Souza Wins Peace Contest
For the third time in recent years a Mt. Greylock student has been named First Place State Winner in the National Peace Essay Contest. Aaron Souza, a junior at Mt. Greylock, was recently notified that his essay on The Justification of War was judged best in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Aaron will receive a college scholarship of $1,000 and will go to Washington where he will compete for national awards of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 for first, second, and third place respectively.
While in Washington, Aaron will participate in a unique five-day program that promotes an understanding of the nature and process of international peacemaking. While attending his all-expense-paid awards program in Washington, Aaron will meet with international affairs experts, members of Congress and various governmental officials. Aaron will also visit cultural and historical sites. Other recent state winners from Mt. Greylock include Rebecca Bradburd and Randy Souza. Students who think they might like to participate in the 2003-2004 contest should see Mr. Murray in room 55.
Parents Create the GAP Fund
The Greylock Assistance Project (the GAP Fund) seeks to restore the teaching positions, activities, and sports threatened by recent cuts in the Mt. Greylock FY2004 budget. The Fund is an effort by a concerned group of parents to raise money to help bridge the gap in public funding for the school, and we welcome assistance from parents, alumni, and friends of the school.
The GAP is a School Committee endorsed, unified approach to fundraising, with the intent that all fundraising activities are coordinated under the GAP Fund.
This GAP has the following fundraising goals
.Teaching Positions: to restore the 10.8 teaching positions cut in the FY2004 budget, the GAP seeks to raise $426,000.
.Athletics: To restore all athletic teams and their full seasons, the GAP seeks to raise $165,458.
.Activities: To restore all co-curricular activities, the GAP seeks to raise $42,967.
If you would like further information about the GAP fund, check the Mt. Greylock website www.mgrhs.og and click on the GAP link.
If you want to help, please contact Beth Goodman at egoodman@bck.com or by mail at The Gap Fund, P.O. Box 615, Williamstown, MA 01267
Final Exam Schedule PostedFinal exams for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be held on the following dates:
Wednesday, June 18 Math 1-2:29 - School in session for the whole day
Thursday, June 19 Science 7:45-9:15, English 9:20-10:50 - School in session for the whole day
Friday, June 20 Language 7:45-9:15, Social Studies 9:20-10:50 - All students dismissed at 11:00
Monday, June 23 Last day of classes; make-up day for missed finals - All students dismissed at 11:00
Recognition Night Online
Mt.Greylock's annual Recognition Night, wherein students in grade 9-11 are feted for academics and citizenship, was held on May 15. The full list of awards is available online at www.mgrhs.org; just click the Recognition Night link.
Join Our Listserv; Help Us Cut Costs
Mt. Greylock Regional School is moving toward a goal of communicating with parents electronically wherever possible. To that end we are compiling a database of parent email addresses, and ask that you add yourself to it.
What are the benefits? Communication from the school is more immediate and more direct; the school also saves on postage, paper and copying costs.
How do I sign up? Send an email to listserv@mgrhs.org; include the following information:
.Your name
.Your student's name
.Your email address
Fall Sports Physicals
Fall Sports Physical will be offered by the school physician, Dr. Michael Sussman, on Wednesday, June 4 by appointment. Interested students must see the school nurse for forms. The completed forms are to be returned to the nurse by Tuesday, June 3.
Yearbooks On Sale
Paedeia 2003 is ready to go on sale. Yearbooks will be sold during all lunches outside the cafeteria the week of May 27. the cost is $45, which has been defrayed by the generosity of our gracious patrons. Please make sure you acknowledge their generosity when you frequent their business.
Adams Co-Operative Bank
Agway
B & G Restaurant Supply Inc.
Barbara Hassan Realty
Bennington Sports & Graphics
Bob's Country Kitchen
Bradley Etching
Brook Restaurant
Clip Shop
Colonial Cuts
Colonial Pizza
Country Tack & Supply
Cozy Corner
Dave's Sporting Goods
David Westall, Architect
DiLego's Jewelry Store
Doran Carpet Center
Dr. & Mrs. David Elpern
Dr. Francis McCarthy
Edward Vella Jr., Contractor
George M. Hopkins Co. Inc.
Goff's Sports
Goodman's Jewelers
Hart's Pharmacy
Hart's Rubbish
Harsch Realty
Hilltown Smokehouse
Hobson's Choice
Hoosac Bank
Jiminy Peak
Lakeview Orchard
Lansen Mold
Lynne Miro, Realtor
Mill on the Floss Restaurant
Mt. Greylock Faculty Association
Mt. Williams Greenhouse
North Adams Sheet Metal
Pat's Gun Shop
Sayers Auto Wrecking
Skyline Country Club
Spa Medical & Laser Center
St. Pierre's Barber Shop
Store at Five Corners
Taconic Lumber
Tahiti Take-Out & Lounge
Toonerville Records
Tupelo Honey Market Place
Village Ambulance
Water Street Grille
Wellness Center
Westall Realty
Williams Inn
Williamstown Savings Bank
Wooliver D J & Sons Inc
Family Portrait Day
Planning has begun for next year's yearbook. In setting up dates for class pictures in the fall, we thought parents might be interested in having a family portrait taken. It would make a great gift as well as a wonderful keepsake. Lauren Studios is willing to come to the school on a weekend in the fall to take pictures.
If you are interested, contact Deryle Capozzi, Yearbook Advisor at 458-9582 ext. 147. We are looking for nothing more than a verbal commitment to move this into more than just a thought. Lauren is looking for at least 20 families to make this a worthwhile project. Package prices would be similar to school picture packages. Families do not need to have a student at Mt. Greylock to take advantage of this offer. Let us know what you think.
Reading in Your Hammock
The Milne Public Library is sponsoring a summer reading program for middle and high school students called "Reading In Your Hammock," which will run from June 30 - August 8. With the understanding that most students really are looking for a break from hard work during the summer, we are encouraging students to do some purely FUN reading of their own choice. Participants need to read at least two books (over and above their required reading), keep a small reading journal, and then create a drawing, poem, sculpture, photo or painting that was inspired by a book they've read. All creative work will be displayed in the library, and there will be a small celebration with prizes and certificates for all at the end of the program. People may sign up any time after June 15.
The Milne Public Library is also planning an Open Mic Night for Teens, on Wednesday, July 23 from 7-9 p.m. We need performers - musicians and writers who would like to share their accomplishments with their friends and peers (acoustic music only, please). Any one who would like to perform that evening with their music, poems or stories should contact Helen at 458-5369.
SMILE News
Mt. Greylock High School's community service club, S.M.I.L.E. (Students Making an Impact Locally for Everyone) has had an exciting and busy spring semester. Recent projects included visiting an animal shelter and performing a concert for residents of Sweet Brook Retirement Home.
At the animal shelter, students helped the overburdened staff with many responsibilities, including walking dogs and grooming kittens.
The concert at Sweet Brook was a wonderful success. It featured piano solos, flute duets, and African and Irish step dancing. The students ended the year with a blood drive at the high school on May 20 and provided childcare for Williamstown residents attending their town meeting.
S.M.I.L.E. is looking forward to an even more eventful and fulfilling semester next fall, serving the community and bringing SMILES to all!
Service Learning NewsCongratulations! Mt. Greylock students have volunteered over 2,500 hours to their community this year.
June Schedule of EventsVolunteers Needed To Raise Money For Cancer Research
Friday, June 20 - American Cancer Society's, Relay for Life at Wahconah Regional High School, Dalton, Ma.
Faculty and Students: Sign up and participate in Mt. Greylock's 2003 Relay for Life Team
Mt. Greylock's students and faculty are needed to volunteer to raise money, walk, run and/or help out at a lemonade stand. Enclosed in this month's Forum is a Luminaria Order Form. You can help fight cancer and honor loved ones who have had cancer by making at least a $5 contribution for each luminaria candle that will be lit at dusk at the Luminaria Ceremony on Friday, June 20 at the Relay For Life. Your contributions will also help fund the participation of over 60 students who have signed up to show their support of this event.
Order forms and checks can be brought to Jan Livernois in the Principal's office or mailed to Evadne Giannini, Service Learning Coordinator, 1781 Cold Spring Rd., Williamstown, MA 01267, Attention: Relay For Life. Please return all forms to school no later than June 15 so we can assure that there is time to print all the luminaria candles.
Students and faculty wishing to participate can stop by the College and Career Center on Thursdays during extended. All participants will be notified by team captains as to the time and place of meeting at the event on June 20.
Questions? Do you have hours you haven't turned in for this year? Please stop by. Every Thursday during extended our Service Learning Coordinator, Evadne Giannini is at school in the College and Career Center or you can email her at egianni@mgrhs.org
Check out the new link on the school website www.mgrhs.org/servicelearning You will find instructions, forms and tools for volunteering.
JCL News
Eighty members of the Mt. Greylock JCL attended the Annual State Convention on May 16-17. This event is the culminating activity for a year's worth of work and fun for local JCL chapters in Massachusetts. All year certamen members practiced; Shan Wang developed and updated the web site; Danae Johnson gathered publicity; Jeremiah Belanger, Jared Strait, Evan Dethier, and Joe Baisch repaired and built catapults; Heather Murtagh and Stephanie Jones-Sneed coordinated the scrapbook; Mollie Berman and groups of 8th and 9th graders participated in community outreach program and Kathryn Smeglin coordinated community service projects; Jeremiah Belanger and Jared Strait readied and repaired the chariot; and Jennifer Rosenthal and Emma Brooke published the newsletter. In all these whole chapter contests, MG placed first, second, or third.
MG won the Janet Rajotte Chapter Trophy, awarded to the chapter with the most points in 11 categories. Congratulations to the Mt. Greylock JCL, the executive board of the JCL, and especially to Alex Kopynec and Kathryn Smeglin, the consules (leaders) of the group.
For individuals, there are four categories in which to compete: Academics, Graphic Arts, Creative Contests, and Olympika. A medal is awarded in each area and a trophy awarded to the JCLer who with the most points in at least three of four the categories. Seven MG JCLers brought home medals in these categories; one was awarded the trophy for #1 in the State:
Creative Contests:
1st place: Carl Kubler
Olympika
1. Kelsey Dudziak - MG
2. Seth Kelley - MG
3. Jonah Jonathan - MG
Graphic Arts
1st place: (tie) Carl Kubler and Mary Wootters
2nd place: Shan Wang
9th grader Carl Kubler won the highest individual award--the trophy for scoring the highest points of all over 240 other state JCLers.
Other members of the Mt. Greylock JCL came home with ribbons in various contests. They were honored at the annual Parentalia on May 29. For more information, visit our website!
After Prom News
Everything is set for After Prom 2003, a safe celebration for the Class of 2003 and their guests to be held on Tuesday June 3, 2003 from Midnight until 6 a.m. at Eastover Resort in Lenox. The After Prom directly follows the Senior Prom to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Monday evening June 2. All members of the Class of 2003 are invited to the After Prom even if they do not attend the Prom. Each member of the senior class may bring one guest to the After Prom.
For the safety of all attendees no cars will be permitted at Eastover. Bus transportation will be available to and from the After Prom leaving Monday June 2 from the Williams Inn at 10:45 p.m., Lanesboro Market at 11 p.m. and the Crowne Plaza at 11:30 p.m., arriving at Eastover before midnight. Seniors may arrive by limousine or have parents drop them off at Eastover. Buses will leave Eastover Tuesday morning, June 3 at 6 a.m. with drop offs at Lanesboro Market at 6:30 a.m. and the Williams Inn at 6:45 a.m.. Parents may pick up cars at the Crowne Plaza after the Prom -- the buses will not stop at the Crowne Plaza for car pick up on Tuesday morning.
So what's happening at Eastover? Goody bags, inflatable bouncy boxing and sumo wrestling, massages, a caricaturist, swimming, dancing, a hypnotist, tarot card reading, a magician, volleyball, a DJ, henna tattoos, Berkshire Improv, prizes, FOOD, FOOD, FOOD and much more!
Everyone should bring a change of clothes, swim suit and towel and prepare for the belly flop contest. This will be Mt. Greylock's 10th Annual After Prom Event! The After Prom Committee would like to thanks the many parents, businesses and community organizations who have so generously supported the After Prom Event this year and in the past. Congratulations and good luck to the Class of 2003!
June 23 Parking Revision
One final update before we close this issue: student parking will not be available on Monday, June 23. Students should plan to ride the bus, or be dropped off and picked up on that day.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Berkshire Food Project Closed for Power Issues
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Food Project is closed Monday because of a power outage early in the morning.
"We are unable to get proper electricity and heat to the building," according to Executive Director Matthew Alcombright. "We hope that this can be resolved and be open tomorrow."
The project does have some sandwiches and frozen meals that will be distributed at the entry.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
