Heat Means Early Release for Clarksburg, Florida Schools

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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The forecast for unusually high temperatures and humidity on Thursday has prompted a planned early release for two local schools. 
 
Clarksburg School and Gabriel Abbott Memorial School in the town of Florida will both release students at 12:30 p.m.
 
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., is warning that the heat index could approach advisory criteria by Thursay afternoon.
 
Superintendent John Franzoni said the lack of air conditioning in the two schools led to the decision to schedule a half day. 
 
Both schools were built in the 1960s and are lacking modern ventilation and air conditioning systems. They are part of the Northern Berkshire School Union which also includes Emma Miller Memorial School in Savoy and Rowe Elementary.
 
"Savoy and Rowe have air conditioning systems that provide a safe learning space in the classrooms which will allow them to remain open for a full day on Thursday," Franzoni wrote in an email. "Neither Clarksburg or Florida have the ability to control temperature in the school buildings, creating oppressive heat conditions tomorrow [Thursday] afternoon."
 
Temperatures have been in the 80s since Sunday and Accuweather is predicting a high of 91 degrees on Thursday with a "realfeel" of 96. The temperature on Main Street in North Adams was 80 degrees at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. 
 
The School Committee will meet as usual on Thursday evening in the public library area, which has air conditioning.
 
Pittsfield High School also has postponed its Meet the Teacher Night scheduled for Thursday because of the high temperatures. It has been moved to Sept. 26. 
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Community Hero: Noelle Howland

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Noelle Howland is committed to keeping alive the late Pittsfield ACO Eleanor Sonsini's mission of helping animals ... albeit farther north in North Adams.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — No Paws Left Behind Executive Director Noelle Howland has been selected as the November Community Hero of the Month. 
 
The Community Hero of the Month series honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in their community. The series sponsor, Haddad Auto, has extended this initiative for one more month.
 
Howland breathed new life into the mission of the former Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, which closed in August 2023. 
 
The shelter in Pittsfield operated under the mission established by Eleanor Sonsini, a local animal rights activist and longtime animal control officer in Pittsfield, to be a no-kill shelter committed to finding surrendered and abandoned pets new forever homes. 
 
Howland's love for animals, dedication to their well-being, and expertise in animal behavior and training and shelter management brought this mission to new heights at No Paws Left Behind, a new shelter for dogs located at 69 Hodges Cross Road. 
 
"I want people to understand that I know it's hard to surrender. So, my biggest thing is [making sure] people know that, of course, we're not judging you. We're here to help you," Howland said. 
 
When Sonsini announced its closing, Howland, who was the shelter's manager, worked to save it, launching fundraising initiatives. However, the previous board decided to close the shelter down and agreed to let Howland open her own shelter using their mission. 
 
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