IN THE NEWS
AT ARMS

Text Box: Fran Ziperstein Michael Hayes Libby Hurley
Principal Co-Principal Assistant Principal

Dear Middle School families,

This month we are proud to shine the spotlight on many of the celebrations, accomplishments and honors which have come to our community. We are pleased and honored to share news about some of our ARMS shining stars.

MathCounts

MathCounts is a middle school math competition held in the United States. The competition is designed for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. The subject matter includes geometry, combinatorics, and algebra. The contest emphasizes problem solving skills within traditional middle school mathematics. ARMS MathCounts Club has been meeting every Tuesday afternoon since the beginning of the school year. During club time students practice varying types of math problems and problem solving techniques. While the club is winding down for this school year, they are sure to return again next year.

Congratulations to the following students who participated in this year’s Regional Math Counts

Competition in Springfield: Solomon Goldstein-Rose, Sarah Martini, Dorian Elgers-Lo, Leah Alper, Sourav Podder, Heeseob Lee, Angela Zhu, Shohini Kundu, Jonathan Simonds, Jonathan Park, and Varun Sheel.

ARMS placed 2nd and will be moving on to the State Competition in Boston on March 8th. In addition, three ARMS students placed as individual competitors in the top 10. Congratulations to Sarah Martini (10th), Leah Alper (6th), and Solomon Goldstein-Rose (3rd) and BRAVO and thanks to all our ARMS participants!

Boston Globe Scholastic Art Competition

Administered by The Artists Foundation in Boston and sponsored by the Globe, the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Competition encourages achievement in 15 categories of creative art. More than 5,000 pieces of art were entered in the five regional competitions. We at A.R.M.S. are proud to congratulate our talented artists!!!

Congratulations to the following students whose artwork was submitted to the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Competition: Natalie Barkman, Francesca D'Introno, Sabrina Hafner, August Miller, Rose Vieland, Caridad Bedolla, Jaki Wang, and Elora Simkins

A big huge congratulations to Rose Vieland who won a Silver Key award and to Francesca D’Introno and Sabrina Hafner who both won Honorable Mention awards.

Applause and congratulations to Sean Smith, middle and high school Latin teacher who was recognized by the Joint Committee on the Classics in American Education of the American Philological Association as the national recipient of the Excellence in Teaching at the Precollegiate level. Kudos to Sean!

On Thursday, February 14, we had the pleasure of enjoying our ARMS Community Assembly. This outstanding production, managed and orchestrated by Tara Farley, our art teacher, featured various aspects of our school community. Presentations included the Craig School Partnership, Computer Homework Club, the Quebec trip, Best Buddies, Greater than One, Ballroom Dancing and Esperanza club. Other presentations were from the Newspaper club, MathCounts club, and the Geography Bee and Advisory Basketball competition. Our Jazz Band, Drill Team, Ballroom Dancing club and Chorus also entertained us with their fabulous talent. Our performers were outstanding and audience was extremely appreciative.

And last but not least, the spotlight on you, our ARMS families for the generous and delicious Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Our staff was treated to a fabulous luncheon salads, main dishes, desserts , music, candlelight, raffle prizes and left over containers for dinner and next day’s lunch! Special thanks to parents Diana Spurgin and Andrea Turcatti and all their helpers for organizing the lovely event. We appreciate your appreciation! We also appreciate those of you who have generously donated tissue boxes, books, a rocking chair for our library and periodic sweet treats for our staff!

THANK YOU ~THANK YOU~ THANK YOU!

Fran Ziperstein and Mike Hayes

Team Onyx

Team Onyx has decided to make a few modifications to the existing system of parental notification about missing work. When a student comes to class without their homework or without the necessary materials, they are asked to fill out a “green sheet” to reflect on their lack of preparation. Under the old system, these green sheets were mailed home at the end of each week. Our new plan is to instead contact parents via email (as available) when a student fills out a green sheet. (If email is unavailable parents will be contacted via regular mail.) We feel this system will create more expedient and frequent communication with parents, and will hopefully encourage greater student accountability.

Additionally, the Team Onyx teachers would like to remind all parents that we strongly encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns about assignments or missing work. We look forward to the continuing success of all students.

Music Notes

As we head into February, the music ensembles are preparing for their Winter Concerts. These concerts will be held in March for all of the Middle School ensembles.

They are scheduled for:

March 4 Band 8 and Orchestra 8

7:30 P.M. ARMS Aud.

March 6 Chorus 7 and Chorus 8

7:30 P.M. ARMS Aud.

March 13 Band 7 and Orchestra 7

7:30 P.M. ARMS Aud.

March 28 Chorus 8 Ice Cream Night and Choral Revue

6:30 P.M. ARMS Cafeteria

Don’t miss these exciting concerts as our young musicians grow at their “trade”.

Ice Cream Night and Choral Revue

This year’s Ice Cream Night and Choral Revue is scheduled for Friday, March 28^th. This fun family event is presented by the Grade 8 Chorus and is open to the entire school community. Come see and hear some singing, dancing, and role playing and have an ice cream sundae while you are at it.

The money raised from this show helps support the June MS Chorus trip to Boston. The students will see “The Blue Men Group” or Shear Madness”.

Tickets for this event may be purchased through David Ranen. He can be contacted at: 362-1961 and ranend@arps.org.

Ticket prices are:

$10.00 –Adults

$6.00 – Seniors and Students (Grades K-12)

Children not yet in school are free

Your ticket will get you into the show and as many trips as you would like through the Ice Cream Sundae line.

Middle school students wanting to go to see their friends in the show are invited but must attend with a parent.

Don’t miss this year’s Ice Cream Night and Choral Revue.

News From ELL

TESTING- TESTING and more TESTING

English Language Education (ELE) teachers will be using an observation protocol called MELA-O (Mass. English Language Assessment Oral) to assess students’ oral proficiency during the weeks of Feb. 25 - March 19. ELL students will be taking the MEPA (Mass English Proficiency Assessment) test on March 11-12, with a make up date for March 13. In addition, students will take MCAS exams in March, April and May, all on different days.

Mark your calendars: upcoming ELL Parents Night for middle school parents and guardians. This will be on Wednesday, February 27 from 6:30-8:00 pm. in the room C12-A at the middle school. We will be talking about state assessments, registration for 8^th graders going into 9^th grade, and much more. Bring your questions and concerns.

ELL students on team Emerald are preparing for exhibition. ELL students are encouraged to come to Homework Club in room C-12A from 2:30-3:15pm to get help with their poems.

If you have any questions or concerns you can call Mrs. Ortiz (Team Emerald 7^th) or Ms. Reyes (Team Sapphire) at 362-1929

Thank you for your donations of tissues. We still need snacks and drinks for the after school Homework Club. Your donations are greatly appreciated by the students!

Science News

The Science Department is putting together a reading list of books for students who are looking either for an extra challenge, or simply to explore a science topic of interest further. We would like to hear from ARMS families about any science-themed book titles that would be engaging and appropriate for adolescent readers. Fiction, non-fiction or biography, current or classic, we are particularly interested in books and authors that students did not read in elementary school, and books with multi-cultural interest. Please email your suggestions to Catherine Keppler at KepplerC@arps.org We will publish the list once we have enough titles, and will make the books available to students through the school library.

Ultimate Frisbee Notes

It's time to start thinking about spring sports! Ultimate Frisbee is a recognized spring sport at ARMS. There are two Ultimate programs that run concurrently: an Intramural League, open to all students (coed, no experience necessary), and a Travel Team of 16 students, selected after a two week tryout period. All students must have an up-to-date Sports Physical on file with the school nurse in order to participate.

Detailed information about the team can be found at http://www.amherstultimate.org/arms

If you have questions or need more information call Jim Pistrang at 256-1737.

Upcoming events include:

Tuesday, February 26^th– Spring Sports Registration at 5:30 at ARHS (in the gym). Register your student, fill out the paperwork, and meet the coaches.

Tuesday, March 4^th- Meeting in the ARMS Cafeteria for all students planning to play Ultimate. Parents do not need to attend this meeting.

Thursday, March 20^th- First day of practice.

Sunday, May 11^th- The 11th annual Amherst Middle School Ultimate Tournament

MCAS Snacks

Keep your ears open for our call for MCAS SNACKS. Your contributions were very important to our students last year and we’ll welcome your support again this year.

After School Pickup

~~~~~~WE NEED YOUR HELP~~~~~

As you know, this year we have a wonderful range of afterschool opportunities for our students. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, teachers are available for afterschool support as well as many exciting and interesting clubs. Our afterschool support and clubs are held from 2:30-3:30. We have a “Late Bus Waiting Room” in the cafeteria to supervise students who are waiting for parent/pick up or waiting for the late bus, which arrives at 4:00. Here’s where we need your help. If you are picking up your child after 3:30, PLEASE come in to the cafeteria to get your child. We cannot adequately supervise students who are waiting outside for pick up. Frequently they are waiting for 10-20 minutes and on a number of occasions situations have occurred which needed adult supervision. We understand that this is a bit of an inconvenience, but we need your help in keeping our school safe, even at the very end of the school day. If you have any questions about this, please call Fran at 362-1800. In advance, I thank you for your help and support.

DROP OFF ALERT

Thank you to those of you who are using the south parking lot to drop off your children in the morning. PLEASE use care and caution when dropping off your child. Please drive slowly and watch out for each other’s children.

Amherst Regional High School Mark Jackson, Principal

21 Mattoon Street Marta Guevara, Assistant Principal

Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 Annie Leonard, Assistant Principal

(413) 362-1700 FAX (413) 549-9704 www.arps.org/hs

February 15, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians of the ARHS Class of 2012,

This letter introduces 8^th grade families to the process of high school course registration for the 2008-2009 school year. We want to make sure that every student and every parent/guardian understands and is involved in the process. Making good course selection decisions now will allow us to build an appropriate schedule for your student for next year.

Pre-registration is an extremely important part of the registration process. The middle and high school staffs work together to provide information regarding academic and elective course offerings as well as graduation and college admission requirements. Students and their parents/guardians should engage in a thoughtful decision making process before registering for courses. In general, the more thought that students and parents/guardians give to the selection of courses, the fewer changes that have to be made after schedules have been printed and distributed.

Pre-registration will begin on Monday, March 10, when the high school guidance staff will meet with their 8^th grade student caseloads at the middle school. Registration materials (a 9^th Grade pre-registration worksheet and an abbreviated version of the Program of Studies) will be distributed to students at this time. Over the next three days, 8^th grade teachers will discuss 9^th grade course options with their students during class time.

Please see the reverse side of this page for Course Registration Information for incoming 9^th graders. Students and families can learn more about high school offerings and requirements in the complete, on-line version of the ARHS 2008-09 Program of Studies, which you will find on our website at http://www.arps.org/hss/ProgramOfStudies.jsp.

On Thursday, March 13, the high school will host an information session for 8^th grade students and their families. Please join us in the high school auditorium from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Students will register for high school classes during the school day on March 18, 19 and 20. A form to verify the courses your student has registered for will be sent home in mid-April and must be returned to school with a parent or guardian signature.

We look forward to welcoming you and your student to the high school in person on Thursday, March 13.

Sincerely,

Annie Leonard

Assistant Principal

Michael Bardsley

Guidance Department Chair

NINTH GRADE REGISTRATION GUIDE

All students registering for ninth grade classes must request a minimum of 24 credits and exactly 15 blocks. Students will get individualized advice from their current teachers and future guidance counselor. In addition, the following guidelines will assist students and families in selecting the appropriate courses.

· English: All ninth grade students should enroll in Writing and Literature A and Writing and Literature B, unless they are English Language Learners or Special Education students who have been recommended for an alternative English course. The decision as to whether to take College Prep or Honors is determined once the student is enrolled in the class (4 credits; 2 blocks).

· Social Studies: All ninth grade students should enroll in either World Civilizations or World Civilizations/Honors, unless they are English Language Learners or Special Education students who have been recommended for an alternative Social Studies course (4 credits; 2 blocks).

· Mathematics: This is the academic area with the greatest number of possible choices. An appropriate math class should be chosen based on a student’s current skill level. If the student is presently enrolled and successful in a math course, you should be able to determine the appropriate next step using the Program of Studies and in consultation with your student’s current math teacher (usually 4 credits; 2 blocks).

· Science: All ninth grade students should enroll in either Ecology and Environmental Science or Ecology/Honors and Environmental Science/Honors (4 credits; 2 blocks).

· World Language: Earning credits in a World Language is not required for graduation from ARHS. Two years of a World Language is a requirement for admittance into most four year colleges. Ninth grade students can continue in the next level of the language in which they are currently enrolled, or they can start a new language at the novice level (usually 4 credits; 2 blocks).

· Physical Education: All ninth grade students are required to take Physical Education 9 (2 credits; 1 block).

· Electives and Studies: Most ninth graders will have four remaining blocks in which to schedule electives as well as Directed Studies or support classes such as Prep Academy or Academic Skills. Ninth grade students should consider electives in their areas of interest, and that are prerequisites to courses in which they may want to enroll in the future (usually up to 4 blocks of studies and electives).

More information on high school offerings and requirements is available in the Program of Studies, on line at http://www.arps.org/hss/ProgramOfStudies.jsp .