Pittsfield Schools Social-Distancing Practices End April 11

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With masks now optional, Pittsfield Public Schools will end its social distancing practices on April 11.

Superintendent Joseph Curtis announced the change in his regular update to PPS students, staff, and families on Friday. It will apply to instruction, transition, and meal service times.

With the change, signage related to masking, distancing, and room capacity will be removed and students will be able to share a lunch table in the cafeterias.

"The cafeteria transitions will take some time as large amounts of existing individual student desks have to be placed or stored," Curtis wrote in the communication.

"Cafeteria tables have to be removed from storage and moved back into their original locations. We anticipate that all cafeterias will have original cafeteria seating in place by Monday, April 25. Each school cafeteria will have limited seating for students who choose to eat at an individual desk."

The district's mask policy was made optional in March and the city's masking directive was changed to an advisory in late February.

Curtis emphasized the need to respect students and staff's choice in masking, whether it is to wear one or not.

Pittsfield is currently in the yellow incidence for COVID-19 transmission with about 19.5 cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate of 3.5.  There are currently 81 estimated actively contagious cases in the city and six patients in Berkshire Medical Center with the virus.

The superintendent's update also included dates for the district's graduation and moving up ceremonies. 

Both high school commencement ceremonies will be held on-premise on Sunday, June 5. The Taconic High School ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and the Pittsfield High School ceremony will begin at 4.

One Injured in 4-Vehicle Crash on Dalton Avenue in Pittsfield

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
11:10PM / Saturday, May 18, 2024

The second car in the crash, a Subaru sedan, was also taken away by a wrecker. Two other vehicles were able to be driven away.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — One person was taken to Berkshire Medical Center following a multi-motor vehicle accident Saturday night at the Hubbard and Dalton avenues intersection. 

 

The crashes happened at 9:04 p.m. when a westbound Honda Accord on Dalton Avenue crossed the double yellow line, striking a Subaru sedan traveling east, causing it to spin out. 

 

An Audi sport utility vehicle collided with the Subaru, which was then rear-ended by a GMC Savana van. 

 

The operator of the Audi was taken to BMC with unknown injuries. The incident is still under investigation. 

 

The GMC Savana and Honda Accord were able to drive away from the scene and the Audi and the Subaru were towed away. 

 

The road was closed for about an hour.