ARHS Monthly Newsletter-- October 2008

From the Principal

Dear ARHS Parents and Guardians,

On Friday night, October 10, the high school’s Performing Arts department sponsored an Arts Gala - a showcase of all the high school’s performance ensembles.

Those in attendance moved between several spaces to watch theater, dance and music performances. The full range of student artistic talent was on display.

A performance space of particular note was our new Black Box Theater, a converted classroom that has been retrofitted to support performances of all sorts -- from dance to chamber music -- in an appropriately intimate setting.

The development of the Black Box Theater, the brain child of the Performing Arts department, is significant because it completes our work of the last few years to upgrade our performance spaces. Our dance studio is now fully equipped with a dance floor, mirrors and a sound system. Now, along with the Black Box Theater, this wing of the high school is entirely dedicated to supporting the performing arts. In our judgment, a historic strength of the high school -- the performing arts -- just got stronger.

The Performing Arts Gala also works as a metaphor. Amherst Regional High School is a deep well of opportunity for students. On a variety of fronts -- academic, athletic, clubs and activities as well as the artistic-- students are challenged and enriched in ways that bring them to graduation prepared to manage the wider world and find meaning in it.

At the outset of this new school year, my hope is that, together, we are successful in enabling all students to take full advantage of all the high school has to offer. Please let us know if there is something we can do to increase the likelihood of this happening.

Thank you.

Mark Jackson

Principal

Community Thanksgiving Celebration

A well-loved tradition

On Friday, November 7th, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, the entire community is invited a major potluck dinner party in the festively decorated cafeteria. The Community Thanksgiving Celebration has been an annual project of the ARHS International Students Club for the past thirteen years.

People from different parts of our school community don’t always get to meet each other. Our Thanksgiving Celebration gives us a chance to share a festive meal together and enjoy the wonderful diversity of performances put together by our friends and neighbors. All are invited to participate by bringing a festive dish from your own family’s traditions to share. The event is free and open to all.

To get involved or for more information, please contact International Students Club adviser Lila Feingold, by email at feingoll@arps.org, or by phone at 413 - 665-2111.

Tutors Needed

The Amherst Pelham Schools’ English Language Education Program is urgently seeking bilingual language tutors who speak English and one or more of the following languages: Arabic

Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Moldovavian/Romanian, Pashtu, Portuguese, Turkish.

Tutorial positions supporting student access to learning pay $10 an hour. You can apply for a bilingual tutoring position on line at schoolspring.com or email Mildred Martinez at martinezm2@arps.org or call 362-1859.

Please contact us immediately to express your interest.

We look forward to hearing from you at this time.

Jessies House Drive

The Class of 2011 will be doing a collection drive for Jessie’s House. Jessie’s House is Hampshire County’s only shelter offering emergency housing for families, located right here in Amherst, MA. In our efforts to do a community service project we will be collecting items through the end of November. We hope that you can help us make this a successful drive. Thanks in advance for your help and consideration. The Class of 2011

Mrs. Ames & Mrs White - Advisors

Items to donate:

Diapers - size 3, 4, 5, and 6

Baby wipes

Baby bottles

Baby pacifiers

Baby formula

Plastic hangers

Laundry detergent

Dryer sheets

Fabric softener

men and ladies deodorant

Large storage containers for clothing

Power strips for the rooms

Any type of non perishable food like canned spaghetti, boxes of macaroni & cheese, etc.

Big Y Express Card

Don’t forget to resister your Big Y Express Card for our school #5943. The points raised will be used to support our school with supplies and equipment. You do your shopping...and the community benefits. Thank you!

The Art Department Needs Your Help

We are in the process of planning a large scale exhibit of artwork produced by ARHS students. The idea is to raise awareness, importance and appreciation for the amazing work that is produced by our students by organizing a large scale exhibit that would culminate with an opening reception. The exhibit and opening event are scheduled to take place in the 3rd trimester and will include student artwork from in all three trimesters. At this time, we are looking for parents who can contribute the following:

~ Organizational/Planning skills.

~ Light carpentry/building skills.

~ Donation of materials/money.

~ Donation of food/beverages.

If you are interested in helping with this exciting event, please contact one of the teachers in the Art Department:

Hannah Hartl hartlh@arps.org

Monica Rabinowitz rabinowitzm@arps.org

Ben Sears searsb@arps.org

Jeff Stauder stauderj@arps.org

ELE Parent Night

Parents and Guardians of English Language Learners at ARHS and ARMS are invited to a

ELE Parent Night

Wednesday, November 12

7:00pm -- 8:30 pm at the High School Library

- Meet ELE teachers and administrators

- Meet other parents and guardians

- Learn about school policies and the ELE Programs

- Learn about sports and clubs

- Get information about state tests of English

Translators available -- Childcare and snacks provided