St. Mary's School Earns NEASC Reaccreditation

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LEE, Mass. — St. Mary's School, a Catholic school serving students in grades PS-8, announced that their institution has been granted their reaccreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). 
 
This distinction reaffirms St. Mary's School's ongoing commitment to academic excellence, faith formation, and continuous institutional improvement through learning, prayer, and service, stated a press release.
 
NEASC reaccreditation follows an in-depth, multiyear self-study process in which faculty, staff, administrators, parents, students, and community members examine every aspect of St. Mary's School's mission and operations. The NEASC process concludes in a comprehensive review conducted by a visiting committee of peer educators who evaluate the school's adherence to NEASC Standards for Accreditation.
 
The visiting committee commended St. Mary's School for; "their administration's unwavering dedication to the school's Mission and its commitment to nurturing the growth and development of the whole child. The faculty and staff are recognized for their professionalism, collaboration, and evident passion for creating a positive and engaging learning environment. In addition, St. Mary's School's proactive planning to support strategic initiatives, promote financial stability, and sustain enrollment is noteworthy. The renewed [School] Board involvement in these efforts is both healthy and necessary and is to be applauded."
 
The Enrollment, Recruitment, and Retention Committee's efforts in long term planning and increasing enrollment was also evaluated and commended. 
 
Reaccreditation also includes recommendations that guide the school's continuous improvement efforts in the years ahead.
 
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Ribbon Cut on Lee's Long-Awaited Housing Development

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LEE, Mass.— After more than a decade of work, tenants will move into the Eagle Mill Lofts this fall. 

On Tuesday, Hearthway and Rees-Larkin Development held a ribbon-cutting for the first 56 apartments in the former paper mill.  Sitting on the banks of the Housatonic River, this development offers one- to three-bedroom, mixed-income units in the heart of the downtown. 

Lead Developer Jeffrey Cohen said the apartments are "unbelievable."  The building's original brick is celebrated in the units, which feature different layouts and are contrasted with modern appliances and features. 

"I saw the apartments when they first got done, and I couldn't understand really how they look so good," he said during a ceremony in the foyer. 

"And I think that is so good for the town of Lee, for affordable housing in general." 

This project has been ongoing since 2012.  Individuals and families will begin to move in next month.  This is the first phase; another 44 apartments will be built onsite. 

President and CEO of Hearthway Eileen Peltier said projects like the Eagle Mill are important to addressing the need for housing at varied income levels.  These units will house families of varied incomes, with rent-assisted units for people making 30 percent of the area median income, and affordable units for those in the 60-80 percent AMI. 

Rents under these guidelines range from $1,360 for a one-bedroom to $2,100 for a three-bedroom. 

"What that means is that people with varied life resumes will be living here in this beautiful community," Peltier said. 

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