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Years of planning, fundraising, collaboration, and construction officially crossed the finish line on September 4 as the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District and Town of Amherst hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the renovated track and field complex at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School.

Students, staff, local officials, families, community members, and project partners gathered at the new facility to recognize the completion of the $4.6 million project, a major investment in student-athletes and the broader community. Funding came through ARPS debt authorization, the Amherst Hurricane Boosters, Town of Amherst Free Cash, and Community Preservation Act funds from Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury.

The ceremony reflected the collaborative nature of a project that required support from the four regional towns, the school district, local government, and community organizations to become a reality.

Professional learning did not stop when the school year ended for a group of Amherst and Pelham elementary educators. Kate Thurston, Grade 2 teacher at Pelham Elementary School; Trish Lagrant, Grade 2 teacher at Amethyst Brook Elementary School; Nadla Tavares, ELL educator at Crocker Farm Elementary School; and Catherine Woods, Grade 2 teacher at Crocker Farm spent four days in August participating in the Literacy Launch Institute, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Hill for Literacy.

The Literacy Launch Institute provides differentiated professional learning for educators working with students from preschool through Grade 3. Thurston, Lagrant, Tavares, and Woods participated in the Institute's Advanced Track, designed to deepen and expand educators' existing literacy expertise. The program focuses on evidence-based early literacy instruction that recognizes students' cultural and linguistic strengths while incorporating practices aligned with the Science of Reading to help build and scaffold reading and writing proficiency by Grade 3.

Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools is celebrating Leila Tunnell, Amherst Bx Varsity Ultimate Co-Coach and Amherst and Pelham Public School Garden Educator, following her selection for induction into the Ultimate Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Leila was initially selected as one of 10 finalists in the Women's Division before advancing through the Hall of Fame's final voting process. Her selection places her among an elite class of players recognized for exceptional achievement and lasting contributions to the sport of ultimate.

“Having someone with Leila's level of experience, talent, and understanding of the game working directly with our student-athletes is something very special,” Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman said. “Our students have the opportunity to learn from someone who has competed at the highest levels of her sport, but even more importantly, they have a coach who understands how to turn that experience into opportunities for young people to grow. Leila is a wonderful example of the exceptional talent we are fortunate to have throughout ARPS.”

ARPS Athletic Director Victoria Dawson echoed that sentiment.

“No surprise that Leila made the Hall of Fame! I never had the opportunity to see her play, but I do know her as a person,” Dawson said. “She is a phenomenal coach and an even better person. Congratulations, Leila! Well deserved!”

The Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools officially welcomed staff into the 2026–27 school year on Tuesday, August 25, as employees from across the three districts gathered in the Amherst Regional High School Auditorium for the annual ARPS Convocation.

The morning brought together educators, administrators, support professionals, and staff from throughout the three distinct districts to reconnect as one community before welcoming students back to school. The program included recognition of longtime employees and award-winning educators, introductions of district and school leadership and Amherst-Pelham Education Association leadership, remarks from Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman, and a keynote presentation from UMass Amherst Professor Dr. Sarah Fefer.

Throughout the gathering, one theme connected the morning: the power of one. One educator can change the trajectory of a student's life. One colleague can strengthen a team. One relationship can build belonging. And when individuals come together around a shared purpose, one school community can make an impact far greater than any individual could make alone.

“The power of one begins with recognizing that every person in our district has the ability to make a difference,” Dr. Xi said. “One interaction, one encouraging word, one moment of patience, or one decision to reach out can change how a student, family, or colleague experiences their entire day. When hundreds of us make those choices together, the power of one becomes the power of an entire community.”

Kendrick Park was filled with students, families, educators, community partners, music, activities, and plenty of excitement on Monday, August 24, as the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts welcomed the community to the 2026 First Day Celebration.

Held just before students returned to classrooms for the new school year, the annual celebration offered families an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, meet school and district leaders, discover community resources, and simply enjoy an evening together. With many members of the community in attendance, Kendrick Park became a gathering place for families from across the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional school communities.

For Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman, the celebration represented much of what the beginning of a new school year should feel like: welcoming, hopeful, and centered on students.

“The start of a new school year gives us an opportunity to come together with renewed energy and a shared commitment to our students,” Dr. Xi said. “There is something incredibly special about seeing our children, families, educators, and community partners together before that first school bell rings. It reminds us that educating children is truly a community effort, and that our students are surrounded by people who want to see them learn, grow, and thrive.”

Throughout the afternoon, the celebration included music, complimentary ice cream and non-dairy frozen treats, and the opportunity for students to climb aboard a school bus and practice boarding before the start of school. Adding to the festivities was a special appearance by the Amherst College Mammoth, who greeted children and families throughout the event

Amherst-Pelham Regional School District is proud to celebrate Crystal Cartwright, Transition Specialist for Amherst Regional Public Schools, who has received the Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education (MAIPSE) School Partner Excellence for Inclusive Higher Education Award.

Cartwright was honored at the 2026 Emerging Trends Conference, where she was recognized for her outstanding leadership and commitment to expanding inclusive higher education opportunities for students with disabilities.

The award is particularly noteworthy because Cartwright was nominated by all three of ARPS’s partner MAIPSE programs: Westfield State University, UMass Amherst, and Greenfield Community College. The statewide recognition highlights her exceptional work supporting students and families as they navigate transitions to higher education, employment, and community life.

Students in the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District’s Latin program have once again demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, earning impressive results on the 2026 National Latin Exam and outperforming national benchmarks.

The National Latin Exam is an internationally administered assessment that measures students' understanding of the Latin language, literature, vocabulary, mythology, and Roman culture. Each year, students from across the United States and around the world participate in the exam, making it one of the most respected assessments in classical language education.

This year, 60 ARPS students participated in the examination. Of those students, 42 scored at or above the national average; an impressive 70 percent of all district participants.

More than 90 Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Latin students joined peers from across the Pioneer Valley this spring for a day of academic competition, cultural exploration, and community at the annual Classics Day event hosted at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Held on April 8 at the UMass Campus Center, Classics Day brought together 36 Amherst Regional Middle School students and 55 Amherst Regional High School students for a full day of activities centered on the study of the ancient world. Students participated in academic competitions, artistic contests, performances, and collaborative learning experiences alongside Latin students from schools throughout the region.

More than 90 Amherst-Pelham Regional School District Latin students joined peers from across the Pioneer Valley this spring for a day of academic competition, cultural exploration, and community at the annual Classics Day event hosted at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Held on April 8 at the UMass Campus Center, Classics Day brought together 36 Amherst Regional Middle School students and 55 Amherst Regional High School students for a full day of activities centered on the study of the ancient world. Students participated in academic competitions, artistic contests, performances, and collaborative learning experiences alongside Latin students from schools throughout the region.

Three Amherst Regional High School educators have been recognized for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to student success as recipients of the 2026 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Jennifer Chylack, Krista Larsen, and Gerardo Zelaya were honored this spring through the prestigious regional program, which annually celebrates outstanding educators across Western Massachusetts. The awards, established by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, recognize teachers “who strive for excellence in the classroom and beyond.”

The Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards were created in 2003 to acknowledge educators who make a meaningful impact in their schools and communities. Since its inception, more than 2,000 teachers throughout Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties have been recognized for their work supporting students at every stage of their educational journeys.

For years, Amherst Regional Middle School has been building a culture of climate awareness, environmental education, and student leadership. On June 5, that ongoing commitment came to life once again as students and staff gathered for the 2026 ARMS Climate Carnival, a full-day interdisciplinary event designed to give students agency around one of the most pressing issues facing their generation.

Held across ARMS outdoor teaching spaces and classrooms, the Climate Carnival brought together guest speakers, workshops, collaborative projects, and student-centered discussions focused on climate change, sustainability, and community action

For the past three years, Amherst Regional Middle School’s Grow Club has turned creativity, sustainability, and student leadership into an annual spring tradition that reaches far beyond the school walls.

Each late spring, members of the Grow Club organize an end-of-year fundraiser featuring plant-based projects inspired by the work students completed throughout the school year. The fundraiser serves as both a celebration of student learning and an opportunity to support future Grow Club activities and field trips.

Students at Pelham Elementary recently enjoyed a special meal celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, thanks to the creativity and dedication of the Amherst Regional Middle School food service team.

When Pelham Elementary Principal Micki Darling asked whether the district could create a meal in honor of AAPI Month, the request was enthusiastically embraced by the ARMS kitchen staff. Because Pelham Elementary does not have its own kitchen, meals are prepared daily by the Amherst Regional Middle School food service team and transported to the school.

Students from Amherst Regional High School made a strong impression at this year’s Massachusetts State Science Fair, earning recognition for both the quality of their research and the impact of their ideas.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, multilingual learners at Crocker Farm Elementary School participated in a thoughtful and engaging project centered on student voice, cultural representation, and the power of storytelling. Led by ELL teachers Blanca Osorio-Castillo and Nadla Tavares Smith, the project invited students in grades 1, 3, 4, and 6 to research and celebrate influential women activists from around the world.

The idea for the project grew from a shared goal to make Women’s History Month both meaningful and inclusive. By highlighting activists from a wide range of cultural and racial backgrounds, the project aimed to reflect the diversity of the Crocker Farm community and ensure that all students could see themselves represented in the stories they explored.