Order Your Coffee NOW!

The next orders for Crocker Java are due this Wednesday February 3rd.

Just $8.50 per pound of organic, Fair Trade, caffinated goodness... give it a try! The PGO offers this service to you Every Month so you can order from us just once or keep coming back each month. We sell regular, decaf, hot cocoa & dark chocolate covered espresso beans - YUM!

Click HERE to download an order form.

Wednesday Clubs Are Here!

At long last the PGO is excited to announce that a 6 week session of Wednesday Clubs will begin on January 20th. Look for a registration form in your email and in your child's backpack!

Registration forms are due back to school no later than Wednesday January 13th!

With 8 wonderful club topics to choose from (such as Beginning Gardening, Fun with Food, Spanish Superheros, Athletics, Intermediate Chess and more) there's sure to be something for every kid!

January Calendar of Crocker Farm Events

12 - MLK Day Breakfast 8:00-9:00am Cafeteria
12 - MLK Day Assembly 1:30pm Cafeteria
13 - Wednesday Clubs Registration Forms due14 - PGO Meeting 6:30 - 7:30pm Community Room
15 - Teacher Workday - No School
18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School20 - Wednesday Clubs 1:20 - 2:50pm
22 - (new date) First Friday Coffee w/ Mr. Morris 8:45 - 9:30am Community Room
26 - School Committee Meeting 7:00, High School Library
27 - Wednesday Clubs 1:20 - 2:50pm
29 - CF Movie Night (Showing Ratatoulle) Cafeteria doors open at 6:00, movie starts at 6:30

National Girls & Women In Sports Day

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is a day to recognize, celebrate and encourage girls and women in sport. By “girls and women in sport,” we refer to girls in all levels of athletics, from the nationally ranked collegiate athlete to the recreational exerciser. Smith College wants to do its part to promote girls in sport so we are offering this day of sports clinics to local 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls.

Sunday, January 31, 2010
12:30pm Registration at Indoor Track & Tennis Building

Youth Sport Clinics: all girls will participate in five different sports (Girls will be randomly assigned to sports that could include Frisbee, field hockey, lacrosse, rowing, tennis, softball, rugby, volleyball, soccer, rock climbing, and others TBA).

4:00pm Parent Pick-up at Drop Off for Registration

All participants will receive a t-shirt, certificate, and snacks!


Name _______________________________ Grade _____________ Phone ________________

Address ___________________________ City _________________ Zip __________

I hereby state that my daughter is in good physical health and may participate in the NGWSD activities. I also give my permission to a member of the NGWSD Staff, in case of emergency, to allow my daughter to be treated in the emergency room at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Signature of Parent/Guardian ______________________________________________________

Send to: SAAC, Ainsworth Gym, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063
For further information, contact the Athletic Department at 585-2705
All events, t-shirts, and snacks are free, compliments of Smith Athletics

Coffee Coffee Coffee and Hot Chocolate Too!

The next orders for Crocker Java are due this Wednesday January 6th. Don't forget to pick up some delicious coffee and hot cocoa for these cold winter days!

This is a fundraiser for Crocker Farm and everyone gets something great - you get a yummy, organic, Fair Trade product for a very competitive price and the PGO receives $3.00 for each bag we sell. And we offer this service to you Every Month so you can order from us regularly or just once in a while.

Click HERE to download an order form.

Winter Clothing Drive - Final Week

The PGO has been collecting lots of great winter outerwear & has 2 distibution times scheduled this week. If you would like any of these clothes for your family or know someone in need, please plan to come by the school Tuesday Nov. 24, 6:00 – 8:00pm or Wednesday Nov. 25, 8:30 – 10:30am.

Donations are still being accepted! We are looking for donations of: * coats * snow pants * snow boots * hats * mittens * gloves * scarves * snowsuits *

Any left over items will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center & other social service orgs. If you have any questions, please contact Erika Zekos (studiozed@comcast.net or 413-559-0224). Thank you for your donation!

Alpaca Holiday Farm Event

Craigieburn Farm Alpacas will again be hosting an Open Farm and Holiday Sale from 10am to 4pm, Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6. Drop by and see this year’s babies and the newly renovated farm store. This is a great family outing, so be sure to bring your camera. The farm is located at 243 W. Pelham Rd. in Shutesbury, one mile south of the school. For more information, go to www.Craigieburnalpacas.com or call 413-253-4485.

Coming Up at CF

There's a whole lot on the calendar in the next couple of weeks! Here's what's on tap for the rest of November:

9 - 19 - Winter Clothing Drive drop off in the CF Lobby
17 - Picture Retake Day
19 - CF Talent Show 1:30pm, CF Cafetorium
20 - Teacher Work Day - No School
20 - Movie Night (now showing: Up!) 6:00pm, CF Cafetorium
22 - CF Day at Interskate 91! Join us for a free afternoon of skating from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
24 - Winter Clothing pick up time 6:00 - 8:00pm, CF Lobby
24 - School Committee Meeting 7:00, High School Library
24 - Winter Clothing pick up time 8:30 - 10:30am, CF Lobby
25 - Early Dismissal - Thanksgiving Recess
26 - 27 - Thanksgiving Recess

Brrrr! It's Winter Clothing Drive Time

In an effort to ensure that all Crocker Farm children are toasty this winter season the PGO is collecting warm winter outerwear again this year. Please take a look in your closets for any gently used items (ALL sizes, children and adults are needed).

We are looking for donations of: * coats * snow pants * snow boots * hats * mittens * gloves * scarves * snowsuits *

Drop off: During school, November 9 – 19 in the school lobby.

Pick up: If you would like any of these clothes for your family or know someone in need, please plan to come by the school Tuesday November 24, 6:00 – 8:00pm or Wednesday November 25, 8:30 – 10:30am.

Any left over items will be donated to the Amherst Survival Center & other social service orgs. If you have any questions, please contact Erika Zekos (studiozed@comcast.net or 413-559-0224). Thank you for your donation!

H1N1 Vaccines Available

The town of Amherst announced that there will be H1N1 vaccinations offered at the Middle School on Wednesday 11/11 from 9am-1pm for children under age 17 or pregnant woman or those caring for infants under 6 months.

go to the Town website for more info, http://amherstma.gov/ -- it's right on the front page.

Bear in mind that there are only 2000 doses available, and we have more kids than that preK-12 in the Amherst Regional schools, so they could run out before 1:00 pm.

Also remember to bring stuff for kiddos to do while waiting.

Amherstopoly - Great For Giving!

There are still a few Amherstopoly games available for sale through the PGO. Don't have one yet? Want to give one as a gift this winter? Send an email to the PGO at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com & we'll make sure you get a copy! Just $25.00 (& every penny supports the Amherst elementary schools).

Forum For Senatorial Candidates Nov. 8

A forum for candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Edward M. Kennedy will be held at the UMass Amherst on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium. The forum is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and public radio stations WFCR and WNNZ. It is free and open to the public.

An opportunity to register to vote will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Bowker Auditorium. Parking for the forum is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage, which is adjacent to Bowker Auditorium, located in Stockbridge Hall.

For more information call 617-523-2999.

AEF Thanks You For Trivia Bee Support!

The Amherst Regional Middle School auditorium was "abuzz" with contestants and spectators at the Amherst Education Foundation's 15th Annual Trivia Bee on Thursday, October 29. 120 contestants, many in costumes, competed for bragging rights to the title of Amherst area trivia champion. Hosted by AEF President (& CF mom) Katie Allan Zobel and emceed by State Representative Ellen Story, the evening of challenge, wit and fun netted a record $6,150.00 for the benefit of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury schools.

While area schools are the big winners from the event, bragging rights belong to the team of bee champion Jones Group Realtors, comprised of Doug Albertson, Tim McGee, Maureen Porter and Micki Sanderson, who won an exciting sudden death playoff against competitors New England Finishing and the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement. Winning prizes for best costume were the teams from Atkinson Family Practice (Slum"doc" Millionaires), Attorney David Noonan (the Harry Potters) and Minuteman Pest Control (the H1N1 Swine Patrol.) Awards for best team spirit went to the Amherst Club, New England Greenscape and the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement. The audience contest, themed Amherst 250th, offered a unique glimpse into Amherst's past and was won by Jackie Churchill.

The trivia bee marks AEF's first fundraising event since the organization completed its strategic plan last year, and launches what promises to be a new era in AEF history. AEF's mission is to provide significant and consistent support for area teachers and students by awarding grants, funding district-wide projects, and encouraging teacher innovation and academic excellence.

The event was underwritten by Northampton Cooperative Bank and made possible by the local businesses who provided sponsorships for the teams, donated prizes and/or helped with publicity. The Amherst Education Foundation is profoundly grateful to these businesses for their support, and is already looking forward to another successful Trivia Bee in 2010. For more information, or to make a tax-deductible gift to the schools via AEF, please visit our website at www.amhersteducationfoundation.org.

IT'S SO EASY To Support Crocker Farm

There are many ways to support CF without spending an extra dime! Just take a minute to register, recycle or vote and Crocker Farm could earn hundreds of dollars for student activities! PLEASE help out by signing up for these programs TODAY. The more families that sign up the more money the school earns - it's that simple. Thanks!

* Simplified Scrip is a fantastic new fundraiser for Crocker Farm. It's easy, earns money for student enrichment & it costs you nothing more than the face value of the card! Choose from 100s of stores including Stop&Shop, Old Navy, WalMart, Target, Whole Foods, etc. You buy gift cards & the stores give Crocker Farm up to 10% of the value. You're shopping anyways, so why not support your school at the same time?? Here are the ways to start: Order online at www.simplifiedscrip.com or call in your order 1-800-514-1891
Contact Becky Demling (230-3306 / crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com) w/any questions.

Do you have a Target REDCard? Here is the link that gets you to the site where you can designate a percentage of your Target expenditures towards Crocker Farm. Go to Target!

Big Y's Education Express is back. This program earns the school "points" that can be converted into sports equipment, computers, etc. at the end of the year. Last year we earned great instruments and a new cd player for the Music Room!

Stop&Shop's A+BonusBucks program sends a check to Mr. Morris at the end of the year. Last year 60 households earned Crocker Farm over $1000! They donate 3% of your grocery purchase to Crocker Farm! How great is that? Crocker Farm's "Designation Number" is 05194.

Atkins Farm Card. When you show your Atkins Farm Shopping Card they donate a percentage of your purchase right back to us. This generous programs earns Crocker Farm $400 each year!

Collect Box Tops for Education & send them in. The drop box is in the lobby. These really add up!

Recycle your printer's ink jet cartridges at the school. Just send them in your child's backpack & we'll get $1 for each one we recycle!

The next time you clean out your child's closet check the Teacher Wish List. Chances are, someone's looking for what you're trying to get rid of!

Social-Emotional Talk

The Counselors at Amherst Regional Middle School will be presenting an educational talk/discussion session for the benefit of parents of middle schoolers. The topic of the first talk will be on the social-emotional development in early adolescence and will be given on *Thursday, November 19 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Middle School Library*. The material for discussion will include social skills, parenting, keeping students safe in cyberspace, typical development, etc. This is a great way to understand the metamorphosis taking place in your adolescent child and how to deal with it. If you would like specific items to be discussed, please send your request to the Family School Partnership Co-Chair, Rama Janaswamy (doctor_jey2000@yahoo.com), and he will make sure to pass them on to the Counselors ahead of the talk. *All parents and families, including those of prospective middle-schoolers, are welcome.*

TONIGHT! AEF Trivia Bee

The AEF 15th Annual Trivia Bee - The “not to miss” event of the year!

TONIGHT: Thursday October 29th at 7:00 p.m., Amherst Middle School Auditorium

Join us for trivia, laughs, costumes, refreshments and raffles.
Admission is free with donations to AEF welcome.
All proceeds benefit the public schools of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury

See our website for details: http://amhersteducationfoundation.org/

Fall Wednesday Clubs

The PGO is in the process of planning a Fall session of Wednesday Clubs! We know that there are lots of kids who are interested, but to make the program a success WE NEED CLUB LEADERS! We're looking at a 4 or 5 week schedule (1:20 - 2:50 PM on Wednesday afternoons in November and December. There is a small stipend for your time and even a little bit of money for supplies if you need them.

Last spring we had parents and community members teaching clubs focusing on Knitting, Chess, Science, Food, Spanish, Dancing and Art… What do you have to offer this time??? How about Legos, Jump Rope, Exploring Nature, Writing, Book Club?

If you are interested, but not available this fall, we are planning more sessions in winter & spring so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please let me know if you're interested & available ASAP so that we can finalize our plans!

Thanks! Erika Zekos (CF PGO club coordinator) studiozed@comcast.net / 413.559.0224

Lend a Hand!

Don't forget to donate to our 2009-10 Lend a Hand campaign!

Every dollar you donate to the PGO goes directly to our school to help fund field trips, supplies for every classroom, Wednesday clubs, Community events, Crocker shows, Crocker press, and more...

Send a check made out to Crocker Farm PGO or go the Amherst Education Foundation website to make a tax deductible contribution.

Next Week At Crocker Farm

Here's a look at what's coming up. (But don't forget to check the CF Calendar by clicking the link on the right)

Wednesday Sept. 30 - Read-a-Thon Pledges Due!

Friday Oct. 2 - First Friday Coffee w/ Mr. Morris & Dr. Rodriguez 8:45 - 9:30am in the Community Room. This is a regular event (the "first Friday" of every month) & a great opportunity to talk directly with Mr. Morris or Mr. Smith about what's happening at Crocker Farm. This month we'll be joined by our new Superintendent, Dr. Rodriguez. Please join us!

Happy Birthday Amherst!

THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON THIS WEEKEND TO CELEBRATE THE HERITAGE, CHARACTER & HISTORY OF AMHERST!

Amherst's 250th Celebration Parade will start at 1:00 Sunday, September 27th. Over 100 units will be in the parade, including organizations, businesses, industries, churches, schools, clubs, groups, police and fire, as well as marching units and floats. Volunteers needed! For more information, call committee member, Pat Wagner, at 413-537-5626. www.amherst250.org. or Click on the images below to see them full sized.

March in the Parade. Calling all Amherst Elementary School Students! Be in Amherst's 250th Anniversary Parade and be part of Your Town and Public Libraries’ History!

Apple Harvest Crafts Fair and Children's Festival. Saturday, Sept. 26. 10:00am-5:00pm. Amherst Town Common. Games, crafts, food, petting zoo, pony rides, and entertainment.