News

Crocker Farm Elementary School has spent the last year working on developing PBIS, an approach to education that focuses on cooperation, accountability, respect, and empathy (CARE). These core values, which will play a major role in lesson plans, were chosen by a school-wide leadership group after surveying second to sixth grade students, teachers, and families.

In addition to developing this framework, constituents authored an Educators Handbook that allows them to zero in on challenging behavior and develop appropriate intervention strategies.

“Some call this approach old-fashioned,” said Assistant Principal Derek Shea. “I see it as common sense at work.”

Lauren Mattone, second grade teacher at Crocker Farm Elementary School, has a new addition to her classroom this year: a bowl of fruit, available to students throughout the duration of the day. Two bags of apples and a Mickey Mouse bowl were initially provided by Jean Fay, paraprofessional at Crocker Farm, but parents have started to support the idea as well.

Michael Silverstone, second-grade teacher, is one of many at Crocker Farm Elementary School to introduce their students to the Heart Talk for Kids curriculum. Heart Talk familiarizes students with understandable terms for universal emotions and needs. Silverstone says that the program provides “emotional first-aid” by providing children with the essential abilities to compromise and sympathize with those around them.

See also the PSA on AmherstMedia about First Day.

See also the PSA on AmherstMedia about Safe Seats for Kids.

The Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools are proud to partner with the Amherst Police Department to announce a new safety initiative “Safe Seats for Kids”.

New infant car seats and booster seats are available free of charge to income-eligible families in the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools. Amherst Police Department will distribute car seats and conduct car safety inspections during the last week of August.

See an interview with Kimberly Stender about Project Backpack now airing on Amherst Media and also the PSA about Project Backpack.

The 5th Annual Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools Latino Achievement Night will be celebrated on May 20, 2011 at Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street.  The event will begin at 6:30pm and all families, friends, staff and community members are invited to attend. 

Under the direction of Superintendent of Schools, Maria Geryk and Director of Interventions & ELE, Dr. Marta Guevara, and in keeping with the Social Justice Commitment of the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools, the 5^th Annual ARPS Latino Achievement Night aspires toward equity of opportunity, inclusion, respect and community-building in and out of the classroom. 

Please read the following letter from one of our community partners, Amherst Media: