NAPS Promotes National Start With Hello Week

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Public Schools, in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a national, nonprofit organization led by several family members of those killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School is taking part in Start With Hello Week during the week of Sept., 16, 2024.
 
According to a press release, Start With Hello teaches students how to reach out to and include those who may be socially isolated as well as to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school or youth organization.
 
Excessive feelings of isolation can be associated with violent and suicidal behavior. In fact, one study reports that chronic loneliness increases the risk of an early death by 14 percent. 
 
Furthermore, young people who are isolated can become victims of bullying, violence and/or depression. As a result, many further pull awayfrom society, struggle with learning and social development and/or choose to hurt themselves or others.
 
Start With Hello Week raises awareness and educates students and the community through Start With Hello trainings, advertising, activities, public proclamations, media events, student contests and school awards.
 
Start With Hello Week brings attention to the growing epidemic of social isolation in our schools and communities and empowers young people to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school or youth organization.
 
The district will be celebrating with the following schedule:
  • Monday: Wear Green Day
  • Tuesday: Community Welcome Day at Brayton/Nobody Eats Alone day
  • Wednesday: Community Welcome Day at Colegrove/Talk to Someone New day
  • Thursday: Community Welcome Day at Drury/Compliment day
  • Friday: Community Day of Service (Drury)/Let Kindness Shine
 

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MCLA to Host Inclusive Democracy Election Panel

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MCLA will host an Inclusive Democracy Election Panel this September that invites students and community members to explore ways to engage and improve our democracy.  
 
The panel will take place on Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. in Murdock Hall Room 218 and will be moderated by A.J. Enchill, president and executive director of the Berkshire Black Economic Council. Featured panelists include Dr. Samantha Pettey, MCLA's associate professor for history and political science, Joe Donahue, WAMC's host of The Roundtable and The Bookshow, and Dr. Mason Williams, Williams College's associate professor of political science and leadership studies. 
 
About the Panelists and Moderator 
 
A.J. Enchill, Berkshire Black Economic Council 
Born to immigrants from Ghana, A.J. Enchill is a native of Pittsfield and the eldest of four brothers. Enchill is a graduate of The Governor's Academy, where he was a dorm proctor and lacrosse captain. He went on to play varsity lacrosse at Tufts University, where he was also a BLAST scholar, a Latin Tutor, and he earned a B.A. in American Studies. Enchill is a two-time National champion and facilitated class discussion for an American Studies prerequisite course called "Race in America." 
 
From 2017 through 2022, Enchill performed constituent services and community outreach as the District Aide for State Senator Adam G. Hinds. He was formerly the board co-chair for Multicultural BRIDGE. Enchill is a past board member of Berkshire Community Action Council and Community Health Programs. He also served on the  C4 Arts Initiative. Enchill is on The Executive Committee of the Berkshire County Branch of
 
The NAACP where he serves as the Economic Development and Justice Chair. Enchill is the founder and President of the Berkshire Black Economic Council. Enchill is now participating in the
 
Boston Fed's Leaders for Equitable Local Economies where he and his brother Auric, support BIPOC businesses in The City of Pittsfield by working with city and key institutions to shift approaches to small business support and purchasing. 
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