NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Kids in North Adams have another reason to hang around after school: Dinner.
The hot meal program was introduced this year at Brayton Elementary School as part of its slate of after-school activities.
Cory Nicholas, the food service director, said about 185 students are now served dinner each weekday evening.
"We, from a food service standpoint, are trying to increase access," he said. "That's our goal. We have expanded with breakfast in the classroom and now supper."
Noella Carlow, the school system's 21st Century after-school and summer program site coordinator, who with Nicholas secured the grant, said the North Adams Public School District is the first in the county to take advantage of the pilot program.
She said it is open to all students in the district who are under the age of 18 but is specifically helpful to parents.
"These kids have other evening activities so this helps parents because their kids can get a hot meal and then go to soccer, choral or dance," she said. "Even parents that are just here to pick up their kids stay a little longer and sit with them while they have dinner."
She added that in the future she hopes to open up the program to entire families.
Father of three Bruce All said he loves the program and looks forward to eating with his kids at the school.
"I think it is just a great program," he said. "They can get three hot meals a week and I wish they had it all of the time."
Thursday's meal was chicken broccoli alfredo with a roll, vegetable and fruit. There is always the option for a sandwich, too.
Carlow said students are seated by bus so they can sit with their siblings and it makes bus pickup easier.
She was also happy to see teachers, who stay after school, have been actually eating with their students.
"Many teachers in the building that work at night come down and sit and talk with the kids," Carlow said. "I think it is really good for students to see their teachers outside of the classroom so they can just talk."
Nicholas said the program would not be possible without the dedication of his staff and the teachers, many of who stay after school to help clean tables and situate the students.
"We are fortunate to have a dedicated food service staff, and we really couldn't do it without the teaching staff, too," he said. "It is a great team and such a great asset and it makes it easy."
Kimberly Roberts-Morandi, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, said the district plans to bring in more family based programming after securing a $20,000 After School and Out of School grant.
"We have a number of partners working with us like Berkshire Health Systems to extend some family and community outreach, especially focusing on nutrition and food prep," she said. "Things that families can do together."
She said the district will contain to look for funds to support more programming.
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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
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