Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

  • Today's Black History Month moment brought to you by Woojin Kwon:

    Ayanna Pressley-

    Ayanna Pressley, born 1974 in Cincinnati, is the current House representative for Massachusetts’ 7th congressional district. She spent her early life in Chicago and was raised by her mother Sandra Pressley, a single mother and an activist for tenants’ rights who was a major inspiration for the younger Pressley’s future role in politics and activism. She enrolled at Boston University in 1992, but withdrew in 1994 to support her mother after she lost her job.


    Pressley was elected to the Boston City Council in 2009, marking the first-ever time a woman of color was elected to this organization. As a member of the city council, she made many noteworthy strides; these included making changes in Boston Public Schools policy in order to help students affected by teen pregnancy stay in school until graduation and to combat the school-to-prison pipeline for Black and Latinx girls, and creating legislation protecting the healthcare rights of transgender employees of the city of Boston.


    Pressley gained her position in Congress in 2018 by defeating Mike Capuano, who had held the seat since 1999, in the Democratic primary election. In doing so, she became the first Black woman, as well as the first woman of color in general, to ever be elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress. As a representative, Pressley has raised her voice for various causes: she has called for the defunding of ICE to protect immigrant families and communities, and has committed to decriminalizing sex work to protect sex workers, many of whom are transgender women of color. She has called on President Biden to cancel student loan debt through executive order, and coauthored along with several other Black Congress members an act to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or hairstyle, a tactic that has long been used to oppress Black people and particularly Black women; Pressley herself has been demonized as “militant” when wearing her hair in twists.

  • Its Wellness Wednesday!

    This week's tip: Reflect on your daily routines

    Did you know that on average, it takes about 66 days for a behavior to become a habit?  

    As we start semester 2, now is a good time to reflect your daily habits and routines. 
    -What habits/routines are helping you? What may be setting you back? 
    -Is there something you can adjust? 

    Why may this be a good idea? 
    Well, research tells us that healthy habits and routines are linked to improved mental and physical health. Healthy habits and routines are also shown to help us face distress more effectively. These are good things, dont you think? 

    Some tips to help with making adjustments: 
    Start small: add 1 thing in, try not to overwhelm yourself all at once with huge changes
    Focus on existing habits and prioritize things that are effective 
    Link routines to a goal you are setting. This can help you stay motivated on tougher days.
    Include things that bring you pleasure and joy!
    Don't get down on yourself if you miss a day or two!


    Need help? Want support?  Reach out to a trusted adult here at school or a friend who is good at this. Talk about what you want to change or what you are feeling good about in your routines.  It helps boost accountability and investment! 
  • Kindly crocodile seeks Russian Club members. Don’t get this reference? Come watch the classic Soviet stop-motion animation “Cheburashka” at Russian club! Every Tuesday from 3:35-4:55 in Room 151.
  • Juniors and Seniors - Check your email. Your Friendly Neighborhood College and Career Advisor, Ms. Cuffee-Gray has sent you (and your parental/guardian units) an email. Check SPAM if you don't see it.
  • Attention Student Drivers- Please do not park your vehicle on the side of the hill behind the last row of the parking lot as buses are unable to get through!
  • The ARHS Biliteracy Club is happy to announce an exciting opportunity— Spanish for Heritage Speakers in the Community-Community Engagement/Español para hablantes de herencia hispana en la comunidad offered by UMass via Zoom (The students will coordinate the schedule of the meeting with their mentor). Please read the flyer below for more details and if you are interested in this opportunity or you have questions please communicate with Yokaira A. López-Tifa–Email: ylopeztifa@umass.edu. Thank you and have a great week.

  • Please take a look in the Lost &Found which is located outside of the main office. Items that are not claimed by February 7th will be donated to the Survival Center.
  • Please support the POCU Snack Sale after school on Today!
  • Salut! Are you taking French or do you want to learn/practice French? Come to the French Club meeting on Wednesday at 3:40 in Madame Cisse's room! We will be talking about upcoming events and plans we have, and introduce the club to newcomers! New members are always welcome. Hope to see you there! 
  • Seniors - If you have not paid for your Cap & Gown please do so ASAP! You can either bring your measurements (height + weight) to the main office with your payment of $19.00. We accept cash (exact amount only) or check/money order (made out to ARHS). Or you can order your Cap&Gown online via this link https://www.buildagrad.com/amherstregionalhs
  • Senior Superlative Nominations are open! Pick up and turn in your n
    omination sheet in Guidance! Nominations will be open until Wednesday, February 2nd. After that, the top 6 students in each category will be added to a Google Form for final voting, so keep an eye out for that email!
  • Big Y Scholarship (https://www.bigy.com/Community/Scholarships) - Seniors must allow for time for recommendations and transcripts to be uploaded for their Big Y scholarship in order to actually submit their scholarship. Don't wait until the last minute, or even the last hour to request your transcript and recommendations (the last day is dicey...). All Big Y Scholarship requests must be made by 12 noon on February 1st. Ignore this at your own peril.

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