Drury Hosts Inaugural Government Appreciation Day

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Drury High School will hold its inaugural Massachusetts Government Appreciation Day on Friday, May 3, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
 
Lead by civics teacher Patrick Boulger, this event marks an addition to the 8th grade civics curriculum, aiming to equip students with practical insights into the intricacies of state and local governance ahead of the 8th grade civics Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam. 
 
This initiative aligns with Drury High School's efforts to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become active and informed citizens, and draws on the contributions, experience, and knowledge of invited speakers to demonstrate learning in practice.
 
Among the speakers are Mayor Jennifer Macksey, state Rep. John Barrett III, and former Gov. Jane Swift. Each will offer perspectives and learnings drawn from their extensive experience in public service.
 
In addition to the aforementioned speakers, the event will feature North Adams City Assessor Jessica Lincourt and the  mayor's Executive Assistant Lindsay Randall, who will speak to students about potential career pathways within local government. 
 
Drury's Massachusetts Government Appreciation Day aims to foster civic awareness as well as inspire the next generation of public servants at all levels of involvement.

Tags: Drury High,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Letter: Save Notch Forest

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor: I'm writing in regards to the Save Notch Forest signs that I have seen.

As a proud Masshole native from North Adams, that has transplanted to Southwest Vermont, I was curious as to what the signs were about.

I am grateful that I checked out the site on the sign to learn of the extensive and heinous logging plans of the Mass Audubon society near the North Adams reservoir.

As someone who travels back down to Mass sometimes daily and ventures to the reservoir 95 percent of that time for just the peace and beauty of being able to just sit there in awe.

Each time I go, I am guaranteed to see the bald eagle that perches on the pine or birch on the eastern end of the reservoir. I've had quite a few joyfully, awesome experiences with watching it. Be when it was just chilling peacefully or swooping at the geese getting them all flustered but I loved hearing it's call after the beautiful Loons floating in the reservoir.

There was this time I could hear it calling and crying, but unable to see it. I then look up to see a hawk gliding back and forth along the reservoir, doing it's best to taunt and harass the Eagle. From the direction of the cries, I figured the bald eagle's nest must be somewhere behind that tree it usually sits on on the water's edge.

I just do not understand how Mass Audubon Society can intentionally destroy the bald eagle's habitat ... let alone the loons ... let alone all of the other heinous logging aspects that come with its proposal near the North Adams water supply. Way up mountainous terrain on already strained roads that are slowly sliding off the mountainside and near public habitation.

There are a million other places on Greylock, North Adams or Massachusetts in general, what about the other side in South Williamstown/New Ashford? More space, more direct, less people, no water supply or endangered species habitat to destroy for the fun of it.

Why does it have to be Greylock and North Adams you experiment with? Why experiment at all?

I'm grateful I stumbled upon the mighty little forest army fighting for what's good and right, let alone common sense. I am also eternally grateful for the abundant awe inspiring magic of Greylock and all she bestows.

Felicia Packard
Bennington, Vt.

 

 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories