Town News / Current Events: Weather

Weather!

ABC 40’s Eric Fisher to Hold Weather Forum at Amherst Town Hall

On Saturday, October 4, 2008 ABC40’s Eric Fisher will be in the Town Room at the Amherst Town Hall holding a forum on the Weather. The purpose of this forum is to meet the ABC40 staff, ask the meteorologists questions, and learn how they forecast for the area and present those forecasts to viewers.

The meeting will start at 11:00 a.m. People of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Town News / Current Events: Annual Fire Department Open House

Annual Fire Department Open House this Saturday!

The Amherst Fire Department will hold its annual Open House on Saturday, October 4th, from 10am until 3pm, at the Central Fire Station. This annual event is held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week.

Many Fire and EMS vehicles and other equipment will be on display, as well as presentations from other agencies. Smokey bear will also be on hand if he is not too busy fighting fires that day. Lots to see for both kids and adults. Donuts, cider, and coffee will be available.

Town News / Current Events: Annual Renewable Energy Fair

Annual Renewable Energy Fair

The Annual Renewable Energy Fair provides an opportunity for area residents and businesses to share information about renewable energy, conservation, and energy efficient products and services. Information booths, vendors, alternative vehicle displays and children’s activities create an educational atmosphere for the whole family.

Join us for the 4th Annual Renewable Energy Fair!
The Amherst Energy Task Force is sponsoring the 4th Annual Renewable Energy Fair being held on the South Common on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Booth spaces are 10X10 and provided free of charge. There is also free parking available for participants. You must supply your own table and tent in case of inclement weather.

If you would like to reserve a booth space or participate in this event, please contact Stephanie Ciccarello by phone (413-259-3149) or Email.

Town News / Current Events: Town Meeting Vacancies

Town Meeting Vacancies

The town clerk's office is notifying residents that there are six Town Meeting vacancies spread over five precincts.

Residents interested in filling these vacancies must obtain and file nomination forms by Oct. 14 at 4:30 p.m. Forms are available at the town clerk's office at Town Hall.

Precincts 1, 2, 5, and 6 all have one vacancy, while there are two vacant seats in Precinct 9.

Those elected to the seats Nov. 4 will serve until next spring's election.

For more information, call or email the town clerk's office at 259-3035.

Curriculum Night

Curriculum Night
Wednesday September 23rd

There are many things happening on Curriculum Night so don't miss it.

Childcare will be provided for 5 year-olds and older by John Keins and and two able assistants sponsored by the PGG. There will be a movie in the Auditorium which will start at 6:30. All children must stay in the Auditorium. Children under 5 are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult.

• The movie is Homeward Bound - The Incredible Journey. Three pets are left behind when their family goes on vacation. Unsure of what happened, the animals set out on a quest to find their family. Possibly scary scenes: Milo gets swept away in a river and Otis fight a bear. Milo throws himself off a cliff and must spend the night alone and in the dark. There will also be a few shorts at the beginning: Stregga Nona, The Five Chinese Brothers, The Three Robbers
  

ALSO:
Bring your Stop and Shop Card to sign up for the Bonus Bucks Program.
Bring you Big Y card to sign up for the Education Express Program.
Bring in your used books for the Used Books Sale.
Vote for our final School Governance Council Parent.
Remeber to check your name and information for the Directory while in your child's classroom.

Schedule:
6:15- 6:30 Opening Presentation with Nick and the PGG in the Auditorium
6:30-7:10 Curriculum presentation in grades K, 1, 2, & 3 and upper grade parents and guardians can visit the specials classrooms at this time. (art, music, physical education, computer and library.)
7:10-7:20 Break and transition time and a good time to visit the PGG Table
7:20-8:00 Curriculum presentation in grades 4, 5, & 6 and lower grade parents and guardians can visit the specials classrooms at this time. (art, music, physical education, computer and library.)
8:00 finish the night by visiting the PGG Table

Some Cool Family Events and a Chance to Participate

North Amherst 3rd Annual Harvest Festival,
Sunday September 28th. 1 to 6 PM being held at Simple Gifts Farm, located on North Pleasant Street, North Amherst. Fine entertainment, Great Food, Silent Auction, Microbrew, Bake Sale, Pig roast, Watermelon Race, Family field Day, Face painting, Hayrides, Hot Air Balloons. Many Mark’s Meadow Families are participating in the running of this event. Come have fun and Support Local Agriculture. For more information visit, simplegiftsfarms.com.

Make Sure Your Child Doesn't Get Left Inside
The Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club is starting up hikes and other events to get kids outdoors. Our first outing will be a short hike at Buffam Falls in Pelham on Saturday, Sept. 27, 10:00 AM. The event will be a short hike at a slow pace, with plenty of opportunity to throw rocks and sticks into the water and explore nature. We may get a snack, lunch or ice cream afterward.

The goal is to have at least one kid-friendly event every month of the year. Possibilities include scavenger hunts, building fairy houses, and letter boxing.

Our second event, on Oct. 12, will be a hike up Rattlesnake Knob which is a smaller peak just east of Mount Norwottuck, part of the Holyoke Range in Amherst. We will meet at 10 a.m. and may gather for lunch afterward.

Contact Leader Nancy Weld for more information (413) 256-8728 or at familyprograms@amcberkshire.org. There is no cost for the hikes and you don't have to be an AMC member. See all AMC hikes here.

Announcing The Woven Word Creative Writing Workshops for Young Girls (5th-8th grade)

There are stories and poems that belong to each of us alone. The Woven Word workshop, now in its 3rd year, is designed to create safe space to develop each girl’s unique voice. We focus on creative writing, not grammar or spelling. Workshop leader Lynn Bowmaster is a published poet with 9 years experience leading youth workshops.

Meets Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30. For information Lynn at 584-3373 or email: lrbowmaster@gmail.com. Cost $14-16/week. or click here

WELCOME BACK

WELCOME BACK CELEBRATION
Please come and join us for an evening of welcoming the families back to the Mark's Meadow School and welcoming New Families to our community!

September 10th, 5:30 TO 7 PM
Mark's Meadow Playground. Potluck Dinner.
Parents we suggest this format for participating in the Potluck:

K trough 2nd Grade Families bring Salads, Vegetables, or Fruit
3 through 5th Grade Families bring Main Course dishes, meat or vegetarian
6th Grade Families bring Desserts
PGG will provide drinks and paper goods.

Bring enough for a family of 6 and label your plates with your name.
Ingredients cards are also requested for informing those who have allergies to certain foods.

YEARBOOKS FOR 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE ON SALE FOR $3

If you would like to help with set up of clean up please send email to marksmeadow@gmail.com

YEARBOOKS - SEND IN YOUR REQUESTS

Yearbooks are available!

All 6^th Graders will be given a copy.

All other Students canpurchase one for $4.

Send in the Request form (that will be coming home in your child’s backpack, or print the attachment) with $4 to your child’s classroom (cash or a check made to the PGG). Copies will also be for sale at the End of the Year Celebration on WednesdayJune 18^th, from 5:30 to 7:30

(Rain Date June 19^th)

Last Two Weeks Of The School Year

June is a busy month at Mark's Meadow. Here is what is happening. And here are some areas where you can participate,

• Bring in your Used Books for the Fall Used Book Sale.
• Nominated your choice for School Governance Council (SGC).
• Bring in your Read-a-Thon sign-up forms.

CALENDAR:
6/9 Monday: Chorus traveling to Lake Wyola with Mary May. 10 AM to 1 PM.

6/9 Monday: Orchestra, Band Concert, 2 and 7:30 PM

6/10 Tuesday: Ms. Vegiard's Class Performs It's A Jungle Out There. 2:00 and 7:30 PM

6/12 Thursday: 5th Grade Science Museum Field Trip.

6/13 Friday: 6th Grade UN Trip

6/16 Monday: Graduation Breakfast 8:45 AM, Graduation 10:00 AM

6/17 Tuesday: Field Day 1:15 to 2:45 PM

6/18 Wednesday: END OF THE YEAR Events (NOT the last day of School for Marks Meadow)
10:00 AM Good Bye Assembly
1:20 PM Dismissal
2:00 After School Goes to Mill River.
5:30 to 7:30 PM End of the Year Celebration Look Below for what goes on at this event.

• Bring dinner for your family and
  
• Bring a Dessert to Share.
  
• Yearbooks will be sold, so bring $4 to purchase your copy if you have not already done so.
  
• Voting for SGC
  

6/19 Thursday: Last Day of School 1:20 PM Dismissal(RAIN DATE FOR END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION)

OFF TRACK: Presented by the Diversity Committee

TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH 6:30 TO 8:00 PM

THE MARK'S MEADOW DIVERSITY COMMITTEE INVITES ALL MARK'S MEADOW PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO A VIDEO

"CLASSROOM PRIVILEGE FOR ALL": OFF TRACK

WITH A DISCUSSION TO FOLLOW.
Childcare and refreshments provided.

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Brown Envelope Fundraiser: We are creeping towards our Goal of $2500. We have collected over $1000. Please do what you can to contribute.
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Science Night:

To All Science Night Volunteers

THANK-YOU

THANK-YOU

THANK-YOU

It was a successful evening and it could not have happened without you. We raised over $200 for PGG through the raffle and T-Shirt sales.
Also for all to know we have received a grant from Amherst Education Foundation to restart the Science Club next year. Thanks to Alyssa Melnick for pursuing this grant and for being our leader and making Science Night such a success.
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Mrs. Schreiber's Class Presents their Variety Show!: April 29th, at 2 PM and 7:30 PM. Don't miss this terrific show on featuring some of our third graders

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