Click here for all things AP. This document includes the form for submitting payment. Remember to submit payment on or before Thursday, November 12. If payment is received after this date there will be a $40 late registration fee. The full cost of each AP Exam is $95, and the reduced fee is $53. New this Year – If you decide after November 12 and before March 12 that you do not want to take an exam, you can cancel with no cancellation fee. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please feel free to contact Judi DellaMarco at dellamarcoj@arps.org
LIST OF TOPICS: Call to Order. Announcements. Presentations and Discussion: Updated Financial Indicators – Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Finance Director Sean Mangano, Comptroller Sonia Aldrich, Assistant Comptroller Holly Bowser, and Collector Jennifer Lafountain: Presentation, Discussion. Topics Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair 48 Hours in Advance of the Meeting. Adjourn.
Dates are set for virtual open house events at each of our schools. The ARHS Open House Link will not go live until November 5th. Please reach out to the Main Office at arhsoffice@arps.org if the link is not working for you, or if you have any other questions.
Unfortunately, we had more technical difficulties with Wednesday evening’s PGO Coffee with the Principal. I know many of you changed your plans to attend, or waited for 15 – 20 minutes and still were not granted access to the meeting. I apologize to everyone who tried but was unable to get into the meeting. We are trying to learn from our mistakes, and we are confident that the technical issues will be worked out before the Open House on Thursday, November 5th at 6:30 PM.
We realize how busy everyone’s lives are and want you all to have a chance to hear about the classes your children are taking, from their teachers. We also realize that despite our best efforts technical difficulties can still happen. Those thoughts guided our decision about the format of our 1st Virtual Open House.
At 6:30 Open House will begin with synchronous messages from the high school administration team. Much of the information that was going to be shared at the PGO Coffee with the Principal will be shared then. After that, families will be directed to asynchronous videos each of your children’s teachers have made. Teacher videos will include an overview of the course, a brief description of major assignments, virtual classroom routines, and other important information. So if you are not able to attend Open House, have technical issues, have more than one child in the high school, or you want to hear a little bit from the teacher(s) your child(ren) will have in 2nd semester, you will be able to. These videos will be accessible through the high school website, for you to view at your convenience.
You are welcome to try the Open House Link now, but it will not go live until November 5th. Please reach out to the Main Office at arhsoffice@arps.org if the link is not working for you, or if you have any other questions. Thanks and take care.
The 1st Quarter ends on Friday 11/13. In preparation for the 2nd Quarter, our next Materials Distribution and/or Drop-Off will be happening on Monday (11/9) and Tuesday (11/10) from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Please reach out to the Main Office at arhsoffice@arps.org if you are not able to make it to the high school on those days and times. We will schedule a time with you that works for your family. Thank you
Now that we are out of the red our schedule is looking more like itself! Girls soccer had their second game since 10/5 and lost to Granby and Monson. They redeemed themselves on Wednesday against Pathfinder winning 7 to 0. Field hockey had senior day against South Hadley and lost 1 to 0. The boys soccer program won all their games so far this week except JVA tied South Hadley on Monday. Cross country had their first home meet and both teams defeated the Belchertown Orioles, remaining as our two undefeated teams so far this season . Volleyball lost to Westfield, but have one more chance to beat them next week.Please continue to check the MIAA site for updated game dates, as many games were rescheduled or will be rescheduled soon!
Home games are posted on youtube for your convenience. Please continue to cheer our Hurricanes from afar!
In Hurricane colors are seniors, Matthew Firinne (Boys Soccer) and Mayouri Yath (Volleyball)
Complete “Life After ARHS Survey (54 or 22 Qs) for College Conference in Naviance
Make appointment with Ms. Cuffee-Gray to talk about plan for after high school (link)
Make appointment with your counselor to talk about your recommendation (link)
Return signed Lime Green release form to Ms. Garrity (garrityc@arps.org)!!!!!!!!!
Complete Education Section part of Common App (Common App colleges only – link)
Complete short answer part of Common App (Common App colleges only)
Sign FERPA Waiver in Common App (it is advised to waive seeing recs link)
List the schools that you are applying to in Naviance (link)
Connect Naviance with Common App (video)
Complete college essay (Monday workshops @3pm – link and/or share with Amanda Lewis, Writing Center Coordinator (lewisa@arps.org) and/or Ms. Cuffee-Gray (cuffee-grayd@arps.org)
Review Supplemental Essay Requirements and write them (in Common App and Admissions sites – great advice on supplements link)
Get FSAIDs for you and parent from FAFSA.ed.gov (link)
Complete FAFSA (link)
Complete CSS Profile if required by your college (private selective colleges – link)
Request transcripts in Naviance (link)
Request recommendations in Naviance three weeks before first deadline (link)
Applying Early Decision or Early Action? Be ready to submit to your Plan B schools in mid-December. Review the application and supplements so that you don’t have to scramble.
If you have a January 1st or 15th (or beyond) deadline, work to complete your application by the first week of December so that we are able to fully support your application process.
Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance from your school counselor, Ms. Garrity, or Your Friendly Neighborhood College and Career Advisor! (link)
Note: Do not request recommendations in school based applications (American International College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT) Georgetown University…) ONLY REQUEST IN NAVIANCE! TRUST US!!!
College Essay Support Mondays 3:00-3:30 with Amanda Lewis and Deidre Cuffee-Gray in Drop in sessions – workshop your essay and/or generate ideas (Link)
Transcript, Teacher and School Counselor Requests Must be Made Three Weeks Prior to Your 1st Deadline Late Requests Risk Less Thoughtful Recommendations and Late Material Submissions
The ARHS Theater Company continues its 3-play season this fall of COVID theater-making by inviting you this weekend to Everybody, a 90-minute outdoor production at ARHS. Written just a couple of years ago by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins, one of the starts of the contemporary black playwrights movement that’s helping redefine American theater, Everybody is a strange and delightful play that asks the biggest of questions: how do we want to look back on our lives and how we chose to live them? Performances are this Saturday and Sunday, with 6pm and 8pm showings. Tickets are only available in advance here. There will be an audience size limit, and mask-wearing and social-distancing is required. Find our stage by parking in the athletics lot behind the school. This is a seated show where we’ll ask you to bring your own seat! A lawn chair or similar might be perfect (although we’ll have a few on hand if you need).
5th Annual Ski and Winter Gear Sale, returns on October 31, 2020, from 9 am – 2 pm, under the tent at 67 Amity Street, with deals and choices so big – it’s scary!
Shoppers can once again choose from a vast selection of new and used downhill, cross-country skis, ski poles, helmets, snowshoes, boots, skates, snowboards, outdoor clothing (including jackets, gloves, mittens, and hats) all in adult and youth sizes. Strict safety guidelines will be observed with periodic cleaning of surfaces and social distancing measures in place.
The Town of Amherst is divided into ten Precincts, now organized in to five Districts. See below table to view your Precinct and polling location as well as your corresponding District.
Hours
The polling hours for all elections and all polling places are 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
*Can I Still Vote Early? Early voting (for all Amherst precincts) will take place through Friday, Oct. 30 at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst Fri, Oct 30: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm *Find Your Assigned Polling Place for Voting On Nov. 3:https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA
*Where to Drop Off Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot:The Ballot Drop Box is outside Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst (Main Street side)
*If you received a Vote-By-Mail ballot, but have decided to vote in person instead, bring the unused ballot to your polling place for voiding.
*If you are listed as an inactive voter, you will also be asked to present identification which shows your name and the address at which you are registered to vote. It is not required that you present photo identification. Acceptable forms of identification include: a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, or lease. Further information is here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/…/ele…/inactivevotersidx.htm
Prohibited Activities
State law prohibits the display of political paraphernalia within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location. Signs, stickers, and even lapel buttons are not permitted within this restricted zone. State regulations also prohibit political solicitation within the restricted zone.
Voters may take their own personal notes into the polling place as an aid to assist their voting. This information cannot be shared with other voters or left in the polling place.
Leverett:
All Elections are held at the Town Hall, 9 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA 01054 7 AM – 8PM
• Wear a Face Covering
• Bring a Penor Pencil (if you don’t want to borrow one)
• Bring a Clip Board or Book to mark your ballot on (if you don’t want to use a Voting Booth)
• Bring an ID – in some cases voters will be required to show an ID.
• Don’t touch your face while at the polling location
• Maintain Social Distancing – keep 6’ away from anyone not from your household
Pelham:
Polls will be open between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. with voting taking place at the Ramsdell Room (Library Complex), 2 South Valley Road, Pelham
ABSENTEE VOTING
The deadline to request an absentee ballot IN PERSON will remain 12:00 p.m. the day before the election.
Shutesbury:
The Shutesbury election will be conducted at Town Hall, 1 Cooleyville rd. Polls are open from 7AM to 8PM.
If you are interested in being an election observer on November 3rd, contact the Town Clerk to make an appointment by 5PM October 30th.
Health and Safety Precautions: The precinct will be kept clean and well ventilated at all times. Board of Health volunteers will be on hand to make sure we are doing all we can to keep our voters and our election workers safe. Social distance will be required. If you do not bring your mask, a mask will be provided to you.
The ARHS PGO’s Virtual Coffee with the Principal has been rescheduled to Wednesday 10/28/20 at 6:30pm.
Principal Talib Sadiq will update the ARHS Community on his thoughts and priorities about the year ahead as well as answer questions from the community.
All are invited to attend.
When
Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:30pm – 7:30pm Eastern Time – New York
Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP will be held on October 28, 2020 from 7 pm to 9 pm. To receive the online access link, please email sepac@arps.org
This free workshop for parents/guardians and professionals is sponsored by the Special Education Parent Advisory Council.
It will cover what is an IEP, why it is important, how the IEP is developed, a child’s strengths and concerns, a vision statement, sections of the IEP, the difference between accommodation and modification, response, placement and consent and procedural safeguards.
REMINDER: THE SURVEY BELOW CLOSES AT NOON TODAY (FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23). YOU MAY COMPLETE THE SURVEY MORE THAN ONCE FOR MULTIPLE CHILDREN.
The District is surveying parents/caregivers to gather input on how they feel distance learning is progressing at this point in the school year. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J2T2XVM. The deadline to respond is next Friday, October 23 at 12:00 noon. Thank you for your participation!
RECORDATORIO: LA ENCUESTA A CONTINUACIÓN SE CIERRA MAÑANA AL MEDIODÍA (VIERNES 23 DE OCTUBRE). PUEDE COMPLETAR LA ENCUESTA MÁS DE UNA VEZ PARA MÚLTIPLES NIÑOS.
El Distrito está encuestando a los padres/cuidadores para reunir información sobre cómo creen que la educación a distancia está progresando en este momento del año escolar. Por favor, tómese unos minutos para completar la encuesta en https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J2T2XVM. La fecha límite para responder es el próximo viernes, 23 de octubre a las 12:00 del mediodía. ¡Gracias por su participación!
1. Do You Bank at Florence Bank? Do you or someone in your family bank at Florence Bank? If so, you can help support the ARPS PGO through their Customers’ Choice Community Grants program. We can win up to $5,000 – go to http://www.florencebank.com/vote, select Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO from the dropdown menu, and cast your ballots before December 31. Everyone in your family with an account can vote!
2. Is your household doing any online shopping through Amazon? Did you know you can earn money for the ARHS PGO with each Amazon purchase. Enroll in this passive fundraising to earn money for the Amherst/Amherst Regional School PGOs while you shop! Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/46-4510327 and Amazon donates to Amherst Regional Public Schools Parent Guardian Organization.
To select our as your permanent charity, go to https://smile.amazon.com/ Click Your Account -> Your Amazon Smile -> Change Charity button. Search for “Amherst Amherst Regional Public Schools Parent Guardian Organization” -> Click Select.
3. Register Your Stop & Shop Card for A+ Rewards! Every time you shop at any Stop & Shop using your Stop & Shop Card or phone #, you will earn A+ Points. These points become CASH for your kids’ school(s)! There are two easy ways to participate: ▪ Sign in or create an account at stopandshop.com ▪ Go to My Account ▪ Select Rewards and Programs ▪ Pick up to two schools – ARHS, ARMS, Crocker Farm, Fort River, and/or Wildwood Or call 877-366-2668 option #1 and designate your kids’ school(s) by using your phone number – no need to find your S&S card!
* The ARPS PGO is a nonprofit comprised of the Crocker Farm, Wildwood, ARMS, and ARHS PGOs;
Since last week’s update we only had two competitions, volleyball and field hockey. Although volleyball lost, the team competed, losing the last set 24 to 26. Field hockey also had a competitive game losing to East Longmeadow by 3. We will finish off the week with a boys soccer JVA game on 10/23, a girls soccer game on 10/23 and a field hockey game on 10/23 as well. Please continue to check the MIAA site for updated game dates, as many games were rescheduled or will be rescheduled soon!
Please continue to cheer our Hurricanes from afar!
The yearbook is getting started! We need everyone to participate in this year’s yearbook. Show us what learning, clubs, events, sports, and social activities look like for you in this strange year!
What you can do:
Tell us what you want in the yearbook by adding to our Padlet!
Show us what you want in the yearbook by submitting photos at arps.picaboo.com!
Control what goes in the yearbook by joining Yearbook Club! Our Google Classroom: rpacnqw
We will have meetings Mondays 3:30-4:15. You don’t need to attend every meeting to be involved!
Notes for FAMILIES:
All families may pre-order the 2021 Goldbug Yearbook starting October 21st at arps.picaboo.com, until April 1st. All ordering is done on-line.
If your family is registered for free/reduced lunch as of Oct. 1st, please contact Crystal Garrity via email (garrityc@arps.org) no later than Nov. 24th to receive a coupon code to pre-order at a reduced rate. If you do not request a code by Nov. 24th, you will have to order at full price.
Questions? Email Crystal Garrity at garrityc@arps.org!
Información del Anuario 2021
¡MANOS A LA OBRA! ¡Es hora de ser creativo!
¡El anuario está empezando! Necesitamos que todos participen en el anuario de este año. ¡Muéstranos cómo el aprendizaje, los clubes, los eventos, los deportes y las actividades sociales son para ti en este extraño año!
Lo que puede hacer:
¡Díganos lo que quiere en el anuario añadiéndolo a nuestro Padlet!!
¡Muéstranos lo que quieres en el anuario enviando fotos a arps.picaboo.com!!
¡Controla lo que pasa en el anuario uniéndote al Club del Anuario! En nuestra Aula de Google: rpacnqw Tendremos reuniones los Lunes 3:30-4:15. ¡No necesitas asistir a todas las reuniones para participar!
Todas las familias pueden reservar el Anuario Goldbug 2021 a partir del 21st de octubre en arps.picaboo.com, hasta el 1de abril. Después del 1deabril, deberán pagar por el envío. TODO el pedido se realiza en línea!
• Si su familia está registrada para el almuerzo gratuito / reducido a partir del 1 de Octubre, póngase en contacto con Crystal Garrity por correo electrónico (garrityc@arps.org) a más tardar en 24 de Noviembre para recibir un código de cupón para reservar una tarifa reducida. Si no solicita un código antes de 24 de Noviembre, usted tendrá que pedir a precio completo.
¿Preguntas? Envíe un correo electrónico Crystal Garrity en garrityc@arps.org!
This is a reminder that any student planning to apply to ANY school after high school (4 year college, community college, technical school, military schools, etc.), Ms. Garrity absolutely MUST have this Lime Green Release Form with a parent or guardian’s signature on it! Even if a student is unsure of college/post secondary schooling, it is recommended to complete the form rather than waiting until the last minute.
This form can be completed in several ways:
1. Use a PDF reader with a signature option (such as Adobe Pro)
Missed the Early Decision/Early Action Q&A? Go to Ms. Cuffee-Gray’s virtual office for the slide show (link) and a list of ED/EA/RD admissions rates for many, many schools (link). Who can forget the lovely College Essay Guy – link for great advice on determining if ED or EA is right for you.
Free Virtual Campus ToursGo to https://livecampustours.com, click on Find Colleges, and then choose from the ones that say “Tours Now Available”. When they get to the payment part, just type in “freetour” as a discount code. (Thank Mr. Stauder for this one!)
Americorps Virtual Open House: AmeriCorps NCCC‘s deadlines are fast approaching for start dates in Feb. and March 2021. Are you ready for the application and selection process? Looking to connect? Join us for an interactive webinar on Oct. 29 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) and learn about NCCC’s application and selection process. Register Now
All things FAFSA from MEFA: The FAFSA became available on October 1st. There are plenty of resources that provide help with the FAFSA, and they’re all free.
Trustee Scholarship: Boston University’s most prestigious full-tuition scholarship recognizes extraordinary academic performance and leadership ability. Students must submit one additional essay with their application for admission.
Presidential Scholarship: This four-year, $25,000 scholarship is awarded to students with exceptional academic achievements. No additional application materials are required—all students need to do to be considered is apply for admission by the scholarship deadline. The application deadline for these scholarships is December 1, 2020.To learn more about the requirements of these scholarships and other merit awards offered by BU, please visit their website.
Bridgewater State University
With all that is going on, we have all had to adapt,. You can check out here the full array of innovative ways students can now connect with BSU.
Salem State University
Learn more about these in-person and virtual opportunities on Salem State’s Visit Us website. As a reminder our application is FREE for students through November 15!
Sincerely,
Your Friendly Neighborhood College and Career Counselor, Deidre Cuffee-Gray
Amherst will be making its annual application to receive federal funds administered by the state in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)program. These funds are awarded primarily to projects, programs, and services that improve the lives of Amherst’s low and moderate income residents. The CDBG Advisory Committee would like to hear from the community about priorities for social services, public infrastructure projects and focus areas in town. Please click here to complete a short online form to provide input to the Committee.
More information can be found on the town website here.
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor a pandemic will stop the Trivia Bee. Join us for our 26th Annual Trivia Bee, virtual style! It will be a fun night for you to gather around the laptop and play some trivia with your family, friends, and the Amherst community.
How will virtual trivia work?
Attendees will participate using a Zoom platform to recreate the Trivia Bee experience from home. Each team will be assigned to a Zoom breakout room. After each question is asked, the Zoom host will send teams into their breakout rooms. The teams discuss and decide on and answer while in the breakout room. When time is up, the host will pull teams back into the main Zoom meeting to hear the answer. Teams keep their own scores (honor system). Watch a video on how Zoom breakout rooms work to learn more. Detailed instructions will be sent to all the players prior to the event.
Participation is free, but we encourage donations benefiting the Amherst Education Foundation and our public schools. During the registration process, you will be asked to select a team you are a part of. PARTICIPANT SIGN-UP
If you are not participating, but would like to donate to the AEF Trivia Bee, use the button below. If you would like to support a particular Trivia Bee team with your donation, make sure to enter the name of the team. DONATE TO THE TRIVIA BEE
Sign-up is required only to participate in the Trivia Bee, not to simply view the event as part of the audience. It will be live broadcast on YouTube.
Come, Come!! Be part of our story: Multi-Arts invites you to our virtual presentation of “Project Earth”, a humorous and entertaining story full of imagination about what our world will be in the year 3,000. There is hope! With doable actions we can change the direction our planet is heading.
This show will be performed by professional actors in collaboration with children. It will include throughout an original gorgeous composition by our local composer Luna Wolf. The story was created by Multi-Arts kids, and directed by Multi-Arts theater teacher Maia Kinney-Petrucha. For sure you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime!
Join us for this celebration of our amazing planet on November 1st at 4pm, and help spread awareness about the changes we need to make to protect it.
Principal Talib Sadiq will host a virtual Coffee with the Principal on Thursday, October 22 at 6:30PM. He will be updating the ARHS Community on his thoughts and priorities about the year ahead as well as answer questions from the community.
Seniors considering Early Decision and/or Early Action, consider attending this brief overview of the process.
This is information for seniors who are applying for an early decision or early action, and even considering it.
We’ll review Common Application, teacher recommendations, essay & supplements (briefly), school counselor recommendation, linking Naviance and Common App, who sends what, and whatever questions that you have about this process.
College Planning Roundtable: Members of the Class of 2021 and their families are invited to the Class of 2021 College Planning Roundtable on October 22nd from 3:00pm-5:00pm. Join 30+ admissions representatives, financial aid advisors, and alums to discuss how to survive and thrive in the college planning and financial aid process. This will be a virtual event with two 50 minute sessions at 3:00pm and 4:05 pm). Register here: http://bit.ly/2021CollegeRoundtable
Got Questions? Are you a senior with questions about Naviance, Common App, college visits, or more? Miss Crystal Garrity has openings for meetings to check in and help you out! You can sign-up for a 1-on-1 virtual meeting, or book a slot on Tuesday or Friday afternoons from 2:30-3:30 for an outdoor, masked, socially distanced in-person assistance. These in-person meetings will only take place in good weather and up to 4 students may sign up at a time. Click this link! https://calendly.com/miss-garrity
Virtual Latinx College Fair Presented by the PEAS Collaborative & ASA: Thursday, October 22, 2020, 5:00 – 7:30 PM We invite caregivers and youth to join us for this virtual college fair which will begin with a brief College 101 introductory session which highlights important dates, suggestions for finding the “right fit”, and other useful information. Following our College 101 Workshop youth will be able to meet with college admissions representatives and caregivers will be invited to a virtual “cafécito” to talk about issues, concerns, and questions. // Invitamos a los parientes o guardianes y jóvenes a unirse con nosotros en esta feria universitaria virtual que comenzará con un breve taller “Introducción de Universidad” que destaca fechas importantes, sugerencias para encontrar el “ajuste perfecto” y otra información útil. Después de nuestro taller introductorio, los jóvenes podrán reunirse con representantes de admisiones de diferentes universidades y los parientes o guardianes serán invitados a un “cafécito” virtual para hablar sobre problemas, preocupaciones y preguntas. Register Here!
The yearbook is getting started! We need everyone to participate in this year’s yearbook. Show us what learning, clubs, events, sports, and social activities look like for you in this strange year!
What you can do:
Tell us what you want in the yearbook by adding to our Padlet!
Show us what you want in the yearbook by submitting photos at arps.picaboo.com!
Control what goes in the yearbook by joining Yearbook Club! Our Google Classroom: rpacnqw
We will have meetings Mondays 3:30-4:15. You don’t need to attend every meeting to be involved!
Superlative nominations and voting will occur in January. It will be done via a Google Form that will be emailed to you. Keep your eye out for these forms!
Important Notes on Senior Photos:
Senior photos (to be featured in the yearbook instead of your school ID photo) are due on January 22nd
Email all photos as JPEG or TIFF images to garrityc@arps.org.
Your senior photo must be of yourself and yourself only (pets are acceptable). Photos must be school appropriate. We will reject inappropriate photos.
Size should be portrait orientation, a standard 4x5in. or a ratio of that. Please make sure your resolution is good for printing. We will crop photos that do not meet the proper dimensions and reject any photos with low resolution or bad quality.
Contact Miss Crystal Garrity if you need help having your senior photo taken. We can help arrange a socially distanced and free photoshoot with yearbook staff.
Notes for FAMILIES:
All families may pre-order the 2021 Goldbug Yearbook starting October 21st at arps.picaboo.com, until April 1st
If your family is registered for free/reduced lunch as of Oct. 1st, please contact Crystal Garrity via email (garrityc@arps.org) no later than Nov. 24th to receive a coupon code to pre-order at a reduced rate. If you do not request a code by Nov. 24th, you will have to order at full price.
After April 1st, you must pay for shipping. ALL ordering is done online!
Parent ads help pay for free yearbooks for seniors on free/reduced lunch! Ads are $45 for a quarter-page ad. You will be able to upload your ad on the Picaboo site starting sometime inthe fall. Please subscribe to the PGO newsletter for updates!
Questions? Email Crystal Garrity at garrityc@arps.org!
Información del Anuario 2021
¡MANOS A LA OBRA! ¡Es hora de ser creativo!
¡El anuario está empezando! Necesitamos que todos participen en el anuario de este año. ¡Muéstranos cómo el aprendizaje, los clubes, los eventos, los deportes y las actividades sociales son para ti en este extraño año!
Lo que puede hacer:
¡Díganos lo que quiere en el anuario añadiéndolo a nuestro Padlet!!
¡Muéstranos lo que quieres en el anuario enviando fotos a arps.picaboo.com!!
¡Controla lo que pasa en el anuario uniéndote al Club del Anuario! En nuestra Aula de Google: rpacnqw Tendremos reuniones los Lunes 3:30-4:15. ¡No necesitas asistir a todas las reuniones para participar!
Todas las familias pueden reservar el Anuario Goldbug 2021 a partir del 21st de octubre en arps.picaboo.com, hasta el 1de abril. Después del 1deabril, deberán pagar por el envío. TODO el pedido se realiza en línea!
Notas para los estudiantes del último año (SENIORS):
• Las fotos de los SENIORS (que aparecerán en el anuario en lugar de la foto de su identificación de la escuela) vencen el 22 De Enero. Envíe por correo electrónico todas las fotos como imágenes JPEG o TIFF a garrityc@arps.org.
o Su foto de los SENIORS debe ser de usted mismo y de usted solamente (las mascotas son aceptables). Las fotos deben ser apropiadas para la escuela. Rechazaremos las fotos inapropiadas.
o El tamaño debe ser orientación vertical, un estándar de 4x5in. o una proporción de eso. Asegúrese de que su resolución sea buena para imprimir. Recortaremos fotos que no cumplan con las dimensiones adecuadas y rechazaremos cualquier foto con baja resolución o mala calidad.
o Comuníquese con Miss Crystal Garrity si necesita ayuda para que le tomen su foto. Podemos ayudar a organizar una sesión de fotos gratis manteniendo la distancia social con el personal del anuario.
• Las nominaciones superlativas y las votaciones se llevarán a ocurrir en enero. Se realizará a través de un formulario de Google que se le enviará por correo electrónico. ¡No pierdas de vista estos formularios!
• Si su familia está registrada para el almuerzo gratuito / reducido a partir del 1 de Octubre, póngase en contacto con Crystal Garrity por correo electrónico (garrityc@arps.org) a más tardar en 24 de Noviembre para recibir un código de cupón para reservar una tarifa reducida. Si no solicita un código antes de 24 de Noviembre, usted tendrá que pedir a precio completo.
Notas para FAMILIAS:
• ¡Los anuncios de los padres ayudan a pagar anuarios gratuitos para los SENIORS con almuerzo gratis o reducido! Los anuncios cuestan 45 dólares por un anuncio de un cuarto de página. Podrás subir tu anuncio en el sitio de Picaboo a partir del otoño. Por favor, suscríbete al boletín de PGO para recibir actualizaciones!
¿Preguntas? Envíe un correo electrónico Crystal Garrity en garrityc@arps.org!
Since last week’s update we only had a couple of competitions. However, our teams are continuing to improve during practices. Field hockey went 0 and 2 against Minnechaug improving the score differential from the previous week against Longmeadow. Please continue to check the MIAA site for updated game dates, as many games were rescheduled or will be rescheduled soon!
Home games are posted on youtube for your convenience. Please continue to cheer our Hurricanes from afar!
The time to register for AP Exams is here! Click here for information about how to register and submit payment for AP Exams this year.
The final deadline, without incurring a $40 late registration fee from the College Board, is Thursday, November 12. The full cost of each AP Exam is $95, and the reduced fee is $53.
The 2020 Election is underway! With early voting beginning this weekend, deadlines for voter registration fast approaching on 10/24, and mail-in ballot requests due by 10/20, now is the time to make sure you have a plan to vote.
Next week, the ARHS Library will be hosting 30 minute voter information sessions during lunch to help first time student voters get registered, informed, and ready to vote on or before November 3rd. Sessions are open to all students, as well as ARHS faculty and staff, regardless of current voter eligibility or citizenship status. All sessions will be held at this link meet.google.com/lookup/arhsvotes from 12-12:30 and 12:30-1.
Thursday 10/22: What’s On My Ballot? – Understanding the Federal, State, and Local Races and MA Ballot Initiatives
Friday 10/23: Democracy Requires All of Us: Go Beyond Voting and Get Involved in Issues, Campaigns, and Get Out the Vote Initiatives
Caregivers at home can also use the links above to check their own voter registration status, ballot, and make a plan for voting if they haven’t already done so. Questions? Contact the librarian Ella Stocker at stockere@arps.org!
1. Do You Bank at Florence Bank? Do you or someone in your family bank at Florence Bank? If so, you can help support the ARPS PGO through their Customers’ Choice Community Grants program. We can win up to $5,000 – go to http://www.florencebank.com/vote, select Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO from the dropdown menu, and cast your ballots before December 31. Everyone in your family with an account can vote!
2. Is your household doing any online shopping through Amazon? Did you know you can earn money for the ARHS PGO with each Amazon purchase. Enroll in this passive fundraising to earn money for the Amherst/Amherst Regional School PGOs while you shop! Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/46-4510327 and Amazon donates to Amherst Regional Public Schools Parent Guardian Organization.
To select our as your permanent charity, go to https://smile.amazon.com/ Click Your Account -> Your Amazon Smile -> Change Charity button. Search for “Amherst Amherst Regional Public Schools Parent Guardian Organization” -> Click Select.
3. Register Your Stop & Shop Card for A+ Rewards! Every time you shop at any Stop & Shop using your Stop & Shop Card or phone #, you will earn A+ Points. These points become CASH for your kids’ school(s)! There are two easy ways to participate: ▪ Sign in or create an account at stopandshop.com ▪ Go to My Account ▪ Select Rewards and Programs ▪ Pick up to two schools – ARHS, ARMS, Crocker Farm, Fort River, and/or Wildwood Or call 877-366-2668 option #1 and designate your kids’ school(s) by using your phone number – no need to find your S&S card!
* The ARPS PGO is a nonprofit comprised of the Crocker Farm, Wildwood, ARMS, and ARHS PGOs;
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor a pandemic will stop the Trivia Bee. Join us for our 26th Annual Trivia Bee, virtual style! It will be a fun night for you to gather around the laptop and play some trivia with your family, friends, and the Amherst community.
How will virtual trivia work?
Attendees will participate using a Zoom platform to recreate the Trivia Bee experience from home. Each team will be assigned to a Zoom breakout room. After each question is asked, the Zoom host will send teams into their breakout rooms. The teams discuss and decide on and answer while in the breakout room. When time is up, the host will pull teams back into the main Zoom meeting to hear the answer. Teams keep their own scores (honor system). Watch a video on how Zoom breakout rooms work to learn more. Detailed instructions will be sent to all the players prior to the event.
Participation is free, but we encourage donations benefiting the Amherst Education Foundation and our public schools. During the registration process, you will be asked to select a team you are a part of. PARTICIPANT SIGN-UP
If you are not participating, but would like to donate to the AEF Trivia Bee, use the button below. If you would like to support a particular Trivia Bee team with your donation, make sure to enter the name of the team. DONATE TO THE TRIVIA BEE
Sign-up is required only to participate in the Trivia Bee, not to simply view the event as part of the audience. It will be live broadcast on YouTube.
Come, Come!! Be part of our story: Multi-Arts invites you to our virtual presentation of “Project Earth”, a humorous and entertaining story full of imagination about what our world will be in the year 3,000. There is hope! With doable actions we can change the direction our planet is heading.
This show will be performed by professional actors in collaboration with children. It will include throughout an original gorgeous composition by our local composer Luna Wolf. The story was created by Multi-Arts kids, and directed by Multi-Arts theater teacher Maia Kinney-Petrucha. For sure you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime!
Join us for this celebration of our amazing planet on November 1st at 4pm, and help spread awareness about the changes we need to make to protect it.
What do you see when you look at this picture? What do you think that your child could say about the mushroom groupings?
Did you notice that the mushrooms on top are big and the ones on the bottom are little? Now can you see that some of the little ones are even littler and some of the big ones are even bigger? Look at the top row. Can you point to the little big mushrooms? Without more specifics, could you point to the big little mushrooms?
If your 8 yr old does not know the difference between “a big little mushroom” and “a little big mushroom” — he or she may need some more opportunities with these kinds of experiences. If your 4 yr old does not know the difference — he hopefully will acquire it with the relevant exposure. Your 6 yr old child? She might be just the age where our experiments not only help us understand language development but benefit from these specially designed activities. Our ‘experiments’ are unique in that they are created to teach children while also learning from them. Our goal is for these opportunities to inform classroom experience — and this is based on the invaluable collaboration between you, your school, and the Language Acquisition Lab at UMass. That’s why Tom Roeper and his team from the UMass Linguistics Department have created an online opportunity for children ages 4 – 15 to explore fun language activities while zooming with a researcher. Email dfoucaulteth@umass.edu or roeper@linguist.umass.edu for more information! Your child can earn $5 just for participating.
Families should call the Absence Notification Line (413-362-1718) or email arhsoffice@arps.org to report absences, tardies, power outages, and other things that cause their child to be late, or that prevents them from attending class. Those calls and emails will excuse absences and tardies.
A couple of other things to know about the attendance policy: Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence. Arriving to or leaving class 20 minutes or more after it has started, without a valid reason, equals an unexcused absence.
Families will receive communication from the school after their student has accumulated three unexcused absences in one Quarter. After six unexcused absences families will receive a letter from the Central Office. At nine unexcused absences, an Attendance Meeting will be scheduled to determine what types of supports the student and family may need to increase attendance, and to determine if the student will receive credit for the class. During the Attendance Meeting, students and their families will discuss the circumstances of the absences with the Dean of Students or a high school administrator.
Please contact the Main Office at arhsoffice@arps.org with any questions.
Last Thursday, October 1, we notified the community that a staff member at Fort River school had tested positive for Covid. Two subsequent tests of the staff member have returned negative results, and other employees who were in close contact with the staff member have also tested negative for Covid. We appreciate the outstanding level of cooperation shown by all impacted staff in following appropriate Covid-related precautions and guidelines of their own primary care physicians and the DPH/CDC.
Michael Morris, Superintendent
Estimada comunidad de ARPS:
El jueves pasado, 1 de octubre, notificamos a la comunidad que un miembro del personal de la escuela de Fort River había dado positivo para COVID. Dos pruebas posteriores del empleado han arrojado resultados negativos, y otros empleados que estuvieron en estrecho contacto con el empleado también han dado negativo para COVID. Apreciamos el excelente nivel de cooperación mostrado por todo el personal afectado en el seguimiento de las precauciones apropiadas relacionadas con COVID y las directrices de sus propios médicos de atención primaria y del DPH/CDC.
State public health officials announced that influenza immunization will be required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending Massachusetts child care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided.
There is als a new meningococcal vaccine requirement for students attending 11th grade and who are 16 years of age. The reference to MDPH is here.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/new-meningococcal-conjugate-vaccine-menacwy-requirement-for-school-entry-1/downloadWe would like to ask families to remember to provide documentation to the school nurse when their child receives these vaccines. Documentation can be faxed to us at 413-549-9753, mailed to us at school or scanned and emailed to Robbin Suprenant, RN at suprenantr@arps.org or Mary O’Brien, RN at obrienm@arps.org. We can be reached by email or at 413-362-1743 or 413-362-1744 if there are questions.
Amherst Field Hockey had their first two contests against Longmeadow, the reigning western MA champions. Although both games ended with a loss it was a great experience for our team. Girls Soccer had their first competitive away game last Monday against South Hadley losing to the reigning state champions 3 to 1. Boys Soccer is currently 1-1 losing to South Hadley 3 to 2 and beating Granby on Tuesday, 4 to 0. Both of our cross country teams defeated Belchertown on Tuesday. Our volleyball team traveled to Holyoke, winning 3-0.
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. Please find home our games posted on youtube for your convenience.
ARHS will not be offering the SAT during the fall and winter of 2020-2021. Please note that most colleges and universities are test optional, and some are test blind (meaning if you submit scores, admissions will not review in the name of equity & access). Please devote your time and energy to the aspects of the application that you have control over. Breathe and move forward.
Traveling to other states is inadvisable for a number of reasons.
Partnering with GoToCollegeFairs, NEACAC is excited about this unique opportunity for students to explore virtual “booths”, chat with admission representatives, watch presentations, and much more! More than 250 Institutions will be exhibiting at the College Fairs.
Registration is required, but is FREE! In order to register (yourself or students!), please visit https://neacac.swoogo.com/NEACACVirtual and follow the steps to register and gain access to the fair.
Admission Representatives will be available LIVE on the following dates and times:
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 (6-8:00 pm)
Thursday, October 29, 2020 (6-8:00 pm)
Sunday, November 15, 2020 (1-3:00 pm)
College Planning Roundtable 10/22 3:00pm-5:30 Save the Date!
ARHS College Planning Roundtable – 3:00-5:00pm visit and learn about the college planning process – Virtual roundtable with recent ARHS alums and admissions representatives.
Online College Block Party: College & Careers |All high- school students, counselors, and parents are invited to gain expert advice from college reps and current college students. Students will get further guidance on how to (1) explore their college options and (2) learn how to best differentiate majors/programs than can support their needs and career goals. We will explore the following: Liberal Arts, Health-Science, Engineering, Social Justice, & Aviation.
Westfield State University’s Urban Education Program for First Gen Students
First Generation Students! Westfield State University is offering Urban Ed Program Open Houses 10/6, 10/7, 10/15, and 10/22 all starting at 6:00 p.m. RSVP –link(Live Virtual Open House Events – bottom of page).
1. We have permanently moved our EA and EDI deadlines from November 1st to November 15th. 2. We have waived the application fee for all applicants this cycle. 3. We have been test optional for many years, and are clarifying for students this year: We always give students equal consideration for admission, merit scholarship, and need-based financial aid with or without their test scores. 4. We have a month of virtual events this month called Clarktoberfest! You can find more information here.
Under the tent on the lawn of the Amherst History Museum (67 Amity Street – next to the Jones Library), with deals and choices so big – it’s scary! Proceeds benefit the museum. Shoppers can once again choose from a vast selection of new and used downhill, cross-country skis, ski poles, helmets, snowshoes, boots, skates, snowboards, outdoor clothing (including jackets, gloves, mittens, and hats) all in adult and youth sizes. Strict safety guidelines will be observed with periodic cleaning of surfaces and social distancing measures in place. Masks are required, costumes are appreciated! For information and updates, go to: 1 DAY TENT SALE EVENT
1. Do You Bank at Florence Bank? Do you or someone in your family bank at Florence Bank? If so, you can help support the ARPS PGO through their Customers’ Choice Community Grants program. We can win up to $5,000 – go to 
Is your household doing any online shopping through Amazon? Did you know you can earn money for the ARHS PGO with each Amazon purchase. Enroll in this passive fundraising to earn money for the Amherst/Amherst Regional School PGOs while you shop! Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/46-4510327 and Amazon donates to Amherst Regional Public Schools Parent Guardian Organization.
3. Register Your Stop & Shop Card for A+ Rewards! Every time you shop at any Stop & Shop using your Stop & Shop Card or phone #, you will earn A+ Points. These points become CASH for your kids’ school(s)! There are two easy ways to participate: ▪ Sign in or create an account at stopandshop.com ▪ Go to My Account ▪ Select Rewards and Programs ▪ Pick up to two schools – ARHS, ARMS, Crocker Farm, Fort River, and/or Wildwood Or call 877-366-2668 option #1 and designate your kids’ school(s) by using your phone number – no need to find your S&S card!
ARHS PGO Parent News 
You must be logged in to post a comment.