Wildwood/ARPS Important Dates

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Welcome Wildwood STARS

  • May 23: Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, 6:30-7:30pm, ARHS Library
  • May 24: Wildwood PGO Meeting and Project-Based Learning Presentation, 6:00-7:30pm
  • May 24: Post-Building Project Presentation. Hosted by SEPAC for families with students on an IEP or 504, 5:00-6:30pm at ARMS professional development center.
  • June 1: Staff Appreciation Breakfast. Please help? sign up here
  • June 5: Band/Orchestra Concert, 6:30pm
  • June 8: Wildwood Multicultural Fair (community potluck), 5:30 – 7:30pm
  • June 20: End of the Year Picnic (rain date June 21)
  • June 21: Sixth Grade Graduation
  • June 22: Last Day of School

Important Links / Hiperenlaces importantes

Front Office/ PGO Requests

  • Seeking volunteers to assist with our Annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast. Please sign up to donate items for the Staff Breakfast (click here). We’re expecting 75-100 to attend. Food items can be dropped off on June 1st before 7:45am (or on the 31st as long as items are labeled and placed in the staff refrigerator). Nonperishable items labeled “Staff Breakfast” can be dropped off anytime in the office. 

     

  • The Wildwood Multicultural Fair is looking for school community members willing to showcase their talents while sharing their cultural heritage. Are you or your child interested in performing for our community event? Please email: wildwoodelementarypgo@gmail.com

WildwoodPGO Meeting – Wednesday May 24, 6:00-7:30pm

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Come learn about Project Based Learning at the next Wildwood PGO Meeting
Tuesday, May 24, 2017  6:00pm-7:30pm

  • 6pm  PGO meeting in the Library – Hear about open PGO positions for next year. We need You!
  • 6:30pm  Nick will present on the implementation of Project Based Learning in Grades K-6 and the impact it will have on your children.  Come find out about this exciting journey into hands-on, problem-based, in-depth learning.
  • 7-7:30pm  Meet & Greet 

View Flyer in English

View Flyer in Spanish

Multicultural fair, June 8 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm!

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SAVE THE DATE – Thursday, June 8 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm! Please plan on attending our end-of-the-year community potluck, which celebrates the diversity of our school. In addition to a fantastic meal there are a variety of activities to showcase our cultural diversity, including a fashion show, performances (music, dance, song, etc.), and games/crafts. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please email Becky Miller (wildwoodelementarypgo@gmail.com).

Job Panel for Teens on May 25 at Amherst Survival Center

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JOB PANEL FOR TEENS (ages 15-21 years)

TO BE HELD AT THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER

THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017, 5:30PM-6:30PM

For Release:               Immediate

Contact:                      Tracey Levy, Program Director 549-3968 ext 102

Amherst, MA – In collaboration with the Amherst Regional Public Schools Vocational Services and the Collaborative for Educational Services, the Amherst Survival Center will sponsor a Job Panel for Teens on Thursday, May 25 from 5:30-6:30pm. The Job Panel will include employers from the area and a teen who has successfully landed employment. This is part of the Amherst Survival Center’s job search support program, and the third event of its kind for teenagers in the community.

The panel will include a guest speaker who is a manager at a local store who hires teens and other experts who can share with teens what employers look for when hiring youth and common mistakes to avoid while applying for jobs. The panel will also include a student who has successfully landed and kept a local job. The panel will answer questions and offer helpful hints about how to find a job.

No jobs will be offered at this event, but it is an opportunity to find out information and get support.

The Amherst Survival Center offers a light dinner on Thursday evenings from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Participants are welcome to join the center for dinner, and then attend this event.

“The Amherst Survival Center provides a series of programs that support community members to seek and find employment, including a weekly one-on-one service on Thursdays from 11:30am-1pm. All are welcome to use the service, the public computers at the Center, and shop in the Community Store for clothing needed for employment. “This is the third time we’ve organized this event specifically for youth, and we’re excited to be offering this kind of information support for them. There continues to be a need to support teens in this area,” said Tracey Levy, Program Director at the Center.

The Amherst Survival connects residents of Hampshire and Franklin Counties to food, clothing, healthcare, wellness, and community, primarily through volunteers. There is also a session of its free walk-in health clinic on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm.

The Amherst Survival Center is located at 138 Sunderland Road, in North Amherst, on the #33 PVTA bus route.

ARPS Special Education Services Family Survey

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Dear Parents/Guardians of Students with Special Education Services,

This year the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts have hired an independent consulting firm, Public Consulting Group, to conduct a survey of our special education services. All parents/guardians of students who are currently on an IEP are asked to provide feedback through an anonymous survey. Please know that your feedback will help to improve special education services across the district. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you have more than one child currently on an IEP, we ask that you complete a separate survey for each child. Please access the survey online until May 26th at: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Special-Education-Parent-Guardian-Survey

If you have any questions, please check in the main office at your child’s school or call the Student Services Office at 413-362-1834. Thank you in advance for your time and invaluable input.

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Morris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Queridos Padres/ Guardianes de Estudiantes con Servicios de Educación Especial,

Este año Amherst, Pelham y los Distritos Escolares Regionales de Amherst-Pelham han empleado a una empresa de consultoría independiente para conducir una evaluación completa de nuestros servicios de educación especial. Se le está pidiendo a todos los padres/guardianes de estudiantes que están actualmente en un IEP que provean su opinión a través de una encuesta anónima. Por favor sepa que su opinión ayudará a mejorar los servicios de educación especial a través del distrito. La encuesta debería tomar aproximadamente 15 minutos para completar. Si usted tiene a más de un niño actualmente en un IEP, pedimos que usted complete una encuesta separada para cada niño. Por favor, tendrá acceso a la encuest a en línea hast a el 26 de m ayo Español:

Español: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Spanish

Inglés: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Special-Education-Parent-Guardian-Survey

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor valla a la oficina general de la escuela de su niño o llame a la Oficina de Educación Especial al 413-362-1834. Gracias de antemano por su tiempo y colaboración inestimable.

Sinceramente,
Dr. Michael Morris

Sugarloaf Youth Track League

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Ages: 6-14

Dates: Thursday 5/25, 6/1, 6/8 and Friday 6/16, 6/23, 6/30

Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Location: Amherst Regional High School Track

Price: $49

Boys and girls of all abilities will be placed on a team and can compete in both relap and individual events. First night for Team Assignments & Orientation: Thursday, May 25 at 5:00 p.m. Arrive on first night to group teams, meet coaches & run an informal series of practice races. Meet dates are 6/1, 8, 16, 23, 30. Rain date is 6/27.
Meets at : Amherst Regional High School Track, 21 Mattoon Street, Amherst.
For more info please visit our website at www.lsse.org

Contact Sydney Henthorn, Sugarloaf Track League Director at shenthorn20@gmail.com or

Chris Johnson, Sports Director at LSSE, (413)259-3144 or johnsonc@amherstma.gov

K-6 sing-along, June 2 from 5:30 pm – 7 pm

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Wildwood kindergarten families…Please join us for an end of the year dinner (potluck) and sing-along on Friday, June 2 from 5:30 pm – 7 pm.

Each family is asked to bring one dish to share. If your last name starts with A – R please bring a main dish or salad and if your last name starts with S – Z please bring a dessert or fruit to share. In addition, you are asked to bring your own cups, plates, napkins, and silverware to reduce waste. Water will be provided for drinking.

Wildwood Yearbook, on sale thru 6/2

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Order your copy of the 2016/17 Wildwood School Yearbook. It’s filled with pictures of all the students and memories of this year at Wildwood, in beautiful full color!

Order deadline: June 2nd
Cost: $8 (families may request a confidential free copy)
View Order Form (also in backpacks): WW Yearbook ORDER FORM 2017 (1)

The Wildwood Yearbook is a parent produced, all volunteer project.

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Breakfast, Volunteers Needed!

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Wildwood teachers/staff are really appreciative of this annual event. Please help us make it a success.

Lots of ways to pitch in (donation of food, picking something up that is already paid for, or setting up or cleaning up). Click on the link below and see if one fits you: Click to Sign Up

Our annual staff appreciation breakfast will be held on June 1st beginning at 7:45am in the staff lounge.  We are looking for donations of breakfast items and volunteers to set-up, serve and clean-up.

Thank you,
PGO

11th Annual Latino Achievement Night (LAN)

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Friday, May 19, 2017 at 6:30 p.m
Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle School Auditorium

Under the direction of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Morris and Director of Family and Student Engagement, Dr. Marta Guevara and in keeping with the Social Justice Commitment of the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools, the 11th Annual Latino Achievement Night aspires toward equity in opportunity, inclusion, respect and community-building in and out of the classroom. All families, friends, staff and
community members are invited to attend.

The Latino Achievement Night was envisioned over 12 years ago by the members of the Latino Student Achievement Initiative. This group, comprised of district students, staff and community members, came together to explore ways to increase the academic achievement of students of Latino heritage. A series of recommendations was formulated to address this critical issue and strengthen the district’s’ efforts to support at-promise students. A resulting step was the creation of a community event celebrating the achievements of Latino Students paralleling the customs of Latin American countries.

All students of Latino heritage will be celebrated in this event and those in transition
years (K, 6, 8 and 12) will be highlighted for their academic achievement, leadership,
community spirit, progress and/or effort. The evening’s program will include spoken
word, music and dance presentations by students and staff of the Amherst/Pelham
Elementary Schools and the Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle/High School. In
addition, ARHS Seniors will be presented with a traditional graduation stole to be worn
over their robes at the graduation ceremony in June.

The evening’s featured speaker will be Dr. Carmen Cosme. Dr. Cosme obtained her PhD
in Hispanic Languages and Linguistics from the Dept. of Languages, Literatures and
Cultures at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is currently the VELA
after-school program coordinator in our Middle School.

Please contact Mildred Martinez at 413 362-1871 with any questions or concerns.

Jones Library Event – Film & Discussion

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Three Short Films from Brave New Films

 Join us on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next in this ongoing film and discussion series that may educate, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.

This month showing is an excellent three-part series from Brave New Films that explores the many ways black Americans face racial bias. These short, but powerful films – Racism is Real; Black Protests vs. White Riots; and Prison System by the Numbers – explore the effects of racial bias on the lives of black Americans and the ways in which racism impacts American society as a whole. The film will be followed by a brief discussion and then an opportunity to continue work on some local anti-racism action projects.

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

This film series is co-sponsored by the Jones Library and Coming Together.  More information about Coming Together can be found at http://www.coming-together.org/

Post Office Food Drive at Your Mailbox – Saturday, May 13

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On Saturday May 13, the National Association of Letter Carrier’s Union will hold their annual “Stamp Out Hunger” national food drive. Across the country, households will set out a bag of canned food (and/or personal care items) by their mailbox by 9AM that Saturday morning. Letter carriers will pick up the food during their rounds and distribute donations to area food pantries, including the Amherst Survival Center’s Pantry.

The Amherst Survival Center depends on food drives and financial contributions to support its Food Pantry programs. “For the past year, we have distributed more food to Food Pantry participants receive, and we’re seeing a larger number of households using the pantry, where we now provide groceries to close to 700 families each month,” said Mindy Domb, Executive Director of the Center. “This has increased the importance of community food drives, including the Post Office Food Drive.”

Donated food should be unopened, non-expired and non-perishable (canned). Personal care items are also welcome. The Center has more information on the Post Office Food Drive, including a list of the most needed foods, online at:www.amherstsurvival.org/postoffice.

Throughout the year, religious organizations, businesses, civic organizations, sports teams, fraternities and sororities from UMass, and student groups hold community drives to collect donations of food or personal care items. Last week, the regional Valley Gives Day helped to raise funds for the Center’s Milk Fund, which purchases fresh milk for the Pantry.

The Post Office Food Drive helps stock the Center’s KIDS BOOST program, where families with school-age children get extra food during the summer vacation months. Families are welcome to sign up and use the program in the summer.

The Amherst Survival Center Food Pantry serves individuals and families in these 13 towns: Amherst, Belchertown, Deerfield, Granby, Hadley, Leverett, Pelham, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, South Hadley, Sunderland, Whately and Ware. It’s open Monday, Tuesday, Friday from 11am to 2:45pm, Thursdays from 11am to 6:45pm and the third Saturday of the month from 9:30am to 11:30am.  The Center is located at 138 Sunderland Road in North Amherst, and is accessible by the #33 bus.

If you would like more information about the Amherst Survival Center, please contact the Center at 549-3968 or visit its website at www.amherstsurvival.org .

 

 

26th Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament – May 13, 14

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Come see hucks, bids, scoobers and maybe even a Callahan!  Don’t know what these are? Come find out!  On May 13-14, more than 30 of the top Ultimate frisbee teams in the country — including six teams from Amherst Regional High School and Amherst Regional Middle School — will compete in the 26th Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament.  Games run 9am-5pm on Saturday and 8am-4pm on Sunday at both ARHS and ARMS fields.  Championship games start at 1pm on Sunday near the ARHS track.  For more information, stop by the information tent at the Amherst Regional High School (21 Mattoon Street, Amherst, MA) or visit us at https://www.facebook.com/amherstinvitational/.  Admission is free!

MCAS Testing Dates

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MCAS testing has begun. Remaining test dates include:
Math MCAS dates are as follows: Grade 5–May 11, 12, Grade 6–May 18,19 Grades 3 and 4–May 23,24. The fifth grade also has MCAS Science tests on May 16 and 17.

Wahoo! The Valley Gave to Wildwood, $3,190.00

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The 4th annual Valley Gives Day was a great success for Wildwood. Here’s the latest tally:

31 Cash Donations – $279
27 Check Donations – $1910
14 Online Donations – $920 raised (fees may come off the top of this)

Total: 72 Donors raised $3,109

Average Donation $43
Huge shout out of thanks to Lisa Berry, Sara Eggemeier, Toni Cunningham and Gretchen Dwyer for their help on this. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Auditions for the Hampshire Young People’s Chorus

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Does your child love to sing? The Hampshire Young People’s Chorus (YPC), an award-winning youth choir, will hold audit ions on June 6 for new members for the 2017-2018 year.

YPC offers children the opportunity to experience choral singing in a comfortable and encouraging atmosphere. Healthy vocal technique and fundamental music skills are taught through singing a wide range of music from many styles and traditions. The choir’s roster includes more than 45 children in two age divisions – Concert Choir (grades 3-6) and Chamber Singers (grades 6-10). Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays in Amherst. For more information, please visit http://www.hampshireypc.org or call the director, K.C. Conlan, at 413-530-9337.

View Flyer

 

Seeking summer garden volunteers!

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Our elementary school gardens need your help to have a healthy summer growing season! Families are invited to join Leila Tunnell (Brookfield Farm educator) and Jennifer Reese (school garden coordinator) for an on-site garden volunteer training at your school this June. In the session (under an hour) you’ll  become familiar with the garden space, learn about the plants we’re growing, and learn how to access and use the garden tools. As one of the garden caretakers last summer, I (Jennifer) can attest to the fact that the “work” is fun and kid-friendly. My then 4-year-old, 7-year-old, and I did all that we needed to do in 1-2 hours per week. Families who help care for the gardens are also welcome to harvest (conservatively) from the gardens as crops become ready.
 
Sign ups for summer weeks will take place at the orientation sessions. Volunteers will also be asked to sign a liability waiver, per district protocol.
Please RSVP here if you plan to attend a session so that we can plan accordingly. Thank you!
 
Orientation sessions: 
Crocker Farm: Saturday, June 3rd, 10-11 am
Fort River: Sunday, June 4th, 10-11 am
Wildwood: Sunday, June 4th, 1-2 pm
Questions or comments? Please contact Jennifer Reese (reesej@arps.org) or Leila Tunnell (ltunnell18@gmail.com).

Amherst College Peer Relationships Lab

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The Amherst College Peer Relationships Lab is hoping to connect with families which have children ages 10-12 for a research study to be held this summer on the Amherst Campus.  The study is two hours and pays each family $50, and focuses on social relationships and emotions.  The principal investigator is Professor Julia McQuade.
Please Contact:
Sarah Mattison Buhl, MA.Ed
Amherst College
Research Coordinator, Director of Community Outreach
Child Learning and Development Lab
Peer Relationships Lab
sbuhl@amherst.edu
(413) 542.5746 (office)

Multi-Arts Summer Children’s Activities

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Art. Theater. Music. Dance. Fashion. Story Telling and more

Join us for one day, one week, or the whole summer

June 19 to August 11, 2017

Wildwood Elementary School, Amherst

Taught by  top-notch, professional artists every day.  Small groups. Individual attention for Children ages 4 to 12.  Fun, inspiring, empowering. You will bring home a happy child.  Limited Space. Register TODAY!

info@multi-arts.org   www.multi-arts.org   413-584-7951

“A Morning in the Orchard” – May 7th, 10am-12 pm

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“A Morning in the Orchard,” is an inter-generational reading event with Kestrel Land Trust, Applewood Retirement Community, and the Eric Carle Museum. Families with children ages 5-9 are invited to bring their favorite books and come read with Applewood residents, do an art project, and walk among the many species of trees and shrubs in the orchard. 
May 7th, 10am-12 pm
Parking along the south side of Spencer Drive. 

ARMS PGO online Amherst merchandise store

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Back by popular demand, the Amherst Regional Middle School PGO has reopened their online Amherst merchandise store – for two weeks only! In addition to popular items from the fall, we’ve added new items for spring and summer, including tank tops, shorts, windbreakers and new hats.  All shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, and shorts are available in youth sizes as well as adult. Please see the attached flyer for photos of all the available items and ordering information.  The deadline for orders is Sunday, May 14.  

 

Post-Building Project Presentation, 5/5

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Please join us on Friday, May 5th from 12:00-1:00pm in the Green Room at Wildwood School for a  Post-Building Project Presentation with Interim Superintendent Michael Morris

Dr Morris will discuss the post-school vote challenges that our school districts face – Financial, Enrollment, and Infrastructure – followed by a question and answer period.

If mornings work better, Wildwood families are welcome to attend the same presentation by Dr Morris at Crocker Farm Elementary School on Friday 5th May from 9:00-10:15am.

View Flyer in Spanish

View Flyer in English

 

MCAS Testing Dates

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MCAS testing has begun. Remaining test dates as follows:

  • ELA MCAS: Grade 6 on May 2.
  • Math MCAS: Grade 5–May 11, 12; Grade 6–May 18,19; Grades 3 and 4–May 23,24.
  • Science MCAS: Grade 5–May 16 and 17.

Valley Gives & Brown Envelope Fundraiser, May 2

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The 4th annual Valley Gives Day is THIS WEEK! valleygives-2

This 24-hour online giving day allows people throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond to support hundreds of local nonprofits, including our very own Wildwood School. Don’t delay, support Wildwood PGO today!

Donate via brown envelope or online at: https://valley-gives.org/designee/wildwood-parent-guardian-organization

With your help the PGO can continue to support our students in ways that are as diverse as the population we serve. We strive to ensure that all children have what they need to thrive while also providing our amazing educators with basic tools for their classrooms. With your help the PGO can continue to support our students in ways that are as diverse as the population we serve. But we can’t do it without you! Check it out:

  • $850 ensures every 6th Grade student can participate in the Morse Hill field trip
  • $700 pays for a visiting author
  • $500 supports Art room clay supplies for the year
  • $200 will pay for a Sewing Machine for the Art Room
  • $125 supports a Staff Appreciation Breakfast
  • $120 buys Soil Testing probes for a 2nd Grade Soil Investigation science unit
  • $100 Pays for Moby Max curriculum software licenses for 5th Graders
  • $100 Can assist the school to submit mini grants for unique learning opportunities for children
  • $50 Will help every child to attend class field trips in the community
  • $20 Contributes to teacher classroom supplies so all children have access to pencils and paper
  • $10 helps to ensure that each child can have a snack every day

Our school will be stronger with help from you. Please donate what you can today and dig deep this spring. Thank you!