ARHS PGO Parent News

The Jones Library invites area trivia buffs to at our monthly Trivia Night, hosted by Mark “Harpo” Power, on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm.  The next Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 in the Woodbury Room.  All trivia aficionados are invited to join in the fun and support the Jones Library at this last trivia night before our summer break! 

Learn more about the history of music of the native people of the United States in a presentation at the Jones Library.  Join us in the Woodbury Room on Tuesday, June 7 at 6:30 pm for a presentation by percussionist and educator Craig Harris.

Craig Harris,  author of Heartbeat, Warble, and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music (University of Oklahoma Press, May 2016), leads an exciting multimedia journey into Indigenous North America’s vibrant soundscape and conjures an aural tapestry in which powwow drums and end-blown woodwinds resound alongside operatic and symphonic strains and Native-infused jazz, reggae, country music, blues, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Copies of Heartbeat, Warble, and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music will be available following the presentation.

Percussionist/author/educator Craig Harris has spent more than four decades interviewing and photographing musicians. His articles, reviews, and photographs have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and music-oriented websites and he is the author of The New Folk Music, The Band: Pioneers of Americana Music, and Heartbeat, Warble and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music. A skilled hand drummer, Harris has played in concert and/or on recordings with Rod MacDonald, C.J. Chenier, Jonathan Edwards, Greg Brown, Rick Danko (The Band), Merl Saunders, Melanie, and Standing Bear. Possessing a masters’ degree in education, he taught music in public and charter schools for a quarter of a century before launching his multicultural and participatory Drum Away the Blues program in 2009.

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

We have a group of 21 high school kids coming in from the Doshisha School, the sister high school of Amherst College, from July 22 to August 11 –this school sends kids every year and they have a wonderful time. In the mornings, the kids go to classes at Amherst College and in the afternoons there are “field trips” that your children are welcome to go to also-to Sturbridge Village, multi-arts, Emily Dickinson house, as well as hiking, sports days and much more. We have been doing this for years and Becky and I are still in touch with our students. It’s a great cultural opportunity and so much fun for everyone! If you can only do half of the home stay that’s a possibility also. There is a stipend, $20 a day, which you get about 2 months after they leave, and the kids bring their own money for eating out, shopping, etc so you are only responsible for feeding them at home. There are also carpools in case you have trouble driving to/picking up from any time.

Please contact me as soon as possible as these kids are anxious to “meet” their host families on paper- if you are able to help or know of anyone who can. Also if you haven’t done this before I’ll be glad to answer any questions. My e-mail isDianedavidson711@gmail.com (it has changed since last summer)-
Thanks so much!

Diane Caraker

Teacher Guide

PeopleLink

(Becky’s mom-grade 10)

The UMass Transportation Center is happy to host a Summer Transportation Institute from July 6^th through the 29th. We are now accepting applications.  If you have a rising 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grader that is interested in Transportation Engineering – please encourage them to apply.

For more information:

STI Flier 2016

STI 2016 Application v2

Students from all MIAA Member Schools are encouraged to submit entries.  Show your creativity and express yourself in a literary work or multimedia presentation on the following topic:

Choose one or more words from the frequency map that best define sportsmanship, what it means to you, and the role it plays in high school athletics.
(Click here to view map)

• PARTICIPANTS:  Contest is open to all students in grades 9-12 at MIAA member schools
• LITERARY ENTRIES:  Must be typed, double-spaced, and contain no more than 500 words
• MULTIMEDIA ENTRIES:  Must be a video that is no longer than 3 minutes

PRIZES

• First Place ($400) and Runner-Up ($200) for each category (literary and multimedia)
• Contest winners will present their entries as honored guests during the 23^rdAnnual Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette Stadium on Friday, November 18, 2016
• First Place and Runner-Up literary entries will be published in a compilation entitled “Sportsmanship: A Game Plan for Life, Volume XVI”
• First Place and Runner-Up multimedia entries will be available through the MIAA website

CONTEST DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

• All entries must be received by noonon Friday, October 14, 2016
• Literary entries should be emailed to educationalathletics@miaa.net
• Multimedia entries should be emailed to the address above or mailed to:
  MIAA Essay Contest, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA  02038

Seniors, may begin picking up their yearbooks on Thursday, May 26 after school in Room 193.  Seniors may NOT pick it up before then. 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.

ARHS senior Jericho “JJ” Sylla, has been named Boys Indoor Track and Field Player of the Year by the Hampshire Daily Gazette.

2015-16 season highlights: Finished fourth in the long jump in 21 feet, 6¾ at New Englands. Placed first at 21-10½ to win the long jump at All-States. Was second in the event with a jump of 21 feet at the state Division 3 championship meet. Won the long jump in 21-3¼ at the PVIAC championship.

Sylla on winning at All-States: “It was a good feeling. I was pretty confident heading into states regardless of being seeded seventh. I went out there and jumped well, and it felt good to win.”

Sylla on his senior season: “There was definitely some extra motivation. I wanted to end my senior year on a high note. I worked hard to get faster and stronger, and it felt good to end my indoor career on top.”

Coach David Thompson on Sylla’s work ethic: “Jericho started the season off eager to get off on the right foot for the long jump. He put in the time in the weight room to help him get bigger, faster and stronger, which really worked out for him in the jumps.”

See attached link: http://www.gazettenet.com/Boys-indoor-track-2179712

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.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER & PAY

AR[T]HS is an exhibit of outstanding student artwork from the 2015-2016 Academic Year. This exhibit will showcase juried work from all of the Art Department’s areas of study: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, 2D & 3D Foundations, Printmaking, Art Portfolio and Sculpture.

AR[T]HS will be on display at The Eli Marsh Gallery, 105 Fayerweather Hall, Amherst College. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm.  The opening reception is on Thursday, June 9th from 5-8 pm and runs through June 15th. 

The opening is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Come check out what our students have been up to in Art Class this year!

May 20 – Student Talent Show
May 25 – Coffee with the Principal
May 26 – 7:30 pm, Combined Concert
May 30 – Memorial Day, No School
May 31 – Jazz Fest (tentative)
June 1 – 7:30 pm, ARMS 7/8 Chorus Concert
June 1-3 – Senior Exams
June 1-2 – MCAS Science
June 3 – Prom
June 6 – Senior Dinner
June 8 – Senior Awards
June 8 – 5 pm – 8 pm, AR[T]HS reception
June 8 – 7:30 pm, ARMS 7/9 band
June 9-15 – AR[T]HS reception
June 10 – Graduation
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 day of exams
June 21 – The official end of school
August 1st – Deadline to register/pay for fall sports
August 23rd – Fall Sports Information Night for Parents/Guardians
August 27th – Hurricane Golf Open 2016

Where have the multi-sport high school athletes gone?

Following are upcoming events and dates for the Amherst Business Improvement District: – May 20 – 21, Garden Club of Amherst, Plant Sale, Town Common

– May 21, BID Tent at the Amherst Farmers Market

– May 21, White Elephant Tag Sale to Benefit Amherst Senior Center in North Common

– May 22, Sunday, Amherst College Graduation

– May 23-May 29, Amherst Rotary Club FAIR on Amherst Common

– June 4, BIG BIG Tag Sale at the Unitarian Universalist Church

– June 9, Battle of the Botanicals, Fundraiser for Hitchcock Center for the Environment@The Powerhouse

-June 15, July 15, August 19, Amherst Community Band @ Sweetser Park

– June 16 -19 Taste of Amherst @ South Common

– July 14, 21, 28 and August 4, Kendrick Park Concert Series. Rain Dates at Pacific Lodge

Healthy Sleeping, Healthy Kids & Teens will be presented on Wednesday, May 24, 2016 at 6:30 pm by Dr. Wendy Chabot. The presentation will be at Smith Academy Library, 33 School St., Hatfield. Dr. Chabot, MD FAAP will discuss how crucial health sleep is to well-being and discuss steps you can take to get your kids back on the right track. The event is sponsored by the Hatfield SEPAC. For more information, contact KateLTobin@gmail.com.

Learn more about the history of music of the native people of the United States in a presentation at the Jones Library.  Join us in the Woodbury Room on Tuesday, June 7 at 6:30 pm for a presentation by percussionist and educator Craig Harris.

Craig Harris,  author of Heartbeat, Warble, and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music (University of Oklahoma Press, May 2016), leads an exciting multimedia journey into Indigenous North America’s vibrant soundscape and conjures an aural tapestry in which powwow drums and end-blown woodwinds resound alongside operatic and symphonic strains and Native-infused jazz, reggae, country music, blues, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Copies of Heartbeat, Warble, and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music will be available following the presentation.

Percussionist/author/educator Craig Harris has spent more than four decades interviewing and photographing musicians. His articles, reviews, and photographs have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and music-oriented websites and he is the author of The New Folk Music, The Band: Pioneers of Americana Music, and Heartbeat, Warble and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music. A skilled hand drummer, Harris has played in concert and/or on recordings with Rod MacDonald, C.J. Chenier, Jonathan Edwards, Greg Brown, Rick Danko (The Band), Merl Saunders, Melanie, and Standing Bear. Possessing a masters’ degree in education, he taught music in public and charter schools for a quarter of a century before launching his multicultural and participatory Drum Away the Blues program in 2009. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.

The Jones Library invites area trivia buffs to at our monthly Trivia Night, hosted by Mark “Harpo” Power, on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm.  The next Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016 in the Woodbury Room.  All trivia aficionados are invited to join in the fun and support the Jones Library at this last trivia night before our summer break! 

Bring friends and family as a team, or form teams on the spot, with a maximum of five per team. There will be two rounds of 15 questions each, and there will be prizes for the top teams.  Doors open at 6 pm, and the event starts promptly at 6:30 pm.  There is a suggested donation of $5-$10 per person to participate.  All proceeds benefit the Jones Library.  Refreshments will be served.

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

There are a number of new things you should know about applications, financial aid timelines, and testing.  Bear in mind that your class will be the first with the new SAT, the new financial aid system and timeline, and the new Coalition application (see below).  Many of the specifics have not been fully developed yet.  I will keep you informed as I get more information. Click this link for all of the info—> Tidbits for Juniors 5-13-16

May 16th – Fall Sports Registration Begins
Online fall sports registration will open on Monday, May 16th. Please ensure a smooth start to your child’s season by registering and paying before August 1st.  Be sure the health room has your most up-to-date sports physical on file.  If your child has an appointment with their physician this summer – REMEMBER TO DROP OFF A COPY AT SCHOOL!

August 23rd – Fall Sports Information Night for Parents/Guardians
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Meet the coaches, get tryout information, get team information, practice information, etc.

August 27th – Hurricane Golf Open 2016
The Annual Hurricane Booster Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, August 27th, 2016.  The 7th Annual Hurricane Open promises to be the another highlight of a new school year!  Start forming your teams and sign up early! Stay tuned for registration information and mark your calendars!

The Annual Black Scholars Rising Celebration: A Diaspora of African/ Black Culture will be held May 24, 2016 in the Middle School Auditorium, 6:30 – 8:30 pm.  The event is held in recognition of African/ Black Students in Amherst, Pelham and Regional Public Schools.

Join the Jones Library for an Adult Paper Cutting Workshop on Saturday, May 21 from 10 am – 12 noon.  Adults and young adults ages 15 and up are invited to participate in this crafty event.  Learn the art of paper cutting and create a literary scene by layering images and shapes cut from special paper.  No experience required – all materials will be provided.

Seating is limited, so pre-registration is required.  Please visit the Reference Desk or call 413-259-3096 to sign up.

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

Thirty-two high school teams will compete in the oldest youth Ultimate frisbee tournament in the country, the Amherst Invitational. The 25th Annual Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8, 2016, and is hosted by Amherst Regional High School (ARHS).

The Tournament will be held on the athletic fields at ARHS and the Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) in Amherst, Massachusetts, the birthplace of the growing sport.

This year will also be the largest event in the tournament’s history, with separate A and B divisions for both boys and girls, to reflect the growing popularity of the sport.  ARHS is one of the few high schools in the country that can field three boys and three girls teams, and the middle school team is also very competitive.  All seven Amherst teams (including the ARMS Spring Ultimate teams) will be participating in the Amherst Invitational.

Come cheer on your favorite ARMS and ARHS Players.  Free.

More information at http://www.facebook.com/amherstinvitational

See more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbK-TXnnQDA&nohtml5=False

ARPS would like all to know that buses may be dropping off students slightly late in the afternoon today, Friday, May 6th due traffic related to the graduation at UMass.

They apologize for any inconvenience and wish everyone a great weekend.

The registration deadline for the June 4 SAT is next Wednesday, May 11. This is the last SAT this school year. The next one will be on October 1. The registration deadline for the June 11 ACT is this Friday, May 6.

If you are planning to take the June SAT Chemistry subject test, you must register by May 11 at collegeboard.org. Mr. Thompson and Ms. Palmer have some handouts describing the test content and are available to help prepare for the test. Students should also obtain (and use) a test preparation manual. The next one will be on September 10. Register online.

Get a fee waiver from Mrs. Cappelli in Guidance if you qualify for one.

Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies International and other supporters to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.

Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities.  It is time to address the minority slur “retard” and raise the consciousness of society to its hurtful effects.

On April 29th, the ARHS Best Buddies club got over 100 signatures of fellow students and faculty pledging to never use this term in order to promote a sense unity and acceptance within our school.

As a way of supporting an exciting exhibition of Shakespeare’s First Folio at Amherst College during the month of May, the Jones Library is one of several other local institutions in Amherst that are hosting complementary programming to encourage the wider community to enjoy and celebrate this special exhibit.

Join us in the Woodbury Room on Saturday, May 14 for a screening of 3 films based on Shakespeare’s First Folio works. The 10 am screening is an animated film for young viewers that is rated G.  The 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm screenings are feature films that are rated PG-13.  For the program of specific film titles, pick up a flyer on your next visit to the library or visit our website for complete movie titles and ratings information at www.joneslibrary.org.

This film series is possible thanks to the Friends of the Jones Libraries.  Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.

Formal Wear to Share?

You Can Help Teens in Foster Care!!

The second annual flagship program, Fitting For the Future, will take place in Springfield MA in April 2016! This incredible event provides high school-aged teens in foster care in Western MA the chance to “shop” for formal outfits, just like their peers often do, for occasions like prom, formal dances, or job interviews.

So, now is the time, as you prepare for this year’s prom and graduation parties to consider donating last year’s dress, suit, shoes, purse!!

Your beautiful outfit will go on to let another teen have an inspiring experience!!

Call/Text Mary Beth Meade for donation pick-up…908-303-1750.

Is your child outgoing, enjoy public speaking, can speak clearly for those not used to listening in English, isn’t afraid to make mistakes, and have an interest in other cultures? Students who are looking to connect and make friends with peers from Japan and emphasize the use of English as a communication tool are invited to apply to be a paid discussion leader with this program at Smith College.  More information in Guidance in the Job Book.

Amherst Education Foundation received fourteen applications and awarded five grantees a total of $35,400.  They are:

• Champion Course for Elementary Math Coaches: This grant funds math coaches to attend math intervention courses targeting under-performing students of color and lower socioeconomic students in grades 3-6 at the three Amherst elementary schools.
  Grant Applicant: Fort River Math Coach Amy Chang. AEF Grant: $5000
• The Culture Bearers Project: This grant creates cultural enrichment programs at all four elementary schools by bringing in visiting artists to involve students in performing and learning.
  Grant applicant: Fort River Music Teacher Anne White. AEF Grant: $5400
• ARHS Digital Music Lab: This grant pays for hardware and software for two new classes for students to compose, analyze and perform music. The new classes provide access to music to students who are not in other music programs and enables students using similar technology at ARMS to continue their music education.
  Grant Applicant: ARHS Performing Arts Director John Bechtold. AEF Grant: $10,000
• 21st Century Biology: Building Biotechnology into the ARHS Curriculum: This grant pays for the purchase of electrophoresis equipment and pipettes, enabling the innovative inclusion of gas electrophoresis technology into all eleven high school biology classes.
  Grant Applicant: ARHS Biology Teacher Michael Cardozo. AEF Grant: $10,000
• Access to Technology for Students with Special Needs: This grant enables the purchase of fifteen laptops and external mice to benefit 100 Special Education Students at ARHS.
  Grant Applicant: Rebecca Herskovitz. AEF Grant: $5000

These grants will positively impact the education of students throughout the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District. We are so proud to be supporting our teachers and staff in their efforts to provide a first-rate educational experience for our children.

Clinical and Support Options (CSO) is offering a FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid Course – 8-hour public course on May 13 & 20, 2016, from 12:30-5 pm, at 8 Atwood Drive, 3rd Floor Training Room Northampton, MA 01060

A young person you know could be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can help them. You are more likely to encounter someone — friend, family member, student, neighbor, or member of the community — in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack.

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self help care.

Anyone can take the 8-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid course, but it is ideally designed for adults who work with young people, ages 12-18 — teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities, social workers, and other caring citizens. Sometimes, the best first aid is you. Take the course, save a life, strengthen your community.

To register, please email your name, phone number, email address, occupation and employer name and reason why you are participating in the training to: mdefant@csoinc.org or call 413-582-0471 ext. 5559.

Thirty-two high school teams will compete in the oldest youth Ultimate frisbee tournament in the country, the Amherst Invitational. The 25th Annual Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8, 2016, and is hosted by Amherst Regional High School (ARHS).

Please join us on May 13th to celebrate AEF Founder and State Representative Ellen Story’s dedication to our students and her service to our community. The event begins at 6:00 pm in the Marriot Center at the UMass Amherst Campus Center. Tickets are available online at www.amhersteducationfoundation.org. The number of tickets is limited, so please purchase yours before the event is sold out!

If you are unable join us at the event, please consider making a donation to AEF on or before Valley Gives Day on May 3rd. To make your gift, please go to our website and click on “Donate”. With your support, AEF will be able to continue to preserve the vitality and strength of our schools by awarding grants that make our children’s education more equitable, engaging, enriching, and fun.

Following are the 2016 National Latin Exam results:

Latin 5

Gold, Summa cum Laude: Brody Lynch, Akshat Dhankher, Luke Webb, Sasha Yakub, Sam Findlen-Golden, Dennis Shen, Ben Jackson

Silver, Maxima cum Laude: Alex Hajir

Magna cum Laude: Sam Rosenberry

Cum Laude: Nate Corp, Kai Basler Chang

Latin 4

Gold, Summa cum Laude: Ben Gilsdorf

Silver, Summa cum Laude: Shannon Lambert, Ciaran Young

Magna cum Laude: Xamantha Valentine

Latin 3

Gold, Summa cum Laude: Sophia Fang, Jack Dinsmore, Neosha Narayanan, Aleksa Kosanovic, Louis Triggs

Silver, Maxima cum Laude: Cat Larson, Gyselle Hennessey, Rebecca Tuthill

Magna cum Laude: Piper Lacy, Emily Hu, Luke Sedor Protti

Cum Laude: Nathan Ji, Ethan Saxenia

Latin 2

Gold, Summa cum Laude: Giselle Hajir, Amy Benedetto, Adira Cohen

Silver, Maxima cum Laude: Catalina Yang, Celia Douville Beaudoin, Zeke Ash

Magna cum Laude: Tim Demling, Susana Feldman

Cum Laude: Soren Campbell

Latin 1

Gold, Summa cum Laude: Henry Wilhelm

Magna cum Laude: Samuel Leonard, Maxwell Schweik

Cum Laude: Oscar Lambert

April 28-30 – Student directed plays
May 1 – FAFSA Deadline
May 2-6, AP exams
May 3 – 7:30 pm, Chorale Concert, Amherst South Congregational Church
May 7-8 – Amherst Ultimate Invitational
May 9-13, AP exams
May 11 – Early Dismissal
May 12-14 – 7:30-10 pm, Student written plays
May 17-18 -MCAS Math
May 19- Coffee with the Principal; 7PM Library
May 20 – Student Talent Show
May 26 – 7:30 pm, Combined Concert
May 30 – Memorial Day, No School
May 31 – Jazz Fest (tentative)
June 1 – 7:30 pm, ARMS 7/8 Chorus Concert
June 1-3 – Senior Exams
June 1-2 – MCAS Science
June 3 – Prom
June 8  – Senior Awards
June 8 – 7:30 pm, ARMS 7/9 band
June 10 – Graduation
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

Starlight’s Youth Theatre invites you to take a journey with them Into The Woods   Friday – Sunday May 13 – 15. The success of Disney’s Into The Woods movie starring Meryl Streep has revived the original Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical version by Stephen Sondheim and you can see ARHS students Kira Cairn, Brandon Dallman, Shannon Lambert, Grace Bertrand, Julia Jemsek and Liam Ashburn and others on the Academy of Music stage. This musical brings favorite fairy tale characters such as Cinderella (Kira Cairn), Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk to life; they set off to make their wishes come true but soon learn to be careful what they wish for as witches, giants and wolves loom.  Into the Woods at the Academy of Music on May 13 at 7:00 pm; May 14 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm; and May 15 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for children/seniors and $14 for adults and are available at the Academy of Music Box Office or online at http://aomtheatre.ticketfly.com/

“Just a Piece of Cloth” will be screened at Jones Library on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next film in this ongoing film and discussion series that may education, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.  A facilitated discussion will be held after the screening.

Just a Piece of Cloth is a documentary that unravels stereotypes perpetuated by the mainstream media about Muslim women.  It is a film about Muslim women, the hijab, and other issues of Islamophobia and racism.  A facilitated discussion will follow the screening.

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/.

The Amherst A Better Chance Program will host a reception at the Red Barn at Hampshire College on Thursday, May 19th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Local doctor Kate Atkinson and her staff at Atkinson Family Practice will be honored as 2016 Amherst ABC Local Heroes.

A reception will begin at 5:00 pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with ABC scholars and hear their story. Formal remarks begin at 5:45 pm. At 6:15 pm, there will be a tour of the new R.W Kern Center, Hampshire College’s new “living building,” a structure designed for sustainability and intended to promote ethical
citizenship. [Amherst ABC is the FIRST community organization to have the
opportunity to tour this exciting new “zero-net energy” building. Tour leaders
will meet guests at The Red Barn and escort them to the Kern Center for tours
guided by Hampshire College staff. Tours will start at approximately 6:15.]

Everyone is welcome to attend the event on May 19th. We hope that many members of the community join the ABC Scholars and the Board of Directors to celebrate this program, with the bonus opportunity to tour a new facility that promotes sustainability and thus, in a very real sense, can provide all of us as well as future generations with a better chance.

The ABC Board of Directors asks that those who plan to attend send an email to
mail@amherstabetterchance.org by May 13th.

For more than four decades, teenage men of color have come to our community to find “A Better Chance” in our safe, loving, focused boarding home environment while they attend Amherst Regional High School. During that time, Amherst ABC has helped more than 125 young men transcend the barriers to success, nurturing them and encouraging them to reach their highest potential academically as well as personally. It is the Amherst community that has made this incredible success story a reality.

The Jones Library invites area trivia buffs to at our monthly Trivia Night, hosted by Mark “Harpo” Power, on the first Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm. The next Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 in the Woodbury Room. All trivia aficionados are invited to join in the fun and support the Jones Library!

Bring friends and family as a team, or form teams on the spot, with a maximum of five per team. There will be two rounds of 15 questions each, and there will be prizes for the top teams. Doors open at 6 pm, and the event starts promptly at 6:30 pm. There is a suggested donation of $5-$10 per person to participate. All proceeds benefit the Jones Library. Refreshments will be served.

Open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.

This has been an outstanding year for Amherst Regional High School’s JETS Engineering Club. The club entered five teams (40 students, grades 9-12) into the national Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAM+S) and won Best in State at both the 9^th/10^th grade and 11^th/12^th grade level. All six teams finished in the top 10% nationally.

Our top finishing 11^th/12^th grade team consisted of seniors: Brody Lynch, Liam Brandt, Michael Kamlarz, Jonathan Hosea, Solomon Rueschemeyer-Bailey, Dennis Shen, Nathaniel Corp, and Jacob Kaplan.

Our top finishing 9^th/10^th grade team consisted of: 10^th graders John Dinsmore, Alvaro Borrell, Doug Eveleigh, Aleksa Kosanovic, Alexandra Patton, Eric Thompson-Martin, Nathan Ji, and 9^th grader Tim Demling.

ARHS has competed in the TEAM+S competition since 1989. TEAM+S is a national high school academic competition formally sponsored by the Junior Engineering Technical Society and recently taken over by the Technology Student Association. More than 1,000 teams of students compete every year in a fun and fast-paced competition that inspires creativity, teamwork, critical thinking and valuable insight into the world of engineering.  The theme of this year’s competition was “Engineering the Tools of Innovation.” It challenged students to use their engineering and design skills to address pressing issues currently faced by computing and information technology industries.

Saturday May 7th, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday May 8th, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Come watch 32 teams compete in the 25th Annual Amherst Invitational, one of the oldest and most prestigious youth Ultimate frisbee tournaments in the world.  And it all happens right here in Amherst, the birthplace of Ultimate!  Games will take place at both ARHS and ARMS fields, with the finals on Sunday afternoon at ARHS.  Free admission and awesome layouts!

More information at http://www.facebook.com/amherstinvitational

See more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbK-TXnnQDA&nohtml5=False

Tuesday, April 26 is “POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY” at ARHS!  Pick up some poems (with pieces of candy attached) and share them with your friends (and teachers)!  They will be available in the library all day Tuesday.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital is looking for high school volunteers for the summer.  The application is in the Guidance Office or on the Cooley Dickenson website under, Volunteer, Summer Junior Volunteer Program.

The deadline to get your application in has been extended to May 9th, not what it says on the website. Copies are in Guidance.

Libraries have long been advocates for reading and literacy for the people in their communities.  Another community need now being addressed by libraries in an annual campaign is financial literacy and money management.  Money Smart Week®, a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances, will be observed with programs at the Jones Library during the week of April 23 – 30, 2016.

On Tuesday, April 26 at 7 pm, gain a better understanding of credit at a workshop called Understanding Credit.  This workshop is a primer in learning about the wise use of credit. It will help you understand your credit report, explain how credit scores are determined, and give you tips to improve your score. You will also learn what to look for to find the best credit card!   This program is co-sponsored by UMassFive College Federal Credit Union.

On Thursday, April 28 at 10:30 am, the weekly children’s story hour will have a special focus on money and saving.

Money Smart Week® is a public awareness campaign to promote financial education across all age groups. Launched in 2002 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the program is now active in more than 45 states through national partnerships with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Cooperative Extension and the American Library Association.

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

April 28 -30th- Student Directed Plays- 7:30 – 10PM

May 3- Choral Concert

May 7 – 8- Amherst Ultimate Invitational

May 11- Early Release

May 12-13- Student Directed Plays

May 17 -18- MCAS Math

May 19- Coffee with Principal Jackson 7 PM, Library

May 26- Combined Concert

May 27 -28 – DTE 7:30 PM

May 30- Memorial Day – no school.

May 31- Jazz Fest 5PM

June 3- Senior Exams