Author Archives: Becky

At their meeting last week, the School Committees endorsed entering into an intensive, two-month community engagement process regarding the possibility of permanently moving to a later start time for the secondary schools (the possibility of having a later start time … Continue reading →

The Environmental Action Club has partnered with an organization called Tree-Plenish to plant trees in the Amherst community! Our goal is 230 trees, which will offset the school’s yearly paper consumption. If you’d like to request a tree, go to … Continue reading →

Thank you to all of the families, students and staff members who shared their feedback through the surveys regarding whether snow days should be called during this period of remote learning.  A significant percentage of both ARPS families and staff … Continue reading →

It’s time to order your cap and gown for the June 11th graduation ceremony! The ordering process has gone on-line this year.  Orders will be delivered to the school sometime in May. Here is the link:  https://www.buildagrad.com/amherstregionalhs

Class of 2021! You have twenty one, that is 21, weeks to go. Let’s see this as auspicious! Please buckle up and move forward on whatever needs to be done. This is just an incredibly packed time (do we have … Continue reading →

Jan 15 and Jan 16: ARHS Theater Company presents She Kills Monsters 8PM Jan 17: SETF Survey Deadline Jan 18: MLK Holiday (No School) Jan 22: Last Day to Submit Senior Photos for Yearbook Jan 25- Material Drop of and … Continue reading →

This message comes from the MLK Committee of Amherst (1984 – present). It is set with prayerful hopes for a year of moving forward to serve our community with renewed spirits and clarity of purpose. That said, due to overwhelming … Continue reading →

Is your student interested in gaining Job-Readiness Skills? There is a free School to Career Ready-To-Work Program available to them. This is a 5 week program that will run from January 26 2021 to February 25, 2021. These will be … Continue reading →

The Amherst Hurricanes Athletic Boosters and Amherst Recreation are teaming up to provide a free “Recess Van,” for student K-6 during the lunch/recess break between the times of 11:30-12:15 from 1/11/2021-1/29/21.  It is voluntary, free and doesn’t require any registration, … Continue reading →

Looking for ways to make a delicious dinner without last minute trips to the market, especially these days?  Join us for Feasting from Your Winter Pantry: Soul Warming Recipes from Your Pantry, a webinar to be presented by Chef Liz Barbour, owner … Continue reading →

Wishing the entire ARHS Community a very Happy New Year. School will resume on Monday, January 4th. Your Parent News Editors — Becky and Liz

Winter sports registration has been extended until January 6th. Please click to register and dont forget, an up-to-date physical must be on file in order to participate. Any questions please email athletic director, Victoria Stewart at stewartv@arps.org.  If your child is registered or interested … Continue reading →

Do you work at UMass? Do you want an easy way to make a contribution to the ARHS PGO and help our schools? The annual UMass-Amherst Community Campaign (UMACC) is now underway. The UMACC program lets UMass employees donate to … Continue reading →

Menstrual products are often overlooked as one of the most-requested donations for homeless shelters nationwide, and in past years, the ARHS Women’s Rights Club has held a Pad and Tampon Drive to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. This year, to avoid … Continue reading →

It is time to sign-up for the  American Mathematics Competition (AMC) that takes place Thursday, February 4th.   It will be taken on-line at home and a guardian will need to be available to proctor.  This is the first in … Continue reading →

Jan 4: Classes resume Jan 4: Winter Sports Night 6PM Jan 6: Three Kings Day (No School) Jan 6: Winter Sports Registartion Ends Jan 9: ARHS Cabaret livestream Jan 13: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary)  Jan 18: MLK Holiday … Continue reading →

The Forbes, Jones, and Lilly libraries are collaborating with UMass’s Feinberg Lecture Series, and we are asking the young people of Western Massachusetts (ages 5-18) to help envision a future where climate change is mitigated and the world has adapted. The … Continue reading →

Amherst Leisure Services has changed its name to Amherst Recreation, and they will also have a new logo. They are seeking logo submissions from local artists. Submissions will be narrowed down to five or so and the community will then … Continue reading →

Freshmen and Sophomore parents welcome! December 15th at 5:30 PM What does planning for Life after ARHS look like? When should you start exploring options? How and when does your student start preparing for College? Are you terrified of the … Continue reading →

Winter sports registration is now open. Please click to register and dont forget, an up-to-date physical must be on file in order to participate. Any questions please email athletic director, Victoria Stewart at stewartv@arps.org. 

Menstrual products are often overlooked as one of the most-requested donations for homeless shelters nationwide, and in past years, the ARHS Women’s Rights Club has held a Pad and Tampon Drive to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. This year, to avoid … Continue reading →

Don’t forget that Senior Portraits are due on January 22nd! Submit a clear, appropriate photo of yourself with an 8×10 ratio to Miss Garrity at garrityc@arps.org. Are you a senior in need of a portrait? Yearbook student staff members will … Continue reading →

The Class of 2022 is hosting two fundraisers. The first is a holiday ornament fundraiser! Ornaments are $5 each and handmade by a member of class council! To order, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/eoqx6eYBHXAwYHVZ7. The deadline to order is … Continue reading →

Dear Amherst Parents and Guardians, Are you looking for ways to represent your ARHS pride?  Check out Class of 2023’s merchandise store opening December 15th at 4 pm! With a variety of apparel to choose from, you can show your … Continue reading →

All students are invited to a meeting about the 2021 ARHS Musical on Tuesday, 12/15 at 3pm! (location: https://meet.google.com/lookup/b2gx5el4ca) The ARHS musical has been one of the school’s long-running annual traditions, and we are committed to producing work together this … Continue reading →

Do you or someone in your family bank at Florence Bank? If so, you can help support the ARPS PGO through their Customers’ Choice Community Grants program. Everyone in your family with an account can vote and each vote cast … Continue reading →

The ARHS PGO is partnering with the Amherst Hurricane Boosters to raise money to purchase a new trophy case for the school. Our athletic teams are champions and we have the trophies to show it. Unfortunately, we have no space … Continue reading →

Dec 15: Virtual Coffee with the College and Career Counselor Dec 16: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary)  Dec 21-Jan 1 : Winter Break Dec 31- Winter Sports Registration Deadline Jan 6: Three Kings Day (No School) Jan 9: ARHS … Continue reading →

The RESPECTfully campaign (www.mass.gov/respectfully), which is focused on promoting healthy relationships (and dating violence prevention), is re-establishing it’s youth advisory group to help inform the next phase of the campaign (new animated videos and social media content). They are currently … Continue reading →

Applications for the 2021 Bronfman Fellowship are open! If you are intellectually adventurous, Jewish, and currently in 11th grade, apply now for a free, transformative Fellowship-year experience exploring the rich tapestry of Jewish life while making lifelong friends. Application deadline … Continue reading →

The Forbes, Jones, and Lilly libraries are collaborating with UMass’s Feinberg Lecture Series, and we are asking the young people of Western Massachusetts (ages 5-18) to help envision a future where climate change is mitigated and the world has adapted. The … Continue reading →

Amherst Leisure Services has changed its name to Amherst Recreation, and they will also have a new logo. They are seeking logo submissions from local artists. Submissions will be narrowed down to five or so and the community will then … Continue reading →

GivingTuesday is Tuesday, December 1, 2020. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber … Continue reading →

Is your household doing any online shopping through Amazon for the holidays? 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 … Continue reading →

This winter an unprecedented number of Amherst children need warm outdoor clothing. The Amherst Public Schools (ARPS) Family Center is once again organizing a winter clothing drive with the PGOs’ help. We are looking for donations of new (and gently … Continue reading →

The State of Massachusetts now requires an influenza immunization for all children 6 months of age or older. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 … Continue reading →

Art T-Shirt Design Contest! This contest is open to all ARHS students interested in art and designing! We are looking for merch design ideas for the Class of 2022. You DO NOT have to be in the graduating class of 2022 to fill … Continue reading →

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, largest, most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in art and writing.  Any student in Massachusetts can enter the regional competition, often submitting writing they have done in English classes … Continue reading →

If your student struggling to find motivation? Need a hand getting started with a task? Looking for a new coping strategy to help during a tough moment? Drop in to the CopingCafe on Tuesdays during A or C period! The Coping Cafe … Continue reading →

Dec 1: GivingTuesday Dec 3: ARPS Student Flu Vaccination Clinic 2:30 – 4:30 PM Dec 16: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary)  Dec 21-Jan 1 : Winter Break Jan 6: Three Kings Day (No School) Jan 9: ARHS Cabaret livestream … Continue reading →

Amherst Leisure Services has changed its name to Amherst Recreation, and they will also have a new logo. They are seeking logo submissions from local artists. Submissions will be narrowed down to five or so and the community will then … Continue reading →

Due to the pandemic and safety realities for students and staff, we will not be able to offer the SAT through the winter. We did not offer the PSAT in the fall for the same reason.  The conditions to safely … Continue reading →

November 16th at 5:30 PM LINK:  https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/bcb03453-e3b5-4ce9-8cbb-419d09af3451 What does planning for Life after ARHS look like? When should you start exploring options? How and when does your student start preparing for College? Are you terrified of the whole thing? Join … Continue reading →

The 1st academic Quarter ends this Friday, November 13th. Please check-in with your teachers and/or Guidance Counselor if you have any questions about your grades, or the books and materials you’ll need for the 2nd Quarter.

11/5/20 Girls Volleyball @ Westfield 11/5/20 Girls Soccer home vs. South Hadley  11/6/20 Volleyball @ Agawam 11/6/20 Boys Soccer home vs South Hadley 11/9/20 Boys Soccer  (Varsity) @ Pope Francis  11/9/20 Girls Soccer home vs. Ware 11/10/20 Cross Country @ … Continue reading →

Joint Labor-Management Safety Committee (JLMSC) Date: Friday, November 13, 2020 – 4:00pm to 4:45pm Location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtexAafrqPA Calendar Name: ARPS District Calendar Agenda Metrics Discussion Facilities Update Future Agenda Planning Any topic(s) not anticipated 48 hours prior to this meeting

Thank you to all of the families, students and staff members who participated in the recent surveys regarding Distance Learning.  We had an excellent response with 1108 participants in the Family Distance Learning Survey, 334 in the Staff survey, and … Continue reading →

The Virtual Coffee Event about strategies for tolerating and managing the challenges of mood regulation in the midst of change and uncertainty that was planned for this Thursday has been changed to Monday, November 16 at 6:30 p.m.  Join ARPS … Continue reading →

The PGO is an all volunteer organization.  Our mission is to: promote communication and understanding among families, staff and the Amherst area community;  foster a spirit of collaboration by providing a forum for participation and the exchange of information and ideas; and  provide financial assistance where … Continue reading →