Market 32 Supports Local Food Banks Through May

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Market 32 has launched its two-month-long "Fill A Glass with Hope/Fill a Plate with Promise" campaign in partnership with the Northeast American Dairy Association, Garelick Farms, and local food banks. 
 
From May 1 to June 30, customers will be given the opportunity to round up their totals at the register to help provide local food banks with the means to purchase milk and other nutritious foods for the families they serve.
 
When school lets out this summer, more than 22 million children lose access to free or reduced-price meal programs. For many children in need, even basic staples like milk – and the nutrients that help power the simple joys of summer – are missing. Participating in this campaign will help get milk and food items to those who may miss it most.
 
"The American Dairy Association continues to go above and beyond in its efforts to bring fresh milk to those in need," said Pam Cerrone, Price Chopper/Market32's director of community relations. "We are proud to support their work in helping local families, especially during these times of increased food insecurity."
 
The American Dairy Association is leading the way to bring fresh meals to families in need. Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks, yet it is rarely donated. Raising funds through grants, individual donors and corporate sponsors, the American Dairy Association keeps 100 percent of all donations local to help deliver milk and essential nutrition to families with children in need in the community.
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Pittsfield Schools May See Tighter Cell Phone Policy

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Superintendent Joseph Curtis would like to see the district's cell phone policy tightened up after more than 6,000 violations were accrued during the last school year.

"I think that we do need to do a hard examination of that," he told the School Committee on Monday. "I think that we are in our first year making every attempt to give every student the benefit of the doubt, and family."

This could mean locked cell phone cases — Yondr cases — for middle and high school students or increased regulations.  

A three-tiered response plan was approved about a year ago though the superintendent feels that it might be time to review it and lessen the number of warnings students are given "because we are clear about the expectation that cell phones not be used during instruction."

Having regulations that, in some cases, allow a student 10 attempts at using phones during prohibited times is not only sending the wrong message to students and families but is hard to keep track of, Curtis said.

Because of this, he wants to have a discussion with school leaders about reviewing and tightening the regulations. It has been referred to the subcommittee on social and emotional learning.

Data collected over the 2023-2024 school year showed a total of 6,358 districtwide referrals entered into the office discipline system. Reid Middle School had the highest number of violations, more than 2,200, Pittsfield High School had over 1,800, and Taconic High School had over 1,200.

Herberg Middle School had just more than 900 violations entered into the system.

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