Learning is Collaborative.
School leaders, teachers, students and families work together to create a culture of respect, responsibility, and joy in learning. The school community is a place where all students and adults feel they belong, support each other to succeed, and are inspired to be their best selves.
~From EL Education – A Different Approach to Teaching and Learning
Message from Head of School and Principal
Message from the Head of School and Principal
As we close out the 2024–2025 school year, I want to take a moment to reflect with deep gratitude and pride on all that we have accomplished together. This year has been a powerful example of our school’s commitment to a holistic definition of student achievement—one that combines academic excellence, strong character, and high-quality work.
At Four Rivers, we believe that success is rooted in the qualities of collaboration, responsibility, compassion, and perseverance—and our students have truly embodied these virtues. Whether through rigorous coursework, thoughtful service, or courageous leadership, they have consistently demonstrated what it means to be focused and engaged members of a learning community.
Our students stepped into leadership roles in meaningful and inspiring ways: through presentations of learning, Crew Council, participation in the Western Mass Association of Student Councils, and serving as student representatives on the Board of Trustees. They led impactful clubs and intensives, organized and hosted our first Black Excellence Symposium, and drove initiatives in our Climate Justice and Political Action groups. A highlight of the spring was our collaboration with Commonwealth Murals to create a new mural that portrays the ways we honor the cultural diversity of our county and our desire to be an even more culturally representative school—a lasting symbol of student voice and community pride.
All of this is possible because of the incredible work of our teachers. Our talented and dedicated staff design and lead curriculum that is alive with discovery, inquiry, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. They challenge, engage, and empower students to become self-directed, independent learners. Their creativity, commitment, and care make Four Rivers the extraordinary place that it is—and they are deeply valued and appreciated.
We also celebrate the many ways we partner with families to support the academic and social life of the school. From our very active Family Council, to parent Board members who help guide our finances and accountability work, to our growing Booster Club (whose efforts once again helped send our Girls Varsity Ultimate team to Nationals!), your involvement has enriched every aspect of the school experience. Many of you have also supported our expeditions and fieldwork by sharing your expertise and community connections, helping make learning come alive for students.
Thank you for the countless ways you’ve shown up for our students, our staff, and each other. It is an honor to be part of a community that puts so much heart into creating the conditions where young people can thrive.
Wishing you all a restful, rejuvenating, and fulfilling summer.
Jenni Manfredi
Quick Links
2024-2025 ACADEMIC CALENDAR • SCHOOL EVENTS CALENDAR • SPORTS CALENDAR • ALMA DIRECTIONS • Join the FAMILY DIRECTORY AY24-25 • GENERAL PERMISSIONS
HEALTH INFO FOR FAMILIES
SUBMIT A QUOTE! • FOUR RIVERS APPAREL STORE
ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
SCHOOL GARDEN RE-BUILDING DAY INTEREST FORM
Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please refer to the online School Events Calendar for the most current information.
Thurs. 6/12 – Stepping Up Ceremony – Families Invited (10:45-12pm)
– Last Day of School – Early Dismissal at 12:00 – no lunch served, one bus route
Thurs. 6/12 – Sun. 6/15 – Girls Varsity Ultimate to the 2025 High School National Invite
In Otter News…
ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR AY25-26
Our Academic Calendar for the AY25-26 school year is now available to be shared.
Please keep in mind that the Academic Calendar is a static document, and is not updated to reflect fieldwork, added school events, or the updated end of school date. It does include items such as our school vacation days, student led conference dates, early release dates, and holidays,
Please always refer to the School Events Calendar for the most up to date information.
LINK: FOUR RIVERS ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2025-2026
SCHOOL GARDEN RE-BUILDING DAY INTEREST
Climate club has been working alongside the Boston Landscape Architecture society (and its branch in Western MA) to remodel our current raised beds garden, outside the common room. We have a model/layout, planting ideas, and a dream… now WE NEED YOU! Please fill out this short form to let us know if you’re available early on this summer to help us put the cardboard, dirt, and plants in the ground. The recorder will document this event, and the garden will make a lasting impact on our school space. The date has not been finalized, so we can have as many people participate as possible.
LINK: School Garden Re-Building Day Interest Form
ACCESSING THE FARMHOUSE THIS SUMMER
It is important to us that you are able to connect with someone if you take the time to come out to the school this summer. Our administrative team will be doing our best to keep the Farmhouse staffed for the majority of each day, but there may be times when the offices are completely closed.
It is a great idea to email frontoffice@fourriverscharter.org, or call 413-775-4577×0 to make sure someone will be here when you arrive. If you do miss us, someone will get back to you as soon as possible, most likely within 1 business day.
If you just need to drop off documents, they can always be placed in the mailbox that is attached to the parking lot-facing side of the Farmhouse/Project Room.
10th GRADE TO DC
This fall, the 10th grade will do their annual trip to Washington, DC, October 20-23rd. For 10th grader families: more detailed information will be available later in the summer about the cost, updated itinerary and packing list. Reach out to Alison Rheingold if you have any questions (arheingold@fourriverscharter.org).
YEARBOOK!
It’s not too late to order!
LINK: www.treering.com/validate
School Passcode: 1014835510242095
SUMMER APPAREL
A friendly reminder that our school store is up and running 24/7 and carries a lot of options for summer apparel.
LINK: FOUR RIVERS APPAREL STORE
From Family Council
As we close out the year, Family Council has some updates about the Variety Show.
Our Variety Show Director Steph Marshall will be moving on from Four Rivers as her child Marcy Meehleder has graduated this year. Steph has been the heart and soul of the Variety Show since it began! Steph and her husband Jim were part of the original beginnings of the Variety Show back in 2005, in the very early years of the Four Rivers when their son Kai was attending the school. Steph and Jim helped to build the Variety Show from the ground up, with Steph as creative director and Jim doing stage managing behind the scenes. Steph and Jim have directed 12 Variety Shows over the years since then, helping to establish a wonderful and lasting Variety Show culture that celebrates the unique talents and creativity of our students and school community.
Thank you Steph and Jim! We will miss you!
We are thrilled to share that the role of Director will be filled by another Four Rivers caregiver with a rich background in the arts. Here’s a heartfelt note from Steph as she passes the baton.
From Steph: As the former director of the Four Rivers Annual Variety Show, I am excited to announce that Megan Healey will be stepping into the role of director for this beloved event! Megan’s passion and expertise in theater and production make them an outstanding choice to carry forward the legacy of this special tradition.
Megan is an active and dedicated member of our Family Council and the proud mom of Ezra, a 9th grader at Four Rivers. Their wealth of experience in the performing arts is truly remarkable. Most notably, Megan recently directed the Amherst Community Theater’s exceptional production of *Newsies*, showcasing their talent for bringing compelling stories and performances to life. Their contributions to last year’s Variety Show as house coordinator also demonstrated their ability to manage and elevate the event, ensuring its success.
The Four Rivers Annual Variety Show holds a unique place in the heart of our community. Since its humble beginnings in 2005, when Jim and I organized the first show with just six acts in the Second Congregational Church basement, it has grown into a vibrant celebration of creativity and talent. Over the years, it has been a privilege to witness and support the incredible performances of our students. The journey has been nothing short of inspiring, and I am confident that Megan will lead the show with the same enthusiasm and dedication.
Under Megan’s capable direction, I am excited to see the Variety Show continue to flourish as an outlet for artistic expression and a cornerstone of our school’s culture. Let us all extend our warmest congratulations to Megan Healey as they embark on this exciting new chapter!
Here’s to many more years of creativity, joy, and unforgettable performances at the Four Rivers Annual Variety Show!
A little bit more about Megan: Before the pandemic & moving back to Greenfield, Megan worked in the music industry, touring internationally with artists such as Matt Nathanson, Sugarland, Jack’s Mannequin, Lifehouse, O.A.R., Cary Brothers, and Kate Voegele. They now work in 911 Communications for the town of Hadley and direct & produce live theatre for several local theatre companies. Their next production with Arena Civic Theatre will be announced later this month and is scheduled for a fall run. They are thrilled to be succeeding Steph, who is so incredibly inspiring.
*To get on the Family Council email listserv and keep up to date on the happenings fill out this form: LINK: Join the Family Council Mailing List
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.
End of year:
With the end of the school year coming up very quickly, I wanted to go over some things:
- If you have any medications for your students stored in the health office please pick it up by the last day of school, 6/12/25. If you do not pick them up by the last day of school, I will properly dispose of them. They do need to be picked up by an adult.
- Please send in any updated physical exam forms and/or immunizations records for me to update in their medical records at school.
- If your student has started any new medication, please remember to update me, even if they only take them at home. That way I know their full medical history, and if there was ever an emergency, I would have all the information needed to be passed on to the appropriate people.
- If a student will be taking medication at school or for an overnight trip, please remember to provide me with a new medication order at the beginning of the new school year. This includes inhalers and epipens as well. A new one is needed for each school year, unless the provider has written an ending date into the new school year. Then a new one will be provided before that expires.
If you have any questions please reach out to me. jmiller@fourriverscharter.org or (413) 774-5477 ext 3
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
Ultimate Frisbee
The ultimate frisbee season has come to an end for all but our Girls Varsity team. Our Girls and Boys JV teams each netted 5th place wins at their State Tournament, with very strong performances and a lot of great teamwork. Our Middle School team also played very well at their State Tournament, showing how far they have come in their season with their development. Congratulations to all five of our teams on their hard work and good spirit this season!
Our Girls Varsity are headed to Allentown, PA for the High School National Invitational on June 13 & 14. Because the tournament is only a few hours away, they will have a big crowd from Four Rivers cheering them on! Good luck Girls Varsity!! Some parents are hoping to put together a DIY livestream for a few games, stay tuned for those details.
As we close out our season, I want to give a big shout out to our amazing coaches. Their dedication, passion and long hours of hard work on and off the field is what makes everything possible. Thank you coaches for all you do! Our program is strong because of you!
I also want to thank all the families that supported our coaches and athletes this season. Whether it was organizing bus and sideline snacks, setting up shade tents, coordinating team dinners and tournament potlucks, creating team communication channels, capturing and sharing great photos, or leading cheers and other sideline supports – your efforts made a huge difference. You helped build close-knit, positive communities across all five of our teams. Thank you families!
Please enjoy some season recap highlights below.
Boys Middle School – update from Coach Marc Guillaume
The boys MS completed their season last weekend by competing at the States tournament at their new location in Devens, MA. “Wow, some of those kids have beards!” the boys commented as we pulled into the parking lot, only to find out later that a college tournament was happening at the same, expansive playing location. Fortunately, we only played other MS players. Our growth over the season was highlighted by our final game against PVCICS. We played them early in the season and were not able to score a single point. At states, we easily beat them 12-6, with each player on the field for at least 4 points.
During this season, we built each player’s skills as well as their understanding of working in a team environment and an appreciation of what each player can bring to the field. From games of 2v2 and 3v3 keep-away, to various forms of jackpot to scrimmages and drills, students were constantly throwing plate-sized pieces of plastic to each other and having fun doing it.
Our win-loss record was of little consequence since the main goals of the team were for the players to have fun and player development through lots of playing time. We even convinced PVCICS and Hartsbrook to split their teams into 2 groups so that we could have 14 kids playing at once, again increasing playing time and thus, opportunities for growth.
While the whole team was sad that the season is over, most players were happy that there are no longer fitness days with their endless hill repeats and adventure runs. Those players who do miss the running exercises are welcome to join the Cross Country team, where we will run a lot and rarely play some casual frisbee on our easy days.
The captains of the Middle School boys team were Jupiter Johnson-Fuller, Oscar Gradick and Torrent Westfall.
Boys JV – update from Coach Ashley Schenk
Boys JV finished the season strong, only losing one game by one point in our Division Three State Championship. Overall, the team really improved through the season and gelled together, achieving great flow on offense and effective containment on defense. We developed great team chemistry thanks to the leadership of our two captains and our spirit captain, as well as all the other players supporting each other during the progression of the season. Many players on the team anticipate being back next year to continue building upon the foundation that we achieved this season.
The captains of the Boys JV team were Aiden McGuinness and Oliver Cordeiro, with spirit captain Aidan Helig-Rury.
Girls JV – update from Coach Catherine Zacchilli
We wrapped up our season with an impressive 5th place finish at States! Beyond the results, what really stood out was how much we grew and bonded as a team, on and off the field. The progress throughout the season was incredible to watch. In the final practices and games, it was clear how well each player connected with one another, executing smart strategies and working as a unit on both offense and defense. I’m so proud of what we accomplished this year, and even more excited to see what this team can achieve next season!
The captains of the Girls JV team were Bea Mickus, Bowie Solodky, Caleigh Fitzpatrick, and Jamilyn Sears, with spirit captain Luka Warren-Pukis. The team was coached by Catherine Zacchilli and Joseph Goldin, with Dov Plotkin also assisting for some practices and games.
Boys Varsity – update from Coach Terry Plotkin
The Boys Varsity team had a great State Ultimate Tournament making the finals. After winning their pool the Four Rivers team went on to defeat Amherst (for the 4th time!) and then a thrilling come-from-behind win over Lexington in the semi final. We lost to Arlington in the final. We finished the season with 26 wins and 6 losses and won 2 tournaments: NMH and Four Rivers. We graduated three seniors: Eamon Flannelly, Eliot Sanborn and Meir Dragon, and we will miss them next year. We have 14 players returning which sets us up for a strong season next year.
The captains of the Boys Varsity team were Kolin Broderick and Russell Herbert, with spirit captain Wes Acton.
Girls Varsity – update from Coach Julia Fay
Four Rivers Girls Varsity has been busy. We’ve played in 4 tournaments during the month of May. The Amherst Invite (AI), the Four Rivers tournament, Pioneer Valley Invitational (PVI) and States. In AI, PVI and States we came in second, losing to Amherst in each final. We maintain a friendly rivalry with Amherst and will meet up with them at UMass on Monday and mix our teams together and scrimmage! For the past couple weeks we have been working hard practicing, because on Thursday, June 12th we will depart after the stepping up ceremony for Allentown, PA to participate in the HS National Invitational. We will be competing amongst the top 16 teams in the country! We are grateful for the support from our community and school that has made our participation in this tournament possible.
The captains of the Girls Varsity team are Mabel Kingsley, Sylvia Guillaume and Tirz Skelton, with spirit captain Loie Acton. Julia Fay is head coach, with Dov Plotkin coaching Thursday practices and assistant coaching at some key tournaments, and Sage Campbell traveling to Nationals with the team as an assistant coach.
Massachusetts All-Star Game:
Another late-season highlight was the Massachusetts All-Star Game. Six of our athletes were selected to participate in this friendly competition on Friday, June 6th alongside some of the best frisbee players in the State. It was a fun night under the lights at Hormel Stadium in Medford, which is home to the semi-pro ultimate frisbee team Boston Glory. Congratulations to our all-star players – Cooper Whitney, Kolin Broderick, Russell Herbert, Seneca Smith, Sylvia Guillaume and Tirz Skelton!
Community Corner
- Keep up to date with local offerings this summer through the Connections Newsletter. You can also find resources for summer meals, transportation, events for teens and kids, and many more.
- Check back on the Project Bread website for more information and sites for meals through Summer Eats (free for all kids and teens!)
PIONEER VALLEY SUMMER ULTIMATE OPPORTUNITY
Since 2017, Valley Ultimate has also hosted a summer-long youth club program focusing on relationships, culture building, skill building, and fun!
Teams collaborate in practicing throughout the summer and attend competitive events locally & regionally and nationally.
This year they have room for ~100 Western-Mass high-school aged athletes to join us for a growth-filled summer to train and compete in a supportive environment with committed, skilled coaches.
To learn more about our program – please visit our website – or drop us a line or give us a call – 413-687-4880 and we’ll be happy to tell you more
THE BENSON PLACE IS HIRING – BLUEBERRY HARVEST SEASON EMPLOYMENT
“Want to work hard and have fun this summer? Join our harvest team for 2-3 weeks from mid July to early August to rake and sort this season’s wild blueberries.
The Benson Place is a family farm that has over 50 acres of certified organic wild blueberry barrens. We’d love to talk to you about joining our team!
For more information, please contact us at info@bensonplace.org
In-Sight Photography Project Summer Classes
In-Sight Photography Project is a Brattleboro based non-profit that teaches ages 11-18, how to express themselves and encourage their creativity through photography.
ARTSPACE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER
Offering a variety of both single-day and week-long art workshops this summer beginning at the end of June. Classes explore a lot of exciting materials and subjects such as printmaking, optical illusions, collating, character design, and watercolor to name a few! All of our summer programming is held at Artspace Community Arts Center, 15 Mill St., Greenfield.
LINK: https://www.artspacegreenfield.org/classes-workshops
