nbCC to Host 13th Annual Back-Packed for Success

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC) is hosting its 13th annual back-to-school event for school-aged kids for local northern Berkshire students. 
 
This includes homeschooled students. 
 
This year registration has expanded to include children entering  pre-k programs, spanning pre-K through 12th grade. Students will receive a free backpack to fill with school supplies. 
 
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. 12 from 5:00p.m. to 6:00pm. Families picking up from Florida and Savoy will receive pre-packed backpacks and will be contacted to choose the color of their child's backpack.
 
The event for families living in Williamstown, North Adams, Clarksburg, Adams, & Cheshire will be located at the North Adams Armory gym, 206 Ashland Street, North Adams on Thursday, Aug. 14 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Families picking up at this location will choose their backpacks and school supplies at the event. If possible, bring children along so they can choose for themselves.
 
This event requires pre-registration to ensure there are enough backpacks and supplies ready for each child, as supplies are limited. Families can register online at:https://forms.gle/Uifib4ghS1betJzu8 or by contacting nbCC's Family Resource Center at (413) 663-7588 to register. 
 
For more information, contact Nancy Kennedy, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at (413) 663-7588. 
 

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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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