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State Sen. Benjamin Downing.
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State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi.
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Arthur "Skip" Harrington.

State and Town Officials Sign Master Lease For Greylock Glen

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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DCR Commissioner Jack Murray and Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington shake hands after signing the lease agreement.

ADAMS, Mass. — An array of elected officials gathered Friday to sign the Greylock Glen master lease and celebrate the beginning of the next phase of the project.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington shared some emotional statements about the Greylock Glen project thanked all of those involved in its 30-year legacy. He acknowledge former Selectmen, administrators, and the people of Adams.

“I would be remiss in not recognizing the importance of all the support for the project’s past, present and future. I am here not only as statutory signatory of the town of Adams but also as a staunch supporter of this project,” Harrington said.

“Thank you for your patience, trust and encouragement throughout this journey, and we will need your continued support as we move to our next very important phase of the project, implementation."

Harrington said the Glen is a critical aspect of bringing new and needed economic development to Adams. 

The latest plan calls for campgrounds, hiking trails, conference center, education center and amphitheater on the 50-acre parcel. The glen has a storied history dating back 30 years of attempted redevelopment and is eyed to be the cornerstone of economic development.  

The lease between the state and the town is the next step to move forward in building the campground and first phase of the trail network. The Selectmen approved the lease Wednesday night.

"Adams remains one of the poorest communities in the commonwealth. I am sure most of you are familiar with the old adage necessity is the mother of change, well this project is a necessity for Adams and for the Berkshires. We need this project now, and it is as important as it was 30 years ago," Harrington said.

State Sen. Benjamin Downing said the glen is an important aspect that will add to the already vibrant town and Berkshire County. He pledged to continue working with the town to develop the Greylock Glen.

"We need to make sure this entire region is what we know it can and should be, which is a community where everyone that grows up here gets the opportunity to make the most of their talents that have been given to them," he said. "We make sure as they do that they have the opportunity to do that right in their own back yard."

State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi said the Greylock Glen will be the perfect complement to Adams.

"I think that Adams has chosen the right path, the hub of recreation, and how could it be any better this," Cariddi said. "This is really going to put the town of Adams on the map not just at the monument, but at the downtown too."

Tad Ames, president of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, praised the beauty of the Glen and the importance of protecting it.

“Discussion of the Glen was often marked by frustration on both sides and to this date a deep sense of loss, mistrust, and unease prevails,” he said. But still, the Greylock glen largely endures and the 1007 acres will be given deserving to the care and control of our states department of conservation and recreation. This is a day to mark indeed.”

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Hoosac Valley High School is Moving and Shaking

There have been some major shifts within the Hoosac Valley Regional School District recently, all of which have focused on enhancing the student experience to make it a place where ALL students can find their path.
 
In 2023, Hoosac Valley High School was designated an Innovation Pathway School by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has since restructured the Program of Studies, utilized creative scheduling, and expanded internship opportunities. Part of this transformation includes participating in a "Portrait of a Graduate" cohort alongside four other Berkshire County schools to determine a collective vision for student success, in partnership with the BARR Foundation.
 
The Innovation Pathways at HVHS are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as technology, engineering, healthcare, or life sciences. Currently, Biomedical Science & Healthcare and Environmental Studies have received official state IP designation. In addition to the IP designated pathways, HVHS offers programs in Engineering & Technology, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Sports Medicine. The result is that students have an opportunity for a transformative experience – enabling them to build essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities, and make informed choices about post-secondary education in promising fields.
 
Principal Colleen Byrd notes, "What makes our program special is that entry into the Pathway of your choice allows a student to access Advanced Placement and dual enrollment college courses, as well as internships in the community to set them up for success after high school."
 
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative consists of a team of Hoosac educators and students who exemplify the essential skills, practices, and beliefs that define learning experiences across the district. They work to outline the competencies, values, skills, and knowledge that define our vision for student success – keeping in mind that not every student's pathway will look the same. The District's goal is to ensure that all students graduate as responsible people, prepared individuals, lifelong learners, global citizens, critical thinkers, and thoughtful communicators.
 
Another recent change district-wide in grades K-12 is the "Crew" culture. Teachers and students now have time each day to create positive connections and build authentic relationships with one another. Through Responsive Classroom at the elementary school and Crew at the middle and high schools, students and staff gather for 30 minutes each day to engage in meaningful experiences rooted in mutual and shared interests. 
The Crew block is a prioritized structure that allows staff to support all students socially, emotionally, and academically – anchoring them and promoting the Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Crew takes many forms at the high school, such as gardening, bird watching, yoga, and sports talk with visits to college games.
 
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