Pittsfield School Committee Calls for Shorter-Term Maintenance SolutionsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:41AM / Monday, October 02, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — School Committee members want to see shorter-range planning to address the condition of Pittsfield Public Schools.
Earlier this month, there were complaints of excessive heat in the some of district's classrooms and calls for the immediate implementation of air conditioning. Around this time, it occurred to Chair William Cameron that there is no plan for the maintenance and upgrading of school facilities, as it is done on an as-needed basis.
PPS is currently undergoing a restructuring study to address its educational and physical structure.
"The municipality for whatever reason has not, I think, addressed the problem of the condition of our
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Governor Celebrates Permanent Universal Free School Meals | 09:52AM / Saturday, September 30, 2023 | |
QUINCY, Mass. —Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll hosted a press conference earlier this month at Snug Harbor Elementary School in Quincy to celebrate her administration delivering permanent universal free school meals for K-12 students in Massachusetts. The Governor was joined at the celebration by House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, bill sponsors Representatives Tackey Chan and Bruce Ayers, and Erin McAleer, the President and CEO of Project Bread, all of whom highlighted the impact the program is expected to have in addressing hunger and advancing equity for students across the state. "We're making >> Read More |
Miss Hall's School Names Dean of Teaching and Learning| 08:00AM / Thursday, September 28, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Miss Hall's School has named Meghan Smith as the School's inaugural Dean of Teaching and Learning. Meghan comes to Miss Hall's with more than 20 years of teaching and administrative experience, demonstrated success in designing and implementing curriculum, and a background in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-focused leadership. Prior to Miss Hall's, she worked since 2005 at Lawrence Academy, in Groton, serving in several roles, including Latin, History, and English Instructor; Language Department Chair; Director of the 9th grade interdisciplinary program; and Director of DEI Professional Growth and Practice. "I am >> Read More |
BCC Announce New Staff, Promotions, Title Changes | 03:00PM / Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announced the addition of five full-time faculty and staff members, two promotions and two title changes. Dylan Carman joins BCC as a full-time Life Sciences faculty member. Carman, a BCC alum, previously served for several years as a BCC adjunct instructor and STEM life sciences coach, as well the chemistry lab assistant. He holds a bachelor of science degree in Neuroscience from Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he completed a research-intensive program investigating the relationship of the dopamine system and stress-induced cocaine relapse. A resident of Pittsfield, >> Read More |
Healey Appoints Three to Board of Higher Education| 04:00PM / Saturday, September 23, 2023 | |
BOSTON — Gov. Maura T. Healey appointed Harneen Chernow, Danielle Allen and Christina Royal to serve on the Board of the Department of Higher Education. Healey also reappointed Chris Gabrieli as chair. "Equity is at the center of our administration. I'm proud to be appointing members of the Board of Higher Education who share this commitment and will work to expand access to affordable, high quality higher education for every student," said Healey. "Massachusetts has long been a leader in higher education, and I'm confident that under the leadership of Chair Gabrieli and the other board members, we will continue to lengthen our lead and >> Read More |
BCC to Host the First Berkshire County Second Chances Job and Resource Fair | 08:00AM / Friday, September 22, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC), in collaboration with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction, 2nd Street, and MassHire Berkshire Career Center, will hold a Second Chances Job and Resource Fair. They fair will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 4-7 pm at BCC's Paterson Field House, located at 1350 West Street in Pittsfield. ? The job fair is free and open to the public. Formerly incarcerated individuals, including those who may have been justice involved and/or who have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) file, are particularly encouraged to attend.?More information is available >> Read More |
Central Berkshire Shifts How it Addresses Student OffensesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Central Berkshire Regional School District is shifting the way it addresses student offenses. It will focus on restorative practices and away from exclusionary action, Assistant Superintendent Michael Henault told the School Committee at its last meeting. The implementation of a more consistent code of conduct was recommended to the district following an equity audit so that there are more accountable interventions and expectations. "We want everybody to feel like they're being treated fairly in all circumstances and this specifically is around discipline," Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. The document focuses on >> Read More |
Pittsfield School Officials OK Paraprofessional ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:59AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An agreement has been reached between the district and unionized paraprofessional workers that ceases the use of a staffing agency to fill vacancies, increases pay, and withdraws litigation.
The School Committee last week approved a settlement agreement with the Pittsfield Federation of School Employees Local 1315 paraprofessional unit. While the vote was taken in open session, it was discussed during executive session.
"Last year, the Pittsfield Public Schools was unable to fill vacancies in some cases for students with special needs or classrooms, serving students with special needs, and in an effort to comply fully with the students' IEPs, the
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