Williamstown’s new elementary school celebrated in style

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Years of planning and effort culminated in Sunday’s dedication of Williamstown’s new elementary school, when speakers described the project as both a symbol of community pride and an extraordinary collective effort. The ceremony drew a full house, about 300 including acting Gov. Jane Swift, to the school auditorium to hear speakers and selections by the sixth grade band and chorus, as October sunlight poured through the tall windows. Superintendent Rose Ellis was master of ceremonies for the celebration, telling listeners that the building symbolizes “community pride.” “We do our best work when we work together,” said Ellis. Ellis described the building as “a demonstration of the love we have for our children.” Referring to the proverb that “It takes a village to raise a child,” Ellis said, “I believe that to the core of this community’s heart we care about our children and will do whatever we can to assure their success.” Principal David Rempell said the realization of the school building involved “lots and lots of heroes,” who spent “untold hours working on the construction of the building.” This is a school, he said that “we will be proud of for so many years to come.” The underlying message, said Rempell, is “how important this entire community of Williamstown feels your education is.” “How blessed I feel,” said Rempell, “to be part of a community that will do something like this for the children of our town.” Several speakers called the new building a symbol of the community’s dedication to education as a means to ensure its childrens’ future. School Committee Chairman Paula Consolini said “this has been a challenging and inspiring project.” “As we stand here marveling at this school, so beautifully and efficiently designed,” said Consolini, we need to remember that it is “truly the product of community collaboration.” Now that the completed building is being admired for efficiency and durability, it may be easy to “forget how complicated and difficult” the collaborative process was. But the impressive results of that method, which involved numerous community planning meetings, “serves as a model,” she said. Consolini introduced Stuart Shatken, co-chairman of the school building committee, saying “without this fellow at the helm there really wouldn’t be a new elementary school.” Shatken recalled the “daunting task” given more than three years ago to what was then the school building needs committee, to evaluate and recommend either new construction or retrofitting the old buildings. “A thousand people voted at town meeting to build the school, that was 99 percent of those who attended,” said Shatken, recalling that the town has financial help from the state’s school building assistance program, private donors, and Williams College for the $14.5 million building. Shatken, who has had a long career in real estate development, said “I’ve never had the opportunity to work with more committed people.” Participants, he said, expressed their opinions, and worked patiently to resolve differences. Shatken recognized members of the building committee, saying, “I don’t think any of us can thank you enough for what you’ve done for this community.” As tangible mementos, building committee members, Fohlin, Kaiser and the architects were presented with bricks from Mitchell School designated with nameplates and the date. Shatken praised the new building as “one of the finest new schools in the state,” saying “Boy, did we choose the right architect.” He recognized Greenfield-based architect Margo Jones and project architect Peter Turowski. Jones said it is “extraordinarily gratifying to work in a community with such dedication to education. Enjoy your new home. We’re proud of it, too.” Shatken also praised contractors David J. Tierney III, general contractor and Michael Makes, project manager — David Tierney Sr. was unable to attend — and Peter DalZovo, clerk of the works, and Town Manager and town project manager Peter Fohlin, and Department of Public Works director Timothy Kaiser for their devotion to the project. “This new school symbolizes what can be accomplished by a community working together,” said Shatken. Fohlin said, “You don’t finish a project like this, you just survive it.” The celebration, said Fohlin, brings “a mixture of melancholy that the project is finished, or nearly finished, and pride in the sense of community of people who have worked on this project.” Fohlin contrasted the excellence of this building, which he called “the school the community wanted,” to another, “at the other end of the state,” whose construction included so many shortcuts and changes that he was “outraged,” and refused to allow his name to appear on the plaque. “I’m proud to have my name on this plaque,” said Fohlin. Fohlin compared working with Shatken to “a roller coaster ride,” an experience that includes “laughter . . . and screaming,” but at the end, “Yes, I would do it again.” Fohlin said it was “an honor and a privilege and a pleasure to work with” Consolini. Fohlin called DalZovo “our, all of our, eyes and ears” on the project, adding, “I’ve never met a greater gentleman.” And he praised Kaiser, saying “no one is more capable or more dedicated to this community than Tim Kaiser.” Fohlin also asked several spouses of the principal players to stand and be recognized, saying they were the ones who “missed the players the most.” And finally, he thanked “the residents and taxpayers and parents of Williamstown for making this all possible.” School Committee member Molly Magavern praised Consolini’s “unflagging energy (and) remarkable vision for the school,” and her adherence to the concept of community participation. Magavern gave Consolini a large bouquet of flowers and “a big humongous Thank You.” Before and after the ceremony, pianist Howie Levitz played selections on the school’s new Yamaha grand piano, bought with the proceeds of a community fund drive called Grand Ambition. Building Committee members were, besides Shatken, Co-chairman John Agostini, Craig Clemow, Consolini, George “Sam” Crane, Ellis, Susan Hyde, Mary Kavanaugh, Ann McCallum, Charles Schlesinger, Michael Sussman and Elizabeth Williams. After the ceremony, School Librarian Susan Hyde remarked on the brightness of the building and said, “Every morning I look forward to coming to work here.”
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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 
 
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 
 
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
 
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 
 
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
 
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
 
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back. 
 
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