AMHERST — Before the Amherst School Committee officially gives names to the new elementary school under construction, as well as the space where sixth graders will be educated next fall, the public has an opportunity to provide advice.
An online survey active through Dec. 11 allows residents a chance to select from five names for each school presented by the Naming Subcommittee, with a School Committee vote anticipated Dec. 16.
For the school building being built next to Fort River School on South East Street, which will mostly bring together students and staff from Fort River and Wildwood schools, the five names are Wild River, Amethyst Brook, Emily Dickinson, Nonotuck and Riverwood.
School Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Shiao, who served on the subcommittee, said all names previously submitted were reviewed and the informal polls at open houses taken into consideration. Subcommittee members then did independent research.
Wild River, she said, was the top choice at the open houses, reflecting the natural landscape and energy and spirit. Amethyst Brook got the second highest amount of votes, as it is a tributary of Fort River, is the name of a nearby conservation area and aligns with an informal tradition in town of naming schools after place names.
Emily Dickinson Elementary School, submitted by many, connects to Amherst’s literary heritage, Shiao said, while Nonotuck Elementary School would honor the Indigenous land the school building occupies and Riverwood is another combination of the school names and is student-driven.
For the sixth grade school, to be located inside the middle school, some names are repeated, including Amethyst Brook, Emily Dickinson and Nonotuck, with Sixth Grade Odyssey and Chestnut Street Academy the other choices.
In a memo, the subcommittee, which also included School Committee member Sarah Marshall, Wildwood Principal Allison Estes and parent Sheilah Jones, wrote, “Each name reflects community input, cultural and historical context and the values we hope to embody in our schools.”
Marshall said one question is whether “academy” can be used in the name of the sixth-grade school.
Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman said her conversations with state officials indicate there are no formal guidelines that would prohibit such a designation.
School Committee member Bridget Hynes said she would be ready to vote before getting input from the community.
“I think Wild River’s the winner in my heart for Fort River, and Amethyst Academy for the middle school,” Hynes said.
Still, Shiao said wider feedback is needed. The survey is at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe54qSwVT-dmp3m16nCwefy94hYl354RFTJbyaGbOPIjktvJQ/viewform
Pop-up sale
The Friends of the Amherst Senior Center is putting on a Happy Holiday Jewelry Pop Up Sale at the Winter Amherst Farmers’ Market Saturday.
The event will be at the Bangs Community Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature estate jewelry, handbags, scarves and seasonal bargain items.
Proceeds from the sale support various programs of the Amherst Senior Center and follows a similar sale, with a voluntary pricing policy, held at the weekly Amherst Farmers’ Market.
Declaration of Human Rights
An annual reading of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights takes place on the North Common in front of Town Hall Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
This year’s reading will be followed at 6 p.m. with an hour-long community discussion at the Bangs Community Center’s Large Activity Room. The discussion will be hosted by the Human Rights Commission and Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in partnership with the public schools and Amnesty International.
Art Show and Sale
The Amherst Plein Air Society will have an exhibit of paintings available for purchase at the Amherst Woman’s Club, 35 Triangle St., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A dozen artists are expected to be on hand and refreshments will be served. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the club.
Stuff a Cruiser
Amherst Police and University of Massachusetts Police are holding a Stuff a Cruiser event over the weekend in Hadley, though a PVTA bus is expected to be used in place of a police car.
Officers will be set up outside the Walmart at Mountain Farms Mall both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with shoppers welcome to donate unwrapped toys and other gifts that will be provided to The Bridge Family Resource Center on University Drive.
Cuppa Joe
Planning and Economic Development Director Jeff Bagg will join Town Manager Paul Bockelman at a Cuppa Joe coffee and conversation at Masuda’s Cafe, 17 Kellogg Ave., Dec. 12 at 8 a.m.
Bagg is returning to Amherst after previously serving as a senior planner for the town from 2008 to 2016.
Song & Story Swap
Musician and songwriter Adam Sweet performs at First Church, 165 Main St., as part of the Song & Story Swap Saturday at 7 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society of Western Massachusetts.
Attendees will be invited to contribute a song or story on the topic of “sweet” during an opening round of sharing. Admission is free, but with a suggested minimum donation to the artist of $7.50.
Meetings
MONDAY: Local Historic District Commission, 3 p.m.; Joint Policy Subcommittee, 5:30 p.m.; Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
THURSDAY: Community Preservation Act Committee, 5:30 p.m.; Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.; Joint Amherst, Pelham and Regional School Committee, 6:30 p.m.