ARHS PGO Parent News

The minutes from the ARHS PGO’s January 6th meeting are now available:

MINUTES_pgo_ 2016_01_06_final

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 3rd at 8:10 AM in Room 13.  All are invited to attend.

On January 27, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., the Federation for Children with Special Needs presents Basic Rights In Special Education: A Workshop for Parents and Professionals Presented in Spanish. The workshop will be held at the ARPS Family Center in ARMS.

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.

For further information contact Yaldira Felix Brown ARPS Family Center at 413 362-1876 or Nancy Stewart sepac@arps.org 413-687-4255.  Please call or email to let us know you are attending.  The Federation for Children with Special Needs is supported in part by grant #H328M140014 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs and the Massachusetts Department of Education.

FlyerBasicRightsinSpanish116_January 2016

Jan 27 – PGO Coffee with Asst. Principal Ericka Alschuler- 7PM ARHS Library

Feb. 3 – Monthly PGO Meeting, 8:10am, Room 13

Feb. 5 – Stand Up Comedy Night
Feb. 9 – Amherst School Committee Mtg
Feb. 25 – PGO Coffee with Mark Jackson

An Old Fashioned Letter Writing program will be held at Jones Library on February 11 from 5 to 6 pm.  Using the Special Collections exhibit Courtship by Mail as inspiration, teens will learn about the art of letter-writing and create some of their own mail to send.  As inspiration, an exhibit of vintage Valentines and old love letters will be on exhibit.     Participants will get to experience this exhibit in an exclusive after-hours session (Special Collections will be closed to the public but open to teens).  We’ll have lot of letter-writing supplies on hand, and even have tips for finding celebrity addresses. This program will be led by Special Collections Curator Cynthia Harbeson and Mia Cabana (Head of Youth Services).  Register by calling the Jones Library Kids’ Room at 413-259-3091 or kids@joneslibrary.org

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, February 4, 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.

SOUP FOR SYRIA, a community-wide benefit for Syrian refugees, will be hosted by the Jewish Community of Amherst, 742 Main St. Amherst, on Sunday, January 31 at 4:30pm. Professor David Mednicoff, UMass Director of Middle Eastern Studies, Michel Moushabeck, publisher of the cookbook Soup for Syria, and Michael Kane of Valley Syrian Relief will update us on the Syrian refugee crisis, the greatest refugee crisis since World War II with over 12 million victims. Music will be performed by musicians from the Layaali Arabic Music Ensemble and Klezperanto. Delicious soups from Soup for Syria will be served. A collection will be taken for the Syrian American Medical Society Foundation, providers of desperately needed services. Attendees can purchase Soup for Syria and books by Syrian authors to further support Syrian refugees. The event is free and the public is welcome. For those who wish to contribute but are unable to attend a check payable to SAMS can be sent to the JCA, 742 Main St. Amherst, MA 01002. For more information call (413) 256-0493.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Haygood, who will be honored as a recipient of the Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Award, given by the MIAA Women in Leadership Committee, in recognition of her dedicated, exemplary service; her significant contributions to the promotion of girls’ sports programs; and the lasting impact of her work and example on the lives of young girls and women in sports in our community. The ceremony to honor her will be at Faneuil Hall in Boston on February 5. ARHS is grateful to have her at the heart of our school community and pleased to see her recognized in the wider athletic and educational community!

Currently, there are a number of parent/guardian positions available on the ARHS School Council.

Meetings typically occur once a month after school. Primary responsibilities of the council include advising the principal on issues concerning the school’s budget and the School Improvement Plan.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Terry Ominsky at ominskyt@arps.org.

On Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, the ARPS Family Center Presents: Come learn about Brookfield Farm and how they have partnered with the VELA Scholars after school and summer program to help support thedistrict’s rising 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. Please bring a family recipe with you to share with students in the VELA Scholars program.   The program is facilitated by Leila Tunnell, Farm Educator.  It will be held in the ARHS Library.

Following is news from guidance counselor Myra Ross: Most four-year colleges will have application deadlines before February 1.  If you have been procrastinating, you are now in the home stretch and need to finalize your list, in Naviance, and in the Common Application, if applicable.  See me, your counselor or a Guidance secretary, (in 101 or 309) if you need help getting the logistics done.

About a week after you submit an application, you should begin to check the status of your applications.  If you received login codes from colleges, use them every day until you know that colleges have all of your materials.  If you provided an e-mail address to colleges, check it every day until you know that your applications are complete.  After about two weeks, if your application still seems to be incomplete, call the college to check. If materials are indeed missing, come to guidance and we will fax the missing materials for you.

January 28 is FAFSA Day at ARHS.  Come at 7:00 p.m. SHARP, and leave with much of the form complete.  Register atfafsaday.org.  It takes thirty seconds.  The website has a list of documents to bring with you.  If you will need help completing the FAFSA, please sign up this weekend.  Before you can submit a FAFSA, both you and your parent(s) must create an FSAID.  This replaces the PIN, used in previous years.  Even if your parents have a PIN, they will need to get an FSAID.  It is an electronic signature and gives you access to the Federal Student Aid online system.  Go to fsaid.ed.gov to create yours.  Have your parent do it too.  It may take a few minutes, so don’t expect to do it here on FAFSA day, January 28.

An HCC Admissions representative will be here on Tuesday, February 9, to answer your questions and admit you.  The GCC representative will be here on Wednesday, February 4.  Sign-up sheets are available in Guidance.  You must hand in your lime green release form, put the college into “Colleges I’m Applying To” in Naviance, and most importantly, complete the HCC or GCC application.  Find them at hcc.org or gcc.mass.org.

May 1 is the official national “Candidate Reply Date” agreed to by colleges that belong to NACAC, the National Association for College Admission Counseling.  Almost all colleges and most high schools belong.  Colleges have agreed not to require non-refundable deposits prior to May 1.  If a college asks you for a deposit before May 1 to reserve housing for example, it must be refundable untilMay 1.  If you are unable to make a refundable deposit, contact the Admissions Office and let them know that you are unable to make the deposit and that you would like your acceptance to remain active until May 1.  Please let me know immediately if a college seems not to know your rights.

Check your SAT and ACT accounts to see that all scores were indeed sent where you need them to go.

The ARHS scholarship brochure and application will be e-mailed to you just before February break.  Applications for scholarships determined by the ARHS staff or scholarship committee are due on April 1.  The deadline is not flexible.  TAKE THE TIME TO APPLY FOR THESE SCHOLARSHIPS!!

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (communityfoundation.org) scholarship application deadline is March 31.  They offer many scholarships and require transcripts and the SAR (Student Aid Report) from the FAFSA.  Do not wait until the last minute to apply to the Community Foundation.  .

Keep checking Naviance for scholarships to apply for.  Remember that if you need a transcript, you must request one in Naviance.  It is not sufficient to simply list a scholarship in your account.

If you are informed by a financial aid office that you have been selected for verification of your FAFSA, follow the instructions provided to you ASAP.  Colleges will differ in what they want you to do.  You must comply with a verification request.

The Amherst Lions Club held their annual Ski, Skate and Snowboard Sale last Friday, January 8, 2016.  Unfortunately, the credit card machine malfunctioned.  All credit card purchases made at the sale on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. were not processed through Pay Pal.  No records of purchasers names/addresses/telephone numbers were made by the volunteers who worked the check-out station.

The Lions Club is hoping people who paid with credit cards will come forward to pay for equipment with cash/check.  Checks should be made payable to Amherst Lions.

The money from this event is distributed back to ARPS and the community.  For further information contact Todd at tacromack@comcast.net.

Tickets for Cabaret will be on sale all this week at all lunches!  Shows are at 7:30 on Friday, 7:30 on Saturday, and 2:00 on Sunday. Come to the Cabaret!  Enjoy lots of laughs, music from Broadway shows, and yummy desserts.

The ARPS District would like to ensure that all parents and guardians are aware of the district attendance guidelines.  The policy and guidelines can be read here: ATTENDANCELETTER

Support Girls Indoor Track by eating at Bertucci’s next Monday, January 11th! If you mention “Amherst Girls Indoor Track” to your server, 15% of your bill will go to our team! Thank you!!!

This is the time of year when scholarships come out almost every day. Please check in Naviance in the colleges tab down at the bottom “scholarship list” on a regular basis.

Also, requests for school portion of application materials must be in Naviance by next Monday, January 11th for February 1 deadlines.

On Thursday, January 14th, the boys varsity basketball team will be playing at Springfield College’s Blake Arena for the 2016 Spalding Hoophall Classic High School Invitational. Tickets are $10, however the ARHS Athletic Department is selling advanced tickets for $5 students/seniors & $7 for adults. Please purchase your tickets soon.

Parenting Transgender Youth in Western, MA is a publication of Community Action Youth Programs & Northampton Prevention Coalition.  It is a guide for parents, guardians, and supportive adults.  To download the guide, click below:

Guide for Parenting Trans Youth in Western MA FINAL 2015.12.09

 Join us on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for a screening of Cracking the Codes – The System of Racial Inequality.  This is the next event in a film & discussion series which began in the fall of 2014 and continues to look at issues of race.  A facilitated discussion will be held after the screening.

This film from Shakti Butler asks America to talk about the causes and consequences of systemic inequity. Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity features stories from racial justice leaders and others of many different racial backgrounds. Van Jones says, “Cracking the Codes challenges us to build a world that works for everyone.”

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 The Coming Together Project.  More information about The Coming Together Project can be found at http://www.coming-together.org/.

Jan. 4 – 29 – Sock Drive
Jan. 6 – Monthly PGO Meeting, 8:10am, Room 13
Jan. 13 – Early Release Day for Secondary Students: Noon Dismissal
Jan. 13 – Elem. School Bldg. Proj. Forum: 6:30pm, ARHS Library
Jan. 18 – MLK, Jr. Day: No School
Jan 22- Winterfest Dance

Jan 27 – PGO Coffee with Ericka Alschuler- 7PM ARMS Library.  Assistant Principal Alschuler will discuss the updated Course Registration process.

The Town of Amherst is hosting 3 community forums scheduled to solicit community opinion on what skills, experience and attributes Amherst should be looking for in its next Town Manager.

These forums are scheduled on the following dates & times:

Tuesday January 19  3pm- 5pm & 7pm- 9pm in the Town Room (Town Hall)

Wednesday, January 20 9am- 11am in the Woodbury Room (Jones Library)

The forums will be facilitated by Executive Recruiter Bernie Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates.

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.
Other useful information:

If you have an ID issued by the Mass Registry of Motor Vehicles (e.g., a drivers license), you can now register on line.  Visit www.sec.state.ma.us and click the “Massachusetts Register to Vote Online” button to access the online application system.  (You can also update your address or change your party affiliation here if you are already registered.)  If you don’t have the appropriate ID, you can still get a form here to print, sign and deliver to the Town Clerk’s office (of the town where you reside, preferably, for your students from surrounding areas such as Pelham, Leverett or Shutesbury.)  Of course, those offices also have registration forms.

In this state, you may vote in the primary elections even if you have not registered in a party.  If you register in a party you can only get the ballot of that party.  If not, you can choose your ballot on election day.

Important dates:

February 10:  Last day to register to vote in the Presidential primary election on March 1.  If you will be 18, this will be an exciting election for your first time out!

March 9:  Last day to register to vote in the March 29 Town Election for Amherst residents.  (Surrounding towns do not have local elections this time of year.)  In addition to candidates for Town offices and Town meeting, there is also at least one ballot initiative in this election, to form a committee to review and possibly revise the Town Charter.

August 19:  Last day to register to vote in the primary election on September 8 (for offices other than President–federal, state, and perhaps district or local, depending on where you live.)

October 19:  Last day to register to vote in the general election on November 8 (for President, other federal, state and local offices and state ballot measures.)

For more information, please visit the Amherst Town Clerk’s site at https://www.amherstma.gov/81/Voter-Information.

Get in the mood for this year’s Academy Awards, which will air on February 28, by joining us for this film series at the Jones Library. This four week series will feature some of the films that were in the running for one of the Academy Awards last year.

Join us in the Woodbury Room at 6:30 pm for this Tuesday evening film series, which will begin on January 19 and end on February 9, 2016. 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 http://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.

Juniors and Seniors – Remember, December 28 is the last day to register for the Jan. 23 SAT with no late fee. Fee waivers can be used until January 8. Jan 23 will be the last time to take the current SAT.

We wish you and all of the ARHS community a happy holiday season and a peaceful, well deserved break. See you next year!

Your Parent News Editors,
Becky, Mare and Jennifer

Did you know that the Performing Arts Department has an online calendar that features performances and events showcasing or supporting everything from dance, to art, theater, Band and Orchestra. Click here to view it.

Dec. 24 – Jan. 1 – Holiday Recess
Jan. 4 – School Resumes
Jan. 4 – 29 – Sock Drive
Jan. 6 – Monthly PGO Meeting, 8:10am, Room 13
Jan. 7, 8 & 9 – Cabaret: 7:30 pm, Auditorium
Jan. 13 – Early Release Day: Noon Dismissal
Jan. 13 – Elem. School Bldg. Proj. Forum: 6:30pm, ARHS Library
Jan. 18 – MLK, Jr. Day: No School
Jan. 22 – Winterfest Dance

The Amherst Lions Club will hold its Ski, Skate and Snowboard Sale on Friday, January 8, 2016 from 6-9 pm and on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 9 am to 2 pm at Crocker Farm Elementary School, 280 West St.

New and used equipment is for sale and consignment. Equipment consignments are accepted Friday only from 4 to 6 pm.  Experts, including members of the Amherst Regional Ice Hockey Team, will be on hand to help individuals with size and information.  Proceeds of the event to benefit Crocker Farm PGO and other charities. Contact Todd Cromack at 413-695-9109 for additional information

Tickets are on sale now for Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater’s performances of Mary Poppins at Bowker Auditorium.  Performances will be:  Thursday, January 14 at 7:30 pm (general admission); Friday, January 15 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, January 16 at 1:00 pm; Sunday, January 17 at 1:00 pm; Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 pm; Friday, January 22 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, January 23 at 1:00 pm; Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 pm.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students/seniors and $10 for children age 10 and under.  For the general admission seating on January 14, 2015, tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under.  There is a $1.75 processing fee per ticket.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the LSSE office in the Bangs Community Center; through amherstma.gov/948/Community-Theater; or by calling LSSE at 413-259-3065.

Sasha Yakub ’16 and Nick Hennessy ’16 have both been designated as YoungArts national award winners for 2016.

Every year the country’s most promising young artists are selected from across the country as National Winners.   Last year alone there were 786 Winners chosen from over 11,000 applications from across the nation.  These Winners have the opportunity to attend YoungArts programs which include master classes with internationally renowned artists, workshops, interdisciplinary activities, performances and exhibitions.

Dr. Sharon Palmer has been invited by the American Chemical Society to serve on the 2015-17 Task Force to Develop ACS Guidelines and Recommendations for Teaching Middle and High School Chemistry.  Dr. Palmer’s long-term involvement and understanding of the needs of middle and high school chemistry students and their teachers form the basis for her appointment. The aim of this ACS project is to develop a document, targeted to middle and high school chemistry educators, that will be a useful resource, offering guidance on the environment for teaching and learning and reflecting changes in pedagogy content, accountability and technology.

Currently, there are a number of parent/guardian positions available on the ARHS School Council.

Meetings typically occur once a month after school. Primary responsibilities of the council include advising the principal on issues concerning the school’s budget and the School Improvement Plan.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday, January 14 at 4 pm. If you are interested in participating, please contact Terry Ominsky at ominskyt@arps.org by Thursday, January 7, 2016.

There are two substantial scholarships for seniors from low and middle income families:

1.  Red Pine Scholarship www.tpi.org/scholarship/red-pine-scholarship

2.   Yawkey Scholarship: www.tpi.org/scholarship/yawkee-scholars-program

These are for high achievers among you who will be attending private colleges in Massachusetts that do not meet need.  The application deadline for both scholarships is February 12.

The Jones Library and branches will be offering a “food for fines” amnesty period from January 2 – 31, 2016. Library patrons who bring a non-perishable, non-expired food donation or make a monetary contribution to the Amherst Survival Center when they return overdue library materials during this time will have the fines on those materials forgiven. The amnesty applies only to items that are being returned during this time, and not to existing overdue fines on items that have already been returned or for billed or lost items.

Holding a Food for Fines drive is a long-standing annual tradition at the Jones Library. The food and funds collected will support the work of the Amherst Survival Center, the local service agency that assists many in our community in meeting their basic needs.

For further information about Food for Fines, please contact Amy Anaya at 413/259-3132.

Did you know Massachusetts has a Online Voter Registration System? To submit an online application, you must have a valid driver’s license, learner’s permit, or non-driver ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). You must also have a signature on file with the RMV. If you don’t have an RMV ID, you can still use the online system to create an application. PRINT and sign the completed form, and then mail or bring it to your local election official.  Use this online system to: apply to register to vote in Massachusetts; and change your name or address for voter registration purposes.

We would like to introduce Jennifer, our newest contributing editor, to the ARHS Parent Newsletter. We are thrilled to have her, Becky & Mare all on board!  If you are interested in working with ARHS PGO, please let us know! You can contact us at arhspgonews@gmail.com.

The ARHS Theater Company presents Briefs, 14 short plays performed by nearly 30 students in two hours this Friday and Saturday at 7:30. Tickets are $5 for students and staff staff; $8 for other adults.  Come watch a stick of butter become the most riveting stage prop you’ve ever encountered.

Parents and community members have been raising money for the ARHS PGO Grants Program by registering their Stop & Shop cards for the A+ Rewards Program. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to REGISTER (or re-register) your card, by clicking here.

Enter the first three letters of your last name and your 13-digit Stop & Shop card number and click the “Look Up” button. On the next page where it says “school 1” enter Amherst Regional High School’s ID #05167, click “Register” and please make sure to take the last step by clicking “confirm my information.”

Seniors: Today, Dec.11th is the last day that University Cap & Gown will be at ARHS to measure Seniors for graduation outfits.  Come to Room 13 during your lunch to get measured even of you can not pay at this time. Cost is $17 (cash or check) for the complete outfit, which you will need if you want to participate in the graduation ceremony. Don’t forget!

For sale in the school store: $10 drawstring bags designed by Latinos Unidos. Inexpensive AND durable — the perfect bag for your students gear!

Families of Juniors – Check your e-mail for communications from Ms. Ross, the ARHS college advisor.  You have registration information for Naviance- an online tool that provides students and families access to important college resources and information.  There is information about standardized testing that students will be beginning soon.

The ARHS PGO seeks to enrich the experience of EVERY student that attends ARHS, and to be a valuable source of information for our families. With a small budget of $2000 annually, we manage to bring you a great weekly newsletter, sponsor regular coffees, host teacher appreciation activities and manage the fabulous grant program that distributes $20,000 a year to teachers and student groups.

We are $500 away from meeting our yearly budget! Please help us continue this important work!

Donations can be mailed to:

ARHS PGO
PO Box 566
Amherst, MA 01004

To donate online fee free through our GivingTuesday page ,click here.

Last year, the Amherst Survival Center started a new Holiday Gift Program, distributing close to 2,000 NEW books, games and warm winter accessories to children whose families used the Amherst Survival Center‘s Food Pantry in December.This year, with the support of community members, businesses, individuals, and students, they hope to do the same! They’re accepting donations now thru December 18, 2015 (the sooner the better for this program). More info at: http://amherstsurvival.org/holiday-gift/

All ARPS families are invited to attend the next ​UROC ​Amherst Racial Equity meeting on:

December 19th, 9:30 – 12:30
Amherst Room at the Jones Library

This will be a community meeting for parents, guardians and community members. We’d like to hear what families are happy about, have concerns about, and needing for their children, especially in regards to the children’s schooling.
We’d like to hear how community members and families view education for children, their perceptions of the climate in the schools and any suggestions for how to make improvements, especially in ways to support racial equity for our children.

We will bring these concerns, hopes and suggestions (without using names)to our school and community leaders and keep you informed of any responses, future meetings or possible changes that evolve from sharing these ideas.

Your voice is important to our school and town conversations about racial equity. All of our children will benefit if more people, like you, speak about concerns, hopes and ideas to make Racial Equity possible. Please come and invite others.

Transportation can be provided. Please email us if you need transportation to the meeting.

Thank you!
Ruthie Killough-Hill
Elizabeth Pretel
Hala Lord
Amherst Racial Equity (of UROC)

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, January 7, 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.

As of December 1, nominating papers for town-wide offices, including School Committee, will be available at the Town Clerk’s office. Nominating papers (with at least 50 voters supporting) are due February 9, and the election will be March 29, 2016.

More info at: http://www.amherstma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1630
Nomination papers for Moderator, Select Board, School Committee, Housing Authority, Jones Library Trustee, Redevelopment Authority, Elector of the Oliver Smith Will, Charter Commissioners and Town Meeting Member will be available at the Town Clerk’s office beginning December 1, 2015.

All voters registered to vote in Amherst are eligible to run for town office and town meeting member. Town-wide office and charter commissioner nomination papers must be signed by at least fifty registered voters in Amherst. Candidates are advised to collect more than fifty signatures to ensure the requisite number of certified signatures.

Town meeting member nomination papers must be signed by at least one registered voter of the precinct in which the candidate resides.
Nomination papers for all of the above offices must be filed at the Town Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.

Voters in each precinct will elect eight town meeting members for three years, and elect other members as necessary to fill existing vacancies for two or one year terms. Amherst residents must be registered voters by Wednesday, March 9, 2016 to vote in the March 29, 2016 Annual Town Election.  http://www.amherstma.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1630