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Senator Adam Hinds congratulates Morris Elementary School Principal Carolyn Boyce for Morris’ designation as a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School.

Morris, Williamstown Elementary Schools Honored at State House

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BOSTON, Mass. — Sen. Adam Hinds welcomed Morris Elementary School Principal Carolyn Boyce to the Massachusetts State House on Feb. 1 to celebrate Morris' designation as a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School.

During the ceremony, Williamstown Elementary School was also named a 2016 Massachusetts Commendation School.

The two Berkshire County schools were among 51 schools honored for high achievement, narrowing achievement gaps between groups of students or making strong progress. The schools were recognized as 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools, state-designated Commendation Schools or National Title I Distinguished Schools.


"I'm proud that our Massachusetts K-12 education system is one of the best in the country, and I thank the educators and communities across the Commonwealth who are leading the way and providing high-quality educational opportunities for their students every day," said Governor Charlie Baker. "It's an honor to recognize these schools, their students and their families for all of their success and hard work toward closing achievement gaps in Massachusetts."

Morris was recognized as one of three 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Each year, the U.S. Department of Education asks the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to nominate a small number of schools for consideration as National Blue Ribbon Schools. The program recognizes schools whose students achieve at very high levels or schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

Williamstown Elementary School was one of 46 schools honored as a Commendation School; Morris also received this award. Each year, a subset of Level 1 schools is recognized as Commendation Schools for their academic accomplishments. A school can be commended for demonstrating very high achievement, showing strong progress overall, and/or for making strong progress toward narrowing proficiency gaps.


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Ventfort Hall: Baseball in the Berkshires

LENOX, Mass. — Larry Moore, Director of the nonprofit Baseball in the Berkshires, and a retired Physical Education Specialist, will tell about the history of baseball in the Berkshires at Ventfort Hall on Tuesday, July 16 at 4 pm. 
 
A tea will be served after the presentation.
 
According to a press release:
 
The game of baseball has a long and storied history in the Berkshires. From the broken window by-law of 1791 and the first college game ever played in 1859, there were 60 years of minor league teams calling the Berkshires their home. There are 40 major league players coming from the Berkshires and two of them are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Over 220 minor league players were born, raised or settled in the Berkshires. Just when you think you have a grasp on those stories someone asks about women's baseball and black baseball in the Berkshires. Going back to the late 1800's both the history of women and people of color have strong roots here. The long list of famous baseball visitors that left parts of their stories here contains the names of "Say-Hey Kid," "Joltin' Joe," "The Iron Horse" and of course, "The Babe."
 
Larry Moore worked as a Physical Education Specialist in the Central Berkshire Regional School District for 37 years. He taught a popular yearlong unit about the history of baseball for 25 years, along with his regular Physical Education program, to his fifth graders culminating with a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He now volunteers at the National Baseball Hall of Fame as an Outreach Educator. Nine years ago he, along with Tom Daly, Jim Overmyer and Kevin Larkin, established a group of baseball enthusiasts who established the nonprofit organization, Baseball in the Berkshires. Its mission is to tell the fascinating stories of baseball in the Berkshires through exhibits and educational programming.
 
As director of this group he, and his fellow volunteers, have created numerous exhibits and educational programs throughout the Berkshires. He co-authored the book "Baseball in the Berkshires: A County's Common Bond." 
 
He is a resident of Lenox and has spent many years working with the young people of the Berkshires, as an educator, coach, official, and business owner.
 
Tickets are $40 for members and with advance reservation; $45 day of; $22 for students 22 and under. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call at (413) 637-3206. Please note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
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