Greylock Principal Chosen to Lead Clarksburg School

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Sandra Cote, seen in this file photo, has been named the new principal of Clarksburg School.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Sandra J. Cote, currently the principal of Greylock School in North Adams, has been named to lead Clarksburg School.
 
The longtime educator replaces Tara Barnes, who was hired as the director of pupil services for the Northern Berkshire School Union. 
 
"We are excited to have an educator with over 30 years experience for years as a principal," said Superintendent John Franzoni on Tuesday. "Sandy and I worked together when I was dean of students at Greylock School for three years and we both are graduates of North Adams' Drury High School and we've known each other since we were very young. 
 
"I respect her as an educator and she'll be a great addition to Clarksburg."
 
Cote has been principal of Greylock since 2003, after teaching in the North Adams school system for 15 years. 
 
Franzoni said the school staff was notified of the hiring on Monday before it became public. Cote has agreed to a three-year contract that is expected to be signed by the end of the week. 
 
The superintendent said the school received "four very qualified candidates" who were interviewed by a committee that included himself, School Committee Chair Laura Wood, teachers Cathy Howe, Mark Karhan, Colette Klein and Mary Quinto and Information Technology Director Joshua Arico. Cote was one of two finalists. 
 
"We've been very fortunate the last two years to replace two veteran principals that did a great job ... with two other veterans," Franzoni said. "Dr. [Martin] McEvoy up in Florida and now Sandy in Clarksburg, that's really I think, a good sign for our district that we're getting such high-quality applicants for the principal positions."
 
McEvoy started at Gabriel Abbott Memorial School on July 1 last year, replacing Heidi Dugal, who had been principal for 13 years and a teacher for 15 years prior. McEvoy had been principal of Lanesborough Elementary School and of Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield, and vice principal at Hoosac Valley High School in Cheshire, and did a year's stint as a superintendent in Hatfield. 
 
Greylock School is expected to close within the next several years if a renovation project at Brayton School is successful. Cote is currently a member of the School Building Committee. 
 
While Clarksburg is gaining a principal, North Adams is losing another administrator. Brayton Principal Carrie Wallace is retiring at the end of the school year and Assistant Superintendent Kimberly Roberts-Morandi has accepted the position of superintendent of schools in Sutton. 

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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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