Superintendent's Award Presented to Wahconah High SeniorBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:44PM / Saturday, December 20, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Wahconah Regional High School senior Haze Brown was recognized for their academic achievements and for making the school and community a more inclusive and connected place. During last week's School Committee meeting, Brown was presented with the Superintendent's Award for being a "changemaker" and embodying the spirit of academic excellence. The Certificate of Academic Excellence from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents was presented by Superintendent Michael Henault. Only one student from each high school receives the award each year. "They have been a pillar of our academic community but equally >> Read More |
Capeless Students Raise $5,619 for CharityBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
11:13AM / Friday, December 19, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students at Capeless Elementary School celebrated the season of giving by giving back to organizations that they feel inspired them. On Monday night, 28 fourth-grade students showed off the projects they did to raise funds for an organization of their choice. They had been given $5 each to start a small business by teachers Jeanna Newton and Lidia White. Newton created the initiative a dozen years ago after her son did one while in fifth grade at Craneville Elementary School, with teacher Teresa Bills. "And since it was so powerful to me, I asked her if I could steal the idea, and she said yes. And so the following year, I began, and I've been able to do
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BCC Welcomes Applicants to Culinary Apprenticeship Program | 03:19PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is accepting applications to its culinary apprenticeship program. Successful program graduates are awarded the industry-recognized ServSafe Food Handler Certificate and are job-ready for a wide range of food service employment opportunities, from school cafeterias and hospital kitchens to restaurants and private households. Student apprentices are paid, and students of all ages may qualify for free tuition and fees. To apply to BCC, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/apply. The 15-week culinary arts apprenticeship program blends hands-on, practical training with systematic accompanying education, >> Read More |
BCC Awarded Grant from Commonwealth for Commercial Driver's License Training | 07:42AM / Thursday, December 18, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $132,825 grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration, part of a total of $1.5 million awarded to community colleges to train more than 500 students across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. BCC's grant is earmarked for commercial driver's license (CDL) training. Trained CDL drivers are in high demand in the Berkshires and beyond. According to an American Trucking Association survey, more than 400,000 new truck drivers are needed in the United States every year. The Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grants provide essential training opportunities to unemployed and >> Read More |
Pittsfield Extends Interim School Superintendent ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:31AM / Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips' employment has been extended to 2027.
Last week, the School Committee approved an employment contract that runs through June 30, 2027. Phillips was originally appointed to a one-year position that began on July 1 and runs through the end of the fiscal year in June 2026.
"You didn't ask me simply to endure challenges or struggle to prove myself. Instead, you believe in me, you've given me the space to grow, the encouragement to stretch, and the expectation that I can truly soar," she said earlier in last Wednesday's meeting when addressing outgoing School Committee
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BCC Welcomes Applicants for Para Educator Training | 11:12AM / Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) is accepting applications for its Para Educator Training course. Classes are held four days per week from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning Monday, Jan. 5 and concluding Thursday, Feb. 12. This is an entry-level course with no prerequisites. Registrants must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. To view more information, including specific course hours and days, and to fill out an interest form, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/paraeducator. Para educators play a vital role in supporting teachers in the classroom. The para educator certificate can also >> Read More |
OLLI at BCC Announces Winter 2026 Semester| 07:15AM / Monday, December 15, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI at BCC) announced its Winter 2026 class catalogue, offering hundreds of courses, lectures, and events — online and in person — for adults seeking enrichment, connection, and community. Online registration is open at berkshireolli.org/winter2026. Each winter, OLLI brings together a learning community from across the Berkshires. In Winter 2026, members may choose from a variety of classes, spanning literature, history, science, arts, current events and even practical topics such as self-defense and hiking. Some highlights of the Winter 2026 >> Read More |
BCC Announces Staff Members, Title Changes | 11:02AM / Sunday, December 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announced the addition of five new staff members and three title changes. Meghan Bone joins BCC as Special Programs Coordinator, Bridge to College, bringing over a decade of experience leading college readiness programs for high school and first-year college students. Before joining the BCC team, she worked as the Eureka! Director at Girls Inc. of the Valley and as the STEM Starter Academy Director at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Outside of work, she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, digging in her garden and making joyful drumming music. Andrew Liebenow joins BCC as HVAC Mechanic >> Read More |
Most of Pittsfield School Committee Bids Farewell By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:02PM / Saturday, December 13, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will look much different after inauguration day, as Daniel Elias is the only member who will return.
On Wednesday, during the last meeting of the term, departing School Committee members shared their thanks and reflections on the state of education in Pittsfield. Sara Hathaway unsuccessfully ran for councilor at large, and Chair William Cameron, William Garrity, Diana Belair, and Dominick Sacco did not seek re-election.
"I always like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to the other members. Usually it's one or maybe two, never this many," Elias said.
He, Ciara Batory, Sarah Muil, Katherine Yon, Heather
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Pittsfield Middle Schools to Restructure Next Fall By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:05AM / Friday, December 12, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's middle schools will restructure next fall to give all students equitable access to education and take fifth grade out of the early elementary level.
Over nearly two hours on Wednesday, the School Committee and district officials mulled the decision to move forward with an upper elementary and junior high school model in September 2026. Committee members were ready to move the project forward, while Mayor Peter Marchetti wanted to extend the decision to February or March.
"I don't support waiting until March to make another decision about this, because then we're just kicking the can down the road, and everyone's in a
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