ARHS PGO Parent News

Amherst, MA – Does the college admissions process seem overwhelming and confusing?  And just what do those initials mean?  Jill Margaret Shulman, author ofCollege Admissions Cracked, will shed a light on the process for parents of the college-bound in a presentation on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library.

College admissions doesn’t have to be scandalous or crazy-making! Whether your child is (or you are) a high school senior applying right now or a sophomore or junior just getting started, Shulman will clarify options, dispel myths, answer your burning questions, and send you on a saner, less stressful path.

Jill Margaret Shulman is the founder of In Other Words, a college essay coaching and application review service. She has evaluated applications at Amherst College and Williams College for nearly a decade and has taught at the New School and the City University of New York. She lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with her husband (and two children, whenever they are home from college).

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Principal Gene Jones will host his first Coffee and Conversation with the Principal on Wednesday, September 18th at 7PM in the ARHS Library.  He will be updating the ARHS Community on his thoughts and priorities about the year ahead.

Light refreshments will be served.

School Spirit week/Homecoming is a grassroots effort put forth by parents, coaches, students and staff to celebrate all our kid’s passions. Our committee is excited to highlight music, dance, theater, art, singing and athletics from grades K-12. We would like to provide a community-wide celebration to show our support of all our kids do.

Details: Week of 9/22-9/27
Homecoming Games Scheduled with Student National Anthem singers

9/22 Kick off Event – Community Rally/Student Performances/Student Art show/Dunk Tank/Fan Photos and Red carpet/ Fan towels/Concessions

Bonfire 9/27 (  click here to view Bonfire Flier)

Follow us on Facebook: Amherst School Spirit Week and Homecoming or #rockitlikeahurricane

?’s or want to volunteer; Call Kristin at 508-685-2150

Amherst Regional Public Schools will host a Puerto Rico Day Celebration on Monday, September 23rd from 12:30 – 1:30 PM at the Amherst Town Hall.

The ceremony will include the raising of the Puerto Rican flag, a reading of the town proclamation, and performances by students and staff. The entire community is invited to come and celebrate.

Questions? Please call 413-362-1871.

Sunday, 9/22:  Kick-off Party at ARHS 4:30 PM

Monday, 9/23:  ARHS Golf 4 PM; Amherst Golf Club; Volleyball 6PM at ARHS; Boys Soccer 5 PM at NHS

Tuesday, 9/24- Boys/Girls Cross Country 4PM (@ARHS); Field Hockey 4PM (@HHS); Girls Soccer 4 PM (@SHHS)

Thursday, 9/26- Field Hockey 4PM (@ Mohawk Regional); Boys Soccer 4PM (@Agawam)

Friday, 9/27- 4 PM Girls Soccer; 6 PM Girls Volleyball; 7 PM Football (all games at ARHS)

AMHERST-PELHAM REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL is happy to offer a Conditioning Program for the Fall 2019 season

The Athletic Department is sponsoring an eight week conditioning program for indoor track, basketball, skiing, and anyone else who wants to get into shape. This is a good opportunity to get a jump on the competition. If you wait until the season starts it’s too late. The program will focus on the following areas: flexibility, mobility, strength, endurance, speed, and mental preparation. The program will be Monday through Thursday from 3:15 until 4:30. Participants will be given a workout for Friday and Saturday to do on their own.

The program will consist of running, hills, dynamic stretching, static stretching, cardio, and weight lifting.

Where? ARHS Weight Room
When? Monday – Thursday 3:15 pm – 4:30 p.m.
Dates – September 16 – November 22nd, 2019
Cost? Full Fee $95 Reduced Lunch Fee $57 Free Lunch Fee $19

Seniors are reminded to complete the “Senior Questionnaire for College Conference 2020” so that they are prepared to schedule individual Senior College Planning Meetings beginning the week of September 16th. And, of course, the lime green form!

In October ARHS will be hosting students from Australia. We are still in need of 2 more host families. The dates of the visit are October 2nd – October 5th .Any questions, please see Mr. Sadiq. Thank you

The Amherst A Better Chance Program is welcoming two new 9th graders Scholars this year. ABC is looking for host families for these young men. Host families open their homes and their hearts to the Scholars who live with their host families during the first weekend of every month of the school year. All members of the Amherst community are encouraged to consider this opportunity to gain as much as you give. This year’s first Host Family Weekend is the weekend of October 5th.

A description of the host family program and contact information can be found on the Amherst ABC website: https://www.amherstabetterchance.org/volunteer/host-family-program/ . Interested families can also contact Keith J. Nesbitt, President of the ABC Board of Directors at k_nesbitt2001@yahoo.com, Carole Schweid, Scholars Committee Chair at cschweid@gmail.com or Sid Ferreira, Resident Director at sdf@umass.edu

The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) offers a unique opportunity for community volunteers to make a difference in a foster child’s life. For a few hours of your time each month, you can participate on a panel called the Foster Care Review Unit that helps plan for the future of children in DCF care.

The Foster Care Review Unit makes decisions regarding children who are placed in foster care for six months or longer, assessing how well their needs are being met and what progress has been made toward establishing them in a permanent living situation. A Volunteer from the Community is one member of the 3-person panels that make these decisions.

Volunteer case reviewers are community members who are not employed by DCF. Case reviewers choose to volunteer in the DCF area office most convenient to school, work or home.

For more information, please see the FCRUFlyer or visit https://www.mass.gov/volunteering-and-giving

Audition for LSSE’s Matilda the Musical on September 13, 14, 15, with callbacks September 16.  The production will be staged in January 2020. To make an appointment call Amherst Leisure Services at 413-259-3065.

If you haven’t signed up for your audition slot by Friday, September 13 at 4:00 pm, please call Jim Pistrang, Producer, at 413-237-5710 and he will assist you.

Auditions will be at the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA). Audition dates and time slots:

Friday, September 13 at 6:00 pm, 7:00 and 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 14 at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm
Sunday, September 15 at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm
Your audition will last for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Callbacks will be held on Monday, September 16 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Bangs Center.

Performances of “Matilda The Musical” will be presented on: January 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, and 26, 2020.

ALSCT acknowledges, respects, and celebrates the diversity within our organization and local community. We seek to create theater that enables people of different genders, races, cultures, sexual orientations, levels of physical ability, ages, beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds to be represented in our productions.
Questions: Call or text Jim Pistrang at 413-237-5710

The Amherst BID’s Annual Celebrate Amherst Block Party Celebrates the Businesses, Culture & Community of Downtown Amherst on September 19, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Music at the Futurliner Stage with WRSI’s DJ Kaliis
and at The River Stage/Realignment Park: Buddy McEarns Band 5 – 6 pm (60 min);
Masala Jazz 6:20-7:30 pm (70 min); and The Losers – Tom Petty Tribute Band 7:50-9 (70 min)

Food & Drink
Our restaurants, cafes and eateries are getting together great food for the event including samosas, momos, lassi, burgers, bubble tea, ice cream,
curries, pad thai, chicken wings,eggrolls, tacos, quesadillas and cotton candy will be on the menu! Special Alert: Judie’s is back with pies!

Amherst, MA – Get informed during Climate Preparedness Week, as Dyan deNapoli, also known as The Penguin Lady, presents a program titled Global Warming: A Problem for Penguins at the Jones Library on Saturday, September 28 at 2:30 pm in the Woodbury Room.

Penguins are an indicator species, and they are alerting us to the health of the environment they live in. It is now unmistakably clear to scientists that penguins are being negatively impacted by climate change. In fact, it is the top threat to penguin populations today. In this eye-opening presentation, best suited for adults and older students (ages 12 and above), the various ways in which global warming is affecting all 18 penguin species will be discussed. Action steps that individuals can take to help penguins and the environment will also be part of the conversation.

This talk will be given by Massachusetts native, Dyan deNapoli. Dyan is an internationally recognized penguin expert, TED and Nat Geo speaker, and award-winning author. Prior to founding her company, The Penguin Lady, she worked as a Senior Penguin Aquarist at Boston’s New England Aquarium for 9 years. The Great Penguin Rescue, her inspiring and bestselling book about saving 40,000 penguins from the Treasure oil spill in South Africa, was published by Simon & Schuster’s Free Press in 2010. Dyan will have copies of her book available for purchase and signing.

During September 24–30 each year, Climate Preparedness Week is organized by Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW), an organization dedicated to learning, service, and actions that better prepare communities for extreme weather events. To learn more, visit http://www.climatecrew.org/.

Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Libraries and the Woodbury Fund. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223

Monday, September 2, 2019 is Labor Day. There will be no school.  Enjoy the long weekend.

The Nutrition Department currently has part-time openings as well as a need for substitutes for kitchen staff.  Each of the schools in the district has openings.  The hours range from 2-5 hours a day several days a week.

For further information contact Nutrition Department Director, Michael Gallo O’Connell at 413-362-1826 or email him at oconnellmg@arps.org.

• College Planning Announcements:
  • Senior Survey in Naviance – Ready to meet with the ARHS College & Career Advisor for your Senior Meeting? Ready to sit with your Guidance Counselor so that they can write your college recommendation? All seniors must complete the “Senior Questionnaire for College Conference 2020” in Naviance first. Please encourage your parents/guardians to set up a Naviance account and complete the “Parent/Guardian Survey 4 Senior College Conference” as well. This helps your counselor write a great recommendation for you. Questions? See Miss Garrity or Ms. Cuffee-Gray.

• • Lime Green Forms – The Class of 2020 is already breaking records handing in the LIME GREEN FORM that allows ARHS to send your academic materials (transcripts and recommendations) in to the colleges and universities that you are applying to. Please be sure to complete your form and get it in to Miss Garrity in Guidance.
  • Diversity Fly-In Opportunities – Travel to College Campuses! –A number of colleges provide Travel Vouchers or Diversity Fly-Ins Events. These programs provide funding that allows students to travel to more remote campus locations and stay overnight. Deadlines are quickly coming up. Use the attached link to view Diversity Fly-Ins that are available. [http://blog.collegegreenlight.com/blog/college-fly-in-and-diversity-programs/] See Deidre Cuffee-Gray, College and Career Advisor if you have questions.
  • College Greenlight Summer Challenge Scholarship  – This summer, College Greenlight is challenging the Class of 2020 to start their college and scholarship search. Apply for the scholarship starting May 1st – September 1st! Follow these simple steps and you’ll be entered to win a $500 College Greenlight Summer Challenge scholarship. [https://sites.google.com/cappex.com/cglsummerchallenge/home]
  • College Board Opportunity Scholarships – College Board offers six “Opportunity Scholarships”. Complete all six scholarship applications online and you’re eligible to earn as much as $40,000. Scholarships will be awarded through monthly drawings to students who complete each action. This program is open to students regardless of their family income. [https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/]

Sept 2- Labor Day; No School

Sept 12 – Emergency Procedures Drill/ Club and Activities Fair

Sept 12- New Students/ 9th Grade Parents Night 7PM

Sept 13- Community Kick Off Day

Sept 23-27- Spirit Week

Sept 24- School Picture Day

Sept 25- Early Release

Oct 3- ARHS Open House

Oct 14- Indigenous People’s Day- No School

Oct 16- PSATS Administered at ARHS

Oct 23- Early Release

Oct 24- Summit Academy Open House

Oct 29- School Picture Make-Up Day

The Amherst BID’s Annual Celebrate Amherst Block Party Celebrates the Businesses, Culture & Community of Downtown Amherst on September 19, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Music at the Futurliner Stage with WRSI’s DJ Kaliis
and at The River Stage/Realignment Park: Buddy McEarns Band 5 – 6 pm (60 min);
Masala Jazz 6:20-7:30 pm (70 min); and The Losers – Tom Petty Tribute Band 7:50-9 (70 min)

Food & Drink
Our restaurants, cafes and eateries are getting together great food for the event including samosas, momos, lassi, burgers, bubble tea, ice cream,
curries, pad thai, chicken wings,eggrolls, tacos, quesadillas and cotton candy will be on the menu! Special Alert: Judie’s is back with pies!

Audition for LSSE’s Matilda the Musical on September 13, 14, 15, with callbacks September 16.  The production will be staged in January 2020. To make an appointment call Amherst Leisure Services at 413-259-3065.

If you haven’t signed up for your audition slot by Friday, September 13 at 4:00 pm, please call Jim Pistrang, Producer, at 413-237-5710 and he will assist you.

Auditions will be at the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA). Audition dates and time slots:

• Friday, September 13 at 6:00 pm, 7:00 and 8:00 pm
• Saturday, September 14 at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm
• Sunday, September 15 at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm
• Your audition will last for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Callbacks will be held on Monday, September 16 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Bangs Center.
  Performances of “Matilda The Musical” will be presented on: January 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, and 26, 2020.
  ALSCT acknowledges, respects, and celebrates the diversity within our organization and local community. We seek to create theater that enables people of different genders, races, cultures, sexual orientations, levels of physical ability, ages, beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds to be represented in our productions.

  Questions: Call or text Jim Pistrang at 413-237-5710

Brush up on your civics savviness with this first in an upcoming series of programs on civics and democracy in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7 pm on Tuesday, September 10, 2019.

Amherst’s former State Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose will explain the basics of local, state, and national government systems, expand on the complex set of institutions that form public policy, and lead an interactive exercise to help participants think about where advocates can tap in to make a difference. This session will be appropriate for those with little to no experience with government systems, as well as those with great understandings of institutions but with a desire to become more effective activists.

Solomon Goldstein-Rose, 25, grew up attending the Amherst Public Schools, where he gained a passion for civic engagement and activism. He majored in Engineering and Public Policy at Brown University, interned in the Obama White House, an office in Congress, and a U.S. Senate campaign, and was elected to the Massachusetts legislature at age 22. During his time as State Rep, Solomon wrote monthly guest columns for the Amherst Bulletin, many of which shed new light on aspects of the legislative process and culture in Massachusetts. He also hosted civic engagement events including a monthly dessert and learning conversation and the Amherst League of Women Voters’ CivicsFest. Solomon left the legislature after one term to shift his efforts to full-time, national and global climate change work.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Libraries and the Woodbury Fund.

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the musical event at Woodstock in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 4 pm on Saturday, September 14, 2019.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the famed event, author and popular culture historian John Kane will take you inside the Woodstock Festival in this presentation based on his new book Pilgrims of Woodstock.  This presentation offers a vivid and intimate portrait of the overlooked stars of the festival: the everyday people who made Woodstock unforgettable. The photographs by Richard F. Bellak and interviews capture attendees’ profound personal moments across hundreds of acres of farmland, as they meditated, played music, cooked food at night, and congregated around campfires. For three days, they helped and relied on each other in peace and harmony. For most, it was a life-changing event.

John Kane is faculty in the design and media department at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. He is the author of Pilgrims of Woodstock: Never-Before-Seen Photos (University Press of Indiana) and The Last Seat in the House: The Story of Hanley Sound (University Press of Mississippi). Dr. Kane grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts, and now resides on the seacoast of New Hampshire.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Jones Libraries and the Woodbury Fund.

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

The Hurricane Open is a great way to enjoy an afternoon of golf and more while helping Amherst High Athletics.   The 10th annual event will be held this Saturday, August 24th from 1-7 PM

Amherst Golf Club, 365 S Pleasant St, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002, Amherst,

https://www.facebook.com/events/404885273439790/?active_tab=discussion

The Amherst Regional High School Parent/Guardian Organization (ARHS PGO) welcomes you to the 2019-2020 Academic Year. We are a volunteer group of parents and guardians, and invite you to join us! The mission of the ARHS PGO is to:

• promote communication and understanding among families, staff and the Amherst area community; 
• foster a spirit of collaboration by providing a forum for participation and the exchange of information and ideas; and 
• provide financial assistance where needed to enrich all students’ academic and overall experience

Evening Coffees with Principal Gene Jones and Others

The ARHS PGO regularly invites the principal and other guest speakers to present on a wide variety of relevant topics. Moderated Q&As are scheduled as part of these sessions. Join us and stay connected! 

PGO Weekly Newsletter

Our weekly Friday AM email newsletter will inform you about upcoming events, deadlines, news and more. We welcome the submission of information that is helpful to the ARHS community. All families who register students at ARHS prior to August 22 are automatically subscribed. You can sign up to receive the newsletter via email at arhspgonews@gmail.com. The newsletter can also be accessed from the front page of the ARHS website or at www.arhsparentcenter.org.  

Register your Stop & Shop Card for A+ Rewards to Support the PGO Grant Program

The PGO Grant Program uses money raised through Stop & Shop A+ Rewards to award more than $10,000 each year to staff in every department. We also offer Student-Initiated Grants to support creative and innovative ideas that benefit the entire ARHS Community. Please register your card, as this is the sole source of funding for our grant program. 

When you select our school, Stop & Shop makes a contribution to ARHS every time you shop at absolutely no cost to you.  To sign up for A+ Rewards or change your selected school to ARHS, go to www.stopandshop.com, sign in or register, select Savings/Rewards & Programs/ Register Now for A+, then choose ARHS (ID 05167). 

Volunteer!

The PGO is a volunteer organization and we need your help for just a few hours a month. Please consider being a blog editor (2 hours /month), evening coffee coordinator (2 hours/month), or PGO secretary (2 hours/month). Interested? Email us at arhspgoboard@gmail.com.

Please also consider making an online donation to the PGO by going to www.arhsparentcenter.org and clicking on the donation tab. 

Thank you in advance for your help!

The ARHS PGO Board

Bus routes are now posted on the district website. You can access them here: http://www.arps.org/district/transportation/bus-routes

Las rutas de autobús están ahora disponibles en la página web del distrito. Puede acceder a ellos aquí: http://www.arps.org/district/transportation/bus-routes

 We are pleased to announce that the Amherst Regional Public Schools will provide a Chromebook to ARHS students in grades 9-12.   Parents and guardians of new students must be present to sign an agreement before students can receive their Chromebook. 

On Tuesday August 27th: 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. ARHS will distribute Chromebooks from 3:00-5:00 pm 

For those who cannot make it on August 27th, we have scheduled additional Chromebook distributions on Wednesday, August 28th from 12:00 – 3:00 pm

September 23-27 is Spirit Week. Details are forthcoming.

Spirit Week will begin with a kick-off party from 4-7 pm on Sunday, September 22. Also new this year will be a Bonfire on September 26 @ 8 pm. Activities will conclude on Friday, September 27 with Athletic events – Girls soccer @ 4 pm, Girls Field Hockey @ 6 pm and Football @ 7 pm. A full complement of athletic events are scheduled throughout the week. Please see the Athletic Department website for details.

 The MIAA’s (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) site is our athletic scheduling web site. The link is: http://miaa.net/schools/public/AmhPelA2 . For all questions please contact Victoria Stewart, Athletic Director.

On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, all faculty are available in their classrooms to work with students from 2:20 to 3:00 pm. On Wednesdays, teachers have professional development obligations and, therefore, will not be available to students. There are no late buses on Wednesdays or Fridays.

The Amherst, Pelham and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts are “allergy aware” schools. Families and personnel are respectfully asked to refrain from bringing nuts or foods processed with nuts in lunches and snacks. We have many students with serious nut allergies who are at risk of anaphylactic shock due to cross contamination. Please help the school keep all students healthy. This practice means: Do Not Bring Nuts or Foods Processed with Nuts into the Schools 

The state now requires all schools to provide 9th grade students with a preliminary drug and alcohol screening. The process is known as SBIRT [Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment]. Our nurses have been trained to administer it. SBIRT focuses on prevention and early detection in the school setting. This screening tool will enable school nurses to detect risk for substance use-related problems and to address them, in partnership with families and counselors, at an early stage. 

The Amherst Boys & Girls Club is pleased to announce our After School  Program for 2019 – 2020.  The Program will start on Wednesday. August 28^th.

The Program is open to all children ages 6 to 18.  The Program will run Monday through Friday, 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.

The After School Program will offer a wide variety of recreational, educational and cultural activities for the participants as well as to provide experiences which will give opportunities for individual achievement, development of self confidence, reinforcement of values and fun. Programs will include physical education, arts & crafts, games, sports, health and life skills, education, special events.

For additional information please email Tony at the Club, tpoti@amhersbgc.org

Welcome to the academic year 2019-2020, and the return of the ARHS PGO Parent News! Our newsletter will arrive in your inbox every Friday morning, packed with valuable information about events, deadlines, schedules, community events, sports news, opportunities etc…

If this is your first issue, we welcome you and hope you find the newsletter helpful. If you are the parent of a recent graduate and would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom of this email. If you were forwarded this email and wish to subscribe, click here.  https://arhsparentcenter.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b2b66ca8521c3307ea8f3499b&id=8a3d18f86b

Contact us anytime using the link in the right hand column if you have something you would like to submit or a question to ask. We encourage your input. Our best to everyone navigating the transition back to school, see you online!

Your editors,

Becky and Mare

The ARHS Parent Guardian Organization is a volunteer group of parents and guardians, and we invite you to join us! What do we do? We create this newsletter, administer a grant program for staff and students, host events and Speakers with the Principal and others, and raise funds to make all of these things possible!

There are tasks to fit every schedule and skill set, including opportunities to help coordinate coffees, serve on our grants committee, help edit the newsletter and a secretary or represent the ARHS PGO at district-wide meetings, and more! If you would like to volunteer please by contacting us at arhspgoboard@gmail.com

It’s that time of year! We’re excited to announce the date for the First Day Celebration! Join us on August 27, 2019 on the Amherst Town Commons at 5:00 PM! Join friends and school staff at the community’s Welcome Back to School party! Enjoy fun activities and more! This event is FREE and all are invited!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The School Nutrition Department is so thankful for all of your support last school year and we are very excited about the upcoming year. The District is fortunate to be partnering with Project Bread for another school year to further enhance menu offerings. In addition, the department is actively exploring ways to expand breakfast access for all students and to incorporate more local food.

The cost of lunch is increasing by $0.25 to $3.25 per meal. This increase is required under the National School Lunch Program which sets a minimum price for the State. The cost of reduced price meals is not changing.

As a reminder, children receiving free and reduced lunch benefits during the 2018-19 school year are entitled to the benefits through September 30, 2019. In order to maintain the benefit, a new application must be submitted or you must receive a direct certification notice. Direct certification notices will be mailed out during the first week of school. Applications are sent home with every student and available on the school nutrition website https://www.amherstfood.com/.

Thank you again for all of your support!

School Nutrition

Dear ARPS Families:

I hope the summer months are allowing time for reflection, enjoyment, and renewal.  With the 2019-2020 school year starting soon, I wanted to reach out to share the schedule of events that are fast approaching.

As much as many of us have enjoyed the pace of summer, I am also excited for the coming school year.  As author JB Priestley stated, “I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.”  A primary reason for my excitement for the upcoming school year is the talent, dedication, and commitment I witness in all of our schools on a regular basis.  I know our 2,650 students will be returning to schools with a firm commitment to their success and personal growth.

I would like to thank our families and community members for supporting our schools and staff by participating, volunteering, and collaborating with ARPS.  We are proud to educate and help foster such talented and inspirational children who are not only our sole focus for all that we do, but who also encourage us, as a district, to expand our skills to better support each individual student.  I would also like to thank our Parent Guardian Organizations (PGOs) for their amazing and continuous support of our students and our families.  They have played a vital role in our district’s success and I encourage families and guardians to join our remarkable PGO teams.

I invite you to celebrate the new year with students and ARPS staff members at the annual First Day Celebration on the Amherst Town Common on Tuesday, August 27th at 5:00 p.m. This free event will be filled with music, food, games and fun activities.  We hope to see you and your family there.

On Wednesday, August 28, we will welcome our students in grades one through 12 back to the new school year.  This first day of school will be a half-day for students, meaning the middle school and high school will dismiss at 12:00 p.m. and the elementary schools will dismiss at 1:20 p.m.  Our preschool and kindergarten students will begin school after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 3, following student orientations the prior week.

I hope that you are able to enjoy these final few weeks of the summer break.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Morris, Superintendent

Victoria Stewart, Athletic Director, comes to the district from her position as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Merrimack College. Prior to moving to Merrimack College, she served as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Amherst College for two years, during which time the team won two National Championships. A graduate of Amherst Regional High School, Ms. Stewart holds a BS in Kinesiology and Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a MA of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Merrimack College (to be completed in December 2019). Ms. Stewart brings a strong commitment to student athletes to her role, stating “My goals while coaching and teaching are surrounded by the ideas of creating a safe, fun and inclusive learning space for student- athletes, where they are not only able to compete athletically, but are also able to build character and gain the necessary tools in order to help them succeed throughout their lives.”

To view the press release: click here

August 20 – Fall Sports Info Night 6:30 PM

August 21- Deadline to Register for Fall Sports

August 22- ARHS New Student Open House

August 28- First Day of School; Noon dismisal

September 2- Labor Day; No School

September 25- Early Release

October 3- ARHS Open House

October 14- Indigenous People’s Day- No School

October 23- Early Release

October 24- Summit Academy Open House

The Editors of the PGO blog would like to wish everyone a very happy summer! We will “see” you again in the fall. The newsletter returns mid-August.  The first day of school is Wednesday, August 28, 2019!

Becky, Mare, and Jennifer

This Friday, June 14 ARHS parents and guardians will thank the entire staff for their work with a scrumptious lunch catered by Blue Door Gatherings.  There are several ways YOU can show your appreciation for our amazing staff and help with the event. Please sign up using the link below to:

Bring a dessert for 8-10 people

Make a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the meal

Volunteer to help set up, serve, and clean up

To sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49A9A92AA2F85-arhs1

Any questions? Contact Jen: jnbus@comcast.net

The ARHS Parent Guardian Organization is a volunteer group of parents and guardians, and we invite you to join us!  What do we do? We create this newsletter, administer a grant program for staff and students, host events and Speakers with the Principal and others, and raise funds to make all of these things possible!

There are tasks to fit every schedule and skill set, including opportunities to help coordinate events, serve on our grants committee, serve as Treasurer, represent the ARHS PGO at district-wide meetings, and more! If you would like to volunteer please by contacting us at www.arhspgonews@gmail.com.

Online fall sports registration is now open. Ensure a smooth start to the fall season by registering NOW.   Current sport physical forms should be on file with the school nurse before the first day of tryouts. Please call the nurse’s office at the high school at 362-1743. Questions for middle school registrants please contact the middle school nurse at 362-1975.

REGISTRATION:

https://www.familyid.com/organizations/search?query=amherst   You’ll need to set up an account with FamilyID,  if you don’t already have an account.  Any technical questions with this program please call the 888# at the top of the FamilyID screen.  They are very helpful.

By submitting registration forms electronically you and your child are acknowledging that you have both read the documents and you will adhere to the MIAA/Amherst High School policies on these forms. By registeringelectronically you are fulfilling the signature requirements of registration. 

PAYMENT:

Payment is due right away.  Payment is required to try out/practice/participate.  If there is a financial hardship, please contact Rich Ferro, the Athletic Director at ferror@arps.org

Payment can be done online as well at: https://unipaygold.unibank.com/Default.aspx?customerid=1211   NOTE:  FamilyID and UniPay Gold aren’t linked, they are two totally separate programs. So FamilyID will always show that you have not paid.

VERY IMPORTANT: Clearly write your child’s name and sport in the MEMO of the check when you pay. You can drop off your payment or mail to:

ARHS Athletics
Amherst Regional High School
21 Mattoon Street
Amherst, MA 01002

ATTN: Sports Registration

START DATES:

HIGH SCHOOL – Football begins Friday August 16th.  All sports other sports begin tryouts on Thursday, August 22nd.  

MIDDLE SCHOOL – Middle School sports will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Tuesday,, August 20th is Fall Sports Information Night for athletes and their parents/guardian.  Time:  6:30 p.m. in the High School Gymnasium.  Meet the coaches, get schedules, find out about practice schedules, etc.  Hope to see you there!

SCHEDULES:

See http://miaa.net/schools/public/AmhPelA2 for game times and to set up alerts for changes.  

DEADLINE TO REGISTER & PAY:

Deadline for registration & payment is August 21st for high school athletes and September 13th for middle school athletes.

SPORT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS:

The ARHS Athletic Department is hoping you can take a moment to complete the Parent/Guardian Feedback form.  Sharing   your experience this spring season is very helpful.

Dear ARHS Parents and Guardians,

On May 28, 2019, the district announced the adoption of a new high school math curriculum, College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) which includes a traditional sequence of math courses. The ARHS math department will be working this summer to ensure a smooth transition by engaging in CPM professional development which will
include making sure that there are no gaps in mathematical concepts between the former curriculum and CPM.

Below is a chart of courses that students signed up for matched with the new course name. Scheduling for the new course will be done automatically. Advanced Placement Course titles did not change.

If you have any questions, please contact the math department head, Jane Mudie at mudiej@arps.org.
Sincerely,
Miki Gromacki, Ed.D.
Interim Principal

June 12th at 3:30 PM
Location: The Works, downtown Amherst

Agenda

Introductions

Individual School Updates

Taxes and State Filings

Group Fundraisers-

    -UMACC (United Way)

    -Florence Bank

-Giving Tuesday

– Razoo/ Might Cause

    -Amazon Smile

   – Ideas for more group efforts?

Motion by President to move Annual Elections to Fall Public Meeting

Other Business not anticipated by the chair

What is the ARPS PGO?

The ARHS Interim Assistant Principal, Mary Custard has been selected by the Unsung HeroinesUnsung Heroines as one of the Commonwealth’s Unsung Heroines of 2019. Congratulations, Ms Custard!

For those who were unable to make the High School Graduation, here it is for you to enjoy!: https://youtu.be/RX3F9HsOWrI

Thur. Aug. 22:

Freshmen and Sophomores:  5:00 – 6:45 p.m.

Juniors and Seniors:  7:00 – 8:45 p.m.

Fri. Aug. 23:

Freshmen and Sophomores:  5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Juniors and Seniors:  7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Sat. Aug. 24:

Team Selections via email.

Varsity Training:  5:00pm-7:30pm

Sun. Aug. 25:

Varsity Event:  8:00am hike across the Seven Sisters and Team Breakfast.

Varsity Training:  5:00pm-7:30pm.

Wed. Aug. 28:  

Scrimmage at Chicopee, 5:30pm.  Bus leaves at 3:45pm. (Varsity; JVA)

Sat. Aug. 31:

Scrimmage at Tantasqua, 10:00am.  Bus leaves at 8:00am. (Varsity; JVA)

Thu. Sept. 5

First Game

2019-2020 School Calendar

August 20 – Fall Sports Info Night 6:30 PM

August 21- Deadline to Register for Fall Sports

August 22- ARHS New Student Open House

August 28- First Day of School; Early Dismissal

September 2- Labor Day; No School

September 25- Early Release

October 3- ARHS Open House

October 24- Summit Academy Open House

Food & Drink, Live Music, Kids Activities, Wagon Rides, Bounce House & More 

Thursday June 13th, 5-9 pm
Friday, June 14, 5-10 pm
Saturday, June 15 12-10 pm

This memorable and well-loved Amherst event, organized jointly by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Amherst Business Improvement District (BID), and presented by Atkins Farms Country Market returns to the Amherst Common June 13 – 15th, 2019 – Father’s Day Weekend.

Thirteen vendors offer tantalizing samples from their menus:  Bart’s Ice Cream, Bistro 63, Esselon Café, Gohyang Korean Restaurant, Maple Valley Creamery, Momo Tibetan, Osteria Vespa, Paradise of India, Panda East, Sunset Grill & Pizza, Taste Thai, The Pub and Vibeman’s Jerk Shack. Atkins Farms Country Market, a presenting sponsor and part of the organizational team will be at the central info and beverage tent. The Taste is once again proud to be a zero-waste event with assistance from USA Hauling & Recycling and the Town of Amherst Department of Public Works.

Muddy Brook Farms offers hay rides and The Roberts Group sponsors the always popular Bounce House. For a quieter time, Reader to Reader, a non-profit literacy organization will provide a Storyzone complete with childrens’ books to engage young readers. Chef Bill offers food demos for kids this year on Thursday and Friday. Adults can enjoy the Craft Beer Garden with wine and beer, including a range of fresh craft brews from local breweries.

The WRSI River Stage returns and features amazing local musicians performing multiple genres including bluegrass Americana, Jazz, World Beat, Reggae and the BBQ rock of Trailer Park. Amy Fairchild, a phenomenal singer/songwriter and musician returns to the Valley on Thursday. The entire line up, updates and info can be checked at WRSI’s MUSIC LINE UP PAGE