11-7-24 CBRSD Family Newsletter

 Superintendent's Update FAMILY NEWSLETTER November 7, 2024 Superintendent’s Message Dear Central Berkshire Families, I hope you are enjoying the unusually warm weather! If you are scheduled for Parent/Caregiver Conferences today you will notice that there is a designated area in each school to participate in a District Survey about our instructional programming. You should find both QR codes and Chrome books set up. You can take this survey in multiple ways including your phone, personal computer or school Chromebook Station. Please see below for both the QR code and link to the survey.    The link to the survey can be found  here. Thank you ahead of time for participating. This will provide us with valuable information regarding your student's instructional programming. I wanted to also address the recent change regarding MCAS as a graduation requirement as we have recently received several inquiries.  What we know right now, based on communication from the MA Acting Commissioner, is that the earliest the law would take effect is December 5, 2024. However, there are still several unknowns. I will be participating in upcoming electronic calls with the MA Commissioner alongside statewide superintendents, to clarify expectations over the next few weeks and will include this information in my upcoming communication.  I hope you have an opportunity to schedule a conference with your student's teachers as these partnerships are key to our success as educators. Thank you, Leslie Blake-Davis Superintendent Reminders... Our first Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)  meeting will be held on on Tuesday, November 19 at 6pm via ZOOM.  T hese meetings are intended to serve CBRSD Families whose students receive services through the Special Education Department. The director of this department is Mr. Nathan Loux. He will set a yearly schedule at this first meeting and identify important topics such as the new strengths-based IEP process.  Join Zoom Meeting:   https://cbrsd-org.zoom.us/j/83469055984?pwd=Vd0sJEGXbCrXyb1bc33fxjv5RRBat2.1   Meeting ID: 834 6905 5984  Passcode: 692595 Wendy Provencher, the CBRSD Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement has arranged for a 4 Part Series for our families of young children focused on the following topics: JANUARY 30, 2025 7-8 on zoom • The Foundations of Self-Regulation in Young Children FEBRUARY 27, 2025 7-8 on zoom • Navigating Big Emotions and Challenging Behavior in Young MARCH 27, 2025 7-8 on zoom • Setting Effective Boundaries with young children, and Our speaker, Christine D'Agostino has an area of expertise in the field of relational neuroscience, and is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and emphasizes self-compassion and self-care as we learn and grow as parents. If you are interested in attending please complete the survey below to register: https://forms.gle/pQC7yer6wtWzUtJd6 Important Dates   Event Date Half-Day/Parent/Caregiver Conferences November 7 Report Cards November 8 Veterans Day November 11/No School Thanksgiving Break November 27/Half-Day November 28/No School November 29/No School ParentSquare   Parents—Getting Started Video Important Information/Links:  Bus Routes Lunch   is free for all Students. Please find links to all menus below: Elementary Schools Middle/High School DEIB & Parent/Caregiver Advisory Meeting Dates Central Berkshire Instagram CBRSD Health Services Family Calendar District Calendar Bullying Incident Reporting Form Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan 2024  

Thursday, Nov 07 2024

10-20-24 CBRSD Family Newsletter

 Superintendent's Update FAMILY NEWSLETTER October 20, 2024 Superintendent’s Message Dear Central Berkshire Families, Despite the warm weather predicted for this week, I am working on our procedures for inclement weather days. This year we will utilize ParentSquare to inform our families, staff, and community of any changes to the school day schedule due to weather. This means you will receive notifications in the same manner that you currently receive ParentSquare messages. Like in years past, you will also receive a phone message. Please make sure your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool. If you are not sure, you can call your student's school and the administrative assistant can check for you. Our first Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)  meeting will be held on on Tuesday, November 19 at 6pm via ZOOM.  T hese meetings are intended to serve CBRSD Families whose students receive services through the Special Education Department. The director of this department is Mr. Nathan Loux. He will set a yearly schedule at this first meeting and identify important topics such as the new strengths-based IEP process.  Join Zoom Meeting:   https://cbrsd-org.zoom.us/j/83469055984?pwd=Vd0sJEGXbCrXyb1bc33fxjv5RRBat2.1   Meeting ID: 834 6905 5984  Passcode: 692595 Wendy Provencher, the CBRSD Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement has arranged for a 4 Part Series for our families of young children focused on the following topics: OCTOBER 24, 2024 7-8 on zoom • Nervous System Regulation for Parents and Caregivers JANUARY 30, 2025 7-8 on zoom • The Foundations of Self-Regulation in Young Children FEBRUARY 27, 2025 7-8 on zoom • Navigating Big Emotions and Challenging Behavior in Young MARCH 27, 2025 7-8 on zoom • Setting Effective Boundaries with young children, and Our speaker, Christine D'Agostino has an area of expertise in the field of relational neuroscience, and is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and emphasizes self-compassion and self-care as we learn and grow as parents. If you are interested in attending please complete the survey below to register: https://forms.gle/pQC7yer6wtWzUtJd6 Have a great week! Leslie Blake-Davis Superintendent Important Dates   Event Date 1st Quarter Closes October 30 Half-Day/Parent/Caregiver Conferences November 7 Report Cards November 8 Veterans Day November 11/No School Thanksgiving Break November 27/Half-Day November 28/No School November 29/No School ParentSquare   Parents—Getting Started Video Important Information/Links:  Bus Routes Lunch   is free for all Students. Please find links to all menus below: Elementary Schools Middle/High School DEIB & Parent/Caregiver Advisory Meeting Dates Central Berkshire Instagram CBRSD Health Services Family Calendar District Calendar Bullying Incident Reporting Form Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan 2024  

Monday, Oct 21 2024

10-1-24 CBRSD Family Newsletter

 WELCOME BACK TO THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR! October 1, 2024 Superintendent’s Message Dear Central Berkshire Families, I hope you are enjoying the fall weather! We have a busy month ahead. The first DEIB/Parent/Caregiver Advisory is scheduled for  Monday, October 7 at Wahconah Regional High School (Learning Commons) at 6:30pm. Even if this is not something you have attended before, please feel free to join us. It is open to all! We will be discussing student achievement results from an equity lens, Title I Services at Central Berkshire, as well as our upcoming family engagement evening. The agenda can be found here . I wanted our CBRSD families to be aware of new guidelines regarding attendance at our after-school sporting events. Central Berkshire values and promotes all after-school sports events as a way for our community to support our students and enrich their school experience. We make every effort to ensure safe and family-friendly settings by providing refreshments and having on-site supervision by CBRSD staff, EMTs, and a police presence. Recently, we have noticed that unattended elementary and middle school-age students have created safety concerns for those responsible for supervising the event. As such, we are asking that all elementary and middle school attendees be accompanied by a parent/caregiver, or an adult in a supervisory role.  Students who attend without this supervision will be asked to remain at the entrance gate until a parent/caregiver or adult (in a supervisory role) can be reached to join them in watching the game. Please understand that our intention in implementing these guidelines is to maximize a safe and family-friendly setting for all. We very much appreciate and value the support we receive from our families. Thank you! Leslie Blake-Davis Superintendent Important Dates   Event Date In-Service for CBRSD Staff October 11/No School Indigenous Peoples' Day October 14/No School 1st Quarter Closes November 1 Half-Day/Parent/Caregiver Conferences November 7 Report Cards November 8 Veterans Day November 11/No School ParentSquare   Parents—Getting Started Video Important Information/Links:  Bus Routes Lunch   is free for all Students. Please find links to all menus below: Elementary Schools Middle/High School DEIB & Parent/Caregiver Advisory Meeting Dates Central Berkshire Instagram CBRSD Health Services Family Calendar District Calendar Bullying Incident Reporting Form Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan 2024  

Tuesday, Oct 01 2024

CBRSD Family Newsletter

 WELCOME BACK TO THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR! August 28, 2024 Superintendent’s Message Welcome Back to the 2024-2025 school year! We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! I have included important District information to the right to help provide you with easy access to getting back into a school routine. If you have questions or concerns about your student's transition to the new school year, please call the school directly or call us at Central office. Thank you! Leslie Blake-Davis Superintendent CBRSD Open House Schedule   School Date Becket Washington September 19 Nessacus  September 16 Wahconah  September 17 Kittredge September 18 Craneville September 18 *I will update times as we get closer to the date.* ParentSquare   Parents—Getting Started Video Important Information/Links:  Bus Routes Lunch   is free for all Students. Please find links to all menus below: Elementary Schools Middle/High School DEIB & Parent/Caregiver Advisory Meeting Dates Central Berkshire Instagram CBRSD Health Services Family Calendar District Calendar Bullying Incident Reporting Form Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan 2024  

Tuesday, Aug 27 2024

WAHCONAH AUDITORIUM-INFORMATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

​​ SUPERINTENDENT COMMUNICATION August 21, 2024 ​​ ​​ Important Message to Wahconah Families ​ On Thursday evening, August 15, we discovered evidence of mold growth in the Wahconah High School auditorium. We were relieved to discover this is a common household mold. In consultation with multiple organizations including experts specializing in remediation, I have directed a complete HVAC clean-up and thorough cleaning of the auditorium. Furthermore, after multiple tests conducted in and around the building, we have been informed that the mold discovered in the auditorium is contained in that space.  A mitigation team has been on-site since Friday, August 16, to treat the affected area. We anticipate this to be completed by August 26, but we want you to know that the auditorium will be closed until the situation has been fully resolved.  I am relieved that this will not impact the opening of school and am confident that we will have a successful start to the school year. ​​ ​​ Thank you! Leslie Blake-Davis Superintendent ​​

Wednesday, Aug 21 2024

CBRSD BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

​ ​ CBRSD Family Newsletter August 20, 2024 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bus Routes/Schedule (Click Here) ​ ​ ​ ​ Back To School Updates! ​ Dear Central Berkshire Families, On Wednesday, August 28, we will be opening our doors to the 2024-2025 school year! We are excited to welcome our students back and to introduce some of our youngest and new learners to Central Berkshire. We believe that all students should feel a sense of belonging in our classrooms and we look forward to learning together this school year! Orientation schedules on Aug. 27 for Prek, K, Grade 6, and Grade 9 can be found below: BW & KES Prek 9:00-10:00 am Kindergarten (All Schools) 8:40-11:20 am Grade 6 NMS 7:55-11:10 am Grade 9 WHS 7:50-10:55 am *Please note that-except for preschool-bus transportation is provided for all orientation half days.* Our school lunch menus are sporting a new look with some great choices! Please see below for the CBRSD September '24 Menu: CBRSD Elementary School Menu CBRSD Middle and High School Menu If you have questions or concerns about the opening of school, please contact your student's school or the CBRSD Central Office. Have a great first day!! Leslie Blake-Davis Superintendent ​ ​

Tuesday, Aug 20 2024

CBRSD SUMMER UPDATES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

​​ CBRSD Family Newsletter August 8, 2024 ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ SUMMER UPDATES! ​ Dear Central Berkshire Families, I hope you are having a great summer! Our administrative teams are busy getting ready to greet our students for the 2024-2025 school year! To ensure you have the most updated information I wanted to share that we will be moving to a new communication platform that will make accessing information from multiple CBRSD sources much easier! We will be utilizing a platform called ParentSquare beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. All district, school, grade level and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices). ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ A video is available below to help you better understand how to take advantage of our new communication system. Parents—Getting Started Video As we get closer to the opening of school, I will send information about bus routes, food service and menu options, and scheduled orientation half days on August 27 (Prek, Kindergarten, Grade 6, and Grade 9). If you have any questions or concerns, please call your student's school or Central Office. We want this to be a great year for your student(s) and family! Thank you! Leslie Blake-Davis Superintendent ​​

Thursday, Aug 08 2024