FLORIDA, Mass. — The Gabriel Abbott Memorial School community raised $808.08 through its Penny Delay Day. Although ir caused a bit of work for teachers, the drive has helped support an important regional agency.
"The trick of getting them to bring more money in was we couldn't start teaching until we counted the change," Denise Chesbro, second-grade teacher and assistant principal said. "We made it educational with math games, but the kids loved it."
She said the fundraiser was schoolwide and took place on April 3 when students were asked to bring in pennies or other change. She said they actually raised around $750, but a teacher wanted to round out the total to 808.08 so kicked in the rest.
"It was families, it was kids, teachers, anybody who wanted to do it," she said. "It's pretty impressive for this tiny little school."
She said there were only eight bills in the collection — the rest was all change.
Some students did help with the counting and organizing which was OK because there were important math lessons to be learned.
"Some of them helped us sort quarters, nickels, dimes —which is good," she said. "There is a lesson there."
But more importantly, students learned a lesson in civics.
"It shows them that not everybody has what they need. And these people, who have served our country, might not have enough," she said. "They were really enthusiastic about it."
To thank the students for their hard work, Veterans Agent Stephen Roy and assistant Tina Samson held a pizza party for the school Friday.
"It is really wonderful what you all have done and helped make happen here," Roy said. "It is wonderful to be able to put food on the shelves for folks in need."
Roy added after that every little bit counts and there is always a need for more support.
"And there is what we get from food bank donations and things but a lot of that has dried up," Roy said. "Now it is more donations and stuff like this really helps our food bank in a big way."
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North Adams Council Sets School Debt Exclusion Vote
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Council President Bryan Sapienza holds up an application to work as a poll worker for the upcoming elections. The form can be found under 'Becoming an election worker' under city clerk on the city website or in the city clerk's office.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council gave final approval on Tuesday for the mayor to borrow $65,362,859 for a new Greylock School to serve Grades prekindergarten through 2.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. Passage of the debt exclusion vote will allow the city to raise funds beyond its levy limit for the life of the loan.
City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said the city has about 1,400 requests for mail-in ballots for all elections and that in-person early voting will start the Saturday before.
The first forum is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Greylock; officials will provide an overview of the project and tours of the school. Zoom participation is available here. Northern Berkshire Community Television will also record the forums for later broadcast.
The second forum is Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at Brayton Elementary School. The Zoom link is the same and those attending in person can also take a tour of the building.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pick up about $41,557,218 of the cost, the city about $20 million and the $3 million balance is expected to come from federal energy grants. The 30-year tiered loan for $20 million is expected to have its highest impact in 2029 when it will add $270 to the average tax bill, or about $22.50 a month.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center.
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