Category Archives: Parent News

The minutes from the ARHS PGO’s January 6th meeting are now available: MINUTES_pgo_ 2016_01_06_final Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 3rd at 8:10 AM in Room 13.  All are invited to attend.

The Greenfield Community College representative will be at ARHS on Monday, February 8th.  Holyoke Community College will be at ARHS on Tuesday, February 9th.   Sign-up sheets are available in Guidance.  You must hand in your lime green release form, put … Continue reading →

On January 27, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., the Federation for Children with Special Needs presents Basic Rights In Special Education: A Workshop for Parents and Professionals Presented in Spanish. The workshop will be held at the ARPS Family Center in … Continue reading →

Jan 27 – PGO Coffee with Asst. Principal Ericka Alschuler- 7PM ARHS Library Feb. 3 – Monthly PGO Meeting, 8:10am, Room 13 Feb. 5 – Stand Up Comedy Night Feb. 9 – Amherst School Committee Mtg Feb. 25 – PGO … Continue reading →

An Old Fashioned Letter Writing program will be held at Jones Library on February 11 from 5 to 6 pm.  Using the Special Collections exhibit Courtship by Mail as inspiration, teens will learn about the art of letter-writing and create … Continue reading →

The Jones Library invites area trivia buffs to at our monthly Trivia Night, hosted by Mark “Harpo” Power, on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm.  The next Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, February … Continue reading →

SOUP FOR SYRIA, a community-wide benefit for Syrian refugees, will be hosted by the Jewish Community of Amherst, 742 Main St. Amherst, on Sunday, January 31 at 4:30pm. Professor David Mednicoff, UMass Director of Middle Eastern Studies, Michel Moushabeck, publisher … Continue reading →

For the past 33 years parents have organized a terrific all-night party for ARHS seniors and their guests after graduation.  The party is a real “it takes a village” effort, and we’re looking for parents of both seniors AND juniors … Continue reading →

Congratulations to Elizabeth Haygood, who will be honored as a recipient of the Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Award, given by the MIAA Women in Leadership Committee, in recognition of her dedicated, exemplary service; her significant contributions to the … Continue reading →

The Fame Production Schedule is available online at bit.ly/arhsfame.  This site has rehearsal schedules and info for all play participants from Main Cast to Chorus to Tech  All changes and updates to the schedule will be made online so it … Continue reading →

Currently, there are a number of parent/guardian positions available on the ARHS School Council. Meetings typically occur once a month after school. Primary responsibilities of the council include advising the principal on issues concerning the school’s budget and the School … Continue reading →

On Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, the ARPS Family Center Presents: Come learn about Brookfield Farm and how they have partnered with the VELA Scholars after school and summer program to help support thedistrict’s rising 6th, 7th & … Continue reading →

Following is news from guidance counselor Myra Ross: Most four-year colleges will have application deadlines before February 1.  If you have been procrastinating, you are now in the home stretch and need to finalize your list, in Naviance, and in … Continue reading →

The Amherst Lions Club held their annual Ski, Skate and Snowboard Sale last Friday, January 8, 2016.  Unfortunately, the credit card machine malfunctioned.  All credit card purchases made at the sale on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. were … Continue reading →

Tickets for Cabaret will be on sale all this week at all lunches!  Shows are at 7:30 on Friday, 7:30 on Saturday, and 2:00 on Sunday. Come to the Cabaret!  Enjoy lots of laughs, music from Broadway shows, and yummy desserts.

The ARPS District would like to ensure that all parents and guardians are aware of the district attendance guidelines.  The policy and guidelines can be read here: ATTENDANCELETTER

Support Girls Indoor Track by eating at Bertucci’s next Monday, January 11th! If you mention “Amherst Girls Indoor Track” to your server, 15% of your bill will go to our team! Thank you!!!

This is the time of year when scholarships come out almost every day. Please check in Naviance in the colleges tab down at the bottom “scholarship list” on a regular basis. Also, requests for school portion of application materials must … Continue reading →

On Thursday, January 14th, the boys varsity basketball team will be playing at Springfield College’s Blake Arena for the 2016 Spalding Hoophall Classic High School Invitational. Tickets are $10, however the ARHS Athletic Department is selling advanced tickets for $5 … Continue reading →

Parenting Transgender Youth in Western, MA is a publication of Community Action Youth Programs & Northampton Prevention Coalition.  It is a guide for parents, guardians, and supportive adults.  To download the guide, click below: Guide for Parenting Trans Youth in … Continue reading →

 Join us on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for a screening of Cracking the Codes – The System of Racial Inequality.  This is the next event in a film & discussion series which began in … Continue reading →

Tickets are on sale now for the spectacular Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater production of MARY POPPINS, at Bowker Auditorium, UMass. Performances will be: Thursday, January 14 at 7:30 pm (general admission) Friday, January 15 at 7:30 pm Saturday, January 16 … Continue reading →

Jan. 4 – 29 – Sock Drive Jan. 6 – Monthly PGO Meeting, 8:10am, Room 13 Jan. 13 – Early Release Day for Secondary Students: Noon Dismissal Jan. 13 – Elem. School Bldg. Proj. Forum: 6:30pm, ARHS Library Jan. 18 … Continue reading →

The Town of Amherst is hosting 3 community forums scheduled to solicit community opinion on what skills, experience and attributes Amherst should be looking for in its next Town Manager. These forums are scheduled on the following dates & times: … Continue reading →

Did you know that voters must be 18 by election day (not necessarily by the day they register), and of course they must be U.S. citizens. Other useful information: If you have an ID issued by the Mass Registry of … Continue reading →

Get in the mood for this year’s Academy Awards, which will air on February 28, by joining us for this film series at the Jones Library. This four week series will feature some of the films that were in the … Continue reading →

Juniors and Seniors – Remember, December 28 is the last day to register for the Jan. 23 SAT with no late fee. Fee waivers can be used until January 8. Jan 23 will be the last time to take the … Continue reading →

We wish you and all of the ARHS community a happy holiday season and a peaceful, well deserved break. See you next year! Your Parent News Editors, Becky, Mare and Jennifer

Did you know that the Performing Arts Department has an online calendar that features performances and events showcasing or supporting everything from dance, to art, theater, Band and Orchestra. Click here to view it.

Dec. 24 – Jan. 1 – Holiday Recess Jan. 4 – School Resumes Jan. 4 – 29 – Sock Drive Jan. 6 – Monthly PGO Meeting, 8:10am, Room 13 Jan. 7, 8 & 9 – Cabaret: 7:30 pm, Auditorium Jan. … Continue reading →

The Amherst Lions Club will hold its Ski, Skate and Snowboard Sale on Friday, January 8, 2016 from 6-9 pm and on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 9 am to 2 pm at Crocker Farm Elementary School, 280 West St. … Continue reading →

Tickets are on sale now for Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater’s performances of Mary Poppins at Bowker Auditorium.  Performances will be:  Thursday, January 14 at 7:30 pm (general admission); Friday, January 15 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, January 16 at 1:00 pm; Sunday, January … Continue reading →

Sasha Yakub ’16 and Nick Hennessy ’16 have both been designated as YoungArts national award winners for 2016. Every year the country’s most promising young artists are selected from across the country as National Winners.   Last year alone there were … Continue reading →

Dr. Sharon Palmer has been invited by the American Chemical Society to serve on the 2015-17 Task Force to Develop ACS Guidelines and Recommendations for Teaching Middle and High School Chemistry.  Dr. Palmer’s long-term involvement and understanding of the needs of middle … Continue reading →

Currently, there are a number of parent/guardian positions available on the ARHS School Council. Meetings typically occur once a month after school. Primary responsibilities of the council include advising the principal on issues concerning the school’s budget and the School Improvement … Continue reading →

There are two substantial scholarships for seniors from low and middle income families:  Red Pine Scholarship http://www.tpi.org/scholarship/red-pine-scholarship   Yawkey Scholarship: http://www.tpi.org/scholarship/yawkee-scholars-program These are for high achievers among you who will be attending private colleges in Massachusetts that do not meet need. … Continue reading →

The Jones Library and branches will be offering a “food for fines” amnesty period from January 2 – 31, 2016. Library patrons who bring a non-perishable, non-expired food donation or make a monetary contribution to the Amherst Survival Center when … Continue reading →

Did you know Massachusetts has a Online Voter Registration System? To submit an online application, you must have a valid driver’s license, learner’s permit, or non-driver ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). You must also have a signature on … Continue reading →

We would like to introduce Jennifer, our newest contributing editor, to the ARHS Parent Newsletter. We are thrilled to have her, Becky & Mare all on board!  If you are interested in working with ARHS PGO, please let us know! … Continue reading →

The ARHS Theater Company presents Briefs, 14 short plays performed by nearly 30 students in two hours this Friday and Saturday at 7:30. Tickets are $5 for students and staff staff; $8 for other adults.  Come watch a stick of … Continue reading →

Parents and community members have been raising money for the ARHS PGO Grants Program by registering their Stop & Shop cards for the A+ Rewards Program. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to REGISTER (or … Continue reading →

The ARHS Library is applying to the Digital Commonwealth to scan yearbooks for us, so that we can offer them online for our students and alumni.  We have put together an almost complete collection (with help from the Jones Library), … Continue reading →

Seniors: Today, Dec.11th is the last day that University Cap & Gown will be at ARHS to measure Seniors for graduation outfits.  Come to Room 13 during your lunch to get measured even of you can not pay at this … Continue reading →

For sale in the school store: $10 drawstring bags designed by Latinos Unidos. Inexpensive AND durable — the perfect bag for your students gear!

Families of Juniors – Check your e-mail for communications from Ms. Ross, the ARHS college advisor.  You have registration information for Naviance- an online tool that provides students and families access to important college resources and information.  There is information about … Continue reading →

The ARHS PGO seeks to enrich the experience of EVERY student that attends ARHS, and to be a valuable source of information for our families. With a small budget of $2000 annually, we manage to bring you a great weekly … Continue reading →

Last year, the Amherst Survival Center started a new Holiday Gift Program, distributing close to 2,000 NEW books, games and warm winter accessories to children whose families used the Amherst Survival Center‘s Food Pantry in December.This year, with the support of … Continue reading →

All ARPS families are invited to attend the next ​UROC ​Amherst Racial Equity meeting on: December 19th, 9:30 – 12:30 Amherst Room at the Jones Library This will be a community meeting for parents, guardians and community members. We’d like … Continue reading →

The Jones Library invites area trivia buffs to at our monthly Trivia Night, hosted by Mark “Harpo” Power, on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm.  The next Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, … Continue reading →

As of December 1, nominating papers for town-wide offices, including School Committee, will be available at the Town Clerk’s office. Nominating papers (with at least 50 voters supporting) are due February 9, and the election will be March 29, 2016. … Continue reading →