ARHS PGO Parent News

MIT Museum is hosting the popular Virtual Teen Science Café again this spring! Please encourage your high school students to join our next event, Teen Science Café: Equity in Healthcare, which is planned and hosted by my peers on the Teen Programming Council. Meet experts in the field of equity in healthcare in this Zoom Webinar, with the opportunity to ask questions and dive deeper into the topic. This is a free event for interested high school students only. The event occurs on Friday, March 5, 5:30-7:30 pm EST. Pre-registration is required. Teens can register and learn more at this link: https://mitmuseum.mit.edu/program/teen-science-caf%C3%A9-equity-healthcare

Want some extra help with homework or preparing for exams? Students from the Future Health Leaders Network of UMass Amherst are available Thursdays in March from 4 to 6 pm to assist high school students with homework help and test prep. It’s a free, drop-in session.

Email teens@joneslibrary.org for more information and the Zoom link.

A virtual job fair and career expo for high school students and young adults 14 to 24 years of age in Franklin, Hampshire County, and the North Quabbin region.  One note: Students are not required to attend the orientation in order to attend the various career events.

HEAR FROM CAREER PROFESSIONALS (ALL SESSIONS FROM 3PM-4:30PM): 

HEALTHCARE 3/17/2021 

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE 3/31/2021 

EDUCATION & CHILDCARE 4/14/2021 

CAREER SKILLS WORKSHOPS 4/28/2021 

JOB FAIR 5/5/2021 (TIME TBD) Click the following link to register: https://tinyurl.com/fhnexpo21 Email mattallen@masshirefhwb.org for any questions.

Come join us and learn some basic German in six differently themed 45-minute interactive virtual sessions. We’ll listen to music, learn about sustainability, explore food culture, and much more.

WHAT: basic German in a fun virtual setting

WHEN: Tuesdays 4.00-4.45 p.m. on these dates 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, and 4/13

GRADES: 7-12

WHO: Kelly Champine (UMass TA in German Studies), Tyler Dillon (UMass German major) and Ela Gezen (UMass Associate Professor of German and Undergraduate Program Director, and parent to a 5th grader at Wildwood) If you are interested, please register here by March 2nd.

Vengan a aprender alemán elemental en seis sesiones virtuales e interactivas, de 45 minutos cada una. Escucharemos música, aprenderemos sobre sostenibilidad, exploraremos la cultura culinaria y mucho más. QUÉ: Alemán elemental en un divertido entorno virtual CUÁNDO: Martes 4:00 – 4:45 PM, en las siguientes fechas: 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, y 4/13 GRADOS: 7-12 QUIÉN: Kelly Champine (estudiante graduada de Alemán y asistente de enseñanza en UMass), Tyler Dillon (estudiante de UMass con concentración Alemán), y Ela Gezen (Profesora Asociada de Alemán y Directora del Programa de Estudios Subgraduados en Alemán en UMass, y madre de un estudiante de quinto grado en Wildwood) Si le interesa este programa, por favor regístrense aquí antes del 2 de Marzo. Not a school-sponsored event / Este evento no ésta organizado por la escuela

To view the flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sdrLRTF7Tgh6KLaKH6aMeb-vNSpNIuvS/view?usp=sharing

Dear Families:

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just

as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report

card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our

school’s report card is available HERE.

The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS

scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on

student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.

Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can

use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing

well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the

information to better understand how to support students and our school.

You will notice on our report card that we are within a few percentage points of the state

average in every category, except MassCore Completion. The main reason for that is, as a

district we have different graduation requirements than the state does. Being close to the state

averages is “OK”, but we are striving for “Outstanding”, not just OK. Our teachers are working

hard, our students are working hard, and families are working hard to support their children.

I believe that more effective communication and collaboration between the school, students,

and their families is the first step towards improving student performance in our school. That,

along with additional Tier 2 supports, like Targeted Intervention will improve our Grade 9

Course-Passing rates, Graduation Rates, and our Post-Secondary Enrollment.

We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as

critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your

continued support.

Finally, if your child attends a school that receives federal Title I funds, you also have the right to

request the following information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers:

• Whether your child’s teacher is licensed in the grade levels and subject areas they teach,
• Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under an emergency license or waiver,
• The college degree and major of your child’s teacher, and
• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you have questions about our school’s report card, would like to become involved in school

improvement activities, or would like to request information about the qualifications of your

child’s classroom teacher, please contact arhsoffice@arps.org. Click HERE to see our district’s

report card or to search for other schools’ report cards, visit.

Sincerely,

Talib Sadiq

Interim Principal

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gC5gmKTMVEZ9O_xdEUb1IlmntuaI0sU0/view?usp=sharing

There have 2 joint meetings of the Amherst, Pelham, and Regional School Committees coming up on Tuesday & Wednesday. Among the topics on Tuesday, they will vote on the proposed school start time change, hear about pooled testing for COVID-19, and discuss returning to in-person learning this Spring. A vote on the return to in-person learning this Spring is planned for Wednesday’s meeting.

Submit your public comment by calling 413-345-2949 and recording a voice message, or by emailing mcdonalda@arps.org with the subject line “public comment.” Comments received any time before 3pm Tuesday will be included in Tuesday’s meeting. Comments received after Tuesday @3pm will be included in Wednesday’s meeting. Voice message comments for Wednesday’s meeting may be submitted until 5pm; email comments may be submitted until 3pm (to allow time to compile and post the public comment document for the meeting).

Read the full agendas here: https://arps.org/amhers…/regional-school-committee-agendas

Class of 2021 Parents, please remind your Seniors they are all invited to a virtual senior meeting on February 26th at 9:00am! You will hear from administrators and other adult leaders regarding prom, graduation, scholarships, senior exemption etc. You will also have the opportunity to network with some of your peers as well. Check your email for the GoogleMeet link.  !

Sports registration for the ‘floating season’ is closing on Feb 28! ARPS will be offering ‘indoor track’ (practices only; 9th-12th grade), football (9th-12th grade) and swimming (7th-12th grade).

Please note that ‘indoor track’ will be mostly outdoors unless using the weight room. There is a possibility that we offer practices only, with a chance of a couple outdoor meets towards the end of April. 

Please continue to check the athletic webpage, as it is updated frequently frequently.

All Students are invited to Submit a play to the 36th Annual Student-Written Play Festival!  We accept all kinds of scripts from all kinds of students for a slate of 10 and 1-minute plays to be performed live this spring.  No experience necessary whatsoever.  Everything you need to know is at: bit.ly/arhssw21 – but feel free to contact Mr. Bechtold (bechtolj@arps.org) with any questions.  Entries due March 14.

Feb 26: Virtual senior class meeting 9:00am

Feb 28: Deadline to Register for Floating Season Sports

Mar 1: Floating Sports Season Begins

Mar 17: All Teachers Curriculum/Work Day (No School) 

Mar 24: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 2: Good Friday (No School—Budgetary Reasons) 

Apr 7: Amherst Art for Clean Action Energy Deadline

Apr 14: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 16: Q3 Ends

Apr 19-23: Spring Break 

Apr 24: Q4 Begins

Apr 26: Spring Sports Season Begins

May 5 – 14: AP Exams Administered

May 12: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

May 31: Memorial Day (No School) 

June 19″ Juneteenth Holiday

June 24: Last day of school (no snow days are included; all inclement weather days will be distance learning)

Want some extra help with homework or preparing for exams? Students from the Future Health Leaders Network of UMass Amherst are available Thursdays in March from 4 to 6 pm to assist high school students with homework help and test prep. It’s a free, drop-in session.

Email teens@joneslibrary.org for more information and the Zoom link.

A virtual job fair and career expo for high school students and young adults 14 to 24 years of age in Franklin, Hampshire County, and the North Quabbin region.  One note: Students are not required to attend the orientation in order to attend the various career events.

HEAR FROM CAREER PROFESSIONALS (ALL SESSIONS FROM 3PM-4:30PM): 

MANUFACTURING 3/3/2021 

HEALTHCARE 3/17/2021 

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE 3/31/2021 

EDUCATION & CHILDCARE 4/14/2021 

CAREER SKILLS WORKSHOPS 4/28/2021 

JOB FAIR 5/5/2021 (TIME TBD) Click the following link to register: https://tinyurl.com/fhnexpo21 Email mattallen@masshirefhwb.org for any questions.

DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps is collaborating with Community Action Youth Programs to bring the annual YELO Forum, 3/31/21 from 4-6pm. YELO = Youth Engage Legislators & Officials. This year will be a virtual forum. Youth and DSAP members will lead an interactive flow of engaging activities to generate dialog around issues such as mental health, climate justice, and racial justice.

Here is a YELO Forum Flyer!

Please share this with any youth you think may be interested in attending. 

To receive the YELO Forum Zoom link, youth must register: https://forms.gle/F3Fr5LtMu1k6Vx4VA 

Registration opens March 1st. The YELO Forum is on March 31^st, from 4pm-6pm 

The 1st 30 youth to register (& participate in the forum) will receive an e-gift card.Community Action Youth Programs is hosting 2 pre-YELO Workshops to prepare and collaborate with youth on creating the content of the forum. These will be on Wednesdays 3/3 and 3/17 from 4pm-6pm. For those interested in participating in pre-YELO workshops, please reach out to Allison Scott ascott@dialself.org

The City of Northampton and Town of Amherst join forces to distribute up to 5,000 vaccinations per week  

On Tuesday  it was announced that the Northampton Health Department has been approved as the lead community in a regional collaboration with the Town of Amherst to distribute COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Massachusetts residents. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) will provide up to 5,000 coronavirus vaccines a week to the region. Amherst will be operating at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk while the Northampton site will be at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street. Both sites are open to all Massachusetts residents who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.More info can be found at https://www.amherstma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=1

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Join us to discuss possible financing options for  the four major building projects in Town.

The four projects are the $36.3 million expansion and renovation of the Jones Library, for which the town is responsible for $15.8 million; a new $80 million elementary school building, for which the town would cover $40 million of the cost; a new $20 million Department of Public Works headquarters; and a new $15 million fire station in South Amherst.

The conversation can be joined by:

Via Telephone: by calling 1 (646) 876-9923 and typing in the meeting ID # 524 601 364

Via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/524601364 

Can’t make it live? Send your questions in advance to sunrydb@amherstma.govA recording of the session will be posted to our Community Chat Playlist, available at: https://bit.ly/AmherstCommunity

Come join us and learn some basic German in six differently themed 45-minute interactive virtual sessions. We’ll listen to music, learn about sustainability, explore food culture, and much more.

WHAT: basic German in a fun virtual setting

WHEN: Tuesdays 4.00-4.45 p.m. on these dates 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, and 4/13

GRADES: 7-12

WHO: Kelly Champine (UMass TA in German Studies), Tyler Dillon (UMass German major) and Ela Gezen (UMass Associate Professor of German and Undergraduate Program Director, and parent to a 5th grader at Wildwood) If you are interested, please register here by March 2nd.

Vengan a aprender alemán elemental en seis sesiones virtuales e interactivas, de 45 minutos cada una. Escucharemos música, aprenderemos sobre sostenibilidad, exploraremos la cultura culinaria y mucho más. QUÉ: Alemán elemental en un divertido entorno virtual CUÁNDO: Martes 4:00 – 4:45 PM, en las siguientes fechas: 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, y 4/13 GRADOS: 7-12 QUIÉN: Kelly Champine (estudiante graduada de Alemán y asistente de enseñanza en UMass), Tyler Dillon (estudiante de UMass con concentración Alemán), y Ela Gezen (Profesora Asociada de Alemán y Directora del Programa de Estudios Subgraduados en Alemán en UMass, y madre de un estudiante de quinto grado en Wildwood) Si le interesa este programa, por favor regístrense aquí antes del 2 de Marzo. Not a school-sponsored event / Este evento no ésta organizado por la escuela

To view the flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sdrLRTF7Tgh6KLaKH6aMeb-vNSpNIuvS/view?usp=sharing

Seniors are all invited to a virtual senior meeting on February 26th at 9:00am! You will hear from administrators and other adult leaders regarding prom, graduation, scholarships, senior exemption etc. You will also have the opportunity to network with some of your peers as well. Check your email after break for the GoogleMeet link.

Sports registration for the ‘floating season’ is now open! We will be offering ‘indoor track’ (practices only; 9th-12th grade), football (9th-12th grade) and swimming (7th-12th grade). Please note that ‘indoor track’ will be primarily outdoors unless using the weight room (This does not replace the outdoor spring season). There is a possibility that we offer practices only, with a chance of a couple outdoor meets towards the end of April.  Please continue to check the athletic webpage, as I do my best to update it frequently.  

I appreciate all of the community’s support as we continue to work on providing our student-athletes with a safe and positive athletic experience. Home games are live on youtube for your convenience. 

Thanks,

Victoria Stewart

Director of Athletics

Check your email for an email going out 2/12 from Miss Garrity containing the long-awaited Scholarship Book, containing over 50 scholarship opportunities! February break is a great time to start on your applications!

Apply Now for Community Foundation Scholarships: Each year the Community Foundation of Western Mass offers over 140 different scholarships, resulting in over 1,000 individual scholarship awards of approximately $1.4 million. The good news is you just have to submit one application and you will be matched with all of the scholarships for which you’re eligible. 

Two scholarships of note for ARHS students are the First National Bank of America Centennial Educational Scholarship Fund, which is specifically for graduating ARHS seniors, and the Wilbur. H. H. Ward Education Fund, with a preference for Amherst residents attending UMass Amherst. The scholarship application window closes March 31.

MEFA Webinars: Applying for College Scholarships Feb 24, 2021 06:30 PM

https://mefa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XhOTMQK7TsKof_2ssbqlUQ

• 8 Scholarship Tips
• Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
• Scholarships for College
• Scholarships with March Deadlines

TopicMEFA Webinars: Applying for College ScholarshipsDescriptionScholarships can make a significant impact in helping cover college costs. In this webinar, you’ll learn key scholarship facts, how to use online search engines to find scholarships, and plenty of helpful tips to use in your search. You’ll also learn how scholarships fit into the larger financial aid picture. Live transcription will be available.Time

Feb 24, 2021 06:30 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Feb 24: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Feb 26: Senior Class Council Meeting 9AM

Feb 28: Deadline to Register for Floating Season Sports

Mar 1: Floating Sports Season Begins

Mar 17: All Teachers Curriculum/Work Day (No School) 

Mar 24: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 2: Good Friday (No School—Budgetary Reasons) 

Apr 7: Amherst Art for Clean Action Energy Deadline

Apr 14: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 16: Q3 Ends

Apr 19-23: Spring Break 

Apr 24: Q4 Begins

Apr 26: Spring Sports Season Begins

May 5 – 14: AP Exams Administered

May 12: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

May 31: Memorial Day (No School) 

June 19″ Juneteenth Holiday

June 24: Last day of school (no snow days are included; all inclement weather days will be distance learning)

Are you interested in publishing your artwork or creative writing, and are you passionate about environmental action? If so, consider submitting your art masterpieces to the Amherst Art for Clean Energy student anthology, co-created by Amherst Sunrise and Amherst Regional High School students. We are compiling written and visual art inspired by nature and/or environmental action, made by Amherst students or residents ages 5-18. After reviewing submissions, we will publish them and sell the final anthology to the general Amherst community. 100% of the profits will go toward converting coal energy to clean energy through the Beyond Coal™ organization. Submit your artwork here: www.bit.ly/artforcleanenergy! The deadline to submit is April 7, 2021. If you have any questions, please email artforcleanenergy@gmail.com.

There is no school next week. Have a safe, restful break.

If you do not have your books and materials needed for Semester 2 yet, please let ARHS know if you plan on coming to the school to get them Friday, during your lunch break or after school. Or if you need us to deliver them to your home. If so please email Ms. Rodriguez at rodriguezl@arps.org

Amherst hockey lost to Greenfield Saturday 4 to 2, they face Southwick today at 3pm. The girls basketball team had their first loss on the road losing to Chicopee by three, they turned things back around, winning their next on the road game at Pope Francis. The boys basketball team had two wins this week, beating Chicopee by two and Pope Francis by three. The nordic team had great results from their historical race, competing at our home venue (Cherry Hill) for the first time. Alpine (see results below) will be going on race four today!  

Boys Varsity Alpine Results

Girls Varsity Alpine Results

JV Alpine Results 

Sports registration for the ‘floating season’ is now open! We will be offering ‘indoor track’ (practices only; 9th-12th grade), football (9th-12th grade) and swimming (7th-12th grade). Please note that ‘indoor track’ will be primarily outdoors unless using the weight room (This does not replace the outdoor spring season). There is a possibility that we offer practices only, with a chance of a couple outdoor meets towards the end of April.  Please continue to check the athletic webpage, as I do my best to update it frequently.  

I appreciate all of the community’s support as we continue to work on providing our student-athletes with a safe and positive athletic experience. Home games are live on youtube for your convenience. 

Thanks,

Victoria Stewart

Director of Athletics

Congratulations to Helen Dalton, ARHS junior, for being awarded the ‘Best in Category Award’ for Editorial Cartoon sponsored by the Herb Block Foundation in the Region of Massachusetts. Helen’s work was judged best in the state after receiving a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. In addition to a $200 cash prize, Helen’s editorial cartoon will be advanced for national recognition as the Massachusetts entry for the Herb Block Award. Helen completed the cartoon as an assignment on Black Lives Matter for her remote learning ‘Art of Comics’ class. Herb Block was one of America’s foremost political cartoonists. His foundation “seeks to help ensure a responsible, responsive democratic government through citizen involvement,”.

Congratulations to Sofie Montti and Ruthie Weinbaum, who were accepted into the Massachusetts All-State Chorus! They scored high enough on their video auditions that they will now be participating in a virtual choral piece conducted by Dr. Jeffery Redding, 2019 GRAMMY Award Music Educator of the Year.

The Amherst Hurricanes Athletic Boosters is having its next meeting via Zoom on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 5:00pm. Zoom Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89683277314pwd=MG94dGpQMGpsSVoxbnVxYitQYVMvZz09

Meeting ID: 896 8327 7314

Passcode: GoCanes

Call: 1 646 876 9923  Meeting ID: 896 8327 7314  Password: 4215495 

The Agenda includes: welcome/greetings, review of minutes, Executive board updates, fundraising and other committee updates

• Seniors you are invited to a virtual senior meeting on February 26th at 9:00am! You will hear from administrators and other adult leaders regarding prom, graduation, scholarships, senior exemption etc. You will also have the opportunity to network with some of your peers as well. Check your email after break for the GoogleMeet link. See you ALL then 2021!
• Check your email for an email going out 2/12 from Miss Garrity containing the long-awaited Scholarship Book, containing over 50 scholarship opportunities! February break is a great time to start on your applications!

Apply Now for Community Foundation Scholarships: Each year the Community Foundation of Western Mass offers over 140 different scholarships, resulting in over 1,000 individual scholarship awards of approximately $1.4 million. The good news is you just have to submit one application and you will be matched with all of the scholarships for which you’re eligible. 

Two scholarships of note for ARHS students are the First National Bank of America Centennial Educational Scholarship Fund, which is specifically for graduating ARHS seniors, and the Wilbur. H. H. Ward Education Fund, with a preference for Amherst residents attending UMass Amherst. The scholarship application window closes March 31.

Are you interested in publishing your artwork or creative writing, and are you passionate about environmental action? If so, consider submitting your art masterpieces to the Amherst Art for Clean Energy student anthology, co-created by Amherst Sunrise and Amherst Regional High School students. We are compiling written and visual art inspired by nature and/or environmental action, made by Amherst students or residents ages 5-18. After reviewing submissions, we will publish them and sell the final anthology to the general Amherst community. 100% of the profits will go toward converting coal energy to clean energy through the Beyond Coal™ organization. Submit your artwork here: www.bit.ly/artforcleanenergy! The deadline to submit is April 7, 2021. If you have any questions, please email artforcleanenergy@gmail.com.

If you are interested in working in this field and can commit to the program  during the month of June, please email me, Deidre Cuffee-Gray (cuffee-grayd@arps.org) with your interest. Here’s the link that will take you to more information about it.https://www.experience.education/externships/

Expectations: Students wanting to attend must be interested in exploring  the field and be able to commit fully. This is an all-or-nothing opportunity, meaning if a student signs up, they must see the commitment through to the end. Ideally slots will preference students underserved in STEM. 

Format: The externships take place after school, typically, as well as on one Saturday. The students participate in groups in competition with other groups (often students from around the country or them world), listen to presentations from professionals in the fields, and learn about educational paths, etc. Student reviews so far are very strong.

Feb 15-19: Winter Break 

Feb 18: Amherst Hurricanes Athletic Boosters Meeting 5PM via Zoom

Feb 24: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Feb 26: Senior Class Council Meeting 9AM

Feb 28: Deadline to Register for Floating Season Sports

Mar 1: Floating Sports Season Begins

Mar 17: All Teachers Curriculum/Work Day (No School) 

Mar 24: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 2: Good Friday (No School—Budgetary Reasons) 

Apr 7: Amherst Art for Clean Action Energy Deadline

Apr 14: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 16: Q3 Ends

Apr 19-23: Spring Break 

Apr 24: Q4 Begins

Apr 26: Spring Sports Season Begins

May 5 – 14: AP Exams Administered

May 12: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

May 31: Memorial Day (No School) 

June 19″ Juneteenth Holiday

June 24: Last day of school (no snow days are included; all inclement weather days will be distance learning)

Friday, February 12th from 3:00 – 4:00 pmTeen Lounge at Jones Library is going virtual! We’re joining up with the teen departments at Chicopee and Forbes libraries to offer a virtual teen lounge for area teens ages 13-18 on our shared Discord server. You can participate in the server via text, voice, and/or video. This is a place to hang out and chat with friends and meet some new folks from around the Valley. We also have plans to offer programming such as trivia and gaming, watch parties, crafting, etc. so let us know what type of activities you want to see happen there! Join us at the kickoff party on Friday the 12^th from 3-4pm to play some games with chances to win some prizes! To get an invite to the teen-only server, please fill out this short form: tinyurl.com/joneslibteensdiscord. Send any comments or questions to teens@joneslibrary.org

What does artificial intelligence (AI) have to do with engineering? Come and out at a free virtual AI camp hosted by Western New England University (WNE) on Feb. 15-19 from 3:00-4:15pm. Each day, you’ll hear from WNE faculty about their engineering specialty and learn some AI basics. Join one day, or join all of them. Free registration here and more information here. Hope to see you at the camp

Families, please email arhsoffice@arps.org or call 413-362-1700 to let us know if you or your children have not been able to get books and materials for the 2nd Semester yet. We have volunteers ready to deliver materials.

Thanks and take care

-Talib Sadiq

OPEN TO FAMILIES OF ENGLISH LEARNERS AND ALL ARPS BILINGUAL FAMILIES

Tuesday, February 9, 7- 8:15 pm

JOIN US TO DISCUSS OUR PROJECTS TO BUILD A STRONGER BILINGUAL PARENT COMMUNITY AT ARPS, GET INVOLVED IN THE SEAL OF BILITERACY AND BILITERACY PROGRAMS, AND MORE.

WE WELCOME YOUR PARTICIPATION, THOUGHTS AND IDEAS!

Please RSVP at this Link https://forms.gle/WVjE3i7G9FmRa2cS7 

Zoom: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/95534122534 Meeting ID: 955 3412 2534 Passcode: BPAC 

Call: +1-646-876-9923, 95534122534#

BPAC 2.9.21 (1).pdf

Amherst hockey opponent this week was Chicopee Comp. They played them twice, first losing 3-2 and the second time losing 3-5. Both games were very competitive, last night’s game they were tied up with two minutes to go! The girls basketball team still remains undefeated, defeating Westfield last night 49-37. The boys basketball team had their first loss to Ware on the road, but came back and got the win on the road against Westfield last night winning 43 to 36.  The nordic team had great results from their cold saturday morning race as well as alpine (see results below) they will be going on race three today!  

Boys Varsity Alpine Results

Girls Varsity Alpine Results

JV Alpine Results 

Here are the athletic dates (*dates may be subject to change) Winter Sports – January 11, 2021 – February 28, 2021 Floating Dates – March 1, 2021 – April 25, 2021 Spring – April 26, 2021 – July 3, 2021

I appreciate all of the community’s support as we continue to work on providing our student-athletes with a safe and positive athletic experience. Home games are live on youtube for your convenience.  – Victoria Stewart, Director of Athletics

SENIORS FAFSA Support

Please use your resources to complete your FAFSA (you can call the admissions/financial aid office as well).

DIY – https://www.mefa.org/blog/all-things-fafsa (great webinar to do it step-by-step)

FAFSA Help – February 7th – En Espanol 2:00-3:00pm https://www.mefa.org/events/fafsa-day-ma-event-in-spanish

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) became available on October 1, 2020 for students attending college in the 2021-22 academic year. Have questions about filling out the FAFSA? Financial aid experts will go through a short presentation in Spanish followed by a live Q/A session to get FREE help applying for financial aid for college. Live transcription will be available.

February 11th, 7:00pm-8:00pm 

https://www.mefa.org/events/fafsa-day-ma-event

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) became available on October 1, 2020 for students attending college in the 2021-22 academic year. Have questions about filling out the FAFSA? Financial aid experts will go through a short presentation followed by a live Q/A session to get FREE help applying for financial aid for college. Live transcription will be available.

Class of 2022 –

If you have not received a couple of emails from Your Friendly Neighborhood College and Career Advisor, Ms. Cuffee-Gray, it is likely that your Naviance emails are heading straight to your spam folder. In a reality that is incredibly frustrating and inefficient, the @arps.org system designates Naviance as SPAM. You need to go into your email settings and designate emails from Naviance as something you want to receive. This is called “whitelisting” (why is it “whitelisting” and “blacklisting”? hmmmm…), and you’ll begin receiving all my little love notes about preparing for Life After ARHS. Cheers – Ms. DCG

On another note, it seems I misdirected juniors regarding the 54/22 question survey that is required of you to set up a meeting with me. Not a mean trick, just a mistake.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Go to “About Me” in your Naviance account (upper right tab);

2. The dropdown list there has “My Surveys”

3. Choose what is appropriate for you  

That should take care of it.

Here’s a video

http://bit.ly/ARHSNavianceSurvey

Feb 7: MEFA FASFA Day en Espanol at 2PM

Feb 9: BPAC Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Feb 11: MEFA FASFA Day at 7:00 p.m

Feb 15-19: Winter Break 

Feb 24: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Mar 10: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Mar 17: All Teachers Curriculum/Work Day (No School) 

Mar 24: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 2: Good Friday (No School—Budgetary Reasons) 

Apr 14: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

Apr 19-23: Spring Break 

May 12: PreK-12 Early Release (12:00 secondary/1:20 elementary) 

May 31: Memorial Day (No School) 

June 19″ Juneteenth Holiday

June 24: Last day of school (no snow days are included; all inclement weather days will be distance learning)

Teen Lounge is going virtual! We’re joining up with the teen departments at Chicopee and Forbes libraries to offer a virtual teen lounge for area teens ages 13-18 on our shared Discord server. You can participate in the server via text, voice, and/or video. This is a place to hang out and chat with friends and meet some new folks from around the Valley. We also have plans to offer programming such as trivia and gaming, watch parties, crafting, etc. so let us know what type of activities you want to see happen there! 

Join us at the kickoff party on Friday February 12th from 3-4pm to play some games with a chance to win prizes! 

To get an invite to the teen-only server, please fill out this short form: tinyurl.com/joneslibteensdiscord (link in Bio). Send any comments or questions to teens@joneslibrary.org

#joneslibteens #joneslibrary #amherstma

The Grotesque 10: Amazing Architectural Sculpture from Ten American Colleges & Universities 

Amherst, MA – Intrigued by gargoyles in architecture?  Join us for The Grotesque 10: Amazing Architectural Sculpture from Ten American Colleges and Universities, an event to be hosted by the Jones Library via Zoom on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm. 

Armed with only a camera, a sense of humor and a host of frequent flyer miles, Mathew Duman embarked on a “grotesque safari”, traveling to 10 universities around the country to photograph the unique grotesques and gargoyles roosting on their academic buildings. Mathew found that this type of sculpture makes its home within a style of architecture known as Collegiate Gothic which was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. He has collected his findings in his book called The Grotesque 10: Amazing Architectural Sculpture from Ten American Colleges and Universities and presents a selection in this illustrated lecture, giving you a taste of the variety of ornament, history and humor these campuses have to offer. 

The Grotesque 10 schools we will visit are Yale University, Trinity College (Hartford, CT), Bryn Mawr College, The City College of New York, Duke University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, The University of Chicago, The University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St. Louis.  

To attend this event, please register by sending an email to programs@joneslibrary.org. You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate in this Zoom event. The link will be sent to you by email approximately one day before the event. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet connection to join via Zoom. 

For more information, please visit https://www.joneslibrary.org/ or contact Janet Ryan at ryanj@joneslibrary.org.   

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Libraries.  

When: Wed, February 10, 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Where: HS-Staff, HS-Student Activities (map)

Do you have an interest in working in one of the following fields or want to learn more: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Social Assistance, Education & Childcare? Then check out the Youth Career and Job Expo happening soon! You will need to attend an orientation and kick off on either 2/10 or 2/24 from 3pm-4:30pm. Then you will hear from professionals in the field you choose (all sessions will be 3-4:30) There will also be a job fair at the end with employers ready to hire! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

What does artificial intelligence (AI) have to do with engineering? Come and out at a free virtual AI camp hosted by Western New England University (WNE) on Feb. 15-19 from 3:00-4:15pm. Each day, you’ll hear from WNE faculty about their engineering specialty and learn some AI basics. Join one day, or join all of them. Free registration here and more information here. Hope to see you at the camp

Notes for February 1st:

On February 1 students should log into their S2 Google Classrooms and look for assignments.

There will be a Distance Learning Feedback form in all A-Period classes. The goal of the survey is to hear directly from tudents about what worked and what was challenging for them in Semester 1 related to their distance learning experience. Our goal is to use this survey to make improvements for Semester 2.

Students should expect asynchronous assignments for their first day of the semester (Feb 1) with a formal launch of the new semester on February 2.

ARHS is seeking volunteers to help deliver books, art supplies and other materials to families who won’t be able to make it to pick up their items for second semester.  If you are able to help on Tuesday, February 2 around 9AM, please contact Principal Sadiq at sadiqt@arps.org.

Please read the below joint Statement from the Amherst Pelham Education Association and the Regional SC that provides an update on their collaborative efforts regarding the 2020/21 school year.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iQv8bikO2Xj53c-Tz6pK7FjrEt0kJmcH/view?fbclid=IwAR3NKEDk16goH4ms_9moF8PhlPOAdFO6vFgaoNblED3eMf5N0vxfJmBMJk0