The Natural World – A direct and respectful relationship with the natural world refreshes the human spirit and teaches the important ideas of recurring cycles and cause and effect. Students learn to become stewards of the earth and of future generations.
~From EL Education Design Principles.
As we wrap up an incredible week of intensives, I am filled with pride and gratitude for our school community. Over the past several days, Div 2 and 3 students engaged in impactful and connecting experiences that stretched beyond the classroom—camping in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, hiking local beautiful trails, playing disc golf, and exploring the art of fishing the four rivers. Some participated in service learning focused on food justice, including Monte’s March for the Food Bank, while others dove into the worlds of local artists and entrepreneurs, band camp, and food science fun.
In addition, our 7th and 8th graders recently embarked on exciting adventure education experiences. Their days began with visits to GCC, where they participated in engaging outdoor games, and challenged themselves with rock climbing. These activities fostered teamwork, resilience, and a deeper connection to both their peers and the broader community.
These enriching activities were made possible by the heart and expertise our teachers poured into planning them. Kudos to the entire team, led by Alison, supported by Robin, who orchestrated every moving piece to ensure our students had memorable and meaningful experiences. Deep gratitude to Dottie for making sure all our needs around meals were met during these special schedule days, and to Paul, who was always ready to support with transportation and any last-minute needs that arose.
As we head into the holiday break, I wish everyone a restful and fulfilling time with loved ones. Thank you for being part of this amazing community—we look forward to returning refreshed and ready for more adventures in the new year! ~Jenni Manfredi
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Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please refer to the online School Events Calendar for the most current information. College Visits are specific to Juniors and Seniors.
Mon. 12/2 – Picture Retake Day – more info below
– Basketball Practice and Drama Rehearsal Begins
Tues. 12/3 – 10th Grade to Vipassana Meditation Center
Wed. 12/4 – Prom Committee Outing
Thurs. 12/5 – Advanced Spanish Class to Rowe Elementary School
In Otter News…
PICTURE RETAKE DAY IS MONDAY RIGHT AFTER BREAK, 12/2/24
Grynn & Barrett Photography will be back at 8:30am on Monday, Dec. 2nd, for picture retakes and for anyone that missed Picture Day in October.
Who should have pictures taken on Retake Day?
- All students and faculty/staff that missed the original picture day
- Anyone that isn’t 100% satisfied with original photos. If an order was placed for the original day, a new package will be ordered with the retake image at no extra cost.
- G&B asks that the original package is returned to the photographer, but if the student forgets it they will still photograph them. You do not need to order anything online.
If your student missed Picture Day the first time and you would like to order photos:
LINK TO PRE-ORDER: https://order.grynnandbarrett.com/login
PREPAY CODE: 4E6V7T7P 4E6V7T7P
They are trying to push the early December orders through so they’ll be back before the holidays, but they cannot guarantee it.
SCHEDULE
| Div 1 | 8:30-9:00 |
| Div 2 | 9:00-9:30 |
| Div 3 | 9:30-10:00 |
| Overflow time for anyone that needs it | 10:00-10:30 |
SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED
CLUB FEE DUE
A meeting for all participating students and chaperones will be announced for mid-December.
All invoices have been emailed and you are welcome to make a partial payment to cover the $90 club fee online, or by check, in the office. The balance for lessons, rentals, and/or a lift ticket, is due by the first day of clubs, on Wed. 01/08/24.
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.
If you have any questions, please email skiclub@fourriverscharter.org
CLIMATE CLUB
The Climate Club bake sale was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who helped plan, advertise, baked and/or purchased goods. The sale raised $640, which will help with some of the plans the group has to upgrade our vegetable and permaculture gardens.
LOST AND FOUND
Please have your student check the lost and found for any items they may have left behind.
This area will be cleaned out and items donated to our free closet (outerwear), local charity, or Mrs. Locke’s room (water bottles) on December 6th.
Small items such as ear buds and jewelry are kept in the front office.
From Family Council
Fall Fireside Fun Postponed Due to Fire Ban – New Date Coming Soon!
The Fall Fireside Fun event has been postponed due to an on-going fire ban in Massachusetts. A new date in December will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Calling All Acts for the Variety Show 2025!
The Four Rivers Annual Variety Show is Friday, February 7, 2025 at the Shea Theater! The Show features singing, dancing, juggling, bands, skits, magicians, gymnastics, spoken word and more! New performers welcome! No experience necessary! We are here to support! There are also opportunities to participate in stage crew.
Please fill out this Google Form to sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRv9obq0yvCESl4XHq1MPt6wvMpSPFTNp6v9XmtbBdqHQPOg/viewform
If you have questions, please email the director, Stephanie Marshall-Meehleder at Stephmarshallmusic@gmail.com.
Raffle Volunteer Sign Ups!
With the Variety Show comes our really fun RAFFLE! This bucket raffle is the Family Council’s only annual fundraiser and provides funds for our school for fun community events we host, school dances, school trips and other requested things to support our community. The raffle features all kinds of wonderful donations from our community. WE NEED YOU to make this event a success! Click here to learn more about how you can help:
Next Meeting
The next Family Council meeting is Thursday, December 12th at 7 pm on zoom. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87919219613
All are welcome!
*Contact Marc Guillaume (solarmarc@gmail.com) to get on the Family Council email listserv and keep up to date on the happenings!
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.
Covid Tests
- Free Covid tests can be ordered and delivered to your house. They do have a limit for how many can be ordered per household.
- The Covid tests ordered for school have come in. There are 5 tests per box. Please contact the health office or front office if you would like a box.
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.
Screenings
Over the next few months I will be conducting screenings. Please read for information on screenings. It will go over what screenings are done and for what grades. There is also a form for opting your child(ren) out of screenings. The due date for the form is Monday, 12/2/24. Please let me know if you have any questions or would prefer a paper copy.
Reminders
- Please submit your student’s Annual Health History and Permissions Form if you have not done so already. There are still a lot that I am missing.
- Covid and Flu vaccines can be done at various pharmacies . As of right now there is not a vaccine clinic happening at Four Rivers. You can always go to the website to stay updated on where you can receive Covid and Flu vaccines in the area. https://frcog.org/project/vaccine-information/
Athletics
Basketball
Our winter sport at Four Rivers is basketball and our season starts on Monday, 12/2. Use this link to sign up: Basketball Sign-up
Please be sure to read the form closely, as we use multiple gyms and have various practice times.
You can find the practice and game schedule on our Sports Calendar.
Returning Jerseys
A lot of jerseys have been returned, but there are still more that need to come in. Please return all jerseys to the box by the front office in the Farmhouse. 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.
Booster Club Update
The Booster Club has organized to help support and promote athletics at Four Rivers. They will be looking for parents and students to help with concessions at home basketball games this winter. Please reach out to Emily Whitney (emilyw15@comcast.net) for more information and to get involved. Go Otters!!
Reminders
WELLNESS CLASSES, FIELDWORK AND OUTINGS HAPPENING OFF-CAMPUS
Please check with your student regarding their schedule, if you need to drop them off late or pick them up early. It is important to be aware if it will be during a time that their class is off campus for any reason.
Outings that are not part of the regular schedule are noted on the School Events Calendar.
Wellness classes going off campus becomes a weekly event starting in December and through the winter months. Once again we have the fortunate opportunity to use the gym facilities at Stoneleigh-Burnham School at 574 Bernardston Rd. in Greenfield, for all grades.
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.
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
