ARHS PGO Parent News

Emails have gone out to your school email if you have met the eligibility requirement to apply for membership in the National Honor Society. You are invited to submit an application to be a 2016-17 ARHS NHS Member. The ARHS Robert Frost Chapter of this organization recognizes students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher and demonstrate excellence in the areas of leadership, character, and service. The email you receive will contain a classroom code to join the ARHS NHS Google Classroom. If you would like to apply for membership to the NHS for this school year, all the information can be found in this classroom. If you would like to apply for membership to the NHS for this school year, all the information can be found in this classroom.
Further information about the NHS can be found on their website: http://www.nhs.us/
Questions? Email Mrs. White at whitep@arps.org

The Friends of the Jones Library presents: The 2016 Holiday Book Fair.  Come by and check out all the gently used books.  This Saturday, November 19th 9 – 3 PM at the Jones Library.  Proceeds go to the Friends of the Jones Library.

Do you have an ARHS teen that wants to go to college? When should you start preparing? How and when do you prepare for SATs and ACTs? Are you terrified of the whole thing? Well, we’ve got good news for you, come on down to the ARHS Library on Thursday, November 17th at 7pm for an Evening Coffee with ARHS College Advisor Myra Ross sponsored by the ARHS PGO. Get an overview of the college process, hear about Naviance, bring your questions and meet other high school parent/ guardians. Refreshments provided by ARHS Culinary Arts students.

Just in time for your holiday shopping, the ARMS PGO will be hosting an online store with a range of Amherst apparel and accessories, to help you show your Amherst pride and support the ARMS community.  The store is now open, and orders will be accepted through midnight on Sunday, December 4.  Purchases will be available for distribution to ARMS students (and pick up by all others) at ARMS on December 19 and 20, in time for the holidays.

See the arms-pgo-store-flyer

The store can be accessed at:
https://amherstregionalmiddleschool.itemorder.com/sale

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Sweeting at amysweeting@yahoo.com.

Nov 11th: Veteran’s Day- No School
Nov 12th: Crocker Farm Book Fair at Barnes & Noble, 10am
Nov 15th: Chorale Concert
Nov 17th: PGO Coffee with ARHS College Counselor Myra Ross, 7pm, ARHS Library
Nov 18th: Bomba/ Jazz Concert
Nov 23rd- 25th: Thanksgiving Recess- No School
Nov 27th: Sene-Gambian Scholars Book Fair at Barnes & Noble
Nov 28th: Winter Sports Start
Dec 2nd: Merry Maple Lighting 4:30-5:30pm on Amherst Town Green
Dec. 14th: Early Release Day; Students Dismissed at 12pm

Help the Crocker Farm PGO earn money to fund books & other purchases for our school. Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Hadley Barnes & Noble

10 am:  A Capella Music with Miss Leticia & her students

11 am:  Barnes & Noble Storytime, Penguin Problems, a picture book by Jory John

12 noon:  Authors Artemis Roehrig & Corinne Demas, Storytime & Book Signing for   their picture book, Does a Fiddler Crab Fiddle?

1:30 pm:  Amherst Ballet, Snow Maiden ballet dances, discussion & photo‐ops with Father Frost & Snegurochka

3 pm:  Author Cammie McGovern, Reading, Q&A, & Book Signing for her young adult novel, Just My Luck

4 pm:  Guitar & Ukulele Performance with Miss Leticia & her students

Throughout the day: stop by & visit the PGO’s table for info on the scavenger hunt, teachers’ wish list books, & more. Please use the Crocker Farm Bookfair Code: 11967171,  at checkout in any Barnes & Noble store or online from November 12th through November 17th.

On November 29th, 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

Just in time for your holiday shopping, the ARMS PGO will be hosting an online store with a range of Amherst apparel and accessories, to help you show your Amherst pride and support the ARMS community.  The store is now open, and orders will be accepted through midnight on Sunday, December 4.  Purchases will be available for distribution to ARMS students (and pick up by all others) at ARMS on December 19 and 20, in time for the holidays.

See the arms-pgo-store-flyer

The store can be accessed at:
https://amherstregionalmiddleschool.itemorder.com/sale

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Sweeting at amysweeting@yahoo.com.

ARHS Juniors Teya Nolan and Claire Basler-Chang were selected as members of the Western Massachusetts Girls Volleyball Team.

The girls were members of the ARHS undefeated volleyball team.

http://highschoolsports.masslive.com/news/article/671059489312347030/western-mass-field-hockey-postseason-super-7-undefeated-amherst-earns-two-selections/

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.

Does your child struggle to keep track of and complete assignments?  Are needed materials often lost or left at school?  Is homework completed, only to be lost before your child can turn it in?  These are all challenges associated with executive functioning challenges.  Come learn about the brain-based source of these challenges, as well as interventions and strategies that can help students plan and organize their academic work. There will be a presentation along with an opportunity to ask questions!

Guest Speakers:

Date:  Monday November, 14th
Time:  5:30pm-7:00pm
Location: Amherst Regional High School Library- 21 Mattoon Street, Amherst

RSVP: Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Nancy Stewart (sepac@arps.org) or 413-687-4255

Childcare can be provided if given notice one week ahead of time.

To view the flyer:  sepac-flyers-for-11-14-16

School will be closed on Tuesday, November 8 due to Election Day and the use of school buildings as polling locations (Teacher Curriculum Day).

School will be closed on Friday, November 11 in observation of Veterans’ Day.

DTE has to cancel it’s upcoming informal concert.  We working towards our formal concert on Jan. 13 and 14th!  We also won’t be able to do the date of our second informal concert because Amherst Idol will be that night.

Jones Library will host a Community Resources Fair on 11/12/16 from 11 am to 1 pm.  We will share information on existing community resources, which are of great support to families with children. It is also a great opportunity to meet other families. All families are welcome. Please note: the fair providers are bilingual (Spanish and English).

The event does not require prior registration.

If you wish you can register by phone: 413.570.3061. Tell us who will be coming and the age of any child needing childcare. E-MAIL: earlychildhood@collaborative.org  ONLINE: collaborative.org/programs/early-childhood/parents. We have free childcare and will be available throughout the entire event.

FREE Puzzle of Parenting workshops for parents are offered throughout the Pioneer Valley. Locations include Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, Granby, Hatfield, Monson, Palmer, Pelham, South Hadley, Southampton, Ware and Westhampton.  The workshops are funded by a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care, administered by Collaborative for Educational Services.

Community Resources Fair ENGLISH_Amherst.pdf

Community Resources Fair SPANISH_Amherst.pdf

Starlight Theater will hold a registration and introduction workshop for it’s upcoming plays on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Maple Ridge Community Center, 659 Amherst Road, Sunderland.

 9-10am: Annie Jr. Grades 1-6 Register and pick up your materials** for the show to start preparing these awesome songs!!! **At least a deposit must be made to receive materials**  At the Workshop you will learn the song and movement to “Hard Knock Life” with Dan Mashia (music director) and Cyn Strycharz (director).

Last month, Dr Ruth Potee, Chair of the Healthcare Solutions Committee of the Franklin County/North Quabbin Opioid Task Force, spoke to the ARHS Community about Adolescents and Addiction and Rising Opioid / Marijuana Use.  The powerful presentation sparked ARHS Community dialogue about how we as a school and broader community think about teenage use and abuse of marijuana, pain pills and other drugs.  The event was jointly sponsored by the ARHS PGO, SPIFFY[The Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth] and the Town of Amherst.

To view the presentation, click here.

Dr Potee Substance Abuse Presentation

Yearbook portraits are due TODAY- Friday, October 28th! We will happily use your ID photo in the yearbook unless you send us a different portrait by Friday. Please send them to yearbook@arps.org. We are printing senior quotes for the first timein three years. Please email your quotes to yearbook@arps.org. If you haven’t sent your baby photo, we have put in  your freshman ID photo already. Questions? Email or talk to Mr. Larcheveque.

The Theater Company is excited to be one of the very 1st high schools in the country to produce the Tony-Award winning Peter and the Starcatcher,a wild prequel to the story of Peter Pan. Join us this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 in the auditorium. Tickets are just $6 for faculty and students; $10 for adults. See you then!

Attention everyone! Yearbook orders are due Friday, October 28th! Each book is $50 (a price reduction of $15 over last year). Please be sure to buy one. If we don’t sell 300 books, this might be the last printed yearbook ever for ARHS. Order forms are available on top of the yearbook drop box.

Please submit your forms to the yearbook drop box.  Forms for both yearbook Parent Ads and Yearbook order forms can be found below:

2017-parent-ad-order-form

2017-yearbook-order-form

Online winter sports registration is closing soon. Ensure a smooth start to the winter season by registering NOW. The sports that are offered are listed at https://www.familyid .com/amherst-pelham-regional- schools . 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.

NEW: Online payment is available!! https://unipaygol d.unibank.com/Default.aspx? customerid=1211

VERY IMPORTANT: If you have to write a check 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

If there is a financial hardship, please contact Rich Ferro, the Athletic Director at ferror@arps.org

November 28th is the start of the winter season..

You are encouraged to register & pay prior to November 1st. Early registration enables us to have the most accurate tryout lists for our coaches.O

This message is for those of you who have signed your child(ren) up for a winter sport, or will be signing them up. 

Please mark your calendar for our Winter Sports Informational Night, Wednesday, November 9th.  This evening is for both athletes and their parents/guardians. Everyone will meet briefly in the high school cafeteria and then go to a sport specific classroom.  This will give everyone a chance to meet the coaches, ask questions, find out about tryouts and go over rules & expectations.

6:30 p.m. – Whole Group Meeting in the High School Cafeteria

6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Individual Team Meetings in assigned classrooms

Hope you can join us!

Reminders – 

• Registration deadline is November 1st.
• Check with the health room about your child’s clearance to play.
• Winter sports start November 28th.

The ARHS Guidance Department routinely hosts representatives from a large variety of Colleges and Universities.  Here is the list for the next week.  To view the complete list for Fall 2016, click here.

Parking Permit applications are now available in the Deans Office, room 168.  Please return completed application with $75 check.

Also, please bring in current car registration to show proof of insure vehicle.

ARHS College Counselor, Myra Ross, is looking for a parent volunteer how would be able/willing to ferry students back and forth to Amherst College on Essay Day at ARHS.  This would allow AC students to spend the most time possible helping our seniors complete College Essays.  If you are able to help, please contact the school at 362-1700 or Myra directly at rossm@arps.org

Does your child struggle to keep track of and complete assignments?  Are needed materials often lost or left at school?  Is homework completed, only to be lost before your child can turn it in?  These are all challenges associated with executive functioning challenges.  Come learn about the brain-based source of these challenges, as well as interventions and strategies that can help students plan and organize their academic work. There will be a presentation along with an opportunity to ask questions!

Guest Speakers:

Raloon Bialek, ARHS Special Education Teacher

and Denise Green, ARHS School Psychologist

Date:  Monday November, 14th

Time:  5:30pm-7:00pm

Location: Amherst Regional High School Library- 21 Mattoon Street, Amherst

RSVP: Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Nancy Stewart (sepac@arps.org) or 413-687-4255

Childcare can be provided if given notice one week ahead of time.

To view the flyer:  sepac-flyers-for-11-14-16

Oct 27-29th: Theater: Peter and the Star Catcher
Oct 28th: Senior Portraits/Senior Recognition Ads/Yearbook Order Forms Due
Nov 1st: Last Day to Sign Up for Winter Sports
Nov 1st: Halloween Fest- 7-10 PM ARHS Auditorium
Nov 2nd: PSAT Administered at ARHS
Nov 3rd: Registration Deadline for Dec. 3 SAT
Nov 3rd: Financial Aid presentation by MEFA at 7:00pm in Cafeteria
Nov 4rd: Registration Deadline for Dec. 10 ACT
Nov 9th: Dance Theatre Ensemble Performance; 7pm
Nov 8th: Curriculum Day- No School
Nov 9th: Winter Sports Information Night – 6:30 p.m. in ARHS Cafe.
Nov 10th: Progress Reports Issues
Nov 11th: Veteran’s Day- No School
Nov 15th: Chorale Concert- 7:30PM Wesley United Methodist Church, Hadley
Nov 17th: PGO Coffee with ARHS College Counselor Myra Ross- 7PM Library
Nov 17th: Bomba/ Jazz Concert- 7:30 PM
Nov 23rd- 25th: Thanksgiving Recess- No School
Nov 28th: Winter Sports Start
Dec. 1st- 3rd: Theater: Immersive Play Experience- 7:30 PM

from ARPS regarding Survey of Military Families:

Dear Guardian,

Amherst Regional Public Schools is conducting a survey to determine which members of the Amherst community are children of a military family according to the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3). Your participation in the survey is voluntary and is being conducted in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If you currently have a student attending Amherst Regional Public Schools, please take a moment to complete this online survey at the following address:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QQTG7RR

For more information on how this information is used to support children of military families, please visit MIC3 at http://www.mic3.net.

Thank you for your support,
Amherst Regional Public Schools

Vote Early!  For the first time in Mass. Voters will be able to cast their ballots before Election Day.  You may cast your vote early at any early voting location.  Please go to the following web site for more information www.sec.state.ma.us .  Select your town and the locations and dates are listed.  The dates are Oct. 24^th – Nov. 4^th, 2016. – Once you enter your town, there is a grid that indicates date, time, location and address of your choice.

In Amherst, Early Voting is going on now until November 4, 2016 at Town Hall.  Hours for Early Voting will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (including Thursdays when the Town Clerk’s office is normally closed to the public).

Early Voting will also be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the following locations:

• North Fire Station, 603 East Pleasant St
• Munson Memorial Library, 1046 S East St

Voters registered in Amherst can vote at any of these locations .

Are you interested in voting early? Please check your voting status prior to voting, whether at your precinct polling place on Election Day, or at an Early Voting location. If your voting registration is in Inactive Status, or you are required to show ID at the polls, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 413-259-3035 for assistance.

Not one, but TWO fun holiday shopping events benefitting community churches PLUS 20% discounts at many local stores and restaurants! (Visit http://www.amherstdowntown.com)
St. Nicholas Bazaar – Grace Episcopal Church (on the Common) 9am-3pm 14 Boltwood Ave.

Marketplace – Antiques and Collectibles, White Elephant, Toys and Games, Holiday Decorations,Baked Goods, Fresh Wreaths, Books, CDs & DVDs, Textiles, Framed Art, and Handmade gifts.

Lunch – Chili and fixings with beverage and brownie.

For more information go to http://www.gracechurchamherst.org or contact jobrien82@gmail.com

Stone Soup Bazaar & Cafe – Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst 10am-4pm 121 N. Pleasant Street

Arts and Crafts Fair – pottery, fabrics, wood, jewelry, mixed-media prints, greeting cards, photography, artisan soaps, honey, gourmet brownies and more. Parents, grandparents and people of all ages are sure to find that special something for the people on their list.
Raffles – themed gift baskets and congregation made queen-size quilt. Food – homemade soups and breads.

For more information go to http://www.uusocietyamherst.org or contact sandysladen@gmail.com
MAKE A DAY OF IT!

Amherst LSSE offers a youth basketball league for all Grades k – 12.

First Event: Jamboree on Saturday, December 10, 2016
Games Start: Saturday, January 7 2017
Game Schedules: http://www.quickscores.com/amherstmaades 9-12
Please check your emails and http://www.quickscores.com/amherstma for additional updates.

For more information, please click here or see the flyers below:

aybl-16-17-flyer-spanish

aybl-16-17-flyer

Thursday, Nov. 3rd and Monday, Dec. 5th, 7 pm at Shutesbury Elementary School

Attendance at both workshops is encouraged but not required!

What’s YOUR vision for the future?

The Town of Shutesbury is seeking community input to develop a 10-year vision for the Town. This process will work to better understand what matters to the community to identify a shared vision which will guide town priorities and provide a foundation for future planning.

Questions? Want to volunteer? email: mpwg@shutesbury.org

More information is available here, http://www.shutesbury.org/master_plan_working_group

Amherst Splash is happening this November 5th!  Registration ends Nov 1st!

Splash is a one–day event at Amherst College, where middle and high school students learn anything from Masks of the World to How People Make Money to Harry Potter: A Chamber of Secrets to Instant Chinese to Beat–boxing, all taught by college students!

When:

Saturday, November 5th 2016, 9am–3pm at Converse Hall, Amherst College, Amherst, MA 01002

A $10 fee includes course supplies and lunch. Scholarships are available.

CLICK HERE to sign up for your Splash! courses.

See Fall 2016 course descriptions

Download MANDATORY Liability Waiver Form

Here’s the registration link to get you started:
https://amherstsplash.learningu.org/learn/index.html

Please invite all your friends and pass the information along to anyone interested! Additionally, we are now on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/splashamherst) so give us a like and get a chance to see updates and what happens behind the scenes with us 🙂

Cheers,
The Amherst Splash! Team

We are excited to announce the opening of the new ARHS Writing Center in ROOM 141 on Monday October 24th!

The Writing Center is a place for students to get focused, one-on-one writing support to complement in-class instruction. We encourage students to schedule an advance appointment on the Writing Center Google Calendar (which you can find on the ARHS website under “Academics”), or stop by room 141 for a drop-in appointment.

Tuesday, October 25th, Crocker Farm Lobby, 3:30pm

AGENDA:
Introductions
Individual School Updates
Taxes and State Filings
Financial Protocols

• Donation Intake Protocols
• Filing/Record Keeping
• Group Fundraisers
• VFW Pancake Breakfast
• UMACC (United Way)
• Giving Tuesday
• Florence Bank
• Amazon Smile

Other Business not anticipated by the chair
Adjourn

 For the last 12 years, the International Students Club has sponsored an October fundraiser for UNICEF at the High School.  The club advertises the event by calling attention to the great need for education, food, clean water and medicine for children world wide. This need is especially great now with the highest number of refugees from conflict since WWII.

Called “Penny Wars for UNICEF” the club sets up in the cafeteria during lunch with milk jugs for each class and one for staff. We also have a box in the main office. The competition gets exciting as students put pennies into their own class’s jug ( 1 point each)  or higher amounts in other jugs – which subtracts points. For example a dollar will subtract 100 points ( but earn a dollar for UNICEF!)

Last year we donated $179 from the high school and the year before that $350. This year our goal is $400. Please support our fund drive by donating your spare change (or bills!) and help us reach our goal. The fundraiser lasts from October 24 to October 28.

Tidbits for Seniors from Myra Ross

If you are planning an early application of any kind, check Naviance before you go to bed tonight to be sure that you listed the colleges you will apply to early, that you have requested a transcript for each and that the deadlines are indicated there for all to read.  Also be sure that your recommending teachers are listed.  If the college has rolling admission, see a Guidance secretary to indicate your deadline.  It is critically important for you to make sure all is right if you want your school materials to go out on time.

If you need counselor or teacher recommendations for early applications, you should have requested these a while back and you should at least have an appointment with your counselor to discuss your recommendation.  If you don’t, see Mrs. Cappelli TODAY!

You should NOT wait until deadlines to try to submit your applications.  Remember the first four letters of the word DEADline!  Assume that you might possibly have submission problems and be pleased if you don’t.  The Common App website and Naviance both have had problems on extreme high volume days!

Be sure to look at your essays after pasting them into the Common Application.  Formatting is sometimes lost.  If this happens in your case, you will need to make some repairs before submitting.

Essay day will be Thursday, November 3, during school hours.  If you would like some help with your essay, sign up with Mrs. Cappelli.  Time slots will be assigned when we get the list of students from Amherst College.  Take advantage of this opportunity to get feedback from a trained Amherst College student.

Our financial aid workshop will be on Thursday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.  If you have any questions about the FAFSA, the CSS Profile or loans, you should attend this event.  Please invite your parents to attend and consider attending yourself.  Remember, financial aid deadlines are different from admissions deadlines.  Be sure you know how to do what you need to do, by when!

If you want help completing your FAFSA in November, you can attend a FAFSA Day workshop on Sunday, November 6 at either Holyoke Community College or Turners Falls HS.  Register in advance at fafsaday.org.    ARHS will host the same workshop on Thursday, January 19.

If I have not met with you this year, please complete the Senior Questionnaire and make your appointments to meet with me.

In most cases, at this point you should be sending your SAT scores to your colleges sight unseen.  If you wait to see them before sending, it is possible that they will not arrive at colleges on time for early deadlines.  We don’t know how long it will take the College Board to get scores out this year.  Protect yourself and send your October scores today.  If you already have acceptable scores, these cannot hurt you.  If you do not, you could test again in December and switch to regular decision if you do not like the October scores when you get them next week.  Naturally, if you are using ACT scores and have not sent them yet, do it TODAY!

Please share your test scores with me via e-mail if your decisions about whether to apply somewhere early will need to take those scores into consideration.  I do not have access to your scores when you do.  We get them from the test companies about a month after you do.

Families supporting families! Please consider attending any of these up coming free workshops!

Basic Rights in Special Education
Monday October 24th  5:30pm-7:30pm at Wildwood Elementary School

The Basic Rights workshop provides families with an introduction to their rights and responsibilities under:
~ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
~ Massachusetts Special Education Law

This workshop is designed to help parents learn to be effective partners with their child’s school to decide their child’s eligibility for special education, and to plan, make decisions and monitor their child’s progress in school.

Supporting Teens with Executive Functioning Challenges
Monday November, 14th 5:30pm-7:00pm at Amherst Regional High School

Presented by: Raloon Bialek, ARHS Special Education Teacher and Denise Green, ARHS School Psychologist

Does your child struggle to keep track of and complete assignments?  Are needed materials often lost or left at school?  Is homework completed, only to be lost before your child can turn it in?  These are all challenges associated with executive functioning challenges.  Come learn about the brain-based source of these challenges, as well as interventions and strategies that can help students plan and organize their academic work. There will be a presentation along with an opportunity to ask questions!

Please reach out to RSVP if possible by email sepac@arps.org or call 413-687-4255.

SEPAC is an organization of parents and is not an entity controlled by the Amherst Regional Public Schools.