| Philosophy |
| Governance |
| School Committee Members |
| The School District |
The
Schools
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| Faculty & Staff |
| School Life |
| Student Services |
| Hours & Telephone Numbers |
Southern Berkshire Regional School District491 Berkshire School Road, P.O. Box 339, Sheffield, MA 01257Office of the SuperintendentJanuary 13, 2009 Dear Parents and Community Members: Now that the winter holidays are behind us, I would like to pass along my wishes to everyone for an exciting and prosperous new year. In just a few days, our nation will celebrate an historical event with the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the first African-American to hold that office. As such, President Obama will arguably be the most powerful world leader facing perhaps the greatest challenges that have been faced in many decades, if ever before. I wish President Obama the very best as he attempts to move our nation forward. There are three immediate issues that pale by comparison to the issues facing our new President, but which I need to bring to your attention. I would also like to inform you of a new addition to our staff. #1) So far this academic year, I have closed school four times due to poor road conditions. These days took place on December 12, December 19, January 5, and January 7. On each occasion, the roads were determined to be unsafe to place our students, staff, and school bus fleet on. Should it become necessary to close school again, the decision will be made based upon the same concern for the safety and welfare of students and staff. However, please note that there are a total of five “emergency” days built into the school calendar. With any additional closings, it will then be necessary to extend the school year beyond what is currently our last scheduled day of Monday, June 22, 2009. Please rest assured that school will be closed, if conditions warrant. #2) On November 4, 2008, the voters in the Commonwealth passed Ballot Question 2, “An Act Establishing A Sensible State Marijuana Policy”. This act decriminalizes the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and went into effect on January 2, 2009. Question 2 replaces the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties to be enforced by issuing citations, and excludes information regarding this civil offence from the state’s criminal record information system. We have received word from Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., MA Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, that in his opinion, “Question 2 does not affect the existing authority of school officials under state law and school committee policy to impose discipline, including suspension or expulsion, on students who possess one ounce or less of marijuana on school premises or at school-sponsored or school-related events.” Although possession of one ounce or less of marijuana no longer carries a criminal penalty, it remains an illegal act with the following legal consequences: • Offenders age 18 and older will be subject to forfeiture of the marijuana, plus a civil penalty of $100. At the school level, principals continue to have authority to prohibit possession of marijuana or any other controlled substance in any amount and to impose consequences as a school discipline matter. The bottom line is that possession of marijuana by a student may lead to a suspension or expulsion from school, depending upon the specific circumstances. This action may be in addition to and separate from any civil court action. #3) We are working to develop a draft of the 2009-2010 school budget. The building administrators and teacher leaders have been very involved in the development process this year, and there have been several presentations made to the School Committee Finance Subcommittee. Our School Committee will be meeting over the next several Thursday evenings as the DRAFT document begins to take on a “shape”. Joining our School Committee and Administrators will be members of the five towns’ finance committees and select boards. A tentative adoption date has been set for February 12, with a public hearing on the proposed budget scheduled for February 26. Final adoption is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17. Finally, I would like to introduce our latest staff member, Mr. Richard Jackson, Mathematics Coach. Mr. Jackson joins our staff after a long and distinguished career teaching in public schools and also at the college level. He will focus his attention on providing our teachers with strategies, tools, and techniques to more effectively teach mathematics to all students. Mr. Jackson is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport and attended graduate school at Fordham University, Western Connecticut State College, and State University of New York at New Paltz. Mr. Jackson was a recipient of a National Science Foundation grant for teaching mathematics. Among his many accomplishments, he lists serving as Mayor of the City of Peekskill and Commissioner of New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Please welcome Mr. Jackson to our District. All of us associated with the school recognize the difficult times we face, as well as the very special and highly successful school district we all are a part of. Our challenge is great, and we are working to meet that challenge. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Michael J. Singleton, Ed.D.
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When the weather – for any reason – causes dangerous driving conditions, we may need to: 1) close school for the day; 2) delay the opening of school for 1 or 2 hours; or 3) be required to close school early on a particular day. Parents and students need to be aware of school procedures and warning efforts for each school schedule change. On days that storm conditions make the matter of closing or delayed opening a possibility, you will be notified via the Alert Now automated calling system. You may also find out news about such a decision by listening for announcements on the following radio stations after 6:30 a.m.: WSBS 860kHz, Great Barrington WBRK, 1340AM, Pittsfield (Please DO NOT call the radio stations.) “No school” announcements will also be made on WRGB, Channel 6, Schenectady, NY; WTEN, Channel 10, Albany, NY; and WNYT, Channel 13, Albany, NY, for the convenience of those parents who have a difficult time receiving the local radio signals. We also add updated information as quickly as we are able to our school answering service recordings at 229-8778, 229-8734, and 229-8754. Please Note: 1) When an announcement of a delayed opening is made, you should continue to listen for updates. [A.M. PreK sessions will operate in case of a one-hour delay, but will not operate in the event of a two-hour delay.] When the anticipated improvements in road conditions do not develop after the delay announcement, the district will close school for the day. 2) From time to time, road conditions will improve on a day that school was closed, and athletic or other extra curricular programs will be run at their usual after school times. Attendance at such practices, rehearsals, etc., will be entirely optional, and failure to attend will not result in disciplinary action. Early Dismissal: When a decision is made to close school early because of road conditions, parents or emergency contacts for students in grades PreK-6 and students in the Life Skills Program will be contacted by a school employee. Those students will be sent home on buses only after a parent or adult designated by the family has been notified of the plan. If a parent or designated adult cannot be reached prior to the normal closing time, the PreK-6 child will be returned home by authorized school personnel or the regular bus transportation at the ordinary school closing time. Parents of students in grades 7-12 will receive notification via the Alert Now automated calling system. This system will send a recorded phone message to parents’ home phones, cell phones, and other emergency numbers parents have provided to the school. Please alert those you may have listed as emergency contacts and your employers that they may receive such a call. Parents of children in grades 7-8 are asked to please notify the school of their preference to allow their child to be released on the bus or to hold the child at school until or unless the parent has received personal contact (per the PK-6 system, as detailed above). Please complete the form and send it back to the Mt. Everett Office as soon as possible. To the extent possible, please develop with your children a standard plan to follow in case of early dismissal. Having a consistent plan in cases of emergency will cut down on the possibility of missed connections and lower the anxiety level of both parents/guardians and children. Please call 413-229-8778 or e-mail lhiggins@tek2000.net if you have any questions about storm related SCHOOL CLOSINGS, DELAYED OPENINGS or EARLY DISMISSALS.
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| Philosophy |
Learning is the key to a full and productive life. Ideally our efforts will foster a life-long learning. We welcome, honor, and enjoy the uniqueness of each person who chooses to come to our school. We accept and celebrate differences in people and strive for a school environment in which students, parents, staff, and other community citizens are active partners in educational excellence. We are committed to challenging each and every student and to providing many ways for children to acquire knowledge and to express what they are learning. To achieve this goal, the teachers use a variety of organizational strategies and instructional techniques in an effort to ensure that the academic experiences of each student are as rich and stimulating as possible.
In the elementary classrooms, students capable of moving through the academic curriculum in particular areas in more rapid fashion than their classmates are presented more advanced material that helps keep their intellectual engagement level high. In the middle grades, the honors program begins to take form within the context of class groupings that remain heterogeneous. In the seventh and eights grades, students are regrouped, as appropriate, to allow for more accelerated curriculum options for those demonstrating the aptitude for such. During the high school years most course offerings incorporate honors sections that require students to stretch to meet certain academic achievement standards.
| Governance |
A ten-member school committee, with proportionate representation of the five member towns, governs the schools. Appointed by their respective town select boards, each member serves renewable 2-year terms (with a maximum of 6 years of continuous service). The committee provides oversight of all school functions, the budget being of primary concern. All school committee meetings and those of of its respective sub-committees are open to the public. The committee employs a superintendent to manage the school district and also a business administrator and part-time treasurer to oversee the annual budget in excess of $11 million.
The superintendent heads an administrative
team that includes an elementary principal (grades PreK-6), a principal
for grades 7-12, a special education director, a community relations coordinator,
a plant director, a food services director, and twelve teacher leaders
who combine their teaching obligations with departmental management responsibilities.
| School
Committee Members
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| Alford | Ms. Linda Silvestri |
184 Green River Road Alford, Ma 01230 |
josephsilvestri@earthlink.net | 528-0073 (unlisted) |
| Egremont | Mr. Stephen Willig | P. O. Box 341 South Egremont, MA 01258 |
SCWillig2002@msn.com |
528-2890 (home) |
| Mr. Charles B. Flynn | 158 Jug End Road South Egremont, MA 01257 |
cbflynn@lee.k12.ma.us | 528-1792 (home) |
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| Monterey | Ms. Deborah Mielke | P. O. Box 211 Monterey, MA 01245 |
x2dm@yahoo.com | 528-0864 (home) |
| New Marlborough | Mr. Herb Abelow, Chair | P. O. Box 301 Mill River, MA 01244 |
Abelow@mindspring.com | 229-5940 (home) 229-2723 (fax) |
| Mr. Charles McSpiritt | P. O. Box 168 Mill River, MA 01244 |
jmcspiritt@msn.com | 229-8215 (home) | |
| Sheffield | Mr. Andy Fetterhoff | P. O. Box 45 Ashley Falls, MA 01222 |
info@paradisio.biz | 229-5962 (home) |
| Ms. Catherine Miller | P. O. Box 7 Sheffield, MA 01257 |
jrmcbm1968@msn.com | 229-8668 (home) |
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| Mr. H. Dennis Sears | 928 Boardman Street Sheffield, MA 01257 |
hdennissears@verizon.net | 229-3534 (home) | |
| Mr. Vito Valentini | P. O. Box 494 Sheffield, MA 01257 |
vitine@msn.com | 229-3601 (home) |
2008-2009 Subcommittee Listing
Finance Committee
Vito Valentini
Charles Flynn
Deborah Mielke
Linda Silvestri
Charles McSpiritt
Coll. Bargaining Subcom.
Andy Fetterhoff
Linda Silvestri
Deborah Mielke
Charles Flynn
Charles McSpiritt
Dennis Sears
Municipal Reps: Joseph Kellogg (Units A & E)
Bruce Turner (Unit D)
Representatives to Undermountain/Mt. Everett Youth Athletic Association
Charles McSpiritt
Charles Flynn
Buildings & Grounds. Subcommittee
Vito Valentini
Stephen Willig
Charles Flynn
Andy Fetterhoff
Warrant Subcommittee
Linda Silvestri
Catherine Miller
Dennis Sears
Andy Fetterhoff
Vito Valentini
Eagle Fund Representatives
Deborah Mielke
Dennis Sears
Linda Silvestri (Alternative)
South Berkshire Educational Collab.
Stephen Willig
Deborah Mielke (Alternate)
MA Association of School Committees
Herb Abelow
Policy Subcommittee
Charles McSpiritt
Catherine Miller
Deborah Mielke
Charles Flynn
Liaison to SBCCP
Charles McSpiritt
Liaisons to School Councils
Mt. Everett: Linda Silvestri / Catherine Miller
Elementary: Dennis Sears / Andy Fetterhoff
Executive Evaluation
Linda SilvestriStephen Willig
Deborah Mielke
Superintendent Search
Catherine Miller
Vito Valentini
Linda Silvestri
Stephen Willig
| The School District |
The Southern Berkshire Regional School District was founded in 1953, the first regional consolidation effort in Massachusetts to include the full kindergarten through grade 12 spectrum. Five rural towns came together in 1953 to form a unified school system that would be large enough to provide all of their young people the advantages of a comprehensive school program in a more efficient manner.
The five towns involved in the regional agreement are still the same as in 1953: Alford (population 418), Egremont (population 1, 070), Monterey (population 917), Sheffield (population 3, 386), and New Marlborough (population 1,107). Each of the Southern Berkshire towns had publici school facilities for certain grade levels at the time of the regionalization effort, and today, 48 years later, the District still maintains programs in each of the towns, with the exception of Alford. The citizens of Alford voted to close their one-room school house in 1993.
The Southern Berkshire District communities represent quite diverse socioeconomic conditions. At one time agriculture was the dominant economic activity, but today tourism and commerce, sparked by vacationing second-home owners as well as people drawn to the area for shorter stays, are much more important aspects of the economic foundation of the school district towns.
A considerable percentage of District residents commute to commercial, service, and industrial positions in the economic market centers to the north and west of the District.
District residents have been very supportive of the regional school initiative throughout the history of the agreement. The school programs have been generously supported at a local level considerably in advance of the standards mandated by the state for the five towns. The Southern Berkshire Regional School District participates in the Massachusetts School Choice Program. Approximately 15% of students come from outside the district towns. The school system enjoys the benefit of a state-of-the-art school plant, erected in 1992, that includes Undermountain Elementary and Mt. Everett Regional Schools. The citizens of the Southern Berkshire towns put a premium on the quality of the educational experiences offered to the next generation of community leaders.
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Schools
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In the elementary school our aim is to provide an environment that recognizes the uniqueness of each child, stimulates the fullest development of a child's potential, and encourages pride in achievement. Students are helped to acquire the skills needed to become purposeful and effective members of society and to understand the scope of their responsibilities. Meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of our elementary school students is our first and foremost goal. Academically, the curriculum of the elementary school is based on both the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and on national standards in the arts, English, history and social studies, health, mathematics, science, and technology. Art, music, and physical education are a part of each student's schedule, and formal technology education begins in grade five. Throughout the school year, special opportunities available to students include the following: dance, theatre, the Young American Playwright's Program (YAPP), pottery, and afterschool sports, including wrestling, baseball, softball, and soccer.
The curriculum in the middle school is designed to prepare students intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally for their differing futures. Each student is capable of learning and should be held to high expectations and be actively involved in acquiring and and applying skills, knowledge, and positive attitudes. Teaching in the middle school is based on the belief that all areas of the curriculum need to be meaningful and challenging to each student, a belief that requires integrating the curriculum and avoiding the artificial separation of subject areas. The teachers use teaming and inter-disciplinary themes to provide opportunities for students to develop communication skills, to work cooperatively with others, to apply problem-solving and decision-making skills, and to facilitate learning. The middle school assesses student learning and success in relationship to individual potential. Diverse instructional strategies emphasizing active learning demand new ways of assess student learning. Heterogeneous class grouping is the basis for determining instructional units, but the differing skills and interests of students often lead to regrouping in accordance with ability in academic classes. The middle school's daily schedule includes 55 minutes of class time in each of the following: English, science, social studies, and mathematics. Students electing foreign language study in their middle school years may take either French or Spanish with classes in these subjects offered on a daily basis. Physical education, art, technology, health, and study skills are offered in seven-week units throughout the year. The middle school provides an organized, safe, and responsible haven for adolescents to flourish socially and academically.
Beginning in the fall of 2001, Mount Everett is introducing a new educational model for the first two years of high school: The NineTen House. The House will be staffed by a team of eight teachers (two teachers from each of the MCAS disciplines - English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) as well as faculty from other disciplines (Art, Technology, Wellness, Foreign Languages). The objective of the NineTen House concept is to provide all ninth and tenth graders with a meaningful and rigorous educational experience. Courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, Band, and Chorus will meet all year long. Students will also have the opportunity to take the following half-year special courses: Tech Engineering, Tech Tools, Multimedia, Fundamentals of Art I and II, and Wellness 9 and 10. Students in the last two years
of high school take four courses per semester (total of eight courses
per year) in a long-block format. The schedule is a major asset
in the school's ability to provide a rich array of formal courses as well
as a diverse lineup of learning opportunities outside the traditional
classroom. Students may take courses at Berkshire Community College
and Advanced Placement courses are offered in English Language, English
Literature, United States History, and Biology.
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A graduation ceremony is held in June of each year on the grounds of Tanglewood. The plans of Mount Everett graduates reflect the full spectrum of interests and talents included in the student population. The school district believes strongly in the importance of post secondary training and provides comprehensive college guidance help. A sampling of college acceptances in the last three years includes Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Colby College, College of William and Mary, Emory University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Mount Holyoke College, Muhlenberg College, Oberlin College, Pratt Institute, Rhodes College, Smith College, Stanford University, Swarthmore College, University of Massachusetts, University of Southern California, University of Vermont, and Williams College.
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Faculty
& Staff |
The full-time teaching staff in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District totals 82. The staff includes a blend of experienced teachers and newcomers. The average tenure among present faculty members in the district is 14 years. Salary rates are comparable with other districts in the region, and ongoing professional development is a priority which is supported by the School Committee and the Administration.
The work of the classroom teachers is fully supported by
a dedicated staff of employees who maintain the buildings and the grounds, manage
the business affairs of the district, and assist and support teachers with the
school program.
| School Life |
Southern Berkshire is a small district with a big heart. Students tend to be fully engaged in the life of the schools, and the atmosphere is welcoming. The programs outside of the academic day that draw student energies and devotion include considerable diversity, assuring the probability that there is a key role in the school community for every student. A sample of the lineup includes the following:
Music: A wide array of choral groups (3-12), including the Madrigal Singers (a Renaissance group) and a male and female a capella group; band experiences, including (5-6) band, wind ensemble, high school concert band, jazz band, and marching band.
Athletics: Elementary, middle school, and junior varsity and varsity soccer, wrestling, basketball, hockey, baseball, softball, and cross-country programs; varsity golf.
Drama: Full elementary, middle school, and high school musical productions each year. Also, students in grades 7-12 participate in the Fall Festival of Shakespeare, a collaboration with Shakespeare & Company of Lenox, Massachusetts.
Technology: District computer/student ratio of 1:2; TEK 2000 Program; fully equipped television studio producing a daily morning show; digitized multimedia lab; nationally renowned, electric vehicle construction and competitions including national Tour de Sol.
Other: Peer Leadership organization; Peer Mentoring
and Peer Mediation; SADD; National Honor Society; grades 7-8 and 9-12 student
councils; Yearbook.
| Student Services |
Health: The schools have fully staffed infirmaries at Undermountain and Mt. Everett and employ a part-time nurse at New Marlborough.
Food Services: The Southern Berkshire school lunch program boasts a very high student and staff participation rate. Nutritious meals at very reasonable prices are available daily.
Transportation: All students are provided bus service to and from school and most routes are quite direct. Late bus service (3:45) is available every Tuesday and Thursday.
Libraries: The Mt. Everett (grades 7-12) and Undermountain (grades PreK-6) schools have libraries with curriculum oriented collections. Both libraries offer resources in a variety of formats and offer access to resources outside the schools through the technology labs for online research and Inter-library loan services.
Vocational: Vocational classes are available to interested high school students through the Southern Berkshire Educational Collaborative.
Special Education: The Southern Berkshire special education program is a very successful inclusion model that is generously supported and staffed by the District.
Child Care Program: The Southern Berkshire Child Care Program operates as a self-supporting entity within the realm of the district. Full-day child care is available at Undermountain School, and after school programs are available at both Undermountain and New Marlborough Schools.
Also of Note: K-12 participation in Massachusetts
School Choice Program, attracting a yearly average of 90-100 students from neighboring
school districts and communities.
| Hours & Telephone Numbers |
School Hours:
| Mt. Everett (7-12) | 8:05am - 2:45pm |
| Elementary (K-6) | 8:10am - 2:40pm |
Telephone Numbers:
| Administrative Offices | (413) 229-8778 |
| District Events Office | (413) 229-8252 |
| Mt. Everett Regional (7-12) | (413) 229-8734 |
| Monterey Kindergarten | (413) 528-3693 |
| New Marlborough Central (PK-4) | (413) 229-8867 |
| South Egremont (K-1) | (413) 528-1430 |
| SB Child Care Program | (413) 229-3398 |
| Special Education Office | (413) 229-8265 |
| Undermountain Elementary (PK-6) | (413) 229-8754 |
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