Local News

New Easthampton superintendent to shine spotlight on academics, consolidated school in design

Posted on Thursday, September 27th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Luis Fieldman, The Gazette
Date: 8/23/2018
Link: Complete Article

EASTHAMPTON – With so many changes underway in the school district, newly appointed superintendent Dr. Allison LeClair wants to put the spotlight back on academics. “We are making sure our curriculum is the top quality that it needs to be and that our instruction is on the same page,” LeClair said. “The (consolidated) building project… [Read More]

Special ed teacher now vice principal in Turners Falls

Posted on Thursday, September 13th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Melina Bourdeau, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 9/12/2018
Link: Complete Article

MONTAGUE — With just a few weeks under her belt as the new Vice Principal of Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School, Kathi Smith said is adjusting well. Previously, she was, since 2011, a special education teacher in the district. Smith said she seeks to create a safe positive school atmosphere and feels her… [Read More]

New Whately Elementary principal greets kids for first day of school

Posted on Thursday, August 30th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Domenic Poli, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 8/30/2018
Link: Complete Article

WHATELY — Instead of champagne and a Ryan Seacrest broadcast, students and guardians rang in a new year at Whately Elementary School with Hoodsie ice cream cups and flute music on Wednesday. Today is the first day of the school’s 2018-19 academic calendar, but new Principal Kristina Kirton scheduled a New Year’s Eve ice cream social a day… [Read More]

New superintendent, elementary school principal for Hampshire Regional School District

Posted on Monday, August 27th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Luis Feldman, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Date: 8/22/2018
Link: Complete Article

Like an orchestra conductor, Hampshire Regional School District’s new Superintendent Aaron Osborne has the task of getting all the different instruments of his ensemble to play together in concert. To do that, Osborne said he wants to get School Committee members and town officials from the six towns in the district in open communication so… [Read More]

Frontier Regional, Whately Elementary start school year with new leaders

Posted on Monday, August 27th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Fran Ryan, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 8/24/2018
Link: Complete Article

SOUTH DEERFIELD — New leadership in several positions throughout the Frontier Regional Union 38 School District marks the biggest change for the coming school year. Former Frontier Regional High School principal Darius Modestow will now serve as the district’s new interim school superintendent. Modestow brings 15 years of administrative experience and 10 years experience as… [Read More]

New Middle School principal has top traits requested by parents

Posted on Monday, August 27th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Max Marcus, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 8/22/2018
Link: Complete Article

GREENFIELD — Karen S. Cousland is the new principal of Greenfield Middle School and the Math and Science Academy. Her first day was Wednesday. “I am so excited to be joining a talented team of teachers and to meet the active parent community at Greenfield Middle School and the Math and Science Academy,” Cousland said…. [Read More]

Interns gain experience in life sciences, and a paycheck

Posted on Monday, August 6th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Bera Dunau, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Date: 8/5/2018
Link: Complete Article

AMHERST – This summer, 30 students from high schools across Franklin and Hampshire counties are taking part in internships in local businesses and at the University of Massachusetts, where they work 30-plus hours a week. And they are being paid at every one of them. “I’ve always advocated for students to be paid,” said Matt… [Read More]

Rural School Aid in State Budget

Posted on Friday, July 27th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Bob Salsbert and Steve LeBlanc, Greenfield Recorder/Associated Press
Date: July 26, 2018
Link: Complete Article

BOSTON — Massachusetts’ new budget includes $1.5 million for a new “rural school aid” account championed by Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield. Nearly one month into the state’s new fiscal year, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed the $42 billion spending package into law Thursday, ending the state’s status as the only one in the nation without… [Read More]

Sixteen schools in five Western MA school districts awarded Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grants

Posted on Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Martha Maloney, Collaborative for Educational Services
Date: July 24, 2018

Western Massachusetts schools will receive just over $480,000 of the $3.8 million dollar Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grants awarded last week by the Baker-Polito Administration. Sixteen schools within Belchertown, Gill-Montague, North Adams, Northampton and Leverett School districts were awarded between $1,641 and $120,464 towards improving their technology infrastructure. The Digital Connections Partnership Schools Grants are… [Read More]

Whately Elementary selects Kristina Kirton as new principal

Posted on Wednesday, July 11th, 2018 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Joshua Solomon, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 7/10/2018
Link: Complete Article

WHATELY — After an extensive search process including a review of more than 30 applicants, Whately Elementary School now has a new principal. Kristina Kirton, a former first-grade teacher of 20 years, comes from the Holyoke Public Schools, where she most recently served as an administrator developing curriculum. Members of the search committee described her… [Read More]