Local News

HEC Academy in Northampton Graduates Class of 2021

Posted on Monday, June 7th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Kathryn Levesque, Date: 06-07-2021

Northampton, MA — Nine students graduated from HEC Academy in an in-person ceremony held at Union Station on Friday, June 4th. The Academy is an alternative learning program run by the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) on Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA. Each graduate sat at their own table with invited friends and family. Commencement… [Read More]

Mount Tom Academy Class of 2021

Posted on Monday, June 7th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Kathryn Levesque, Date: 06-07-2021

Photo courtesy of Daily Hampshire Gazette Staff Photographer, Kevin Gutting. Mount Tom Academy, an alternative learning program run by the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) and hosted by Holyoke Community College, graduated four students in an in-person ceremony held at Look Park on Thursday. About 30 friends, family and staff at the school gathered at… [Read More]

Gazda named director of region’s educational resource center

Posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Steve Pfarrer, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Date: 5/31/2021
Link: Complete Article

Todd H. Gazda, the new executive director for the Collaborative for Educational Services, got a somewhat late start in education, as he first worked as a contract attorney after earning a law degree in the mid 1990s. But the Middlefield native later became a social studies and English teacher at Gateway Regional Middle School in… [Read More]

Gazda named as new Executive Director

Posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Kathryn Levesque, Collaborative for Educational Services
Date: May 27, 2021

The Board of Directors of the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) in Northampton has named Todd H. Gazda, Ed.D., J.D., as the new Executive Director of the Massachusetts collaborative. Dr. Gazda will join the agency effective July 1, 2021, succeeding William Diehl, who retired from the post in December of 2020 after serving 10 years… [Read More]

Hinds and Blais say launch of Rural Schools Commission ‘a big win’ for region

Posted on Thursday, May 13th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Anita Fritz, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 5/12/2021
Link: Complete Article

GREENFIELD — State Sen. Adam Hinds and state Rep. Natalie Blais recently chaired the first meeting of the state’s Rural Schools Commission, and they expect that the body will have recommendations by the end of the year for how to permanently fund rural school districts. The commission is tasked with identifying long-term solutions to the… [Read More]

Kristen Smidy named Gateway Regional School District superintendent

Posted on Friday, April 16th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Bera Denau, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Date: 4/8/2021
Link: Complete Article

HUNTINGTON — The Gateway Regional District School Committee has named Kristen Smidy, the principal of Hampshire Regional High School, as the district’s next superintendent. The committee voted 11-1 on Wednesday to offer Smidy the job. She was one of four finalists for the position chosen from among a pool of 22 applicants and eight semifinalists…. [Read More]

Diana Bonneville named Hampshire Regional School District’s new superintendent

Posted on Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Jacquelyn Voghel, Hampshire Daily Gazette
Date: 3/31/2021
Link: Complete Article

WESTHAMPTON — The Hampshire Regional School District’s school committees have selected Diana Bonneville, currently the interim superintendent of South Hadley Public Schools, as the district’s next superintendent. Pending contract negotiations, Bonneville will take over the role currently filled on a temporary basis by interim superintendent Michael Sullivan, who was selected to fill this position last… [Read More]

The Amherst Mobile Market finishes first year, planning for the future

Posted on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Martha Maloney, Collaborative for Educational Services
Date: March 23, 2021

After two years of planning, the Amherst Mobile Market had a very successful first year, closing out the series of weekly markets in October, 2020. The market met initial goals and received strong feedback from participants to begin planning for future seasons. Working to fulfill nutritional needs while reducing transportation and distribution gaps felt by… [Read More]

Pioneer Valley Regional School’s virtual play to premiere Thursday

Posted on Friday, January 8th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Zack DeLuca, Greenfield Recorder
Date: 1/4/2021
Link: Complete Article

NORTHFIELD — Instead of taking to the stage, Pioneer Valley Regional School students will take to the screen for Thursday’s online premiere of “Infinite Sound and Furious Jest,” an original school production. “Infinite Sound and Furious Jest” can be viewed on Facebook at fb.me/e/1VNJJliUQ at 8 p.m. The play will be live streamed via the Bernardston Northfield… [Read More]

Amherst Middle School After School VELA program continues with strong remote format

Posted on Monday, January 4th, 2021 by Collaborative for Educational Services

Source: Martha Maloney, Collaborative for Educational Services
Date: 1/4/2021

When Covid 19 closed schools this past spring, the Amherst Middle School VELA After School program quickly moved to provide the program remotely to support students and the school community. That support, and the educational and fun activities that the VELA program provides, have all continued into the Fall with homework assistance and a variety… [Read More]