ARHS PGO Parent News

Please join the ARHS PGO for Coffee and Conversation with Principal Mark Jackson on Wednesday, March 29th at 7 PM in the ARHS Library.  Topics include ARHS Updates, FY18 Budget and more.

Light refreshments will be served.

2017 represents the 36th year of a totally fun Amherst High tradition: Project Graduation (also known as Senior Party).  Every year, on the evening after graduation, parents of both seniors and juniors have organized a great party to celebrate ARHS graduating seniors and give them a final chance to hang out and have fun. This is not a school-sponsored event! It happens every year with a lot of help from parents, business donors, and the entire community.

Check out the website at: http://www.arhsprojectgraduation.com/

iCan Shine is a non-profit organization that teaches individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle through it’s iCan Bike program.  This five-day camp, requiring riders to attend only one 75-minute session per day, is taking place August 13th – 18th, 2017 at the Cambridge War Memorial.

iCan Shine is a non-profit organization that collaborates with local organizations to host camps in their communities.  This camp is being hosted by local high school students Nina Katz-Christy and Zaida Block in collaboration with the Cambridge Recreation Department.

iCan Shine uses adapted equipment, trained professionals and volunteers. With 75 minutes of instruction over five days, over 80% of riders learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently by the end of camp.

To be eligible to enroll, riders must be at least eight years old, have a disability and be able to walk without an assistive device such as a walker or cane.  Riders must be able to side-step quickly to both sides.  Riders must have a minimum inseam measurement of 20 inches and weigh no more than 220 pounds.

Cost of the camp is $250. Rider Registration and Volunteer Registration forms can be found at: http://icanshine.org/ican-bike-cambridge-ma/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: icanbikecambridgema@gmail.com

AHRS parents/guardians are invited to participate in our 2nd annual Career Day advisory on Thursday, April 27th to share your career path story.  Last year’s event, which involved multiple parents/guardians and community members, was very popular with our students.  We encourage people who participated last year to come again – the 9th and 10th grade students scheduled for this year did not participate in last year’s program.

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 reply to this email expressing your interest by Friday, April 7th. Please include your name, job title/profession, place of employment, and contact information.  Further details about the event will be sent to you in April.

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.

Brian Leaf will be offering a fee-based mini-ACT course at ARHS in preparation for the  June 10 ACT.  This course is ideal for students who have done a fair amount of preparation on their own and would like some useful hints and strategies.  The class will be from 6:00-9:00 on Thursday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 6.  The cost will be $250.

Sign up ASAP at brianleaf.com.  If there are six paid registrations, the class will be offered free to any juniors on free/reduced lunch.  If you are eligible and want to take the course free, see Mrs. Cappelli in Guidance.

The ARHS Boys Basketball team has advanced to the Western Mass Finals! The Hurricanes will take on Springfield Central on Friday, March 10th at The Curry Hicks Cage at UMASS. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Ticket prices are: $7.00 for students/seniors and $10 for adults. GO CANES!

Luca came in second in the state diving competitions in Boston!

Event 5  Boys 1 mtr Diving
===============================================================================
Meet Record: * 696.05   2/19/2012 Sean O’Brien, Concord Carlisle
State Record:   704.00       2012 Sean O’Brien, Condord Carlisle
16 Champ:   603.90   2/20/2016 Connor Pennington, Monson
Name                    Year School                 Semis     Finals Points
===============================================================================
Finals
1 Connor Pennington    SR Monson                  431.45     609.55     20
2 Luca Brashear            JR Amherst-Pelham     395.25     543.70    17

Dear ARHS Parents/Guardians,

You are invited to participate in our 2nd annual Career Day advisory on Thursday, April 27th to share your career path story.  Last year’s event, which involved multiple parents/guardians and community members, was very popular with our students.  We encourage people who participated last year to come again – the 9th and 10th grade students scheduled for this year did not participate in last year’s program.  

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 respond to Ericka Alschuler by Friday, April 7th. Please include your name, job title/profession, place of employment, and contact information.  Further details about the event will be sent to you in April.

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.

Respectfully,

Ericka Alschuler, Assistant Principal

Myra Ross, College Advisor

Hello juniors:

1.  Two-thirds of your junior year is just about done.  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 next week 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), next Thursday night, March 16, at 7:00 in the cafeteria.  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 2(Tuesday) panel presentation by seniors for juniors and their parents/guardians, at 7:00 in 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 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.
5.  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.

6.  There will be a large college fair at the Young Building at the Eastern States Exposition (Big-E) on Monday, April 3 from 6:30-8:30.  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 http://www.gotomyncf.com                                And print your receipt with the barcode, you won’t need to fill out any cards!

7. A test-prep partnership between Kaplan and the ACT has produced ACT® Kaplan Online Test Prep Live.  Go to https://www.kaptest.com/act/pages/actpartnership for more information.

8. Brian Leaf will be offering a fee-based mini-course at ARHS for the June 10 Act.  This course is ideal for students who have done a fair amount of preparation on their own and would like some useful hints and strategies.  The class will be from 6:00-9:00 on Thursday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 6.  The cost will be $250.  Sign up ASAP at brianleaf.com.  If there are six paid registrations, the class will be offered free to any juniors on free/reduced lunch.  If you are eligible and want to take the course free, see Mrs. Cappelli in Guidance.

Myra Ross

College Advisor

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 Tuesday, March 21st. 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.

Hello seniors,

There are some song birds out there, although there will again be no peaches this year due to the too warm and then too cold weather. Spring is coming, and you know what that means! Yes, the bulk of the college decisions will arrive in the next few weeks.

UMass decisions do not arrive in any particular order. Don’t worry if you have not heard from them on your portal yet. Wait until April 1 before contacting them regarding a missing decision. They have a lot to send out.

You will find in examining your financial aid awards, that they are like apples, oranges, pears and grapes. Read and compare them very carefully. Don’t fall into the trap of saying “They gave me $29,000, or even worse, they gave me $80,000 – over four years).” How much of that is grant and how much is loan? Much more importantly, what do you have to pay next year? What do you need to do to continue the award in the future? How will the award change in the years to come?

You are invited to a MEFA help session “Paying the College Bill,” about comparing award letters and making decisions on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 in the cafeteria. Bring your award letters. You can get individual attention from professional financial aid folks after the presentation. We have offered this several times now. It has been quite helpful. Put it on your calendars!

If you find that admissions decisions are not going your way and that you need help figuring out what to do, please come to see me right away.

If you are going to a community college, take your Accuplacer placement exam ASAP so you can register early. Procrastination will mean that you may be closed out of some of the classes you want to take. HCC Open House and registration is Saturday, April8. GCC will begin registration on April 18 for students who have taken the Accuplacer. Call (413) 775-1801 for an appointment. They will have their Open House for undecided students on Wednesday, April 19.

Please remember to put all of your admissions decisions into Naviance, including your final choice when you make it. We, and your teachers who wrote letters for you, would like to hear personally about those decisions as well.

If you are selected for financial aid “verification” or if you are told you need to complete IDOC, you must comply. Read the instructions carefully to see what the school that is requesting the information wants you to send, and how. This is not optional. Colleges will not award financial aid without your cooperation.

If you find that financial aid offers are not what you had hoped, come to see me about the best way to go about appealing.

Remember, our scholarship application deadline is Monday, April 3 at 3:30. Have you read through the brochure yet? Have you started the online application? If you are not independently wealthy, sit down at your computer and write applications for the scholarship awards! Read the instructions and submit electronically. Remember, the application and brochure were e-mailed to you on February 27. Use the links to open the documents or go to the arhs.arps website without the www! You can also find the application and booklet in the Naviance document library.

While you are thinking scholarship, look in Naviance under scholarships. Mrs. Cappelli has been inputting them as they arrive.

The Community Foundation of Western MA is a wonderful agency that provides a lot of financial help both in scholarships and zero-interest loans. Apply!! they decide what you are eligible for. They require an online application, the student aid report resulting from your FAFSA and an official transcript. Please apply at communityfoundation.org soon so there is time to get everything in by their March 31 deadline. Apply each year for that matter– they also have scholarships that are only available to college upper-classmen.

It’s a very good idea to visit the colleges you are considering. If you cannot make it to the special events they plan for accepted students, go on a regular school day. Go to classes; talk to students…

Myra Ross

College Advisor

The ARMS Educator award will honor an educator who embodies the ARMS core values and demonstrates their commitment to supporting their colleagues, their students and their community.

Although the award will only recognize one individual each year, the ARMS PGO hopes that the process will raise community awareness of the efforts of the middle school community as a whole.

Nominations can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by students.

Click here  for all the information you need to submit your choice for the award. To nominate a ARMS Staff Member, click here.The deadline for nominations is April 15th, 2017.

It’s that time of the year again! Registration for Splash! Spring 2017 is now open.

Amherst Splash is a one day event where middle and high school students take classes taught by Amherst College students. This year, Splash! will be held on Saturday, April 15th from 9am to 4pm.

We are thrilled to debut an awesome course catalog. This year features old favorites like How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube, as well as exciting new options like Introduction to Sailing and Minimal Logic. View the full list of classes here: https://amherstsplash.learningu.org/learn/Splash/2017_Spring/catalog Each student will register for 5 hour-long classes (one of which must be lunch), which are filled on a first come, first serve basis! There is a $10 registration fee that will cover all five courses, materials, and lunch. Scholarships available on request.

Register for Splash! here: https://amherstsplash.learningu.org/learn/register.html

Registration will be closing on Monday, April 10th at midnight! If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at amherstsplash@gmail.com.

Democracy: What is it and why is it worth fighting for? Many Americans are watching the decisions and actions by the current administration with concern. Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 16, 2017 as Austin Sarat explores the situation in regards to democracy and the rule of law.

The League of Women Voters is also hosting the two opportunities to meet candidates. There are many competitive races, especially in Town Meeting.

Candidates Night for2017 Amherst Elections
March 16, 7-9 p.m., Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium
Candidates for town-wide office in Amherst will speak.

Meet Your Town Meeting- Precinct Candidates
March 18, 10 am to 1:30 pm, Amherst Regional Middle School

These meetings will be moderated by the League of Women Voters of Amherst.

From the Jones Library …

Join us on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next film 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 film is a TEDxSouthBank video talk entitled “What Does My Headscarf Mean to You?”given by Yassmin Abdel-Magied. Unconscious bias is a prevalent factor driving culture, causing us all to make assumptions based on our own upbringings and influences. Such implicit prejudice affects everything, and it’s time for us to be more thoughtful, smarter, better. In this funny, honest talk, Yassmin Abdel-Magied uses a surprising way to challenge us all to look beyond our initial perceptions.

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 at http://www.coming-together.org/.

Amherst residents will have an opportunity to respond to the specific proposals for changing Amherst government that the Amherst Charter Commission has developed in response to input from many residents, Amherst town staff, elected officials and committees, as well as perspectives and beliefs of the individual commissioners. The first round of “listening workshops” sought broad input on any and all topics of concern and passion to participants. This round of workshops seeks input on very specific proposals coming out of Commission deliberations, proposals focused primarily on executive and legislative functions as well as on public participation.

All workshops will be held in the Jones Library Woodbury Room (basement of the Jones library). They are scheduled for different times of day in hopes there will be a time that is convenient for most people. Modest refreshments will be serviced.

· March 30, Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00

· April 5, 10:00 – 12:00

· April 11, Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00

Hello Seniors,

If you might possibly be going to UMass, there is some money out there that might just have your name on it!

1.  John and Abigail Adams scholarship:  If you were in the top 25% of MCAS scorers in this school, you have already received a certificate entitling you to $1,714 reduction in your UMass tuition each year.  Present the certificate to the Bursar’s Office after you enroll.  (This is also good at other MA public colleges, except the Mass College of Art and Design.)

2. Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery:  This annual $1,714 reduction in tuition is available to students who scored Advanced in one MCAS category and at least Proficient in the other two.  To receive the award, you must present additional evidence of “Mastery.”  This can be at least a 3 on two AP tests in different subject areas or SAT subject test scores that are above the published thresholds.  State or national recognition in arts or sciences can also be used.   This includes music or art All-State, a first place JETS team, as well as other recognition.  See me if you think you qualify that way.  If you are eligible, you received a letter and application from us last spring.  You must apply for the Koplik before May 26 although you can use subject test or AP scores that you receive by July.  Submit the application as well as evidence of ”Mastery” to Mrs. Tracy in room 309.  (This is also good at other MA public colleges, including the Mass College of Art and Design.)

3. Wilbur Ward Scholarship – through the Community Foundation of Western Mass.  You must apply by March 31.  You will need to request a transcript through Naviance and include the Student Aid Report from your FAFSA.  Don’t delay on this.  If all parts are not there on time, they will not consider you.  I know, you may not know that you are going to UMass by March 31.  Apply as though you are, and decline the award if you get it and have already decided to go somewhere else.

The following awards do not require an application.  AS SOON AS you deposit at UMass, email scholarships@finaid.umass.edu or send a letter of interest to Scholarship Coordinator, Financial Aid Services, University of Massachusetts, 243 Whitmore Administration Building, 181 Presidents Drive, Amherst MA 01003.

4.  Lizzie Dickinson Scholarship for female students from Amherst or Deerfield.

5. Charles Dickinson Scholarship for students attending the University of Massachusetts who are native-born residents of the townships of Amherst, Sunderland or Leverett.

This could be the easiest money you ever earn!

And, remember that the Community Foundation of Western MA also has awards only for college upper-classmen.  Good idea to apply every year.

Myra Ross

College Advisor

Massachusetts now has a new resource for low income people who need help with civil (non criminal) legal problems — Mass Legal Answers Online, http://www.masslao.org
Low income Massachusetts residents create an account on the secure website, then log in and post their legal questions. Volunteer lawyers answer the questions through the same website. There is no charge to use this service. People can access the site from anywhere that they have internet access, including smart phones.
Mass Legal Answers Online is part of the national Free Legal Answers project sponsored by the American Bar Association, and is being managed by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, with assistance from the Volunteer Lawyers Project.

pro-bono-attorneys-flyer

Plan now to attend the First Annual Civics Fest celebrating government and politics on Friday, March 24, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium. This event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Amherst, will include food, music, theater and competition. The theme for the 2017 event will be “American Institutions”. State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose will preside as Master of Ceremonies.

Teams are invited to register for one of the two competitions:

High schoolers in teams of 3-4 will compete in a round of debates. Each team (in pairs) will be given a topic and position they have to argue, and get about 10 minutes to prepare an argument. The two teams will then argue opposite sides of the issue.

Adults in teams of 4 will compete in one of two separate rounds of trivia, with a series of 10-15 questions in each round, writing answers on whiteboards and adding up points.

No preparation necessary! Register your team today!

For more information, contact Cynthia Brubaker at 253-6679.

March 11th – SAT Testing at ARHS
March 15th – Spring Sports Information Night, 6:30pm
March 17th – Registration Deadline for April 8 ACT w/late fee
March 21st-23rd – MCAS ELA
March 23rd – Combined Concert: Concert Choir, Philharmonia
March 25th – Amherst VFW Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for PGO, 8-11am
March 30th – Combined Concert: Jazz and Symphony Band

Senior Party planning meeting (aka Project Graduation 2017) on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 7 pm in Room 146 of the High School.  The planning committee will continue with plans for Project Graduation 2017.

A new water bottle filling station was unveiled this week at ARHS just outside the cafeteria. The PGO has provided funds for this and four more water stations at the high school.

The PGO was inspired to act by the Environmental Action Club (EAC), led by student Sarah Lee, a junior, who requested grant money from the PGO last fall to support a series of events to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Their activities included Earth Day Writing Competition and T-shirt painting, which involved ten EAC student members and Dr. James Fownes, the advisor of the club. The EAC also held a tag sale with used goods donated by ARHS community to raise funds to contribute to the water bottle filling stations and purchase metal water bottles for students.

The five new filling stations are replacing older water fountains in high use locations throughout the school. Ron Bohonowitz, Director of Facilities, is in charge of installation and has worked in partnership with the EAC and PGO to identify the units and locations.

March 2nd-4th, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm; Matinee, March 4th, 2 pm

With a timeless score from Cole Porter, Anything Goes is one of the great musicals that propelled Broadway into its golden age.

Join us on the deck of the SS America as it sails from New York to England with a shipful of separated lovers, excitable sailors and NYC’s not-so-infamous Public Enemy #13.

Replete with bright comedy and soaring music, over 130 ARHS student cast, crew and pit orchestra members will give you at least that many reasons to come.  Come see the school’s largest performing arts production of the year!

Purchase Tickets Online Here.

Please note: ALL TICKETS ARE GENERAL ADMISSION. Doors will open 45 minutes prior to curtain.   Tickets are $10 for students and staff and can be purchased online via the Performing Arts website or by cash or check in the cafeteria the week of the show.  Students on free/reduced lunch can be tickets at reduced prices by contacting Mr. Bechtold.

Following are scholarship procedures for 2017. The local scholarship/memorial awards booklet and the ARHS Scholarship Application form link is attached.

1. The ARHS local scholarship/memorial awards booklet and the 2017 Scholarship Application are also posted on the ARHS website: http://www.arhs.arps.org/academics/guidance_office and in the “document library” on your Naviance home page in a folder called “Local Scholarships.” Print copies will also be available in the Guidance Office.

The booklet is divided into two parts. The first contains scholarships that use the ARHS Common scholarship Application. The second contains local and regional scholarships that have independent application procedures.

The ARHS scholarship application process will be entirely electronic. You will submit via e-mail for each scholarship for which you decide to apply.

Directions:

Save the application (attached to this e-mail) into a folder on your computer.
Complete the application AS A WORD DOCUMENT. (Change the title of the scholarship at the top, and likely the essay you paste at the bottom, for each scholarship you apply for.)
Attach the completed application to an e-mail and put the EXACT TITLE of the scholarship you are applying for in the subject line. Be very careful about the title because your scholarship application needs to get to the appropriate electronic folder for that scholarship.
Submit the scholarship application to: scholarships@arps.org
Repeat the process for each application you intend to submit. Just change the name of the scholarship at the top of the application, the essay you paste into the bottom, and the subject line of the e-mail. Remember to be precise about the name of the scholarship on the subject line.
That’s all there is to it!

We hope you will submit carefully completed applications for the scholarships for which you believe you qualify. Remember to tailor essays to the specific qualifications described for each scholarship. Awards are designed to invite seniors with many different interests, abilities and backgrounds. Our deadline for receiving scholarship applications is 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 3, no exceptions (unless otherwise noted).

2. Some scholarships are not in the booklet because they are not local. Check the Scholarships section of Naviance ASAP. Application procedures and deadlines vary.

If official transcripts or letters of recommendation are required for scholarships listed in Part II or in Naviance, be sure to enter the name in Naviance under:
colleges, /transcripts, /request transcripts for scholarships or athletics. Indicate which materials need to be sent in the notes section at the bottom. Make sure you provide a deadline and deadline type (postmarked or received by).

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts: http://www.Communityfoundation.org. offers various scholarships and zero-interest loans. You submit one online application and they decide what you qualify for. They will require your Student Aid Report from the FAFSA as well as a transcript. Their deadline for all materials is March 31.

IMPORTANT: If you are going to UMass Amherst, you should absolutely apply for both the Charles Dickinson and Wilbur Ward scholarships. See booklet for instructions.

Scholarship Booklet – https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://succeed.naviance.com/download.php?id%3DR1FManB6VGlHVjBHNHFHeDBGRjRadz09&source=gmail&ust=1488500729730000&usg=AFQjCNFwYy3O1OICrbMqwS2NZsJFvbIhKA
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION class of 2017.doc

The ARPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council Meeting (SEPAC) will meet on Friday, 3/3/17 in the ARMS Professional Development Room beginning at 9:00 am.
Please sign in at the main office!
The Executive Board Meeting Agenda is as follows:
1. Public Comment
2. Approve minutes from 1/20/17 and 2/3/17
3. Updates from Dr. Brady
4. Update from School Committee
5. Update on dyslexia training in schools
6. Review plans for March meeting (meet and greet, School Committee
candidates)
7. Discuss Special Education Survey
8. Discuss posting of meeting minutes
9. Planning for Recognition Program/Budget
10.Update remaining workshops for the school year
11.Other

SEPAC agenda 3-3-17 Spanish.pdf

The ARMS Educator award will honor an educator who embodies the ARMS core values and
demonstrates their commitment to supporting their colleagues, their students and their community. Although the award will only recognize one individual each year, the ARMS PGO hopes that the process will raise community awareness of the efforts of the middle school community as a whole. Nominations can be made by parents, by other teachers or staff, and by students.
Go to http://armspgo.blogspot.com/p/amherstregional-middle-school-educator.html for all the information you need to submit your choice for the award. Go to http://armspgo.blogspot.com/p/amherst-regional-middle-school-educator.html to access the nomination form. The deadline for nominations is April 15th, 2017.

Transgender students in the Amherst-Regional Public School Districts will not see any change in their protected rights based on the revocation of a federal directive regarding locker rooms and restrooms.

Massachusetts law, guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, established District practices, and local bylaws permit pupils to use facilities consistent with one’s gender identity.

Our schools will remain welcoming and inclusive places for all students.

 Saturday, March 25th, 8-11 am
VFW Building, Main Street, Amherst

All proceeds will shared among the Amherst public schools (PGOs) with the intention of being used to fund healthy snacks for students.

vfw-pancake-3-25-2017-flyer-spanish

   vfw-pancake-3-25-2017-flyer-english

Meet Your Precinct Town Meeting Candidates on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Amherst Regional Middle School. The meeting will give Amherst residents the opportunity to meet Town Meeting Candidates and learn their views on issues facing Amherst.

Precincts 1-5 candidates will be present from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Precincts 6-10 candidates will be present from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Town Meeting Coordinating Committee and moderated by the League of Women Voters of Amherst.

 The Pioneer Valley is home to many gifted and creative people of all ages who will showcase their talent at the First Annual “The Valley’s Got Talent” Competition on Sunday, March 26th from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Buckley Recital Hall at Amherst College. 

For more information:  Contact: 413-813-7041 or the Amherst Senior Center at 413-259-3860 valleysgottalentcompetition@gmail.com

Amherst will hold the Annual Town Election on March 28th. Every election has a deadline of 20 days prior to the election by which one must register to vote in order to be eligible to vote in that election. Any person who is a Massachusetts resident and a United States citizen and will be 18 years old as of the next election is eligible to register to vote.

In order to vote in the Town of Amherst you must be a registered voter in the Town of Amherst and you must vote in the precinct in which you are a registered voter.

Massachusetts residents can apply online by visiting http://www.sec.state.ma.us and clicking the “Massachusetts Register to Vote Online” button to access the online application system. Any Massachusetts resident who has a valid identification card issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be able to use the online system to apply to register to vote, update their address, or change their party enrollment.

Massachusetts residents who do not have identification issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles can still complete an application online which they can print, sign, and mail or hand-deliver to their local election official.

You can check on your voting status by going to
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx You can register online or in person at Town Hall. You will need a photo ID or last 4 digits of your SS#.

Democracy: What is it and why is it worth fighting for? Many Americans are watching the decisions and actions by the current administration with concern. Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 16, 2017 as Austin Sarat explores the situation in regards to democracy and the rule of law.

Today, some believe that the rule of law and democracy are under attack by President Trump and his administration. But could it be this is as much a symptom as a cause of our current crisis? Does America face an erosion of public faith in long taken-for-granted aspects of our political life? This program will explore the current crisis and focus in particular on discussing the meaning and advantages of the rule of law and democratic governance.

Austin Sarat is Associate Dean of the Faculty and William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Science at Amherst College.  Author or editor of more than 90 books, his latest book is entitled Gruesome Spectacles: Botched Executions and America’s Death Penalty.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.

Amherst residents will have an opportunity to respond to the specific proposals for changing Amherst government that the Amherst Charter Commission has developed in response to input from many residents, Amherst town staff, elected officials and committees, as well as perspectives and beliefs of the individual commissioners.  The first round of “listening workshops” sought broad input on any and all topics of concern and passion to participants.  This round of workshops seeks input on very specific proposals coming out of Commission deliberations, proposals focused primarily on executive and legislative functions as well as on public participation.

All workshops will be held in the Jones Library Woodbury Room (basement of the Jones library).  They are scheduled for different times of day in hopes there will be a time that is convenient for most people.  Modest refreshments will be serviced.

·           March 30, Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00

·           April 5, 10:00 – 12:00

·           April 11, Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00

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 Tuesday, March 21st. 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 last year 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 16th and emailed to parents/guardians on Feburary 17th. They are due back by Tuesday, March 14th.
Please call Ericka Alschuler at 362-1714 or Myra Ross at 362-1720 for more information.

On Saturday, March 4th at 1:30 and 4, audiences join fearless Jim Hawkins, the scurvy pirate Long John Silver, a gang of swashbuckling Ruffians, a flock of loyal seagulls and many more at Crocker Farm Elementary for a bold and boisterous treasure hunting adventure, when Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 50 local students present an original musical adaptation of TREASURE ISLAND. This original musical production is part of the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s unique international touring project and is presented locally by Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater. Tickets are $8/adults and $5/children and seniors, and are available at the door.

Two one-hour shows at Crocker Farm Elementary School on
Saturday, March 4th  at 1:30 and 4.

Come join us for a raucous and rollicking performance!
Questions? See us at our website ALSCT.org
FaceBook at ALSCT (Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater)
or email us at missoula@alsct.org
For more information, see www.alsct.org, or call 413-259-9482.

Massachusetts now has a new resource for low income people who need help with civil (non criminal) legal problems — Mass Legal Answers Online, www.masslao.org  

There is no school next week. Have a safe, restful break.

Congratulations goes out to our Boys Varsity Soccer Coach, Michael Rudd.  Coach Rudd has been selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as the 2016 State Coach of the Year award for Massachusetts – High School Boys, Large School!

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

REGISTRATION:

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

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

PAYMENT:

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

Payment can be done online as well at: https://unipaygold.unibank .com/Default.aspx?customerid=1 211 NOTE: FamilyID and UniPay Gold aren’t linked, they are two totally separate programs. So FamilyID will always show that you have not paid.

VERY IMPORTANT: Clearly write your child’s name and sport in the MEMO of the check when you pay. You can drop off your payment or mail to:
ARHS Athletics
Amherst Regional High School
21 Mattoon Street
Amherst, MA 01002
ATTN: Sports Registration
START DATES:
All sports may begin tryouts on Monday, March 20th. Ultimate is not an MIAA sport and will begin a week earlier.
Wednesday, March 15th is Spring Sports Information Night for athletes and their parents/guardian. Time: 6:30 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria