As Amherst families fight for our town leaders to prioritize funding our schools in difficult fiscal times, let’s not forget how exceptional our public schools are and how effective they are at partnering with caregivers to raise capable, accomplished and compassionate young people.
As parents, we know that academic achievement is critical and that’s one of the main reasons we chose to raise our children here. But equally important is our children’s emotional well-being. Amherst schools have long recognized that a strong education is about academics, but it is also about helping our children develop the skills they need to thrive as individuals and as members of a community. From what we’ve seen and experienced in our public schools, both at the elementary and regional levels, our children benefit from the support of so many tremendous educators. These dedicated professionals care deeply about developing our children’s empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence. In Amherst, our children have been celebrated as individuals.
As families who recognize the value of diversity, Amherst schools are unparalleled in our region. In large part because of the richness of our academic institutions, our students speak almost 40 different languages at home. Ample academic research has shown that diverse classrooms improve student outcomes. The elementary schools celebrate this diversity throughout the year with programs and events that recognize the importance of seeing ourselves as global citizens.
Amherst schools have long boasted dedicated, creative, highly skilled and knowledgeable teachers. Our high school seniors can take advantage of classes at UMass and Amherst College (and our two regional community colleges) and our sports teams are celebrated — some ranking high in regional competitions (go ‘Canes!). High school programs like the engineering concentration and so many offerings from our excellent theatre and arts departments, provide students with opportunities to excel in their specific areas of interest.
At the elementary level, children engage in mindfulness practice, get two recesses each day, enjoy seasonal gardening curriculum and are visited multiple times per year by environmental educators from the Hitchcock Center for the Environment. One special unit for kindergartners involves them drawing a picture of an animal or creature and then getting to see their creation brought to life in stuffed animal form by a high school art student. From our experience, Amherst schools nurture the joy and magic of childhood.
Public schools, by law, are charged with the lofty and important task of educating all children that live within a certain area code at no cost to families. Public schools are an essential safety net for the most vulnerable members of our community: children. Making the choice to send your child to public school supports a mission of inclusion and community building within a structure of state standards and the availability of academic rigor.
Towns across the commonwealth are struggling to fund basic services. There are state levers that must be pulled to interrupt the drain of funding at the local level. But as we watch increased cuts to our own schools and work to urge our town council to look for creative solutions to meeting the current moment, let’s not lose sight of what we do well. It’s clear that Amherst’s teachers are some of the best in the state. They are committed to the success of our children, not only ensuring academic success but also nurturing a love of learning — and of one another. We feel lucky to raise our children here.
Casey Maloney is the parent of a rising first grader at Crocker Farm and a preschooler. Nina Mankin is the parent of a rising 9th grader and Wildwood alum.