BCC Holds Pinning Ceremony for Graduates of Practical Nursing Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for graduates of its Practical Nursing Program on Thursday, June 26.
 
The event honored 22 graduates, three of whom received special awards. 
 
Award winners are as follows: 
  • Sarah McCormick, Academic Excellence in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who has the highest GPA within the LPN program and is given in acknowledgment of academic excellence in Nursing. This award recognizes the hard work and determination demonstrated by this student in the pursuit of nursing knowledge. 
  • Jeidi Paredes, Clinical Excellence in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who performs exemplary delivery of nursing skills in the clinical setting. This award recognizes the role of advocacy in nursing by promoting compassionate and holistic patient centered care. 
  • Edward Kuloba, Professionalism in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who is committed to high quality patient care, and role models teamwork and collaboration. This award recognizes the importance of communication, critical thinking and promotes the positive image of nursing. 
The graduates from Massachusetts are: 
  • Ahou Claudine Adiatou-Koffi, Pittsfield 
  • Celia Armstrong, Housatonic 
  • Gabrielle Barrett, Pittsfield  
  • Marleigh Briggs, Cheshire  
  • Yesmary Carela, Chicopee  
  • Courtney Decker, Dalton  
  • Erin Dillon, Pittsfield  
  • Gretchen Ghada, Sandisfield  
  • Miranda Harford, Pittsfield  
  • Natoniah Kemp-Williams, Pittsfield  
  • Chasidy Kery, Holyoke 
  • Edward Kuloba, West Springfield  
  • Jennifer Lippmann, Northampton  
  • Sarah McCormick, Adams 
  • Marina Morrison, South Lee  
  • Yachira Olivo, Springfield  
  • Elizabeth Paglier, Lanesborough  
  • Jeidi Paredes, Agawam 
  • Ariana Rave, Lee 
  • Jacqueline Rosa, Springfield  
  • Leticia Smachetti, Lenox Dale  
  • Amber Sumner, Dalton 
The wearing of the school pin symbolizes the right to serve others, signifying the acceptance of the responsibilities of the practice of nursing and the educational preparation of the wearer. The ceremony is a nursing school tradition dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The gold center of the pin features the college seal, including the words "To travel hopefully."   
 
The graduates wish to thank Paula and Stan Walczyk for their gift of the nursing pins.    
 
For more information about BCC Allied Health and Nursing programs, call the Admissions Office at (413) 236-1630 or visit www.berkshirecc.edu/nursing

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Pittsfield School Committee Votes to Close Morningside

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There were tears as the School Committee on Wednesday voted to close Morningside Community School at the end of the school year. 

Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said the purpose of considering the closure is to fulfill the district's obligation to ensure every student has access to a learning environment that best supports academic growth and achievement, school climate, equitable access to resources, and long-term success. 

"While fiscal implications are included, the7 closure of the school is fundamentally driven by the student performance, their learning conditions, the building inadequacy, and equitable student access, rather than the district's budget," she said. 

"…The goal is not to save money. The goal is to reinvest that money to make change, specifically for our Morningside students, and then for the whole school building, as a whole." 

Over the last month or so, the district has considered whether to retire the open concept, community school at the end of the school year. 

Morningside, built in the 1970s, currently serves 374 students in grades prekindergarten through Grade 5, including a student population with 88.2 percent high-needs, 80.5 percent low-income, and 24.3 percent English learners.  Its students will be reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools.

The school is designated as "Requiring Assistance or Intervention," with a 2025 accountability percentile of seventh, despite moderate progress over the past three years, and benchmark data continues to show urgent literacy concerns in several grades. 

School Committee member and former Morningside student Sarah Muil, through tears, made the motion to approve the school's retirement at the end of this school year.  

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