NAPS Promotes National Start With Hello Week

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Public Schools, in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a national, nonprofit organization led by several family members of those killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School is taking part in Start With Hello Week during the week of Sept., 16, 2024.
 
According to a press release, Start With Hello teaches students how to reach out to and include those who may be socially isolated as well as to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school or youth organization.
 
Excessive feelings of isolation can be associated with violent and suicidal behavior. In fact, one study reports that chronic loneliness increases the risk of an early death by 14 percent. 
 
Furthermore, young people who are isolated can become victims of bullying, violence and/or depression. As a result, many further pull awayfrom society, struggle with learning and social development and/or choose to hurt themselves or others.
 
Start With Hello Week raises awareness and educates students and the community through Start With Hello trainings, advertising, activities, public proclamations, media events, student contests and school awards.
 
Start With Hello Week brings attention to the growing epidemic of social isolation in our schools and communities and empowers young people to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school or youth organization.
 
The district will be celebrating with the following schedule:
  • Monday: Wear Green Day
  • Tuesday: Community Welcome Day at Brayton/Nobody Eats Alone day
  • Wednesday: Community Welcome Day at Colegrove/Talk to Someone New day
  • Thursday: Community Welcome Day at Drury/Compliment day
  • Friday: Community Day of Service (Drury)/Let Kindness Shine
 

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Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

About 50 people waved flags to the see the Guardsmen off on their bus. The members were staying in North Adams because of a lack of hotel rooms in Bennington, Vt.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents came together Friday to see some Vermont National Guard members off.
 
The American Legion Riders organized a send off for a group of 75 or so Guard members who were staying at Hotel Downstreet.
 
"We are going to escort them to the Bennington Armory," Riders President Mike Lewis said. "They are going to gear up there, and then I am not sure where they are going. I don’t even know if they are all going to the same place."
 
Fifty or so people met in the Hotel Downstreet parking lot to show their appreciation. They waved flags and held signs. A bagpiper was also present.
 
The Riders contacted the Fire Department who helped organize the send off. North Adams Police cruisers and Northern Berkshire EMS were also on site to help see the bus off.
 
Lewis said there was not enough rooms in Bennington for the National Guard members. He added because of the trend to use vacant hotel rooms as low-income housing, the group had to look toward North Adams.
 
It's not clear where these Guard were off to, but about 500 members of 3-172 Infantry Battalion were expected to go to the Middle East with U.S. Central Command. According to Vermont Digger, this deployment was scheduled prior to the strikes on Iran. 
 
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