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Margaret Gallagher’s third-grade class at Pelham Elementary School has been improving their writing through a unique program at the Amherst Cinema. “See Hear Feel Film” is a New York-based program that teaches third-graders critical viewing and storytelling skills. It was brought to Western Massachusetts after the Amherst Cinema raised $100,000 to use as grant money. According to the Amherst Cinema website, “See Hear Feel Film” has been taught to nearly 40,000 school children since 2001 and is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts and Literacy.

Suzanne Quinlan, 5th grade teacher at Pelham Elementary School, has adopted an approach to teaching known as “Responsive Classroom”. The program is based on the premise that young students learn best when they have developed social-emotional skills.

“It’s a way to build community in the classroom,” said Quinlan. “It’s really structured our morning meeting which includes a greeting, share [time], an activity and a message telling them what’s happening during the day.”

The morning meeting is especially fun for students as it starts their day with movement and interaction.

On Tuesday, September 13th, Soren Bennick Productions’ “The Power of One” came to Pelham to teach students about what bullying is and how to put a stop to it. The company, which formed in 2005 and has performed in over 5,000 schools across the world, uses acting and colorful props to deliver a clear and specific message that is understood and remembered by children.

See also the PSA on AmherstMedia about First Day.

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: