ARMS "Our Immigration Stories" Art Photo/Text Exhibit Opening on June 15

Please join students and educators from Amherst Regional Middle School for a reception of Our Immigration Stories photo-text exhibit on Tuesday, May 15 from 5:30-7:00pm! Located in the ARMS Cafeteria, Library and Main Lobby-Gallery.

This work was supported by a grant from the Amherst Education Foundation, which relies on charitable donations and fundraising events to offer Excellence Grants to educators in the Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, and Shutesbury Elementary Schools and the Regional Schools.

 

Letters for Lucio Campaign and Conversational Spanish Classes

The Pioneer Valley Workers Center, in collaboration with a passionate team of valley residents, has launched a vital letter-writing campaign in support of Lucio Perez. Please click here to see the flier with all the information needed, including letter samples, to facilitate full engagement in this campaign.

The campaign, which is an active response to a critical juncture in Lucio’s case, is grateful for all the support Lucio and his family have received. If you’re interested in helping further, please consider writing letters in support (maybe your kids can join in this meaningful opportunity—great practice for new writers!). 

Conversational Spanish Lessons with Lucio

Are you looking for a welcoming place to practice your Spanish? Did you take Spanish in high school, but find that you are a bit out of practice? Or would you like to start from the beginning and learn to greet friends and neighbors? Come join us! Lucio is hosting Spanish conversation classes and would love for you to attend. These casual conversation sessions will be an opportunity for people of varying Spanish ability to develop their vocabulary and confidence in the language. Both individual and group sessions are available.

Sign Up Here: bit.ly/luciospanishaprilmay

Classes are taught at First Church Amherst (165 Main St, Amherst MA 01002) in individual and group formats at the following times:

Now Registering for Sessions!

Individual Sessions:

45 minute slots (Sliding scale: $25-50 per session)

Mondays 9am

Mondays 10am

Tuesdays 2pm

Tuesdays 3pm

Fridays 5pm

Beginner Group Sessions: (Limit of 8 participants per session)

(Sliding scale: $15-30 per person)

Wednesdays 10-11:30am

Thursdays 10-11:30am

ARPS Notice Regarding Temporary Protected Status for El Salvadorian Immigrants

[On] January 8 it was announced that federal Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be ended for El Salvadorian immigrants beginning in 2019. Many members of our community immigrated from El Salvador under TPS. These are valued individuals who enrich our ARPS community in countless ways.

Since the announcement that TPS will be ending, we have heard from families who are concerned about their children’s status in our district. We want to ensure families that, consistent with our past practice, our core beliefs, and established law, we will continue to enroll and serve every child living in our district who chooses to attend our schools, without regard to their immigration status.

The case law on this topic is very clear and can be found in the United States Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe from 1982. Stemming from that decision, federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education states that:

All children in the United States are entitled to equal access to a basic public elementary and secondary education regardless of their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, or the status of their parents/guardians.

Nothing in yesterday’s announcement alters our policy of providing equal access to all students or our commitment to providing all children with the academic and emotional support that will allow them to flourish and become contributing members of our community.

Sincerely,

Michael Morris

Superintendent of Schools

Jean Fay

Amherst-Pelham Education Association President

Welcoming Families Relocating from Puerto Rico

From the Central Office:

Last week, Dr. Marta Guevara, Director of Student and Family Engagement, and I met with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Health Director Julie Federman to plan a community event in support of those who may be relocating to our area from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. We anticipate that many families will come to the area with a range of needs, from help with concrete things such as health and housing, to help dealing with emotional trauma. On November 2, the community is invited to come together in a planning session from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Amherst Regional Middle School library. We want to plan, as a community, how we can best support our new neighbors who will be relocating to our area, either temporarily or permanently. The event is co-sponsored by the Town of Amherst and the Amherst Public Schools. For more information about the event, or if you know of a family with school-aged children that plans to relocate to Amherst, Pelham, Leverett or Shutesbury, please contact Dr. Guevara at 362-1871 or guevaram@arps.org so we can be ready to welcome them when they arrive.

Immigrant “Know Your Rights” Presentation @ Jones Library

An informational session about the rights of immigrants will be presented at the Jones Library on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room.

Are you an immigrant or an ally who is concerned about your status? The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project will be conducting a “Know Your Rights” presentation at the Jones Library.

Come to learn more about your rights when interacting with immigration officials, understanding your legal status and the immigration court process, where to find trusted legal resources, and what programs might be available to you.

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Jose Antonio Vargas to speak @ UMass on April 11 at 4pm

Come hear journalist/activist/filmmaker Jose Antonio Vargas speak about immigrants’ rights and his experiences.  

Joint Statement from the Town Manager, Amherst Police Chief, and ARPS Interim Superintendent

Dear ARPS Community:
Please read the joint statement (available here) from Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Amherst Police Chief Scott Livingstone and me regarding our commitment to immigrant members of our community.
Michael Morris
Interim Superintendent of Schools

Estimada Comunidad de ARPS:
Por favor, lea la declaración conjunta (disponible aquí) de Paul Bockelman, Gerente Municipal de Amherst, Scott Livingstone, Jefe de Policía de Amherst, y de este servidor, sobre nuestro compromiso con los miembros inmigrantes de nuestra comunidad.
Michael Morris
Superintendente Interino de Escuelas

Assurance Letter Regarding Immigrant Families

The Amherst Regional School District will continue to enroll and serve every child living in the district who chooses to attend our schools, without regard to their immigration status. View the assurance letter from the ARPS interim superintendent regarding immigrant families.