ARMS News

As part of the ARMS Day of Service, eighth-grade students recently stepped beyond the classroom to give back to the Amherst community in meaningful ways. On February 2, 2026, a group of ARMS students spent the morning volunteering across town, offering their time, energy, and leadership in support of local organizations and schools.

This winter, every sixth-grade student in Amherst and Pelham took part in a hands-on learning experience that brought years of garden-based education to fruition. Through a partnership with Wheelhouse Farm Catering, students from Wildwood Elementary School, Fort River Elementary School, Crocker Farm Elementary School, and Pelham Elementary School visited the Wheelhouse kitchen in downtown Amherst to prepare food rooted in their own long-term learning.

Eighth-grade students at Amherst Regional Middle School had the opportunity to put their classroom learning to the test when doctoral students in the Biotechnology Training Program at UMass Amherst stopped by to assist in a DNA extraction Lab. The visit, hosted in Team B science classes led by Jodi Stevens, gave students a rare opportunity to explore DNA extraction through hands-on experimentation alongside college-level researchers

Educators across the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools recently participated in a professional development session focused on using Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) to support multilingual learners. The training reinforced a shared belief that language instruction is not simply a requirement, but a crucial part of ensuring every student has equitable access to learning. Throughout the day, staff engaged in practical strategies designed to strengthen language development alongside academic success.

On November 4, staff across the Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools took part in the Welcoming Schools professional development workshop, an important step in deepening the district’s commitment to creating schools where every student feels fully valued. The two-hour session centered on strengthening staff understanding of gender identity, exploring best practices for inclusive language, and learning strategies that disrupt gender stereotyping in school communities.