Northampton Pride Parade - May 4th - ARPS families marching

Save the Date 

2013 Northampton Pride Parade
Saturday, May 4th

Last year, for the first time, there was a contingent at the Pride Parade for the Amherst Regional Public Schools. Administrators, staff and families marched together, showing support and enjoying the festivities. This year we’d like to organize an even larger group and show even greater support.  The tone of the event is celebratory and family-friendly. You do not have to be a member of the LGBT community to march. In fact last year the majority of the people in the school group were allies.  Participating is a great way to show support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered members of our community.

Details from the organizers

The parade starts at noon in downtown Northampton and ends at a rally at the 3 County Fairgrounds.  The school group will be meeting 11:00-11:30 a.m. in the staging area across from the Northampton Brewery. 

For the parade, the school group will have a main banner to march behind.  We will stay together as the parade marches through town to the 3 County Fair Grounds, and then we will disperse to enjoy the day however we choose. Last year some people stayed for the vendors, musicians and speakers at the fairgrounds Several of us found a shady tree near the stage and enjoyed a picnic lunch. The event itself is free and all are welcome to attend. There is a charge for food and other Pride-related items are for sale in the tents.

Amherst is a diverse and accepting community but homophobia is still present. For children or staff members who hear homophobic comments at school it means the world to see that those attitudes to not reflect the feelings of the entire community.
                                                       

For more information, please contact Amherst regional schools contingent organizer Ali Wicks-Lim (Fort River parent) at wickslim@yahoo.com.  More information on the parade and Pride event itself is available here:  http://www.site.nohopride.org/Pride__Event.html

*** This is not a school sponsored event ***

Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award - Fundraiser April 6th

Online contributions can be made here:  http://sites.google.com/site/rlwexcellenceinteaching/contributing

Intercambio de libros -- El 9 y 10 de abril

Intercambio de libros

en Crocker Farm
El 9 y 10 de abril

Traigan sus libros usados (de todos niveles de dificultad – y de todo tipo de tema) a la escuela Crocker Farm ANTES del 8 de abril.  Cajas de colección se encuentran a las entradas principales (cerca de la oficina central de Crocker Farm).

Todos los alumnos tendrán la oportunidad de elegir libros para llevar a casa – no importa se pueden donar libros viejos o no – Habrá libros para todos.

Especialmente buscamos libros con capítulos para los alumnos de los grados mayores.  Si tiene preguntas o si desean ayudar con esto – por favor mande un mensaje electrónico a Cammie McGovern,  cammiemcg@aol.com

Book Swap -- April 9th & 10th

CROCKER FARM

BOOK SWAP
April 9th and 10th!

Bring your used books (all reading levels; fiction/nonfiction) to school BEFORE April 8th!!  We’ll have collection boxes in classrooms and the main office.

ALL STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE HOME BOOKS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY’VE BROUGHT BOOKS IN OR NOT!

The more books we collect, the more we’ll have to give away!  We’ll be especially grateful for donations of any chapter books for older readers.

Any questions?   Want to help sort books on April 8th or can work a shift April 9th or 10th? please contact Cammie McGovern at cammiemcg@aol.com

 

Lacrosse in Amherst !

Amherst College Swimming Lessons Update

3/7/13 Update

At this time the Wednesday 2:45 lessons are full with the exception of some space in the diving class.

There is still space available in each of the other times though they are filling quickly so please get your registration in soon.

If you have already sent in your registration and don’t hear from me via email or phone in the next few days, you are all set and there is no need to reply or inquire.

We are looking forward to lessons starting in just a few weeks!

Thanks,

Karin

Karin Brown

Original post: 
 
Amherst College Swimming and Diving Lessons for kids run from early April to early May.   Registration deadline is March 22nd. 

Registration Forms and information are available at this link:
https://www.amherst.edu/athletics/teams/winter/swimming/lessons  

For more information, please contact Karin Brown.   

Karin Brown
Assistant Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach
Assistant to the Athletic Director
 Amherst College
Phone: 413-542-8196

Not school sponsored

Baseball in Amherst

Not school sponsored

Award for Excellence in Teaching - Nominations Sought

 

Announcing …

 

The Roger L. Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award

Call for Nominations

for the first year of this annual award

       Elementary teachers, instructional paraprofessionals, and parents of students currently in the elementary schools of Amherst and Pelham are invited to nominate an outstanding teacher to receive this award.  You are encouraged to collaborate with others in making nominations.

        A group of parents, alumni and retired educators, partnering with the Amherst Education Foundation, the Social Justice Education Program at UMass, and collaborating with the Amherst Public Schools, has created this award to honor Amherst and Pelham elementary teachers and recognize excellence in teaching!  We are raising money to create an endowment of $25,000 so that one teacher can be honored each year and the award can continue into perpetuity.  The award will include a stipend of $750 in the first year, and a stipend based on the income from the endowment each year thereafter.

Nominations are due April 1, 2013.

In order to nominate an outstanding teacher, please submit:

• A brief written description of how the nominee meets each of the selection criteria (See below and see attached nomination form.): 1-3 pages
• A letter of recommendation from a second person: 1-3 pages

Nomination documents will be accepted in any language.  Nominations should be e-mailed to: wallace.teaching.award@gmail.com, or sent to “Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award”, PO Box 3670, Amherst, MA 01004 and must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2013.

 

Nominiations should include the name and school of the person being nominated, the name and contact info for the nominator, and a description in 1-3 pages of how the nominee meets each of the Selection Criteria below.  A 1-3 page letter of recommendation from a second nominator is also required.
 

Criteria for Selection  
1. The Nominee demonstrates thorough knowledge of the elementary school curriculum and prepares students for the society of the present and the future.

2. The Nominee teaches in an engaging and challenging manner appropriate for elementary school students.

3. The Nominee encourages students’ self-confidence and a passion for learning.

4. The Nominee demonstrates a social justice commitment, visible in actions that promote equity in the classroom and ensure equitable benefits for all students.

5. The Nominee builds strong relationships with students, setting high standards for their personal and academic achievement and supporting them in reaching and even surpassing these goals.

6. The Nominee works closely with parents, collaborating with them in the growth and development of students.

7. The Nominee shares skills and information with other educational professionals, and continues to grow and learn as a teacher.

 

Selection Process
1. Nominations should be e-mailed to: wallace.teaching.award@gmail.com, or sent to “Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award”, PO Box 3670, Amherst, MA 01004 and must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2013.

2. The Principal of the school where each nominee teaches will be asked to indicate whether or not, in his or her judgment, each nominee meets the selection criteria, and to offer other comments on the nominee.

3. The Selection Committee (composed of one representative from each of the three Partner Organizations: the Amherst Education Foundation, the Social Justice Education program at UMass -Amherst School of Education, and the Wallace Award Committee) will review all nominations and principal input. Using the Selection Criteria the Committee will select 2 – 5 names to put on the ballot.

4. All professional staff (excluding administrators) and instructional paraprofessionals working in the elementary school buildings (not Central Office) at least half-time may cast a ballot. (The Selection Committee will decide on the form of the ballot.) The results of the balloting will determine the recipient of the award. Voting will occur in May. There will be one recipient each year, beginning in the Fall of 2013.

 

Eligibility
1. The nominee must have taught for at least three years in the Amherst and/or Pelham elementary schools.

2. This award is to be made for excellence in teaching, not simply for excellence in any of the other important roles in a school. Recognizing that individuals with many different job titles may, in fact, teach, eligibility is open to any employee (excepting an administrator) who works at least half-time in the elementary school buildings, including those who work in multiple school buildings.

3. The nominee must be currently teaching in the Amherst and/or Pelham elementary schools and be expecting to continue to teach in our elementary schools in the school year following the school year of nomination. (Exceptions may be made for teachers who have provided long-time excellent service and may be retiring).

 

Notes

• While excellence in teaching will always be the primary criterion, the Selection Committee is charged with ensuring that over time the awardees represent a diversity of identities and that teachers from all the schools are recognized.
• This award is named in honor of Roger Wallace, who retired last year after 39 years of excellent teaching in our elementary schools.
• Please address questions to the Wallace Award Committee, c/o Pat Romney, 413-253-5630 or e-mail: Wallace.teaching.award@gmail.com.
• We will gratefully acknowledge each nomination that we receive.

 

Donations - PLEASE!

We invite all parents, teachers, staff, and community members to join in helping to create and endow this award by making a contribution on our website and/or join us for our fundraiser on April 6, 2013.  Details coming soon.

Come Meet the Principal Finalists Tonight

Forum to Meet Crocker Farm Principal Finalist Candidates

Forum tonight starts at 6:15 pm, and goes until 8:30 pm.

 

The candidates will each give a brief overview and then answer questions from the audience.

 

The forum on Monday included two finalists.  Tonight's forum includes the final three finalists.

 

Brief bios on the five finalists are available here.

Community Skate Sunday, March 10th