Dear Everyone Learning @ Amherst, Region, and Pelham Schools (ARPS):
Earlier this week I was sitting with some children in an English Language Learning classroom. Their teacher was working with them on addition facts. Each child performed the task at hand enthusiastically and it was obvious that they were all thinking about arithmetic and, simultaneously, thinking about the vocabulary. As each child worked their addition problems, there was such a sense of pride, confidence, and cooperation. With this added support, which accelerates their learning of mathematics and English, these students spend most of their day with their classmates in their home room. It is always such a joy to see the expressions of accomplishment on their faces!
I commented to someone earlier this week it seems that I am spending more time in Town Hall and other budget meetings than in those classrooms. As much as I enjoy seeing our teachers and students during such wonderful lessons, I know those ever-present meetings are connected to teachers' teaching and students' learning. Many of you reading this spend the same amount of time in meetings and/or attending to the organizational work that supports our kids and schools. Whether it is your involvement in parent organizations, school councils, volunteering at school, or just keeping up with the issues, I would like to say THANK YOU! Your efforts are making a difference.
A quick budget update!
The Pelham and Regional School Committees have voted on their budgets. The Amherst School Committee will vote on their budget Tuesday evening, April 11. The Pelham and Amherst budgets will be submitted to their respective Towns for review and vote at Town Meeting. The Regional budget will be submitted to Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury for votes at their Town Meetings. In addition, the assessment formula for the Regional schools will be submitted to the four towns for a vote at Town Meetings.
Each budget reflects staggering cuts in staff, materials, books, and other areas. As I have noted, we have "hit the wall" in the cutting process. While we have identified additional cuts that will be made if we are pressed to cut to the targets of the finance committees, those additional cuts essentially redefine how we do school! Of course, the funds to preserve that last tier of cuts must come from somewhere.
During the next few weeks, the decision process will unfold in the town as well as the state. I am confident we will figure out a way to proceed and protect all of those essential school and town services - and move forward with ambitious planning to enhance all of this in future years.
Again, thank you for your interest.
Jere Hochman
Superintendent
JETS Team Success!
Once again, ARHS students participated in the JETS (Junior Engineering Technical Society) Teams competition. In these challenging competitions, high school students in grades 9-12 work in teams of four-to-eight students. These teams work in an open book, open note, open discussion format in one-day and two-day meets. The final state rankings for the 2006 JETS Competition have been posted and 3 of our 6 JETS Teams will be advancing for national scoring this year. Varsity A still took first place in our division in Massachusetts. Our JV teams also did a super job this year. Junior Varsity A and Junior Varsity C placed 1st and 2nd respectively and have both been selected for national scoring. This is the first year that we've had 6 teams (48 students) compete due to increased interest in JETS. [In this years JETS Competition, 1278 teams with a projected involvement of over 10,000 students competed across the country. Of those teams, 362 will be advancing in their divisions for national scoring.] Congratulations to all of forty-eight of our students. An additional "bravo!" to our JETS Teams who are advancing to the national competition.
Amherst Regional High School 50th Birthday Celebration
The Amherst Regional Alumni Association is sponsoring an open house on Saturday, April 29 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. to celebrate the 50th birthday of the current ARHS building. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this celebration! Events will include performances by district performing groups, athletic events, tours of the school, a Hall of Memories, and (of course) birthday cake and ice cream. You won't want to miss:
Performances by Blackberry Jam, ARHS Jazz Band, ARMS Jazz Band, Flamenco dancers, HS Chorale, Bomba, the cast of Urinetown, Classical Indian Dancers, and the cast of the ARMS Ice Cream Social.
Athletic contests including Girls Varsity Tennis (vs. Notre Dame-Worcester), Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs. South Hadley, Girls JV Lacrosse vs. South Hadley, Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs. Nashua, Boys JV Lacrosse vs. Nashua, Boys JV Baseball vs. Northampton, and Boys Varsity Baseball vs. Northampton.
We hope to see you there!
AGENDA for REGULAR Meeting of the AMHERST School Committee
7:00 PM Tuesday, April 11, 2006
High School Library
1. Welcome 7:00 PM
A. Call to Order
B. Agenda Review
C. Minutes-March 27, 2006
2. Announcements and Public Comment 7:05 PM
3. Superintendent's Update
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business 7:15 PM
A. Building Renovation Update
B. Budget Update (School Choice Discussion and 2006-2007 Budget Approval)
5. New Business (None)
6. Reports 8:15 PM
A. Social Justice Commitment Update
7. School Committee Planning 8:45 PM
A. Sub-committee Reports
B. Items for Upcoming Meetings
C. Calendar Review
8. Call for Executive Session (None)
9. Adjournment 9:00 PM