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Hoosac Valley kindergartners display their skills in Spanish on Friday.
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Hoosac Valley Elementary Students Hold A Fiesta

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — Hoosac Valley Elementary School pupils touted their Spanish language skills at Friday's Mexican fiesta.
 
Seventy kindergarten students from four classes marched into the auditorium clad in sombreros, ponchos, and skirts impressing parents and faculty with their own rendition of "La Cucaracha."
 
"They have been chomping at the bit all day," organizer and kindergarten teacher Robin Poirot said.
 
Students showed off their myriad skills including naming colors, giving greetings, naming the days of the week, months, and even counting to 100 in Spanish. 
 
"The children have not only learned many kindergarten skills that are typical for a kindergartner but they have also learned those things in Spanish," Poirot said.
 
There was more song and students sang "The Wheels On the Bus" and "Mary Had A Little Lamb" in English and then in Spanish.
 
The event ended in a rendition of the "Chicken Dance."
 
Poirot said when students learn a second language at such a young age it improves both cognitive and social aspects of their early years.
 
"We have been pretty impressed by how fast they have picked it up and how they have been practicing all of the time," she said.
 
Poirot said the children made their own maracas and she thanked Bridget Mendal for sewing an additional 20 skirts and paraprofessional Judy Gaylord for making an additional 17 ponchos to give the children examples of the country's historical attire and cultural traditions.
 
"It has been a big undertaking but you are going to be so proud when you hear how well they do," she said.

Tags: little hoosac,   

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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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