NBCC to Host 'Back-Packed for Success'

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is hosting its 12th annual back-to-school event for kids entering kindergarten through 12th grade for Northern Berkshire students. 
 
This includes homeschooled students. 
 
Students will receive a free backpack to fill with school supplies. The deadline for families to register has been extended to Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 5 p.m.
 
The event for families living in Florida and Savoy will be located at Gabriel Abbott Memorial School, 56 North County Road, Florida on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 5 to 6 p.m. Families picking up from Florida and Savoy will receive pre-packed backpacks and be given a choice of backpack color upon registration. 
 
The event for families living in Williamstown, North Adams, Clarksburg, Adams and Cheshire will be located at Terra Nova community space, 85 Main St., North Adams on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. Families picking up at this location will choose their backpacks and school supplies at the event.
 
This event requires registration as supplies are limited. Families can register at https://bit.ly/2024backpacked or by contacting NBCC's Family Resource Center at 413-663-7588 through Wednesday, Aug.7.
 
For more information, contact Nancy Kennedy, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at 413-663-7588 or nkennedy@nbccoalition.org. 

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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
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