Solitude and Reflection – Students and teachers need time alone to explore their own thoughts, make their own connections, and create their own ideas. They also need to exchange their reflections with other students and with adults.
~from the EL Education Design Principles
Message from Head of School and Principal
Dear Four Rivers Community,
As we move into this season of reflection and celebration, I am delighted to share highlights from a lively fall at Four Rivers. Our students and staff have been deeply engaged in learning that is meaningful, challenging, and connected to the wider world, hallmarks of what makes our school a special place.
Fall Intensives
This fall we ran twelve intensives for grades 9-12, each offering students the chance to explore interests, develop skills, and contribute to our community. From the March for the Food Bank to Make and Play Lawn Games, from Portrait and Figure Drawing/Painting to the adventurous Winter in the Whites, our high school students immersed themselves in hands-on, joyful learning.
Please enjoy this slideshow…
Clubs & Community Leadership
We are also concluding our second round of clubs. Many groups leaned fully into leadership and service, such as students preparing for Stone Soup’s December Soup Night (on December 15th) and our enduring Climate Club. The “Save the Trees” Club has been working hard to remove bittersweet from our campus edges, embodying care for the land and stewardship of our shared spaces.
Upcoming Expeditions and Projects
Planning is well underway for major grade-level learning experiences:
• Our 8th Grade Expedition: Livable Franklin County for All, an interdisciplinary investigation into local community well-being and the service providers that support us all.
• The 12th Grade Documentary Project, a long-standing Four Rivers tradition that challenges seniors to research, film, and produce compelling stories.
• The launch of our drama program musical and preparation for this year’s Variety Show, two events that always bring joy (and a little magic) to our winter months.
11th Grade College Exploration
Just last week, our juniors traveled to Boston for an overnight college visit, an energizing experience supported by Franklin First Credit Union. Students returned with new insights, aspirations, and a clearer sense of the paths they may forge after Four Rivers.
Admissions Season Begins
We are also excited to launch our 2026–2027 admissions and recruitment season. Our first Information Session is this Saturday morning. Each year, I am moved by the number of students who volunteer as ambassadors; they tell the story of Four Rivers with authenticity, clarity, and heart. They are always our best messengers. More information about sessions and tours appears later in this edition of the Currents. Please help us spread the word.
As we move through this holiday season, I wish each of you peace, connection, fulfillment, and joy. With the solstice approaching, we can look forward to the light returning.
Warmly,
Jenni Manfredi
Quick Links
2025-2026 ACADEMIC CALENDAR • SCHOOL EVENTS CALENDAR
SPORTS CALENDAR • APPAREL STORE
HEALTH INFO TO FAMILIES • MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL HEALTH RECORD Health Care Provider’s Examination
MEDICATION ORDER FORM – completed by healthcare provider
Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please refer to the online School Events Calendarfor the most current information.
Sat. 12/13 – Admissions Info Session (10-11:30am) – more info below
Mon. 12/15 – Stone Soup Soup Night (5-7pm) – more info below
Wed. 12/17 – 10th Grade Wellness Class to Poet’s Seat
– Josh Breitner’s Crew Outing
– Ski & Snowboard Club Meeting (1-1:30pm) – students and chaperones
– Seasonal Sweater Spirit Day
Thurs. 12/18 – 9th Grade Wellness Class to Poet’s Seat
Fri. 12/19 – Thrift-A-Gift Holiday Market (3:05-6pm) – more info below
Tues. 12/23 – 10th Grade Visit to Vipassana Meditation Center
– Alumni Open House in the Common Room (10am-12pm)
– Early Dismissal @ 12:30pm, lunch served, one bus route
Wed. 12/24/25 – Fri. 01/02/26 – Winter Break!
Stone Soup’s Monthly Soup Night
Four Rivers is sponsoring Stone Soup’s monthly Soup Night on Monday, 12/15 from 5-7pm. Come join us at this pay-what-you-can meal. Students raised over $500 for this event.
ALL ARE WELCOME AT SOUP NIGHT – JOIN US!
399 Main St, Greenfield.
Thrift-a-Gift Holiday Market
9th Grade Vondell Crew is hosting a pop-up Holiday Thrift Shop at Four Rivers on Friday, 12/19, from 3:05-6pm in the High School 101. All proceeds will go to the Four Rivers Crew program and The Brick House in Turners Falls.
- Come shop! All items will be priced between $1 and $25.
- Donate your gently used or LIKE NEW items by 12/18 to room 202 or the Front Office. Abigail’s Crew is looking for QUALITY over quantity in the following categories (NO CLOTHES, PLEASE!): kitchen/household items, sportswear, jewelry, books, toys, and gaming devices/electronics in working condition. The Stone Soup Club will be there, too, raising money by offering a pay-what-you-can gift-wrapping service.
- All remaining items will be donated locally.
In Otter News…
ADMISSIONS SEASON IS UPON US!
We welcome and appreciate your support with student recruitment! Your help spreading the word and sharing your family’s experience at Four Rivers is truly invaluable. Below are a couple of easy ways you can contribute.
Related links that can be shared:
How To Apply: https://fourriverscharter.org/how-to-apply/
Information Sessions and Tours: https://fourriverscharter.org/visit/
- Share and repost our posts on Facebook and Instagram to your social media accounts to inform friends and family about the opportunity to join our school community.
- Share about our Admissions Season events and the 2026-2027 application in relevant social media or other online groups (local and parenting-focused) of which you are a member.
Copy and paste the post below or edit it to reflect your voice.- Our family is a part of the Four Rivers Charter Public School community, and the school is now accepting applications for students in grades 7-12 for next school year. You can learn more and apply at https://fourriverscharter.org/how-to-apply/. Be sure to submit your application by Tuesday, Feb. 25th, 2026, at 3pm. Feel free to message me to learn more about my family’s experience!
Upcoming Open Admissions Information Sessions for prospective students and families. All information sessions will start with an opening presentation in the High School Common Room followed by tours led by our student ambassadors.
Pre-registration not required, but helpful: INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR AY 26-27
- Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 am
- Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6:00- 7:30 pm
- Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 am
These events can also be found on our School Events Calendar.
Wednesday Classroom Tours
Our Wednesday morning tours take place during the school day, from 8:30-9:30am, and offer a chance to see Four Rivers in action.
Pre-registration IS required.
LINK TO PRE-REGISTER: ADMISSIONS TOURS for AY26-27
Please remember that siblings of current students DO still need to submit an application.
CHILLY WEATHER – Reminder for all
That chilly time of year is upon us again! At Four Rivers, time outside is a part of our approach. That’s why during the winter we continue to do things like outdoor recess, walks around campus, and more.
Our policy for when we stay in or go out is based on temperature and conditions. If it is 20 degrees or below (including windchill!) we will always offer an indoor recess and break options. Otherwise, students should come to school prepared for time outside. If a student forgets their coat or does not have a warm enough layer, we are lucky enough to have a free coat closet! All they need to do is ask a staff member and any of us will be more than happy to help them out. If they just need to borrow the coat for the day, we can do that! If they want to keep the coat, they can!
Please note that students should always have footwear appropriate for being outdoors for class or fieldwork or any other need to be outside of buildings. Crocs or slides are not good footwear for walking in the snow.
Please review this very helpful guide from our school nurse, Evie Hawley: Dressing for the cold – also shared in the From the Health Office section.
SLEEPING BAG DRIVE
Looking to collect 50 sleeping bags by the New Year
Please help donate sleeping bags for the unhoused in Greenfield. Donation sites will be around town, including at the Front Office at Four Rivers. The goal is to collect the sleeping bags by Thanksgiving. Questions? Please contact Heather at heatherborcy@gmail.com.
Current Employment Opportunities
- Girls Varsity Ultimate Frisbee Coach
Full Job Description - Substitute Nurse
Full job description - Substitute Teacher
- Full job description
CHARTER SCHOOL ADVOCACY
We’re excited to share that Massachusetts Charter Public Schools Fair Funding Week 2026 is coming up February 2nd–6th. During this virtual week of celebration and action, we’ll stand up and speak out for fair funding – ensuring all kids, in all types of public schools, receive the resources they need and deserve.
Right now in Massachusetts, students in charter public schools receive less state funding simply because they chose a charter. As lawmakers begin shaping next year’s budget, this is our moment to push for what’s right — equal resources for all students.
Let’s show the strength of our Four Rivers crew!
Fair Funding Week launches with a virtual kickoff rally on Monday, February 2nd, 6:00–6:30 p.m. — and we’d love to see you there.
Learn More & Stay Connected
Want to stay in the loop about Fair Funding Week and other opportunities to lift up Four Rivers?
Sign up to receive advocacy updates and announcements — we’ll share simple ways you can take action and make a difference for our students all year long.
From Family Council
Variety Show News – Our awesome annual Variety Show is coming up on January 30th 2026. Sign up HERE if you would like to be involved! Some ways to be involved are performing, working backstage or in the front of the house, or emcee’ing (hosting)!! The Show features singing, dancing, juggling, bands, skits, magicians, gymnastics, spoken word and more! New performers welcome! No experience necessary!
The mandatory commitments are 5:00-9:00 PM on Wednesday (1/28) & Thursday (1/29) and 5:30 PM until the show is finished on Friday (1/30). Any additional questions can be sent via email to director Megan Healey – healeymegan11@gmail.com
BIO Megan Healey (they/them, Director) is thrilled to be back in the Shea, where they first fell in love with theater. They currently work in 911 for the Town of Hadley as Lead Dispatcher, training officer, and quality assurance specialist. In a previous life, Megan worked in the music industry as a Tour Manager, Merch Manager, and in other touring roles for international artists including Matt Nathanson, Sugarland, O.A.R., Jack’s Mannequin, and Lifehouse. Notable directing projects include Spring Awakening, Annie, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Arena Civic Theatre); Disney’s Newsies (Amherst Community Theater); Green Day’s American Idiot, Bare: A Pop Opera, and Urinetown: The Musical (Amherst College); and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, True West, and Significant Other (Ghost Light Theater). Megan is the parent of 9th grader, Ezra.
Raffle Donations needed: 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. This raffle offers so many wonderful items like gift cards to local restaurants and stores, donated items from local stores, and donated services and items from our LOCAL FOUR RIVERS COMMUNITY – That’s YOU!
You can help by donating an item to our raffle — It could be a craft, piece of artwork, a gift basket, a service, or anything you are inspired to give! Some examples from past years include artisan jewelry and artwork, handyperson services, artisan foods, catering services, massage therapy, dog walking and more!
Please email us at familycouncil@fourriverscharter.org and let us know if you have an item or service to donate. Please provide your name and phone number as well.
What is the Family Council? The FRCPS Family Council is a parent, caregiver and Four Rivers community organization that builds community!
We sponsor and host fun gatherings during the school year and run an annual raffle fundraiser that supports school enrichment activities.
Next meeting via zoom: Thursday January 22, 2026 at 7 PM via Zoom.
Join in, pitch in, or just check in—Family Council is for everyone*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
Avoid Cold Weather Injuries:
- Plan Ahead and Check the weather. Scan the QR code to see current conditions at UMASS Weather Station.
- Dress appropriately: Coat& Hat (at a bare minimum), mittens or gloves, warm shoes with dry socks, if you have asthma consider a scarf or muffler to breathe through to prevent cold induced asthma.
- Your ears and fingers (along with noses, cheeks, and toes) are the most common places for frostbite to occur. Watch out for early frostbite (sometimes called frostnip): your skin will turn red and feel numb or tingly. Wet clothing will increase your risk for frostbite.
- Stay Dry: use of a moisture wicking layer against your skin helps you stay dry even if you are sweating
- Consider keeping extras in your locker extra socks, mittens, sweatpants incase you do get wet during wellness or other activity
- Don’t skip meals- it takes calories to keep you warm.
- Move about
Recognizing Cold Weather Injuries:
- Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and body tissue. Literally, the fluids in your cell crystallize into ice, killing cells, and creating the potential for gangrene and loss of tissue.
- Symptoms — Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face, and the tip of the nose.
- Prevention- Accessorize for protection. Select a hat that covers your ears or use a scarf, neckwarmer to insulate your ears and nose. Mittens for your hands, Stay Dry. If mittens are wet find a dry pair.
- Treatment — Get the victim into a warm, dry location. Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area. Seek medical attention immediately.
- Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature and is life-threatening.
- Symptoms — Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, and slurred speech.
- Treatment — If symptoms of hypothermia are detected take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, seek medical attention immediately. Get the victim to a warm location. Remove wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping the person in blankets or putting on dry clothing. Give them warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the person is conscious.
The “I’m always cold” extra accessory kit
- Shearling footbed liners- the insulation of thick wool plus the moisture wicking properties of wool.
- Disposable handwarmers — tear open the package and shake, then put in your gloves or pockets
- They also make these that stick on your socks or fit in the footbed of your shoes if your feet are always cold.
- A change of socks/gloves — Putting on fresh socks or gloves can go a long way to making you feel warmer when you’re cold.
- Thermos of hot tea/cider/cocoa — drinking something hot keeps you warm on the inside and outside!
- A quick trip to the bathroom — a full bladder will make you colder, because your body has to warm up this sack of liquid inside you, and that steals heat from your extremities. Go to the bathroom.
Thanks, folks! Eat well, dress in layers, and stay warm!
ILLNESS UPDATES
- There have been an increase in stomach bug symptoms.
- Masks: for the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, masks are optional at Four Rivers, with some exceptions.
- Individuals experiencing symptoms of any illness (even after a negative Covid-19 test) are required to wear a mask until symptoms are completely resolved.
- Individuals who test positive for Covid-19 are required to wear a mask for at least 5 days after returning to school.
- Any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face a higher risk from Covid-19, will be supported in their choice.
Athletics
BASKETBALL
Our winter sport at Four Rivers is basketball and our season has begun! Our Varsity team held scrimmages this week with Smith Academy and Mohawk, both were great games offering good competition and spirit. You can find the practice and game schedule on our Sports Calendar. Our home Varsity gym is located at Stoneleigh Burnham and the games are a lot of fun to watch, come on out and catch one this season!
And it is not too late to register! Use this link: Basketball Sign-up. Reach out to Erin Klett, athletics@fourriverscharter.org, with questions.
RETURNING FALL SPORT JERSEYS
A lot of fall sport 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.
INTRAMURAL RUNNING & ULTIMATE
It’s getting cold and snowy out there, but Intramural Running & Ultimate are still happening! Otters run and play in all kinds of weather! Athletes please make sure to bundle up. Sessions will be ON unless it is below 20 degrees with wind chill. Next week will be the last week.
LOOKING AHEAD
We’ll be offering Intramural Running/Crossfit Session 2 in January and February—sign-ups are coming soon. We’ll also run a Volleyball program and Intramural Ultimate Session 2 in late February/early March. Sign-ups and more details for both of those will be shared in January.
BOOSTER CLUB MEETING DECEMBER 15TH
The next monthly meeting of the Four Rivers Athletics Families Booster Club is Monday, December 15th at 6:15pm at Magpie Pizza in Greenfield. All athletics families are welcome and invited to attend! Boosters promotes and supports our athletic programs and fundraises for senior banners. Reach out to Sharon McGuinness for more information or to get on the email list.
Reminders
FOUR RIVERS APPAREL
A friendly reminder that our school store is up and running 24/7 and carries a lot of options!
LINK: FOUR RIVERS APPAREL STORE
Community Corner
ARTSPACE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER IN GREENFIELD
ASAP is an all-access art studio for teens 13-18yo. Teens can hang out & create in a safe, laid back, welcoming space.
Enjoy a mess-friendly art studio stocked with pro supplies, work on your own projects or our 100% optional, rotating weekly projects, & share a love for the weird & bizarre world of art!
A new block of classes starts every 4 weeks:
Dec. 4th, Jan. 8th, Feb. 5th, Marth 12th, April 9th, May 14th, and June 11th.Learn more and register online at: https://www.artspacegreenfield.org/event-details/asap-teens
This program is held at Artspace Community Arts Center, 15 Mill Street, Greenfield, MA. Doors are open 3:00pm-6:00pm each Thursday, come by after school. Financial aid is quick, easy, and always available on our website.
Please email the teacher or our office if you have questions:
Chloe Torri: outreach@artspacegreenfield.org
Artspace Office: info@artspacegreenfield.org
