Voices from Our Schools

"Voices from Our Schools" is an Educational Round Table Discussion broadcast on Amherst Community Television (ACTV).  In each episode of the series, Superintendent Maria Geryk invites guests to talk about different facets of our school system.

We invite suggestions from parents, students, community members and faculty/staff for topics to be covered in the series. Ideas should be forwarded to Debbie Westmoreland at westmorelandd@arps.org.

Episode 22: PRISM Program at ARHS

Date: 
May 9, 2012

See Episode 22.

Guests Lisa Candito, PRISM Director, and Chris Taggert, Director of After School Programs for the Collaborative for Educational Services, join guest host Kimberly Stender to discuss PRISM, an after school and summer school program for ARHS students.

Episode 21: High School Accreditation Process

Date: 
April 23, 2012

See Episode 21.

Guests Mark Jackson, ARHS Principal, Sean Smith, ARHS World Languages Department Head, and Leslie Lomasson, ARHS Librarian, join Superintendent Maria Geryk to discuss the NEASC accreditation process at Amherst Regional High School. 

Episode 20: Volunteer Experiences at the Vela Scholars Program

Date: 
April 4, 2012

See Episode 20.

Guests Dan Freije, ARMS Americorps member, and Noelle Niu, Amherst College student, join guest host Kimberly Stender to discuss their experiences volunteering with the Vela Scholars school year and summer programs at Amherst Regional Middle School.

Episode 19: Special Education Parent Advisory Council

Date: 
March 21, 2012

See Episode 19

Guest Melissa Paciulli, Co-President of SEPAC, joins Superintendent Maria Geryk to discuss the role of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council.

Episode 18: Student Teachers at ARPS

Date: 
March 8, 2012

See Episode 18

Guests Carole Learned Miller of Smith College, Sarah Frenette of Mount Holyoke College and Rachel Cummings, Wildwood 6th Grade teacher, join guest host Kimberly Stender to discuss student teaching and pre-practicum programs.

Episode 17: Partnership with UMass Civic Engagement and Service Learning

Date: 
February 8, 2012

See episode 17.

Guests Dr. John Reiff and Dr. Carol Soules of the UMass Office of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning join Superintendent Maria Geryk to discuss an important partnership between UMass and our school system.

Episode 16: School Choice

Date: 
January 11, 2012

See Episode 16

Guests Mike Hayes, Principal of Amherst Regional Middle School, Kathy Mazur, Director of Human Resources, and Marta Guevara, Director of Achievement and Equity join Superintendent Maria Geryk to discuss school choice.

Episode 15: Amherst Education Foundation Supporting Our Schools

Date: 
December 21, 2011

See Episode 15

Guests:
Erika Zekos, President of Amherst Education Foundation
Mike Morris, Principal of Crocker Farm School
Stephanie Joyce, Literacy & Curriculum Coach at Crocker Farm 

Moderator:
Beth I. Graham Director of Professional Development, Collaboration & Teacher Evaluation

Topic:
Amherst Education Foundation's support for our schools.

Episode 14: Parent/Guardian Groups in Our Schools

Date: 
December 7, 2011

See Episode 14

Guests Colleen Osten, ARHS PGO Chair, Becky Demling, ARMS PGO Communications Chair, Angela Mills, Crocker Farm PGO Co-Chair, Pam Rietkirk, Fort River PGO Co-Chair, and Susan Bain Bellak, Wildwood PGO Co-Chair, join host Kimberly Stender, Volunteer Coordinator, to discuss pertinent topics involving our students, families and school community.

 

 

Episode 13: Partnership Between UMass School of Education and ARPS

Date: 
October 12, 2011

See Episode 13.

Guests Dr. Joseph Berger, Associate Dean of Research and Engagement at UMass, and Dr. Rebecca Woodland, Associate Professor of Education at UMass, join Superintendent Maria Geryk to discuss collaborations and partnerships between the UMass School of Education and our school system.