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Sports
High School Football
Hoosac Valley beats Drury in Saturday action. More photos on Monday |
 | Thursday, Nov. 06
Boys' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
McCann Tech 3, Keefe Tech 2
Girls' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
Blackstone Valley 8, McCann Tech 0 |
What's Playing
Milla Jovovich vs. alien abduction in "The Fourth Kind." What more do you need to know?
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Daily Digest
This is Jake
He's been lost in Pittsfield for weeks but frequently sited. He was last seen heading toward the fire station on Peck's Road. He's tired, dirty and needs seizure medication. He's chipped. If you see him, call Julie at 413-537-5616, the vet 24/7 at 413-499-2820 or animal control at 413-448-9700. |
Election
Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here. |
ObituariesSales FliersBazaarsNov. 14
Berkshire Community Church, Richmond
10-4; Crafters, bake sale. Contact Evelyn Goggia at 413-445-5747
Lanesborough Elementary School annual Fall Craft Fair from 10 to 4. Free admission, huge variety of arts and crafts, raffles, food and more. Proceeds go to sixth-grade trip to Cape Cod.
Vendors can contact Deb at 413-738-5349 or debhutton@aol.com or Lori at 413-499-0065 or lorittod@yahoo.com to secure a spot.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Contact Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here. |
Related Stories |
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Downing Votes to Advance Early Education and Child Care Programs in the Commonwealth01:05PM / Friday, July 11, 2008
Bill establishes universal pre-kindergarten program rejected by former Administration
BOSTON - The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday reintroduced the Early Education and Care initiative, including a universal pre-kindergarten program that was vetoed by former Governor Mitt Romney in 2006. The legislation seeks to improve the coordination, quality and accessibility of early education services and complete the transfer of duties of the former Office of Child Care Services to the Department of Early Education and Care.
“Time and again, studies show that children build language, literacy and social skills at greater rates when exposed to quality early education programs,” noted Downing, a co-sponsor of the bill. “This legislation sets the stage for providing each and every child in Massachusetts with the academic advantage they deserve.”
Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said the bill addresses a pressing need to advance high-quality early education for the children of the Commonwealth.
“Children who participate in quality early education programs are less likely to be held back in school and more likely to graduate from high school and college,” President Murray said. “I’m glad we finally have an Administration that sees the value of these early years in the education process, and I look forward to seeing this bill become law. With this plan in place, we will secure a long-term investment in the education of our children.”
The bill gives the Department of Early Education and Care the necessary tools and support to provide high-quality, universally-accessible early education and care programs. One of the highlights of the bill is to establish the Massachusetts universal pre-kindergarten program.
Other provisions of the bill include:
o Requires the development of program quality standards and requirements for early education providers, and for infant/toddler, pre-school, early elementary and older school age children. The Department shall also develop learning standards and developmental benchmarks that build off of these standards and curriculum frameworks.
o Requires the Department to develop comprehensive assessment systems of early education and care programs, including kindergarten readiness.
o Provides regulatory authority for statewide child care licensing and approval.
o Imposes strict penalties for providing child care without a license.
o Requires the development of a 5-year master plan for early education and care.
o Requires the Department of Early Education and Care to report on efforts to reduce expulsions from early education and care programs.
o Creates a statewide advisory council that includes legislative and executive appointees, as well as numerous stakeholders in the field of early education and care.
This bill will now go to the House of Representatives for their consideration. |
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