Introducing the Amherst Reg Public Schools PGO

Earlier this year, the Crocker Farm PGO joined with the PGOs from Wildwood, and the Amherst Regional Middle School and High School to form a joint non-profit 501(c)3 organization: the Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO.  This means that we (our joint organization & by extension each of these PGO) are now a non-profit organization that can accept tax-deductible donations, apply for and receive grants, and much more!  We have a joint bank account and will be doing projects together, and on our own as well.

Our first joint project will be to participate in Valley Gives 2014.   Valley Gives is a one-day on-line fundraiser to help many non-profits in the Pioneer Valley to raise money for their organizations.  Valley Gives will be held this year on December 10, 2014.  During Valley Gives, our schools will individually be fundraising for ourselves and also sharing donations from families and others who donate to the general ARPS PGO:

The Crocker Farm PGO is looking for a few volunteers to help us with the Crocker Farm part of Valley Gives.
1) To help publicize the event with Crocker Farm families, including by sending out emails & promoting Valley Gives
for the Crocker Farm PGO & ARPS-PGO in the few weeks before the event & on the day of the event, & helping to thank donors afterwards. 
2) To help the Crocker Farm PGO create some promotional materials, such as a short video or slideshow about our school, to encourage donations.   

If you are interested in helping, please contact the Crocker Farm PGO at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com. 

and if you give on Valley Gives Day, please consider supporting us.   The organizers of Valley Gives (the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts)  provide incentives and bonuses for organizations to get as many individual donations as possible, no matter what size the donation.   Every donation counts and helps our school.

All donations received by the Crocker Farm PGO through Valley Gives or otherwise will be used to support our students, teachers, staff, and the school community.  

October Letter from Ms. Shea & Ms. Conklin

link (here).

2014 October
Dear Crocker Farm Families:

We send heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended Curriculum Night on the 30th of September. It fills us with joy to see so many families united in the education of our children. We appreciate your efforts and will work with you to maintain open lines of communication. October is a busy month and there are a plethora of events that we’d like to draw your attention to for this month:

* On Thursday, October 2nd, we had a safety drill to go over procedures for “lockdown.” The children followed all of the procedures seamlessly. We will continue to review these important protocols throughout the school year to ensure that our school remains current and safe.

* Our first School Governance Council meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 10 @ 7:30am. Elected committee members and members of the public are invited to attend.

*  Monday, October 13th – NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day (observed).

* October 17th Grupo Tradiciones is coming to dance for all of us at 9:30am and share a piece of Latina/Latino culture with us

* At the end of this month you will have an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher for a conference. If you need to set up a conference time please connect with your child’s classroom teacher.

Due to the conferences with parents and guardians we will have three special early release days. They are as follows:
o Wednesday, October 22, school ends at 1:20pm – Yes, there is PrimeTime (afterschool care) that starts right when school ends and there is normal bus service afterwards
o Friday, October 24, school ends at NOON (12:00pm) – Yes, there is PrimeTime (afterschool care) that starts right when school ends
o Monday, October 27, school ends at NOON (12:00pm) – Yes, there is PrimeTime (afterschool care) that starts right when school ends

Although it is the month for Halloween celebrations, we do not wear costumes to school – please save costumes for private parties and trick or treating. We also ask that you do not send candy in to school.

If your child is ill and will not attend school – please call the absence (413-362-1659) line before 9:00am.

If your child arrives at school after 8:50am, it is important that they stop in at the office to check-in before continuing on to their classroom.

The next coffee with the Principal will be October 31st at 8:50am in the community room. Our special guest will be School Superintendent, Maria Geryk. We hope you can join us for some fruitful discussion.

Enjoy the lovely fall colors,
Derek Shea, Principal and Sharri Conklin, Assistant Principal

carta del Sr. Shea & Sra. Conklin

link:  (aqui)

2014 octubre
Queridas familias de la escuela Crocker Farm:

Les mandamos las gracias por su asistencia a la noche de currículo. Fue una alegría ver tantas familias unidas en nuestra meta de educar a nuestros niños. Agradecemos sus esfuerzos y mantenemos las líneas de comunicación abiertas para todos. Hay una gran cantidad de eventos este mes – aquí repasamos las fechas importantes para su familia:

* 2 de octubre, día jueves, tuvimos una práctica de nuestras medidas de seguridad. Los niños siguieron las normas y todos aprendimos lo que se debe hacer cuando estamos de nivel “shelter in place” (mantener su lugar) y “lockdown” (quedarse en su localidad con la puerta bloqueada/con traba.

*  La primera reunión del comité aconsejadora de gobernar a la escuela se realiza viernes 10 de octubre a las 7:30am en la escuela Crocker Farm. Todos los miembros del público se invitan a la plática.

* 13 de octubre, día lunes, no habrá escuela – se observa el día de Cristóbal Colon.

*17 de octubre, Grupo Tradiciones vienen a bailar (9:30am) y compartir una parte de la cultura Latina con nuestra comunidad.

* Es el mes para conferencias con los maestros – si Ustedes necesitan hacer una cita – llamen la oficina 413-362-1657 y hablen con Ángela quien los puede ayudar hacer una cita con la maestra/el maestro de su niño.

* Acaso de las conferencias con padres y guardianes – tenemos tres días especiales cuando los niños salen tempranos de la escuela:
o 22 de octubre, día miércoles, los niños salen de escuela a las 1:20pm – sí - hay Prime Time (afterschool) este día y empieza después de que terminan las clases desde 1:22pm – 5:30pm con servicio de autobús normal
o 24 de octubre, día viernes, los niños salen de escuela a medio día (12:00pm) -- sí - hay Prime Time (afterschool care) este día y empieza después de que terminan las clases desde 12:01 pm – 5:30pm
o 27 de octubre, día lunes, los niños salen de escuela a medio día (12:00pm) -- sí - hay Prime Time (afterschool care) este día y empieza después de que terminan las clases desde 12:01 pm – 5:30pm

Aunque este es el mes que se celebra Halloween, nosotros no usamos disfraces en escuela , por favor guarden los disfraces para cuando los niños vayan “trick or treating” en la tarde. Tambien pedimos que no se mande caramelos hacia la escuela.

Si su niño se enferma, llamen la línea de ausencia, lo más antes posible y antes de las 9am: 413-362-1659.

Si su niño llega a escuela después de 8:50am, tienen que parar en la oficina para una nota ANTES de seguir hacia su clase.

El próximo café con el director se realiza el 31, día viernes, en el salón de la comunidad aquí en la escuela Crocker Farm a las 8:50am. La superintendente, Maria Geryk viene a platicar con nosotros. Los invitamos a todos compartir este momento.
Esperamos que disfruten los colores del otoño,

Derek Shea, Director y Sharri Conklin, asistente al director

APRS Survey Re: Children of Military Families

Dear Guardian,

Amherst Regional Public Schools is conducting a survey to determine which members of the Amherst community are children of a military family according to the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3). Your participation in the survey is voluntary and is being conducted in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If you currently have a student attending Amherst Regional Public Schools, please take a moment to complete this online survey at the following address:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MVWPWYT

For more information on how this information is used to support children of military families, please visit MIC3 at www.mic3.net

Thank you for your support,
Amherst Regional Public Schools

Boy Scouts Open House - 10/7

Boy Scouts Troop 500 Amherst Open House for prospective scouts (grades 5-12; ages 11-17) & their families

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
South Congregational Church
1066 South East Street, Amherst.

Troop activities are organized and run by the boys, including weekly meetings, monthly campouts, and projects in the community.  Our Scouts learn practical outdoor skills and develop leadership skills while having a lot of fun.

Troop 500 does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or sexual preference.

For more information, contact Scoutmaster Michelle Chandler at (413) 256-5412


(Not a school or PGO-sponsored event). 

Voices from our Schools Recent Shows

Voices from our Schools is an Amherst Media program
hosted by Kimberly Stender from the Superintendent's office

two recent shows:

 * Know Your Neighbor Coalition. Betsy McInnis and Cynthia Brubaker explain the mission of the recently formed Know Your Neighbor Coalition. KYN is tackling issues in the greater Amherst community including transportation, food insecurity, housing, mental health services and accessibility to community colleges. 

http://www.amherstmedia.org/content/voices-our-schools-know-your-neighbor-coalition

* Response to Intervention.  Kimberly Stender talks with Sharri Conklin, Assistant Principal at the Crocker Farm Elementary School, and Jen Smith, Reading Specialist at the Crocker Farm Elementary School, about Response to Intervention (RTI).
http://www.amherstmedia.org/content/voices-our-schools-sharri-conklin-jen-smith

News from the ARPS Family Center

The new (September) ARPS Family Center newsletter is available for downloading here (family center).

For more information on the APRS Family Center & their programs, you can also visit their web site:
http://www.arps.org/families/ARPS_Family_Center/

See Hear Feel Film

Many of your children have already or will be participating in the Amherst Cinema's See Hear Feel Film program during 3rd grade.  In a nutshell it uses film and filmmaking tools to inspire children's creative writing and critical thinking skills.  Want to know more? Now you have a chance to experience it for yourself! 

Amherst Cinema will hold free, one hour sessions of See Hear Feel Film for adults on these dates: Wed. October 8; Sunday, November 2; and Monday, December 15th from 6-7pm.  No reservations or tickets are necessary.  Come and experience what Amherst Cinema offers over 1,000 students in the Valley every year.  

Free popcorn included.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

School Lunch Menu for October

You can also view it here:  (lunch menu link)

(click to enlarge)

Curriculum Night Thanks!

Many thanks to our teachers & staff for hosting Curriculum Night.  It was great to see so many families there & see how much our kids are learning.   Thank you too to the school for providing bus transportation for the apartment complexes, to the district and school for arranging the childcare, & to the PGO volunteers for baking all those yummy muffins.   

If you have any questions/comments for the PGO and/or want to get involved with PGO events/activities & didn't talk with us last night, feel free to get in touch anytime.  You can email us at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com or send us a note to the PGO mailbox in the office.