Pittsfield High School Students Unite Against Bullying

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) at Pittsfield High School, in collaboration with the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership, wore orange as part of National Bullying Prevention Month to spread awareness on Unity Day on Oct. 22.

Unity Day represents a nationwide opportunity for both youth and adults to create awareness by standing up to bullying. On this day, SADD students, along with coordinators Courtney Shepard and Alison Charles, put up a poster that read “#Happy2bSadd Unity Day” and asked students and staff at PHS to sign their names in solidarity.

Earlier in the week, students were also given orange slips on which they wrote how they play their part to make PHS a safe and welcoming environment for all. These slips of orange paper were all linked together to represent the entire school standing up for a common, united cause.

Unity Day is more than just about bullying; it stands for living above the influence of drugs, of violence and of other negative forces, students said.

"This was a day where we could all come together to stand up against one of the biggest problems in high school," student Lauren Carnevale said.
 

This day of solidarity was not only an opportunity to rally against bullying, but also a moment which gave way to an educational environment where students and staff can support one another, and work towards creating a climate in which each and every student feels safe and protected.

"The student body at PHS really do want to work together for positive reasons," said Tony DeGregorio.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.