Learning is active.
~EL Education Core Practices
Students are scientists, urban planners, historians, artists, and activists, exploring ideas and engaging in authentic work that allows them to contribute to their communities and promote equity and social justice.
Jenni’s Corner
I’m excited to spotlight Division 2 in this edition, where our students have been actively engaged in some incredible learning experiences! Last week, our 10th graders took a trip to Mass MoCA to research for their Sol Lewitt project in math, diving into the intersection of art and mathematics. Last night we were treated to a wonderful Celebration of Learning where our 9th-grade students shared their Manifestos, farm profiles, fieldwork experiences, and creative Veggie Propaganda posters—all part of the Food and Farming Expedition. Gratitude for the families, students and staff who also created delicious dishes to share at the potluck, all of which had elements of locally sourced food ingredients. These moments truly show how learning at Four Rivers is active, engaging, and deeply connected to real-world experiences.
In the coming weeks, both 9th and 10th graders are gearing up for the annual Four Rivers 5K on November 8th. Additionally, our 10th graders had the chance to attend the matinee performance of John Proctor is the Villain at UMass, bringing literature and theater into their learning journey. A big shoutout to all the teachers who pour their time, passion, and creativity into crafting these meaningful, skills-rich projects and expeditions that serve as the heart of our teaching and learning.
In this newsletter, you’ll also find highlights from our fall athletics season (Go Otters!), important reminders about upcoming Student-Led Conferences, the Division 1 Halloween Dance, our Dental Clinic, and the Family Council’s Fireside Fun event. There’s so much to look forward to in our school community this fall, and I can’t wait to see you at these events!Lastly, please submit a quote or two for our new website launching soon! Use THIS LINK or go to https://bit.ly/3AeeV4V. Thank you!
~Jenni
Quick Links
2024-2025 ACADEMIC CALENDAR • SCHOOL EVENTS CALENDAR • SPORTS CALENDAR • COLLEGE VISIT CALENDAR • ALMA DIRECTIONS • Join the FAMILY DIRECTORY AY24-25 • GENERAL PERMISSIONS • NOVEMBER MENU • AFTERSCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES • UMBRELLA ORDERS • SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB SIGN UP FORM • FALL/WINTER INTRAMURAL SPORTS • STUDENT LED CONFERENCE SCHEDULING • SUBMIT A QUOTE!
Upcoming Events
This list represents everything planned as of the date of this letter. Please refer to the online School Events Calendar for the most current information. College Visits are specific to Juniors and Seniors.
- Wed. 10/30
- Josh Breitner’s Crew Outing
- 9th Grade Farm Work Fieldwork
- Cross Country Championship @ Eagle Hill (2:30-4pm)
- Thurs. 10/31
- 7th Gr to the Green River – River LAB 3 and How do Hoodoos happen?
- College Visit: Connecticut College
- Boys Varsity Semi-Finals – Home Game if Tuesday’s game – TBD
- Fri. 11/1
- 7th Gr to the Green River – River LAB 3 and How do Hoodoos happen?
- First Day of Quarter 2, First Day of American Indian Heritage Month
- College Visit: Saint Anselm College
- Div 1 Halloween Dance (6:00-8:00pm) – more info below
- Sat. 11/2
- RVAL Soccer Championships – BV and GV qualifying, and location TBD
- Sun. 11/3
- Daylight Savings Time ends
- Mon. 11/4
- College Visit: Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Drama Interest Meeting (3:15-4:45pm) – more info below
- Tues. 11/5
- Dental Program – more info below
- College Visits: Sawyer College, UMass Dartmouth
- Wed. 11/6
- 9th Grade Wissatinnewag Service work
- Student Led Conferences – more info below
- Early Dismissal at 12:30, lunch served, one bus route – no transfers
- Thurs. 11/7
- Dow/Morse, Beardslee Crew Outings
- 8th Grade Barriletes Flights at Apex Orchards
- Student Led Conferences – more info below
- Fri. 11/8
- Div 2 5K
- Early Dismissal at 12:30, lunch served, one bus route – no transfers
In Otter News…
DIV 1 HALLOWEEN DANCE
WHEN: November 1st, 6:00-8:00 pm
WHERE: In the FRs Common Room and porch
WHO: ALL Div 1 students
WHAT: Dancing, Music, Costumes, Snacks, Fun!
**Please read and follow our Four Rivers Costume & Spirit-wear Guidelines
FOUR RIVERS APPAREL ORDERS ARE IN!
All orders are available for pick up in the front office.
The store will reopen next month, with items available for pick up before the December break. We will be adding designs for Ultimate Frisbee and Ski & Snowboard Club.
In addition, we have Four Rivers Umbrellas available for sale in the office that can be purchased at any time. You can pay in person or online via MySchoolBucks.
LINK: Four Rivers Umbrella – Auto-Open Folding Umbrella – SPF50
Thank you for your orders and support of our school spirit and athletics program!
Drama Interest Meeting
The weather’s getting colder, and that means it’s almost drama season! Our drama program produces one show a year in early March, alternating between plays and musicals, and this year will be a play. Auditions will be held in mid-November, and rehearsals will start afterward. We rehearse on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:15 – 6pm here at Four Rivers.
There is a drama interest meeting on Monday, November 4th from 3:15 – 4:45 pm for all students interested in performing in this year’s show. Students will choose the play at that meeting!
Note: this meeting is not for students interested in stage crew. An announcement about stage crew will go out in February. Drama Interest Meeting
The weather’s getting colder, and that means it’s almost drama season! Our drama program produces one show a year in early March, alternating between plays and musicals, and this year will be a play. Auditions will be held in mid-November, and rehearsals will start afterward. We rehearse on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:15 – 6pm here at Four Rivers.
SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB REGISTRATION IS LIVE!
You are now able to register your student for this year’s Ski & Snowboard Club at Berkshire East.
Please fill out the following form which goes over all of the required information for both the school and for Berkshire East. We do have a cap of 65 students, and the deadline to register is Tuesday, Nov. 26th. Please do not register until you are sure your student can participate. If we reach our cap, students will be placed on a waitlist.
LINK: Ski & Snowboard Club Sign Up Form AY24-25
IMPORTANT LINKS EMBEDDED IN THE SIGN UP FORM
- Programs, Rentals & Lesson Waivers – this is the Release and Waiver from Berkshire East. All participants must have a signed Program Release and Waiver on file in order to participate.
- Student Drivers and Passengers – Ski & Snowboard Club – this form is only relevant if your student would be driving their own vehicle, or a passenger in another student’s vehicle.
Returning chaperones or interested in chaperoning? Please email skiclub@fourriverscharter.org. These emails will go to club leader, Daryl Beck, and logistics coordinator in the front office, Robin Sidel. We will get back to all interested chaperones in early November.
For more information on Ski & Snowboard Club, please see the information in the last edition of the Currents. If you still have questions, please email skiclub@fourriverscharter.org
10th GRADE FAMILIES – FROM MRS. CROSBY
On Tuesday, October 29th, sophomores will have the opportunity to attend a performance of John Proctor is the Villain at UMASS Amherst. Written by Kimberly Belflower, this adaptation offers a contemporary reimagining of the themes from The Crucible. The story is set in a modern-day high school and explores issues of power, gender, and accountability, using the lens of Arthur Miller’s classic play to examine today’s society. Following the performance, there will be a discussion and Q&A session led by members of the UMASS theater team.
Be advised that, due to the mature nature of its themes, John Proctor is the Villain is recommended for audiences aged 15 and up (visit this webpage for more information). Its themes mirror those of The Crucible and are at the center of our daily classroom discussions as we read Arthur Miller’s play. Both of these plays have valuable lessons to teach us about history, society, and human nature when analyzed in a supportive and safe environment.
We look forward to this enriching experience for our students! Please reach out to Mrs. Crosby, ncrosby@frcps.org if you have any questions.
STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES – NOV 6TH & 7TH
Here are some notes for your November calendar:
- Wednesday 11/6 – school is in session 8:00-12:30; conferences start at 12:30; lunch will be served
- Thursday 11/7 – school is in session 8:00-3:05; conferences start at 3:15
- Friday 11/8 – school is in session 8:00-12:30; lunch will be served
Student Led Conferences are required for all students.
Below are the directions for scheduling your appointment. A note to two family households: please coordinate with both families ahead-of-time as there is one time slot for each student. If you’ve previously registered, all you need to do is enter your email and password. If you have forgotten your password, you can select the Forgot Password button and a new password will be emailed to you.
1. click: pickAtime
2. click: Login/Create Account
3. Enter your email address
4. Enter the password you want to use – and type it in a second time for confirmation
5. click: register (schedule ONE 30 minute conference with your child’s advisor)
If you have any questions, please call Carolyn Wood (cwood@fourriverscharter.org) #413-828-9438.
From Family Council
Mark Your Calendars!
Spirit Week Fireside Fun ~ November 21st ~ 5:30- 7:30pm
Come join us for an evening of Fireside Fun during Spirit Week, on Thursday 11/21 from 5:30-7:30! Students and their families are welcome outside by the fire pits to enjoy some snacks and join in music and storytelling and fun group challenges. Marshmallow roasting, hot cider and hot chocolate, glow sticks and community. Musicians can bring their instruments and join in.
This is an annual Family Council-sponsored event. Hope to see you there!
*Contact Marc Guillaume (solarmarc@gmail.com) to get on the Family Council email listserv and keep up to date on the happenings!
Next Family Council meeting is Thursday November 14th at 7 pm on zoom.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87919219613
All are welcome!
From the Health Office
For important information about health forms, Covid-19 updates, immunizations and physical exams, and medications at Four Rivers, please view the letter sent by school nurse Jazmin Miller to families/caregivers through Alma on Friday, August 23th.
Free Covid tests can be ordered and delivered to your house. They do have a limit for how many can be ordered per household. Covid tests have been ordered for the school as well. Once I receive them I can send home tests as they are requested.
As the weather is getting colder, or fluctuating for fall so far, illnesses are increasing in the community. Students and staff have been out with illnesses. One of the illnesses that is being diagnosed is pneumonia. Even the CDC has stated they are seeing an increase in pneumonia this year, especially in children. More information on pneumonia can be found here. Please reach out if you have any questions that I may be able to answer.
Dental Program at Four Rivers
The Community Health Center of Franklin County dental program is scheduled to visit on Tuesday, 11/5/24. I have received back 5 registration packets so far. This program will happen again in the Spring. They come twice a year, typically Fall and Spring. Please let me know if you have any questions jmiller@fourriverscharter.org or (413) 775-4577 ext. 3.
Reminders
- Please submit your student’s Annual Health History and Permissions Form if you have not done so already.
- Vaccine clinics are happening in October. The schedule and links to register are here. As of right now there is not one happening here at Four Rivers. You can always go to the website to stay updated on vaccine clinics that are happening in the area. https://frcog.org/project/vaccine-information/
Athletics
FALL SPORTS:
Our Cross Country Team struggled a bit at the meet at Charlemont without their MS runners, but still looks poised to have a good championship race. The MS meanwhile raced on Thursday in the Western MA Middle School Cross-Country Invitational. The Boys took 5th place behind the strong race of Will Polatin who finished 2nd overall. The Cross Country Team will compete in the Championship at Eagle Hill on Wednesday (see below for more details).
The MS soccer team finished their season with two more wins, taking down Bement and Hartsbrook. They ended up having a great season with 6 wins 2 losses and 1 draw.
Our Girls Varsity team won against Stoneleigh-Burnham, but they lost to both Eagle Hill and Putney. They have the 3rd seed in the playoffs and will travel to Eagle Hill for their semifinal game on Tuesday (see below for more details).
Our Boys Varsity team was able to beat Hartsbrook and BART, but a close loss to Putney ensured that they would have the 2nd seed. They will host PVPA in the semifinals on Tuesday (see below for more details).
This is the last week of our fall season. The Cross Country team finishes on Wednesday and the soccer teams finish if they lose, or after the finals on Saturday.
Upcoming Events:
Soccer Playoffs
The following games are definitely happening
- Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 10/29 – (Home) BV v PVPA at 4:00
- Semifinals, Tuesday, 10/29 – (Away) GV @ Eagle Hill at 3:45
Potential Games
The following game will happen if our team wins in the quarterfinals
- Semifinals, Thursday, 10/31 – (Home) BV v St. Michaels at TBD
- If either or both of our teams wins out they will play in the finals on Saturday, 11/2. The finals will most likely be held at the Putney School in the early afternoon.
Cross Country Championships
- Wednesday, 10/30 – Meet @ Eagle Hill at 2:30
Fans for Cross Country Championships
Our fall sports season is almost done! Cross Country has one more meet before the championships. The championships will be held at the Eagle Hill School (Hardwick, MA) this year. They are at 2:30 on Wednesday, October 30th. Four Rivers will be providing transportation to the meet for any students that would like to cheer on the team. Send an email to Peter Johnson (athletics@fourriverscharter.org) if you would like to be on the list. Students will also need to have their parents sign a permission form. That can be emailed to Peter Johnson, or turned into the front office (you can also get the form from the front office.) Here is the link to print the permission form.
Returning Jerseys
Once the season is completed for each athlete, please return all jerseys to the box by the front office in the Farmhouse. Soccer jerseys can also be returned at the end of year party on 11/5. Jerseys should be clean and in a Ziploc bag. Don’t forget to return shorts and socks as well. For Cross country jerseys please also include your name.
Intramural Sports
Besides our regular sports, Four Rivers also offers intramural sports. These take place on the Four Rivers campus, and do not normally include competition against other schools. This Fall/Winter we have two options: Intramural Ultimate and Intramural Running. Both are great for those new to the sport as well as those more experienced. Running also has the option of participating in local races. Use the link below to sign up for one (or both).
Basketball
Basketball is coming soon! Our winter sport at Four Rivers is basketball. Our season runs from after Thanksgiving to February break. Sign-ups for basketball will be out in a few weeks.
Other Sports Opportunities
Are you not ready to be done with soccer or ultimate? Allsport Northampton has a lot of opportunities to play indoors during the winter. Check out the link to see their offerings. Allsport Sports
Disc Design Contest:
Thanks to everyone who participated in our disc design competition, we received some really great designs. Our panel of judges will look at them and make a decision. You can find the results in the next edition of the Currents.
Reminders
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW
During the 2023/2024 school year, the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education conducted a program review of the special education program at Four Rivers. The review included an audit of all special education files, a review of policies and procedures, as well interviews with staff members, students and caregivers. While the review was overwhelmingly positive, the review did find that there were two areas where the school received “PARTIAL COMPLIANCE” and both were related to timelines. The full report can be found here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/#f. If you have questions about any aspect of special education at Four Rivers, please contact Andy Stenson at astenson@fourriverscharter.org
PARKING LOT – DROP OFF AND PICK UP
- There should be two lanes of movement through the parking lot; both traveling counter-clockwise. No one should be parked in either lane.
- The outer lane, closest to the barn, the field, and then the school, is for picking up and dropping off. Pull forward as far as you can, and keep pulling forward as the car in front of you moves. You may have to exit and re-enter the lot if your student is not ready in time. Do not park and wait.
- The inner lane is for exiting the parking lot and leaving school. You would only be in this lane if you are done dropping off or picking up, and are ready to leave. Please do not drop off and pick up from the inner lane.
- Please use extreme caution when changing lanes to exit the parking lot.
- We ask that all pedestrians only use the crosswalk but realize this may not always happen. Please continue to use extreme caution.
INTERIM ENROLLMENT LOTTERIES
We are actively recruiting students and families for open spots in our school. Please help us amplify the call for applications for our interim lotteries. This is posted on our Instagram and Facebook pages and will be in Valley Kids as well.
Community Corner
GHS Comic is happening on Wednesday, October 30th after school (3-6:15p.m.).
This year’s sessions include:
- Cosplay contest (dress as a favorite character) and a cosplay fashion show.
- Making Comics
- Role Playing Games
- Game Mastering
- Mini Origami
- Creating “Death of the Chef” YouTube Cooking Show
- Stage Makeup
- Filmmaking Narrative Arcs
- TikTok Art
- Live Action Role Play
- History of Jazz Drumming
BERKSHIRE EAST SKI, SNOWBOARD, and EQUIPMENT SWAP SALE!
Sunday, Nov. 3rd, 9am-3pm
From their website:
It’s back! The area’s largest Ski & Snowboard Sale – an equipment extravaganza!
Sell your used gear for cash and/or shop for the best deals of the season at Berkshire East Mountain Resort. Full details coming soon!
FALL ARTeens AT THE ART GARDEN – APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN, TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE! Please see this letter that was emailed out to families on 10/8 in regards to transportation: ARTeens Transportation
ARTeens is an afterschool program where teens play, work, make art, and create a supportive creative community! ARTeens is a weekly after school program at The Art Garden in Shelburne Falls open to middle and high school teens (ages 12-19).
Our Fall sessions begin the week of October 22nd and run for 7 weeks.
For more info and our participant interest form go to theartgarden.org/for-teens!
AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The non-profit, Rural Development, Inc., is currently accepting applications for a 3-bedroom home in Greenfield that is being sold to an income-eligible, first-time homebuyer.
More information can be found here: https://fcrhra.org/affordable-homeownership/