Pittsfield Council, School Committee Want Better CommunicationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:43AM / Friday, October 25, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council and School Committee would like next year's budget process to go better than the last.
Both bodies met jointly on Monday at Reid Middle School with the intent to bridge the disconnect between school staff, the administration, and public officials during the budget process.
"It's important that the people in the school department understand how the budget works," Councilor at Large Earl Persip III said.
The city's operating budget for fiscal year 2025 passed with a $200,000 reduction to the $82 million Pittsfield Public School budget. During the final approval, all conversation was related to the schools, as droves of staff
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Nomination Deadline Nears for BCC's 40 Under Forty Awards | 08:07AM / Thursday, October 24, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s 40 Under Forty Awards event will be held Thursday, March 27, 2025. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. To make a nomination, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/40-under-forty. 40 Under Forty is an annual celebration of talented people in the Berkshires, under the age of 40, who have a dedication to improving the quality of life for those living and working in the community. 40 Under Forty awards honor people from all walks of life who are making a difference in the Berkshires. Nominees are eligible for this award through: Their professional work and >> Read More |
BCC to Offer Info Sessions on Free Community College | 03:05PM / Friday, October 18, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Massachusetts resident without a bachelor's degree, can attend a free college information session to learn how they can attend Berkshire Community College (BCC) for free. BCC will hold three free informational sessions: Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 5-6 pm at Lee Library, 100 Main Street, Lee, MA Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 6-7 pm at North Adams Public Library, 74 Church Street, North Adams Tuesday, Jan.14 from 4-5 pm at Berkshire Community College, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield To register for any of the free sessions, visit >> Read More |
BCC Cuts Ribbon on Accessible QuadBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:29PM / Sunday, October 13, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Whether you are on foot, using a mobility aid, or pushing a baby stroller, the Berkshire Community College quad is now navigable.
On Friday, the college community cut the ribbon on its new, accessible quad. It honors Madeline Snide, a 1978 graduate and the first paraplegic to enroll at the BCC who is credited for inspiring change on campus.
"Madeline did not live long enough to see all her hard work come to fruition but I know she feels it," said Merle Ferber, a disability rights activist who worked along Snide.
Pat Sheely, a BCC alum and board member of United Cerebral Palsy, explained that she was "miserable" to be around the first two
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State Recognizes Becket Washington Elementary for High Growth and Achievement By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:53PM / Saturday, October 12, 2024 | |
BECKET, Mass. — The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized Becket Washington Elementary School as one of its 2024 schools of recognition. The state recognized the school for demonstrating significant student growth and achievement. Administrators accredited this to the collaborative efforts of the entire community, including teachers, staff, students, families, and community partnerships. "We are really lucky that we have all that, and we're proud of the fact that we did exceed so many of our goals," said Principal Mary Kay McCloskey. The state sets targets for schools based on the previous year's >> Read More |
PHS, Taconic Seniors Honored With Superintendent's AwardBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:24PM / Thursday, October 10, 2024 | |
Taconic's Nicholas Kerwood and Pittsfield High's Lisa Chen are the top students in the class of 2025. PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Two Pittsfield Public Schools seniors have been recognized for excellence in and out of the classroom.
Pittsfield High School's Lisa Chen and Taconic High School's Nicholas Kerwood were given the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Certificates of Academic Excellence during Wednesday's School Committee meeting.
The annual award is given to students who go above and beyond in academic achievement and community involvement.
Guidance counselor Jillian Galvagni, who has known Kerwood for four years while attending
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BCC to Host Fall Open House on Oct. 26 | 10:39AM / Thursday, October 10, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — BCC will host a Fall open house on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 9 am, followed by a financial aid workshop at 10 am. The event takes place in the Connector on BCC’s main campus, located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield. To register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/openhouse. Prospective students and their guests are invited to meet one-on-one with BCC representatives from various offices. Participants can speak with faculty about the programs that interest them, take a campus tour and learn about paying for college, transferring to a four-year school, internships and career opportunities. Massachusetts residents without a >> Read More |
Berkshire Schools Awarded CPPI Grants | 10:45AM / Tuesday, October 08, 2024 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that 30 school districts in partnership with community-based preschool programs are receiving $20.3 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grants to support their continued efforts to expand access to high-quality affordable preschool. In Berkshire County: Pittsfield Public Schools was awarded $250,000 North Adams Public Schools was awarded $316,000 Hoosac Valley Regional School District was awarded $1,000,000 Universal access to preschool is part of Governor Maura Healey's Gateway to Pre-k agenda to make early education and child care more affordable and >> Read More |
BCC Nursing Graduates Achieve Perfect Pass Rate for Licensure Exam | 08:07AM / Tuesday, October 08, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Community College (BCC) reports that all 28 of its May 2024 Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates had a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam. NCLEX uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) technology to deliver the exam, ensuring a valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence. The passing standard for the NCLEX is the cut point at which the minimum ability is determined to require safe and effective practice nursing at the entry level. BCC's Practical Nurse (PN) program was recently ranked number one in Massachusetts and number one in the United States for its >> Read More |
Pittsfield Schools See Fewer Cell Phone ViolationsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Monday, October 07, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The updated cell phone regulations continue to show progress at Pittsfield schools. There were 416 log entries for violations towards the end of September while in September 2023, there were almost 1,000. This is attributed to a recently updated policy that imposes clear consequences for unauthorized cell phone use.
"Unless something really bad happens in the next four days with cell phone Armageddon, we're probably going to be well under, in terms of log entries, where we were last year at this time," Matthew Bishop, interim assistant superintendent of instruction, assessment, education, and engagement, said.
"Which is just
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