ARHS PGO Parent News

If you have not yet had a chance to complete the survey of the APRS special education services, please consider taking some time to complete this now.

This year the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts have hired an independent consulting firm, Public Consulting Group, to conduct a survey of our special education services.

All parents/guardians of students who are currently on an IEP are asked to provide feedback through an anonymous survey.  Please know that your feedback will help to improve special education services across the district.  The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you have more than one child currently on an IEP, we ask that you complete a separate survey for each child.

If you have any questions, please check in the main office at your child’s school or call the Student Services Office at 413-362-1834.

Join us for another exciting summer of Ultimate Frisbee. This league is geared for people who want to enjoy the thrill and excitement of ultimate Frisbee, regardless of experience level. All levels of ability will be welcomed to join. All players will be assigned their own team in this fun and competitive league! Register at LSSE.org and then sign up at SULADISC.COM

Price: $45 (Save $10 if you sign up before June 2nd!)

Time and Location: All Sessions start at 6:00 PM at Plum Brook Recreational Area

Junior SULA

Tuesdays, June 27th—August 8th

• Session A, Activities for Kids (Ages 7-8)
• Session B, Elementary Division (Ages 9-11)
• Session C, Middle School Division (Ages 12-14)

Adult SULA

Session A

• Recreational Co-Ed (Ages 14+)

Thursdays, June 22nd—August 10th

Session B

• Competitive Co-Ed (Ages 15+)

Wednesdays, June 21st—August 9th

Session C

• Women Only (Ages 13+)

Mondays, June 19th—August 7th

The League of Women Voters is planning a “young readers day” at their annual book sale on July 26, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Each young reader may choose one free book that day.  The book sale will also be held on July 28-30 and August 4-6, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The sale will be at the Fort River Elementary School Gymnasium, 70 South East Street.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Books will be priced at 50 cents, $1 or $2.   Please visit www.lwvamherst.org for more information.

If you take almost all honors and AP classes with very high grades and will be either a first generation college student , or are a student of color, or come from a low income family, you may be eligible for free “fly-in” programs AKA diversity weekends at elite colleges. These programs require nominations and applications. See Ms Ross or your counselor ASAP if there are particular programs you would like to attend. See the Tidbits from March 23. For current information go to College Greenlight http://blog.collegegreenlight.com/blog/college-fly-diversity-programs-2016-2017/

Friday, May 19, 2017 at 6:30 p.m  in the Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle School Auditorium

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students with Special Education Services,

This year the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts have hired an independent consulting firm, Public Consulting Group, to conduct a survey of our special education services. All parents/guardians of students who are currently on an IEP are asked to provide feedback through an anonymous survey. Please know that your feedback will help to improve special education services across the district. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you have more than one child currently on an IEP, we ask that you complete a separate survey for each child. Please access the survey online until May 26th at: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Special-Education-Parent-Guardian-Survey

If you have any questions, please check in the main office at your child’s school or call the Student Services Office at 413-362-1834. Thank you in advance for your time and invaluable input.

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Morris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Queridos Padres/ Guardianes de Estudiantes con Servicios de Educación Especial,

Este año Amherst, Pelham y los Distritos Escolares Regionales de Amherst-Pelham han empleado a una empresa de consultoría independiente para conducir una evaluación completa de nuestros servicios de educación especial. Se le está pidiendo a todos los padres/guardianes de estudiantes que están actualmente en un IEP que provean su opinión a través de una encuesta anónima. Por favor sepa que su opinión ayudará a mejorar los servicios de educación especial a través del distrito. La encuesta debería tomar aproximadamente 15 minutos para completar. Si usted tiene a más de un niño actualmente en un IEP, pedimos que usted complete una encuesta separada para cada niño. Por favor, tendrá acceso a la encuest a en línea hast a el 26 de m ayo Español:

Español: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Spanish

Inglés: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Special-Education-Parent-Guardian-Survey

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor valla a la oficina general de la escuela de su niño o llame a la Oficina de Educación Especial al 413-362-1834. Gracias de antemano por su tiempo y colaboración inestimable.

Sinceramente,
Dr. Michael Morris

This Friday, May 19th, get food any time between 11 am and 11 pm at the Amherst Bertucci’s and mention to your server that you’re there for GVU (Girls Varsity Ultimate). Bertucci’s will donate a portion of the proceeds from your bill to help us pay for our season. Thanks!

To view the flyer, click here.

Prom Ticket sales begin Wednesday May 10th and end on Wednesday May 24th.  Tickets can be purchased during lunch(es) and after school in room 155.  Permission slips and guidelines were given during the April 13th advisory.  You must have signed permission slips and be cleared of fees by the time of purchase.  If you do not have the guidelines / permission slip, you may pick one up in the main office, in the guidance office and in room 155.  Free and reduced lunch seniors may purchase tickets from Mrs. Haygood.

JOB PANEL FOR TEENS (ages 15-21 years)

TO BE HELD AT THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER

THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017, 5:30PM-6:30PM

For Release:               Immediate

Contact:                      Tracey Levy, Program Director 549-3968 ext 102

Amherst, MA – In collaboration with the Amherst Regional Public Schools Vocational Services and the Collaborative for Educational Services, the Amherst Survival Center will sponsor a Job Panel for Teens on Thursday, May 25 from 5:30-6:30pm. The Job Panel will include employers from the area and a teen who has successfully landed employment. This is part of the Amherst Survival Center’s job search support program, and the third event of its kind for teenagers in the community.

The panel will include a guest speaker who is a manager at a local store who hires teens and other experts who can share with teens what employers look for when hiring youth and common mistakes to avoid while applying for jobs. The panel will also include a student who has successfully landed and kept a local job. The panel will answer questions and offer helpful hints about how to find a job.

No jobs will be offered at this event, but it is an opportunity to find out information and get support.

The Amherst Survival Center offers a light dinner on Thursday evenings from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Participants are welcome to join the center for dinner, and then attend this event.

“The Amherst Survival Center provides a series of programs that support community members to seek and find employment, including a weekly one-on-one service on Thursdays from 11:30am-1pm. All are welcome to use the service, the public computers at the Center, and shop in the Community Store for clothing needed for employment. “This is the third time we’ve organized this event specifically for youth, and we’re excited to be offering this kind of information support for them. There continues to be a need to support teens in this area,” said Tracey Levy, Program Director at the Center.

The Amherst Survival connects residents of Hampshire and Franklin Counties to food, clothing, healthcare, wellness, and community, primarily through volunteers. There is also a session of its free walk-in health clinic on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm.

The Amherst Survival Center is located at 138 Sunderland Road, in North Amherst, on the #33 PVTA bus route.

Amherst High School yearbook distribution is next week. Seniors may pick up their books on Thursday, May 18 after school in room 193 after school. Underclassmen may pick up their books on Friday, May 19 after school in room 193. Extra books are $50 ($45 for reduced-lunch students) ($40 for free lunch students). Extra books will be sold on a first-come first-served basis. Checks should be made payable to ARHS Yearbook.

Questions? Please email Lee Larcheveque at larchevl@arps.org.

A challenge has been issued to the class to have the highest percentage to ever attend by the organizers of the event–special prize to be offered!

Where: Mullins Center
When: Friday June 9th from 10:30 pm – 3:00 am
Who: ARHS Seniors and their junior guests

What: The best event ever including:  Bounce House and Inflatable Obstacle Course, Mechanical Bull Riding event, Photo Booth–make memories with your classmates, Delicious Food from Baby Berk, Friendly’s Ice Cream Sundaes, Brownies, cookies, chips, snack, fruit, and donuts from your favorite local places, Games including Ping Pong, Can Jam, and Corn Hole, Dance all night with a DJ, Henna Artists, Basketball including half and full court competitions and a new special secret event to top off the evening!

Rides home at the end of the evening (this is mandatory–all students are dropped off and then shuttled home at the end of the event by parent volunteers)

The purpose of the event is for the seniors to have one last night to be together with their classmates and have a great time in a super safe and fun place.

Details: Cost $50 per senior and $35 for a pre-registered junior guest

(Anyone needing assistance in paying please contact event chair: Tracy Farnham at tqfarnham@gmail.com)

Registration Forms are being handed out next week in homerooms, at the registration table at all three lunches every Friday in May and ending on June 2nd, being emailed home to your parents/guardians, and are available in the office.

Check out the event at www.arhsprojectgraduation.com

This tradition has been going on for 35 years at ARHS–let’s make this the best year ever!

This is not a school sponsored event.

Below is a link to an electronic version of the teacher recommendation packet Juniors received in Advisory last week.  I apologize for the delay.

Remember that next week is teacher recommendation request week.

When you think about which teachers you would like to ask, think about primarily junior year teachers who know you well and who can write positively about your attitude, work ethic, contributions to class, and/or the quality of your work.   Please remember that it is wise to have a back-up plan in case one of the teachers you ask is unable to write for you.
student teacher recommendation packet 17
In the packet are confidentiality forms which you must have a parent sign and an information form for you to complete.  There is also a Q&A that should answer any of your questions.  Feel free to see me or your counselor about recommendations or any other topic related to college admission.

Friday, May 19, 2017 at 6:30 p.m
Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle School Auditorium

Under the direction of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Morris and Director of Family and Student Engagement, Dr. Marta Guevara and in keeping with the Social Justice Commitment of the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools, the 11th Annual Latino Achievement Night aspires toward equity in opportunity, inclusion, respect and community-building in and out of the classroom. All families, friends, staff and
community members are invited to attend.

The Latino Achievement Night was envisioned over 12 years ago by the members of the Latino Student Achievement Initiative. This group, comprised of district students, staff and community members, came together to explore ways to increase the academic achievement of students of Latino heritage. A series of recommendations was formulated to address this critical issue and strengthen the district’s’ efforts to support at-promise students. A resulting step was the creation of a community event celebrating the achievements of Latino Students paralleling the customs of Latin American countries.

All students of Latino heritage will be celebrated in this event and those in transition
years (K, 6, 8 and 12) will be highlighted for their academic achievement, leadership,
community spirit, progress and/or effort. The evening’s program will include spoken
word, music and dance presentations by students and staff of the Amherst/Pelham
Elementary Schools and the Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle/High School. In
addition, ARHS Seniors will be presented with a traditional graduation stole to be worn
over their robes at the graduation ceremony in June.

The evening’s featured speaker will be Dr. Carmen Cosme. Dr. Cosme obtained her PhD
in Hispanic Languages and Linguistics from the Dept. of Languages, Literatures and
Cultures at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is currently the VELA
after-school program coordinator in our Middle School.

Please contact Mildred Martinez at 413 362-1871 with any questions or concerns.

May 13-14th- Amherst Invitational
May 17th – ELL Annual 7-12 Picnic
May 16th-17th – Math MCAS
May 19th – Annual Latino Achievement Night, 6:30pm
May 24th – Symphonic Orchestra, Combined Choruses, Wind Ensemble, 7:30 – 9:00pm
May 25th – Jazz Ensemble Tribute Show, 7:30 – 9:00pm
May 29th – Memorial Day
May 30th – June 2nd – Senior Exams
June 2nd – Last Day for Seniors & Senior Prom
June 9th- ARHS Graduation, 6PM at the UMass Mullins Center
June 16th- B period Exams
June 19th- A and G period Exams
June 20th- D and E period Exams (Early Release)
June 21st- C and F period Exams (Early Release)
June 22nd- Make Up Exams

Join us on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next in this ongoing film and discussion series that may educate, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.

This month showing is an excellent three-part series from Brave New Films that explores the many ways black Americans face racial bias. These short, but powerful films – Racism is Real; Black Protests vs. White Riots; and Prison System by the Numbers – explore the effects of racial bias on the lives of black Americans and the ways in which racism impacts American society as a whole. The film will be followed by a brief discussion and then an opportunity to continue work on some local anti-racism action projects.

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 athttp://www.coming-together.org/.

Saturday, May 13, 12-4
Sweetser Park, Lessey St, Amherst (Across from Black Sheep Deli)

The event will will provide an opportunity to meet with representatives from many of the great organizations that provide youth mental health services in Hampshire County. Whether you are a youth seeking services or a service provider interested in networking and learning about some of these organizations, the main goal of the event is to help spread awareness about the many fantastic organizations and services that exist, and to make those services more accessible to a greater number of youth.

Attached is the flyer for the event, and here is the link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1885103751760813/.
PYAP Resource Fair Flyer
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rafael at: 413-695-3150 or fields.rafael@gmail.com

Local Food Pantries – Including the Amherst Survival Center Food Pantry – Benefit from National Food Drive.

On Saturday May 13, the National Association of Letter Carrier’s Union will hold their annual “Stamp Out Hunger” national food drive. Across the country, households will set out a bag of canned food (and/or personal care items) by their mailbox by 9AM that Saturday morning. Letter carriers will pick up the food during their rounds and distribute donations to area food pantries, including the Amherst Survival Center’s Pantry.

The Amherst Survival Center depends on food drives and financial contributions to support its Food Pantry programs. “For the past year, we have distributed more food to Food Pantry participants receive, and we’re seeing a larger number of households using the pantry, where we now provide groceries to close to 700 families each month,” said Mindy Domb, Executive Director of the Center. “This has increased the importance of community food drives, including the Post Office Food Drive.”

Donated food should be unopened, non-expired and non-perishable (canned). Personal care items are also welcome. The Center has more information on the Post Office Food Drive, including a list of the most needed foods, online at: www.amherstsurvival.org/postoffice.

Throughout the year, religious organizations, businesses, civic organizations, sports teams, fraternities and sororities from UMass, and student groups hold community drives to collect donations of food or personal care items. Last week, the regional Valley Gives Day helped to raise funds for the Center’s Milk Fund, which purchases fresh milk for the Pantry.

The Post Office Food Drive helps stock the Center’s KIDS BOOST program, where families with school-age children get extra food during the summer vacation months. Families are welcome to sign up and use the program in the summer.

The Amherst Survival Center Food Pantry serves individuals and families in these 13 towns: Amherst, Belchertown, Deerfield, Granby, Hadley, Leverett, Pelham, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, South Hadley, Sunderland, Whately and Ware. It’s open Monday, Tuesday, Friday from 11am to 2:45pm, Thursdays from 11am to 6:45pm and the third Saturday of the month from 9:30am to 11:30am.  The Center is located at 138 Sunderland Road in North Amherst, and is accessible by the #33 bus.

If you would like more information about the Amherst Survival Center, please contact the Center at 549-3968 or visit its website at www.amherstsurvival.org .

Come see hucks, bids, scoobers and maybe even a Callahan!  Don’t know what these are? Come find out!

On May 13-14, more than 30 of the top Ultimate frisbee teams in the country — including six teams from Amherst Regional High School and Amherst Regional Middle School — will compete in the 26th Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament.

Games run 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday and 8:00 am – 4:00 pm on Sunday at both ARHS and ARMS fields.  Championship games start at 1:00 pm on Sunday near the ARHS track.  For more information, stop by the information tent at the Amherst Regional High School (21 Mattoon Street, Amherst, MA) or visit us at https://www.facebook.com/amherstinvitational/.  Admission is free!”

Thank you for giving so generously and helping raise over $1.6 million for 407 non-profits in the Pioneer Valley.

The PGO thanks the many community members who supported us on Valley Gives Day 2017! Your generosity boosted our Presenters’ Fund and will enable us to bring ARHS alum Miguel Paredes’ theatre group to the school for Dialogue Day. The balance of the money raised will be used to fund additional presenters next year (stay tuned for details). Thanks again for helping to enhance our students’ experience at ARHS!

The Amherst Hurricane Boosters was honored to participate in Valley Gives Day for the first time; with 90 donations, we came in 8th out of 150+ small non-profits and raised almost $5,000, including $750 in prize money.

The money will help subsidize the purchase of new field equipment for our athletic programs, including soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey goals, football field markers, and safety padding for the goal posts. The individual teams will also fundraise to help purchase the equipment.

Thank you for helping keep our athletic programs star quality.

Gratefully,

Chris Pariseau – President – ’91
Karen Stiles Dunn – Secretary- ’79
Rich Ferro – AD – ’97
Jim Matuszko – Coach – ‘73

Amherst Hurricane Boosters

ARHS students attended the MASC’s legislative advocacy day which brings school committee members, superintendents and student leaders to the State House in Boston to meet with the executive and legislative leadership as well as local senators and representatives. This annual event is an increasingly critical moment for MASC members to advance the message of the value of public education and ensure that legislators and other key decision/policy makers understand the issues and challenges that you confront and that they can support.

Following is information from Myra Ross for junior students:

1.  There will be an SAT offered in August for the first time ever – on the 26^th.  ARHS will be a test site.  I have just become aware that there are not very many schools that will offer this test.  If you intend to take either the SAT or subject tests on that date, sign up very soon.  Unfortunately, ARHS students do not get priority over others in the SAT registration process even though the test is here.   It’s first come, first served.  Sign up very soon if you intend to take it, and most of you should!  If you qualify for a fee waiver, see Mrs. Cappelli ASAP.
3.  If you haven’t met individually with me yet, please complete the Junior questionnaire for College Conference in Naviance and see Mrs. Cappelli for an appointment.

The Dance Theatre Ensemble’s Spring Concert has been changed to Friday and Saturday May 5 and 6 at 7:30 pm in the ARHS auditorium.

Following are the results:
Latin 1: Gold Medal, Summa cum Laude – Quentin Moliterno Roark; Cum Laude – Karina Pooser
Latin 2: Gold Medal, Summa cum Laude – James Landeryou, Justin Guaytanof and Naomi Johnson; Silver Medal, Maxima cum Laude – Yelena Maher; Magna cum Laude – Noah Labich; Cum Laude – Evan Hu, Dylan Robson and Samuel Leonard
Latin 3: Gold Medal, Summa cum Laude – Catalina Yang, Andrew Ni, Adira Cohen, Amy Benedetto and Giselle Hajir; Silver Medal, Maxima cum Laude – Timothy Demling, Celia Douville Beaudoin, Susana Feldman, Caleb Ireland and Jayden Nambu; Magna cum Laude – Greg Bernier
Latin 4: Gold Medal, Summa cum Laude – Nathan Ji, Neosha Narayanan and John Dinsmore; Silver Medal, Maxima cum Laude – Emily Hu, Louis Triggs, Gyselle Hennessey; Magna cum Laude – Rebecca Tuthill, Catherine Larson; Cum Laude – Ethan Saxenian
Latin 5: Gold Medal, Summa cum Laude – Benjamin Gilsdorf; Magna cum Laude – Shannon Lambert, Emma Schneider

Do You Hear the People Sing? Award winning musical Les Miserables school edition performed by Amherst’s own Brandon Dallmann as Jean Valjean, Shannon Lambert as Madame Thenardier, Sophie Schweik as Fantine and many other local talent from Starlight’s Youth Theatre, which was established 10 years ago as a non-profit youth theater in the Valley.

The play will be on May 12, at 7:00 pm, May 13 at 2:00 p.m. and on May 13 at 7:00 pm at the Academy of Music, 274 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060

Starlight Artistic Director Cynthia Strycharz, 30 year veteran director states  “In Les Mis we learn that love and compassion are the most important gifts one person can give another and that always displaying these qualities should be the most important goal in life. I’m so proud of the cast and how they are demonstrating those same qualities to each other. You will be brought to tears by the emotions they bring to this performance.” Truly a timely musical in this age of resistance.

Url for tickets: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1458342

Our website: http://www.starlights-youth-theatre.com/les-miserables-schoo-edition-spring-musical-7th-to-12th-grade/

Senior exams will be administered during regular class periods Wednesday, May 31st through Friday, June 2nd.  C, D and G period exams will be on Wednesday, B and F exams will be on Thursday, and A and E exams will be on Friday.  Friday is the last day of school for seniors.  They will be dismissed around 1 pm on Friday, June 2nd for our annual ice cream social.

Dear Teachers and Staff of Amherst Schools, and Amherst Community Members:

The Amherst Human Rights Commission has as its prime purpose to promote a community of mutual respect and to honor our diversity. We strive to promote attitudes of compassion and concern for all of our neighbors. To encourage these values, we offer the Human Rights Youth Heroism Awards, an annual celebration of Amherst-area youth. 2017 represents the twelfth year of these awards! It is the Commission’s intent to identify and celebrate local youth who have demonstrated acts of kindness, unselfishness, social courage and/or community service within their families, schools or community. Please help us by nominating a young person you have observed displaying exceptional kindness or consideration in the past year. Groups of young people may also be nominated to share an award. We strive to recognize children and teens across the spectrum of age groups and schools, including those who do not live in Amherst but who attend any school in town.

Nominations may be submitted through May 15, 2017, to humanrights@amherstma.gov or to the Commission c/o Deborah Radway, Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst MA 01002. The Human Rights Commission will celebrate this year’s Heroes at its annual community picnic on June 17 at Mill River Recreation Area. We will alert nominators and award recipients prior to the event so they can make plans to attend. We hope you will join us! Yours truly, Matthew Charity, Sovann Malis-Loeung, Emily Boutilier, Ingrid Askew, Sidonio Ferreira, Brenda Mutai, Jessica Maposa and Greg Bascomb The Amherst Human Rights Commission

• It’s almost May 1, sun, flowers and the “National Candidate Reply date.”  If you are planning to attend a four-year college, you must deposit at one of the colleges that admitted you by midnight on Monday.

• The Killings Family Scholarship

• If you have decided to attend a community college, you should complete their online application, list the college in Naviance and take the Accuplacer exam ASAP.  We will offer it here again on Thursday, May 4.  All of the community colleges are already registering for fall classes.  The longer you wait, the fewer classes will be available to you at the times you want to take them.  See your counselor, Mrs. Cappelli or me for help.
• Once you have made your college selection, be sure to read everything that is e-mailed or sent to you.  Be sure to adhere to deadlines for anything your college wants you to do.
• If you are going to enroll at UMass Amherst, apply for the Dickinson scholarships.  See previous Tidbits for more information.
• Here are the qualifications for the Hart scholarship, determined by a committee of your peers.  It’s a large award.  Applications are due in Guidance on May 1.  Please apply!  “Selected confidentially by a committee of ARHS seniors, this goes to one male and one female ARHS senior, who have shown industriousness and potential for success and have performed throughout their high school career to the utmost of their capacity and capability as a student, even if such performance has not earned high academic standing.  Special essay instructions available in the Guidance Office. Return your essay in a sealed envelope labeled only “Hart Girl or Hart Boy” on the envelope (be sure to include your name inside on the essay).”
• As soon as you make your college decision, please put it in Naviance and complete the Graduation Survey and supplement.  This should take about three minutes.  We cannot send your final transcript to the college of your choice without these steps.  About 50 of you have done it so far!  Let’s at least double it by next Monday!
•  Regarding waitlists:  If you are waitlisted at a college that you would really like to attend, and at which you will likely be funded adequately, I assume you have taken the necessary steps to remain on the active waitlist.  Contact your Admissions counselor next week to learn about whether they think they will be admitting students from the waitlist.  You want to be well-positioned in their mind if they do.  Remember, you cannot rely on a waitlist.  You should enroll at one of the colleges that has admitted you.

Congratulations.  You are just about finished with the college admissions process!

Myra Ross

College Advisor

ARHS and ARMS teachers traveled to Pakistan on a US State Department grant through the Civic Initiative at UMASS.  Teachers visited a wide range of schools in Lahore and Islamabad and many cultural sites. They were inspired by all of their interactions and surprised by the commonalities of their challenges in student centered classrooms.  You can view photos from the trip here.

Summer School registration forms and course catalog are now available. Please direct general questions to Ms. Tracy.  Student specific questions should be directed to your guidance counselor.

Come to a Gospel Choir Concert to benefit Amherst A Better Chance (ABC) on Tuesday, May 16th, 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, and the Gospel Choir at Amherst College. A reception immediately follows the concert. 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! For more information, contact Wendy Kohler at wendykohler@comcast.net .

Join LSSE for the annual Youth on Broadway Revue! Shows are May 6th at 1:30 & 7PM and May 7th at 1:30 PM in the ARMS Auditorium.

Advanced Tickets available at LSSE (413-259-3065) $13 Adults, $7 for students/ children/ seniors.
Tickets at the door- $15 Adults, $9 students/children/seniors.

The 4th annual Valley Gives Day is almost here! This is a 24-hour online giving day that allows people throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond to support hundreds of local nonprofits- including the ARHS PGO and ARHS Hurricane Boosters.

The ARHS PGO will participate with the goal of raising $1000 for the ARHS Presenters Fund! The ARHS PGO enriches the experience of our students by bringing many presenters to campus. We have recently helped fund classroom and community-wide workshops and presentations in the areas of:

Holocaust Remembrance – Culture of Consent   –  Islamophobia  –  Poetry   –   Refugees in Distress  –  Theater   –  LGBTQ+   –  Music

We need your help to continue to fund these types of events. Please make a gift to the ARHS PGO on Valley Gives Day!

The Hurricane Boosters (under the name Amherst Athletics) is participating for the first time, We are eligible to cash incentive prizes based on the number of individual donors – no matter how big or small the gifts – so save the date, spread the word, and help us raise thousands of dollars to benefit Amherst Athletics.

The Hurricane Boosters is a group of parents, staff and community members who are dedicated to supporting the ARHS Athletic Program. The Booster Club finances major projects such as playing field lighting, sports sounds systems, and scoreboards as well as smaller items for individual teams., Please LIKE, FOLLOW (with notifications on), and SHARE our posts on the Booster’s Facebook group. Click here to join the FB group

Do you shop at Henion Bakery or Collective Copies? How about dining at The Lumberyard or Ginger Garden? Attending a movie at Amherst Cinema? If so please visit the ARHS Project Graduation website to support the local companies who have generously donated gift certificates to fund our event. This is an easy way to help make sure the event is affordable for every Amherst Regional High School senior. Visit the website at http://www.arhsprojectgraduation.com and click on the Gift Certificates page. Check back frequently as we are adding more gift certificates weekly.

Join Us for the 2nd Annual Black Scholars Rising
Celebrating the Diaspora of African-American Culture
Friday, May 5, 2017 | 6:30pm
Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street Cafeteria & Auditorium
Food will be provided by the ARHS Culinary Arts Program.
See flyers below:
BSR Save The Date RESERVA LA FECHA_5deMayo

The Middle School and High School ELL Departments are hosting a picnic at Mill River Recreation Area (NEW LOCATION) on May 17 from 3:30-6:30 pm. It is a potluck event where we honor our graduating seniors, welcome rising 9th graders, and say goodbye to students and staff who will not be returning next year. Families of current and former ELL students are welcome!

Transcript fees must be paid before you can purchase a prom ticket or your last day of school, which is Friday, June 2nd. To find out how much you owe, click on “Transcripts” on the Colleges tab in your Naviance account, and then select “View the status of all my transcripts.” The amount you owe can be found at the bottom of the page under “Transcript Fees.” If you are on free/reduced lunch the fees are waived. Payment can be made in the Guidance Office via cash or check (payable to ARHS), or electronically by clicking on the UniBank link on your Naviance Home Page.

Also, the Francis Hart scholarship application is due Monday May 1. If you haven’t picked up the essay prompt and you think you will apply, please get it in the Guidance Office. This is for students who have had to work really hard in high school through difficult circumstances. This is the big one given at the end of awards night. Check in guidance if you have any questions.

The Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools-School Equity Task Force meets the first Wednesday of each month, form 6 pm to 8 pm, in the high school library. We invite all parents and guardians to attend our meetings. We discuss issues of equity in our schools and how to resolve inequitable obstacles as they confront our youth.

April 27th-30th – Student Produced Plays, 7:30 – 9:30 pm

May 2nd – Chorale Spring Concert, S. Congregational Church, 7:30 – 9 pm

May 2nd – Valley Gives Day

May 5th – 2nd Annual Black Scholars Rising, 6:30 pm

May 10th – Early Release

May 12th – DTE Spring Concert, 7:30 – 9:00pm

May 13-14th- Amherst Invitational

May 17th – ELL Annual 7-12 Picnic

May 16th-17th – Math MCAS

May 24th – Symphonic Orchestra, Combined Choruses, Wind Ensemble, 7:30 – 9:00pm

May 25th – Jazz Ensemble Tribute Show, 7:30 – 9:00pm

May 29th – Memorial Day

May 30th – June 2nd – Senior Exams

June 2nd – Last Day for Seniors & Senior Prom

Amherst, MA – Libraries have long been advocates for reading and literacy for the people in their communities. Another community need now being addressed by libraries in an annual campaign is financial literacy and money management. Money Smart Week®, a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances, will be observed with programs at the Jones Library during the week of April 22-29, 2017.

On Tuesday, April 25 at 7 pm, join us for a workshop called Identity Theft: Are You Protected? This workshop will help explain the best practices to protect yourself in this world of ever-changing technology. Learn how to minimize the risk of having your identity stolen by managing personal information wisely and cautiously. This program is co-sponsored by UMassFive College Federal Credit Union.

On Tuesday, April 25 at 3:30 pm, teens ages 14-17 are invited to a Money Matters Million Dollar Event, which is designed to share with you some information about how to become a millionaire and retire before you turn 30. Please pre-register at 313-259-3091.

Throughout the week, the story times in the children’s room will talk about money, saving, and much more.

On Saturday, April 29 at 2:30 pm, learn about how to incorporate planned giving into your estate planning at a program entitled Creating a Charitable Legacy. Join Attorney Seunghee Cha, from Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas, and the Community Foundation’s Vice President for Philanthropic Services Ellen Leuchs for a joint presentation on ways you can give through estate planning and how the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts can help you support your favorite causes in our community, including the Jones Library!

Money Smart Week® was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002, and is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of thousands of organizations across the country including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media. For more information, visit http://www.moneysmartweek.org/.

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 22nd

Bocce, Badminton, Croquet