ARHS PGO Parent News

Join Amherst Education Foundation for an evening of celebration, fun, and food as we honor the 9 principals of the Amherst Regional Public School District and community champion Florence Bank.

Our principal honorees are: Mark Jackson, Patty Bode, Diane Chamberlain, Derek Shea, Lisa Desjarlais, David Slovin, Margot Lacey, Jackie Mendonsa, and Nick Yaffe.

Doors open at 6:00pm with a cash bar followed by dinner and entertainment, including music and trivia.

Proceeds support AEF-funded grants in our public schools.

Tickets will be available on January 21. AEF will send out a reminder with a link.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please email us at amherstedfound@gmail.com.

Thank you and see you there!

BECKY MICHAELS

MICHAEL HUTTON-WOODLAND

Co-Presidents

ARHS’s annual Cabaret is this weekend, featuring many of your friends in fun skits and small group acts! The performances will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00. 

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

January 5 – 7 – Cabaret Variety Show: 7:30pm in auditorium (Sun. 2pm)
January 10 – Bomba Concert: 7pm in auditorium
January 12 – Dance Showcase: 7pm in auditorium
January 15 – No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16 – B Period Exams Administered
January 17 – C and E Period Exams Administered
January 18 – D and F Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 19 – A and G Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 22 – No School – Teacher Curriculum Day
January 23 – Semester 2 Begins
January 25 – Coffee with Principal Mark Jackson
February 7 – Early Release Day
February 15 – Coffee with Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler
February 15 – Symphonic Orchestra Concert: 7pm in auditorium
February 19 – 23 – Winter Break

Tuesday January 16, 2018, 7 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst
121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, Mass

Join members of UUSA’s Green Sanctuary Committee to view the film, Chasing Coral.  This is a beautiful and informative movie about climate change. Coral reefs are an integral part of the ocean’s ecosystem, and are dying at an unprecedented rate due to warming oceans. The filming includes gorgeous underwater photography and stories of scientists gathering real data in the ocean, which can be a peaceful or a stormy field site. It is a great way to be newly inspired to continue the process of trying to work against climate change. Free movie followed by discussion and a Skype Q&A with Dr. James Porter, one of the leads in the documentary.

Amherst, MA – A new documentary revealing the high cost of our addiction to digital devices and the health risks, especially for children and teens, from exposure to wireless radiation will be screened at the Jones Library on January 18, 2018 at 6:30 PM. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Diane Testa, a Senior Lecturer of Biomedical Engineering at Western New England University, to answer questions relating to this topic and the upcoming legislative bills.

Like cigarettes and toxic chemicals before it, emerging science is revealing the concerning reality that some people suffer health impacts due to radiation from wireless devices. In GENERATION ZAPPED, scientists, physicians and health researchers discuss the mounting scientific evidence on links to serious diseases and newly developed illnesses, such as Electrical Sensitivity (ES).  Children and teens are especially susceptible to radiation from baby monitors, tablets and cell phones, and wireless routers in the classroom. GENERATION ZAPPED empowers audiences to understand how to reduce their exposure to protect themselves and their families.

Currently, there are seven bills in the Massachusetts state legislature relating to the use of wireless in schools, Electrical Sensitivity, cell towers, and Smart Meters. Wireless Education, a non-profit with offices in Ashland, is working with Generation Zapped to screen the film through Massachusetts to raise awareness about the issue.

Free and open to the public.

For more information about the library event, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.  For more information about the documentary, please visit http://generationzapped.com.  For more information about Wireless Education, please visit https://www.wirelesseducation.org/.

We wish you and all of the ARHS community a happy holiday season and a peaceful, well deserved break. See you next year! Your Parent News Editors — Becky,  Jennifer and Mare

Parents and Guardians are invited to participate in our 3rd annual Career Day advisory on Thursday, February 1st and to share your career path story with our 10th and 11th grade students.  This annual event, which has involved multiple parents/guardians and community members, has been very popular with our students.  We encourage people who participated in the past to come again so that students who might not have had the opportunity to hear from you can do so, and so that those who have further questions for you can get more information.  

Participating in our Career Day advisory requires only a 1 hour commitment, from 10:10 a.m to 11:10 a.m.  During your visit, you will be stationed in a classroom with another speaker and will be asked to speak for 10-15 minutes to a group of students who have signed up in advance to hear your presentation.  They will then have time to ask questions.

To confirm your participation in our Career Day advisory, please call 362-1714 by Friday, January 19th. Please include your name, job title/profession, place of employment, and contact information.  Further details about the event will be sent to you in January.

At ARHS, we strive to prepare students to be both college and career ready. Our goal is to inspire our students and educate them about the career opportunities open to them and the importance of furthering their education after high school.  We hope that you will join us for this educational opportunity. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Are you interested in Chinese language instruction at ARMS and ARHS?

Vaping is not harmless.  Did you know? In Massachusetts, almost 24% of highschool
students reported using e-cigarettes, and nearly half tried them at least once. More
high school youth used e-cigarettes than all other tobacco products combined, AND they
used them nine times more often than adults.

Vape pens and e-cigarettes are not harmless. They contain
nicotine and other harmful chemicals. The tobacco industry makes its products:
– Sweet: E-cigarettes or vape pens come in over 8,000 different flavors. Flavors are the leading reason that youth are using e-cigarettes.
– Cheap: Products are cheaply priced to encourage impulse buys by young people.
– Easy to Get: These products are at gas stations, corner stores, pharmacies, mini-marts,
and many more types of stores.

See the link below for further information or visit GetOutraged.org.

Vaping Not Harmless Flyer 1217 (2)

A new documentary revealing the high cost of our addiction to digital devices and the health risks, especially for children and teens, from exposure to wireless radiation will be screened at the Jones Library on January 18, 2018 at 6:30 PM. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Diane Testa, a Senior Lecturer of Biomedical Engineering at Western New England University, to answer questions relating to this topic and the upcoming legislative bills.

Like cigarettes and toxic chemicals before it, emerging science is revealing the concerning reality that some people suffer health impacts due to radiation from wireless devices. In GENERATION ZAPPED, scientists, physicians and health researchers discuss the mounting scientific evidence on links to serious diseases and newly developed illnesses, such as Electrical Sensitivity (ES).  Children and teens are especially susceptible to radiation from baby monitors, tablets and cell phones, and wireless routers in the classroom. GENERATION ZAPPED empowers audiences to understand how to reduce their exposure to protect themselves and their families.

Currently, there are seven bills in the Massachusetts state legislature relating to the use of wireless in schools, Electrical Sensitivity, cell towers, and Smart Meters. Wireless Education, a non-profit with offices in Ashland, is working with Generation Zapped to screen the film through Massachusetts to raise awareness about the issue.

Free and open to the public.

For more information about the library event, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.  For more information about the documentary, please visit  http://generationzapped.com.  For more information about Wireless Education, please visit https://www.wirelesseducation.org/.

There are only 5-1/2 school days left before the holiday break, during which time all applications with January 1st deadlines must be processed. In order to be sure your apps are submitted on time, you must do the following:

• Match your Common App and Naviance Accounts
• Make sure you’ve listed your schools in both Naviance and the Common App
• Request a transcript be sent to each school
• Check in with any of your recommending teachers, who have not yet submitted their letter for you, to remind them of your deadline and make sure you have provided them with everything they need to write your recommendation.
• For income eligible students, request a fee waiver in the Common App or pick up a hard copy from Guidance to mail to non CA schools
• For those who applied early, update your Naviance account with admissions decisions; add schools if denied or deferred, delete remaining schools if you’ve been accepted and plan to attend

If you have any questions at all, please stop by and see Mrs. Tracy in room 309 or Mrs. Cappelli in Guidance.

The Athletic Office has season passes available for purchase.

Adult – Fall or Spring Season – $32.00

Student/Senior – Fall or Spring Season – $20.00

Adult – Winter Season – $42.00

Student/Senior – Winter Season – $30.00

These passes will give you entrance to our regular season home games. Normal gate prices, per game, are $5 for adults and $3 for students/seniors citizens. These passes DO NOT give you admittance to MIAA playoff games. Cash or check – payable to ARHS.

The Bombazo/Fundraiser for Puerto Rico is Sunday Dec. 17 from 3-7:30. 3-5 is a Bomba jam where the Conjunto teaches the songs, rhythms, and dances to whoever wants to learn. Everyone brings a dish to share. 5-5:30 is dinner. From 5:45 to 7:30 we will have performances by local professional groups that feature Puerto Rican music and dance including Traditiones and the Gonzales Family Band. All are welcome.

Come to the “1st Annual ARHS Family Feud” 2018 Fundraiser as seen in the T.V. show. This will be held next Thursday, December 21st at 7:00 P.M. in the auditorium. Tickets will be $3.00 at lunch and $5.00 at the door

Each year, Florence Bank gives away $100,000 to community non-profits through its Community Choice grants program. The bank’s customers vote for the non-profit of their choice (one vote per account holder) & all non-profits getting at least 50 votes receive a grant.

Last year (2016), the Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO  (ARPS PGO) received got 52 votes & $947. This money went for special projects, classroom support & more.

This year, the parent guardian organizations of the ARPS PGO (Crocker Farm, Wildwood, Amherst MS, & Amherst HS) are campaigning jointly again to maximize our votes.
We need 50 votes total, just 13 votes per school, to win money to help our schools.

If you are a Florence Bank account holder, please help us and 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 view the online voting site & cast a vote for the “Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO”.
(2) Paper Ballot. Ballots are available at any Florence Bank location.

Voting closes on December 31st, less than 3 weeks from now.

Thank you for your support!

• Delays or cancellations are posted first on the ARPS School Closing Information line at 362-1898 (with a goal of posting by 5:30 a.m.).
• Notification is made next to the local television stations.
• Delays are typically two-hours, although a one-hour delay can be called.  With delays, students are expected to report the appropriate number of hours later than the regular school day and should plan to be at bus stops based on those times, as well.

• Las demoras o cancelaciones se publican primero en nuestra línea de cierre en 362-1898 (con el objetivo de publicar antes de las 5:30 a.m.).
• La notificación se publica luego a las estaciones de televisión locales.
• Los retrasos suelen ser de (2) dos horas, aunque podría haber retrasos de solo (1) una hora. Con las demoras, se espera que el personal se reporte de acuerdo el número de horas de retraso a su jornada de trabajo regular. Por ende, si existiera un retraso de una hora, se reportará a su jornada de trabajo una hora más tarde, y no habrá cambios en su hora de salida.

December 23 – January 1 – Holiday Break
January 5 – 7 – Cabaret Variety Show
January 10 – Bomba Concert
January 15 – No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16 – B Period Exams Administered
January 17 – C and E Period Exams Administered
January 18 – D and E Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 19 – A and G Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 22 – No School – Teacher Curriculum Day
January 23 – Semester 2 Begins
January 25 – Coffee with Principal Mark Jackson
February 7 – Early Release Day
February 15 – Coffee with Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler
February 19 – 23 – Winter Break

The Amherst Historical Society’s 2nd annual Ski and Winter Gear sale takes place on Friday evening, January 5th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, January 6th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crocker Farm Elementary School. The school’s cafetorium will be transformed into a ski market, with experts on hand to assist shoppers with selection and sizing advice to ensure their satisfaction. This two-day sale will offer hundreds of new and used skis, snow boards, skates and accessories at rock-bottom prices.

Consignment/donation opportunities: Anyone wishing to consign or donate their lightly used equipment for inclusion in the sale can do so by bringing it to inside of the front entrance of the Crocker Farm School on Friday, Jan. 5th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to sell that out-grown winter gear at a good price and pick up better equipment.

In addition to supporting events at the Amherst Historical Society, a portion of the proceeds will again be donated to the Crocker Farms Elementary Schools’ annual sixth grade field trip. Additional information is available at the historical society’s website at www.amhersthistory.org and also contact us at info@amhersthistory.org

If you are a sophomore or junior who loves to read, enjoys creative & thoughtful group discussions, and cares about/curious about Jewish culture…consider applying to the Great Jewish Books summer program at the Yiddish Book Ctr in Amherst. Students come from across North America from diverse religious affiliations & family backgrounds. Participants will read and engage with modern Jewish literature. You will study with college professors, meet authors, and make lasting friendships. Every admitted student receives a scholarship for the full cost of tuition, room and board, books, and special events.

There are two sessions: July 22-27 and July 29-August 3. The deadline to apply is March 5. More details and the application can be found here:yiddishbookcenter.org/great-jewish-books.

The ARHS PGO will be hosting a gift-wrapping fundraiser at Barnes & Noble on December 9th from 11 to 2 at the Hadley store.  Stop by, say Hi, have your presents wrapped while supporting the PGO!

Florence Bank gives away $100,000 each year 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.

Last year (2016), the ARPS PGO received got 52 votes & $947. Some non-profits get up to $5,000 through the program. The $947 received by the ARPS PGO went for classroom support, special projects, & more.

This year, the PGOs of the ARPS PGO (CF, WW, ARMS, & ARHS) are campaigning jointly again to maximize our votes.

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 (at least consider voting for) for the “Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO”, the name of our joint non-profit.

There are 2 easy ways that people can vote:
(1) Online – Visit https://www.florencebank.com/vote to view the online voting site & can cast a vote online for the “Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO”.
(2) Paper Ballot- available at Florence Bank location.

An interesting article on “how to parent through the college process — navigating hopes and expectations (yours and theirs) and the minefield of status and achievement pressure,” from Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Usable Knowledge.

Read it here: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/11/taming-admissions-anxiety

December 13 – Early Release Day
December 14 – Philharmonia, Jazz and Symphony Band Combined Concert
December 17 – Bomba Fundraiser for Puerto Rico
December 20 – Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chorale Combined Concert
December 22 – Early Release Day
December 23 – January 1 – Holiday Break
January 5 – 7 – Cabaret Variety Show
January 10 – Bomba Concert
January 15 – No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16 – B Period Exams Administered
January 17 – C and E Period Exams Administered
January 18 – D and E Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 19 – A and G Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 22 – No School – Teacher Curriculum Day
January 23 – Semester 2 Begins
January 25 – Coffee with Principal Mark Jackson
February 7 – Early Release Day
February 15 – Coffee with Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler
February 19 – 23 – Winter Break

The Amherst Historical Society’s 2nd annual Ski and Winter Gear sale takes place on Friday evening, January 5th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, January 6th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crocker Farm Elementary School. The school’s cafetorium will be transformed into a ski market, with experts on hand to assist shoppers with selection and sizing advice to ensure their satisfaction. This two-day sale will offer hundreds of new and used skis, snow boards, skates and accessories at rock-bottom prices.

Consignment/donation opportunities: Anyone wishing to consign or donate their lightly used equipment for inclusion in the sale can do so by bringing it to inside of the front entrance of the Crocker Farm School on Friday, Jan. 5th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to sell that out-grown winter gear at a good price and pick up better equipment.

In addition to supporting events at the Amherst Historical Society, a portion of the proceeds will again be donated to the Crocker Farms Elementary Schools’ annual sixth grade field trip. Additional information is available at the historical society’s website at www.amhersthistory.org. and also contact us at  info@amhersthistory.org

Here’s the link to Mark’s latest podcast:

The Merry Maple Tree Lighting will be held today, Dec. 1 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The tree lighting ceremony is a more than 40-year tradition in Amherst.   The events include:

An open house at the Fire Station at 3 p.m.

Muddy Brook Farm offers horse-drawn carriage rides around the common. Atkins Farms Country Market will offer apple cider and donuts for sale.

The Amherst Regional Middle School chorus, led by David Ranen, performs at 4 p.m. on the steps of Town Hall with the lighting of the tree at 5 p.m.

The UMass marching band will arrive shortly after the tree lighting, according to a press release from the Amherst Business Improvement District, which co-sponsors the celebration along with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and TD Bank.  The BID also provided money for the new LED lights that will illuminate the tree.

Santa will arrive with the UMass marching band.  On Friday, Santa will be played by Northwestern District Attorney Dave Sullivan.

Here are a couple of volleyball accolades for four students: Claire Basler-Chang, Teya Nolan, Natalie Elliot, and Sahar Douglas.

Claire Basler-Chang and Teya Nolan were named to the Division II All State Team by the Massachusetts Girls Volleyball Coaches Association.

http://www.volleyhall.org/girls-massachusetts-all-state-showcase—meet-the-teams.html

Claire Basler-Chang, Teya Nolan, Natalie Elliot, and Sahar Douglas.were selected by The International Volleyball Hall of Fame to the Western Massachusetts Girls High School Volleyball All-Star Teams.

Natalie Elliot and Sahar Douglas were selected for 2nd team honors; Claire Basler-Chang and Teya Nolan were selected for 1st team honors.

http://www.volleyhall.org/girls-w-mass-all-star-showcase—meet-the-all-stars.html

Following are Senior Tidbits from senior advisor Myra Ross:

• Congratulations on having completed 30% of your senior year!
• If you have not met with me this year, please make an appointment ASAP.  It is not too late.  You do not need to complete the senior questionnaire in Naviance to make the appointment.
• If you have not yet met with your counselor regarding your recommendation, you must make an appointment to do that ASAP.  We have a lot of recommendations to write and cannot do all of them at the last minute.  Recommendations may not be written on time if you don’t give us at least two weeks to do them.
• If you have not already done so, see the teachers who have agreed to write recommendations for you to be sure they have what they need from you.  Their deadline for uploading your recommendations is Monday, December 11.  Please remind them of this deadline.
• BE SURE TO SEND YOUR TEST SCORES OFFICIALLY FROM THE TESTING COMPANY!  You do not want to be the first kid on your block to be denied because a college never got your test scores.  Believe me, it happens.  If you are taking a December test, you should probably send the scores (four free) before you see them.  If you are on free/reduced lunch and took the test with a fee waiver, you get eight colleges free.
• Don’t forget to match your Common Application to your Naviance account.  There’s a blue box in “Colleges I’m Applying to” that requires your Common Application e-mail address and confirmation of your date of birth.  You must do the match if you are using the Common Application.  Remember, it will not work until you have put at least one college into the Common Application and completed the FERPA waiver.
• Remember to turn in your signed lime green release form ASAP or we won’t be able to send anything to colleges on your behalf.  It’s the easiest thing to do, and it’s of critical importance.
• WHEN YOU PUT YOUR COLLEGES INTO NAVIANCE, DON’T FORGET TO REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT SEPARATELY.  BE SURE THAT THE DEADLINE SHOWS (unless the college does rolling admission).  IF IT DOESN’T, YOU PROBABLY DID SOMETHING WRONG.  CHECK THE COLLEGE WEBSITE TO BE SURE OF THE NAME OF THE APPLICATION TYPE YOU ARE USING.
• Do you have any colleges with January 1 deadlines that you have not entered into Naviance “Colleges I’m Applying to?”  If so, it’s almost time to put them in.  The deadline for this is Monday, December 4.  The deadline for listing colleges with January 15 deadlines is Monday, December 18.  Please don’t miss these deadlines.  If you need to add a college after these dates, please tell a Guidance secretary.
• The UMass regular decision deadline is Friday, January 15.  Deadline for all credentials (including official test scores) is Monday, February 1, no exceptions.  Remember to send scores officially from the testing companies.  Most of you should apply.
• Remember to list all of your colleges in the Common Application as well as in Naviance.  Both steps are required in order for electronic transfers of school materials to work.
• If you applied early decision, please be sure to have your back-up plan in Naviance by Monday, December 4.  (Remember that a back-up plan must include several colleges that are less selective than the one you applied to already; you will not need the back-up plan if you are admitted!)  For now, list the colleges but do not request the transcript.  If you are deferred or denied, you will only need to go into Naviance and request the transcript.  It is important for you to know what you will do if your first choice doesn’t work out in December.  Many of your other deadlines will be in early or mid-January.  Experience has shown me that it is better for you to take time to develop the plan now when you are thinking clearly than to try to do it when you are upset after having been deferred or denied.  It’s not fun to think about that, but if it happens to you, you will likely be glad you developed the plan fully.
• Once you have submitted an application to a college, check its status frequently to see that all materials have been received.  The best way to do that is to log onto the application tracker on their website.  If two weeks have passed since you submitted, you can call the Admissions Office to have them check your file.  If they say they are still missing an item, come into the Guidance Office and we will fax whatever they have not located.  Colleges lose materials all the time.  Don’t worry about this!
• The financial aid PPT used by Mr. Ellison in last week’s Advisory assembly has been loaded into the Naviance Document Library, under Senior Documents.

On November 28th, ARHS PGO is participating in #GivingTuesday in support of our PGO Presenters Fund!  The ARHS PGO enriches the experience of our students and supports parents by bringing many presenters to campus.  We have recently helped fund classroom and community-wide workshops and presentations in the areas of:

Youth and Addiction    –    Islamophobia    –    Yoga    –    Interview skills    –    Poetry    –    Homophobia    –    Dance    –    Refugees in distress   –    Music

At ARHS we are providing a new college support opportunity for senior students. Additional Senior College Application and Scholarship help is now available at ARHS after school every Tuesday between now and mid-February in Room 141. A Guidance Counselor and the Writing Center Coordinator, Amanda Lewis, will be on hand to assist.

Students are encouraged to come benefit from this support throughout the various stages of their application process. This is a drop-in program so no advanced scheduling is required.

Amanda Lewis is also available to support students with their application and scholarship essays at other times as well, by appointment.
Please click on the following link to make an appointment with Amanda.

https://calendar.google.com/ calendar/selfsched?sstoken= UUhGX2NlVGpwcGthfGRlZmF1bHR8Mj EwMmMzZWI4N2IxZmFmNmU1OWU4NzY5 MzA2MDA4OWM&pli=1

The Bombazo/Fundraiser for Puerto Rico is Sunday Dec. 17 from 3-7:30. 3-5 is a Bomba jam where the Conjunto teaches the songs, rhythms, and dances to whoever wants to learn. Everyone brings a dish to share. 5-5:30 is dinner. From 5:45 to 7:30 we will have performances by local professional groups that feature Puerto Rican music and dance including Traditiones and the Gonzales Family Band. All are welcome.

Additionally, Unidos por Puerto Rico is collecting goods to send to families that are STILL in need after Hurricane Maria’s devastation. We’re placing a box on the front hallway so that everyone in the ARHS community can help us help them by donating high-need items, such as:

-Mosquito nets
-Insect repellent
-Hand sanitizer
-First aid kits
-Regular flashlights and batteries
-Water purification filters (especially backpacking, “Sawyer” brand)
-Solar-powered anything – batteries, phone chargers, radios, etc

You might be thinking, “Why should we care?” Simple answer: Because they’re just as human as we are. So, what can be better than for us to put our energies together to help? Please donate!

-Omar José Jiménez Soto

& Unidos por Puerto Rico

Florence Bank gives away $100,000 each year 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.

Last year (2016), the ARPS PGO received got 52 votes & $947. Some non-profits get up to $5,000 through the program.

The $947 received by the ARPS PGO went for classroom support, special projects, & more.

This year, the PGOs of the ARPS PGO (CF, WW, ARMS, & ARHS) are campaigning jointly again to maximize our votes.

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 (at least consider voting for) for the “Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO”, the name of our joint non-profit.

There are 2 easy ways that people can vote:
(1) Online – Visit https://www.florencebank.com/vote to view the online voting site & can cast a vote online for the “Amherst Regional Public Schools PGO”.
(2) Paper Ballot. Templates attached. Ballots are also available at Florence Bank location.

Voting is open until December 31st.

FlorenceSavingsBank_CommunityGrantBallots (1)

The yummy menu for the French dinner prepared by the Culinary Arts and French students will include Vegetable Terrine and Salmon Terrine with Green Mousse, Vegetarian Cassoulet, Chicken and lamb Cassoulet, Cheese Fondue, a Chocolate fountain , some Francophone African food samplings, a crêpe station and much more!

Email Jamie Simonson at simonsonjj@arps.org to buy a ticket today! $10 adults/$5 students/free for kids under 5. Dinner is on Thursday December 7 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the ARHS cafeteria. All proceeds will be donated to the French club activity fund.

December 2 – Theater Company Presents Henry IV
December 7- Francophone Dinner
December 13 – Early Release Day
December 14 – Philharmonia, Jazz and Symphony Band Combined Concert
December 17 – Bomba Fundraiser for Puerto Rico
December 20 – Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chorale Combined Concert
December 22 – Early Release Day
December 23 – January 1 – Holiday Break
January 5 – 7 – Cabaret Variety Show
January 10 – Bomba Concert
January 15 – No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16 – B Period Exams Administered
January 17 – C and E Period Exams Administered
January 18 – D and E Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 19 – A and G Period Exams Administered (Half Day)
January 22 – No School – Teacher Curriculum Day
January 23 – Semester 2 Begins
January 25 – Coffee with Principal Mark Jackson
February 15 – Coffee with Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler

Dear Parents, Teachers, and Mentors of High School Students,

We would like to announce an exciting opportunity for high school students interested in hands-on experience in STEM. The ASPIRE program, led by graduate students in the department of Polymer Science and Engineering at Umass Amherst, is a FREE outreach event that invites high school students to participate in a series of experiments in polymer chemistry, physics, and engineering for 5 Saturdays in January and early February 2018. Our goal is to create a platform for potential young scientists to experience the excitement of lab work, wrestle with scientific concepts, and have an opportunity to talk with graduate student mentors about our experience with science in college and beyond.

If you know a student (or multiple students!) in 10th – 12th grade who might be interested, please spread the word!

For more information, please contact us by email at aspire@mail.pse.umass.edu o r visit our web page at https://www.pse.umass.edu/ students/pse-student-activities

The ASPIRE 2018 application form (deadline December 1st) can be found at https://goo.gl/forms/HgZpCI UhfJGaVPsw1

And finally, here is the link to the ASPIRE Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/UMassMr secAspireProgram

Join us on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next event in this ongoing film and discussion series that may educate, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.
This month’s screening of 13TH is a powerful documentary which explores the history of race and the criminal justice system in the United States by Ava DuVernay, the director of the feature film Selma. The final half of the film will be screened, as the first half was screened and discussed at the October meeting. After the discussion, work will continue in small working groups to advance anti-racism action projects that have been undertaken.
Free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.
This film series is co-sponsored by the Jones Library and Coming Together. More information about Coming Together can be found at http://www.coming-together.org/.

Please find the Winter Children’s Activity Packet here for your review.

Just a reminder that there is no school Wednesday, Nov. 22- Friday, Nov. 24 in recognition of Thanksgiving.

Per, Superintendent Morris, no homework or professional work will be given, completed,or required by students and teachers over the Thanksgiving Break. Long range projects will not have a due date of November 27th.

A shout out to the Field Hockey team!!!  They are the winners of the MIAA Sportsmanship Award this year!!!  The award will be presented to a group of players, and their coach, this Saturday at Worcester Poly Tech.  GO CANES!

The ARHS 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!

November 17 – Deadline to register and pay for winter sports
November 22-24 – No School – Thanksgiving Break
November 27 – High School Winter Sports Start
November 30 – December 2 – Theater Company Presents Henry IV
December 13 – Early Release Day
December 14 – Philharmonia, Jazz and Symphony Band Combined Concert
December 17 – Bomba Fundraiser for Puerto Rico
December 20 – Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chorale Combined Concert
December 22 – Early Release Day
December 23 – January 1 – Holiday Break
January 5 – 7 — Cabaret Variety Show
January 15 — No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16 – 19 — Exams Week
January 22 — No School – Teacher Curriculum Day
January 23 — Semester 2 Begins

Join us on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next event in this ongoing film and discussion series that may educate, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.

This month’s screening of 13TH is a powerful documentary which explores the history of race and the criminal justice system in the United States by Ava DuVernay, the director of the feature film Selma. The final half of the film will be screened, as the first half was screened and discussed at the October meeting. After the discussion, work will continue in small working groups to advance anti-racism action projects that have been undertaken.

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

This film series is co-sponsored by the Jones Library and Coming Together.  More information about Coming Together can be found at http://www.coming-together.org/.

Starlight’s Youth Theatre invites you Sunday, November 19th, to join our Spring programming with a registration day at Maple Ridge Community Center. Get to know your director and cast members by learning some music and movement from the show.

• Lion King Jr Grades 1-6, 1pm-1:45pm
• Starlight Express Grades 7-12, 2pm-3pm

Register to reserve your spot with a $50 deposit and pick up materials at the workshop so you can go home and start listening to these amazing musicals!

For more info about cost, rehearsals and performances visit our website.

I should’ve provided the ARHS community with an update about the power outage we experienced last week. My apologies. What follows is a summary of the day’s events.

Early morning power outages are not uncommon. And most are resolved with, literally, a flip of a switch. So, early Monday morning, I wasn’t that concerned when I arrived to school. We had people promptly working on the problem and I assumed that there would be quick resolution.

Around 6:45 or so, I received word that the problem was not at all routine. Our own equipment, rather than the electrical company’s, had malfunctioned and repairing it would take most of the day.

At this point, our buses were already on the road and students would start arriving by 7:15. So, our thinking moved on to how to ensure students’ safety and make the best of the day.

Here, it is important to note that the school has a back-up generator. So, hallways and stairwells have light, allowing for safe transitions. Classrooms, however, do not.

As students entered the building, all administrators, guidance counselors and deans were deployed throughout the building to ensure that students arrived to class safely. All window-less bathrooms were locked and students were directed to those that had natural light. And we began setting up a land line to establish phone communication.

With everyone in their A period class, I visited approximately 10 second floor classrooms. Without sunlight – the day was completely overcast – all the classrooms were completely dark. I had difficulty identifying students who were sitting in the back rows.

Generally, I would rather have everyone in school. Not having internet access or having to eat sandwiches for lunch are not reasons to stay home.

But, however much I would have preferred the day to be a lesson in resourcefulness and adaptability, safety is always the overriding concern and it was clear we couldn’t maintain it. So by 8:15 or so, my discussions with superintendent turned to figuring out how to mobilize the bus companies to take students home. Noon was the earliest both of the companies could return the buses to the high school, which is what ultimately determined our dismissal time. Lastly, we were able, prior to dismissal, to provide all students with sandwiches for lunch.

I hope this helps. If you have other questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thank you

Mark Jackson