Pittsfield Teachers Get Bereavement Leave for Pregnancy LossBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Wednesday, December 31, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Public Schools educators can now use bereavement pay for a loss of pregnancy or a stillborn child.
On Dec. 10, the School Committee approved a memorandum of agreement with the United Educators of Pittsfield that allows the use of paid bereavement time for staff who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Teacher Emily Pink said educators had been denied the use of bereavement leave for pregnancy loss as a "qualifying loss," although the contract states that they are entitled to five days for the loss of an immediate family member, including children.
"I asked the School Committee to reconsider its interpretation
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Local Experts to Host Forum on Artificial Intelligence at BCC| 08:50AM / Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape how we live, work, and learn, many are left wondering what these changes actually mean for their daily lives. To address these questions, Berkshire Community College (BCC) will host "AI: Benefits, Challenges, and Possibilities" on Jan. 21, 2026, at 6:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. This in-person event, held on campus in the Koussevitzky Arts Center in room K-111, brings together two distinct voices in the field of AI and communication for an open, informative discussion designed for the "curious and the >> Read More |
Central Berkshire Navigating AI in Education By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:59AM / Monday, December 29, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School District is researching artificial intelligence in education to inform future policy and practice. "Our ultimate goal is to at least to have some common expectations that we can rally around first," Assistant Superintendent Aaron Robb said at December's School Committee meeting. In September, Robb established an AI ad hoc committee made up of teachers, a student, the IT director, and a School Committee member. The committee has been trying to meet twice a month, he said. It is charged with researching the challenges and opportunities AI presents in education to help the district >> Read More |
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 |
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