By Farmington River Regional School District (FRRSD)
November 2026
School Calendar – Farmington River Elementary
● School Committee Meeting: Monday, November 2, 6 p.m.
● Veterans Day Assembly: Tuesday, November 10
● Veterans Day, No School: Wednesday, November 11
● Parent-Teacher Conferences: Thursday, November 19
Farmington River Elementary Seeks Substitute Employees
Love being in a joyful building with a positive working environment? Join the team at Farmington River Elementary School as a van driver, substitute van driver, or substitute teacher!
Substitutes work on a per-diem/on-call basis for a full or half day; van driver schedules vary. Requirements include a high school diploma and successful background checks. Rates start at $120/day for substitute teachers and $20.28/hour for drivers.
For more information, visit frrsd.org/district-information/employment/ or call (413) 269-4466 during school hours.
Families Helping Families: It's the Farmington River Way
Farmington River Elementary is collecting food for local families again this year. The school says this tradition teaches students the importance of community and brings to life one of its core character traits, citizenship. Teachers and staff will provide the turkeys. Donations are due by November 16.
Suggested donations by grade:
● Pre-K/EK: paper products, sandwich bags, foil, etc.
● Kindergarten: snacks, popcorn, nuts, pretzels, crackers, granola bars, and dried fruit
● Grades 1 and 2: boxed goods such as pancake and cake mixes, cereals, oatmeal, pudding, and stuffing
● Grades 3 and 4: canned goods such as soup, gravy, vegetables, fruits, pie filling, pickles, olives, peanut butter, jelly, and cranberry sauce
● Grade 5: drinks such as juice, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
● Grade 6: staples such as pasta, rice, flour, sugar, seasonings, ketchup, and mustard
Otis & Sandisfield Vaccine Clinic
Friday, November 20, 2:30–5:30 p.m., Farmington River School, 555 North Main Road, Otis.
Flu vaccines: regular dose for ages 6 months and up, and senior dose for 65+. COVID vaccines: ages 65+ and high-risk. Pre-registration is required at home.color.com/vaccine/register/tritown or by calling (413) 243-5540 x109.
At-home and in-office appointments are available at the same number. Please bring your insurance card. For more information and the full fall schedule, visit southernberkshirehealth.com.
Sponsored by the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.
Parent Workshop: High Octane Kids
South Berkshire Kids' 2026 Fall Parent Workshop Series continues Wednesday, November 11, 7–8:30 p.m. on Zoom, with Scott Noyes. The topic is "High Octane Kids!"
Registration is required: email southberkshirekids@gmail.com and you'll be sent the Zoom link.
Holiday Magic At Otis Town Hall
Saturday, December 5, at Otis Town Hall. Gingerbread house decorating starts at 3:00 p.m., Santa arrives at 4:00, and the tree lighting is at 5:00 p.m. There will also be cider donuts, cocoa, and music.
Hit The Slopes With The PTA
Registration is open for the 2027 Otis Ridge Ski & Snowboard Program. Thanks to PTA fundraising and the generosity of a local donor, the program is free for all Farmington River Elementary students in grades 1–6.
Lessons run Wednesdays, January 6 through February 10, 2027, at 6 p.m. Students should arrive 45 minutes early to get ready. Ski lessons are open to grades 1–6, and snowboard lessons to grades 3–6. Use code FARMINGTON100 for free FRES registration.
Robotics On The Horizon
Corey, the school's technology teacher, is writing a grant to start a robotics class sometime this school year. The school will share updates as the program develops.
Farmington Faces: Ms. Avery & Miss Loubier, Pre-K And Early K Co-Teachers
Follow the happy babble of little voices down the first-floor hall and you'll find Ms. Maggie Avery and Miss Madison Loubier. They are the co-teachers leading FRES's youngest students.
Miss Loubier did her student teaching at FRES and then worked in the kindergarten classroom last year before becoming a permanent fixture. She says her favorite thing about working there is the school community, both students and adults. And love is in the air: she's getting married in June!
Ms. Avery has a long history with FRES. She attended as a student from preschool through 6th grade. "It was so nostalgic at first," she said. "Coming into the building! I really enjoy working here, and I'm glad to be back!" She has two shepherd/lab mixes, Winnie and Wilbur, and loves spending time with them.
"They're just wonderful," says Laura Messina, longtime preschool paraprofessional.
Fast Facts:
● Favorite food: Ms. Avery, fruit salad; Miss Loubier, mac and cheese.
● If I weren't teaching, I'd be … Ms. Avery, hanging with my dogs; Miss Loubier, at the beach.
● Favorite color: both say pink.