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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North Adams Takes Possession of Historic Church Street Houses

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The porch collapsed on 116 Church several years ago. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state Land Court in February finalized the city's tax taking of four properties including the brick Church Street mansions.
 
The prestigious pair of Queen Anne mansions had been owned by Franklin E. Perras Jr., who died in 2017 at age 79. 
 
The properties had been in court for four years as attempts were made repeatedly to find Perras' heirs, including a son, Christopher. According to court filings, Christopher reportedly died in 2013 but his place of death is unknown, as is the location (or existence) of two grandchildren listed in Perras' obituary. 
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey said the next steps will be to develop requests for proposals for the properties to sell them off. 
 
She credited Governor's Councillor Tara Jacobs for bringing the lingering tax takings to the Land Court's attention. Jacobs said she'd asked about the status of the properties and a few days later they were signed off. 
 
It wasn't just the four North Adams properties — the cases for three Perras holdings in Lanesborough that also had been in the court for years were closed, including Keeler Island. Another property on Holmes Road in Hinsdale is still in the court.  
 
The buildings at 116, 124 and 130 Church St., and a vacant lot on Arnold Place had been in tax title since 2017 when the city placed $12,000 in liens. 
 
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