Amherst Public Schools

New principals named locally

Posted on Thursday, July 15th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Jim Russell, Masslive
Date: 7/13/2021
Link: Complete Article

Michelle Hernandez will be the next principal at the K-6 Fort River Elementary School in town. Amherst Regional Superintendent Michael Morris, on Monday, confirmed her appointment. In a message to parents, caregivers and staff, he wrote that Hernandez “will begin her tenure on August 2, 2021, after completing her commitments to her current school.” She… [Read More]

Educators rising to remote learning challenges

Posted on Monday, April 6th, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Chris Goudreau, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 4/4/2020
Link: Complete Article

Schools across the state, country and the globe are closed amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here in Massachusetts, schools are slated to reopen at the beginning of May, the state is now per Gov. Charlie Baker’s order. In the meantime, local educators in the Pioneer Valley are interacting with students on a daily basis remotely and… [Read More]

Connecting with a new generation: Amherst program links students of Cambodian descent to their roots

Posted on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Scott Merzbach, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Date: 1/22/2020
Link: Complete Article

When he was little, Shane Mang, the son of Cambodian immigrants, spoke some Khmer, the Cambodian language, around his home. Now a sixth grader at Crocker Farm School, Shane is reminded of many basic words in that language while attending an after-school program that also offers an understanding of Cambodia’s history and culture. “It’s fun… [Read More]

For Amherst superintendent, building plan must address two schools

Posted on Friday, December 27th, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Scott Merzbach, Hampshire Daily Gazette
Date: 12/27/2019
Link: Complete Article

AMHERST — While only Fort River Elementary School has been accepted into the eligibility period for the Massachusetts School Building Authority, Amherst school officials are committed to making sure the needs of Wildwood Elementary School’s teachers, staff and students are addressed in any building project completed between fall 2025 and 2027. Superintendent Michael Morris told… [Read More]

Amherst schools receive $10K grant from Southern Poverty Law Center

Posted on Monday, July 22nd, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Greta Jochem, Hampshire Daily Gazette
Date: 7/22/2019
Link: Complete Article

AMHERST — Amherst Public Schools have received a $10,000 grant from the Southern Poverty Law Center to bring its civic literacy and organizing education to more classrooms in the coming school year. The nonprofit awarded the school the money through its Teaching Tolerance program which gives out educator grants for up to $10,000 to “support projects that promote affirming school climates and educate… [Read More]

Fort River art teacher honored for feminist work in the classroom

Posted on Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Greta Jochem, Hampshire Gazette
Date: 3/27/2019
Link: Complete Article

AMHERST — Every year, second graders at Fort River Elementary School work on underwater sea drawings in art class. Amid sketching fish and seaweed, art teacher Nicole Singer, who is in her sixth year at the school, said she will hear student conversation about boy-colored fish and girl-colored fish. That’s when she intervenes, asking students questions that… [Read More]

Morris won’t seek Amherst superintendent job

Posted on Wednesday, March 8th, 2017 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Scott Merzbach, The Hampshire Gazette
Date: 3/7/2017
Link: Complete Article

AMHERST — Michael Morris, who has served as interim school superintendent for the Amherst public schools since August, will not seek the permanent post. On Monday, Morris sent letters to School Committee members and faculty and staff alerting them that he plans to continue in the interim role through the end of the academic year,… [Read More]

State board rejects Hadley Chinese charter school expansion

Posted on Tuesday, February 28th, 2017 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Scott Merzbach, The Daily Hampshire Gazette
Date: 2/28/2017
Link: Complete Article

HADLEY, MA — After hearing testimony that the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School is draining resources from local school districts and not educating a sufficiently diverse student body, the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday turned down a proposed expansion to nearly double its enrollment. In a voice vote about four… [Read More]

Amherst eliminates winter break homework

Posted on Tuesday, December 27th, 2016 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: SCOTT MERZBACH , Hampshire Gazette
Date: 12/27/2016
Link: Complete Article

AMHERST, MA — For the next week while students in Amherst’s public schools are on vacation, they can focus on celebrating the holidays with their families, pursuing their own interests and not worrying about getting school work done. Michael Morris, interim superintendent, sent a letter to all parents and guardians Dec. 6 letting them know… [Read More]