NAPS Promotes National Start With Hello Week

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Public Schools, in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a national, nonprofit organization led by several family members of those killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School is taking part in Start With Hello Week during the week of Sept., 16, 2024.
 
According to a press release, Start With Hello teaches students how to reach out to and include those who may be socially isolated as well as to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school or youth organization.
 
Excessive feelings of isolation can be associated with violent and suicidal behavior. In fact, one study reports that chronic loneliness increases the risk of an early death by 14 percent. 
 
Furthermore, young people who are isolated can become victims of bullying, violence and/or depression. As a result, many further pull awayfrom society, struggle with learning and social development and/or choose to hurt themselves or others.
 
Start With Hello Week raises awareness and educates students and the community through Start With Hello trainings, advertising, activities, public proclamations, media events, student contests and school awards.
 
Start With Hello Week brings attention to the growing epidemic of social isolation in our schools and communities and empowers young people to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school or youth organization.
 
The district will be celebrating with the following schedule:
  • Monday: Wear Green Day
  • Tuesday: Community Welcome Day at Brayton/Nobody Eats Alone day
  • Wednesday: Community Welcome Day at Colegrove/Talk to Someone New day
  • Thursday: Community Welcome Day at Drury/Compliment day
  • Friday: Community Day of Service (Drury)/Let Kindness Shine
 

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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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