Amherst Regional Middle

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we head into December, many of our conversations focus on the budget for next year. The key factor guiding the budget building process is the formation of the budget as the financial blueprint of a school/district’s mission and priorities. Our school Leadership Team (made up of representatives of various constituencies in our school (teams, departments, guidance, administration) and our School Council have been identifying priority areas which will inform budget decisions. Among the top priorities are restructuring the team to return to a four person team model. Currently we have a 3 person team – English, Social Studies, Science teacher. Many believe that a four person team with the math or exploratory teachers on the team better meets the needs of students. Additionally, maintaining small class size and opportunities for “double dip” math support have been identified as priority areas. We will keep you informed of the process. If you have any questions and/or would like to offer your thoughts, please contact us or one of the School Council members.

Another area to which we are continuing to devote attention is that of safety and well being in our school. As I wrote in last month’s newsletter, our school and district are working to insure our school’s safety in many ways. Recently a few situations have presented opportunities for teachable moments for us, our students and parents/guardians.

As a staff, we refreshed our understanding of various forms of bullying (verbal, non-verbal, physical, cyber, etc.) and the various participants in a bullying situation (bully, target, by-standers, accomplices and allies). We shared some of the information we’ve learned from our students, particularly the fear and challenge many experience in being thought of as a “snitch”. In the coming months, we will be working with students on positive ways to support students towards interrupting bullying and doing their part to keep our school safe. Additionally, we invite parent/guardians who would like to meet with us to work on these important issues to contact us. Please let me know if you’re interested.

And as always, we need your help in addressing issues of safety and well being. Please help us in these ways:

· If your child shares with you that he/she or a peer is feeling bullied and/or uncomfortable (that “uh-oh” feeling) please let us know. We are committed to responding with a clear, strong, respectful intervention. Please do not assume that we are aware of the situation.

· Let your child know your threshold for acceptable and unacceptable behavior, language, use of technology, etc. If your child talks about a situation as “just fooling around”, which sounds to you like trouble, please let us know. Some of the language and behaviors which are unacceptable to us (trash talk, fighting, etc.) have become normalized by the culture which is part of our kids’ lives.

In advance, we thank you for your attention, concern and communication with us. We welcome the opportunity to work together on these important and challenging issues.

Fran Ziperstein

Our warmest wishes to you and your family for a season of good health, joy and happiness.

SCHOOL CANCELLATION INFORMATION

As the snow approaches, we want to provide you with a list of the media outlets that will be contacted in the event of school cancellations, delays or early dismissal. Notices will also be recorded on the school information line.

School Information Line: 362-1898

Radio:

WRNX –Holyoke - 100.9 FM

WHMP – Northampton 1400 AM/Greenfield-1240 AM/Springfield-1600 AM

WRSO - Greenfield 93.9 FM

WHAI - Greenfield - 98.3 FM / WPVQ - South Deerfield - 95.3 FM

WHYN- Springfield - 93.1 FM

Television:

WWLP – Springfield - Channel 22

WGGB – Springfield - Channel 40

WSHM – Springfield - Channel 67 (3 on cable)

Please be prepared for the possibility of an early dismissal on bad weather days. Be sure we have current contact and emergency information. Discuss an early dismissal plan with your child.

LOST AND FOUND

Missing a coat, lunchbag, sweatshirt, sneakers…….? Please check the LOST & FOUND in our cafeteria. After the winter break, all items will be donated to the Survival Center.

THE GEO BEE IS COMING!!!

7th and 8th grade social studies teachers will be conducting "geography bees" in their classrooms during the month of December. Each 7th and 8th grade team will identify two students from their team whom will compete in a school wide competition in January. The date of that competition is Thursday, January 10th at 2:30PM in the middle school auditorium. Parents and friends are welcome to attend. One finalist and one first alternate will be identified during that competition and the finalist will attend a state wide competition later this year. Good luck students!!!

CELEBRANDO EL DIA DE LA PUERTORRIQUENIDAD

El jueves, 15 de noviembre la comunidad de Amherst celebro el dia de la puertorriquenidad. El evento se celebro en la cafeteria de la Escuela Intermedia (ARMS) e incluyo una cena preparada por los padres asu como presentaciones por los estudiantes de Latinos Unidos tanto de la Escuela Intermedia como de la Superior. El Conjunto de Bomba cerro la noche con broche de oro.

Las mamas y papas respondieron con mucho entusiasmo a la invitacion de la Cena Puertorriquena. La Sra. Sonia Correa-Pope, miembro del Comite Escolar, le trajo un mensajea la comunidad donde exhortaba a los padres a mantenerse bien envueltos en las escuelas de sus ninos, a visitar la escuela con frecuencia, a exigirles a sus hijos que hagan sus asignaciones y a hacerle preguntas a la escuela cuando fuera necesario.

Sara Pacheco, madre de nuestro estudiante del 7mo grado, Gus Linarez y maestra en la Escuela Vocacional Dean de Holyoke nos ayudo mucho con la actividad. Ella fue instrumental en ayudarnos a preparar a los muchachos de ARMS para su bonito baile de plena puertorriquena (ver foto). La Sra. Pacheco les enseno a Mari Reyes y a Mari Vicente (quien escribe), asi como al voluntario y bastion en la comunidad latina, Victor Guevara, una coreografia de plena que ellos tres a su vez les pudieron ensenar a los estudiantes. Sara tambien nos presto los vestuarios -despues de lavarlos y hasta plancharlos!- nos los trajo a la escuela y estuvo a cargo de supervisar y de ayudar a los muchachos el dia de la presentacion. Victor Guevara tambien nos ayudo a que todo saliera bien el dia de la actividad. El dia de la puertorriquenidad fue todo un trabajo de equipo. Como bien dice el refran, "En la union esta la fuerza."

Escrito por:

Mari Vicente,

Consejera para el exito de los estudiantes latinos

CELEBRATING PUERTO RICO DAY

On Thursday, November 15, the Amherst community celebrated Puerto Rican Day. This event took place in ARMS' cafeteria. It consisted of a plentiful, potluck dinner -mostly prepared by parents- as well as presentations by ARMS' and ARHS' Latinos Unidos members. El Conjunto de Bomba closed the evening with yet another beautiful performance.

Parents responded with a lot of enthusiasm to the Puerto Rican dinner invitation. Not only did a good number of families showed up, but they came in with home cooked food to share. Mrs. Sonia Correa-Pope, School Committee member, brought a message to the community in which she encouraged parents to stay involved in their children's education, visit their school frequently, demand that their children to get their homework done, as well as ask questions of the school when necessary.

Sara Pacheco, who is 7th grader, Gus Linarez's mother and also a teacher at Dean Vocational School in Holyoke, was a great help in making this event such a success. She was instrumental in helping to prepare the Middle School kids for their beautiful plena dance (see photo). Ms. Pacheco began by teaching Mari Reyes, Mari Vicente (writer), and volunteer and community bastion Victor Guevara, a plena choreography that they in turn were able to teach the students. Ms. Pacheco also loaned us the plena customs, after washing, and even ironing them!- She then brought the customs to school and was in charge of supervising the kids and helping them on the day of the presentation. Victor Guevara, Mari Reyes and Mari Vicente taught the dance to the students. He also helped on the day of the event, making sure everything flowed nicely. Puerto Rican Day was quite a team effort. As we say in Spanish, "En la union esta la fuerza" (In union, there is strength).

Submitted by:

Mari Vicente, Latino Achievement Counselor

SAVE THE DATE!

A "Sensational Salsa Social" for the entire family will be held on January 25th in the middle school cafeteria from 7 -10 PM. This is a fund raising event for the 8th grade Spanish Class’ educational trip to New York City in April. There will be a DJ, light snacks, and lots of dancing! Tickets are on a sliding scale between $5 and $15 and will be on sale soon. This is a great event for the whole family - please join us! For more information or tickets e-mail Alicia Lopez at lopeza@arps.org.

EIGHTH GRADE PARENTS:

Recognition ads for the 2007-2008 yearbook are due December 21. A form and letter was mailed to your home a few weeks ago. If you need another there are extras in the main office. -Yearbook

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Amherst Regional Middle School is once again hosting students from Japan on March 19-23. Host families are needed for this visit. Students from Kanegasaki, Japan have been coming to Amherst for nearly 16 years. The exchange program has been the core of the long standing relationship that has linked our two sister towns. If you and your family are interested, please have your student pick up an application in the front office and speak with Ms. Boyd in Guidance.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION NEWS

Snow and cold weather have arrived and physical education classes will be held indoors until spring. Students will need to have shorts, a tee shirt, and a safe pair of sneakers. We have suggested to students to have an extra pair of gym clothes in their lockers. Swimming will be coming up after the December break, classes will be informed of the date for when their swimming class will begin. Students will need to have a one-piece bathing suit and towel and goggles if necessary. Students may also wear tee shirts and/or shirts over their suits. If there are any questions or concerns please call one of us at 362-1958 or 1957. Your support in reminding students to bring their clothing is greatly appreciated.

We would also like to encourage physical activity and proper nutrition outside of school. As many of you know we have a nationwide problem of obesity and other health risks from lack of activity and improper nutrition. There are many winter activities for children to enjoy. Check out the website www.winterfeelsgood.com. Have a safe and enjoyable vacation.

WESTERN DISTRICT ORCHESTRA

The results are in - and every string student from Amherst who auditioned made it into the Western District Orchestra.

If your son/daughter is interested in going to either of these schools, they need to get a permission slip from Ms Boyd, 8th grade guidance counselor , which will be available to them on January 3. All permission slips are due by January 18th.

Upon their return students, will go directly to class, except those students who missed lunch or are scheduled to go to lunch. They will have lunch then return to class.

Any questions....please call Denise Boyd, 8^th grade counselor, 362-1841

ARMS DIRECTORY

Many, many thanks to parent Adrienne Levine and her helpers for the organization, publication and distribution of the ARMS DIRECTORY. This project was initiated by the Family School Partnership in an effort to build community and help parent/guardians be in touch with each other. Thank you again!

MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNCIL

Elected in October, the Middle School Council has met twice. We met with Jere Hochman, the School Superintendent, about the Middle School principal search, reviewed last year’s School Improvement Plan, and have begun to discuss the budget process. Our focus for the next few months will be to help establish priorities for the upcoming budget and develop a School Improvement Plan for 2008- 2009. The plan, as mandated by the MA Department of Education, will identify the goals and outline the next steps for the continued growth and improvement of the Middle School.

The following parents are members of the Council: Amy Brodigan; Luisa Cabrera; Tom Flittie; Bryan Harvey; David Su; and Nate Whitaker. Please feel free to contact any of us if you have questions or thoughts about our work.

Brodigan, Amy a_brodigan@comcast.net 256-8682

Cabrera, Luisa luisacla@aol.com 253-4784

Flittie, Tom tom.flittie@gmail.com 549-1608

Harvey, Bryan harvey@provost.umass.edu 362-1965

Su, David dsu@alum.dartmouth.org 367-9827

Whitaker, Nathaniel whitaker@math.umass.edu 256-8539

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

The eighth grade student leadership has been very busy this year. We have already accomplished one of our goals – a school wide “Mix-It Up Day”. This was an activity where students crossed social boundaries and sat at different lunch tables than usual. This was a struggle for some students, but overall we feel it was worth it. Some upcoming events we are planning are:

· Recycling/compost (kick-off week in January)

· Fundraising for 8^th grade trip to Six Flags

An example of our fundraising is the upcoming bake sale on December 18. In January we hope to have a kick-off week for our recycling/compost project. We hope that the Six Flags trip will become possible, and any donations are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

8^th Grade Student Leadership

FAMILY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP NEWS

On January 17, 2008 we will be running a Family Education Program on ARMS/ARHS curriculum choices. The goal of the program is to help middle school families understand the long-term impact of middle school choices. This was the number one requested topic in our family education program

survey. As we organize the program, please tell us specifically what you want to know. Send your questions to armsfsp@yahoo.com or drop a note in FSP box in the Middle School office. Here are some of the questions that we have already assembled:

· Middle School Curriculum Choices and Consequences

· Does my student have to do the 7th grade math extensions to do advanced science in High School?

· What does my student need to do in middle school to qualify for admission to Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School?

· How do students qualify to take Honors English in High School?

These are just a few of the questions - Please send us yours.

PS. The School Board is considering major curriculum changes to ninth grade science at the meeting on December 18. We hope to have an update during this family education program.

Dear Families,

We would like to formally invite you to the

Three Wise Men Day

Pot luck Celebration

Friday, January 4, 2008

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

We need your help!

We would like to teach children about the cultural tradition of

The Three Wise Men.

You can help us to create a great Three Wise Men celebration by bringing food and:

□ Serving food

□ Decorating/setting up the cafeteria (2:30-4:30pm)

□ Cleaning up at the end (8:00 pm)

Livia Vélez, Mari Vicente, Víctor Guevara, Wilma Ortiz, Alicia López, Indira Kris, Silvia Sherwood, Mari Reyes, and other Amherst community members. Questions? Call Mari Vicente at 256-8610 or Livia Vélez at 549-2084.

Not a school sponsored event.

Queridas familias,

Queremos invitarlos a

Celebrar el dia

de los Tres Reyes Magos

Viernes, 4 de enero del 2008

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

CAFETERIA DE LA ESCUELA INTERMEDIA

!Necesitamos su ayuda!

Queremos enseñarles a los niños mas pequeños la tradición de

Los Tres Reyes Magos.

Ud. puede ayudarnos a crear una gran celebración trayendo un plato para compartir y

ayudándonos a:

□ Servir comida

□ Decorar la cafetería (2:30-4:30PM)

□ Recoger la cafetería al final del evento (8:00 PM)

Organizado por: Livia Vélez, Mari Vicente, Víctor Guevara, Alicia López, Wilma Ortiz, Indira Kris, Silvia Sherwood, Mari Reyes y otros miembros de la comunidad latina de Amherst. Si tiene preguntas, puede llamar a Mari Vicente al 256-8610 o a Livia Vélez al 549-2084.

Este evento no es patrocinado por el sistema escolar.

SENSATIONAL SALSA SOCIAL
...for the whole family
with DJ Joey Acevedo

¡Bailen con nosotros!

What? DANCE, DANCE, DANCE! Snacks and soft drinks available! Learn to dance salsa! Raffle and cash prize!

When? Friday, JANUARY 25, 2008 7 – 10 pm

Where? Amherst MIDDLE SCHOOL cafeteria

Why? FUNDRAISER for the 8th grade Spanish trip to New York City’s Hispanic cultural events

Who? Everyone invited! $5 to $15 sliding scale ($15 per FAMILY max.)

For tickets or info: Alicia López, Amherst Regional Middle School 362–1935

Fundraiser!

BAILE DE SALSA
...para toda la familia
con DJ Joey Acevedo

¡Bailen con nosotros!

¿Qué? ¡BAILEN, BAILEN, BAILEN! Habrán

refrescos

¿Cuándo? El viernes 25 de ENERO, 2008 7 – 10 de la noche

¿Dónde? En la cafeteria de la ESCUELA INTERMEDIA

de Amherst (Amherst Regional Middle School)

¿Por qué? Para recaudar fondos para la excursión de las clases de español del octavo grado a NUEVA YORK

¿Quién? ¡Toda la familia está invitada! Paguen lo que puedan, $5 – $15 (máximo de $15 para toda la familia)

Para más información, llame a:

Alicia López 362–1935 Se venderán boletos todos los JUEVES

a las 2:20 en la entrada de la escuela intermedia

Fundraiser!