Join Easthampton Public Schools in the Hampshire Pri...

Easthampton Public Schools invites families, students, and staff to march together in the Hampshire Pride Parade on Saturday, May 2, 2026 . All LGBTQIA+ students, staff, family members and allies are welcome.  We encourage you to decorate wagons, strollers, bikes or yourself with supportive messages and colorful decor. Or, wear an EHS or MVS shirt! The meet-up time will be around 9am at Sheldon Field in Northampton. The parade starts at 11:00am. No cost to participate.  Complete the registration form to sign up to be part of the Easthampton Public Schools parade contingent .   Parents/Caregivers , Click the icon at the top of this post. Students and Staff , Click this Link to Sign up! or email jlibby@epsd.us  Last year, many students enjoyed handing out rainbow stickers, temporary tattoos, and mini rainbow flags, if you would like to provide any of these items to hand out, please let us know in the notes below.  All participants must be affiliated with Easthampton Public Schools as a current student, a parent/guardian/caregiver/family member/sibling of a current student, or a current staff member. Partners of staff members, city officials, and community partners can participate if they are accompanying a student or staff member.  The parade route is about .8 miles, paved asphalt, with some inclines, is a loud outdoor environment, and will take place rain or shine. Parking and drop off information will be sent a week prior to the parade.  Questions? Contact Jean Libby, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator 413-529-1500 x142 jlibby@epsd.us.

Tuesday, Apr 14 2026

Welcoming Our New Assistant Principals at Mountain V...

Dear Easthampton Public Schools, We are excited to share that two outstanding educators will be joining the leadership team at Mountain View School as Assistant Principals. Please join us in welcoming Alex Freedman and Rachel Breton to the team! Both bring a deep commitment to student learning, strong instructional leadership, and a passion for supporting students, staff, and families. Their experience and dedication will be a wonderful addition to Mountain View School as we continue our work to create a supportive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for all students.  While we look forward to welcoming our new leaders, we also want to recognize Principal Averill, Principal Balise, and Principal McCallum, who have dedicated so much to the Mountain View community over the years. Their care for students, commitment to staff, and leadership have helped shape the school in meaningful ways. They will certainly be missed, but we know that retirement will be well deserved, and we wish them the very best in this next chapter. Mountain View is an incredible school community, and we are confident that Mr. Freedman and Ms. Breton will quickly become valued leaders in the important work happening every day in our classrooms. Please join us in giving them a warm Easthampton welcome! About Alex Freedman:  Alex joins Mountain View School from Springfield Public Schools, where he has served as Assistant Principal at Duggan Academy. A Teach For America alum, he holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Boston University and brings experience in instructional leadership, teacher coaching, and building strong school culture. A Western Massachusetts native at heart, Alex is an avid hiker on Mount Tom, a member at the local Crossfit Evolved, a big baseball fan and musician. He is thrilled to be joining the Easthampton community and looks forward to getting to know the Mountain View family. About Rachel Breton: Ms. Breton is from Northampton, Massachusetts.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology from the University of Massachusetts. She later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Smith College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in School Administration from American International College.  Ms. Breton began her teaching career here in Easthampton as a student teacher at Maple School in 2012.  She then began teaching first grade at Center Pepin School in 2013. Ms. Breton has a deep passion for teaching and learning. She has experience teaching many grade levels and currently teaches fourth grade.  Ms. Breton was also coordinator of the Easthampton special education extended school year program for many years. Ms. Breton loves to go bowling, read a good science fiction or fantasy novel, and relax with her cats and daughter. She also enjoys playing softball and golf and spending time with her family and friends.  

Monday, Mar 16 2026

Winter Weather Thanks

Dear Easthampton Public School Families,  First, THANK YOU, for your patience and understanding as this week's weather challenged our school schedule and routines. This is the winter that keeps on giving!  We also wanted to take a moment to thank the outstanding Facilities and Maintenance staff of EPS, led by Larry Carnes, for working to keep our buildings warm, and our sidewalks, parking lots and playgrounds safe and free of ice and snow this week and all winter long. If you've seen the huge piles of snow in our school parking lots, it's Larry and his team that have put them there!  Additionally, the Easthampton Department of Public Works, led by Director Greg Nuttelmen, and the Highway Team, for working round the clock this week to get sand and salt on the roads! When we had a traffic backup due to icy road conditions at Mountain View on Tuesday, the Easthampton Police Department showed up quickly to redirect traffic and help get cars and busses unstuck!  This is truly a community that helps each other, and we couldn't be more grateful for all those that pitched in to keep our students and families safe this wild week.  Have a safe weekend. Think spring! Warmly, Dr. Michelle Balch, Superintendent and the District, EHS and MVS Leadership Team

Friday, Mar 06 2026

Easthampton Public Schools – 2-Hour Delay Friday, Ma...

Easthampton Public Schools – 2-Hour Delay Friday, March 6, 2026 Dear Families, Due to the ongoing weather conditions, Easthampton Public Schools will operate on a  2-hour delay  tomorrow, Friday, March 6, 2026. All school start times will be delayed by two hours, and  school buses will run two hours later than their regular pick-up times . Please note:  Morning preschool is canceled  on Tuesday. Afternoon preschool will run as scheduled. We encourage families to use caution when traveling, and we will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day. Thank you for your flexibility and cooperation. Please stay tuned to  https://www.epsd.us/students-families/news  for updates.

Friday, Mar 06 2026

Easthampton Community Preservation Act Survey

Help the Easthampton Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee prioritize their goals for future funding cycles by taking a brief survey! The CPA Committee reviews projects that address open space, affordable housing, historic preservation and recreation. The CPA Committee makes project funding recommendations to the City Council on a quarterly basis. The Committee would like YOU to weigh in on Easthampton's CPA goals.  Please fill out the survey by March 12th at the link below or in person on March 7th, 4-7pm at CitySpace at Old Town Hall during Art Walk.   Also, please consider joining the hybrid  March 19th CPA Preservation Plan Meeting at 6:30pm (2nd floor of City Hall) to learn more about the Community Preservation Act and/or offer your input! Link to survey:   https://forms.gle/xtf6Sy1dtvDx2CG36

Thursday, Mar 05 2026

Congratulations, Riane Nash, Pioneer Valley Excellen...

Riane Nash , Mountain View School's PK-2 School Adjustment Counselor, has been selected by the Easthampton Public Schools as a 2026 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award Winner. For students in PreK through Grade 2, Nash is more than an educator. She is a steady presence, a trusted advocate, and for many, their safe person at school. Her impact cannot be quantified. While she provides direct services to specific students, her reach extends far beyond any roster. Nearly every young learner knows her by name and understands that if they are struggling, she will listen and she will act. Colleagues note that she is often the first to notice when a child may be facing challenges and the first to raise concerns so that supports can be put in place. Students feel secure in her care because they know she will ensure they receive the help they need. Nash consistently goes beyond the traditional scope of her role. She visits every kindergarten classroom to deliver Social-Emotional Learning lessons and collaborates with teachers across grade levels to provide targeted supports as needs arise. Her door is always open to students and colleagues seeking guidance, encouragement, or help navigating conflict, reflecting the trust and respect she has earned throughout the district. Creativity is one of Nash’s defining strengths. She tailors lessons, conversations, and interventions to meet each student’s unique needs, often balancing multiple perspectives at once. She also reconnects students who may feel disengaged by involving them in kindness-based initiatives, such as creating hearts for Kindness Week or organizing Cereal and Toy Drives. These efforts give students pride, belonging, and a meaningful role in their school community. Beyond her work with students, Nash serves on the School Culture and Climate Committee and contributes to the Sunshine Fund, supporting staff and fostering a positive, caring environment. In Easthampton, this award carries special meaning because nominees are put forward by their fellow educators. Peer recognition in a school setting is no small distinction. Teachers know firsthand the daily demands, quiet victories, and behind-the-scenes commitments the profession requires. By honoring all nominees, the district recognizes that these educators are viewed by their colleagues as professionals who consistently go above and beyond for students, contribute positively to their school communities, and exemplify collaboration and leadership. Among this year’s nominees are both newer educators and veteran teachers, a reflection that excellence in teaching is defined not by longevity, but by impact. In addition to Nash’s recognition, Easthampton Public Schools proudly honored all district nominees for the 2026 award. Each nominee received a certificate of recognition and a personal thank you from the Superintendent in acknowledgment of their dedication and outstanding service to students and the school community. The district’s 2026 nominees are: Jodi Alatalo,  PK-5 Literacy Coordinator & Interventionist Dr. Sofia Checa,  High School Mathematics Teacher Ryan Copeland , 5th grade Teacher Albert (AJ) Evans-Perez , Middle School Social Studies Teacher Jessica Falcon , Elementary Special Education Inclusion Teacher Mary Franke , 2nd grade Teacher Carey Goldenberg , PK-12 Occupational Therapist Molly Jacobson , High School English Teacher Diane Niedzwiecki,  1st grade Teacher Shawn Sheehan , High School Science Teacher Jessica Sico , Kindergarten Teacher Meghan Smith , High School Special Education Program Teacher Megan Walker , High School Mathematics Teacher Nash will be honored at a celebratory banquet at The Log Cabin, where award recipients from across the region will gather for an evening recognition ceremony celebrating excellence in education. The program will feature an awards presentation honoring the winners, who will each receive an engraved plaque and monetary award in recognition of their achievement, along with generous tuition incentives and scholarships offered by the following colleges and universities in the region: American International College, Bay Path University, Elms College, Springfield College, Western New England University, Westfield State University, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Winners also receive a 3-month membership at one of the six regional YMCAs or a 1-month membership at the Springfield Jewish Community Center. The Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards program, now in its 23rd year, is made possible by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation and supported by American International College, Smith College, Arrha Credit Union, Country Bank, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka. “Our teachers serve not only as educators, but also as mentors, community leaders, role models and innovators. They play a fundamental role in supporting families and building communities. It is a great privilege to recognize and honor outstanding teachers in the Pioneer Valley.” Michelle Moon, Director, Excellence in Teaching Awards at the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation.

Friday, Feb 27 2026

Bringing Leadership Closer to Our Schools

Beginning this school year, Easthampton Public Schools is launching a Central Office Presence Plan designed to increase visibility, strengthen support, and deepen our connection to the daily work happening in our buildings.  This plan reflects a simple belief:  Central office should not feel distant — it should be visible, accessible, and actively engaged in the life of our schools. What this means for our community: Increased in-building leadership presence at Mountain View School Dedicated curriculum leadership support at Easthampton High School Rotational IT support to improve responsiveness and efficiency Full activation of our Family Welcome Room to enhance enrollment and engagement By bringing district leadership and services closer to students, staff, and families, we are improving response time, strengthening alignment across schools, and enhancing real-time support during key transitions. This work is rooted in our core values of learning, equity, belonging, and shared responsibility. When leadership is present, relationships strengthen. When relationships strengthen, schools thrive.  We are excited to continue building a district where support is not just centralized — it is connected.

Friday, Feb 27 2026

2-hour delay tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026

Dear Families, Due to the ongoing weather conditions, Easthampton Public Schools will operate on a  2-hour delay  tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. All school start times will be delayed by two hours, and  school buses will run two hours later than their regular pick-up times . Please note:  Morning preschool is canceled  on Tuesday. Afternoon preschool will run as scheduled. We encourage families to use caution when traveling, and we will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day. Thank you for your flexibility and cooperation. Please stay tuned to  https://www.epsd.us/students-families/news  for updates. 

Monday, Feb 23 2026

MVS Snow Day Tomorrow 2/23?

Hi Mountain View Families!  Tomorrow's weather looks pretty snowy! Will tomorrow be a snow day?  Click here or watch the video below to find out!  

Sunday, Feb 22 2026

EHS Snow Day?

Hi EHS Students, Families and Staff!  The weather looks messy! Is it a snow day tomorrow, February 23?  Click here for an update!        

Sunday, Feb 22 2026