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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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.

 

 

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