Learning at ARPS
May 2, 2008
Dear Everyone Learning @ Amherst, Region, and Pelham Schools:
Thursday was "May Day!" That takes on various meanings in and around schools.
At Fort River, along with mathematics, reading, art and a typical Thursday, it was "Community Clean Up" day! When I stopped in, older students were paired with young students by grade level and they were cleaning, scrubbing, picking up trash and making their school shine! The Student Council planned and organized the event and there was much pride and responsibility spread across the school. I heard the term "organized chaos" more than once but what I observed was organized cooperation, community, and care!
It was "May Day" on the Common and, as one would expect, we had some students (with permission slips from parents - we hope) attending and, as noted in the paper today, speaking!
As I got to Pelham and Crocker Farm, it was "school like it oughta be!" with English language learners reciting with their teacher in one room, math facts in another, and a delightful "shapes" lesson in one first grade classroom. It's impressive when first graders can identify a rhombus and trapezoid! And, in spite of a recent New York Times article reporting a study dismissing the use of manipulatives in mathematics, the first graders did quite well reaching into a bucket of buttons, selecting the various shapes and sizes, and describing them in terms of geometric shapes.
And, as it is May, that means there is significant planning underway for 2008-2009. The Regional School Committee began its review of District Goals and a review of the districts' department goals (curriculum, student services, human resources, technology, facilities, business office, and others). Planning for summer school programs, curriculum work, and other learning is underway.
Leverett Town Meeting was held last Saturday. The Regional Agreement, amendments to the Regional Agreement, and the regional budget were approved. Tomorrow (Saturday) is Shutesbury and Pelham Town meetings (although Pelham will vote on budgets at a later date). Amherst Town Meeting began Monday night. The regional agreement and the amendments to the agreement were approved. The Regional and Amherst budgets will be presented and voted on Monday night.
It's a great time of year to be in and around schools. (Actually, any time during the year is a great time to be in and around schools)!
Sincerely,
Jere Hochman
Superintendent
Russian Students Win Again!
Congratulations are, once again, in order for a number of our talented Russian students! Atticus Brigham won first place in the New England Regional Olimpiada of Spoken Russian, held in Cambridge on Sunday, April 27th. He will be the New England Representative for the American Council of Teachers of Russian program to be held this summer in Russia. In addition, four other ARHS students received gold medals in the competition: Glynis MacMillan, Robin Palmer, Alison Cherrington and Aravis Albert. Congratulations to all of these students and their outstanding teacher, Jude Wobst.
Michael Silverstone Honored with Ecology Award
Michael Silverstone, Wildwood teacher, along with two other Massachusetts teachers, will receive The Secretary's Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education. These awards honor individual schools, teachers and students across the Commonwealth who have distinguished themselves in energy and environmental education initiatives. In Michael's case, he has implemented schoolyard ecology projects with his students for four years. The award ceremony will be on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. in the Great Hall of the State House in Boston. Congratulations, Michael, on this great award!
Festival Arts Chorale and UWI Festival Steel Ensemble Concert
The Festival Arts Chorale, the premier choral ensemble of the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, and the UWI Festival Steel Ensemble, the premier steelband ensemble, will tour Western Massachusetts from May 5 -11, 2008 as part of the UWI 60th Anniversary celebrations. Additionally, this tour will honor Wendy Kohler who is retiring from the Amherst Regional School District after three decades of service as Teacher, Principal and School District Administrator as well as Producer and Director of over fifteen musicals within the community. The public concert will be held on Wednesday, May 7th at 7:30 PM in the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium.
The Festival Arts Chorale, an 80 voice chorus, directed by former Smith College and Amherst Regional High School choral director Jessel Murray, performs music drawn from a wide variety of cultures. The Chorale, in it eighth year, performs on its own and also with the National Sinfonia Orchestra and the Festival Steel Ensemble. The Festival Ensemble toured Massachusetts in 2004 with great success and is delighted to return. This group, co-directed by Jessel Murray and Nervin Teach Saunders, won first place in the 2002 World Steelband Festival in Trinidad and since then has distinguished itself in its short history by its skill in honing a clear, precise and festive sound and by the range of its repertoire. These works include those arranged, and written for this type of ensemble by indigenous composers; and classical and popular music transcriptions. Most recently the group produced its first full length CD, the critical and commercial success: Changing Time: Music of Ray Holman. While in Massachusetts the Festival Arts Chorale and Steel Ensemble will be hosted by the Amherst Regional Schools; Elms College; and Amherst College, and will perform concerts of World music at each of the respective locations.