Please note that the Basic Rights in Special Education Workshop scheduled for 3/12/2018 has been rescheduled. Details below:

Basic Rights in Special Education.  Monday March 19, 2018 @ 5:00 PM, ARHS Library.  Please mark your calendars and join us for this informative workshop for parents and professionals.

RSVP to SEPAC@ARPS.org or call (413) 687-4255.

Tenga en cuenta que el taller de derechos básicos en educación especial programado para esta noche, 12 de marzo de 2018, ha sido reprogramado. Detalles a continuación:

Derechos básicos en educación especial. Lunes 19 de marzo de 2018 @ 5:00 PM, Biblioteca de ARHS. Por favor marque sus calendarios y únase a nosotros para este taller informativo para padres y profesionales.

RSVP a SEPAC@ARPS.org o llame al (413) 687-4255.

Basic Rights in Special Education Workshop – English

Basic Rights in Special Education Workshop – Spanish

The Jones Library is proud to announce that the Fifth Annual Samuel Minot Jones Awards for Literary Achievement will honor the Amherst Regional High School Theater Program, led by John Bechtold and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author Madeleine Blais. The gala event, the “Sammys”, will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College.

The Sammys is Amherst’s signature event honoring the community’s remarkable and vibrant literary heritage. The evening will begin in the beautiful Mead galleries with delicious, abundant hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine from local breweries/vineyards, a signature cocktail, and live music. The awards ceremony will be held next door in comfortable Stirn Auditorium, where the evening will end with coffee and a take-away chocolate confection.

All proceeds from the Sammys will be used to support Library collections, purchasing materials in all formats and for all ages. For more info & tickets visit the Jones Library online at www.joneslibrary.org/sammys.

The people of Puerto Rico continue to suffer from lack of basic needs following devastation from two recent hurricanes. One of our staff members, Mari Vicente, has  been working with Waves for Water, a non-profit that works throughout the world bringing water purifying filters to disaster-ridden places. W4W has been in Puerto Rico since the hurricane swept through it on September 20th. Here’s the link to Ms. Vicente’s fundraising page: http://www.wavesforwater.org/courier/9527.  Please help W4W and her reach their goal of providing water filters to 100 Puerto Rican families in need.  Any amount helps. !Muchas gracias!

Join in an Amherst Community March on Saturday, March 24 to show our support for the students in Parkland, FL at Stoneman-Douglas High School who have planned a march in Washington DC on this date. It is being called “March For Our Lives”.

Bring your friends, your signs, and your enthusiasm for efforts to change the gun laws and to help our country become less gun-oriented. We will assemble at the south end of Kendrick Park (across the street from Bertoucci’s) at 10 AM and will march to the Town Common. There we will sing some songs and share in a community event to mourn the loss of those we have lost, to speak out against our saturated gun culture and call for a change!

Sponsored by The Amherst League of Women Voters. Contact Cynthia Brubaker (jerbru@aol.com) for more information

BU will host the Summer Pathways program July 13-20, 2018.  This is an exciting seven-day, residential program for high school girls entering their junior or senior year in September 2018.  The program targets girls from Massachusetts high schools who show promise and/or interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).  Tuition is $675 and includes room, board, all travel and activities. Scholarships of up to $575 are available to students with demonstrated financial need. More information may be found at http://www.bu.edu/lernet/spathways.

Come to a Gospel Choir Concert to benefit Amherst A Better Chance (ABC) on Tuesday, April 10th, at Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst. The concert starts at 7:30 PM and features the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, the Amherst Regional High School Chorale, the Hampshire Young People’s Chorus, and the Resurrect Gospel Choir at Amherst College. Concert-goers are also invited to a welcome reception with light refreshments from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the room adjacent to the Sanctuary at Grace Church. The reception will include the opportunity to meet the Amherst A Better Chance Scholars and the Resident Directors. A Donation of $20 (or more!) from each concert-goer will be gratefully accepted, but all who wish to celebrate the ABC Program through gospel music are most welcome!

Wednesday, March 21, 7-9:15PM

Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst Social Action Committee Presents:

Mudbound, a 2017 film about two veterans, one black, one white and their respective experiences when they return home from WWII. The New York times review puts it this way: ‘‘Mudbound’ Is a Racial Epic Tuned to Black Lives, and White Guilt.

“’Mudbound’ is a movie about how things change — slowly, unevenly, painfully. It is also, as the title suggests, about how things don’t change, about the stubborn forces of custom, prejudice and power that lock people in place and impede social progress. Set mainly in the Mississippi Delta in the years just after World War II, when Jim Crow was still enshrined in law and practice, the film, directed by Dee Rees, tests and complicates William Faulkner’s much-quoted claim about the not-even-pastness of the past. It’s a work of historical imagination that lands in the present with disquieting, illuminating force….” (N.Y. Times, November 16, 2017)

Refreshments will be served.

Movie will be shown at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst. Questions: 413-253-2848

Amherst, MA – Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire in addition to some of his own personal compositions. The performance will take place at 2:00 pm at the Jones Library in Amherst on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

Sean Gaskell features traditional songs on the 21 stringed West African Kora. The Kora is native to the Mande peoples who live within the countries of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. The music is traditionally played by oral and musical historians known as Griots (Gree-ohs). The Kora is a melodic and seemingly peaceful instrument, which is somewhat contrary to its musical repertoire. Many songs tell ancient stories of war and hardship, while others praise people of high political status and those who helped expand the Mande Empire. While the Kora is only 300 years old, some commonly played songs can be traced back 800 years to the Mande empires’ founding. Gaskell has studied extensively under the instruction of Malamini Jobarteh and Moriba Kuyateh of Brikama, The Gambia, and Kane Mathis of Brooklyn, NY. Gaskell has been featured at numerous festivals in the US, Gambia, and Senegal.

Free and open to the public. For more information about this event, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223. For more information about the presenter, please visit http://www.seangaskell.com or view video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxkfcUeToiI.

To view the event flyer, click here.

Join Multi-Arts on a time traveling theatrical adventure!

This latest installment of Time Traveling Stories takes us on a journey to the 1840’s! When young Justine is sent back in time, she meets Angeline Palmer, a brave African American girl who was saved from slavery with the help of the town. Learn the true story of Angeline and discover the roots of what makes Amherst such a unique place: our avant-garde spirit, celebration of differences, and ability to come together as a community to stand up for human rights.

The new play is written by Maia Kinney-Petrucha, an Amherst High School and Hampshire College Alum, and features fellow Amherst High alum Haley Parker, and Wildwood Elementary students Violent and Lena Ennis.

Come hear a staged reading of the script at Barnes and Noble in Hadley on March 24^th at 2 pm!

Dear ARPS Parents and Guardians:

In the wake of the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, school safety and advocacy have been on all of our minds.  Many of you are aware of a national advocacy effort planned for March 14.  Please visit these links for a letter outlining our school safety efforts and our plans for student advocacy.

Mike Morris, Superintendent

Letter in English

Estimados padres y tutores de ARPS:

A raíz de la tragedia en Parkland, Florida, la seguridad de las escuelas y la abogacía han estado en nuestras mentes. Muchos de ustedes están al tanto de un esfuerzo de abogacía nacional planificado para el 14 de marzo. Visite estos enlaces para obtener una carta que describe nuestros esfuerzos de seguridad en nuestras escuelas y nuestros planes para la abogacía de los estudiantes.

Mike Morris, Superintendente

Letter in Spanish

The ARHS Theater Company presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! This Tony Award-winning musical follows the quirky, heartbreaking, and hilarious lives of middle schoolers competing in a spelling bee. ARHS’s unique immersive staging of the show is guaranteed to be entertaining for all!

Join us at ARHS for the show!
Friday, March 9th 7:30pm
Saturday, March 10th 2pm
Saturday, March 10th 7:30pm
Sunday, March 11th 7pm

Tickets are available at bit.ly/arhsbee.

UPDATE: Due to the storm, the show on Thursday night has been rescheduled to Sunday at 7pm. Any tickets purchased for Thursday will be honored at any other show. Contact John Bechtold if you wish to receive a refund. See you there!

1.  Just about two-thirds of your junior year is now complete.  If you aren’t thinking about what you want to do after graduation yet, this is a good time to start thinking about it.  Complete the Junior Questionnaire for College Conference under About Me in Naviance.  Then you can come into the Guidance Office to make an appointment for your college meeting.  Be sure you know when your parents/guardians are available.
2. Remember – there will be a terrific evening program about the college admissions process for juniors, offered by MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority), on Monday night, March 26, at 7:00 in the library.  This is a change from the originally publicized date.)  MEFA programs are always good!  It’s important to get other perspectives on the admissions process.  I think everyone will leave with at least one new idea.  Check out their website at mefa.org/juniors.  They are an excellent source for all kinds of college information including but not limited to financial information and loans.
3. Mark your calendars so you will remember the May 3 (Thursday) panel presentation by seniors for juniors and their parents/guardians, at 7:00in the auditorium.  The seniors will tell you about their experiences with admissions.  Why re-invent the wheel and why make the same mistakes they made.  Come to hear their compelling, and often amusing stories.
4. If you have not planned your spring testing yet, this is a good time to do it.  SAT exams will be available on May 5, June 2 and August 25.  You can take the ACT on April 14, June 9, and July 14.  The registration deadline for the April 14 test is this Friday, March 9.  Both tests will also be offered three times in the fall.  Most ARHS students take at least one of these tests twice.
5. If you took the PSAT, retrieve the code that you used to get your scores.  Go to psat.org and use it to bring your PSAT information into Khan Academy, where there is a very helpful SAT tutorial program established in conjunction with the College Board.
6. Remember, through Naviance you have free access to a valuable test-preparation program called Method Test Prep. You can use it to prepare for both the SAT and the ACT.  Click the link for Method Test Prep and set up an account by creating a user name and password.  Remember that the ACT has a science section.  At a minimum you should do the modules related to science in addition to any math, reading and writing prep you have done.
7. There will be a large college fair at the Eastern States Exposition (Big-E) on Monday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m.  Although fairs can be overwhelming, they can also be the place you learn about a college that might be a great fit for you.  If you register in advance at www.gotomyncf.com  and print your receipt with the barcode, you won’t need to fill out any cards!

For Seniors:

March 22 – Reality Fair Permission Slips Due

Late March – HCC Foundation Scholarship Deadline

April 2 – ARHS Scholarship Application Deadline

April (TBA) – MEFA “after the Acceptance” program about comparing financial aid awards and making college decisions

May 1 – FAFSA filing deadline for eligibility for Mass grant, available only to Pell grant recipients – most significant for community college students

June 1 – Last day of school for seniors

June 8 – Graduation

For Juniors:

March 22 – Evening MEFA presentation on nuts and bolts of all aspects of the college admissions process for juniors and parent/guardians. ARHS library, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

April 9 – Springfield National College Fair; Young Building at Big E, W. Springfield (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.). Over 200 colleges attend. Register at gotomyncf.com/nacac.asp to avoid filling out registration cards at each table!

April 26 – Teacher recommendation information distributed via e-mail to juniors.

May 3 – Evening meeting for juniors and parents/guardians. Current seniors will share their experiences in planning for college admission/financial aid. ARHS auditorium, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

May 5 – SAT  with Subject Tests @ Northamapton High School (Register by 2/6)

May 7 – 11 – Teacher recommendation request week – not first come, first served

June 2 – SAT @ ARHS  (Register by 4/4)

June 9 – ACT

July 14 – ACT

August 25 – SAT and Subject Tests @ ARHS

Basic Rights in Special Education.  Monday March 12, 2018 @ 5:00 PM, ARHS Library.  Please mark your calendars and join us for this informative workshop for parents and professionals.

RSVP to SEPAC@ARPS.org or call (413) 687-4255.

Derechos básicos en educación especial. Lunes 12 de marzo de 2018 @ 5:00 PM, Biblioteca de ARHS. Por favor marque sus calendarios y únase a nosotros para este taller informativo para padres y profesionales.

RSVP a SEPAC@ARPS.org o llame al (413) 687-4255.

Basic Rights in Special Education Workshop – English

Basic Rights in Special Education Workshop – Spanish

March 9 – 11 – ARHS Theater Company presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

March 10 – 13 – Boys Ultimate Tryouts

March 12– Basic Rights in Special Education, 5:00pm, ARHS Library

March 13 – Last Day to Register for Spring Sports; Sports Info Night 6:30 pm

March 13 – National Latin Exam at ARHS

March 14 – Early Release Day

March 15 – All Choruses Concert 7 PM

March 19 – Spring Sports Begin

March 20 – All Orchestra’s Concert 7 PM

March 21 – All Band’s Concert 7 PM

March 27 – MCAS ELA Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

March 28 – MCAS ELA Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

March 28 – Jazz Workshop Concert 7PM

March 29 – MCAS ELA Testing; 2 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

March 30 – Good Friday- No School

April 4 – Early Release

April 7 – Local Chord Bowl, 7 PM

April 9 – P2 Grades Distributed

April 11 – Wind Ensemble Chamber Concert, 7 PM

April 12 – Symphonic Orchestra Chamber Concert, 7 PM

April 16 – 20 – Spring Recess- No school

April 26-28 – Melancholy Play, 7:30 PM

May 1 – Chorale Concert, South Congregational Church, 7 PM

May 23 – MCAS Math Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

May 24 – MCAS Math Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

June 6 – MCAS Sci/ Tech Testing; 2 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

June 7 – MCAS Sci/ Tech Testing; 2 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

The National Association for College Admission Counseling will be hosting their annual college fair at the Big E in Springfield on April 9th. There will be hundreds of colleges and universities represented.

Find more information at:
https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/national-college-fairs/springfield-college-fair/

On March 8-10, everyone at ARHS should get to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical unlike any other we have done here.  Featuring the work of over 130 students, hidden pre-show scenes around the performing arts wing, and live audience volunteer spellers each night, this will be one for the ages.

Performances are each night at 7:30 pm. and at 2:00 pm on March 10th.  Tickets can be purchased online (see the posters around school) or at lunch during show week. Can’t afford a ticket?  See Mr. Bechtold and we’ll help you out.

For anyone who was unable to attend the evening coffee for parents and guardians,  the slides from Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler’s presentation on course registration are linked.(Spanish version).

Online Registration closes on March 5th at 8:00 AM.  Registration Assistance is available during lunch next week.  Verification forms will be sent home on May 7th and must be signed by parents/ guardians.

For anyone who was unable to attend last week’s evening coffee for parents and guardians on the ARHS Course Registration Process, the presentation can be viewed here:

 Course Registration Slideshow (English)

Course Registration Slideshow (Spanish

The presentation includes information about electives and other offerings as well as the process timeline.

The LSSE Summer Camp Fair will be held on March 10^th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Jones Library in Amherst.

There are preschool camps, sports camps, days camps, youth programs, teen programs and specialty camps.

Dear Parents/Guardians of ARHS Class of 2018,

All ARHS seniors are invited to attend Reality Fair, a hands-on, financial literacy workshop sponsored by the Greenfield Community College Financial Aid Office and the UMASS Five College Federal Credit Union on Thursday, March 22nd.  Students will depart for GCC at 8:15 a.m. and return to school around 1:45 p.m.  The event is entirely free for our students and includes lunch.

We encourage all of our seniors to take part in this interactive and informative field trip.  The feedback from the students who participated the last two years was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.  They said it was fun and educational and that we should “Ab-so-lutely!” take students again this year.

Permission slips were given to all seniors during advisory on Thursday, February 15th, but they can also be found on our website and attached to this email.  They are due back by Monday, March 12th.

Please call Ericka Alschuler at 362-1714 or Myra Ross at 362-1720 for more information.

Click here to view the handout.

Click here to view the Reality Fair Permission Slip 2018

Dear ARHS Parents and Guardians,

Over the last day or so, I have received several emails from parents and guardians regarding the recent school shooting in Florida. Each essentially posed the same question: what does ARHS do to prevent such things from happening here? There was a very clear emphasis on prevention. The interest was not on how would we respond in the event of a school shooting. The focus, instead, was on what we do to increase the likelihood that something like this doesn’t happen here.

Below I summarize our work on the prevention front and, as well, review our response procedures.

Prevention

A basic assumption has to do with signs – the belief that perpetrators have left a trail of clues that pointed to their troubled state and that, if only someone had noticed or paid attention, the violence could have been prevented. What follows from this is that the eyes and ears of the ARHS adults are our most important first-line defense.

ARHS is organized to pay attention. We have developed very strong reporting norms that apply to every adult in the building. The mantra is: ‘when in doubt, report’. Every year, in August, before students arrive, our counselors review with the entire faculty and staff their reporting obligations. This includes not only who to report to and how, if they observe or encounter a troubling situation, but, more importantly, what are the signs and indicators they should be alert to. An important category are students’ words or writings that reference suicidal ideation, an intent to self-harm or harm others or include any references to violence. These could be overheard, found in student papers or journals or even in a doodle that appears in a notebook. The training emphasis is this: ‘if it turns your head, has your attention if only in a mild way or otherwise leaves you with an ‘uh-oh; feeling, then you should refer this information to a guidance counselor or administrator. You shouldn’t try to interpret it or explain it way. Just refer’.

And this works. Every year, I add to my list of ‘great catches’ that faculty have made – situations where they’ve read the signs and signals of distressed students and didn’t hesitate to bring it to the attention of someone equipped to respond.

Beyond the eyes and ears of the adults, there are also organizational structures and routines that keep the school’s attention focused on students who are challenged or struggling. There are several groups that meet on a set schedule to develop and monitor intervention plans for these students. This work includes enlisting the support of outside providers and staying in close communication with parents or guardians.

Another important routine is our threat assessment protocol.  Several ARHS faculty members have been trained to assess if a student-issued threat is transient or substantive and, then, to determine an appropriate course of action. This work is conducted in conjunction with APD and, as well, actively involves families.

Lastly, there is also our anti-bullying and anti-harassment work. The heart of this is maintaining a school culture that promotes inclusion and acceptance. This is an affirmative agenda, one that extends beyond simply discouraging bullying and harassment. We have programming that supports this work throughout the school year. On our website, we also have an anonymous reporting function that allows anyone in the ARHS community to bring their bullying and harassment concerns forward. These reports prompt investigations by school personnel.

Response

At the beginning of every school year, we conduct emergency response drills with the entire school. All students and adults are involved. APD is an active partner in these drills. They attend and provide us with feedback, These drills include lock down, shelter in place and even our response should we receive a tornado warning. We will refresh ourselves on these practices at the March faculty meeting.

Last year, we augmented our traditional lock-down and shelter in place procedures with the ALICE framework. ALICE encourages schools to be more active in their emergency response approach. Lock-down and shelter in place both have faculty, staff and students behind a locked doors. However, ALICE encourages schools to have as part of their emergency response plans options that include evacuation, barricading doors and distraction. We believe these measures complement well our traditional practices and align us with the best,current thinking in the emergency preparedness field.

This year, every desktop computer in the school was equipped with an app that allows direct, real-time communication with the Amherst Police Department. In any emergency, response time is the critical variable. If a threat were to occur, rather than having to communicate with the main office, which would, then, in turn, communicate with APD, faculty and staff are able to direct their concern immediately to APD. Like with 911, the communication can pinpoint the location of the sender.

Lastly, over the last few years, we have added two security measures to all our classrooms and offices. The first is that our Facilities department swapped out all classroom door locks to enable doors to be secured from the inside. And, they also installed shades on all hallway-facing classroom windows and doors.

I hope this helps. If you have thoughts about other measures worth considering, please forward them. If you just have further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thank you.

Mark Jackson,  Principal

Please join us for information sessions for the Elementary and Secondary levels. Come meet our principals, the superintendent, and receive information about our schools and how to register!  These events are for both ARPS families with students transitioning to Kindergarten, 7th grade, and 9th grade, and families with children who currently do not attend ARPS (regardless any grade level). 

For rising Kindergartners & prospective K-6: Crocker Farm Elementary School Library on March 1st at 6:00 pm

For rising 9th Graders: Amherst Regional High School Library on March 6th at 7:00 pm.  There will be a session at 6:15 for parents/guardians whose children have IEPs

For rising 7th Graders: Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium Lobby on February 27th at 6:30 pm.  There will be a session at 6 PM for parents/guardians whose children have IEPs or ELL needs.

Please see the attached flyer for Information/Registration events at all school levels in ARPS. Please feel free to share widely!  To view the flyer,  click here.

Deadline approaching!  March 1, 2018 is the last day to sign up for Mr. Jean’s European trip this coming June.  We are traveling to Greece, Italy and Spain for 12 days and there are a few more available spots for students and/or parents.  This is a non-school sponsored event and we will be digging into the history of Athens, Florence and Barcelona while enjoying local cuisine and cruises across the Mediterranean.  Go to eftours.com/1938556KT to enroll and learn all the details.  Contact Mr. Jean at jeand@arps.org with any questions.  Our tentative departure date is June 28, 2018, returning July 9, 2018.

Amherst Leisure Services and the Missoula Children’s Theatre will hold auditions for King Arthur’s Quest on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 4:15 pm in the Amherst Regional Middle School Cafeteria.  The musical experience is open to students in K-12.

King Arthur’s Quest will be staged on March 10, 2018 at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm.   Tickets are $5 and $8.

For further information, see http://www.alsct.org.

Click here to listen to Principal Jackson’s most recent podcast.

from Dr. Michael Morris:

Dear ARPS Families and Staff:
As you may be aware, the road conditions across the four towns that comprise ARPS are often quite different.  Today has been a good example of a time when the driving conditions vary significantly across our towns.

This note is just a reminder that our elementary and secondary districts may not always share the same weather-related delays.  For instance, it is possible that the Middle School/High School/Summit Academy may have a two-hour delay on the same day that no delay occurs for the elementary schools in Amherst and Pelham.  

News channels may have a difficult time reporting this type of situation.  Clear information on weather-related delays is always updated at our cancellation line at 413-362-1898 and on our website at www.arps.org.

The senior exam exemption is designed to encourage students to stay academically focused during their last semester at ARHS.  Students who meet the criteria below will be exempted from taking final exams during the spring semester.  The exemption does not pertain to final projects, papers or other assessments. The eligibility criteria for senior exam exemption will also be modified in accordance with any specific IEP or 504 stipulations.

To be exempt from final exams, ALL of the following must apply:

1.       The student must have an average of B minus (or higher) for second semester in the designated class as of Friday, May 18, 2018.
2.       The student must not accrue more than six (6) absences in the designated class between Monday, February 26 and Friday, May 18, 2018.

3.       The student must have NO unexcused absences between Monday, February 26 and Friday, May 18, 2018.  An unexcused absence in one class will disqualify the student from the exam exemption in all classes.

4.       The student must not accrue more than four (4) tardies in the designated class between Monday, February 26 and Friday, May 18, 2018.

Please note:

•     To avoid any last-minute surprises, students are encouraged to use the PowerSchool portal to monitor their attendance throughout the semester.
•     Exam exemption is optional for seniors.  If a student meets the above criteria for eligibility, he or she is still allowed to take the final exam if it is advantageous to do so.
•     The grade calculated on Friday, May 18 is NOT a final grade.  It simply determines eligibility for this exemption.  A student’s grade may drop below a B minus after this date.
•     Disciplinary infractions may affect a student’s eligibility for this exemption.
•     Seniors are required to attend all classes through June 1, 2018.

Monday March 12, 2018 @ 5:00 PM, ARHS Library.  Please mark your calendars and join us for this informative workshop for parents and professionals.

RSVP to SEPAC@ARPS.org or call (413) 687-4255.

Basic Rights in Special Education – English
Basic Rights in Special Education – Spanish

February 19 – 23 – Winter Break

February 28 – Early Release Day

March 7-10 – ARHS Musical- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

March 9 – Teacher Curriculum Day- No School

March 10 – March 13- Boys Ultimate Tryouts

March 13 – Last Day to Register for Spring Sports; Sports Info Night  6:30 pm

March 13 – National Latin Exam at ARHS

March 14 – Early Release Day

March 15 – All Choruses Concert 7 PM

March 19 – Spring Sports Begin

March 27 – MCAS ELA Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

March 28 – MCAS ELA Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

March 29 – MCAS ELA Testing; 2 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

March 30 – Good Friday- No School

April 4 – Early Release

April 9 – P2 Grades Distributed

April 16 – 20 – Spring Recess- No school

May 23 – MCAS Math Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

May 24 – MCAS Math Testing; 3 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

June 6 – MCAS Sci/ Tech Testing; 2 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

June 7 – MCAS Sci/ Tech Testing; 2 Hr. Delay for Non- Test Takers

Deadline approaching!  March 1, 2018 is the last day to sign up for Mr. Jean’s European trip this coming June.  We are traveling to Greece, Italy and Spain for 12 days and there are a few more available spots for students and/or parents.  This is a non-school sponsored event and we will be digging into the history of Athens, Florence and Barcelona while enjoying local cuisine and cruises across the Mediterranean.  Go to eftours.com/1938556KT to enroll and learn all the details.  Contact Mr. Jean at jeand@arps.org with any questions.  Our tentative departure date is June 28, 2018, returning July 9, 2018.

• Take the Screen Time quiz
• Check out our previous coverage on young children and small screens
• View a round up of some of the latest research on screen timeAs always, send tips, responses or story ideas to npred@npr.org.

  As always, send tips, responses or story ideas to npred@npr.org.

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the homework you have to do?
Do you find yourself nervous and anxious before tests?
Do you struggle to balance everything?
Do you have a Directed Study C Period?
All of us experience stress.

Do you know safe ways to cope and prevent stress?
Come to an Information Session in the library conference room to learn ways to manage stress in a friendly setting

Friday February 16th
Friday February 23rd
Friday March 2nd

Come to any of the sessions or all of them!

● Welcome and introductions
● Introduction to stress – fight/flight/freeze response
● Review of coping skills
● Practicing a mindfulness-based grounding exercise
● Questions and final thoughts

Bring your friends! (There will be snacks!!)
For more information, email Molly at alvinm@arps.org or come to our first meeting on February 16th
*If you don’t have Directed Study and are interested, contact us to learn how you can get involved.

The February Early Release Day has been rescheduled.  It is now on Wednesday, February 28.

Avi Randall was awarded second runner-up for the 2018 Herb Pomeroy Jazz Composition and Arranging Contest, which is part of Berklee College of Music’s  High School Jazz Festival in Boston, Massachusetts.  A national competition, the award comes with a partial scholarship to attend Berklee’s Summer Performance Program.

See the link for further details –  http://festival.berkleejazz.org/herbpomeroy2018/

The date for the MEFA college admissions presentation for juniors and parents/guardians has been changed to Monday, March 26  at 7:00 pm in the ARHS library instead of Thursday, March 22.

The 2018 UMass Field Hockey Clinic will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 2-5 pm
The Clinic is open to any and all athletes ages 13-18.  The coaching staff will be UMass Coaches & Players.  The cost is $75.

To register for the clinic, click on the following link:  -REGISTER FOR CLINIC-

The 7v7 Tournament will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 12-5 pm.  U16, U19 7v7 Outdoor Tournament.  Maximum of 8 teams, guaranteed 5×25 minute games.  Individuals may sign up to play for a house team.  The cost id $350 for a team and $60 for individuals.

To register for the Tournament, click on the following links: As Team          As Individual

The games will be played at the UMass Field Hockey’s Gladchuk Sports Complex which has a water-based turf.

The Autism: Parent Training Series of tomorrow has been re-scheduled.  Please see below for the revised event information.

Moving Through School: How to Adjust to New Schools and New Expectations

Date: Wednesday March 7

Time:  6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location:  Amherst Regional Middle School, PD Center

Childcare is available for in-district families.  Please RSVP to AnnearTL@arps.org prior to Monday March 5, 2018.

What is your teen doing during the February vacation (February 19-23)?

Amherst Leisure Services and the Missoula Children’s Theatre will hold auditions for King Arthur’s Quest on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 4:15 pm in the Amherst Regional Middle School Cafeteria.  The musical experience is open to students in K-12.

King Arthur’s Quest will be staged on March 10, 2018 at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm.   Tickets are $5 and $8.

For further information, see http://www.alsct.org.

This year, we have decided to implement a different MCAS test administration model.  Our goal is to provide better testing conditions for our students taking this high stakes test.

To accomplish this, there will be two bus runs:  

• The first bus run, for test takers and middle school students, will be at the normal time.  Students will arrive at school for our typical start time of 7:45 a.m.
• The second bus run, for 9th, 11th, and 12th grade students not testing, will run on a 2 or 3 hour delay (see schedule below).

We will also have a non-standard bell schedule on each MCAS testing day.  Those daily schedules are included at the end of this letter.

Thank you for your support of our effort to provide the best conditions for your children on this high stakes test.  Please feel free to contact me or your child’s guidance counselor with questions and/or concerns.

Sincerely,

Ericka Alschuler

Interim Assistant Principal

Daily Schedules for MCAS Testing Days

English Language Arts (March 27-29)

Tuesday, March 27 – Day 3

Wednesday, March 28 – Day 4

Thursday, March 29 – Day 5

Mathematics (May 23-24)

Wednesday, May 23 – Day 3

Thursday, May 24 – Day 4

Science/Technology/Engineering (June 6-7)

Wednesday, June 6 – Day 5

Thursday, June 7 – Day 6