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Drury High students participated in a number of service-learning projects on Friday before ending the day with a pep rally.
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Drury High Builds Community at 2nd Annual Day of Service

By Krista Gmeiner, Drury High SchoolCommunity Submission
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Drury High School students were greeted at school Friday morning by members of the community as part of Community Welcome Day.
 
City Councilor Michael Obasohon welcomed the students with his keynote address in which he emphasized the importance of identity, diversity, and service as a means to build a strong community. 
 
He reminded students to "make space for themselves at the table" even if there appears to be no room and to "get comfortable with being uncomfortable" as a way to make sure their voices are heard. He encouraged the students to "lean in" to their community and they did just that as they went off to their service blocks. 
 
Some students boarded buses and went out into the community to do some cleanup efforts in local areas, others went off to the three North Adams elementary schools and to read to kindergarteners and first graders. 
 
Students trained through the Anti-Defamation League's World of Difference Institute and led a lesson around identity with the sixth graders and talked about the importance of recognizing and celebrating differences. 
 
Drury's band and band front toured the city giving performances at both local schools and businesses. Other students stayed on campus and worked in the community gardens with Jen Munoz, packed "Boxes of Love" filled with necessities for veterans with Patty Erdeski, received cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Stop the Bleed training from local emergency responders, crafted cards for local cancer patients and people in nearby nursing homes, made friendship bracelets to share with others, and took on school beautification projects. 
 
In the afternoon, students celebrated their efforts with their first pep rally of the year. Students designed and executed the pep rally, which included Zumba, tug-of-war competitions, a dance off, class cheers, and even schoolwide conga line. It was a great day had by students and staff alike. Drury started with hello and ended with a real sense of community. 
 
"I am so proud of our students," said Principal Stephanie Kopala. "Today, our kids gave back to the community, inspired others to do the same, helped make a complete stranger's day with Boxes of Love or a handwritten note of encouragement, and along the way strengthened the community and pride of our school. 
 
Drury is a special place, our kids are special, and today, the community got to experience the joy and hard work our students show us each day." 
 
When asked about the pep rally at the end of the day, Kopala said, "Everyone had a great time. It was heartwarming to see students interacting and having fun with new people, dancing together as a whole school and cheering each other on. It was the best pep rally we've had in a long time and that speaks to the inclusive culture at our school."
 

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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