Letter: Great American Smokeout Is Nov. 16

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To the Editor:

The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, Nov. 16, a great day to remind clients, friends, and family about quitting smoking or any tobacco use.

Developed by the American Cancer Society, the Great American Smokeout is a perfect opportunity to think about quitting and its many benefits — physically, mentally, and financially, and maybe even plan a quit attempt. Remember, quitting can take many tries and help is always available for any tobacco user who wants to quit, whether on November 16 or at any other time.

You can help smokers and other tobacco users by encouraging them to keep trying to quit and by offering them the following suggestions:

  • Consider talking to a FREE quit coach. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). The Mass. Smokers Helpline is open 24 hours each day, seven days a week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) and experienced coaches are ready to help. Now you can also enroll online through KeepTryingMA.org. Online supports include quit planning tools, peer support and motivational text messages.
  • Consider medications to increase your chances of quitting. MassHealth and many other insurance companies cover quit smoking medicines with little or no copay.
  • Try medicines like the nicotine patch, gum or lozenge to further your chances of being successful and quitting for good. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit KeepTryingMA.org and receive one month of FREE nicotine replacement help (with medical eligibility).
  • People who use coaching and medicines together are three times as likely to quit for good as those who use neither so keep trying to quit.

Thanks for your support of smokers and other tobacco users on Nov. 16 and any time. Quitting can take repeated attempts, and, for many people, it's the hardest thing they've done. Yet with the help of the Mass Smokers Helpline and the support of others during the Great American Smokeout, every user can become tobacco free and begin a journey to better health.

To see a video about the MA Smokers Helpline, please visit KeepTryingMA.org to access online or phone support. Contact Joyce Brewer at the Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership at the Berkshire Area Health Education Center or at jbrewer@berkshireahec.org to learn more about the impact tobacco has on your community.

Joyce Brewer
Brewer is the contract manager at Berkshire AHEC for the Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership

 

 

 

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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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