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Adams Agricultural Fair Marks 45th Year This Weekend

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ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Agricultural Fair returns this weekend for its 45th year.
 
The annual fair — and the only one held in Berkshire County — celebrates the town's agricultural roots and brings together the local farming community for a weekend of history, live entertainment, and fun.
 
The fairgrounds at Bowe Field open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and the event runs through the weekend with a rodeo Saturday and the popular demolition derby Sunday.
 
Touch a Truck, which allows young children the opportunity to see inside large vehicles like fire engines and highway trucks, starts at 6 p.m. on Friday and will feature the Pittsfield Police Department's "Copsicle" ice cream and ice pops van. The children's pedal tractor contest takes place at 6:30 and there will be live music beginning at 7.
 
Gates open Saturday morning at 10 when the judging of adult sheep and goats begins and at 10 on Sunday with more livestock judging and the oxen pulls. 
 
The fair will feature judging and prizes for animals, produce, foods and crafts, along with vendors of food and items, carnival rides and games, craft activities, Western Mass Master Gardeners, live music  (including Terry a la Berry), performances, exhibits and demonstrations.
 
Events will take place throughout both Saturday and Sunday and a complete schedule can be found here.
 
Highlights: 
  • Touch a Truck with Pittsfield's Copsicle at 6 p.m. on Friday
  • Crowning of the "Aggie" Fair Prince and Princess at 11 on Saturday
  • Horse pulls begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday
  • Double M Pro Rodeo begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday
  • Ox pull begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday
  • Adams Police K9 Kumar at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday
  • Demolition Derby at 2 p.m. on Sunday, rain or shine.
  • Presentation of awards at 4 p.m. on Sunday
Admission is $10 adults or $25 for a three-day pass. Children ages 5 to 12 are $8, and those 4 and younger are free.
 

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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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