Sheffield — On Tuesday, December 3, Undermountain Elementary School (UME) hosted its first-ever Take-Apart Night, an innovative, hands-on educational event where all elementary students in the district and their families were invited to take apart old electronics, explore how they work, and reassemble them. Nearly 50 families participated in the event and engaged in a night of discovery, learning, and fun.
“We are always looking for new effective ways to partner with families in educating their children,” said UME Principal Charles Miller. “This is the first time we have held an event like Take-Apart Night, and we recognize that many of our students and families enjoyed this event. Moving forward, we plan to schedule Take-Apart Night as an annual occurrence.”
At Take-Apart Night, families had the chance to disassemble old electronics—ranging from broken radios to outdated computer parts—learning about the technology inside and the components that make them work. This interactive experience fostered teamwork, problem-solving, and curiosity, giving students and parents alike the chance to explore the world of technology together in a collaborative setting.
“Our goal for the event was for families and students to leave with a new activity that they enjoy doing together,” said UME Science Teacher Claudine Mallory. “This was also a relaxed way for us to be together as a community of learners, enjoying the process of discovery, through the eyes of our children.”
In addition to Take-Apart Night, Southern Berkshire Regional School District has continued to highlight the importance of collaboration and togetherness by holding a variety of events in the past few weeks for students and families. Pre-K students in the district enjoyed Thankful Family Gatherings where families joined students inside of their classrooms to celebrate gratitude. Second grade students also enjoyed an annual vibrant “balloon parade” celebration before the Thanksgiving break where students showcased their creativity by parading their handmade creations through hallways, spreading joy to all who attended.
“Events like these reflect our district’s dedication to building a supportive and inclusive environment, and align with our district’s Strategy for Continuous Improvement,” said Superintendent Dr. Beth Regulbuto. “By bringing families together in meaningful ways, we cultivate a sense of belonging and collaboration that enriches the educational experience for everyone involved.”
