Racist, anti-Semitic graffiti at Amherst Regional High School investigated
Amherst-Pelham Regional High School.
AMHERST School administrators and Amherst Police are investigating racist and anti-Semitic graffiti found drawn in chalk Friday outside Amherst Regional High School.
Superintendent Michael Morris, in an email co-signed by Assistant Superintendent Doreen Cunningham, high school Principal Talib Sadiq and Summit Academy Principal David Slovin, notified families this week about the incident at the school building, where few staff and students are inside as remote instruction continues for nearly all teachers and students.
“These chalk drawings, which included a racial slur and a swastika, were photographed and quickly removed; however, the drawings were a blatant violation of school policy, and more importantly our community’s core values,” Morris wrote. “No one should ever have to come to work or school and experience discrimination and bigotry in any form.”
Amherst school officials share air quality info with families
Amherst Regional High School GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST Families of students who attend the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional public schools are up to date on how well ventilated classrooms are in the six district buildings should in-class learning resume, according to School Superintendent Michael Morris.
In a weekly newsletter sent to parents and guardians Dec. 11, Morris shared detailed information from Nexus Consulting LLC of Torrington, Connecticut, about the status of air quality in each classroom and other educational spaces.
The information was provided after the Amherst Pelham Education Association, the union representing teachers, paraprofessionals and clerical staff, expressed concern last week about renegotiating the terms of a memorandum of agreement for getting students and teachers back into school buildings.
Amherst gets private help to support 13 students with in-person learning
Amherst Regional High School GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST Almost all of the 2,400 students in the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools are being taught remotely, but a privately run distance learning center is allowing some students to be at the high school.
Superintendent Michael Morris told the school committees last week that 13 students, all of whom have intensive needs, are able to be in the building for the K-12 program and have “access to distance learning with that in-person support.”
Since health metrics in a memorandum of understanding between the school district and the Amherst Pelham Education Association have been triggered, based on the rising caseload of COVID-19 in the region, all teachers, paraprofessionals, and other union staff are not able to teach in person. That prompted turning to a private entity to run the program.
Ditching remote: Dozens of Amherst-area families make other school choices
First grader Sebastian Sienkewicz of Pelham plays with twirlies with Learn at Morse Hill science teacher Rosa Whelpley during a period of free play for kindergartners and first and second graders at the outdoor school in Shutesbury on Dec. 3. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Second-grader Jasper Hoxie-Golding, left, and first-grader Sebastian Sienkewicz listen to Learn at Morse Hill Director Corinne Shaw read from Chapter 5 of “The Hobbit” during the after-lunch community read at the outdoor school in Shutesbury on Thursday. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Olive Barber of Pelham picks up her son, Sebastian Sienkewicz, after his day attending Learn at Morse Hill in Shutesbury on Dec. 3. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Opposition to MCAS grows
Northampton Association of School Employees Vice President Heather Brown talks about MCAS testing during a standout in front of Northampton City Hall on Dec. 4. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Meg Robbins, left, John Crand and Northampton High School senior Virginia Crand take part in a standout in front of Northampton City Hall, Friday, in opposition to MCAS testing during the pandemic. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Northampton High School ELL teacher Sue Sullivan, center, speaks at a rally Friday in front of Northampton City Hall to oppose MCAS testing during the pandemic. She is joined by, from left, JFK seventh-grader Eliza Brown and her mother, Heather Brown, Leeds parent Kristen Elde (obscured by sign) and Northampton High School parent Amy Martyn. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING