 Youngsters Promote National Diabetes Awareness Month in HinsdaleFourth-grader Nelson Pelkey and his cousin, fifth-grader Emily Ham, each have Type 1 diabetes, a condition formerly known as juvenile diabetes.  CBRSD MCAS Data Shows Value of the Interventionist ModelAdministrators explained at the last School Committee meeting that the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores showed students had made moderate progress toward targets. Write-Ins Needed for CBRSD Committee VacanciesLast Thursday's Central Berkshire School Committee meeting marked the end of term for three members, who have decided not to run for their seats again.  State Recognizes Becket Washington Elementary for High Growth and AchievementThe Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized Becket Washington Elementary School as one of its 2024 schools of recognition.  CBRSD Says Improved Reporting System Explains Increase in Student OffensesBullying allegations reported have increased, but that is likely due to Central Berkshire Regional School District's improved reporting system, the administration says. CBRSD Working on Regional Agreement EducationThe Central Berkshire Regional School Committee agreed to start an education campaign after the proposed regional agreement failed in three of the district's seven towns. Two Towns Vote Against Central Berkshire Regional AgreementThe item failed during the Hinsdale annual town meeting on May 15 and the Peru town meeting on June 1. The regional agreement needed six out of the seven towns to vote in favor of passing. CBRSD Amends School CalendarThe box listing major religious holidays was originally included to inform teachers of what days students may be absent or fasting. The decision passed 10-4, with one abstaining. Dalton Select Board Approves CBRSD Regional AgreementThe district is awaiting feedback from some of the seven member towns. Feedback received so far does not require another ad hoc committee meeting, Peters during a School Committee meeting last month.  Central Berkshire School Committee Appoints Dalton RepresentativeTucker will be serving as the committee's Dalton representative taking the place of the town's former representative Nicole Tucker. Central Berkshire's FY25 Draft Budget Up $1MThe Central Berkshire Regional School District is anticipating a 3.35 percent increase to its operating budget for fiscal 2025, which translates to nearly a little more than $1 million over this year. BRPC Hopes to Implement Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs in CBRSDThis year the commission is eligible to apply for the MassCall3B grant through the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and would like to bring its programming to the Central Berkshire Regional School District. Dalton Green Committee Seeks to Improve Relationship with CBRSDThe Green Committee is looking to improve its relationship with the Central Berkshire Regional School District. CBRSD Takes No Action on Hiring School Resource OfficerCentral Berkshire Regional School District will not be hiring a school resource officer. Central Berkshire Approves Cell Phone PolicyThe district has also received emails from families thanking the School Committee for supporting cell-phone free schools, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis added. Central Berkshire Officials Pass Policy Mandating RecessThe district's previous policy essentially says recess shall be provided, but during a visit to Kittredge Elementary School, there were a couple of days where kids were in the classroom rather than outside, School Committee member David Stuart said. Central Berkshire Shifts How it Addresses Student OffensesThe total number of all the student offenses was 212 incidents, which is a slight uptick from last year's 181. Central Berkshire OKs Locked Cell Phone PouchesThe pouches allow cell phones and other devices to be locked magnetically so they cannot be used during school hours. Central Berkshire Urged to Address Bullying in SchoolsA parent and community leader called out the Central Berkshire Regional School District for how it handles the safety and wellness of students.  CBRSD Hosts Family Literacy Engagement EveningStudents and their families entered into the Wahconah Regional High School lobby and picked up summer packets that held grade-appropriate books, colored pencils, and tips for parents and caregivers on how to help their children with reading and understanding the material. Central Berkshire Considers Updating Cell Phone PolicyThe goal of the policy change is to help students be more engaged in school and to prevent students from taking videos of their peers without permission and spreading them around.  Central Berkshire Upping Bias Training After Antisemitic HarassmentSuperintendent Leslie Blake-Davis told the School Committee on Thursday that the administration has been in communication with the Anti-Defamation League to provide professional development that has an educational focus on how to respond to incidents of bias and hate. Central Berkshire School Committee Accepts DonationsThe Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved various money, time, and material donations during its meeting on Thursday night.  CBRSD Introducing Vaping Intervention ProgramingAlthough there are only a couple known cases, the district is concerned about the number of students who are choosing to vape because of its health concerns.  Aspiring Teachers Get Recognition at Wahconah High SchoolThe importance of educators echoed during a Teacher Signing on Friday in the Wahconah Regional High School auditorium. |
