Public Forums Set Regarding Potential Redistricting of Amherst Public Schools

Please Note: An informational document has been added to this announcement.

At their March 17th meeting, the Amherst School Committee made a motion to close Marks Meadow Elementary School at the end of the 2009-2010 school year and redistrict to create three elementary schools with proportionate numbers of children on free/reduced lunch for the start of the 2010-2011 school year. The following public meetings are scheduled to provide the community with opportunities to hear more about the educational and budgetary impact of redistricting, as well as to ask questions and provide feedback:

• Monday, April 27 at 5:00 p.m.: Marks Meadow PGO/MM Community (MM auditorium)
• Wednesday, April 29th at 12:00 Noon: Wildwood PGO/Wildwood Community (WW location TBA)
• Wednesday, April 29th at 5:00 p.m.: Fort River PGO/FR Community (FR library)
• Thursday, April 30th at 5:00 p.m.: Crocker Farm PGO/CF Community (CF library)
• Tuesday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m.: Community-Wide Forum (Middle School auditorium)

The Amherst School Committee plans to take a vote on the redistricting motion at their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19th.

To read the information to be presented, please click on the link below.

CommunityPresentationRE_CloseMM.pdf

League of Women Voters BOOK SALE!

April 24 is the last day for donations of books for the 62^nd annual League of Women Voters of Amherst. The Book Sale which will take place on the Town Common on May 1, 2, and 3. Area residents are urged to look over their book shelves and contribute books to the LWV fund raiser.

The book sale is a great way of recycling books in the area. Last year nearly 40,00 books were received, providing a source of good books at bargain prices. Profits have supported publication of the Voter’s Guide for the recent local election and League publications such as the Town Meeting Hand Book, They Represent You, a listing of Town meeting members and elected officers, and the recently revised Your Amherst Government.

Books should be brought to the LWV sorting and pricing place at 479 West Street, #8 (corner of Pomeroy Ln.and West St.), the Hadley Stop & Shop, the Jones, Munson and North Amherst Libraries or the UPS Store at 6 University Drive .

For information, call 253 – 0633.

Teacher Appreciation

Let your teacher know how much you appreciate all their hard work, care, expertise, and dedication!

Make a gift to the Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) in honor of a teacher, and AEF will deliver a shining star with note of appreciation to that teacher.

Your tax-deductible gift will go toward supporting important work in our schools next year.

Gifts must be received by April 30th in order for stars to be delivered on May 5, Teacher Appreciation Day.

www.amhersteducationfoundation.org

Click on image to print.

Parents Take Action for Elementary Schools

Send a letter or email voicing your opinion to: schoolcommittee@arps.org
Kathleen Anderson: andersonk@arps.org
Andy Churchill: churchilla@arps.org
Irv Rhodes: rhodesi@arps.org
Steve Rivkin: rivkins@arps.org
Catherine Sanderson: sandersonc@arps.org
Amherst Town Manager, Larry Schaffer: shafferl@amherstma.gov
Amherst Assistant Manager anf Finance Director: musantej@amherstma.gov
Superintendent, Alberto Rodriguez: rodrigueza@arps.org
Assistant to Superintendent Debbie Westmorland: WestmorelandD@arps.org
Select Board: selectboard@Amherstma.gov
State Representative, Ellen Story : Rep.EllenStory@hou.state.ma.us
State Senator, Stan Rosenburg: Stan.Rosenberg@state.ma.us

Write a letter to the Editor:
The Gazette: opinion@gazettenet.com
Include name, telephone number and address on piece (only name will be printed), send by Monday 9am. 300 words or less.
The Bulletin: letters@amherstbulletin.com
Include name, telephone number and address (only name will be printed) In the Subject write: Letter to the editor, 400 words or less.

Let Governor Patrick know how you feel about the current funding situation. (http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_us )