How to Parent Healthy Kids in the Digital Age

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Pine Cobble School will host How to Parent Healthy Kids in the Digital Age: Supporting Connection, Resilience, and Critical Thinking, a presentation for parents of elementary and middle school kids who are seeking developmentally appropriate guidance on preparing their kids to handle the complexities of digital life.
 
The evening will start with a presentation by educator, author, and parenting expert Betty Ray, who will share findings from her years of research as head of innovation at the George Lucas Educational Foundation and chief impact officer at Pandora's Way. 
 
The event is intended for parents and other caregivers of elementary and middle school students who are eager to take proactive steps for healthy digital engagement. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, and will leave with several actionable steps they can implement right away.
 
Following the presentation will be a Q+A with Betty, as well as Pine Cobble Head of School Dr. Jill Romans, and developmental psychologist Scott Burg.
 
How to Parent Healthy Kids in the Digital Age: Supporting Connection, Resilience, and Critical Thinking will be held on March 5, 2026 at '62 Center for Performing Arts on the Williams College Campus,  Williamstown, MA. Doors open at 5:45 pm and the program starts at 6 and runs until 7:30 pm.
 
"I am delighted that we can come together as a broader community and discuss this important topic for our youth through the lens of child development," Romans said. "Betty's focus on rites of passage is helpful in understanding the process for nurturing agency and empowerment for our students as they navigate an increasingly digital world. We must be intentional in how we introduce children to this environment and ensure they have adequate skills to navigate digital platforms in healthy ways."
 
Attendees will discover:
  • How to plan for the developmental shifts from childhood to adolescence.
  • How digital media is designed to engage the developing adolescent brain
  • A practical approach to introducing digital media and sustaining healthy development.

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Creative Pause: Venerable WTF Taking Time to Innovate, Strategize

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
The pace and pressures of change have intensified in all sectors of society. The creative economy is no exception.
 
Non-profit arts organizations have always had to adapt to changing times. Some of these issues are common and perennial, including the need to raise funds, attract audiences, and remain relevant and sustainable.
 
In addition, while the COVID-19 pandemic was several years ago, it has taken time
to recover from the universal shutdowns of 2020 and their aftermath.
 
These issues were highlighted in the Berkshires recently with the announcement that two prominent cultural institutions in Northern Berkshire County — the Williams Theatre Festival and the FreshGrass music festival at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art were cancelling their 2026 summer seasons.
 
Both organizations, which are separate, will use the time to regroup, with plans to return in 2027.
 
While the announcements raised concerns about the impacts on the cultural tourism economy this summer, the overall slate of cultural attractions and activities in the Berkshires appear to be on track. The cultural sector is not monolithic, and other individual organizations are either proceeding as normal or expanding their offerings.
 
The season cancellation at WTF was because of a combination of factors, said Raphael Picciarelli, WTF's managing director for strategy and transformation. He shares administrative oversight responsibilities with Kit Ingui, managing director of operations and advancement.
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