Author Archives: Becky

Aug 31-Sep 15: All Teacher Professional Development  Sept 4: SEPAC Meeting 9AM Sep 7: Labor Day Sept 8- College Planning Drop-In Q&A  12:00 – 1:00pm Sept 8- Paying for College & Financial Aid ⋅3:30 – 5:00pm Sept 9- College Essay … Continue reading →

In an effort to streamline responses, the Town of Amherst has set up a phone line and email address for our community members to share concerns and questions regarding COVID-19. Staff will monitor and direct the calls and emails accordingly. … Continue reading →

What are the upcoming 2020 election dates? The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 1st. View sample ballots The State (Presidential) Election will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd Polls will be open from 7:00am – 8:00pm … Continue reading →

Thanks to a kind donation, Summit View Learning is able to offer free high quality math instruction to 5-10 motivated ARPS students whose families qualify for free/reduced lunch. Sessions are 1 hour long, take place virtually, and will be scheduled … Continue reading →

This Saturday at 10 AM – 11 AM Olympia Place The ARPS District will be holding an information session in the Olympia Oaks area at 10AM on Saturday, August 15th. Only residents of Olympia Oaks and Village Park apartments and … Continue reading →

There will be two virtual Town Hall meeting sessions on Monday, August 17th to discuss the district reopening plan that was submitted to DESE. The first session will focus on secondary students and the second session will focus on elementary … Continue reading →

Copy/pasted from the 8.13.20 Joint ASC, PSC & RSC Agenda Packet.pdf Overview of Metrics for September 2020  ✓ Fewer than 70 New Cases per 100,000 people (over seven day period in Hampshire/Franklin Counties*)  ✓ Less than 3% Percent Positive Testing … Continue reading →

ARPS released a draft remote learning daily schedule: (From the Fall 2020 Planning website- https://sites.google.com/arps.org/school-return-fall2020/families?authuser=0) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jeO0_TH4Y0FAm-jBtKN40DnhA4APdnHm/view Draft ARHS Remote Schedule Teacher Planning7:30 – 9:00● Meetings with students, by appointment● Family Collaboration and Communication A-Period9:00 – 10:20● Combination of synchronous & … Continue reading →

Please Note: ARHS Students-SATs scheduled for 8.29.20 are canceled.  On 8/13/20, the Amherst and Amherst Regional School Committees voted to approve a new 2020-2021 School Calendar. Changes from the online version are listed below. Aug 15- Fall 2020 Info Session … Continue reading →

What are the upcoming 2020 election dates? The State Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 1st. View sample ballots The State (Presidential) Election will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd Polls will be open from 7:00am – 8:00pm … Continue reading →

The Fiddler’s Pantry at Amherst South Congregational Church is once again raising funds for local nonprofits, including the Amherst Survival Center, at their 9th Annual Chicken BBQ on Tuesday, Aug 18. It is contactless take out only. They are following … Continue reading →

August 8th at 10 AM – 11 AM Hosted by Amherst Regional Public Schools The ARPS District will be holding an information session to discuss the ARPS Fall 2020 reopening plan. in the green area at Southpoint at 10 AM … Continue reading →

Join ARPS on Wednesday, August 12th for an information session with local medical professionals who will provide evidence based information around COVID-19. This will be an interactive live-stream event. To have the best chance at having your question(s) answered, we … Continue reading →

The District has created an FAQ regarding school opening.  It can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tum92k8L_buI6EhK9_rchoqqb3KRkyI-/view

The Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committees voted last night, August 6th to approve the submission of the fall 2020 plan to DESE. I have attached this document to this email.  The ARPS School Reopening Plan is being translated and … Continue reading →

Please Note: ARHS Students-SATs scheduled for 8.29.20 are canceled.  Aug 8- Info Session at Southpoint 10 AM Aug 12- Covid-19 Info Session with local medical professionals Aug 15- Fall 2020 Info Session for Olympia Oaks and Village Park Residents 10 … Continue reading →

Hey, Stop & Shop Shoppers – Great news! ARHS is once again participating in Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards fundraising program, which launches on August 7. Join over 2,400 ARHS parents, staff and alumni and help the ARHS PGO … Continue reading →

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 →