Adams Free Library to Offer Early Childhood Sensory Program

ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Free Library will host a free multisensory play group on Tuesday, April 22, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The program will be presented by Emilee Reynolds, an Early Childhood Educator and owner of Miss Emillee ECE, who has over 15 years of experience in the field throughout Berkshire County.

The program is designed for children ages six and younger and their caregivers. It will consist of five stations focused on engaging different senses. These stations will include activities such as a playdough station, a music and sound station, and a tactile and touch station. A light table will also be incorporated into one of the stations. The program aims to develop academic skills in young participants through sensory play, integrating academics and play in its learning activities.

Emilee Reynolds also hosts a free playgroup on the second Saturday of each month at the Uno Community Center. Further details can be found on her website, www.missemileeece.com. This program at the Adams Free Library is partially funded by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshires, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Families with children aged six and younger are invited to attend this event. No registration is necessary, but an adult must accompany all participants. Library events are free and open to the public. Attendance at library programs implies consent to be photographed, with photos potentially used for promotional purposes in print or electronic media by the Adams Free Library. Inquiries can be directed to the Adams Free Library at (413) 743-8345 or through the library's website, www.adamslibraryma.org.

Hoosac Valley Presents Academic Certificate, Talks Absenteeism

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 09, 2025

Dean of Students JJ Choquette, left, high school Principal Colleen Byrd, middle school Principal Lisa Lesser and elementary Principal Chris Wenz explained their efforts to combat absenteeism. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Senior Anna Thurston is this year's recipient of the Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence at Hoosac Valley High School.

 

The award was presented at Monday's School Committee meeting by Superintendent Aaron Dean, who said she has been involved "in anything that brought student voice to the table."

 

"She conducts herself in a professional way, but brings humor to the table. She's just really a joy to be around and a joy to work with," he said. "Congratulations on this great accomplishment and congratulations to your parents."

 

Thurston is an honor roll student and a recipient of a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. She's been a member of the Portrait of a Graduate committee, the Leo Club, the school's Student and Adult Advisory Board and the National Honor Society. She was on last year's first-place team in the General Dynamics STEM Competition and is a medal winner for figure skating in the Bay State Games. 

 

Principal Colleen Byrd read letters of endorsement from Thurston's teachers, who described her upbeat attitude, intelligence and confidence, her curiosity, and the positive, can-do energy she brings to all her efforts. One teacher spoke of how she joined the engineering class during her free period to support the only girl in that class. 

 

"Of course, she accepted instantly, soon became one of the strongest students in the class and paved the way for other young women to flourish," the teacher wrote. 

 

In other business, the committee heard about efforts to stop chronic absenteeism from Byrd, Principals Lisa Lesser and Chris Wenz, and Dean of Students for the middle and high school JJ Choquette.