April 27, 2006

 

EAGLE FEATHERS

This week we paused for a brief time to recognize the Administrators’ Assistants, also known as Secretaries.  How fortunate we are throughout the District to be graced with such intelligent, skilled, and professional individuals.  Each day they “Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound” and add to the magic that makes Southern Berkshire Regional School District a great place to go to school.  In New Marlborough, in the Special Education Department, at Undermountain,  at Mt. Everett, and in the Main Office, the Administrators’ Assistants are truly our everyday super heroes!   A very sincere word of appreciation for the great work they do and well earned  Eagle Feathers are given to each one of these Superwomen!!!!

 

Updates...

 

·         The Coordinated Program Review for Title I was completed during the week of April 10th.  Mr. Thomas Nadolny coordinated the audit for the District.  The exit interview with the Department of Education went well, and we are looking forward to receiving a final report within the next 90 days.

·         The Coordinated Program Review Team began their visit April 24th and have been reviewing files and conducting numerous interviews with parents, students, teachers, and administrators.  The Career and Vocational/Technical Reviewer completed her audit with an excellent order from the Culinary Arts “Café”.

·         The Special Education Department, Civil Rights, and English Learners Education are prepared and looking forward to an exit interview on May 2nd that should provide some insight into the audit results.  The final report is not expected to be completed for a minimum of 90 days.

·         Please reserve your seats ahead of time for the 2nd Annual Madrigal Feast!  The cast has changed, the story has been re-written, but the fine entertainment provided by the Madrigal Singers and friends remains exceptional!  The regal evening is May 6th, with the processional beginning promptly at 7:00 pm.  There is no telling what this talented band of students have put together with their teacher to surprise and delight us.  Last year we were pleased to welcome, feed, and entertain about 300 guest.   The new Royalty requires your attendance!

·         Reminder that Town Meetings will be held next week, beginning on May 1, with the Sheffield meeting in the TAC-PAC at 7:00, and the New Marlborough meeting in the NM Town Hall also at 7:00 p.m. Egremont’s meeting will take place in the TAC-PAC at 7:00 p.m. on May 2nd; Monterey is meeting at the Fire Station at 9:30 on May 6th; and the Alford meeting will take place in the Alford Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. on May 9th.  Thank you to the members of the finance subcommittee for the work they have done working with the Five Towns on the District budget.

·         Congratulations to Mt. Everett teacher Jeff Lang who has been given a full scholarship, all expenses paid, trip to Texas for a two week institute on high school journalism and school newspapers.  The Eagle Flyer, the student fledgling paper, will benefit tremendously from having a committed and trained faculty sponsor.  This is exciting for both Mr. Lang and for the students who are working on the school newspaper.

·         Dr. Joan Edwards, Williams College, visited 5th graders today to teach them about her reseach on flowers.  It was amazing to watch our students so engrossed by such an excellent presenter on the exciting world of flowers that surrounds us all on campus and in our backyards.

·         Mr. Blackburn and the band students left early this morning to compete in the national band competition held in Virginia Beach.  The trip is well chaperoned and the students well prepared for an excellent performance.  They are due to return Sunday evening.

·         Mike Farmer is moving forward with the work on enrollment.  Mr. Ron Ronan agreed to serve on this committee, along with administrators, teacher, parents, and students.  The work is important, and we are very committed to the proposed timeline.