DESE Board of Education Approves Universal Mask Mandate| 10:43AM / Tuesday, August 24, 2021 | |
 BOSTON — Public school students will have to mask up this fall. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Tuesday morning found that "exigent circumstances" existed and authorized the implementation of a face-covering mandate. DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley had requested the determination in the face of rising rates of new COVID-19 cases. The Education Department had proffered guidelines that "strongly encouraged" unvaccinated staff and students to mask indoors in July, prior to the emergence of the much more transmissable Delta variant. "We know that a return this fall to full-time, in person instruction 0 Comments
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MCLA To Hold In-Person Convocation| 12:13PM / Monday, August 23, 2021 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will hold an in-person Convocation ceremony for first-year students at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the Amsler Campus Center Gym. Students and guests at Convocation will follow current COVID-19 public health protocols as outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, including mask-wearing and social distancing. "I'm so excited to welcome the Class of 2025 to campus, and to come together for Convocation in person this year," said MCLA President James F. Birge. "Convocation is one of our favorite traditions here, and it will be wonderful to clap and cheer for 0 Comments
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State Board of Education Expected to Endorse School Mask Mandate| 09:23AM / Saturday, August 21, 2021 | |
 BOSTON — The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education plans to meet Tuesday morning at 10 to authorize the commissioner of education to issue a mask mandate for public school students. "In light of the current rise of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, I believe a mask mandate will be an important additional measure to keep students in school safely at this time," writes DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Rily in a memorandum to the board. "Masks remain a simple and effective mitigation measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A mandate will also provide more time for students and staff to get vaccinated, as we know vaccination remains the single most important tool in 0 Comments
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Central Berkshire Opts for Universal Masking This Fall| 12:02PM / Friday, August 20, 2021 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee on Thursday night was the latest to opt for universal face coverings for students, staff and visitors this fall. Berkshire Hills, Mount Greylock, North Adams and Pittsfield have previously endorsed universal masking. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on July 30 issued guidance that "strongly" encouraged masking by unvaccinated individuals but not for those vaccinated. Since then, the state has seen a sharp increase in positive cases even among the vaccinated community. The governor has preferred to allow school districts to make their own decisions regarding face 0 Comments
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Health Education Students Offered Free Program Focused on Community Needs| 08:04AM / Friday, August 20, 2021 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is resuming its in-person Health Scholars' Program in collaboration with Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. The program is for allied health students (including nursing, physical therapist assistants, respiratory care, and community health workers) interested in supplementing their education by gaining additional knowledge and experience in addressing local community needs. "There are many reasons to take advantage of the Health Scholars' Program," says AHEC Center Director, Sheila Dargie. "The opportunity to work with professionals outside the traditional 0 Comments
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BCC Sets Date for Final Nursing Program Info Session| 12:19PM / Thursday, August 19, 2021 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College has set a final opportunity on Monday, Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. to attend a mandatory Nursing Information Session for students ready to enroll in the spring 2022 Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) cohort. To RSVP, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/nursinginfo. The deadline to submit a complete matriculation form is Wednesday, Sept. 1. The nursing program is recognized as one of the top ten nursing programs in the commonwealth, according to Nursing Schools Almanac's 2020 rankings. The ADN program at BCC is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and is 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Schools Switch to Mandatory MaskingBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:15AM / Thursday, August 19, 2021 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools is reinstituting a universal mask mandate for students and staff. Superintendent Joseph Curtis told the School Committee on Wednesday that he recommended masking for all students and staff while indoors and on school buses. Along with this is a standard recommendation of a minimum of 3 feet social distancing wherever possible. The School Committee gave the superintendent the authority in May to amend the masking policy based on metrics and state and federal guidance. Curtis presented COVID-19 data from one year ago as compared to current data to support his decision. "I feel very strongly, and I 182 Comments
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Greylock Federal Credit Union Provides Financial Literacy Resources| 07:59AM / Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. Greylock Federal Credit Union (FCU) is bringing financial literacy education to over 14,440 students and residents in Massachusetts. Students at 166 schools will have free access to Banzai, an online program and content library that allows users to practice real-world finance from the safety of their home or classroom using any internet-enabled device. Greylock FCU offers Banzai to all of the students in their field of membership areas which include Berkshire, Westfield, Southwick, Granville, Montgomery and Russell counties. "Thank you SO much for providing the Berkshire Country Day School students with the Banzai courses!" said teacher 0 Comments
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New Wahconah Regional High School Opening DelayedStaff Reports,
05:18PM / Tuesday, August 17, 2021 | |
 In just one month we begin a new chapter in #Wahconah history. It's going to be quite a ride! #NewBlueWahconah @wahconahrhs @WRHSBldgProject pic.twitter.com/76X2YvaJyd — Aaron Robb (@AaronRobb5) August 2, 2021 DALTON, Mass. — The new Wahconah Regional High School won't be ready for the start of classes this fall. Central Berkshire Regional School District Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis sent a letter to district families Tuesday indicating that she has decided to delay the opening of the new building until Oct 12. The letter did not provide a specific reason for the delay but stated the decision was made in consideration of "multiple 0 Comments
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BCC Updates COVID-19 Policies | 04:02PM / Tuesday, August 17, 2021 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Adhering to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, effective Wednesday, August 18, 2021, masks are required in all indoor spaces at Berkshire Community College (BCC). This applies to any vaccination status. All faculty, staff and students in the College's healthcare fields who will be working or learning in long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and the state's two Soldiers' Homes, must be fully vaccinated (per local facility requirements and Governor Baker's Executive Order) against COVID-19 by Oct. 10, 2021. Additionally, anyone (including students, staff and faculty) working or 0 Comments
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