North Adams Superintendent's Award Presented to Drury Senior
 Olivia Carlson is presented the Superintendent's Award on Wednesday night. The Drury senior is the highest ranking student at the school and plans to attend Williams College. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Olivia Carlson was awarded the Superintendent's Award of Academic Excellence at Wednesday's School Committee meeting.
The Drury High School valedictorian holds a 101.8 grade-point average and will be attending Williams College next year.
Carlson, of Stamford, Vt., has been a member of the student government, the Pep Club, Senior Tribute and of the varsity track, soccer and basketball teams. She also volunteers with youth basketball and did an internship at Williams, among many other things, said Superintendent James Montepare.
"We're very proud to have a such a qualified candidate with such a bright future to be the recipient of not only the valedictorian at Drury High School but also the Certificate of Excellence from the Superintendents Association," he said.
Carlson was joined by her parents, Darryl and Patricia Carlson, and her brother and grandfather.
"Many students that excel have a great support system, and the apple typically doesn't fall far from the tree," said Mayor Richard Alcombright. "I want you both to know, and I want your family to know, that a good part of your excellence comes from the people who are sitting next to you.
"Thank you all for your commitment not only to your daughter but to the educational system, and thank you," he said Carlson, "for being a role model for all students."
The committee also welcomed student representative Amanda Michaels, who also is involved in student government as well as band and theater club.
In other business, the committee approved modifications and updates to policies dealing with restraining students, use of security cameras and emergency plans.
Montepare said this basic recommended policy on restraint had been vetted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the school department's attorney. It outlines the types of restraint - physical, chemical, timeouts, etc. - and requires proper certification and training of select personnel, which the department has done.
"It's obviously the last resort but we're prepared if it happens," Montepare said. "It seems were facing these situations on a more regular basis."
The security policy recommends utilization and upgrades of equipment on school grounds and buses. The superintendent said the equipment can be expensive but kept up to date.
Montepare said the school system has been ahead of the curve in working with first-responders on emergency planning and has already acheived many of the recommendations in the updated policy, including coordination with state police and other agencies.
"I think we have some of the best emergency response teams around," he said. "I'm pretty comfortable where we are with what we do ... I believe we surpass all of the recommendations they make."
A fourth policy update, relating to access to electronic media, was tabled over confusion regarding permission and consent forms. Montepare said he would get the issue clarified.
Alcombright also tendered his resignation as a member of the McCann Technical School Committee. The new agreement made with the entrance of Cheshire and Lanesborough into the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District also allowed for a third elected candidate to represent the city. Though no one took out papers for the third seat, there were a number of write-ins, one of whom is expected to take the seat in January.
The committee also voted to pledge $500 to the Berkshire County Education Task Force. That committee is seeking the same amount from the participating districts to hire a consultant to develop models dealing with the county's declining enrollment, rising costs and flat or reduced revenues.
The problem of fliers was also raised again under new business. Member Heather Boulger was concerned that the policy eliminating fliers has also led to a decline in participation in local youth sports programs because parents are unaware them.
Montepare said fliers can be posted on the school district's home page and effort is being made to provide information through screens at the elementary schools. There is also the option of the PTG newsletter, and talks are planned with youth programs to see how they could collaborate with the schools.
The superintendent said it came down to declining participation that may be exacerbated by declining enrollment.
"Youth programs are struggling. It's not anything that is specific to North Adams or specific having to do with distribution of fliers, it's a widespread issue that all communities are struggling with," he said. "Everybody is very, very concerned."
Tags: academic award, Drury High, North Adams School Committee, val & sal,
