BArT Awarded Civics Teaching and Learning Grant

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ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded almost $972,000 in Civics Teaching and Learning Grants to 37 school districts and education collaboratives. 
 
BArT Charter Public School received an award of $16,000 through this program. These grants support curriculum and professional development to further civic knowledge and skills among students. In addition, they support the implementation of grade 8 and high school student-led civics projects, the hosting of local civics project showcases, participation in the Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases, and other enrichment activities focused on meaningful civic learning.
 
"These projects empower students as agents of change, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to address injustices and improve their communities. This grant will help provide all students with this important learning experience," said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
 
The Civics Teaching and Learning Grants are funded through the state's Civics Project Trust Fund and are intended to support civics instruction aligned with the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework and the implementation of student-led, nonpartisan civic action projects as required by Chapter 296 of the Acts of 2018.
 
"High-quality civics education bridges the gap between the classroom and the world outside the school walls," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez.?"This grant will provide students across the Commonwealth with deeper learning opportunities, leveraging students' identity and creativity to engage in meaningful civic action projects in their community."  

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Hoosac Valley Students Find Their Voice Through Advisory Board

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — For the last three years, Hoosac Valley High School has encouraged students to take part in shaping their school community through its Student Adult Advisory Board. 
 
The board has become popular among students, with approximately 70 members currently enrolled and a waiting list of others eager to join — the largest it has ever been, said Jaclyn Ricci, history teacher. 
 
"It gives us such a voice in the school, and I just think it's something every school should have because it really just brings all of us together, our whole student body as one, and helps us be more comfortable with each other," senior Rylin Larabee said. 
 
Students highlighted how the initiative allows them to work alongside school administrators and other adults to implement policies and advance programming, from bringing back the peer mentorship program and planning enrichment activities based on the student body's needs to advancing multi-year plans for outdoor classrooms and planning school celebrations and pep rallies. 
 
"I feel like it brought me closer to a lot of the advisers that we work with, and the teachers in the building, and just being able to communicate with them and explain, like student to teacher, how both of us are feeling about different roles that we have in our school," senior Leyah Brown said. 
 
Senior Preston Hnatonko said the Student Adult Advisory Board (SAAB) operates similarly to government in that it gives students firsthand experience in developing policies. They can then carry that experience beyond graduation and advocate for change and influence public policy as adults.
 
As an environmentalist, Hnatonko said one of the biggest things the program has done is teach him how to write legislation for the causes he believes in. 
 
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