Author Archives: Becky

Summer meals are continuing in August and families can access grab and go meals at more than 800 sites in Massachusetts! Some may be eligible for additional support through programs like SNAP and WIC, or through other local food resources, … Continue reading →

A public hearing has just been announced for An Act responding to the COVID-19 emergency by instituting a moratorium of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. Hearing details: The Education Committee will accept testimony via email only until Monday, August 10 … Continue reading →

Dear ARPS Community: I am pleased to inform you that Talib Sadiq has been appointed Interim Principal of ARHS for the 2020-2021 school year.  Mr. Sadiq has served as Assistant Principal at ARHS for the past two years, prior to … Continue reading →

ARPS School Nutrition has partnered with the Town of Amherst to inform people about the 2020 Census We will be offering FREE suppers on Fridays for rest of the summer, thanks to a grant from the Amherst Complete Count Committee … Continue reading →

The District has created a website full of information about the Fall 2020 Planning process. It contains survey results, planning guidance and meeting dates. https://sites.google.com/arps.org/school-return-fall2020/home?authuser=0

Dear Parent, We know students are anxious about how the coronavirus crisis will affect their college application process, including taking the SAT. We’re committed to giving students as many chances as we can to show their strengths to colleges, while … Continue reading →

1.    Complete a Vote by Mail Application; or use the pre-addressed paper application card that you may have received in the mail.  2.    Deliver your application to your Town’s Town Clerk or return the pre-addressed paper application card that you may … Continue reading →

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Saturday, August 15, 2020, 9 AM to Noon Fort River School 70 South East Street,  Amherst, MA PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED · Open to all Amherst, Pelham, Shutesbury & Hadley residents.  · Preregister between 7/6/20 and 8/7/20. … Continue reading →

JOINT Meeting of the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees 6:00 PM Monday, July 20, 2020 Virtual Meeting NOTES: This meeting will be shown via live-stream http://161.77.57.225/CablecastPublicSite/watch/2?channel=2 and on Amherst Media (Channel 15) Members of the public who would … Continue reading →

On July 22nd from 11:00am-3:00pm students can pick up items they left in their locker and can drop off books and Chromebooks that they have at home. Students should enter through the gym entrance and wear masks.  Also, for students in … Continue reading →

Four workshop sessions for seniors in the Class of 2021 in late July which will focus on several pieces of the College Admissions Pie! Tuesday – July 21st – Building Your College List – Target, Reach & Likely School  9am-10:00am … Continue reading →

Did you know that ARPS maintains a website complete with all COVID-19 Communications and a listing of resources for the community. It can be found at: http://www.arps.org/district/news/covid-19-communication-resources

The Amherst Survival Center- 138 Sunderland Road, Amherst Onsite services open from 12-3PM M/T/TH/F Free hot lunch. Free produce and bread. Free monthly full grocery shop- onsite pantry open, plus curbside pickup and delivery options. The Food Pantry is available … Continue reading →

The 2020 Census self response rate in Amherst is currently at 62.5%. We need this number to be much higher to ensure a complete count. Amherst is also at a very high risk of undercounting our young children, according to … Continue reading →

Dear ARHS Families, This year was filled with many unexpected events that gave me a chance to reassess my priorities and reflect on what is truly important in my life. As a result of these reflections,  I have decided it … Continue reading →

This Thursday, July 2, 2020 Join the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees on Thursday, July 9 for a discussion of priorities for opening of school in the fall. ARPS staff, parents/guardians and community members are welcome! There will … Continue reading →

On Tuesday, July 15th and Tuesday July 22nd from 11:00am-3:00pm students can pick up items they left in their locker and can drop off books and Chromebooks that they have at home. Students should enter through the gym entrance and … Continue reading →

Four workshop sessions for seniors in the Class of 2021 in late July which will focus on several pieces of the College Admissions Pie! Tuesday – July 21st – Building Your College List – Target, Reach & Likely School  9am-10:00am … Continue reading →

Dear Parent, If your child took an AP® Exam this year, they’ll get access to their AP scores between Wednesday, July 15, and Friday, July 17, depending on their location. Scores will be released at 8 a.m. ET on the … Continue reading →

We are thrilled to announce that we will continue serving FREE MEALS to ALL children 0-18 through August 28! If you’ve been receiving these meals at our 7 sites, please continue as usual. If you haven’t been receiving meals, please … Continue reading →

Parents and ARHS Community, Over the past several days we have witnessed violent and non-violent reactions to the death of Mr. George Floyd. The recent events of a world pandemic, unemployment, isolation and now the death of Mr. Floyd have … Continue reading →

We are haunted by the searing vision of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on a subdued man’s neck, as other officers watched the man die. We witnessed Mr. George Floyd’s pleas for help be ignored by the very people who … Continue reading →

We would like to invite all families to this week’s session of Counselor’s Corner. This session’s topics will be around behavioral support, building/maintaining routines, and may also include discussion around summer related strategies for your child and families. This session … Continue reading →

Hello ARHS students and  families, In the wake of the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minnesota police, and the resulting rallies and protests around the world and in Amherst regarding police brutality against Black people and people … Continue reading →

Since students who will be moving to a new school in the 2020-2021 school year cannot have the in-person tours typically offered each spring, they can now see their new school buildings through a virtual tour.  There is a link … Continue reading →

On Wednesday, June 3rd, Superintendent Morris presented the school committee with the district;s considerations and options for Fall 2020 Planning. If you missed it, here is the link to the slideshow: http://www.arps.org/sites/default/files/Fall%202020%20Planning%20%28final%29.pdf

Last week, local Social Service agencies hosted a discussion and info session on Transitioning to adult services during Covid-19 and School Closures. Here are the Autism Connections/Family Empowerment presentation. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wAZ2RxDckCwj_QjDAwE8VOF10F5BfPrV/view?usp=sharing Should anyone still have questions and feel they would benefit … Continue reading →

June 12th- Listening Circle – ARHS June 12th- ARPS Counselor’s Corner 2:15 PM June 15th- Listening Circle – ARHS June 18th- Last Day of Distance Learning June 22nd- ARHS Staff Appreciation Luncheon (raindate June 23) All other school events are … Continue reading →

**Not School Sponsered** Friday, June 12 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM March begins at the ARHS Football field. https://www.facebook.com/events/571431013805396/ This event is being led by and for black and brown youth of Western Mass who are needing to share … Continue reading →

In partnership with WGBH, Governor Charlie Baker delivered a commencement address to the Class of 2020 as part of a celebration for graduating seniors from 668 public and private schools across the Commonwealth. https://www.wgbh.org/massachusetts-commencement-2020#:~:text=In%20partnership%20with%20WGBH%2C%20Governor,private%20schools%20across%20the%20Commonwealth.

The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center (MassHire FHCC) provides employment and training opportunities for In-School and Out-of-School youth and young adults ages 14-24 in collaboration with our community partners in the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions.  To learn more … Continue reading →

As the end of the school year nears, we reflect on how proud we are of all our teachers, staff, students, and parents and their resilience in adapting to the unforeseen and unique challenges they faced this year. With that … Continue reading →

Every 10 years, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the federal government undertakes a census of the U.S. population to determine the allocation of seats held by each state in the House of Representatives. An accurate census count is also … Continue reading →

Here is the updated list from the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce on what area businesses are open and how to contact them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MSBFnv08nc7yap2TmBgmyLyUfzEwLixoc1updNS8jxU/edit?usp=sharing

This is an update on Town of Amherst activities this summer. Please note that all activities, if they are happening, will be different than they have been in previous years. We will put in place precautions to minimize the likelihood … Continue reading →

Please join us virtually at our next meeting: Friday, June 5, 9-10:30am via Google Hangout: use the link: https://meet.google.com/wjk-sgms-vqw or join by phone: +1 402-295-5292 PIN: 833435933# Please RSVP to sepac@arps.org with your phone number, so if we run into … Continue reading →

June 5- ARPS SEPAC Virtual Meeting 9 AM June 5- Juniors will be notified of teachers’ recommendations decisions June 5- Graduation Car Parade through Towns 3:00 PM – 4:40 PM (Not school sponsored) June 5th- Graduation Ceremony Video premiere – … Continue reading →

Amherst Educators are coming together for a Solidarity Rally to show our support of our students, families, and colleagues.  We will have live speakers, educators will join together in taking the Black Lives Matters At School Pledge together, and we … Continue reading →

Let us know what virtual teen programming you would like to see at the Jones this summer by filling out our quick and easy survey!  Teens (ages 11-17) who fill out the survey (and who include their full name and email … Continue reading →

There is a joint meeting of the Amherst, Pelham, and Region School Committees on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30pm. It will be broadcast live on Amherst Media as well as streaming on http://161.77.57.225/CablecastPublicSite/watch/2?channel=2 The meeting will begin the critical planning … Continue reading →

The Art Department at Amherst Regional High School is proud to present AR[T]HS 2020, an exhibit of outstanding student artwork from the 2019-2020 school year. This juried exhibit – now in its 12th year – includes work from all of … Continue reading →

Dear Parents/Guardians, This letter is to update you on the planning underway for summer special education instruction and services for your child(ren) for this upcoming summer. Last week, on May 21st & 22nd you received messages from our office with … Continue reading →

ARHS Counselours have created a website full of resources for parents and caregivers of our high school students. In it you will find the contact information of all of the counselors in the school as well as links to resources … Continue reading →

Teacher Recommendations Tomorrow is the last day to request teacher recommendations. Please see below for expectations and materials for teacher recommendation requests! Juniors will be notified of teachers’ decisions by June 5th — Parent & Guardian Surveys in Naviance Reminder … Continue reading →

Dear Parent, Your teen is now able to register for fall SAT® administrations. All students can register for the November or December administration at this time. Students who registered for (and didn’t cancel) the June SAT and current high school juniors … Continue reading →

Subject: Registration for college essay boot camp (w/ action item for you) Hi ARHS Juniors! This June, we’re excited to offer students the chance to join a one-week college essay boot camp delivered by Ethan Sawyer, AKA the College Essay … Continue reading →

Is your household doing any online shopping through Amazon? Did you know you can earn money for the ARHS PGO with each Amazon purchase. Enroll in this passive fundraising to earn money for the Amherst/Amherst Regional School PGOs while you … Continue reading →

Class of 2020! I didn’t have the opportunity to see you this week as you pick up diploma folders, don and doff cap and gowns, line up your decorated cars, strike a fabulous pose, and dance through your awsome Class … Continue reading →

Senior activities culminate on June 5th On Friday, June 5th our community will celebrate our 2020 ARHS Graduates with a parent sponsored Senior Car Parade at 3:00 PM – 4:40 PM. 1. Professional photographs from Wednesday’s celebration will be available … Continue reading →

The Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery provides a four-year tuition credit to Massachusettspublic universities. The Koplik is awarded to students who at a minimum, have one score on thetenth grade MCAS in the Advanced category and the other two … Continue reading →