Pittsfield School Building Commission to Review Its CompositionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:39PM / Wednesday, February 05, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Does the structure of the School Building Needs Commission fit its upcoming role for a school construction project? This will be explored as deadlines for the proposed Crosby/Conte build approach.
On Tuesday, Commissioner Brendan Sheran said he has been thinking about whether the present order will support the group moving forward into a project. It will be further discussed next month.
"A couple of things sparked that in my mind over the last year and a half, one of which is that at times, we've had difficulty getting a quorum," he said. "But also this is an order, not an ordinance. The School Building Needs Commission is not in the city code
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Committee Recommends Gradually Restructuring Pittsfield Middle SchoolsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:41AM / Tuesday, February 04, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Middle School Restructuring Committee recommends a phased approach for a model that creates a districtwide Grade 5-6 school and a Grade 7-8 school and provides universal prekindergarten by the 2026-27 school year. This phased approach could mean keeping Grade 5 in the elementary schools next school year, Grade 6 at one school, and combining 7 and 8 at another.
After eight meetings and about 16 hours of prep work, the committee on Monday voted for this path with gradual implementation beginning in 2026. It was supported 17-4 and will go to the School Committee next week.
"You're having discussions about possibly dismantling structures that have been
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Scholars Day at BCC| 08:00AM / Monday, February 03, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces that its first annual Scholars Day will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11. The conference-style event is designed to honor and learn from the scholarly and creative work performed by faculty, staff and students. Scholars Day is a combination of the Undergraduate Scholars Conference, which the College has held for many years, with presentations from the staff and faculty. It aligns with the College's mission and strategic plan in that it fosters lifelong learning, supports a culture of assessment, and showcases student undergraduate research. Faculty and staff will share their scholarly or creative >> Read More |
Pittsfield School Committee to Vote on Administrators' ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Sunday, February 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will vote on an administrators' contract next week. Educators hope their contract isn't far behind.
A special meeting will be held at City Hall to vote on a new contract for the Pittsfield Educational Administrators Association representing deans, principals, assistant superintendents, school psychologists, and adjustment counselors.
The PEAA's last contract ran from 2021-2024. Approval was tabled at the committee's Jan. 22 meeting.
Chair William Cameron explained that changes in the collective bargaining agreement the committee was asked to ratify were not made available to all members until earlier that day.
"A
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Pittsfield's Middle School Restructuring Panel Preparing RecommendationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:09AM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Middle School Restructuring Committee will form a proposal in the next couple of weeks.
On Monday, members divided into groups to prepare for a consensus that is expected on Feb. 10. The two-year effort to rework Pittsfield's middle school model will conclude with a recommendation to the School Committee on February 12.
A grade configuration that retains sixth grade in elementary school has risen to the top as the most popular option. However, the committee could also recommend spending more time on the proposal.
"This really did not begin as a middle school conversation," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said.
He reminded the group
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Youth Sign Connect Returns to Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires| 03:51PM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires is bringing back Youth Sign Connect, a program offering members the chance to learn and engage with American Sign Language (ASL). Weekly sessions begin Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. The interactive program is free for Club members, but advance registration is required due to limited spots. Open to both beginners and returning participants, Youth Sign Connect aims to enhance communication skills and promote inclusivity. Parents and guardians can register online at bgcberkshires.org. >> Read More |
BCC to Hold Open House for Workforce & Community Education Programs | 10:22AM / Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s Workforce & Community Education department will hold an open house for prospective students on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 5-7 p.m. in The Connector, located on BCC's main campus at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield. Participants will not only get in-depth information about programs to develop new skills, advance in their current field and explore new career opportunities, but they can also apply to BCC on the spot. A demonstration table for the phlebotomy program will be available, along with informational materials for all the programs offered by the Workforce and Community Education >> Read More |
Boys & Girls Club Members Can Get Homework Help| 04:30PM / Monday, January 27, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires offers a free homework help program for youth members in third grade and up as a way to support community youth in their academic journey. Available every Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5 at the club, the program has been a cornerstone of the its commitment to education. With the assistance of staff and volunteers, students receive personalized support in completing assignments, tackling challenging topics, and building confidence in their abilities. Parents and guardians are encouraged to explore "Power Hour," a structured approach to homework help that promotes focus, time management, and >> Read More |
Reid Student Is Levine Spelling Bee Champion| 04:54PM / Saturday, January 25, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Top spellers from Herberg and Reid Middle Schools competed in the 2025 Jonathan Levine Middle School Spelling Bee at the Berkshire Athenaeum. Spellers went 10 rounds to crown this year's victor: Emily Escalon-Brizuela, from Reid Middle School. In the last round, Emily inched out Averi Olds, the top Herberg speller. Last year, these same two spellers battled it out, with Averi taking home the 2024 trophy. "It was a lot of intensity. I was very impressed by the poise," said judge state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. Both Emily and Averi (as the top spellers from their respective schools) will advance to regionals in an >> Read More |
Pittsfield High Basketball Coach Released Without ExplanationBy Stephen Dravis, iBerkshires Staff
12:15PM / Saturday, January 25, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Joe Racicot has given four decades of his life to coaching basketball and spent the last 14 years at Pittsfield High. That career came to an abrupt end in late November, and Racicot says he did not get a good explanation why. "I feel like I'm cheated because I didn't get an opportunity to discuss this," Racicot said recently. "For somebody to come in and make a decision and just make a phone call the Friday before the season starts … "I never really got a reason other than: The administration wanted you gone, and we wanted to go in another direction." What Racicot did get, and what may have >> Read More |
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