Check it out! Amherstma.gov/sustaining - A single place for you to find information on all of the green efforts happening in Amherst. To find out about upcoming community events related to sustainability, or to post your own, visit the Community Calendar. For more information about Sustaining Amherst contact Sustainability Coordinator Stephanie Ciccarello at ciccarellos@amherstma.gov.

Due to the Snow Day this week, the MCAS Composition Test will occur on Monday, March 25, beginning at 7:45 a.m during a long, first period C block. The MCAS Reading Comprehensive Test is still scheduled for today, March 22nd. Students will need to check the room list posted on the bulletin board in the front lobby to find out in which classroom they will be testing.  It is very important that students arrive on time on testing days and report directly to their assigned room.  They will not have access to their locker or backpacks during testing time. Remember:  be sure your student gets a good night’s rest, and eats a healthy breakfast each morning!  We appreciate parent/guardian support of our students during this testing period. 

Term 2 report cards will be distributed to all students in homeroom on Tuesday, March 26th. Powerschool Portal access will be restored that same day.

Annie Baker's ('99) critically praised new play "The Flick" has been awarded the Susan Smith Blackburn Award, an international prize for exceptional literary works written by women. You can read more about it here. Congrats, Annie!

Leslie Field, senior at ARHS, just won the 2013 National Interscholastic Polo Championship with wins over Hawaii and then Maryland last weekend. Yes, that’s polo with horses! With no local team, Leslie has played for the past 4 years with the University of Connecticut High School Polo team. Congrats Leslie!

Are leaders born or made? The new “Teen Leadership Workshop,” offered by the Amherst LSSE Department, guides high schools students in forming a leadership identity. The students will learn what strong leadership takes in order to supervise and manage others. Through class activities and discussion, students will learn how to use these skills to help their school and the larger community. The skills will enable them to take action in their everyday lives and beyond.

The class, taught by Kim Bornstein, will be held Mondays April 1 through May 27 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bangs Center. There is no class April 15. For information or to register call 259-3065 or visit: www.lsse.org.

K-12 students are invited to enter the American Chemical Society's Chemists Celebrate Earth Day illustrated poem contest. Students submit their entries to the Connecticut Valley Local Section of the ACS, and winners proceed to ACS National. Entries must be received by March 29. For details and entry materials, please contact Sharon Palmer (the local section CCED coordinator), at palmers@arps.org.

An afternoon filled with the magic of music & dance! Stephen Clapp, Bill Shontz, Nadine Shank, Kyle Ray, Kailey Shepardson, Roger Ticknell, Kaitlyn Shepardson, Anastasia Christie & German Colon, Rob Stahley, The Amherst Area Gospel Choir, Tawdry, Donna Lee, and Hampshire Young People's Chorus! This fundraiser is sponsored by the Friends of the Amherst Seniors Center and the monies are used to keep our programs going at current levels in spite of years of budget cuts. Mar. 24, 2-4 PM in the Buckley Recital Hall, 53 College St. Tickets: Adults $15, Children $7 in advance, $17/8 at the door. For information call 259-3060

Dance party this coming Saturday! Yes, tomorrow! The 5th Annual Full-Belly Benefit Dance Party is Saturday. March 23rd at 8:00pm at the JCA Social Hall, 742 Main St in Amherst. ARHS Parent Dan Kaplan's band The No Nos will be rocking all night (plus ARHS' Eli & Emma Ayres' new band June & The Bee are opening). All to benefit Amherst Survival Center, Noho Survival Center, and The Kestral Trust! Along with local farm hors d'houvres and brews. Only $10. Ticket available at Hastings and also online at www.ajhastings.com

Please join us for our 6th annual fundraiser extravaganza! New this year is a silent and live auction of local art, meals, specialty services, unique gifts and more, from local stores, artists and vendors. Help support local youth artists and change-makers in our region. We'd love to see you there!
Sunday, March 24 from 2:30-5:00pm at the Apollo Grill Eastworks, 116 Pleasant Street in Easthampton.  Tickets are availabe at http://youthaction.brownpapertickets.com/

All parents/guardians of Special Education high school students are invited to attend a free Transitions Resource Fair on Tuesday, March 26 at Hopkins Academy from 5:00 ‐7:00 pm– Exhibitor Displays and Resource Tables & from 7:15‐8:45 pm a presentation by the Institute for Community Inclusion. Where: HOPKINS ACADEMY CAFETERIA, 131 Russell St. (Rte 9) in HadleyQuestions? Contact Family Empowerment at (413) 585‐8010 EXT. 104 or 105

THE INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY INCLUSION, ICI, now based at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Children's Hospital is a leader not only in Massachusetts, but also nationally and internationally, offering training, clinical, and employment services, conducts research, and provides assistance to organizations to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in school, work, and community activities. Their presentation will focus on what to consider when planning for post-secondary options and employment.

Interested in a career in nursing? Achieving Diversity Inititive invites anyone interested in nursing to a day long conference at UMass on April 25th. This is for students of all grades, particularly minorities and males. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Guidance Office by TODAY, March 22nd.

An entertaining, informative and interactive performance on anti-bullying strategies and other issues. ACTSMART Improv Company is made up of Amherst Area Middle and High School students who use drama to address relevant issues. Free at the Jones Library 3:30 - 4:45 PM

The 2013 Northampton Pride Parade is Saturday, May 4th. The march will start at noon in Northampton and end at a rally on the 3 County Fairgrounds after the parade. This year we are organizing an ARPS contingent to march in the parade. Participating in this event is a great way to support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered members of our ARPS community. Marching in the parade is free and open to all ARPS staff and families. Allies are welcome and encouraged to participate. We will post details about where to meet to join our contingent a week beforehand, but if you have any questions feel free to contact Ali Wicks-Lim and wickslim@yahoo.com

Oklahoma! The musical that modernized musical theater is here at ARHS each night March 14 thru March 16 at 7:30PM and featuring a 2PM matinee on Saturday, March 16th for families with younger kids. Featuring the performances and off-stage work by well over 150 ARHS students, Oklahoma! promises to be a big, fun and beautiful show. Don't miss it! Ticket prices are $8-15, with discounts for students that receive free/reduced lunch.

Don’t miss one of the most fun events of the year! Monte Carlo Night this Saturday, March 16th, at Valentine Hall, Amherst College -- Doors open at 6:30pm. Monte Carlo Night is a fantastic night of fun -- food from the area's best restaurants, live music, a raffle, casino games and fun with friends and community members -- all for the low price of $25. All money raised supports Amherst Regional HS Athletics. Tickets can be purchased from ARHS athletes or at Cushman Market, AJ Hastings, Hampshire Athletic Club, or Jones Group Realtors in Amherst. You can also buy tickets and find out more info at: www.hurricaneboosters.com