ARHS PGO Parent News

March 22nd--10th Grade students take the first section of English Language Arts assessment 9am-11:30am (students may continue testing through the day as needed). STUDENTS IN GRADES 9, 11, 12 WILL ARRIVE TO SCHOOL AT 11:30AM. Therefore, there will be two bus runs–one at the regular time and one that will be delayed 2.5 hours.

March 23*–Early release day (MCAS make-up testing for students absent on 3/22).  We will run the regular early release schedule.

March 24th— 10th Grade students take the second section of English Language Arts assessment 9am-11:30am (students may continue testing through the day as needed).

*The two MCAS days designated by DESE are 3/22 and 3/23 but due to our scheduled early release day, we received written permission to conduct the second session on 3/24. If you have any MCAS-related questions, please contact Assistant Principal Miki Gromacki (email or phone: 413-362-1700).

For a pdf version of the ARPS Update, please click here.

Para obtener una versión de la actualización de ARPS en español, haga clic aquí.

Para uma versão do ARPS Update em português, clique aqui.

On Monday, Governor Baker announced that the statewide indoor mask mandate for schools will be lifted when it expires on February 28. This announcement has led to a great deal of discussion across the state about whether individual districts should still continue masking indoors anyway.

I want to remind the ARPS community that, regardless of the change in the statewide mask mandate, the Town of Amherst has an indoor mask mandate in place that states “Masks must be worn at all times in public indoor spaces and private indoor spaces open to the public, whether individuals are vaccinated or not and no matter what the distances are between one person and others.” This includes the schools, of course, and since the Health Director has indicated that the town-wide mandate will not change this month, there will not be any change in the requirement for all staff and students to mask while indoors at any of the Amherst, Pelham or Regional schools.  As an aside, masks have not been required outdoors in ARPS during this academic year and no changes will be made there either.

While our District’s indoor masking requirement will not change at the end of February, it is clear that masking mandates will not remain in place indefinitely.  Masking is one of many precautions to protect against COVID; others include ventilation, distancing, and vaccination, all of which have proven to be effective.  Please remember that the most effective way to protect your children and yourselves against Covid, whether masking is mandatory or optional, is to be vaccinated (and receive a booster for those who are eligible).  Because of the length of time it takes to become fully vaccinated, I highly recommend that anyone who is eligible for vaccination start the process soon.  The Amherst Health Department continues to host free COVID vaccine clinics for anyone age 5 or older every Thursday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Bangs Center in downtown Amherst.  If you need to schedule a first, second or booster dose, please consider utilizing this important community resource.  You can register at https://www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine. 

In case you missed it in an earlier newsletter, graduation for the Class of 2022 will be held at the Mullins Center at UMass on Friday, June 10th.

Feb 18: Home Boys’ Basketball (Freshman 4:00)
Feb 19: Home Boys’ Hockey (Mullins Ctr Practice Rink, 4:00)
Feb 21-25: Winter break

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Click here to see a copy of the registration letter that will be sent home to families.

There will be a special schedule on February 16, which is an early release day, to include time in Advisory for course registration. Click here to see that schedule.

The PGO is hosting our 2nd virtual coffee of the school year, this time with the ARHS College and Career Adviser Deirdre Cuffee-Gray, on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6-7 pm. Coffee With the College and Career Advisor is an opportunity for the parents and guardians of ARHS sophomores and juniors to explore how to prepare your ARHS student for the “Life After ARHS” process in a healthy way. We will explore college and career preparation, both in and outside of school. Note that this conversation is about both college admissions and other post-secondary options.

To join the virtual coffee, click on this Zoom link on Feb. 17. You will be let into the coffee via a Zoom waiting room.

For a pdf version of the ARPS Update, please click here.

Para obtener una versión de la actualización de ARPS en español, haga clic aquí.

Para uma versão do ARPS Update em português, clique aqui.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has announced that the Amherst Public School District has been awarded an FY2022 Alternative English Learner Education Programs grant in the amount of $543,125.00.  For this competitive grant program, the application submitted by the district addresses each of DESE’s four goals for the program:

• Goal 1: Develop and/or implement an alternative bilingual ELE program for English learners;    
• Goal 2: Create (and cultivate) or continue a “grow your own” bilingual education hub that would support and encourage statewide initiative and collaboration, improve the Bilingual Education educator pipeline, share knowledge to accelerate the adoption of proven and recognized programmatic models for English learners, and develop successful models that can be replicated for years to come;
• Goal 3: Establish or improve multilingual libraries that provide effective, balanced, and substantial collections for as many ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups of students in the community as possible; and
• Goal 4: Develop and Implement High School Academies that would challenge high school English learners (grades 9–12) to improve academic achievement with an emphasis on English language learning skills.

For goal one, the Caminantes bilingual program housed at Fort River School will provide a month-long summer program during July that will provide instructional support and arts integration activities for Caminantes students.  Additionally, grant funds will be used to purchase Caminantes materials and supplies, as well as books in Spanish, that will support the expansion of the program into third grade. Funds will also support teacher-led professional development opportunities and the opportunity for Caminantes teachers to attend the Massachusetts Association of Bilingual Educators (MABE) conference.

Continuing collaboration with UMass, the Holyoke Public Schools, and the Springfield Public Schools to support our regional bilingual hub to expand opportunities for teacher training and collaboration teacher collaboration will be supported as part of goal two of the grant.  The Amherst Public Schools will continue to offer the Seal of Biliteracy Program and to expand programming and access for heritage languages, including activities such as parent-child book clubs.

Goal three will allow the Amherst Schools to purchase multilingual materials to expand our libraries at all grade levels.  Access to such resources will also allow the district to expand opportunities for engagement of our multilingual families.
Funds that support goal four will be used to develop and implement a new project-based spring and summer program for English Learner (EL) high school students. Through the ELL High School Academy program, EL students at ARHS will enhance their English language acquisition and build their leadership capacity by designing programming that they will then offer to younger students in the summer.  

We are excited and grateful for the opportunity these grant funds will provide us to enhance and expand our existing programming and partnerships, as well as to implement an exciting new program that will support our EL students at all grade levels. 

The South Berkshire Community Health Coalition is hosting an event with Austen Riggs (a recovery center in the Berkshires) on February 15th at 6:30 pm for parents/caregivers and community members to learn how to help youth experiencing depression, anxiety and stress. 

To register, see the attached flyers in English and Spanish.

This event is open to all, including those outside of Berkshire County.

Feb 12: Home Girls’ Basketball (JV 2:30, Varsity 4:00)
Feb 14: Home Girls’ Basketball (JV 5:30, Varsity 7:00)
Feb 16: Early release
Feb 16: Home Boys’ Basketball (JV 5:30, Varsity 7:00)
Feb 17: PGO Virtual Coffee
Feb 17: Home Girls’ Basketball (JV 5:30, Varsity 7:00)
Feb 18: Home Boys’ Basketball (Freshman 4:00)
Feb 19: Home Boys’ Hockey (Mullins Ctr Practice Rink, 4:00)
Feb 21-25: Winter break

Vacation Week Teen Lounge: On Tuesday 2/22 from 5-7 PM, there will be a special Teen Lounge in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library. There will be stacks of free giveaway YA books plus craft take & make kits! Stop by to grab some free stuff and/or hang out for a bit! There will also be games and crafts out and some Crunchyroll playing on the big screen. No registration required. For ages 11-17.

Young Adult Graphic Novel Book Club: Teens ages 11-17 are invited to join us on Wednesday, February 23rd from 4:00 – 4:45 PM for our online book club via Zoom. We’ll discuss Bingo Love by Tee Franklin and illustrated by Jenn St-Onge. We’ll have copies of the book available as well as a crafts activity! To register and learn more, please email: teens@joneslibrary.org

Young Adult Nonfiction Book Club: Join us on Thursday, February 24th from 5 – 5:45 PM to discuss Can’t Stop Won’t Stop by Jeff Chang & Davey D. This program is for teens ages 11-17, and we’ll be meeting on Zoom. We’ll discuss the history of hip hop, share some of our favorite tracks, and experiment with making some beats of our own! To register and learn more, please email: teens@joneslibrary.org

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Hello,

I hope this message finds you all in good health and spirits. Recently we collected feedback from faculty, staff, and some student groups about which schedule we will be using next year and beyond. After that feedback was reviewed, the ARHS Administration team met with union representatives, and the decision to continue using our current 4 X 4 Block schedule was made. Below is the schedule we are using now, and will be using until the decision is made to change it. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.

Take care,
Talib Sadiq, Principal
sadiqt@arps.org 413-362-1700

2022-2023 Schedule:

It’s my pleasure to share some exciting news! After nearly two years of delays the ARHS Sene-Gambian Scholars Exchange Trip is finally going to happen. Six of our students, along with our Dean of Students Mary Custard, and two retired ARHS teachers, Momodou Sarr and Bruce Pennimen, will be leaving for their three week adventure to Senegal and The Gambia on Wednesday February 9th. I’m looking forward to seeing and sharing pictures and stories from their trip. We all hope they have a safe, healthy, and amazing trip.

Take care,
Talib Sadiq, Principal

It is almost time for course registration for the academic school year 22-23!  Here is a timeline for your reference:

-Course registration letters will be sent to families on February 14th
-Teachers will give presentations in all classes about departmental offerings between now and February 16th
-Registration discussions will happen during a special advisory on February 16th
-Online registration will open on February 16th
-Counselors will provide support during lunch and the plus block in room 144 between February 17th and March 4th
-Online registration will close on March 4 at 3:35pm
-The Middle School online registration will begin shortly after high school registration is closed

For a pdf version of the ARPS Update, please click here.

Para obtener una versión de la actualización de ARPS en español, haga clic aquí.

Para uma versão do ARPS Update em português, clique aqui.

We have had a phenomenal response to DESE’s opt-in rapid COVID test program that our district will be launching next week.  Thank you to all of the staff who signed up and to all of the families who have signed your children up to participate!  Next week’s distribution of tests will be to both staff and students and, with distribution alternating between staff and students each week going forward.

In addition to the tests that will be distributed through the new program, the District has a limited supply of extra rapid test kits available for those who have a member of their household who tests positive.  If you do not have another source for rapid tests in such a case, please email closecontacts@arps.org to request additional tests. This option will only be available while current supplies last.

Finally, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of the parents and caretakers who have reached out to volunteer as substitutes during the recent surge in COVID cases.  You made it possible to keep schools open and running smoothly, and we cannot thank you enough!

The PGO is hosting our 2nd virtual coffee of the school year, this time with the ARHS College and Career Adviser Deirdre Cuffee-Gray, on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6-7 pm. Coffee With the College and Career Advisor is an opportunity for the parents and guardians of ARHS sophomores and juniors to explore how to prepare your ARHS student for the “Life After ARHS” process in a healthy way. We will explore college and career preparation, both in and outside of school. Note that this conversation is about both college admissions and other post-secondary options.

To join the virtual coffee, click on this Zoom link on Feb. 17. You will be let into the coffee via a Zoom waiting room.

The ARHS clinician team is offering a workshop for parents and guardians on February 8th and 15th. Click here to see a full-size version of the flyer and registration link.

Yesterday was the second thank-you Thursday and the ARHS staff loved the treats – thank you, parents and guardians!  We’ve had so many folks sign up to contribute that we’re extending the program through the spring. You can sign up here to lend a hand (or a cookie, or a banana…).

Feb 8 and 15: Workshops on Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
Feb 16: Early release
Feb 17: PGO Virtual Coffee
Feb 21-25: Winter break

Starting February 1, 2022, our school’s health staff will begin a health screening called SBIRT with our ninth grade students.  SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment.  SBIRT is used to screen for alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and other drug use.  This health screening is required by Massachusetts law.

As with any school health screening, you can opt your child out of this process.  Students themselves may also choose not to take part.  If you do not want your child to participate in this screening or you have any questions, please contact the school nurse directly at 413-362-1743 or 413-362-1744.

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For a pdf version of the ARPS Update, please click here.

Para obtener una versión de la actualización de ARPS en español, haga clic aquí.

Para uma versão do ARPS Update em português, clique aqui.

This week, all Massachusetts school districts were informed of a new COVID testing option that is being highly recommended by DESE and the MA Department of Health.  Beginning January 31st, our Districts will be implementing this option, which discontinues routine contact tracing and the Test and Stay program, and replaces them with weekly, at-home antigen testing (rapid tests) for students and staff. A chart outlining the differences between the current option and the new option is included below.  This change is being made with the support of our local Health Director.  

Through this new option, each student and staff member who opts-into the program will receive a free rapid test kit on a bi-weekly basis so they will be able to test themselves routinely at home.  In addition, the pooled testing program will remain in place across the district, providing two weekly opportunities for COVID testing. The most effective testing protocol under the new system would be to participate in both pooled and at-home testing, administering the tests several days apart. School nurses will be able to focus on identifying and supporting symptomatic individuals, although contact tracing will continue in cases that involve students in specialized programs whose disabilities prevent them from consistently wearing a face covering.

The deadline to enroll in the program, in order to begin receiving a free bi-weekly box of two rapid tests starting on January 31, is next Thursday, January 27 by 4:00 p.m.  To enroll please complete the form at https://forms.gle/7kMecpm5TXCXVSBU8.  Once again, you may still sign up for the pooled testing program by enrolling at https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Amherst-Pelham.

Finally, every household is eligible to receive four free rapid tests from the federal program that has just been launched.  To sign up, please visit https://www.covidtests.gov/.

Attention 10th grade students and families: If you were enrolled in a Biology class Semester 1, you are scheduled to take the MCAS Biology test on February 2nd and 3rd. Please arrive on time to school those days and please bring #2 pencils.  This is the last paper-based MCAS that will be given; the rest will require a Chromebook.

Each daily Biology session is scheduled to last 1 hour, and A-period teachers know that 10th graders will miss their A-period on those two days. Testing locations will be posted in the Main Lobby as well as outside the Cafeteria and Room 307. If students have any questions about the test, they can contact Assistant Principal Miki Gromacki at gromackim@arps.org

The PGO is hosting our 2nd virtual coffee of the school year, this time with the ARHS College and Career Adviser Deirdre Cuffee-Gray, on Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6-7 pm. Coffee With the College and Career Advisor is an opportunity for the parents and guardians of ARHS sophomores and juniors to explore how to prepare your ARHS student for the “Life After ARHS” process in a healthy way. We will explore college and career preparation, both in and outside of school. Note that this conversation is about both college admissions and other post-secondary options.

To join the virtual coffee, click on this Zoom link on Feb. 17. You will be let into the coffee via a Zoom waiting room.

New slots and information have been added to the signup to bring treats to ARHS staff–thank you to all who have already volunteered, and if you’re interested, please check out the link to see how you can help.

Jan 31: Senior photos due
Feb 2 and 3: Biology MCAS
Feb 3: Elementary School Building Committee Forum
Feb 16: Early release
Feb 17: PGO Virtual Coffee
Feb 21-25: Winter break

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For a pdf version of the ARPS Update, please click here.

Para obtener una versión de la actualización de ARPS en español, haga clic aquí.

Para uma versão do ARPS Update em português, clique aqui.

On Monday we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday and honor his immeasurable contribution to the world community.  In that spirit, I want to celebrate the contribution that each and every member of our faculty and staff makes, not only to the ARPS community, but to our broader community through their care for our children.  Thank you to all of our teachers, paraeducators, specialists, administrators,  nurses, bus drivers, maintenance and custodial staff, clerical staff, food and nutrition staff and volunteers who make such a difference in the lives of our students.  We have all been facing particularly trying circumstances since our return from the winter break, and our ARPS professionals have met the current challenges with dedication, determination and grace.  If there is an ARPS staff member who has made a particular difference in your child’s life, I encourage you to show your appreciation with a note of thanks.

Over the past two weeks we have sent several emails to all of our families and staff regarding health and safety protocols during the current Omicron variant surge.  Since there has been so much information shared, I have put together a brief video summarizing the key points.  It’s available at this link (Spanish). At this time, I also want to address the issue of contact tracing when an individual tests positive for COVID while in school.  Our amazing nurses work in partnership with the contact tracer from the Town of Amherst to notify those found to meet the criteria of a close contact; however, given the current surge in cases, we cannot definitively track all close contacts.

For this reason, I want to emphasize the importance of monitoring symptoms on a daily basis; social distancing; avoiding large gatherings; participating in the pooled testing program; as well as wearing a higher-efficiency mask, such as the KN95 masks that are available, free of charge, everyday, at school for all students and staff. You may also consult the flowchart from the DPH and DESE that outlines steps to take for COVID-positive individuals, symptomatic close contacts and asymptomatic close contacts. Thank you to everyone for your help in keeping each other safe through these measures.

Finally, on a very positive note, I am sharing the Crocker Farm Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly video.  This video includes performances, art and the voices of Crocker Farm students from pre-K through sixth grade.  It is 26 minutes long, but I promise you that you will enjoy and be inspired by every minute of it!  It is an amazing reminder of the vital work we do together as a community everyday.

We are still looking for volunteers to make or buy treats as a thank-you to school staff. Sign up here to help out on 2/17 or 3/3. Thank you to families who have already volunteered.

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Scholarship season has started and many of you are starting to email us about getting transcripts needed to apply to them! Here are some simple steps on how to request your transcripts!

In Naviance, go to “Colleges” –> “Apply to College” –> “Manage Transcripts” and request an “Other” transcript. Make sure you include the proper deadline. Put the details in the notes section. Details might include an email address, a phone number, letters of rec to send, etc. 

Remember that I can release an UNofficial copy of your transcript to you by email or printed if you don’t need an official copy. You can request that by email. If you need an OFFICIAL copy, however, I must release that directly to the scholarship institution.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Best,
Miss Garrity

Jan 21: Teacher work day (no school)
Jan 24: Quarter 3 starts
Feb 3: Elementary School Building Committee Forum
Feb 16: Early release
Feb 21-25: Winter break

For a pdf version of the ARPS Update, please click here.

Para obtener una versión de la actualización de ARPS en español, haga clic aquí.

Para uma versão do ARPS Update em português, clique aqui.

Welcome back from the winter break!  We were so excited to welcome our students back to school on Monday.  Thank you to everyone who continues to practice the mitigation strategies we have all become so familiar with over the past months–it truly makes a difference in our ability to keep in-person learning going.  On the topic of masks, all ARPS schools now have KN95 masks available for students who do not bring them from home.  Simply put, these masks filter the air dramaticallybetter than other types of masks, and we encourage their use during the school day to keep our students and staff safer.  The next-best option is wearing a surgical mask under a cloth mask.  Finally, the last acceptable option is wearing a surgical mask, which we have available as well. 

While we have not had to cancel school due to COVID since the break, we did see a considerable increase in cases reported to us from that time.  Some have asked for clarification about when students or staff can return to school if they have tested positive.  This chart from MA Department of Health/DESE provides clear guidelines.

As a reminder, if you have been notified by your school nurse that you are an in-school close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID, you may request a free rapid test by emailing closecontacts@arps.org.  Arrangements will be made for you to pick up the test (via contactless pick-up) at the Central Office.  Rapid tests are not available for out-of-school close contacts.  Unvaccinated student close contacts are required to quarantine for a minimum of 5 days after exposure and cannot return if they have any symptoms of COVID.

One last thing to note is that the District is discontinuing the email notifications when there is a positive case in one of the schools.  Instead, we ask that you follow our COVID Case Dashboard, which is updated daily.

This information was shared with district families in an email on 1/11. While the first clinic listed is happening today (Friday, 1/14) please read on for information about other options.

The Centers for Disease Control now recommends that all individuals ages 12 and up receive a booster shot if their second shot was received more than five months ago. Booster shots provide significantly more protection from the omicron variant, which is now dominant in the United States.  Below are local opportunities for your child to receive a booster shot.

The Amherst Health Department is hosting a vaccine clinic for booster shots only for students age 12 and over this Friday, January 14 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.  The clinic will take place in the Amherst Regional Middle School gym.  If your child is 12 years old or older, received their second shot more than 5 months ago, and needs a booster shot, you can sign up for the clinic at: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/townofamherst?calendar=9f1491de-a11b-44ad-9bbd-7c2a49cee740

If you are unable to get one of the limited number of appointments at Friday’s clinic, the Amherst Health Department offers clinics each Thursday at the Bangs Center in downtown Amherst.  The clinic for this Thursday (January 13) has several appointments left; you can register your child for that clinic or a future clinic (if that one fills up) at https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/townofamherst?calendar=1647d54b-9340-4d5b-865f-e8c15dedb323.  

In addition, there will be booster appointments available at the second-dose clinic scheduled at Amherst Regional High School on Wednesday, January 26 from 3-6 pm.  To register your student for a booster at this clinic, complete the form at https://forms.gle/EgCMU9RP62XbcpEe7 and you will be assigned an appointment time.

Los Centros de Control de Enfermedades recomiendan ahora que todas las personas de 12 años en adelante reciban una vacuna de refuerzo si su segunda vacuna se recibió hace más de cinco meses. Las vacunas de refuerzo proporcionan una protección significativamente mayor frente a la variante omicrón, que ahora es la dominante en Estados Unidos.  A continuación encontrará oportunidades locales para que su hijo reciba una vacuna de refuerzo.

El Departamento de Salud de Amherst está organizando una clínica de vacunas de refuerzo sólo para los estudiantes de 12 años o más este viernes, 14 de enero de 2:00-4:00 p.m. La clínica se llevará a cabo en el gimnasio de la Escuela Secundaria Regional de Amherst.  Si su hijo tiene 12 años o más, recibió su segunda vacuna hace más de 5 meses y necesita una vacuna de refuerzo, puede inscribirse en la clínica en: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/townofamherst?calendar=9f1491de-a11b-44ad-9bbd-7c2a49cee740

Si no puede conseguir una de las limitadas citas en la clínica del viernes, el Departamento de Salud de Amherst ofrece clínicas cada jueves en el Centro Bangs en el centro de Amherst.  La clínica para este jueves (13 de enero) tiene varias citas restantes; usted puede registrar a su niño para esa clínica o una clínica futura (si esa se llena) en https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/townofamherst?calendar=1647d54b-9340-4d5b-865f-e8c15dedb323.  

Además, habrá citas de refuerzo disponibles en la clínica de segunda dosis programada en Amherst Regional High School el miércoles 26 de enero de 3 a 6 pm.  Para registrar a su estudiante para un refuerzo en esta clínica, complete el formulario en https://forms.gle/EgCMU9RP62XbcpEe7 y se le asignará una hora de cita.

With the current rise in COVID cases in the local community, we know many families are finding it challenging to sort through different testing options and to find the tests they need. The PGO has put together a resource sheet about local, accessible options for COVID tests. We will update this sheet if new information becomes available.

Con el actual aumento de los casos de COVID en la comunidad local, sabemos que a muchas familias les resulta difícil encontrar las diferentes opciones de pruebas y las pruebas que necesitan. El PGO ha elaborado una hoja de recursos sobre las opciones locales y accesibles para las pruebas de COVID. Actualizaremos esta hoja si se dispone de nueva información.

Reminder! Senior Photos are due 1/31! Please send jpegs (or any questions) to garrityc@arps.org! Need a photographer? Yearbook students are available to take portraits during lunch hours, plus blocks, and after school!

We know it’s been a long and tough year for teachers and staff – and it’s only January! We would like to show the ARHS staff how much we appreciate them with Thank-You Thursdays – an opportunity for ARHS families to provide treats to get them through the day. If you are interested in providing some treats (either purchased or made), you can sign up to do so and see additional details here.

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The ARHS clinician team is offering a workshop for parents and guardians on February 8th and 15th. Click here to see a full-size version of the flyer and registration link.

Jan 17: MLK Day (no school)
Jan 19-20: Early release days for 1st semester/2nd quarter exams
Jan 21: Teacher work day (no school)
Jan 24: Quarter 3 starts

Hello,

I hope that 2022 is off to a healthy and happy start for all of you and your families. I wanted to share the results of the survey that was sent to our seniors and their families, about where to have the 2022 Graduation Ceremony. A total of 256 votes were cast, 151 (59%) for The Mullins Center and 105 (41%) for The Pines Theater. So, we will be moving forward with preparations to have the Graduation Ceremony at The Mullins Center on Friday, June 10th, 2022. We are all hoping that Covid will not force us to have to change these plans. We will keep you updated about that as Graduation day gets closer. 

Take care,
Talib Sadiq, Principal

Since there were so many important health and safety updates over the past week or so, we have compiled them all into one google doc you can access here. Note that when school resumes after the Friday snow day, students will be required to wear surgical or KN95/N95 masks during the school day, and masks will be provided for students who don’t have easy access to those types of masks. Details are in the document.

It’s time for Student and Teacher Grants!

Thanks to everyone who helped make our first Maroon Envelope Fundraiser a success! We blew past our goal and raised over $3500 for Student and Teacher grants. 

If your student is involved in an ARHS club please encourage them to submit a grant request with their advisor’s approval.  The deadline is February 14; here’s the link to the application (note that this form is only accessible to people with aprs.org email addresses, e.g. students and staff).

Information about a range of post-ARHS planning tools, sent out by Ms. Cuffee-Gray in an email on 1/4, can be found in this google doc.

Jan 8: Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee Meeting
Jan 11: Amherst School Committee Meeting
Jan 17: MLK Day (no school)
Jan 19-20: Early release days for 1st semester/2nd quarter exams
Jan 21: Teacher work day (no school)

The ARHS PGO newsletter will return on Friday, January 7. In the meantime you can check our Facebook page for any time-sensitive announcements.

For a pdf version of the ARPS Update, please click here.

Para obtener una versión de la actualización de ARPS en español, haga clic aquí.

Para uma versão do ARPS Update em português, clique aqui.

I am pleased to share that we have begun a district-wide review of our elementary math program for grades K-5, an action that has been called for by many educators and families who have expressed concerns about the efficacy of our current curriculum.  It is likely that I will recommend to the Amherst and Pelham School Committees that we adopt a different math curriculum at the end of this process.  Any new curriculum selected would be implemented beginning Fall 2022. An update on the make-up of the Math Review Committee, work done to-date, and upcoming events in the review process is included in the newsletter below.

Last week, I shared the approved school calendar for the 2022-2023 school year; however, there was an error in the date of Yom Kippur.  Thank you to the ARPS community member who spotted the error and alerted us to it!  The corrected calendar is included in this week’s newsletter.

Since next week is a short one, this will be the last ARPS Update before the winter break—and a new calendar year—begins.  I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the ARPS community for the ways in which we have worked together to realize our goal of returning to, and maintaining, in-person learning.  Vaccines and our mitigation strategies of mask-wearing, hand washing, pooled testing and social distancing have helped keep our community safe and learning together.  Thank you to everyone for all you have done from August to now to maintain a safe learning environment for our students.

Seniors, remember to send your senior photos by email to Miss Garrity at garrityc@arps.org! The deadline is January 31st!

If you are applying to college for January 1st, please note that Miss Garrity will only be working on the 29th and 30th. Make sure your deadlines are listed correctly and that you’ve requested transcripts. If you applied ED but have been denied or deferred and are now applying to other schools, let Miss Garrity know ASAP if you have not already. Email her with any questions and she will respond on the 29th.

The Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO (ARPS PGO), is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization consisting of the PGOs for Crocker Farm, Wildwood, the Amherst Middle School, & the Amherst High School. 

FLORENCE BANK COMMUNITY CHOICE GRANTS — VOTING CLOSES DEC 31
In past years, the ARPS PGO has received close to 100 votes & over $1,400 per year. Yay!  The grant money went towards classroom support, special projects, field trips & more.

This year, the PGOs of the ARPS PGO (Crocker Farm, Wildwood, Amherst Middle School, & Amherst High School) are campaigning jointly again to maximize our votes. Each Florence Bank account holder is can vote once for the community organization of their choice; if you are an account holder, please consider voting for “Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO”, the name of our joint non-profit. There are 2 easy ways to vote: (1) Online – Visit https://www.florencebank.com/vote to cast a vote online for the “Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO”. (2) Paper Ballot.  Ballots are available at any Florence Bank location.

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ANNUAL UMASS AMHERST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN (UMACC) FOR UMASS EMPLOYEES IS NOW UNDERWAY 

The UMACC program lets UMass employees donate to charitable organizations via paycheck, as little as $1 per pay period. UMass employees can signup with their UMass NetID at http://www.umass.edu/umacc/loginPlease consider signing up today & giving to the ARPS PGO.  The ARPS PGO’s UMACC number is 15250. 

Dec 24-Jan 2: Winter Break
Jan 5: ARHS vaccine clinic
Jan 6: No school

Hello,

There are still a significant number of students who are coming into the building after 9:05. These students are walking in from the parking lot, so they are either driving themselves or getting dropped off by their family. We have been making announcements over the loudspeaker at 9:05 letting students and teachers know that anyone entering the classroom after 9:05 is tardy. We have also adjusted the Senior Exam Exemption start date. The date seniors will start accumulating absences and tardies that will disqualify them from being exempt from exams has been moved from Monday, February 28, 2022, to Monday, January 24, 2022. January 24th is the first day of the second Semester. Please help support our attempts to get students to school five or ten minutes sooner. Those five or ten minutes at the beginning of every day add up to a lot of missed instruction and disruption to the classes they enter late.  Thank you for your support.

Take care,
Talib Sadiq
Principal

Click here to see details of the 2022 Senior Exam Exemption.