Berkshire Museum Announces STEAM Programs for Preschool-Age Children

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Museum announced a partnership with the Pittsfield Coordinator Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant, funded by the Department of Early Education and Care, and in collaboration with Berkshire County HeadStart. 
 
This collaboration aims to bring enriching and accessible programming to families with preschool-aged children through the WeeMuse STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) program at no cost.  
 
The program follows a theme-based approach where families engage in a variety of activities at 5 discovery stations, each representing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Each discovery station will include clear directions and a "What my child is learning" section, making concrete connections to The Department of Early Education and Care standards and curriculum guidelines. Families will receive a take-home packet at the end of each session with extension activities they can do at home. 
 
"The Berkshire Museum is excited to collaborate once again with Berkshire County Headstart to provide free educational opportunities to our littlest learners," said Jesse Kowalski, Berkshire Museum's Chief Curator.
 
The WeeMuse STEAM program runs January 17 and 31, February 14 and 28, March 13 and 27, April 10 and 24, and May 8 and 22 in Berkshire Museum's second-floor classroom spaces. 

Tags: Berkshire Museum,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Couple Sentenced to Staggered Prison Terms in Death of Foster Infant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams couple will serve staggered three-to-five year prison sentences for the 2020 death of their foster infant. 
 
Matthew Tucker and Cassandra Barlow-Tucker on March 16 were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless child endangerment in the death of Kristoff Zenopolous on Feb. 18, 2020.  
 
Their sentencing was delayed by Judge Tracy Duncan until Thursday to determine how their four children, two of whom have high needs, would be cared for. 
 
Kristoff was just 10 months old when he died from complications with respiratory illness, strep throat, and pneumonia. A Superior Court jury determined that his death was a result of neglect. The commonwealth requested five years in prison and three years of probation for both defendants.
 
On Thursday, the rescheduled hearing for sentence imposition was held, and Tucker and Barlow-Tucker were sentenced to state prison for manslaughter involving neglect of legal duty, and three years of probation for reckless child endangerment. 
 
Court documents state that Barlow-Tucker was committed to the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Framingham. She will serve three to five years there first; her husband, will serve his sentence once hers is completed but will be on probation.
 
"The sentences imposed will be a state prison sentence of not less than 3 years and not more than 5 years to MCI as to each Defendant as to count #1. The sentences will be staggered. Ms. Barlow-Tucker will serve her incarceration sentence first," court dockets read.  
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories