AMHERST — Letters spelling “welcome” on the door and the phrase “change your words, change your mindset” on the bulletin board are displayed in the classroom where Catherine Moss will teach second graders at Amethyst Brook Elementary School.
As she finished setting up the space last week inside the first new elementary school opened in Amherst since the 1970s, and getting it ready for the first day of school Wednesday, Moss is happy to leave behind her former classroom at the 1970s-era Wildwood School, where she has been teaching since 2012.
“It’s been dreamy,” Moss said on a recent afternoon, putting the finishing touches on her classroom by hanging the “objectives” chart on the whiteboard, positioning it next to a couple of manual clocks. “You’re now in a building that smells fresh and clean. It’s very nice coming into a new environment.”
And while the classroom where she expects to teach 23 to 25 students, who will come mostly from either Fort River and Wildwood schools, is smaller, it has a significantly better setup. As she points out, there are no hidden corners, she will be able to see all students at all times, there are brand new desks and, most importantly, there are four walls. “It’s the perfect size.”
Next door, Margaret Sawyer, who teaches second graders in one of the Caminantes dual-language Spanish-English classrooms in the school, is expecting close to 20 students in her classroom. Sawyer began getting out her supplies from numerous crates brought over from the neighboring Fort River School.
“I’m excited,” Sawyer said as she looked around the classroom. “I think we’re all excited.”
Sawyer, who will teach about 80% of the day in Spanish, said she will continue a tradition of giving each student a mailbox. While her classroom will no longer have a door leading to the outdoors, it makes up for it with the natural light and large amounts of storage.
Because the three-story school houses Caminantes, all signs throughout the building are written in both English and Spanish, giving even those in the general education classes some exposure to each language.
Coming from the former Fort River and Wildwood schools, teachers entered the three-story, nearly $100 million school beginning Aug. 18, as construction on the 105,750-square-foot building on South East Street wound down and a certificate of occupancy was issued.
Staff arrived just before the 540 or so students who will be educated got a sneak preview on three separate evenings last week, joining their families for tours.
Moss said in addition to plenty of storage for her tools and supplies, outdated items were left behind. The classroom is also allergen friendly, with a colorful carpet in one area, but a gray tile floor that should prove durable throughout most of it. “They put a lot of forethought into the classrooms,” Moss said.
While Sawyer’s students are all coming from Fort River, having studied both languages as first graders last year, Moss will have students from Fort River and Wildwood, and maybe even some from Crocker Farm and others new to the district.
“It will be a beautiful, blended family,” Moss said of her general education classroom, one of five second-grade classrooms on the second floor of the school. “That will be the really fun part, to get to know other teachers, making relationships with people,” Moss said.
On the same level is the library overseen by Wildwood librarian Susan Wells, a couple doors down is the art room where Daniel Espinoza, who has been at Fort River for the past five years, will call home.
Espinoza said there is significantly more storage space, better lighting and a working kiln, meaning that glazes and clay will have to be ordered so students can work on ceramics projects.
“I’m really excited to design the flow of the space from the ground up,” Espinoza said.
Espinoza observed it took a lot of effort to reimagine the space at Fort River where other art teachers had been. “Here I get to say what happens right away, and I’m excited for the opportunity,” he said.
Students return
On three evenings before the new school year, students and their parents, guardians and caregivers had the opportunity to tour the building and get a feel for their new surroundings.
From the stage in the cafeteria, Principal Allison Estes welcomed well over 250 people each night, explaining that she wants everyone to be thrilled with the nearly finished school and praising construction crews for finishing the building on time.
“They are working so hard for you,” Estes said.
Estes said these drop-in evenings were important because children can have big feelings at the start of the school year, and being in the company of their families can help them manage the anxieties and excitement.
During this informal event, students and families expressed pleasure in what they were seeing. On the second floor, where second and third graders will study, there is a green color theme.
“I love it,” said second grader Lilian Stosz, 7, who pointed to the lockers for storing personal belongings located outside the classrooms.
Similar compliments were offered by her siblings, Red, a first grader, and Oliver, a third grader. “I like it,” said Red, 6. “I like it. It’s cool,” added Oliver, 8.
“We’re very impressed,’ said parent Melissa Stosz.
It was a similar evaluation from Emirani Falahia, whose son Khaleeds will be in third grade, coming over from Wildwood. “This is something we’ve been waiting for, and are excited about,” Falahia said.
“Our first impression is it’s amazing,” Falahia said. “It’s bright, it’s colorful — though not too much — and the lockers and storage areas are very sufficient.”
Falahia said her family also appreciates that the building is eco-friendly. With some 250 geothermal wells, the building is supposed to be net zero in its energy use.
Outside at the playground that will open for the first day of school, with various unique elements to play on, two third graders gave their impressions of the new building.
The “huge cafeteria” was something that stuck out to Zadie Boice, 8, while Cam Fitzpatrick, 8, said the lockers are nice, but might be even better with locks on the doors.
Estes said there is no shortage of emotions for staff, either, as they enter a building that smells fresh and has much more natural light than either Wildwood or Fort River.
At least three staff members who will be working in the building cried upon seeing the nearly finished school and expressed excitement about what is possible, Estes said.
Estes noted that the nurse’s office is improved, and there are four changing tables that can support the toileting needs of all students in ways that weren’t previously possible.
Estes, who has been the principal at Wildwood since 2023, said she is heartened that district leaders put her in the role of bringing together two schools, and she hopes that those from Fort River who don’t know her style will quickly become accustomed to it.
“It’s an honor they’re trusting me to build this community,” Estes said. “We are here to support each other, listen to each other and do the best for the students.”
“I’m looking forward to earning the trust of people from the other schools,” Estes said.
Estes is joined by Assistant Principal Kakas Coblyn in leading what she anticipates will be a staff that will provide an innovative experience and learning environment for children.
At the end of the day, though, Estes said her biggest appreciation goes to those in Amherst who worked hard to move the school project forward, calling it “a beautiful, beautiful building.”
“I’m so thankful for the community coming together and supporting children in this way,” Estes said.
