DESE Office of School Monitoring to Visit MGRSD

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — During the week of May 13, 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Mount Greylock Regional School District. 
 
The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
 
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child's special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
 
Parents and other individuals may call Michelle Hennessey-Kowalchek, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (413) 314-6709 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
 
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Companion Corner: Priscilla at Second Chance Animal Shelter

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ARLINGTON, Vt. — There is a sweet girl awaiting her new family at Second Chance Animal Shelter.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Priscilla is 2 years old and came to the shelter from a hoarding house.

Feline Program Administrator Santana Snyder introduced us to her.

"She came to Second Chance from a hoarding situation, and she had two little kittens with her when she came in. Her kittens have been adopted, but she's still looking for her forever home," she said.

She has been at the shelter for about a year and has not had anyone visit her.

"She came in April of 2025. There was a point in time where she wasn't available on the floor because she was still taking care of her kittens. So that is partially why she's been here this long, but also overlooked for unknown reasons," Snyder said. "She's very sweet. She's very playful. She gets along pretty well with the other cats."

She can go home with respectful kids, other cats, and a respectful dog as well, as she does like her boundaries sometimes as most cats do. She especially loves people and will follow you around.

"She is a bit bossy, so cats that kind of can give her some space, and know that when they get in her space, she will tell them that she's had enough," Snyder said. "Not sure how she would do with dogs. However, she is very confident in herself and not a very timid cat, so I think she would be fine with a feline savvy dog.

"She loves people. She loves to be around people. There's often times where she'll escape out the door from us because she's trying to follow the people that were in here loving on her."

Priscilla enjoys sunbathing and looking out the window at people or birds.

"This is a favorite pastime of hers, sitting and watching out the window. So she loves being up high and watching the cars and the birds."

Priscilla is healthy, litter-box trained, and knows her scratching posts, but does have a sensitive stomach.

"She does, right now, eat a sensitive-stomach diet, but it's not prescription, so easily accessible, not super expensive. She was just having some issues with vomiting up the food that wasn't sensitive stomach," she said.

Priscilla is ready to go to her new home where she can play and lay in the sun all day.

"She's really is a great cat, like I said, not sure why she's been here this long. She just wants to find her people and be loved."

Priscilla is sponsored by someone anonymous.

If you think Priscilla might be the cat for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about him on the website.

Second Chance Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. It is located at 1779 VT Route 7A. Contact the shelter at 802-375-2898 or info@2ndchanceanimalcenter.org.

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