AMHERST — A fight between students at Amherst Regional Middle School last week that prompted a shelter-in-place order when parents got involved in the incident and staff members were injured, is prompting educators in the Amherst-Pelham schools to request district leaders take a series of steps to improve safety.
The Amherst Pelham Education Association, which represents, teachers, paraeducators and clerical staff, on Monday called on Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman and her team to come up with refined plans for protecting students, staff and the community.
“We urge the district to partner with the APEA to review existing safety procedures and ensure consistent, well-communicated safety protocols are enacted across each school,” reads the statement, released by high school teacher Claire Cocco, who handles communications for the union.
“In addition, the completion of the district’s proposed Caregiver Guide needs to be expedited with educator input. Such a comprehensive guide could offer appropriate action steps for families of students so that we can partner with, rather than be at odds with, the community,” the statement said.
The incident, according to information Herman released on Thursday in email messages to families, began as an altercation between several students at the school, where seventh and eighth graders from Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury are educated. The situation escalated when parents got to the Chestnut Street school and involved themselves in the altercation, Herman wrote. She also confirmed in the email that staff members were injured.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and in order to keep everyone safe, the school issued a shelter-in-place and called Amherst Police Department while the situation was deescalated. The APD responded quickly and have been working with us as we review what happened,” Herman wrote.
The middle school building also houses the district offices, including the superintendent’s office.
“I want to be clear — this kind of behavior is deeply concerning and not reflective of the safe, respectful, and student-centered environment we strive to create each day,” Herman wrote. “We are currently working with staff and local authorities to fully understand the circumstances and will share additional information as we are able. Please know that student and staff safety remain my top priority, and this matter will be taken seriously from my level.”
In March, Herman discussed the creation of the Caregiver Code of Conduct, with a shared set of expectations for how families and schools could work together to maintain safety, especially on school grounds, and be partners in creating safe and supportive learning environments. That announcement came after a confrontation took place between parents inside Fort River School in February. That incident also included working with Amherst Police, having a police report filed and supplemented, and the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office delivering no trespass orders to those involved.
The code is expected to outline shared values of respect, civility and constructive communication, and will provide guidance on conflict resolution and reinforce a collective responsibility to model appropriate behavior for students.
“As a school community, it’s important that we take this moment to reflect together,” Herman wrote. “Our children are watching us — how we handle conflict, how we treat one another, and how we show up in difficult moments. It’s on all of us to model respectful and productive ways to engage, even when emotions are high. I truly believe we can do better — and that together, we can help guide our students toward healthier ways of resolving issues.”
The union’s statement also addressed the Amherst and Regional school committees: “It is the responsibility of the school committees and other district leaders to provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees and students. As educators, we are on the front lines of conflicts, whether it be with students or community members.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
