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The Board of Health said goodbye to longtime member Roy Thompson, left, is not seeking re-election.

Adams Continues Progress With Syringe Disposal

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health is making progress on disposing of discarded syringes.

Member Bruce Shepley told the board on Wednesday that collected syringes for the time being will be sent to the North Adams Ambulance Service.

Shepley initially raised the issue a few months ago when he became aware that residents had nowhere to safely dispose of their medical sharps. After some discussions with the Police Department, he found that littered syringes were also an issue in town.

"We know that the disposal of medical syringes is an issue ... so many people have them in their homes and they don't know how to get rid of them," Shepley said. "Also, with the heroin epidemic and drug problems in the communities, syringes are found in public."

Residents should call police if they find any syringes. The police are trained to handle them and will secure them and later deliver them to North Adams. The ambulance service has a disposal contract.

The Northern Berkshire Emergency Planning Committee is also developing a tri-town plan to dispose of the syringes, said Shepley, who serves on the committee.

He said the board may allocate funds for this in the future.

"It will go out to all of the agencies involved and we can rip it up an assemble it and get out some thoughts down," he said.  

In other business, the board said farewell to longtime member Roy Thompson, who will not run for re-election. Thomson has been on the board for 15 years.

"I would like to thank Roy for his service to the town and we will have a void here and we are losing valuable resources," Shepley said. "We know we will able to turn to him for help if needed. There aren't any other Roys in Adams."

Thompson said he has enjoyed serving the town.

"It has been a pleasure and it will always remain a real important thing to me. ... it's always nice to feel like you are part of the community and that you are doing something for the community," Thompson said. "It's nice to know that you helped and you have a feeling of accomplishment."

Thomson said he will continue his efforts to protect animals. He said people can contact him about humane issues at humaneroy5@yahoo.com.

Shepley also reported that veterinarians are expecting an increase in tick issues with pets this summer.

"If there are tick issues with animals there are tick issues with people because of the extreme mild winter," he said. 


Tags: BOH,   sharps, syringes,   ticks,   

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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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