ARHS PGO Parent News

The Amherst Regional Hurricane Marching Band is open to all current 7th-12th graders who are enrolled in an instrumental ensemble. Rehearsals are Wednesday 6:30-8pm and Thursday 4:30-6:30pm and most performances are Friday 6:30-9pm. Membership in the band includes free admittance to all ARHS sporting events which we attend including a UMass football game and free t-shirts, hoodies, and pizza. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact Head Coach Zachariah Clark at westernmassmarching@gmail.com

  Next week is ThinkTaylor Concussion Awareness Week: A week-long event (September 12-16) in partnership with the MIAA to help raise awareness and provide education for concussion safety. Check in with your student-athlete to see how she/he is participating.

Wristbands & Educational Bag Tags – For every Varsity team – Student-athletes will wear wristbands during games next week. Bag tags will be attached to show support and to use the back as a reminder of concussion symptoms.

The #TTPLEDGE – Coaches and student-athletes are asked to make the pledge – to be EDUCATED on the signs & symptoms of concussions, to be HONEST with coaches, parents, teammates and teachers and to be SUPPORTIVE of anyone with a concussion.

Who is ThinkTaylor: ThinkTaylor was founded by former Major League Soccer all-star and current ESPN Lead Soccer Analyst, Taylor Twellman. Twellman retired from professional soccer in 2010, due to complications from multiple concussions. In 2008, Taylor suffered a concussion that many believe ended his storied career and as Twellman later realized, this brain injury was far more than a career-ending injury; rather, it was a life-changing event. ThinkTaylor is driven and dedicated to changing the culture in the world of concussions. As a leader in the social change for concussion safety, ThinkTaylor’s positive message emphasizing awareness, recognition, education and putting the health of kids first helps create positive social change and in return a safer, healthier and smarter environment. ThinkTaylor is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. More information can be found at http://www.thinktaylor.org

We have only one brain and it needs to last a lifetime.

We’re all in this together.

GO CANES!

Come learn more about what parents and the community can do to keep our children safer, healthier and substance-free through the middle and high school years.

Thursday, September 22

7:00 PM in the ARHS Library

This event is free and open to the public.

Childcare and light refreshments will be provided.  For more information or to sign up for childcare, please contact the ARHS Office at 362-1700.

Dr. Potee is an expert in the area of adolescent brain development and its impact on teenage risk taking, including alcohol and substance abuse. She blends scientific research with hands-on understanding of the challenges of raising healthy teens.   Board certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Potee practices in Greenfield, MA and is the Chair of the Healthcare Solutions Committee of the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County.  She has addressed professional and community audiences throughout Massachusetts.

This event is sponsored by the ARHS PGO in collaboration with ARHS, the Town of Amherst Health and Community Service Department, the SPIFFY Coalition.

ruth-potee-arhs-flyer

Hello Seniors,
I will be visiting all Physics, Physics Waves, Astronomy, AP Environmental Science classes by next Monday.  If you are not enrolled in one of these classes, please plan to attend one of the presentations.  See Mrs. Cappelli in Guidance for information.

There is a big typo on the orange back cover of the handbook:
Sunday, September 18 is the College Fair at Western New England University from 2:00-4:00, with a financial aid info session at 1:00.

Monday, September 19 is the Early Decision/Early Action workshop in the ARHS choral room from 2:30-3:30 p.m.  the listing on page 11 of the handbook is correct.

About eight of you have signed up for texts from Remind, a disappointing response I have to say.  Using it is extra work for me, so unless more than 50% of seniors sign up by next Monday, I will not use it.  See the last Tidbits for precise sign-up instructions.

Naviance and Recommendations:  As I indicated in a previous Tidbits, Naviance cleared out the entire recommendation interface that many of you used to request your teacher recommendations last spring.  All of you need to go into the new one, found under Colleges/letters of recommendation, ASAP!

• You must put one college into Colleges I’m Applying To (not Colleges I’m Thinking About) before you can request a recommendation.
• The new interface requires you to select the particular teacher recommendations you wish to send to each college.
• Some colleges will accept only one recommendation, some two and some more than two.  You must decide which is the most important recommendation you requested and put that teacher in first for any given college.
• If you put several colleges in at once and if you have the same recommendation preferences for all of them, you can use the select all colleges feature to simplify the task a little.
• If you go back later and select more colleges, you will need to select teachers individually in order of your preference, for each additional college.  (There is a link to the recommendations list on the Colleges I’m Applying To page.)
• Naviance may still make some small changes, but they have been very responsive to torrents of criticism of the interface they rolled out last week!  If you find that there are still some features that do not work well, see Mrs. Tracy in room 309 promptly.  She has the head programmer’s phone number and will let him know!
• Because teachers often use your deadlines to determine which recommendations they write first, it behooves you to let them know ASAP if you are going to apply anywhere in November, either early decision, early action or to a rolling admission college.  I recommend that you talk to them in person AND make your official recommendation requests this week if you know you will file an early application.  This means for example, if you are applying to UMass early action (November 1 deadline), you should indicate that in Naviance very soon.  Teachers are waiting to hear from you.
• Please complete your Senior Questionnaire for College Conference and make an appointment to meet with me for your senior meeting and with your counselor regarding your required recommendation ASAP.  You will find that the senior year moves along very fast, so don’t delay taking care of this and working on your college application and essay(s).  If you do a little work regularly, you will not get as stressed out as you will if you leave it until “tomorrow.”

Sept 12th: 9th Grade and New Parent/ Guardian Night
Sept 13th:  Picture Day
Sept 15th: Emergency Procedures drill
Sept 16th: Club / Activities Fair (during lunch period)
Sept 19th Workshop for Early Decision/Action Candidates and Parents/Guardians; 2:30– 3:30 p.m.; ARHS Choral Room.
Sept 21st: Early Release Day, 12:00 pm dismissal
Sept 22nd: ARHS PGO presents An Evening with Dr. Ruth Potee
Sept 23rd: ARHS Community Kickoff
Sept 26th – Sept 30th: Spirit Week
Sept 30th – Oct 1st: Homecoming
Oct 6th: ARHS Open House
Oct 10th: No school
Oct 19th: Early Release Day, 12:00 pm dismissal
Oct 20th: ARHS PGO Community Conversation with Principal Jackson
Nov 7th: Dance Theatre Ensemble Performance; 7pm
Nov 17th: ARHS PGO Coffee with ARHS College Counselor Myra Ross

The ARHS Hurricane Marching Band is open to all current 7th through 12th graders who are enrolled in band class with Ms. Nye.  Rehearsals are Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  Most performances are Friday from 6:30 pm to 9 pm.  Participation in the band includes free admission to all ARHS sporting events, which we attend, including a UMass football game, free t-shirts, hoodies and pizza.  You can register online through the FamilyID program.  There is no participation fee for the marching band.

https://northwesternda.org/drug-abuse

Dance Theatre Ensemble will have two informal concerts in the dance studio at ARHS.  The first is on Nov. 9 at 7 pm and the second is on Dec. 16 at 7 pm.  Both performances are free. The end of the semester formal performance of DTE will be on Jan. 13 and 14 at 7:30 in the ARHS auditorium. Student tickets are $5 and adults are $7.

Following are a list of events for Seniors from ARHS College Advisor Myra Ross.  These events are from September 2016 to November 30, 2016: September 10 ACT (Deerfield, NMH, Brattleboro, E. Longmeadow)

September 12 Smith College essay-writing presentation; Campus Center Carroll Room; 7-9 pm

Mid-September – Sign up for PSAT at ARHS on November 2.

September 16 Registration deadline for Oct 22 ACT w/ no late fee (Sept 30 w/late fee, even with fee waiver)

September 18 Workshop for Early Decision/Action Candidates and Parents/Guardians;

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.; ARHS Choral Room

September 19 Early applicants should have completed questionnaire and made appointments w/ college advisor for planning, and guidance counselor required recommendation.

September 19 Workshop for Early Decision/Action Candidates and Parents/Guardians; 2:30– 3:30 p.m.; ARHS Choral Room.

September 27 Hampshire County College Fair; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Smith Academy, Hatfield

October 1 Signed lime green release forms due in Guidance.

October 1 SAT; ARHS; registration deadline Sept. 1 w/ no late fee (Sept. 13 w/ fee waiver or late fee)

October 1 2017-18 FAFSA available for completion; Use 2015 federal income tax return; complete fin aid

forms ASAP. Meet fin aid deadlines.

October 7 Registration deadline for November 5 SAT w/ no late fee (Oct 18 w/ fee waiver or late fee)

October 12 Requests for school portion of applications (transcript, recommendations) must be in Naviance for November 1 st college deadlines.

October 16 UMASS Open House for Seniors; all programs; 9:30 a.m.; Mullins Center; register in advance at umass.edu

October 18 ARHS College Admissions Night; important professional panel presentation for Seniors and

Parents/Guardians; 7:00– 8:30 p.m.; ARHS Cafeteria.

October 22 ACT; registration deadline Sept 16 w/ no late fee; Sept 30 w/ late fee, even with fee waiver.

October 24 Teacher recommendations due in Naviance for students w/ November 1 deadlines.

October 26 Request for school portion of application (transcripts, recommendations) must be in Naviance for November 15^th college deadlines

October 27 Boston NACAC Performing and Visual Arts Fair:  7:00-9:00 p.m.; Boston U. Fuller Building

DATE TBA Athletes and College Recruiting Presentation; 7:00 p.m.; ARHS library.

November 1 All 4-year college applicants should have appointments w/ college advisor for planning, and guidance counselor regarding required recommendation.

November 1-15 Early decision and early action deadlines at many colleges

Nov 1, 2 or 3 – TBA – Essay Day; Amherst College students assist seniors w/ college essays; 30-minute conferences; sign up in advance

November 2 – PSAT at ARHS during the school day.

November 3 Registration deadline for December 3 SAT w/ no late fee (Nov 15 w/ fee waiver or late fee)

November 3 ARHS Financial Aid Night professional MEFA presentation 7:00-8:30 p.m. ARHS Cafeteria

November 4 Registration deadline for Dec 10 ACT w/ no late fee (Nov 18 w/ late fee, even with fee waiver)

November 5 SAT; ARHS; registration deadline Oct 7 w/ no late fee (Oct 18 w/ fee waiver or late fee)

November 5 Teacher Recommendations due in Naviance for students w/November 15 deadlines.

November 12 Request for school portion of application (transcripts, recommendations) must be in Naviance for December 1^st college deadlines

November 17 College Advisor presentation to ARHS PGO; 7:00 p.m. ARHS Library

November 28 Request for school portion of application (transcripts, recommendations) must be in Naviance for December 15^th college deadlines

Amherst A Better Chance has welcomed a new ninth grade scholar to the program, and we are looking for a host family for him.  The families who provide each ABC student with his own home experience are families who reside in the Amherst area. The Host Family Program establishes a link between ABC and community members. Students are provided with an alternative place to relax, socialize and study. They are also given the opportunity to forge positive personal relationships with members of the community they might not have met otherwise. Reciprocally, host families derive the satisfaction of interacting with talented young men who have both a lot to offer and to learn from in these broadened social contacts.

Host family weekends are typically the first weekend of every month.  Families with young children, teenagers, or no children in the home can be great hosts!  We welcome all interest in this program, one that means so much to each individual ABC Scholar as well as to the Amherst A Better Chance Program as a whole and to our community.  Please feel free to contact Wendy Kohler, ABC Board President (wendykohler@comcast.net or 413-250-0091).

Welcome to the academic year 2016-2017, and the return of the ARHS PGO Parent News! Our newsletter will arrive in your inbox every Friday morning, packed with valuable information about events, deadlines, schedules, community events, sports news, opportunities etc…

If this is your first issue, we welcome you and hope you find the newsletter helpful. If you are the parent of a recent graduate and would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom of this email. If you were forwarded this email and wish to subscribe,click here .
Contact us anytime using the link in the right hand column if you have something you would like to submit or a question to ask. We encourage your input. Our best to everyone navigating the transition back to school, see you online!

Your editors,
Becky, Jennifer and Mare

Are you an ARHS parent or guardian who loves community and our  high school?  There’s an opportunity to be more connected to ARHS,  meet and work with members of our community, and help out.

The ARHS PGO is looking for volunteers for this year!   PGO members host informational coffees, run a teacher grant program, publish this  newsletter, maintain a PGO website, organize the annual staff  appreciation luncheon, attend district-wide PGO meetings, and more.  There are many ways  to help, including options to fit every schedule and any amount of time you have to  give!   If you are interested in becoming a PGO volunteer please email arhspgonews@gmail.com and let us know the best way to reach you.  Thanks!

The Amherst Regional Public Schools (ARPS) First Day Celebration is just around the corner! The event will be held on the Amherst Town Common on Tuesday, August 30 (rain location ARHS Cafeteria) from 5 – 6:30 p.m.  For more info, contact:
Carol Ross, Amherst Together
rossc@arps.org
www.amhersttogether.org

The first day of school for all students is Wednesday, August 31st.  As in years past, the first day of school is a late start for returning students.  Start times are:

9th grade students will report directly to their advisories at 7:45 am.
New students (grades 10 – 12) will report to the library at 7:45 am.
Returning 10th, 11th and 12th grade students will arrive to school by 10:00 am (buses will make a 2nd morning run) and report directly to their advisories.

Wondering what time your child should be at the Bus Stop?  Below are links to the 2016-2017 Bus Routes for the Middle and High Schools:

Morning ARMS/ ARHS Routes

Afternoon ARMS/ARHS Routes

Please note that on the first day of school (Wednesday, August 31st), the second round of morning buses will be 2 hours and 10 minutes later than normally scheduled – school begins at 10 am for returning students.

If you plan to take the September 10 ACT or the October 1 SAT, you might want to register soon, before you forget about school for a while.  The registration deadlines without a late fee are August 5 for the ACT and September 1 for the SAT.  You can register late for the ACT until August 19.  If you qualify for a fee waiver, see Mrs. Cappelli before you leave school on Monday.  Unused fee waivers will expire in early August! 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/helping-children-cope/art-20047029?pg=1
We appreciate the partnership between our personnel and families to help us come together in these challenging times.  Please feel free to contact us if you would like to have any follow-up discussion.
Sincerely,
Faye Brady, Student Services Director

Estimada Comunidad de ARPS:

Nuestra comunidad escolar es sensible a la forma en que nuestros estudiantes LGBT, el personal y las familias pueden estar sintiéndose y está aquí para ofrecerles atención y apoyo. Como comunidad que valora la diversidad y la aceptación, es un tiempo para nosotros estar unificados y permanecer fuertes en nuestros valores esenciales. Como dijo el Presidente Obama, “… esto es un recordatorio aleccionador de que los ataques a cualquier estadounidense – sin importar la raza, el origen étnico, la religión o la orientación sexual – es un ataque contra todos nosotros y a los valores fundamentales de la igualdad y la dignidad que nos define como país. Y ningún acto de odio o terror va a cambiar lo que somos o de los valores que nos hacen Americanos “.

Agradecemos la colaboración entre nuestro personal y las familias para ayudar a unirnos en estos tiempos difíciles. Por favor no dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros si le gustaría tener una discusión de seguimiento.

The editors here at the ARHS PGO Parent News want to wish each of you, and your families, a safe, happy and healthy summer. Cherish it!

Look for our first edition of the 2016-2017 school year in mid-August.

Happy Summer!

Mare, Jennifer and Becky

ARHS Guidance is collecting school supplies for students who need items like new highlighters, binders, school locks, Flashdrives, dividers, and note cards.

Bring in these new items for students in need to the guidance office and you will receive a small sweet treat in exchange for your good deed.  This collection of items will run from June 6th through June 20th.  Thank you!

The 2016 Taste of Amherst is now underway on the Amherst Town Common (June 16-19). It will be open Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday 12pm-10pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.  The event is sponsored by Atkins Farms Country Market.

As the school year ends, following are some of the accomplishments coming from the high school students, as noted in a letter from Amherst Together:

People of Color United (POCU) members joined 1,500 volunteers to help revitalize 62 homes for Springfield residents;

Refugees In Distress club (RDC) organized an assembly to raise awareness and educate the community about the plight of refugees;

Black Lives Matter (BLM) held two assemblies featuring the history of BLM, performances, and small group discussions;

Best Buddies club hosted several events to bring awareness to the isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

Community Service Club hosted an annual Red Cross Blood Drive in April, where 74 students and 10 staff members donated blood. 37 pints were collected, setting a record with the most since 2011.

A French-Francophone Dinner explored various aspects of French and Francophone cultures from France to West Africa;

African Scholars Program shared its experiences of living with families during its recent exchange trip to Senegal and The Gambia;

At the South East High School Campus, a $7,500 AEF grant provided students an opportunity to construction a greenhouse for hands-on education in sustainable gardening and food production.

The ARHS Class of 2016 will graduate tonight at the UMass Mullins Center at 6:00 pm

This is to share some information concerning seniors and graduation week. Hopefully, it will help to make this happy occasion a little less stressful for everyone. As you know, the graduation ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2016 at the Mullins Center on the University of Massachusetts Campus.

Graduation rehearsal will be held at 8 a.m. on June 10th at the Mullins Center. All graduating seniors must attend this rehearsal, which will last approximately two hours. Please enter the Mullins Center via the ground level doors on the west side of the building (facing the town of Hadley) for rehearsal. Lot 67 is available for rehearsal parking during. Note – University parking regulations are in effect if you park in another lot. Students have been issued tickets in the past.

Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. for the ceremony. Handicapped parking is provided in the metered lot on the N/E corner of the Mullins Center.

The Mullins Center staff reports that no balloons of any kind will be allowed in the building. This includes mylar and helium ones as they interfere with lighting and equipment.

In order to preserve the dignity and ceremony of the occasion, we ask that parents and guests remain in the seating area during the ceremony, and not climb down onto the floor of the stadium. After the ceremony, the barriers will be removed so families can reunite. Since the Mullins Center staff must break down the facility set-up that evening, we ask that you not loiter on the floor.

Due to a policy change senior folders (including academic, health, and guidance) must be held at ARHS for 3 years after graduation. Therefore, we are unable to release these records to graduates as we have in the past. Class of 2016 folders can be picked up by the graduate starting in July 2019 and will be destroyed in July 2021.

On Tuesday, June 21st ARHS parents and guardians will thank the entire staff with a scrumptious lunch. Here are several ways you can help:

1. Bring a dessert or side/salad for 8-10 people
2. Volunteer to help set up, serve, and clean up
3. Make a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the deli spread, drinks and all the extras

Please attach a list of ingredients and your (or student’s) name to your dish; staff often ask what’s in, or who made, particular dishes. Consider bringing something gluten-free or vegan or nut-free. You can drop off your dish that morning between 7:30 and 11:00 a.m. Bring food donations in disposable containers with serving utensils (if needed) and label anything you want back.  Items may be claimed in the office until Friday, June 24.

Any questions? Contact Laura: l.wear@comcast.net

The PGO thanks you in advance for making this year’s Appreciation Lunch a fabulous celebration.

Click here to sign up:http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49a4ae2faaff2-arhs

June 10-15 – AR[T]HS reception
June 10 – Graduation
June 10 – Senior Party, 10 pm
June 15 – 7:30 pm, Symphony Band and Philharmonia
June 16 – 7:00 pm, Dance Showcase
June 16 – 7:30 pm, ARMS 7/8 Orchestras
June 20- last scheduled exam day
June 21- ARHS PGO Staff Appreciation Luncheon / Make-Up exams- Noon Dismissal
August 1st – Deadline to register/pay for fall sports
August 23rd – Fall Sports Information Night for Parents/Guardians
August 27th – Hurricane Golf Open 2016
August 31st- First Day of School

We have a group of 20 high school kids from the Doshisha School in Japan, the sister school of Amherst College coming in July 23-August 11th-the school has sent these kids for many years and it’s a wonderful cultural experience. During the mornings they have classes at Amherst College and in the afternoons we take them on field trips (your kids can come too) to Old Sturbridge Village, Multi-Arts camp, Mount Sugarloaf, the Hitchcock Center and Nursing homes, and we have sports days, barbeques and more! We are still in touch with many of the kids we’ve hosted. They bring their own money for outside activities and you will get a stipend of around $380 approximately 2-3 months after they leave. If you can only do part of the homestay that could be arranged and there are always carpools! If you can help or know of someone who can, please contact Diane Davidson, dianedavidson711@gmail.com.

The UMass Summer Transportation Institute (STI) is offering a free four week program from July 6-29, 2016 for rising 9th-12th graders.  The program is intended to create awareness among high school students about transportation-related careers, and to encourage the pursuit of a college degree as preparation for a job in the transportation industry.

Students will learn about selected topics in all modes of transportation via invited talks, team projects, field trips, along with academic enhancement and recreational activities.

Students may participate in the program  as commuters (9:30 am – 4:30 pm) or residents (with overnight accommodation). The costs including accommodations & meals are all paid through the program.

Additional details and application materials are available at: https://umtcresearch.wordpress.com/2016/05/24/umass-summer-transportation-institute/. Applications are now due (deadline extended) by Friday, June 17th.

For any questions, please contact Dr. Eric Gonzales, Gonzales@umass.edu

The 2016 Taste of Amherst will be held on the Amherst Town Common from June 16-19. It will be open Thursday 5pm-9pm, Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday 12pm-10pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.  The event is sponsored by Atkins Farms Country Market.

Over 20 Amherst area restaurants participate in the event, showcasing some of the area’s favorite food. 93.9/The River organizes the music for the event. Once again, the Taste is happy to welcome Chef Bill Collins, who is organizing the Cooking Demo tent. At the beer and wine tent, there will be great beer and wine for your enjoyment on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The “Chow-Down Challege is back by popular demand. The Challenge features local offerings from Taste participants, town celebrities and taste-goers, who will compete in our challenge. Bring your appetite! The winners of qualifying rounds will face-off on Sunday in the championship round.

Volunteers are needed for Compost Coaching. The Taste of Amherst is one of the lowest-waste events in the area because volunteer “compost coaches” help people sort their recyclables and compost. Interested in joining the team? Volunteers will receive free non-alcoholic drinks, and treats from Insomnia Cookies! Follow this link to learn more and to sign up your family: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040d4eafa922ab9-team.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to register your Senior for the fantastic party happening the evening of graduation! This is the 35th year for this venerable event, and it’ll be a blast. Everything you need to know is on the  Project Graduation website.  We also need volunteers to help and, of course, donations: please consider a donation even if your senior is undecided!

Deadline for registrations is WEDNESDAY, June 8!

The PGO is grateful for the help and support of so many parents and guardians in our community. We would like to recognize three longtime volunteers whose students will be graduating next week. Thank you to Liz Rosenberry, who has coordinated the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards program, and Lorin Starr, who has helped distribute the A+ Rewards funds raised as a member of our Grants Committee. Last but not least, thank you to Cindy Naughton, who has organized the Staff Appreciation Luncheon for more than a dozen years! These dedicated volunteers have helped enrich the life of our school and they will be missed. Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards Fundraiser this year. Together, we raised $16,848.80 for ARHS!  These funds will be used to fund exciting projects proposed by our students and teachers next year.  Stop & Shop A+ Rewards is the only source of funding for the ARHS PGO Grant Program and we need to register as many shoppers as possible to keep the program strong.  If your card is already registered you’ll be re-enrolled automatically for the 2016-2017 school year.  If you haven’t registered your card there will be an opportunity to sign up in September.  Watch for a sign-up link here in the newsletter!

There will be multiple opportunities to take GCC classes in Amherst next year.

Four evening courses will be held at ARMS in the fall and open to both students and community members:

• ENGLISH 101 (English Composition I: Expository Writing)
• ESL 114 (Spoken English-High Intermediate Level)
• PSYCHOLOGY 101 (Principles of Psychology)
• SPANISH 102 (Elementary Spanish II)

We anticipate that four additional evening courses will be offered in the spring.

For high school juniors and seniors only, two classes will be held during the school day at the high school during the spring semester:

• ENGLISH 101 (English Composition I: Expository Writing)
• ANTHROPOLOGY 104 (Cultural Anthropology: Tribes, States and the Global System)

An information session and an opportunity to take the Accuplacer placement test (a requirement for the English, Psychology, and Anthropology courses) will take place at ARHS at 2:30 on Tuesday, June 7^th.  Students planning on taking the Accuplacer must arrive no later than 3 p.m.  This information session is for ARHS students only.  There will be a similar information session/Accuplacer testing session for community members in July.

Students interested in taking the GCC courses offered at the high school next spring must meet with their guidance counselor as soon as possible after attending the information session (and before the school year ends) to adjust your course requests.  For students planning to take both ENG 101 and ANT 104 or just ENG 101, you will be scheduled for college class E, F, and G periods in 2^nd semester.  For students planning to take just ANT 104, you will be scheduled for college class F and G periods in 2^nd semester.

GCC is committed to waiving the tuition and fees for students taking their first college-level GCC class.  Students not eligible for the tuition and fee waiver can expect the cost for a 3-credit class to be approximately $700.

For more information please contact the GCC Office of Admission at (413) 775 -1801 or admissions@gcc.mass.edu.

Kick off (pun intended!) summer reading with a Library vs. Library Bubble Soccer event at Sunderland Public Library. There will be book giveaways and food, too!

Saturday June 18th, 2016 1pm – 5pm

Spectators of all ages are welcome. Any interested teens can pre-register for this program at The Jones Library or 413-259-3091/teens@joneslibrary.org

Download the flyer here: BUBBLESOCCER

On Wednesday, May 25, the ARHS PGO and Principal Jackson hosted Robbin Suprenant, the head nurse for Amherst public schools, and Julie Federman, the Health and Community Services Director for the Amherst Health Department to discuss Adolescents and Substance Abuse including school, town and state initiatives to raise awareness and discuss resources available. Heather Warner, Coordinator of the SPIFFY Coalition (Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth) provided information about alcohol, marijuana and other use rates at ARHS from a survey conducted in 2015.

This fall, ARHS and the Amherst Health Department and the SPIFFY Coalition will outline a series of initiatives to address youth substance use including alcohol, marijuana and opioid use and misuse locally. Speaker Dr. Ruth Potee is scheduled to present to parents on September 22, 2016. To view one of her presentations on Addiction, please click here.

Additionally, handouts from Hampshire Hope were presented. Hampshire Hope is a collaboration of individuals, health care organizations, community groups, social service agencies, government agencies, local health departments, Office of Northwestern District Attorney, law enforcement agencies, first responders and others who have joined together in a comprehensive effort to reduce and prevent opiod use and abuse in our region. Their website (www.hampshirehope.org) offers facts to build awareness and information to prevent Opioid use and misuse, signs for recognizing abuse as well as treatment resources.

More information about The SPIFFY Coalition can be found at: sspiffycoalition.org. SPIFFY is a coalition of over 80 community partners working together to improve outcomes for youth in Hampshire County. Together we promote strong families and create a local culture where youth are supported to make healthy choices.

‘School’s Out!’ – Dance Theatre Ensemble’s Spring Concert is this Friday May 27th and Saturday May 28th at 7:30 in the ARHS auditorium.  Tributes to Bowie and Prince are part of the show! Tickets for sale at lunch.

The Amherst Memorial Day Ceremony is Monday, May 30, 2016.  The Parade will assemble at the North Common beginning at 9 a.m. and depart at 9:30 a.m., moving down N. Pleasant St., to E. Pleasant St., turning into the War Memorial Pool Grounds for the ceremony. The Master of Ceremonies is Select Board member Doug Slaughter and the guest speaker Ray Elliott. The VFW and American Legion will lead the pledge of allegiance, the roll call of departed comrades, provide a gun salute and raising of colors. There will be performances by the Hopkins Academy Band and the Amherst Pelham Regional High School Chorale.

Seniors, began picking up their yearbooks on Thursday, May 26.  Seniors may also pick up yearbooks May 31-June 3 at lunch in the cafeteria.

Juniors, sophomores, and 9^th graders, may pick up their books in Room 193 after school on Friday, May 27. They may NOT pick up books before then. They may also pick up yearbooks May 31-June 3 at lunch in the cafeteria.

Extra books are $65 ($55 for reduced-lunch students and $50 for free- lunch students). EXTRA BOOKS WILL BE SOLD ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS. WE WILL NOT HOLD A BOOK FOR YOU UNLESS YOU HAVE PAID FOR IT. WE HAVE ABOUT 60 EXTRA BOOKS.

The senior class will be buying a few books for students who cannot afford them on a lottery basis.  See Ms. Haygood for details.

Project Graduation has been a very safe event with few incidents over the years. This is due, in part, to the availability of trained medical professionals volunteering their time for a shift in the First Aid Tent. For the ongoing safety for all those attending, the First Aid team is staffed with two medical professionals from check-in through the end of the event. If you are an MD, RN, APN, PA, EMT, or Paramedic, Project Graduation could use your support and expertise. Please visit: http://www.arhsprojectgraduation.com/ Select the “Volunteer Tab” and you will find the available shifts. If you prefer, you may contact Sukey Krause directly at: sakrause@comcast.net

Sadie’s 2015-16 season highlights: Set school record in 100-yard backstroke, finishing second in the event at the Western Massachusetts championships. Also took third in the 100 free at the sectional championships. Finished eighth in the 100 butterfly at the Division 2 state championships and ninth in the 200 freestyle.

Read more at:
http://www.gazettenet.com/Gazette-girls-swimming-Player-of-the-Year-Saide-Logan-senior-Amherst-2180526

Allison McCann, ARHS ’16, two-time WMass Tennis singles champion. Congratulations!

McCann’s accomplishment also continued an impressive streak for the Hurricanes. The girls tennis team now has won the sectional individual singles title for eight straight years.

To read more, visit:  http://www.gazettenet.com/Amherst-Regional-senior-Allison-McCann-wins-second-straight-Western-Massachusetts-Individual-Tennis-championship-2263826

An informational meeting for Spanish language students interested in an immersion travel experience in Antigua, Guatemala will be held on June 2nd from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in Room 114.

The trip will run next February 15-25, 2017. Students live with host families, take small group Spanish lessons, volunteer at an elementary school and visit a range of cultural sites including Lake Atitlan.  The cost of the trip is $2,000 and includes airfare.

Please contact Spanish teacher Eva Piccozzi with any questions at piccozzie@arps.org.