AMHERST — A revised cellphone policy for students at Amherst Regional High School could be developed by the fall.
Superintendent Michael Morris told the Regional School Committee at a meeting in April that cellphones are a distraction, based on what he gleaned from a recent session with faculty members.
“There was no one who was suggesting we don’t need to firm up our rules and protocols around cellphones in school,” Morris said.
Morris said the desire from some is for changes to be at the policy level, across the school district, so that when seventh and eighth graders arrive at the high school, they will know the rules.
The current student handbook states that cellphones can’t be used in class at the high school, and can’t be used at all at the middle school.
Morris said middle school staff hasn’t been engaged yet. “I do think it’s a topic that is affecting kids and adults,” Morris said.
Gathering more data is the next step.
“It was striking to me to hear staff members about the impact on affecting brains and engagement with kids,” he said.
Morris said he would get feedback this spring and examine it over the summer before any proposal. Other schools have tightened their policy on cellphones, with some requiring high schoolers to secure their devices during the course of the school day.
A celebration of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month takes place Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Town Common.
Put on by the Human Rights Commission, the event will have arts and crafts, live entertainment and free food.
The event comes as the Town Council recently issued a proclamation marking the month, reflecting on contributions and accomplishments of individuals who make up 13% of the town’s population. The proclamation also states “we must also acknowledge the additional determination, hard work, and perseverance AAPI individuals must put forth to be heard and seen and that these additional efforts are a response to inequitable institutional and systemic injustices fueled by xenophobia, misogyny, ableism, classism, and other forms of discrimination, such as those most recently manifested in racist attacks on Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In case of rain, the event will move to the Bangs Community Center.
Dr. Shirley Jackson Whitaker, an artist, activist and kidney doctor, is showcasing her etchings, paintings and storytelling in the Front Window Gallery at the Mill District Local Art Gallery.
Through love of art, Whitaker connects her medical knowledge to racism and lynchings, with social justice and a healthy community among her goals.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Whitaker’s original works made available for this exhibition,” said Shannon Borrell, who coordinates the gallery. “Her passion for justice and truth is evident through her prolific production of art, multimedia projects and storytelling.”
Whitaker’s “Ashes to Ashes” film and book of etchings focus on bringing funeral closure to the more than 4,000 people killed in lynchings.
Additional artists debuting at the Cowls Road site include Judy Vazquez of Northampton, Lee Gray of Bernardston, David A. Dickinson of Leeds, Yellowdog of Haydenville, Michele Diamond of Hadley, Camille Tahar of Belchertown, Kaitlin Scutari of Orange and Sara Deponte and Fabio Deponte, both of Petersham.
The Friends of the Hadley Public Library is having a bake and book sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library on Middle Street.
Packing Shed, a local band, will perform beginning at 1 p.m.
UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy joined state officials and others to celebrate the $8 million expansion and modernization of the Cranberry Station in East Wareham, a site that supports cranberry growers.
“For more than 110 years, UMass Amherst has remained committed to the commercial success of the commonwealth’s cranberry industry — by engaging with growers and industry leaders, and by developing innovative solutions such as insect monitoring, modern fertility management programs and a frost forecasting system.” Subbaswamy said in a statement.
TUESDAY: Cultural Council, 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Energy and Climate Action Committee, 4:30 p.m.; Joint Town Council, Community Safety and Social Justice Committee and Human Rights Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m.