NORTH ADAMS - Hundreds of children headed back to city schools on Wednesday - and quite a few parents tagged along.
Echoing the more ambitious First Day programs in nearby Bennington, Vt., several schools opened their doors in the morning to encourage parents to join their children in getting acquainted with classrooms and teachers.
"We're thrilled with the turnout we had," said Principal Shelley Fachini at Sullivan School. "We expected good turnout in the lower grades but we got a lot of parents in the upper grades who are here, too."
The numbers could be seen in the line of cars down Kemp Avenue and in the crowded cafeteria, where children waited for their names to called. Classes gathered together and were led off by their new teachers.
"We're going to get to know each other today," Linda O'Connell told her new kindergarten class.
Once the children had their coats and backpacks stowed away in their lockers, they sat down with new friends to eat doughnuts and drink apple juice.
"She was very nervous," said Kim Butler of daughter McKenzie after leaving her to O'Connell's care. "But I think I'm more excited than she is."
In the classroom next door, Ashanti Sampson and Pacey Heller played with small colorful shapes while their mothers, Patricia Heller and Michelle Sampson, chatted about the joys and tribulations of raising children. "This is my good one," joked Heller bouncing Pacey's baby sister Gabriella. "She's always happy and smiling."
Brayton Elementary held a similar morning program; Greylock Elementary held an ice cream sundae social last week and Conte Middle School an open house with activities on Tuesday night. Drury High School students were returning to a building being set up for wireless Internet access and a new program designed to encourage the pursuit of higher education.
The Massachusetts Campus Compact College Access Corps, funded by a $1 million grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, selected Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as a host site for a full-time college adviser and liaison who will work with MCLA's partner school - Drury High.
"Hopefully, it will make college realizable for more students," said Drury Principal Amy Meehan last week.
The district schools are also implementing the software program PowerSchool, which will allow real-time communications between the district schools as well as manage information for schools and parents.
For the kids at Sullivan on Tuesday, it was all about getting used to new teachers, classrooms and schedules.
"There was a good turnout all over the place, the buildings look good, the weather's beautiful, there are smiles on everyone," said School Superintendent James E. Montepare, checking in at Sullivan. "Everybody's happy to be here."
Fachini was pleased as she surveyed a long hallway of classrooms filled with youngsters and parents. "Schools have changed over the years. It has to be a community partnership."
Tiffany DiGennaro didn't need an invitation for the first day of school. She's always escorted daughters Shyloe and MacKenzie Gray on opening day to help ease the transition from home to school.
Shyloe was in a first-grade classroom, and she had just bid goodbye to MacKenzie in the fourth-grade wing.
With her was the girls' dad, Brent Butler, and his sister Kim Butler - all making sure all their children were settled in. "We're a very close family," said DiGennaro.
MacKenzie poked her head out to call "I love you, Mom."
"I love you, too," her mother responded. "Now get in the classroom."
Tammy Daniels can be reached at tdaniels@iberkshires.com
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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region.
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways.
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."
Jesse Saylor of TSKP Studio, the school project designer, said the conductivity of the soils were comparable or better than three recent school completed in Connecticut.
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The School Committee earlier this month approved upping the pay scale by $35 to $55 a day and creating a new base of $130 for substitutes with fewer credentials.
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