Face coverings likely when students return to school in Amherst "> Published: 7/28/2021 12:29:05 PM AMHERST — Full-time, in-person instruction is anticipated at public schools in Amherst and Pelham this fall, while face coverings are likely to be required for students and staff when they are in the buildings, according to a letter Superintendent Michael Morris sent to families this week. In the message sent to the public school community Tuesday, Morris gave a preliminary update in advance of the Aug. 30 first day of school indicating that measures aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 and variants, used when buildings reopened in the spring, remain in place.