NAPS Summer Program to Host Drury Interns

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Public Schools' 21st Century Program and the Drury Workforce Development Program have collaborated to provide internship opportunities for 11 Drury High School students this summer. 
 
These paid internships are for Teaching Assistants working with 210 students in grades K-6 in the 21st Century Summer Program at Greylock Elementary School. The 11 student interns are assisting nine teachers to provide educational and social-emotional development programming.
 
These paid internships provide Drury students with the opportunity to develop the skills and competencies of working in an elementary education environment, and several student interns have expressed an interest in pursuing training and employment in the field of elementary education.
 
Additionally, all participating interns are developing the transferable skills that align with the Berkshire Portrait of a Graduate competencies which include: global citizenship, being a responsible, prepared individual who is a lifelong learner able to use critical thinking and effective communication skills.
 
Noella Carlow, who has served North Adams Public Schools as the 21 st Century Site Lead for many years, expressed her appreciation for the teamwork and commitment demonstrated by this group of interns. 
 
She noted that she has had the opportunity to witness many of these interns grow and develop from the young children who had previously attended the summer program as elementary students into the hardworking and responsible adolescents who are now giving back to the program and mentoring the younger students.
 
Annie Pecor, the Director of the 21st Century Program for the district, and Mike Boland, the Workforce Development Coordinator at Drury, hold a weekly seminar meeting with the Drury interns to review and reflect upon their experiences interning. This weekly seminar allows students to share their successes, challenges, and learning opportunities as colleagues and team members.
 

Tags: after school programs,   NAPS,   

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

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. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories