Back to school letter from Mr. Shea & Ms. Conklin & bus schedules

The 2016-17 morning & afternoon bus schedules are now available on the district web site. Here's the link.  BUS ROUTES


Back-to-School Letter from Mr. Shea & Ms. Conklin
you can also view the letter here: BACK TO SCHOOL  LETTER

August 15, 2016

Dear Crocker Farm Families:

We hope this letter finds everyone well.  As much as we are enjoying summer, we are looking forward to seeing our students and families for the start of the school year.  Our custodial team, under Mr. Stedman’s leadership, is working hard to clean and polish our building in preparation for students’ arrival.

Please take a minute to note important beginning of the year information.

• First day of school for students in grades 1-6 is Wednesday, August 31st.  Remember school starts at 8:50am and ends at 3:10pm.  Students can begin arriving to the playground after 8:30am
• First day for Kindergarten students is Tuesday, September 6th.  Kindergarten teachers will be in touch with families about scheduling a visiting slot either Thursday, September 1st or Friday, September 2nd.
• Bus Routes are attached to this email for your review.  You can also check the district website in the coming days for this information   www.arps.org  
• Our Open House will be Wednesday, October 5th in the evening.  More information to follow.
• Classroom Placement Postcards will be mailed home to students and families on Friday, August 19th.  
• Our PGO (Parent/Guardian Organization) plays a vital role in supporting our school.  For the last several years, Tracy Zafian has led the efforts of this group.  Thank you on behalf of the Crocker Farm Community for your hard work and service to our school.  This year, Hallie Hughes and Jessica Sidman will be our new co-presidents.  They’ve already started working and planning for events for coming year.  Thank you, Hallie and Jessica for stepping up to take on this important role.  
• Project Backpack: Families who signed up to reserve a backpack should pick them up on August 18th and 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  All other families in need of a backpack should email Mildred Martinez at martinezm2@arps.org or call the ARPS Family Center at 362-1871 and will be placed on a wait list.
• School Calendar 2016-2017: http://goo.gl/gNki1Y
• Buildings and Grounds Update:  
• If you’ve driven by Crocker Farm this summer, you probably noticed a lot of construction.  Thirty-five new parking spaces were added to the West Street entrance of the school.
•   In addition, a grant funded new Preschool Playground is being constructed in front of the preschool classrooms.  Both projects should be finished in the coming days.

We look forward to seeing everyone very soon.

Best for now,

Derek Shea, Principal

Sharri Conklin, Assistant Principal                            

Carta del Sr. Shea & Sra. Conklin - Bienvenidos a todos

Aquí está el horario del autobús:  EL HORARIO DEL AUTOBUS
-------------------------

15 de agosto de 2016

Estimadas Familias de Crocker Farm :

Esperamos que esta carta los encuentre a todos bien. Por mucho que estemos disfrutando del verano, estamos deseando ver a nuestros estudiantes y sus familias para el inicio del año escolar. Nuestro equipo de conserjes, bajo el liderazgo del Sr. Stedman, está trabajando duro para limpiar y pulir nuestro edificio en la preparación para la llegada de los estudiantes.

Por favor, tómese un minuto para observar importantes principios de la información del año.

• Primer día de clases para los estudiantes en los grados 1- 6 es el miércoles, 31 de agosto.  Recuerde que empiecen las clases a las 8:50 am y termina a las 3:10 pm. Los estudiantes pueden comenzar a llegar al patio de recreo después de las 8:30 am
• Primer día para los estudiantes de Kindergarten es el martes, 6 de septiembre. Los maestros de kindergarten estarán en contacto con las familias acerca de la visita de orientación ya sea para el Jueves, 1 ª septiembre o viernes 2 de septiembre.
• Rutas de Autobús
  se adjunta a este correo electrónico para su revisión. También se puede consultar el sitio web del distrito en los próximos días para obtener esta información www.arps.org
• Nuestra Casa Abierta será el miércoles 5 de octubre en la noche.  Más información a seguir.
• Postales con la información de la colocación del salón de clase se enviará por correo a casa para los estudiantes y las familias el viernes 19 de agosto.
• Nuestro PGO (Padre / Guardián Organización) desempeña una función vital de apoyo a nuestra escuela. Durante los últimos años, Tracy Zafian ha llevado a los esfuerzos de este grupo. Gracias en nombre de la Comunidad Crocker Farm por su arduo trabajo y servicio a nuestra escuela. Este año, Hallie Hughes y Jessica Sidman serán nuestras nuevas co-presidentes. Ellas ya han empezado a trabajar y planificar eventos para próximo año. Gracias, Hallie y Jessica por asumir esta importante función.
• Mochila Proyecto: Para las familias necesitadas de mochilas, los días de distribución serán Ago 18 y 19 en la Escuela Intermedia Regional de Amherst (Centro de la Familia) de 9:00 am-3:00 p.m.
• Calendario Escolar 2016-2017: http://goo.gl/gNki1Y
• Actualización de edificios y terrenos : Si has conducido por Crocker Farm este verano, usted probablemente ha notado mucha construcción. Treinta y cinco nuevos espacios de estacionamiento se añadieron a la entrada de la escuela por la calle West . Además, una beca financió la nueva zona de juegos de preescolar que se está construyendo en frente a los salones de preescolar. Ambos proyectos deben terminarse en los próximos días.

Esperamos verlos a todos muy pronto.

El mejor por ahora,

Derek Shea, Principal      

Sharri Conklin, Assistente de Principal                               

Save the Date: Back-to-School Picnic, Sept 8th

Meet old friends and make new ones—

come have fun before the school year kicks into high gear! 

Bring a picnic or have a slice of pizza on us.
(Baked goods and donations welcome!)

When: Thursday, September 8
Where: Crocker Farm School
Time: 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.

School Calendar - Upcoming Dates to Remember

Upcoming School Year Calendar: Aug-Oct

*Wed, Aug 31st: First Day of School, 1st-12th grade
*Mon, Sept 5th: Labor Day Holiday - no school
*Tues, Sept 6th: First Day of School for Kindergarten & preschool
*Wed, Sept 21st: Early Release Day, 1:20 pm dismissal
*Mon, Oct 10th: No school
Wed, Oct 19th: Early Release Day, 1:20 pm dismissal
Fri, Oct 21st: Conference Day, noon dismissal
Mon, Oct 24th: Conference Day, noon dismissal

See the full year's school calendar here: http://tinyurl.com/zwmmm2l

The PGO's calendar of its fall events will be coming soon.

(click to enlarge)

PGO MEETING

The countdown begins…school starts soon! As a reminder, all Crocker Farm guardians and parents are part of the PGO.  After three years as co-chair/chair of the PGO, Tracy Zafian is stepping down.  Jessica Sidman and Hallie Hughes have agreed to co-chair the PGO this year, with Farah Ameen serving on the executive committee.  We're hoping that we can get a big group so that we can do a lot this year without too much work falling on any one shoulder. We all want to do what we can for the kids and staff, and we want to it as easy as possible for people to do what they can for the PGO. We are hoping to increase member involvement this year.  Many volunteer opportunities exist, lots of which can be done outside of working hours and from home. We are holding a meeting this Thursday, August 11 at 7:30 located at 30 Orchard Street in Amherst. Light refreshments will be served. Our agenda is as follows:

1) PGO structure/roles
2) Back to School Gathering
3) Events that the PGO might run for the year and how to divvy them up
4) Finances and Teacher Stipends
5) Fundraising
6) Volunteer recruitment

Many of you are traveling or otherwise busy, so if you can't make this meeting, please don't worry -- we'll get minutes out and will be in touch.

Please let us know if you can come, and please feel free to forward this along to spread the word to anyone who is interested

Hope to see you Thursday!