Amherst, MA – An opportunity to learn about edible perennials comes to the Jones Library in a presentation about using edible plants in gardens by local naturalist John Root. Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2016.
This presentation is a visual one that features the variety of trees, shrubs, vines, canes, and herbaceous perennials that can be grown in New England for bountiful harvests of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Participants learn how to establish and care for these plants using organic methods of cultivation. Nutritional and medicinal benefits of the plants are discussed as well. Questions and comments are welcome throughout the presentation, and handouts with a list of edible perennial plant species, resources for further study, and recommended plant nurseries are distributed at the conclusion of the program.
This program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.
2016 represents the 35th year of Project Graduation! Every year, on the evening after graduation, parents of both seniors and juniors have organized a great party at the UMass Mullins Center to celebrate ARHS graduating seniors and give them a final chance to hang out and have fun. This is not a school-sponsored event! It happens every year with a lot of help from parents, business donors, and the entire community. 
Recently a group of personnel, parents, and students met as a book club for several weeks to read and discuss two books by a local author, Cammie McGovern. They read Say What You Will and A Step Toward Falling. Both books are stories about youngsters with disabilities and their experiences with their peers.
Mark this date on your calendar, we’d love to have everyone there!
All are invited to attend the PGO Coffee with Mark Jackson on Thursday, March 23th at 7 PM in the ARHS Library. The coffee will cover topics related to homework, the switch to semesters, budget and more. Refreshments will be provided by the Culinary Arts students under the direction of Mr. David Jean.
This year’s ALSCT/Missoula Children’s Theatre production, Peter & Wendy. Almost 60 local kids from all of our schools have been cast in this terrific show.
On Wednesday, March 9th, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the High School auditorium, we will hold a meeting for all rising 9th grade families. We invite you to learn more about our programs and curriculum and to ask questions about course offerings for next year.
ARHS presents Fame: The Musical
Spring sports registration is coming to an end. The season begins March 21st. Please be sure you register before the March 1st deadline to allow the athletic office and the health room ample time to process all components of your registration. The sports that are offered are listed at 
On Monday, February 22, at 1:06 P.M. the main office of Amherst Regional High School received a bomb threat phone call. The school immediately activated their safety protocol, and in consultation with the Amherst Police Department, the school went into lockdown.
Middle school students from Kanegasaki, Japan will be visiting ARMS in just a few weeks. Because there is a large group coming, we are inviting ARHS families to host year. If you think that your family could host a student from Amherst’s Sister City for three nights in mid March, please contact Mr. Kropf in room 225 in the high school (KropfA@arps.org, or Ms. Boyd at the middle school (BoydD@arps.org) as soon as possible. Thank you!
ARPS Family Center Presents : 
Planning for the 35th Senior Party is underway and we can use the help of parents of Juniors and Seniors. It’s a great group of folks with whom to work, and a worthy cause: we want to keep our graduates and their guests safe while they celebrate after graduating in June. To learn more and pitch in, come to our next 
Principal Jackson recorded his second Podcast this week which continues discussion about the switch from trimesters to semesters. Mr. Jackson notes that many students are involved in athletics, the musical or are employed part-time. Under the semester calendar, students will have more courses. His podcast focuses on student health, wellbeing and balance under the new schedule. To listen to the podcast, 
The SEPAC is offering a workshop on February 29, 2016 from 5:30 to 7 pm for parents of struggling readers. The book, “Overcoming Dyslexia” by Sally Shaywitz will be discussed. This book is a must read for anyone with a child who struggles to read. It’s not a sign of intelligence or limitation of one’s potential. This workshop will discuss steps parents can take to help students with their learning differences. It’s never too late to make sure the proper supports are in place. Please read the book ahead of time! The workshops will be held in the ARHS Library.
The ARHS Nordic Ski Team will give lessons and demonstrations at Winterfest at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Cherry Hill Golf Course. Winterfest runs from 1 pm to 6 pm. The even is hosted by Amherst Leisure Services and Friends of Amherst Recreation with support from the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. It is sponsored by Integrity Development. The event includes a food court, chili tasting contest cider donut eating contest, cheese tasting, fatbike demo and riding, baseball toss, mobile disc golf experience, dusk superpipe sledding hill, wagon rides from Muddy Brook, frosty fun kids carnival, family ice sculpture contest, UMass stage crew dance and clinic, golf contests, face painting, best in snow dog show, cardboard sled race, Zumba in the snow and entertainment from Jack Frost and the Rose Cheeks and Pineapple Dance’s Elektrik Boyz and Jam Dance.
Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater will hold auditions for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) musical production of PETER & WENDY on Monday, FEBRUARY 29TH at the Amherst High School Cafeteria from 4:15pm to 6:15pm. All those auditioning should arrive at 4:00 and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of those cast in the show will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the auditions.
On Wednesday, February 17 at 7pm, Amherst Cinema screens the 2006 thriller CHILDREN OF MEN as part of its popular Science on Screen series. The series pairs current and classic film with lively introductions by experts in science, medicine and technology, offering opportunities to explore and think about science in new ways. 
Did you know that voters must be 18 by election day (not necessarily by the day they register), and of course they must be U.S. citizens.
Do you live in one of the 13 towns our pantry serves (see listing here) and have a school-age child (ages 5-17 years) who depends on a meals benefit during the school year? For many children and their families, school vacations mean that the free and reduced price breakfasts and lunches they rely on are not available.
On Wednesday, January 27th, the ARHS PGO hosted Interim Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler for a presentation outlining the new daily schedule that will be in place for the 2016=2017 academic year and the new course registration process that begins in February.
Many thanks to all of you who registered your Stop & Shop card for the A+Rewards program and designated ARHS as your school. Each time you shop, you continue to raise money for our school. ARHS has earned $9,146 so far. Keep shopping and keep earning for your school up until March 17. If you would still like to participate in this fundraiser, log on to 
It’s time for me to start helping juniors think about plans for after graduation. About 90% of you will go on to either a two-year or a four-year college. The task of deciding where you will go, and what your goals are requires some thought. You will need to gather a lot of information and then make your decision by May 1 of your senior year.
On Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 9am – 12pm (noon), Herrell’s® will sponsor their second annual “National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day” to benefit Whole Children. The menu will consist of waffles and ice cream, cereal Smoosh-in®s, coffee à la mode, hot cocoa, glazed doughnuts, breakfast ice cream flavors, and more.
Forty-five ARHS students joined hundreds of other Latin students from Western Massachusetts at Mount Holyoke College on Friday, January 15 for Pioneer Valley Classics Day. Students participated in workshops on topics ranging from gladiators to graffiti and museum tours as well as competitions. Amherst students won the following recognitions.
Jones Library is offering a six-week writing workshop, “The Heart of Story: Writing the Stories of Our Lives” with Jane Roy Brown, an award winning writer, editor and landscape historian. Writing allows us to find order and meaning in the tumble of daily events that make up a life. It offers a way to honor those who nurtured us, to tell the truth about a painful past, to capture memories passed down from grandparents. Whatever they are, our stories are ours alone—nobody else can write them. In weekly two-hour meetings and take-home assignments, participants will sift for memories, choose one to write about, learn storytelling craft, and complete a brief story from their life.
Please join the PGO on Wednesday, January 27 at 7PM in the ARHS Library for our Coffee with the Principal series. Our guest speaker will be Assistant Principal Ericka Alschuler. Ms Alschuler will provide an overview of the new course format and schedule in light of the switch from trimesters to semesters this coming Fall, explain the new registration process and answer questions.
ARHS PGO Parent News 
You must be logged in to post a comment.