BCC Announces Second Cohort of Paraprofessional Educators Class

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces that the second cohort of its Paraprofessional Educators class begins Monday, Feb. 24.

The six-week session is held Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The class is an entry-level course with no prerequisites. Students must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. To register, email workforce@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 236-2115.

Paraprofessional or "para" educators, which are in demand in the Berkshires, play a vital role in supporting teachers in the classroom. The BCC program covers areas such as instructional techniques, classroom management, child development, special education, and effective communication strategies.

With support from experienced mentors, students learn how to assist in the delivery of educational content, provide one-on-one or small-group support to students, and help manage classroom behavior. They receive career preparation and job placement support, and with the successful completion of a certification exam, they may earn the industry-recognized ParaPro credential.

Upon completion of the course, graduates are prepared to work in a public or private K-12 education setting as effective, compassionate paraeducators, contributing to a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere.


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Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
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