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). 

• Remember that you can pre-order your yearbook, submit a parent ad, or submit photos for consideration all on one page at arps.picaboo.com!
• SENIORS! Two important announcements! 1) SENIOR PHOTOS ARE DUE ON THE 20TH of December! We only have 14 submissions so far. No senior photos will be accepted after the deadline. 2) Baby Pictures are back! We are 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 Photos are due January 10, 2020.

Dec 20 – Senior Yearbook Photos Due (No Exceptions)

Dec 23 – Jan 1- No School Winter Break

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

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

LSSE’s Amherst Youth Basketball League starts January 4, 2020.  Following are the divisions: K-2 (Coed, $115), 2-8 ($145) and 8-12 ($155).

Games are on Saturdays and Sundays.  A fee subsidy applies.

For more information, visit http://www.lsse.org.

Dance Concert in the auditorium this Friday Dec. 13 at 7:00. See students from middle to high school join together in a celebration of dance. It’s free!

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!

– Early Decision Decisions Seniors! Did you apply early decision? Were you deferred, waitlisted or denied? Know that Ms. Cuffee-Gray is available to check in. Come to College in the Caf and check in!

College in the Caf
1st Lunch Monday
2nd Lunch Wednesday Friday
3rd Lunch Tuesday Thursday

– Seniors applying to colleges with January 1st deadlines should pay great attention to transcript requests, recommendation requests – (make sure that you’ve requested BOTH in Naviance), sending SAT/ACT scores online, make sure you’ve met with your school counselor for a recommendation, get essay advice from Ms. Lewis in the Writing Center (one more Monday after school), and complete your applications carefully and fully. Tricky thing is that the office will be closed during break, take care of business this week, weekend, and next week. Take Care of Business while we are able to support you! We here to support now. But winter break, we’ll be maxing and relaxing (you should be too).

-Your Friendly Neighborhood ARHS College and Career Advisor – Deidre Cuffee-Gray

Two important announcements!

1) SENIOR PHOTOS ARE DUE ON THE 20TH of December! We only have 14 submissions so far. No senior photos will be accepted after the deadline.

2) Baby Pictures! We are doing a guess-who theme with the baby pictures.  It will be in a collage format this year. Please send in your photos. Please send photos to Cody  Cousland at couslandce@arps.org. Baby Photos are due January 10, 2020.

Remember that you can pre-order your yearbook, submit a parent ad, or submit photos for consideration all on one page at arps.picaboo.com!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The ARHS Athletic Program does not currently offer wrestling. However, students that are interested can register online at familyid.com under Granby High School. Please be advised that Amherst will not provide transportation.

https://www.familyid.com/organizations/granby-junior-senior-high-school 

If you have any questions, please contact the Granby Athletic Department at 413-467-7104.

Monday, DECEMBER 16, 2019
Boys Basketball @Agawam 4PM
Girls Basketball (JV) @Granby 5:30PM
Boys Basketball (JV) vs. Agawam 5:30PM
Girls Basketball (V) @Granby 7PM
Boys Basketball (V) vs. Agawam 7PM

Tuesday, DECEMBER 17, 2019
Indoor Track (B+G) @Northampton 3:45PM
Swimming (B+G) @Longmeadow 4PM
Wednesday, DECEMBER 18,2019
Hockey (V) @Wahconah 7PM

Thursday, DECEMBER 19, 2019
Girls Basketball (JV) vs.Belchertown 5:30PM
Boys Basketball (JV) @Sabis 5:30PM
Girls Basketball (V) vs.Belchertown 7PM
Boys Basketball (V) @Sabis 7PM

Friday, DECEMBER 20, 2019
Boys Basketball(F) vs.Sabis 4PM
Hockey (V) vs.South Hadley 7PM

Saturday, DECEMBER 21, 2019
Hockey (JV) vs. Greenfield 12:10PM

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board voted unanimously this morning to invite the Town of Amherst into the Eligibility Period of its Core to address building deficiencies in one of our district schools. Amherst was among 11 school districts selected this year out of a total of 61 core project applications to partner with the MSBA. We look forward to working with State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO John K. McCarthy and the entire MSBA staff as we move forward.

The proposed project would address the documented need for a significant new learning environment for elementary students in Amherst. The District reported in its Statements of Interest that the current Wildwood and Fort River Elementary School buildings do not meet the educational needs of their students due to their open classroom design; aging mechanical systems that are beyond the expected life span; inefficient energy systems ill-aligned with the Town’s values on consumption; documented accessibility issues; and an unsafe, outdated design. In these Statements of Interest, the District outlined a consensus plan developed with input from the community that would address the problems of both schools in one MSBA project so there would be no delay for either school. Additionally, the consensus plan identified one warm, child-centered building for 600 students that would be no bigger than either current building; a K-5 or K-6 grade configuration; and, a survey to solicit community feedback during the MSBA feasibility study process before binding decisions are made.

“I am pleased the MSBA understood the significant challenges Amherst’s educators and students face on a daily basis,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Morris.

Amherst School Committee Chair Anastasia Ordonez expressed appreciation to the MSBA, adding, “We are grateful that the MSBA has seen the incredible amount of work the District, the Town and our community have put into building public understanding and support for our application since the last project.”

Town Council President Lynn Griesemer noted, “I am very optimistic. This is a major, first step in our efforts to address the Town’s long-overdue capital needs. The listening sessions we held during the last week on capital investments have demonstrated that educating our children is a top priority for all members of the community.”

Town Manager Paul Bockelman added, “This is the start of a 5-7 year process for financing and building a new school. We intend to have extensive community engagement and participation as we move forward. The process we follow, which started with the School Committee’s Listening Sessions earlier this year, will result in a better learning environment for our children as we navigate into the 21st century.”

Mindy Domb, State Representative of 3rd Hampshire, said “I’m excited that Amherst is back in the pipeline for possible MSBA funding for a new, safe, healthy school. I am looking forward to the upcoming process and the significant community conversation and involvement that it will entail. I’m hopeful it will result in the building our students and teachers deserve.”

 “This helps us move forward on our goal that students born today in the Town of Amherst will have a beautiful new space which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom when they are ready to start kindergarten,” concluded Superintendent Morris.

The date chosen by the MSBA for Amherst to enter the MSBA process will be in Spring or Summer of 2020.  The MSBA advised the district and Town that between now and May, the process to identify a building committee can begin; funding for the feasibility study can be allocated; and information from prior studies can be gathered to share with future consultants for their review.

For more information: Superintendent Michael Morris (morrism@arps.org) | Town Manager Paul Bockelman (bockelmanp@amherstma.gov) | Communications Manager Brianna Sunryd (sunrydb@amherstma.gov)

From now until December 15th, the Amherst Fire Department will be a collection site for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program. The Central Fire Station located at 68 North Pleasant Street and the North Station, located at 603 East Pleasant Street will accept new, unwrapped toys between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

Members of the Marine Corps will then distribute the toys to children in our area. Without this program, many children would go without gifts this holiday season. 

Thank you, 

-Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson

Amherst Leisure Services & Supplemental Education (LSSE) is working on a new strategic plan! The plan will be based on a shared community vision that sets priorities and prepares us for the future.

If you live in or around Amherst, we want to hear from you about which community recreation and education programs you value most, and how we can better meet you and your family’s needs. This survey is for anybody in the greater Amherst area who is interested in athletics, fitness or education programs. It doesn’t matter if you’ve participated in programs or activities offered by LSSE in the past.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete, and is completely anonymous. Please fill it out for yourself and your household, including any children under the age of 18. Youth ages 18 and up are encouraged to fill out their own survey.

https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2F2019_Amherst_LSSE_Survey&data=01%7C01%7Cbilzb%40amherstma.gov%7C07cea5f607094202982508d778c2ab52%7C5817fd9a09da4a03a3a2e680501e2c52%7C0&sdata=0MP3Eiffik3P4mAaIK0swsRrixRKLrTtplRDzqOuXwo%3D&reserved=0

Giving Tuesday raised $1685 for the ARHS house lights.  You can still donate until  December 31st via our Mighty Cause site to donate (https://givingtuesday.mightycause.com/story/Arhspgo) or the ARHS PGO Facebook page.

The ARHS PGO will be partnering with the ARPS Friends of the Performing Arts to raise $17,000 towards new and improved lighting in the High School Auditorium.

Join us for an information session for Seal of Biliteracy and an ELPAC Meeting on Monday, 12/9/19 at the Wildwood Cafeteria from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.  Childcare and pizza will be provided and bring a dish to share. Details within the flyers!

¡Únase a nosotros para una sesión informativa para Seal of Biliteracy y una reunión ELPAC 12.9.19 en la cafetería de Wildwood! Se proporcionará cuidado de niños y pizza, Además, está invitado a traer un plato para compartir si así lo desea. ¡Detalles dentro de los volantes!

Please join us at our next meeting, Wednesday, December 11, in the Middle School’s ETL conference. We will discuss the District’s Special Education Budget and progress that is being made to address Americans with Disabilities Act deficiencies as detailed in a report commissioned last year that surveyed our district’s school buildings.

We aim to hold our meetings regularly the first Friday of each month, but we needed to postpone the meeting this month. Hope to see you there this Wednesday and then regularly thereafter on first Fridays.

Get tickets now for the French dinner on December 10th! Come enjoy a night of exciting cultural experience and delicious Francophone cuisine presented by the ARHS French students and the French Club. The cultural show will include poetry, music, singing and more! Tickets are $10.00 for students, $15.00 for adults, and free for children under five! For more information, contact Mara Waskiewicz at waskiewiczmj@arps.org or Madame Cissé at cisseo@arps.org.

Menu for French Dinner! Vegetable couscous, chicken kabab (Halal), falafel, chocolate fondue fountain, Moroccan mint tea, Francophone African food sampling, crêpe station, and a student potluck. Amanouz Morrocan Café is catering the event. Buy your tickets TODAY during lunch. $10.00 for students, $15.00 for adults, free for children under five and all student participants!

Dec 10 – French Dinner

Dec 12 – Combined Concert (Philharmonia, Symphony Band, Concert Choir)

Dec 13 – Dance Program Performance

Dec 20 – Senior Yearbook Photos Due (No Exceptions)

Dec 23 – Jan 1- No School Winter Break

Jan 3-5 – Cabaret!

Jan 8 – FASFA Day at ARHS 6:30 PM

Jan 10 – DTE Concert

Jan 13 – 16 – Semester 1 Exams

Jan 16 – Early Dismissal

Jan 17 – No School; Teacher Curriculum Day

Jan 20 – No School; MLK Jr Day

Jan 21 – Semester 2 Begins

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Amherst Business Improvement District invite you to ring in the holiday season with the Amherst community.

Amherst Leisure Services & Supplemental Education (LSSE) is working on a new strategic plan! The plan will be based on a shared community vision that sets priorities and prepares us for the future.

If you live in or around Amherst, we want to hear from you about which community recreation and education programs you value most, and how we can better meet you and your family’s needs. This survey is for anybody in the greater Amherst area who is interested in athletics, fitness or education programs. It doesn’t matter if you’ve participated in programs or activities offered by LSSE in the past.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete, and is completely anonymous. Please fill it out for yourself and your household, including any children under the age of 18. Youth ages 18 and up are encouraged to fill out their own survey.

https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2F2019_Amherst_LSSE_Survey&data=01%7C01%7Cbilzb%40amherstma.gov%7C07cea5f607094202982508d778c2ab52%7C5817fd9a09da4a03a3a2e680501e2c52%7C0&sdata=0MP3Eiffik3P4mAaIK0swsRrixRKLrTtplRDzqOuXwo%3D&reserved=0

There are a few December events coming up for teens at the Jones Library that I wanted to share.

1)      Teen Metalsmithing Workshop at Jones Library

Tuesday 12/10 4:30-6 PM

Join local artist Heather Beck to learn metalsmithing techniques and create a unique holiday ornament to keep or give as a gift. For ages 11-17. Space is limited so reserve your spot today: teens@joneslibrary.org or 413-259-3091.

2)      Early Release Teen Lounge at Jones Library

Wednesday 12/11 12:30-3:30 PM

School out early and looking for a place to hang? Come stay warm in the Jones Library for a special Teen Lounge. There will be snacks, a movie, games, and special craft. We’ll making DIY music boxes that you can keep or give as a gift. For ages 11-17.

[We’ll also have our regular weekly Teen Lounges on Fridays 12/6 & 12/20 from 3-4:45pm featuring a movie and games.]

3)      Holidays at Hogsmeade at Jones Library

Thursday 12/19 5:30-7:30 PM

Immediately following the all ages Holiday at Hogwarts party, teens can join us for this special after-party where we’ll make DIY butterbeer and show off our Harry Potter expertise with some rounds of trivia. For ages 11-17. Please pre-register so we know how much butterbeer to have on hand! teens@joneslibrary.org or 413-259-3091.

This year, for the first time, students at ARHS will have the exciting opportunity to earn the Seal of Biliteracy on their diplomas.  The first information session about the ARPS Seal of Biliteracy and associated programming will be held at Wildwood Elementary School on December 3, 2019 from 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM. For more info visit http://www.arps.org/sealofbiliteracy or contact Madame Cissé.

For more information, please see the attached letter and flyer:

Biliteracy Seal Information – English & Spanish

The Boys Varsity Football Team will play in the State Championship game on Saturday, December 7 at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA.  Kickoff is at 1:30 PM.

-Seniors who have not yet met with Ms. Cuffee-Gray! Come to Guidance and schedule a time to meet with her. Finish one of the two Seniors Surveys and make it happen.Your Friendly Neighborhood College and Career Advisor wants to have a conversation about “Life After ARHS” with you! College, Certificate from Community College, Gap Year, Americorps placement, military, employment, confused? Come and let her help you think about your next steps. (Psst..if she doesn’t hear from you, she is going to find you and schedule a time with you in small groups starting next week!)

-Check and Double Check!Please check Naviance weekly for messages from Your Friendly Neighborhood College and Career Advisor. There is important information coming to you!SAT and ACT Scores – Seniors are responsible for sending their scores. If you want your scores to get to colleges, you do have to send them. If you need help, come to Guidance.

-Just a reminder that on Mondays there is College Essay Support – From 2:30-3:30pm in room  Room 141.Come and get your essays and supplemental essays done, after school with Amanda Lewis and Deidre Cuffee-Gray. Common App and scholarship essay support as well!

5 Scholarships with December Deadlines

https://www.mefa.org/5-scholarships-with-december-deadlines/

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!

Amherst Capital Projects Listening Sessions

The Amherst Town Council will hold four Listening Sessions to collect comments from the public on the need for four major capital investments facing the Town and to provide guidance to the Town Council in setting priorities.  Members of the School Committee and Jones Library Trustees have assisted in development of the information for these sessions and will be present at each session.

Buy your tickets now in the Jones Library’s Main Office. Drawing to be held on “Bag Day” — Saturday, December 7, 2019. All proceeds to be used for the beautification of the Library’s gardens.

$1 per ticket or $5 for a book of six. Choose your prize from the following: Hadley Garden Center gift card, 2 Boyden & Perron Garage gift cards, Andrew’s Greenhouse gift card, Fiskars gardening tools from Cowls.

A printable PDF version of their flyer is available here.

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.

The Hurricanes remain unbeaten at 10-0, and will now face Central Mass. champion Northbridge in the sectional state semifinals at Westfield State University on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Come support the team!

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!

ARHS Winter Sports Night will be held on Monday, November 25, 2019 from 6 pm to 7 pm in the gymnasium.

Come meet get information; meet the coaches and register for sports.

Please take some time to check your messages in Naviance. There is important financial aid information here every week.

Use this to make sure you are on top of things!

Remember we are hosting a second FAFSA Day on 2/8 at 6pm in the HS Library – SAVE THE DATE!

https://www.masfaa.org/fafsa-day-register/

Your Friendly Neighborhood College and Career Counselor – Deidre Cuffee-Gray

https://www.mefa.org/after-you-apply/?utm_campaign=Guidance2019&utm_source=SchoolCounselorWave12&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA1

Pay for College

Financial Aid Process

Nov 26 – Fall Choral Concert (Chorale &  Hurricane Singers) Wesley United Church, Hadley 

Nov 27 -29 – Thanksgiving Recess-  No School

Dec 3 – GivingTuesday

Dec. 5-7 – Theater Company Presents Twelfth Night

Dec 6 – Merry Maple

Dec 12 – Combined Concert (Philharmonia, Symphony Band, Concert Choir)

Dec 13 – Dance Program Performance

Dec 20 – Senior Yearbook Photos Due (No Exceptions)

Dec 23 – Jan 1- No School Winter Break

Jan 3-5 – Cabaret!

Jan 10 – DTE Concert

Jan 13 – 16 – Semester 1 Exams

Jan 16 – Early Dismissal

Jan 17 – No School; Teacher Curriculum Day

Jan 20 – No School; MLK Jr Day

Jan 21 – Semester 2 Begins

The Jones Library Board of Trustees in Amherst seeks five dedicated volunteers with knowledge and expertise in accessibility and all this term encompasses to serve on the Library‘s newly established Jones Library Accessibility Subcommittee. 

Under the direction of the Library‘s Facilities Supervisor and Library Director, this Committee will create an updated Accessibility Plan applicable to the physical building of the Jones Library and the operations and services of the Jones, Munson and North Amherst libraries. The draft Plan will include the solicitation of community feedback and be completed within one year from the date of the formation of the Committee. (Please see attached Jones Library Accessibility Plan Subcommittee Charge for more information.) 

The Trustees are committed to building a culturally and socioeconomically diverse Committee and strongly encourages applications from all persons with applicable experience. Committee members will be selected based on expertise, experience, and an appreciation for public Library services. 

Please submit a letter of interest and resumé by Monday, December 2, 2019 to: 

Sharon Sharry, Library Director The Jones Library 43 Amity Street Amherst, MA 01002 sharrys@joneslibrary.org 

Beginning Monday, December 9, 2019, applicants will be interviewed by the Buildings and Facilities Committee and recommendations then made to the Board of Trustees for appointment to the Committee. 

OVERVIEW 

In June of 2016, members of Amherst‘s Disability Access Advisory Committee toured the Jones Library in order to help Library Trustees and staff better understand the physical limitations of the building. Committee members agreed that there are several issues related to accessibility in the Jones Library. Examples of noted problems include the following:

1. Parking. Accessible parking has always been and remains the primary obstacle to access. There are two handicap parking spaces available in the parking area along the east side of the Library. After that, handicapped patrons must use the closest downtown space available.
2. Accessibility of the stacks. Aisles must be at least 36” wide to allow wheelchair access. Some of the stack aisles are less than that. Even those right at 36″ are not adequate because often, books stick out into the aisle.
3. The front elevator. During a visit to the Library last year, members of the DAAC attempted to use the elevator and were successful. However, it is not possible to turn a wheelchair around in the elevator, so if one wheels in forward on the first floor, they must wheel out backwards on the second floor and in doing so, come very close to the edge of the top of the stairway. We also noticed that the elevator is not long enough to accommodate a stretcher.
4. Tables, desks and counters are not at an accessible height.
5. The faucet hardware in the downstairs bathrooms need to be replaced with more easily usable ones. And the bathroom in the children’s room is accessible, but is a very tight fit (Source: Weiss, Gerry. Report to Town Meeting. May 5, 2017). 

In addition to addressing the physical limitations of the Library system’s buildings, the Library Trustees want to explore the system’s accessibility in its totality. The Board understands the importance of openly providing Library services to all members of the community, and have decided that forming an Accessibility Subcommittee is an important step in reaching that goal. 

Vision Statement The Jones Library seeks to ensure the Library system’s policies, services, and resources provide equitable access for all Library users. 

Goals

To align the Library’s core values and resources with the revised Accessibility Plan through choices made in all areas of the Library’s facilities, operations, policy, technology, programming, partnerships, and outreach, including any additional opportunities available through the renovation/expansion project. 

JONES LIBRARY 

North Amherst Library 

Munson Memorial Library 

Objective The subcommittee will create an updated Accessibility Plan applicable to the physical building of the Jones Library and the Library operations and services of the Jones, Munson and North Amherst libraries. The draft plan will include the solicitation of community feedback and be completed within one year from the date of the formation of the sub committee. 

Accessibility Definition

The ability of all people to access the functionality and possible benefit of the Library regardless of age, ethnicity, language, socio–economic status, or education (https://study.com/academy/lesson/equitable-open-access-for-library-services.html).  Issues include but are not limited to the following: 1) users with mental health issues 2) users with learning and/or attention issues 3) users with developmental disabilities 4) users with sensory disabilities 5) users with service animals 6) users who need assistive technology and 7) users with physical disabilities (http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/02/understanding-accessibility-challenges-patrons).  

Subcommittee Working Group A subcommittee of the Building & Facilities Committee will be formed for a limited duration to complete the objectives outlined. The subcommittee will consist of 5 community members with knowledge and expertise in accessibility and social equity and one member of the Building & Facilities Committee. A member of Town Disability Access Advisory Committee will be invited to participate as a liaison. Each member will be recommended by the Building Facilities Committee and appointed by the President of the Board of Trustees for the duration of this working subcommittee. 

Milestones

Milestones are to be identified and further developed by the subcommittee and may include the following: 

• Identify categories of opportunity for accessibility (e.g., facilities, collections, technology, programming, employment, 

staff training) 

• Identify short term opportunities and long term goals within each category 
• Develop implementation timelines and reporting guidelines/metrics for success in each category 
• Complete draft Accessibility Plan to present to Building & Facilities 
• Final Accessibility Plan to present to Board of Trustees

November 16, 2019

Boys (V) Football @ Holyoke High School 11:00 AM

Cross Country @ Gardner Municipal Golf Course (All State Championships)  7am – 3pm

The Theater Company is excited to present Briefs – a series of contemporary 10-minute plays directed and acted by ARHS students.  If you like performances that are short, sweet, and always surprising, come by ARHS this Thursday-Saturday for a 7:30 show..  Tickets are $5 for students and staff; free/reduced lunch tickets are available by request to Mr. Bechtold.  Seats are first-come, first-served.  See you there! 

If you missed Wednesday night’s PGO Coffee with the College Counselor, here is the presentation slideshow.

9th-11th Graders _What Should I Be Doing Right Now (2)

PGO Presentation 2019

This year, ARHS is excited to present Spring Awakening as the winter musical.  This Best Musical Tony Award-winner is a challenging and exciting show for our school to take on.  While the show is full of electric and poignant material, it also explores mature content through characters the same age as our actors.  We’d love your feedback and thoughts as we share our intentions to produce this show.  Learn more about the content, context, and rationale for Spring Awakening here.

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AMHERST-PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL is happy to offer the following sports for the Winter 2019-2020 Season.

• Boy Alpine Skiing – Grades 7-12
• Girls Alpine Skiing – Grades 7-12
• Boys Basketball – Grades 9-12
• Girls Basketball – Grades 9-12
• Ice Hockey – Grades 8-12
• Girls Indoor Track – Grades 7-12
• Boys Indoor Track – Grades 9-12
• Boys Nordic Skiing – Grades 7-12
• Girls Nordic Skiing – Grades 7-12
• Boys Swimming and Diving – Grades 7-12
• Girls Swimming and Diving – Grades 7-12

Register at https://www.familyid.com/programs/high-school-winter-sports-2019-2020

High School Winter Season Start Date:  December 2, 2019

Get tickets now for the French dinner on December 10th! Come enjoy a night of exciting cultural experience and delicious Francophone cuisine presented by the ARHS French students and the French Club. The cultural show will include poetry, music, singing and more! Tickets are $10.00 for students, $15.00 for adults, and free for children under five! For more information, contact Mara Waskiewicz at waskiewiczmj@arps.org or Madame Cissé at cisseo@arps.org.

Did you know: menstrual products are some of the most requested, yet least donated, items at most homeless shelters?? Women’s Rights Club is running a TAMPON AND PAD drive all month! All donations will benefit the Amherst Survival Center so that hygiene products can be available to all that need it!Look for the signs and boxes located at the school to donate what you can. Donations should be in sealed boxes or packages. Drive will be up until the end of the month.

#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Millions of people come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

This year, the ARHS PGO will be partnering with the ARPS Friends of the Performing Arts to raise $15,000 towards new lighting in the High School Auditorium.  More details to come!