May 17, 2013

Dear Parents, Families, and Colleagues,

          Mid-trimester progress reports will be sent home via hard copy with all students in grades Kindergarten through four on Friday, May 17, 2013. This is only the second time that we have issued mid-term progress reports at Clark-Wilkins School and the Trimester Report Card Committee would value feedback from parents specific to the progress reports as we forge ahead in planning for reporting to parents during the upcoming school year in 2014. Please send your feedback and comments to your child’s teacher or directly to me via email. Based on your feedback, the committee can modify the current document. My email address is gstamand@sprise.com. Please know that if you communicate directly with me your comments will remain confidential, but that I will compile the data I receive to share with the full committee. I would ask that if you have feedback, please share it with me prior to June 1, 2013.

          We appreciate the support of the Amherst Junior Women’s Club, a dedicated community group that has supported our schools and students with recent Walk-a-thon and Hop-a-thon events. The weather has been remarkably cooperative this spring and has allowed us to conduct all of our outside events along with consistent outside recesses. Additionally, the Amherst PTA also continues to provide tremendous support to the schools, our staff members, and our students via their recent, outstanding fundraising events--“The PTA World Fair”—a new event—and the PTA play—an event that has occurred annually in Amherst for over sixty years! All of us benefit immensely from the dedication of the many volunteers who support both of these groups along with the hundreds of volunteers who so kindly and regularly donate their time and energy to volunteer at Clark-Wilkins School.

          In an effort to continue to provide exemplary support to our schools during the upcoming school year, the Amherst PTA finds itself in need of a treasurer. If you enjoy working with a dedicated team of people, are looking for a valuable way to volunteer, and also enjoy working with ledgers, checkbooks, and balancing funds—this may be the perfect opportunity to become connected to the schools and the Amherst PTA. If you are interested, please communicate directly with Paula-Marie Passen, the PTA President.

Enjoy the beauty of spring,

Gerry St. Amand

Dear Fourth Grade Parents: Click on the link above for a complete packet of information regarding end of year activities and field trips for fourth grade students.

The Amherst Junior Women’s Annual Walk-a-thon took place on May 16 at the Wilkins School. The money generated will be broken down among the Education Departments (last year’s event raised over $4,700).  Remember to get your pledges in by May 31. Thank you for your support of this great fundraiser!

The annual Clark -Wilkins Writing Festival will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 and Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in the all-purpose room at the Wilkins School.  Parents, relatives, neighbors and friends are invited to attend this yearly celebration of our children’s writing. All students have individually published books that highlight different formats and styles of writing.  This year, all books will be arranged by grade level and teacher name with color-coded matching balloons.  Grade level comment cards will be available at all tables.  Please remember that all children need to be supervised during their attendance at the Writing Festival.  We look forward to seeing everyone at the Writing Festival. Click on the link above for a complete Writing Festival Packet.

Field Day 2013! Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Volunteers are needed from 8:30 am until 12:00 pm.  We also recommend that volunteers attend one of the two Field Day Orientation Meetings which will be held at 3:10 pm in the Wilkins School Library on Monday, June 10, 2013 or Tuesday, June 11, 2013 in order to sign up for the specific activity they wish to run. Click on the link above for more information and volunteer form.

Check out the Community News Link on our website for the latest information on community events such as: The Amherst Recreation Department’s current programs www.amherstrec.org, Nature Center at Beaver Brook Association http://www.beaverbrook.org/, Patriot Cheerleading, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts in America.