserved seating; $10 unreserved
Student: $10
Girls on the Run afterschool program
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a unique 10 week (twice weekly) afterschool program led by trained
coaches that guides girls through a fun, uplifting, and proven curriculum.
Through dynamic conversation-based lessons and active games, coaches teach and model essential healthy living skills. Some of the themes include making good friends, working in a group, resisting peer pressure, making healthy decisions, and contributing to the community. Along the way, the girls train together to walk or run in a 5K (3.1 mile) celebratory event with girls from other Western Mass GOTR programs.
Girls on the Run is supported and reliant on volunteer coaches. We are looking for volunteer coaches to make this program successful.Coaches do not need to be runners! Crocker Farm has one coach volunteer already committed; we are looking for 1-2 more to make this program a success.
The season begins the week of March 14th and runs for 10 weeks, twice a week, Wed & Fri, 3-4:45 =
Cost for the 20 sessions is $150 & covers snack, t-shirt & registration for a 5K race on June 5th at HCC. Partial & full financial aid is available when you register.
Through dynamic conversation-based lessons and active games, coaches teach and model essential healthy living skills. Some of the themes include making good friends, working in a group, resisting peer pressure, making healthy decisions, and contributing to the community. Along the way, the girls train together to walk or run in a 5K (3.1 mile) celebratory event with girls from other Western Mass GOTR programs.
Girls on the Run is supported and reliant on volunteer coaches. We are looking for volunteer coaches to make this program successful.Coaches do not need to be runners! Crocker Farm has one coach volunteer already committed; we are looking for 1-2 more to make this program a success.
The season begins the week of March 14th and runs for 10 weeks, twice a week, Wed & Fri, 3-4:45 =
Cost for the 20 sessions is $150 & covers snack, t-shirt & registration for a 5K race on June 5th at HCC. Partial & full financial aid is available when you register.
Find out more at www.girlsonthereunwesternma.org, or contact:
Derek Shea, shead@arps.org, or
Alison Berman, GOTR Council Director, alison.berman@girlsontherun.org,(413) 687-2726.
Derek Shea, shead@arps.org, or
Alison Berman, GOTR Council Director, alison.berman@girlsontherun.org,(413) 687-2726.
Family Events at the Amherst Libraries
Ukulele Strum-Along
Sunday, February 21 from 3 pm - 4:30 pm, Jones Library
Come play music with a growing community of ukulele players in the Valley. Bring your own or borrow one of ours. Easy songs, laid back instruction, and a lot of fun. Led by Julie Calamine. Sign up required to borrow a ukulele. Call the library at 413-259-3091.
Come play music with a growing community of ukulele players in the Valley. Bring your own or borrow one of ours. Easy songs, laid back instruction, and a lot of fun. Led by Julie Calamine. Sign up required to borrow a ukulele. Call the library at 413-259-3091.
Story & Craft Time @ North Amherst Library
Wednesday, February 24 from 4 pm - 5 pm
Join us for fun stories and crafts each Wednesday at the North Amherst Library.
Join us for fun stories and crafts each Wednesday at the North Amherst Library.
Children's Music Series: The Nields
Saturday, February 27 from 10:30 am - 11:30 am, Jones Library
We kick off our annual free concert series with a visit from local favorites, The Nields!
Nerissa and Katryna Nields continue to tour the country playing for fans of all ages. The Nields' family shows are a blend of Pete Seeger-esque group song leading and Dan Zanes-like reconstruction of old classics, plus their own inimitable style of high energy, whimsy, and fliligreed harmony singing.
We kick off our annual free concert series with a visit from local favorites, The Nields!
Nerissa and Katryna Nields continue to tour the country playing for fans of all ages. The Nields' family shows are a blend of Pete Seeger-esque group song leading and Dan Zanes-like reconstruction of old classics, plus their own inimitable style of high energy, whimsy, and fliligreed harmony singing.
Children's Theater - Auditions Peter & Wendy, Feb 29th
Missoula Children's Theatre
PETER & WENDY
Auditions, K-12th grade students
Feb 29th, 4:15 pm, Amherst HS Cafeteria
Performances, March 5th, 1:30 & 4 pm
Crocker Farm Elementary
Tickets $5/$8
For more info:
413-259-9482
www.alsct.org/childrens_theater
(not a school or PGO-sponsored event)
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Remnders for this week including tonight's PGO gathering
Reminder: Wed, Feb 10th - early release day (1:20 pm)
Reminder: Tonight, Tues, Feb 9th, 7:30 pm: PGO gathering, 591 Bay Road, Amherst (Hallie Hughes' house)
Come meet PGO board members & other volunteers, & find out how to get more involved. The PGO is actively seeking more volunteers, including people to join the PGO Board. All Crocker Farm parents/guardians are automatically part of the PGO, and all volunteers are welcome, whether you can only give an hour or if you have time for more. Hope to see you there!
Refreshments will be served & additional desserts would be welcome & appreciated. Please RSVP if you can attend.
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1968888920002305/
or email us at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com
Also, feel free to pass this invitation along to any other Crocker farm parents or Crocker preschool parents who might be interested. Parents/guardians for the Crocker Farm preschool are part of the Crocker Farm PGO.
Reminder: Tonight, Tues, Feb 9th, 7:30 pm: PGO gathering, 591 Bay Road, Amherst (Hallie Hughes' house)
Come meet PGO board members & other volunteers, & find out how to get more involved. The PGO is actively seeking more volunteers, including people to join the PGO Board. All Crocker Farm parents/guardians are automatically part of the PGO, and all volunteers are welcome, whether you can only give an hour or if you have time for more. Hope to see you there!
Refreshments will be served & additional desserts would be welcome & appreciated. Please RSVP if you can attend.
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1968888920002305/
or email us at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com
Also, feel free to pass this invitation along to any other Crocker farm parents or Crocker preschool parents who might be interested. Parents/guardians for the Crocker Farm preschool are part of the Crocker Farm PGO.
School Committee Meeting tonight (Feb 9th), 6 pm, FY2017 budget on the agenda
At the School Committee meeting tonight (6 pm, ARHS library), there will be a discussion of the FY2017 budget and the latest proposed additions & cuts. A list of the proposed additions & cuts is available here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B7UVv-MmKrUOR2M1N1NYNjhidTQ
Proposed additions include: salary increases so that all ARPS staff are paid at least minimum wage, additional paraeducators for Special Ed, wireless network upgrades, & nurses for field trips.
Proposed cuts include elimination of the Director of Curriculum & Learning position, administrative cuts in the central office, & cuts to technology staff & districtwide supply & stipend budgets, At the elementary schools, the proposed budget eliminates the library assistant position at each library & reduces custodial staff.
The school librarians at Wildwood & Fort River have written public letters about what eliminating the library assistant positions will mean in terms of students' access to the school libraries. These letters were posted on the Wildwood & Fort River PGO blogs:
Fort River PGO: http://ftriver.blogspot.com/2016/02/library-paraprofessional-position-to-be.html
Wildwood PGO: http://wildwoodpgo.com/2016/02/04/letter-from-wildwood-librarian-school-committee-29/
The full FY2017 proposed Amherst elementary school budget is available here:
http://www.arps.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=8134613
The agenda & packet of the materials for tonight's School Committee meeting is available here:
http://www.arps.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_926729/File/Kim%20SC%20materials/ASCagenda2.9.16.pdf
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
PGO Social Gathering Feb 9th - Hope to see you there!
At this informal social gathering, PGO leaders will talk about the PGO, the PGO's activities & opportunities for volunteering. The PGO welcomes each & every volunteer, people with a little time to give or a lot, & there are so many ways to get involved. Also, the PGO is currently seeking new PGO board members.
Refreshments will be served & additional desserts would be welcome & appreciated. Please RSVP if you can attend.
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1968888920002305/
or email us at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com
Date: Tues, Feb 9th
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Parent Hallie Hughes' house, 591 Bay Road
Thanks for hosting, Hallie!
If you are interested in volunteering but not available on Feb 9th,
please email us or otherwise reach out.
Also, feel free to pass this invitation along to any other Crocker farm parents or Crocker preschool parents who might be interested (the preschool is part of the PGO).
Best regards,
Tracy Zafian, PGO Chair
Also, feel free to pass this invitation along to any other Crocker farm parents or Crocker preschool parents who might be interested (the preschool is part of the PGO).
Best regards,
Tracy Zafian, PGO Chair
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