North Adams School Administrator to Lead Sutton School District

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Sutton School District offered the position of superintendent on Monday night to Kimberly Roberts-Morandi, assistant superintendent in the North Adams Public Schools. 
 
Roberts-Morandi was one of four finalists to lead the 1,200-student K-12 district in the south central part of the state. She had her interview with the School Committee on Thursday. 
 
"I am excited to be entering into negotiations for the Sutton superintendency," Roberts-Morandi said on Tuesday. "This is a community that is strong in support of their schools, which have a history of academic and civic success. My years in educational leadership, and especially those under the leadership of Dr. Barbara Malkas and within the community of North Adams, have provided me with experiences and the confidence to take this next step in my service to others."
 
She has been with the North Adams schools as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment since 2016, when then new Superintendent Barbara Malkas brought her on board as part of her new team. She was elevated to assistant superintendent several years ago. 
 
Roberts-Morandi was a principal at the former Adams Memorial Middle School and, after its closing, became a data specialist with the state's Berkshire District and School Assistance Center. She has been an adjunct instructor with Massachusetts College of Liberal Art's Leadership Academy and a team leader with SchoolWorks, which provides consulting for underperforming schools. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from MCLA and her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of New England.
 
The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle reported that Sutton School Committee Chairman Bruce Edwards had visited North Adams and found that Roberts-Morandi was a problem-solver with extensive experience in writing grants and overseeing grants. 
 
The committee members voted their top candidates and then voted for Roberts-Morandi as their choice. 
 
Her start date is July 1, pending contract negotiations. Sutton began its search for a new superintendent in January; the current superintendent of 12 years, Theodore Friend, announced in November 2021 his decision to retire on Aug. 1. 

Tags: NAPS,   school administrator,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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