North Adams Public Schools -

Upcoming programming in our community.

There is an upcoming webinar related to youth vaping and building positive relationships with youth happening on January 23rd at 12:00. See link for details. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OoEIpR_rQQmSdsgXAi75-Q#/registration?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=11da3a57-7fe5-4f6f-9ebf-0f6362e304b2 Join Parents Against Vaping Founding Partner, Mimi Boublik, for a virtual conversation with nationally renowned parenting expert, best-selling author and Founder of Parenting Horizons, Julie Ross, to discuss critical topics for parents and anyone who works with pre-teens through young adults. Ms. Ross will share her parenting expertise and answer questions live from attendees. Topics include: How to build a trusting relationship with our kids (and why!), how to talk to our kids about vaping and substance use, what to do when parents discover their kids are vaping or using other substances, how to parent with heart when kids are struggling with addiction, and more! Be sure to submit your questions for Julie Ross when you register.

North Adams Mobile Food Bank Friday, 1/19 11am to noon All are welcome! There are no eligibility requirements to participate. FREE produce and grocery items are provided by the Food Bank of W. MA. The Food Bank also has SNAP Outreach staff that can help folks apply for SNAP benefits. Folks can call the Food Bank’s SNAP line at 413.992.6204 and one of the Coordinators can quickly tell you if you’re eligible and help you apply for SNAP benefits over the phone. See flyer for details. https://www.foodbankwma.org

MASS MoCA Free Day! Saturday, January 27th See flyer for details

Energy Efficiency for Children and Adults! Looking for a fun activity for your kids to do on a Saturday afternoon? Want to learn more about how weatherization can benefit you and the environment as well? Williams College, in collaboration with MCLA, is hosting a two-part weatherization education event! While the kids create a fun (and useful) draft stopper, join us in a presentation about weatherization: what it is, how it can help save you money, and how you can access it. If you don't have kids but are still interested in attending the presentation, wonderful—we would love to have you! This event will take place from 2 pm-3:00 pm, Jan 20th at Milne Library. See flyer for details.

Winter Nature Explorers February 20-23, 1-5pm Outdoor nature adventure at Sheep Hill for ages 5-9 See flyers for details.

BERKSHIRE ROBOTICS CHALLENGE 2024 Due to popular demand, the Berkshire Innovation Center is adding an additional house team for the 2024 Berkshire Robotics Challenge. This BIC Team will practice at the new BIC Works @ MoCA in North Adams starting in January. If you are a 4th grade student interested in STEAM, robotics and coding, they would love to have you join them! Team BIC WORKS will meet on Mondays from 3:30 - 5:30 PM at BIC Works on the First Floor of MASS MoCA building 2. Interested in joining or coaching? Email: ben@the-bic.org

What Mammal is That? Sheep Hill January 20, 1-3pm FREE hands-on discovery program Register for this FREE event at: https://rurallands.org/events/what-mammal-is-that/ Questions? programs@rurallands.org

1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program The program is designed for students who are currently in their sophomore year and moving into junior year next year. It quicks off with a retreat in June and runs through April 2025. Find out more here: https://1berkshire.com/1berkshire-programs/youth-leadership-program/ The application deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, 2/16.

On Saturday April 6, 2024, Berkshire AHEC’s Tobacco Free Community Partnership Program will be holding Berkshire Baby Bonanza 2024 at the Stationery Factory in Dalton from 11AM – 2PM. This event will be hosted by the 2024 Community Baby Shower Committee and the Berkshire AHEC Tobacco-Free Community Partnership Program. Berkshire Baby Bonanza 2024 is focused on providing information that is geared towards those contemplating pregnancy, pregnant individuals, post-partum individuals and their partners, as well as parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers. Community Baby Showers in the past have been a great success, with many Berkshire County agencies participating and 200 - 300 people attending. See flyer for details.

Prior to December break, we had an emotional send-off for one of our long-time tech employees, Cal Rowland. Our celebration even included a special celebrity guest! Cal's presence brightened our halls although much of his work took place "behind the scenes." He was a valuable member of our team and he will be missed. Congrats, Cal on a much-deserved retirement. Enjoy!

North Adams Mobile Food Bank Friday, 1/5 11am to noon In the event the mobile is cancelled due to winter weather the Food Bank website is updated and the hotline (413)-419-0079 contains a notice of the cancellation. They would also send out information through social media and our community partners as soon as possible.

Upcoming programming from the Family Center.

Upcoming programming at the North Adams Public Library.

Congrats to all who were sworn in over the weekend, including the Mayor, City Councilors, and School Committee Members, Cody Chamberlain, Tara Jacobs, and Alyssa Tomkowicz! Thanks for all you do to serve our community. North Adams Public Schools looks forward to working with all of you!

This afternoon, Drury High School hosted Crew Olympics. There were flags and fun had by all!

Colegrove's having fun during Spirit Week! They even had a special visit from JiJi and an elf!

Colegrove staff partnered with their PTG to host their annual Winter Fest last night. Here are some photos of their band and chorus students performing at the event. Thanks to everyone who participated! A good time was had by all!

Food and meal resources: The Food Bank of Western MA has a SNAP Outreach team and they help with applications: https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/snap-outreach-enrollment/. To reach the enrollment team by phone at (413) 992-6204. SNAP outreach flyer: https://www.mass.gov/doc/snap-outreach-flyer-english/download HIP outreach flyer https://www.mass.gov/doc/english-healthy-incentives-program-hip-flyer/download CHP operates a Food For All program offering bags of groceries for their clients. Here is the link to the resources countywide: https://chpberkshires.org/family/food-for-all/. In partnership with Berkshire Grown and the Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), CHP operates a mobile farm stand, which travels to CHP practice locations each week loaded with food grown by local farmers. Patients and clients are welcome to stop in on pickup days and grab a bag filled with produce from local Berkshire farmers who participate in the MDAR program. For North Adams: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month | 1-2:30 PM CHP North Adams Family Medical and Dental 71 Hospital Avenue, North Adams Link to Food Pantries and Meal Sites in Berkshire County: https://5il.co/2aw0c

North Adams Mobile Food Bank Friday, 12/15 11am to noon Brien Center Parking Lot (American Legion Drive). Please note that parking is limited at the American Legion. If the lot is at capacity, please come back and see us anytime before noon. In the event of inclement weather, we will send out updates through social media. The Food Bank also has a line that people can call to check on the status of the mobiles 413-419-0079. The community is also invited to join Berkshire Food Project for their holiday meal on Wednesday, December 20 from 11:30 – 2 at the Berkshire Food Project, 134 Main St (entrance on Summer St). They will be serving turkey, ham, plenty of sides and holiday cookies. All are welcome for a no-cost meal and holiday cheer!