ARHS PGO Parent News

Feb 4- ARPS SEPAC School Avoidance Parenting Workshop 1

Feb 5- MCAS Retake (Biology)

Feb 6- MCAS Retake (Biology)

Feb 10- S1 Grades

Feb 12- Coffee with the Assistant Principal 7PM ARHS Library

Feb 14- ARPS FPA Valentines Day Gala

Feb 14- GCC Field Trip

Feb 17-21- No School (February Vacation)

March 2- MCAS ELA Retest

March 3- ARPS SEPAC School Avoidance Parenting Workshop 2

March 4- Early Release; MCAS ELA Retake

March 5- MCAS ELA Retest

March 6- MCAS Retest Math

March 12-15- ARHS Musical

March 19- Combined Chorus Concert

Marsh 25- Early Release

For more information, please visit: https://www.amherstma.gov/3506/Winter-Fest

Saturday, February 1

9:00am- Mini Golf Classic

The Jones Library is holding its eighth On the Same Page community reading program, this year featuring the memoir Call Me American by author Abdi Nor Iftin.  A variety of programs are being offered to enrich the reading experience of this title and to encourage dialog about the themes the book presents, particularly immigration and African history.  The New Yorker calls the book “Riveting!” and Booklist states, “Absolutely remarkable and always as compelling as a novel… An essential ur-immigrant story, one that is enlightening and immediate.”

The following series of programs will be held during February and March at the Jones Library, and are inspired by topics and themes from the book.  The author event will be held at the Amherst Regional Middle School on Thursday, March 5 at 7 pm. For complete program descriptions, visit the program’s webpage at http://www.joneslibrary.org/onthesamepage.

Schedule of Events:

Tuesday, February 4 at 7:00 pm – Woodbury Room

Long Journey:  Somali Immigrants and Refugees to the United States – Elliot Fratkin will talk about nomadic pastoralism and how this ancient way of life fares in our modern world.  He will also discuss the Somali refugee camps in Kenya and migrants to US.

Thursday, February 13 at 7:00 pm – Amherst Room

Book Discussion of Call Me American – Join us for an in-depth discussion of our selected title, led by Jones Library librarian, Linda Wentworth.

Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 pm – Woodbury Room

Refugees in Western Massachusetts – Jewish Family Services has played a vital role in Western Massachusetts in welcoming and resettling refugees.  Sara Bedford, New American Program Director, will discuss their work with refugees from around the world, including Somalia.

Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 pm – Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium

On the Same Page …with Abdi Iftin – Join us for this author appearance as Abdi Iftin speaks about the book and his experiences.  Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Tuesday, March 10 at 7 pm – Amherst Room

Book Discussion of Call Me American – Join us for an in-depth discussion of our selected title, led by Jones Library librarian, Linda Wentworth.

Copies of Call Me American can be borrowed from the Jones Library and branches, requested and checked out from the C/W Mars library catalog, or purchased at Amherst Books in Amherst.

Abdi Iftin is the author of Call Me American, which was named a 2019 Notable Book by the American Library Association and as a Library Journal Best Books: Nonfiction Winner in 2018.  Iftin currently lives in Portland, Maine, where he works as an interpreter for Somalis who have immigrated to the state. Abdi was accepted to the University of Southern Maine, where he will be studying political science. He plays soccer every Saturday in a melting-pot league of Americans and immigrants from around the world.

On the Same Page – Amherst and its programs are made possible with special funding from the Friends of the Jones Libraries.

For further information about On the Same Page – Amherst, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

On Tuesdays in February, from 5:30-6:30 PM, the Jones Library will offer a Teen Bookmaking Workshop (for ages 11-17). The event will be held in the Jones Library Crafts Room.

February 4th.  We’ll learn about printmaking using linocut techniques and make our own prints!

February 11th. In this session we’ll learn how to make our own handmade paper.

February 18th.  In the third session we’ll learn collage techniques to make an awesome cover for our handmade books.

February 25th.  (5:30-7:00 PM) In our final session we’ll learn bookbinding techniques and put the finishing touches on our handmade books.

Teens are encouraged to attend all 4 sessions to make a completed book.

This program is funded by the Friends of the Jones Library in memory of Shauna Strattonmeier, former Jones Library Young Adult Services Coordinator.

Please pre-register: teens@joneslibrary.org / 413-259-3091. Registration closes 24 hours in advance.

For parents of students in grades 7 -12

Part 1: February 4th 6:30 – 8 PM; Snowdate February 11

Part 2: March 3, 6:30 – 8 PM; Snowdate March 10

ARHS Library

School avoidance and refusal is on the rise and can have serious consequences.  The clincal tem at the high school will be offering a presentation on this important topic for parents of middle and high school students.  We will address the reasons for this behavior as well as skills and strateges that may help families intervene.  Come prepared to engage in an interactive workshop!

Part 1 will set the scene and begin to discuss practical strategies with suggestions offered to work on prior to Part 2.  The second workshop will offer a deeper examination of parenting strategies.

JANUARY 27,2020

JANUARY 28, 2020 

JANUARY 29, 2020

JANUARY 30,2020 

JANUARY 31,2020

FEBRUARY 1,2020

Are you a Junior or Senior who may be interested in attending Greenfield Community College and want to know more? If so, we are taking a field trip to tour the campus and learn about admissions, services, programs, etc. The trip will take place on Friday, 2/14/20 in the morning. You will be back in time for 3rd lunch. Permission slips can be picked up in the guidance office and need to be returned to Ms. Garrity in Guidance by next FRIDAY, JANUARY 31ST, THE LATEST

http://communityfoundation.org/scholarships/apply/

http://communityfoundation.org/scholarships/scholarship-loan-descriptions/

Apply Now

Each year the Community Foundation of Western Mass offers over 130 different scholarships and 2 different interest-free loans, resulting in over 1000 individual scholarship and loan awards of approximately $2 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.

Our Scholarship and Loan application opens on January 1 and closes March 31.  We do not accept applications and/or supplemental materials after the deadline.

YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS WHEN YOU COMPLETE ALL THE STEPS BELOW BY MARCH 31

1. You complete and submit the online application.
2. You upload your most recent academic transcript containing all the information listed below.

• Your name,
• The name of your high school, college, or university,
• If you provide us with a copy of your transcript from a student portal and it does not include the name of your college, university, or high school, it must clearly show the name in a url:,
• All classes you have taken with the grades you received in each class,
• Courses you are currently taking but haven’t yet received a grade,
• Classes you are registered for but haven’t yet taken (this may not apply to some students),
• Your cumulative GPA for all your classes taken to date.
• If your high school, college or university does not calculate GPA we will accept it.

3. You upload all pages of your 2020-2021 Student Aid Report(the document you receive, usually by email, once you complete the FAFSA).

*** NOTE: Sometimes students upload incorrect documents with their application and don’t realize it.  If this happens, and you don’t resubmit accurate information by March 31, your application is considered incomplete and won’t be considered for scholarships and loans. We encourage you to follow up with us at scholar@communityfoundation.org to be sure your application is complete on time.

Click here to see the full timeline

Friday, February 14, 2020 6 PM – 9PM at the Munson Memorial Library

This event is not one to miss! There will be live music from the Amherst Regional High School’s jazz band. There will be dancing and delicious food as well. It is a great place to spend Valentine’s Day! This events proceeds will go to the Amherst Regional High school’s Philadelphia field trip scholarship fund. Not only will you help your community, you will have fun too!

Tickets can be purchased at: Eventbrite

Monday, February 24, 2020 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.For parents/guardians of students in grades 9-12. For more information, please see the Vaping flyers

Amherst Regional Middle School is once again hosting students from Kanegasaki, Japan, March 18th -March 22nd, 2020.  Host families are needed for this visit.  Students from Kanegasaki have been coming to Amherst for over 25 years.  This cultural exchange program has been the core of the long-standing relationship that has linked our two sister cities. If your family is interested in hosting, please pick up an application from Mr. Luis Gomba, Guidance Counselor or email gombal@arps.org. Mr. Gomba can also be reached at (413)362-1838. You may also contact Ms. Tiffany McGee at mcgeet@arps.org or (413)362-1400.

East Asian Languages and Cultures at UMass Amherst presents Zhou Family Band as a part of its 50th anniversary celebration series.

Date: Friday, January 31
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Bezanson Recital Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass Amherst

of the people of Central-Eastern China for more than 600 years. Their concert is a perfect way to kick off our celebration. Please come to enjoy Chinese music and join us in the festivity!

JANUARY 17, 2020

JANUARY 18, 2020

Use the college cost calculator below when you receive financial aid award letters to compare the aid you receive and determine your estimated college costs and balance due at each prospective college. Final costs for your selected college will be determined at the time your bill is issued, typically in June or July.

https://www.mefa.org/college-cost-calculator/

As colleges review each financial aid application, they may request family documentation that supports the information reported on the application, a process called FAFSA Verification.

Jan 20 – No School; MLK Jr Day

Jan 21 – Semester 2 Begins

Jan 30- Chorale Lasagna Dinner

Feb 5- MCAS Retake (Biology)

Feb 6- MCAS Retake (Biology)

Feb 10- S1 Grades

Feb 12- Coffee with the Assistant Principal 7PM ARHS Library

Feb 14- ARPS FPA Valentines Day Gala

Feb 17-21- No School (February Vacation)

Each year the Windham Orchestra hosts a Concerto Competition for high school age musicians.  2019 marks the 33rd year of this event.  The competition is an opportunity for students of all instruments, including voice, to audition for a panel of judges, receive feedback on performance, and then present the work with the Windham Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Hugh Keelan.

In recent years the Windham Orchestra has performed with local, world music ensembles, and Maestro Keelan wishes to continue such explorations. Originally conceived as a competition for musicians of the Western art-music tradition, any composition normally accompanied by orchestra may be performed. Contestants may prepare and perform single movements or an entire multi-movement composition.  In addition to the winner’s appearance at a Windham Orchestra Concert, open rehearsal performance opportunities are often offered. This opportunity to play their piece in public can be of great value to the student who has worked diligently preparing for the competition.

The competition is open to serious instrumental and vocal music students in grades 9 through 12 who live or attend schools in the following counties:

• VT:  Windsor, Windham, Bennington
• NH:  Cheshire, Sullivan, Grafton
• MA:  Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire

Any and all eligible students are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is Monday, March 18. The competition itself will be held on Sunday, March 31st at the Brattleboro Music Center, 72 Blanche Moyse Way, Brattleboro VT 05301

For twenty years Multi-Arts, a non-for-profit organization, has fulfilled its mission of inspiring, guiding, and educating children in the performing and visual arts with innovative programs for children from 4 to 12 years old.

Currently, we have several positions available for teens who want to do community service or want to work as Counselor in Training* working with children in different artistic endeavors.

These teens will be working in a creative, fun and inspiring environment exploring and developing his/her own artistic abilities, while at the same time becoming role models for the children.

They can register now here: https://forms.gle/nATEwQc6QFX9vAgS9

*CIT program has a fee, and teens will receive a stipend.

The Friends of the Jones Library 2nd Annual Mini Golf Classic will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Jones Library.   The event is sponsored by UMass Five College Federal Credit Union.  The cost is $5 per person.

For adults only, there will be a wine and nine 9 hole course from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  The cost is $10 per person.

Hey, Stop & Shop Shoppers – Great news! You can now help the ARHS PGO earn money for the student and teacher grants program without creating an online S&S account. Just call 877-366-2668 option #1, give them your phone number, and specify that you want to support ARHS (#05167). That’s it!

– Baby photos are due today (Friday, January 10th);Baby Pictures! Yearbook is doing a guess-who theme with the baby pictures. It will be in a collage format this year. Please send photos to Cody Cousland at couslandce@arps.org. Baby

– January 15th is the next deadline for the college process. If you need support, set up a time to meet with Ms. Cuffee-Gray. She’s available. Come and see Ms. Garrity in Guidance and Counseling in order to make an appointment. (There is always College in the Caf too…)

Thursday, January 16th from 7-10pm. Tickets are $6 at lunch and $8 at the door. Underclassmen can attend by upperclassmen invite only! Tickets will be sold starting today until Tuesday during all lunches.

It is time for students to sign-up for the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) that takes place Thursday, January 30th.  For more details, visit https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=American_Mathematics_Competitions. To sign-up students should see their math teacher or come to the math office room 221.  The deadline for signing-up is TODAY,  Friday, January 10th.  There are a limited number of slots so first come, first serve.   There will be study sessions held on Tuesdays starting today in room 301.

Monday, February 24, 2020 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.For parents/guardians of students in grades 9-12. For more information, please see the Vaping flyers

http://communityfoundation.org/scholarships/apply/

http://communityfoundation.org/scholarships/scholarship-loan-descriptions/

Friday, February 14, 2020 6 PM – 9PM at the Munson Memorial Library

This event is not one to miss! There will be live music from the Amherst Regional High School’s jazz band. There will be dancing and delicious food as well. It is a great place to spend Valentine’s Day! This events proceeds will go to the Amherst Regional High school’s Philadelphia field trip scholarship fund. Not only will you help your community, you will have fun too!

Tickets can be purchased at: Eventbrite

Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater presents Matilda: the Musical January 16-19 and 23-26.  The nine performance dates are:

• Thursday, January 16 at 7:30 pm (general admission)
• Friday, January 17 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 pm (matinee)
• Sunday, January 19 at 1:00 pm (matinee)
• Thursday, January 23 at 7:30 pm (Special $12 Rate for College Students!!!)
• Friday, January 24 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, January 25 at 1:00 pm (matinee)
• Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 pm
• Sunday, January 26 at 1:00 pm (matinee)

• All performances will be at Bowker Auditorium
• in Stockbridge Hall on the UMass Campus

Tickets may be purchased in any of these ways:

• click here to buy tickets online

•  call LSSE at 413-259-3065
•  in person at the LSSE office, Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street, Amherst, MA 01002 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-4:30 pm)

For more information, please visit: https://www.amherstma.gov/3506/Winter-Fest

Saturday, February 1

Start your spring cleaning early and help ARHS earn *FREE* money

Did you ever wonder why there’s a huge white donation bin as you drive into the school parking lot? This is one of the ARPS PGO’s effortless fundraisers – easy ways you can earn money for the Amherst schools at no cost for you.

Bay State Textiles collects used clothing and other textiles. Stained shirt? No problem. Ripped towel? No problem. Stinky dog blanket? Well, ok…just make sure it’s clean and dry. In addition to tops, pants, underwear, and coats, they accept boots, sneakers…even flip flops. They also collect stuffed animals, duffel bags, pillows…anything that’s soft. Check out the complete list here.

About 40% of the clothing that’s collected is still wearable and sent to developing countries. The rest is recycled and turned into fiber products and rags. They pay us by the pound so the more you donate, the more money we make!

Please join us at our next meeting, tomorrow, Friday, January 3, at Fort River Elementary School.  We will discuss the results of the Special Education Parent Satisfaction Survey that was conducted by PCG (Public Consulting Group) last spring. Also, we will hear from and provide feedback to Superintendent Morris about the progress of the Grade Span Advisory Group who is looking at the feasibility of moving sixth graders to the middle school.

At our last meeting, we heard about progress to make our school buildings more accessible to those with mobility impairments. The courtyard tiles at Crocker Farm were relaid last summer.  The district is working with Amherst’s Department of Public Works to provide accessible routes into school buildings and playgrounds.  A request for proposals for design services will go out this month that will help the district address more complicated projects like providing accessible routes and bathrooms within buildings. Also in the works is a plan to improve the playing fields in the district, which will include making them more accessible.

Our other major topic on our agenda was hearing about our district’s Special Education Budget and budget processes. We heard comparisons of our spending to similar districts in our region and about different sources of state funding and how they will change under the new Student Opportunity Act. SEPAC requested that the new Adaptive PE program at the high school be provided with a sustained budget going forward as it has proven to be successful and has been desired for some time.

Please see our agendas and meeting reports on our website when they are posted for additional details.

JANUARY 6,2020

JANUARY 7,2020 

JANUARY 8,2020 

JANUARY 9, 2020

JANUARY 10, 2020

JANUARY 11, 2020

Jan 3-5 – Cabaret!

Jan 8 – FASFA Day at ARHS 6:30 PM

Jan 10 – DTE Concert

Jan 13 – B Period Exam

Jan 14 – C and E Period Exams

Jan 15- D and F Period Exams; Early Dismissal

Jan 16 – A and G Period Exams; Early Dismissal; 

Jan 16- Amherst WinterFest Begins

Jan 17 – No School; Teacher Curriculum Day

Jan 20 – No School; MLK Jr Day

Jan 21 – Semester 2 Begins

Jan 30- Chorale Lasagna Dinner

The Jones Library, the North Amherst Library and the Munson Memorial Library will be closed all day on Wednesday January 8 for staff training.  If you happen to have library items that are due on January 8, that’s okay!  Please do not worry about returning them on January 8.^.

Items that you return in our book drops on January 8 may continue to display on your list of checked out items until we check them in when we re-open on January 9.  You are welcome to keep your library materials at home the extra day.

The Jones and Branches are fine-free libraries! Library materials that you return to our locations will not accrue any overdue fines.

We wish you and all of the ARHS community a Happy New Year and a peaceful rest of break. School reopens on Thursday, January 2nd.  See you next year!

Your Parent News Editors — Becky and Mare

ARHS’s annual Cabaret is happening right after break, featuring many of your friends in fun skits and small group acts! The performances will be Friday, January 3rd and Saturday, January 4th at 7:30 and Sunday, January 5th at 2:00.

Tickets are $5 for students and staff and $10 for adults. Desserts will be served. Come out to support the choral program in one of our biggest fundraisers of the year!

Get professional assistance from area college financial aid reps  to complete your FAFSA. Check your financial aid deadlines for your schools, they are coming up. Please fill the house and make sure your a eligible for both need and merit based financial aid (note that some local scholarships require FAFSA completion).   The ARHS Event will be held on January 8 at 6:30 PM.

Each year, Florence Bank gives away $100,000 to community non-profits through its Community Choice grants program. Florence Bank customers vote for the non-profit of their choice & all non-profits getting at least 50 votes receive a grant.  The non-profits receiving the most votes can get up to $5,000.

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 & see if we can get even more. Every vote helps.
** Each Florence Bank account holder is eligible to vote once for the community organization of their choice. **
** The ARPS PGO is urging people to vote for the “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 (attached).  Ballots are also available at any Florence Bank location.  Ballots should be submitted at the bank or turned in to the PGO.

Voting is open until December 31st. Thank you for your support!

SKI AND WINTER GEAR SALE: 2-Day Pop Up Ski Shop new and used gear on Friday, January 3rd, 5-8:30 pm and Saturday, January 4, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm, at the Pacific (Masonic) Lodge, located at 99 Main Street, Amherst.  Fourth Annual Ski Sale offers great discounts for the beginner skater to the expert skier, all in adult and youth sizes. Experts will be on hand to help with sizing and selection. All proceeds benefit for the Amherst Historical Society. Questions, email Bonnie at amhersthistory@gmail.com.

CONSIGN YOUR GENTLY USED WINTER GEAR- Equipment accepted only on Thursday, January 2, from 5:30-7:30 pm at Pacific Lodge, 99 Main Street, Amherst. Outgrown your skis or winter gear? Bring in your gently used gear to sell on consignment during the 2-Day Pop Up Ski Shop.  The seller sets the price and if sold, receives forty percent of the sale price for their used equipment. Donations also accepted. Contact Bonnie at amhersthistory@gmail.com for more details.

Want to have first look at the merchandise? Contact Bonnie about volunteering to help unload ski gear on January 2^nd.

Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater presents Matilda: the Musical January 16-19 and 23-26.  The nine performance dates are:

• Thursday, January 16 at 7:30 pm (general admission)
• Friday, January 17 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 pm (matinee)
• Sunday, January 19 at 1:00 pm (matinee)
• Thursday, January 23 at 7:30 pm (Special $12 Rate for College Students!!!)
• Friday, January 24 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, January 25 at 1:00 pm (matinee)
• Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 pm
• Sunday, January 26 at 1:00 pm (matinee)

• All performances will be at Bowker Auditorium
• in Stockbridge Hall on the UMass Campus

Tickets may be purchased in any of these ways:

• click here to buy tickets online

•  call LSSE at 413-259-3065
•  in person at the LSSE office, Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street, Amherst, MA 01002 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-4:30 pm)

LSSE is now offering youth winter programs.  Following is the link for their complete program guide: https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/49237/Leisure-Times-Winter-2020