Morris Elementary School Wins Exemplary Reading Program Award

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LENOX, Mass. — Morris Elementary School has received the Exemplary Reading Program Award from the Massachusetts Reading Association (MRA), Superintendent William Collins, and Principal Brenda Kelley announced.
 
"On behalf of everyone at Morris Elementary, we are thrilled to have received this honor," Kelley said. "Literacy is an essential part of student development and a priority at our school. To be honored in this way is a testament to our community's dedication to the growth of our students and the future of our society. Thank you to the Massachusetts Reading Association and the Committee for seeing what Morris brings to the table."   
 
The Exemplary Reading Program Award recognizes outstanding reading and language arts programs at all grade levels across Massachusetts. The award program aims to improve societal literacy, recognize schools with excellent reading and literacy programs, encourage program development and refinement, highlight noteworthy efforts, and share information about high-quality programs to help educators improve instruction.
 
Literacy programs chosen for recognition must demonstrate the following:
  • Alignment with sound theory, research, and practice.
  • Access to diverse literacy and multimedia formats.
  • Student success in reading.
  • Comprehension strategies taught and applied across the curriculum.
  • Integration of all literacies into the reading program.
  • Administrator and teacher leadership for the reading program.
  • An effective Multi-Tiered System of Support.
  • Community involvement in the reading program.
After reviewing the school's application and conducting a site visit, the Award Committee voted unanimously to honor Morris Elementary.
 
Morris Elementary will be recognized at the MRA's 54th Annual Conference in Boston next month and receive a commemorative banner.
 
"It is gratifying for the state's reading association to recognize what we in Lenox already knew, and that is—Morris is a great place to learn," Collins said.
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Pennrose Breaks Ground in Lenox, Bringing 68 Units of Affordable Housing

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LENOX, Mass. — Pennrose announced the groundbreaking of 238 Pittsfield Road, a 68-unit affordable rental community.

The development will bring much-needed affordable, family-friendly housing options to the area.

The community will consist of 10 residential buildings offering a mix of 23 one-bedroom, 38 two-bedroom, and seven three-bedroom apartments. Of the 68 total homes, 57 will be affordable for households earning from 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) up to 80 percent AMI, with the remaining 11 units available at market rate rents.

A community building at the entrance of the development will offer resident-focused amenities, including event space and a fitness center, along with on-site offices for Pennrose management and resident services staff.

"238 Pittsfield Road builds on the progress that the Town of Lenox has made in addressing the region's pressing needs for affordable, family-sized rental housing," said Karmen Cheung, Regional Vice President at Pennrose. "This partnership with the Town of Lenox continues to deliver communities that give families of all sizes a place to call home. Together with Forge, these two communities reflect our long-term commitment to meeting the diverse housing needs of Berkshire families."

Currently only 7 percent of Lenox's housing stock is deed-restricted affordable, falling short of the 10 percent goal established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additionally, approximately 90 percent of the town's existing affordable housing is limited to seniors, and market-rate rental options remain sparse.

238 Pittsfield Road is located a mile down the road from Forge,  a mixed-income community that celebrated its grand opening in August. Together, the two sister developments will add a total of 133 new affordable units to the town.

The project continues Pennrose's collaboration with the Town of Lenox and is guided by the goals of the Town's 2017 Housing Production Plan, 2021 Master Plan, and 2002 Gateway Redevelopment Plan.

The project is financed via federal 4 percent tax credit and state tax credit allocations from the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), with the National Equity Fund as the syndicator and Rockland Trust and US Bank as the investors. Rockland also provided construction debt, and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) provided both permanent debt and Workforce Housing Funds. MassDevelopment is the bond issuer, and EOHLC provided additional soft sources and operating subsidy. Finally, the Town of Lenox provided local Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Act funds, as well as funds through the Commonwealth's HousingWorks Infrastructure Program (HWIP).

Haynes Construction is serving as general contractor and The Architectural Team as architect for the development.

Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in early 2028.

 

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