10th Annual 'Get BArT Smart' Fundraiser Scheduled

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ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School is holding its annual fundraiser, "Get BArT Smart," on Saturday, April 8, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at One Commercial St.

The event pits teams of four to six people against one another in fevered battles of trivia and SAT questions. Teams follow a "school-day schedule" and travel from classroom to classroom throughout the evening. Every classroom will also have faculty members present to keep "students" on task. There is a silent auction packed with unique items and packages for participants to bid on and a station to get their "school pics" taken between classes.

The winning team at the end of the night will be crowned "valedictorian" and, along with prizes, "win untold fame, fortune and adulation throughout Berkshire County."

Many of the questions throughout the evening come directly from the students' curriculum and past SAT exams.

"The competition is fierce and everyone has a blast," said Julia Bowen, executive director. "It's a really fun event and we receive a great deal of support from the community."

The event is the primary fundraiser for the school, proceeds of which directly benefit academic programming. Participants are asked to donate a minimum of $70 per person; admission includes a light dinner by Mezze Catering and a selection of beer and wine. The school invites companies to sponsor the event. Sign up here for your team.


Tags: BArT,   fundraiser,   

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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.
 
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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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