Concerns Over Screen Time Prompts Parent PresentationBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
04:31PM / Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Concerns about the effects of digital devices and social media on children has prompted one local parent to bring awareness to her community. Amanda Baumann gave a presentation on the harmful effects of screen usage on kids last week at St. Agnes' Academy. She has a 5-year-old attending the parochial school. She recently read "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" by Jonathan Haidt, which argues that the use of screen time is affecting the mental health of children. Baumann decided to approach the school's principal about educating the public and what they can >> Read More |
Berkshire Community College Graduates Physical Therapist AssistantsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
10:29AM / Saturday, May 24, 2025 | |
President Ellen Kennedy, program instructors and speakers pose with the graduates. See more photos here. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College graduated six physical therapist assistants during an intimate ceremony on Thursday. "This is a meaningful and, I hope, memorable evening for you, your families, our healthcare partners, this college, your very proud faculty, and most importantly, your future patients," BCC President Ellen Kennedy said. "In the years ahead, you will implement plans of care for people who are overjoyed to regain movement, for those coping with diminished capacity, and for others who are angry and grieving >> Read More |
Conte Community School Crossing Guard Recognized| 10:45AM / Friday, May 23, 2025 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, through its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, announced Soleil Hanger of Conte Community School in Pittsfield as one of the winners of the 2025 Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Awards. Hanger, along with other winners, will be recognized at the annual Safe Routes to School Awards Ceremony, scheduled to be held on June 2, 2025. This annual contest, which began in 2021, recognizes and highlights the important role crossing guards play in helping students and families safely travel to schools. "Crossing guards are essential to the safety of students walking to and from school," said >> Read More |
Pittsfield Council Preliminarily OKs School BudgetBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:43PM / Thursday, May 22, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council kicked off budget season on Wednesday with a preliminary approval of the Pittsfield Public Schools' $86 million spending plan.
The $86,450,361 budget for fiscal year 2026 includes an $18 million city contribution and more than $68 million of anticipated Chapter 70 funding. It is a $3,765,084 increase from FY25, totaling $86,900,361 with $450,000 in school choice and Richmond tuition funds.
"The Pittsfield Public School system is in a vital place in time," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.
"It is now our time to do the right thing and to fund our schools at the level that we can, and look forward to what the future brings
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BCC to Hold Mental Health First Aid Training | 10:31AM / Monday, May 19, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s Workforce and Community Education department will hold its Mental Health First Aid Training this month. The training will be held over two days, the first session will be held Wednesday, May 21 from 4-8 p.m., and the second session will be held Wednesday, May 28 from 4-8 p.m. Co-instructors Sarah De Jesus and Jennifer Bishop lead both sessions, available both in person and hybrid. Mental Health First Aid helps assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, students will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health >> Read More |
Teacher of the Month: Melinda GowdeyBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:08PM / Sunday, May 18, 2025 | |
Her students say Melinda Gowdey makes them feel like they're in a 'warm, fuzzy blanket.' HINSDALE, Mass. — Kittredge Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Melinda Gowdey has been selected as the May Teacher of the Month. The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, will feature distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here. For the last 21 years, Gowdey has been inspiring students and making them excited to learn by creating a calm, peaceful, inclusive, and safe classroom environment. In addition to being a fourth-grade teacher, she was an adjunct >> Read More |
Final Summary of PHS Investigation ReleasedBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:28PM / Saturday, May 17, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A School Committee-initiated investigation into allegations of misconduct by Pittsfield High School staff members was unable to conclude that an administrator shared a nude image with students on social media.
On Thursday, the final executive summary was released. It is focused on administrator 2, who is alleged to have shared a photograph of female genitalia on her Snapchat account.
"During this investigation, we sought to determine the validity of allegations about PHS Administrator #2 sharing a photograph of female genitalia with PHS students on her Snapchat account," the 11-page report reads.
"Notwithstanding the information we obtained from
>> Read More |
Taconic High School Stages 'Hadestown: Teen Edition' By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Friday, May 16, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After six transformative months of preparation and an exciting opening weekend, the Taconic High School theater department will conclude its spring musical, "Hadestown: Teen Edition." This Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., the students will be hitting the stage to perform the family-friendly adaptation of Anaïs Mitchell's Tony-winning Broadway musical "Hadestown." Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for students. The jazz-inflected folk opera follows Orpheus' mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the love of his true love, Eurydice. "'Hadestown' is the first show that >> Read More |
Latifah Phillips Selected as Pittsfield's Interim SuperintendentBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:16PM / Thursday, May 15, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members and officials overwhelmingly favored Latifah Phillips for interim superintendent, citing her vision, vibe, and experience as tools that can make positive change.
"The mayor wanted to express that all three candidates shared some great answers during the interview process. However, one candidate stood out with her vision, and that is [Phillips]," Director of Administrative Services and Public Information Officer Catherine Van Bramer read on behalf of Mayor Peter Marchetti, who was unable to attend Wednesday's meeting.
"[Phillips] provided well-rounded responses and highlighted an understanding of what our district and
>> Read More |
Pittsfield Interviews Prospective Interim SuperintendentsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:10PM / Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | |
The School Committee is expected to make a decision on Wednesday. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee is set to appoint an interim superintendent at Wednesday's regular meeting.
They have a choice between three candidates: Roland Joyal Jr., Latifah Phillips, and Robert Putnam. Outgoing Superintendent Joseph Curtis will step down from his position on July 1 after 30 years with the district. Mary Jane Rickson, superintendent of the Granby Public Schools, withdrew from consideration shortly after her name was announced. During 70-minute interviews on Wednesday and Thursday at Reid Middle School, the three finalists were asked to detail how they would approach the
>> Read More |
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