Wahconah High Mold Remediation Complete; Investigation OngoingBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Monday, September 23, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The mold remediation in the Wahconah High School auditorium is complete, and the air levels are safe and meet the state standard. During last month's School Committee meeting, it was announced that penicillium, a type of mold, was growing on the auditorium's walls. The mold was "in different places" in the auditorium, but anyone would have to have been "pretty observant" to see it," said Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis during last month’s meeting. "It's not something that, if you just walked in, you would see right away." Now that the mold has been remediated, the >> Read More |
Free community college a boon for students, workforce and local economyLinda Clairmont & Lori Moon , Guest Column
02:31PM / Friday, September 20, 2024 | |
 It's no secret that the rising cost of college tuition, together with unprecedented increases in the cost of living, creates a barrier for many people seeking to better themselves through higher education. It's also no secret that this barrier can be even harder to overcome for historically marginalized people. At Berkshire Community College (BCC), we strive every day to break barriers and make quality education accessible to all. Thanks to two programs launched by the Commonwealth, MassReconnect and MassEducate, getting an associate degree or certificate at BCC is more accessible than ever. The programs can provide free tuition and fees, and even an allowance for books, to >> Read More |
Pittsfield Schools' New Cell Phone Policy Effective So FarBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:21PM / Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The revised cell phone policy has shown positive results so far for the Pittsfield Public Schools.
"I feel like we have reversed time. My students are engaging with me, engaging with others. I have had no issues with cell phones at all," one teacher reported to the administration.
Matthew Bishop, interim assistant superintendent of instruction, assessment, education, and engagement, shared an update on cell phone infractions with the School Committee last week.
With 13 instruction days left in the month, there have been 156 referrals with a tightened policy that holds students' phones in the main office on a second infraction. There were 989
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BCC to Hold Annual Harvest Run| 10:39AM / Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s annual Harvest Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 19. The event, led by Integritus Healthcare, includes a 5K trail run and 1-mile Fun Run for kids. Bib pickup begins at 8:30 am at the Paterson Field House, located on BCC's main campus at 1350 West Street in Pittsfield. The 5K run begins at 10 am, and the Fun Run begins at 10:45 am. This year's theme, 1990s Nickelodeon cartoons. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. In addition, there will be a cook-off competition, kids' activities and a craft table. Race fees are $25 for individual 5K registrants by Oct. >> Read More |
BCC Introduces New Culinary Apprenticeship Program | 08:18AM / Thursday, September 05, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces a new culinary apprenticeship program that combines instruction in the classroom and in a teaching kitchen with professional work in the field. The certificate program begins this fall, and applications are being accepted now. Student apprentices are paid — and, thanks to the Commonwealth's MassEducate program, students of all ages can qualify for free tuition and fees. The Culinary Arts apprenticeship program blends hands-on, practical training with systematic accompanying education, combining instruction in the classroom and teaching kitchen with professional work in the field. >> Read More |
Teacher of the Month: Cindy ChevettBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:04PM / Saturday, August 31, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Head Start preschool teacher Cindy Chevett has been selected as the August Teacher of the Month. The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, will run for the next nine months and will feature distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here. To Chevett, the best part of being a teacher is seeing her students achieve even just the little things, such as writing the letter E or their name. "It is the best job ever," she says with a smile and tears in her eyes as she says, "I love seeing them >> Read More |
Community members, Families Attend Summer Camps at BCC| 12:16PM / Saturday, August 31, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Summer camps held on Berkshire Community College's (BCC) main campus include Barrington Stage Company's Kids Act! and TeensAct! camps; Berkshire Family YMCA Summer camp; United Soccer Group Summer Camp; Flying Cloud Institute's Young Women in Science camp; and the Berkshire collaborative STEAM Team camp. KidsAct!, a Barrington Stage Company (BSC) theatre program for students ages 7-11, focuses on building acting and communication skills through fun theatre games. TeensAct!, designed for ages 12-16, focuses on building performance skills through ensemble-based work, improvisation and individualized coaching. Students in both age >> Read More |
CBRSD Says Improved Reporting System Explains Increase in Student OffensesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
01:30PM / Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — Bullying allegations reported have increased, but that is likely due to Central Berkshire Regional School District's improved reporting system, the administration says. There was a presentation on the district's discipline and bullying data during the School Committee meeting last week. According to the presentation, the total number of student offenses in the 2023-2024 school year was 280, whereas in the 2022-2023 school year, there were only 212 student offenses. "I would have anticipated [the increase], to be perfectly honest with you, because I think our systems are better. I think our systems are more sensitive, >> Read More |
Mold Found in Wahconah High AuditoriumBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:30AM / Monday, August 26, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School District is investigating what has caused penicillium, a type of mold, to grow on the walls of Wahconah Regional High School's auditorium. The district filed a claim with its insurance company and anticipated the mold would be completely remediated by the weekend. However, the auditorium will remain closed until the investigation into why the mold grew is complete, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. The mold was discovered by a staff member the week before and reported by the school's Principal Aaron Robb. The mold was "in different places" in the auditorium, but anyone would have >> Read More |
18 Degrees Recognizes Connection Program SuccessesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:28PM / Sunday, August 25, 2024 | |
Stephanie Steed, CEO and president of 18 Degrees, says the program affords support for youth and young adults to navigate life's complexities. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ten young people were recognized for overcoming adversity and achieving goals with the help of programs through 18 Degrees.
Beaming with pride after securing jobs, housing, and a better sense of self, they were given star-shaped plaques at the Berkshire Athenaeum on Friday. This was the family services agency's second annual recognition event. Participants of the Pittsfield Community Connection and West Main Connection in North Adams, programs within 18 Degrees, were nominated after reaching various
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