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Adams to Host an Event-Filled Summer

By Gregory FournieriBerkshires Correspondent
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ADAMS, Mass. — After last year's pandemic summer, "2021 should be labeled as the comeback year."

That was the sentiment of Selectman Richard Blanchard after the board on Wednesday approved a number of proposed events.

On Aug. 3, for instance, the Adams Police Department is hosting National Night Out. This, according to Sgt. Gregory Onorato, will be an "opportunity for the community to get to know their first responders a little better."

The event will take place on Hoosac Street, which will be closed to traffic, and will include an inflatable obstacle course, a car seat station at which parents can get free car seats plus installation, and an outdoor movie for kids.

The Fire Department, Police Department, and Forest Wardens will be there and put on activities for families, as well as provide emergency preparedness packets for residents.

The Select Board also approved the Fall Run, the motorcycle charity event that is being revived by Jeff Snoonian and Mike Steuer, among others. That is taking place on Sept. 19 and will begin and end at Bowe Field. "We're here to revitalize" the Fall Run, said Steuer.

Steuer and Snoonian applied for a one-day wine and malt license, as well as a Sunday entertainment license, to put on the afterparty. The event will be free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $5. The board expressed gratitude for the efforts of Snoonian and Steuer, and approved both applications unanimously.

Vice Chairwoman Christine Hoyt also announced the Adams Suffrage Centennial Celebration Committee's planned ceremony on Aug. 21 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote and the bicentennial of Susan B. Anthony, who campaigned throughout her life.

These events were delayed from last year because of the pandemic and the bronze monument to Anthony, born in Adams in 1820, was dedicated last month at the Town Common

"We thank the committee for their three years of work," Hoyt said.

The celebration will take place from noon to 8 on Park Street, and will include bands, a presentation of the life of Anthony, and fireworks. Residents can learn more about it here.

Finally, the Selectmen approved a request to revive the annual Polish picnic at the Polanka Picnic Grounds on Mill Street. This will take place from noon to 5 on Sept. 12, and will include Polish and American food, soda, beer, and wine, as well as a polka band. Attendees will be required to pay $5 to enter.

In other news:

  • The board held a public hearing on the proposed Cumberland Farms at 95 Commercial St. for an underground storage tank for gasoline. Town Administrator Jay Green said, "I think they've been great partners." Construction will begin in March 2022.
  • The board appointed lifelong Adams resident Jeff Randall to the Conservation Commission. Randall has dual bachelors' degrees in civil and environmental engineering, and has worked in those fields in Berkshire County since he graduated. Selectman Joseph Nowak, who is friendly with Randall, said, "It's ideal to have someone of Jeff's caliber come on board."
  • Green was appointed acting Department of Public Works director. The search for a full replacement is ongoing.

Tags: community event,   

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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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