Saturday, August 28, 2010

TEXT: Rose Ellis' email chock full of staffing news at Mount Greylock RHS

Here is the text of an August 26 email sent by Rose Ellis, the new
superintendent of the Lanesborough-Williamstown elementary, middle and
high schools.

Greetings and Welcome to a New School Year!

Next week in Williamstown and Lanesborough we will be opening our three schools -- Mount Greylock Regional MS/HS on Thursday, September 1st and the Williamstown Elementary School (WES) and the Lanesborough Elementary School (LES) on Tuesday, August 31st. Our returning students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade will be warmly greeted by teachers and staff eager to begin anew--- Welcome back!

What is the Status of the New Tri-District Shared Administrative Structure?
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my progress this summer transitioning from the Superintendent of SCHOOL UNION 71 (Williamstown Elementary and Lanesborough Elementary) to include the Superintendent position at the Mount Greylock Middle School/High School (MG).

I moved into MG on July 1st and began establishing a new Tri-District Central Office to serve all four schools – WES, LES, the MG middle school and high school with a combined enrollment of 1300 students and a faculty/staff totaling approximately 200 employees.

As you may recall the joint school committees of School Union 71(WES and LES) and MGRHS participated in a feasibility study last year and voted in June to unanimously share administrative services -- my position as Superintendent, the position of Business Manager, held by Jennifer Coscia and the Administrative Assistant, Lynne Sadlowski. In addition, the two school committees agreed to hire and share a Director of Pupil Personnel Services (DPPS), a Special Education Coordinator and a part-time Curriculum Coordinator.

So Where Are We Two Months Later?
I'm pleased to report that since joining the MGRHS school community; I have spent the summer weeks "settling in". The principals, office staff and custodians at MG have been welcoming and supportive. I have also met with over 60 faculty, staff, students and parents. These informal conversations were enjoyable and informative; they also validated my commitment to my new shared position and the wonderful possibilities for greater collaboration between the elementary schools and the middle school/high school on so many levels.

Going forward, the Tri-District Central Office administrative staff will be housed at Mount Greylock and you can contact me there at 458-9582. However, I will continue to visit the elementary schools during the school year.

Who will assume the position of Director of Pupil Personnel Services (DPPS) and the Special Education Coordinator for the Districts?
In response to a request from the SU71/MG School Committees, to assist in hiring the Director of Pupil Personnel Services (DPPS) and the Special Education Coordinator,

11 members of our three school communities met to interview DPPS candidates and recommend three finalists.
The joint SU71/MG School Committees met on August 13th to interview the finalists. After deliberation in public, the representative school committee members chose Kimberley Grady as the new Director of Pupil Personnel Services for MG and WES/LES. Kim Grady most recently served as the Community Outreach Coordinator in the Pittsfield School District. She also worked as a Special Education Coordinator in Pennsylvania at a large school (3600 students with 900 special education students) serving nine communities. Kimberley is no stranger to working with special education students and developing student services across multiple communities.

The position of Special Education Coordinator was posted and Lauren Allembert from MG was appointed last week. Lauren has worked at MG and at WES. She is currently a Coordinator of Autism Life Skills and Community Education Programs. Lauren will work in tandem with the Director of PPS, Kimberley Grady, to support student services at each school.

Linda Araoz, the MG Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and Paul Mays, the SU71 Director of Special Education, will be leaving us at the end of this month. Linda and Paul have served our districts well as Directors and we extend our very best wishes to them.

How Will the Curriculum Coordinator Position Serve the Tri-Districts?
Ellen Kaiser, part-time Principal of the middle school, will also assume the position of part-time Curriculum Coordinator. Ellen will work with principals and teachers at the 5th grade through the 9th grade focusing on student transitions/challenges between elementary school and middle school and from middle school to high school. She will also begin to focus on the continuity of the tri-district math curriculum.

What's Next?
The Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Kimberley Grady, and the Special Education Coordinator, Lauren Allembert, will consult with the four building principals and introduce themselves to the staff at each building on Opening Day. We plan to host a reception for parents at each school. Business Manager, Jennifer Coscia, will work on "getting up to speed" at MG and she will continue to work closely with the town accountants and finance committees at Williamstown and Lanesborough.

I hope this update is helpful in communicating the new Tri-District Central Office administrative structure and I would also like to request that you bear with us as we continue to move through this transition over the next few months.
I am very excited about my shared position as Superintendent of MGRHS, WES and LES and I, enthusiastically, support the timeliness of this historical partnership.

For the last two years, I have enjoyed working with the combined staff, administrators, parents and communities of WES and LES – coordinating and sharing resources and opportunities – professional development, supplies, software/textbooks and broader thinking! Now I look forward to expanding and deepening that collaborative effort to include MG for the benefit of all our students. I know there will be plenty of opportunities!
I will continue throughout the year to communicate with you through this forum,

Please feel free to provide feedback -- it is always welcome.
Cordially,
Dr. Rose Ellis

DATEBOOK: WRLF's annual pie contest Saturday October 23 at Sheep Hill

SAVE THE DATE for the Seventh Annual WRLF PIE CONTEST at SHEEP HILL

Calling all Pie Bakers! Do you have a famous family recipe for pie? On Saturday, October 23rd the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (WRLF) will hold their Seventh Annual Pie Contest at Sheep Hill in Williamstown to celebrate the harvest season and the wide array of locally grown and produced ingredients. A panel of distinguished pie aficionados will judge pies in three categories: Adults Fruit/Produce or Nut/Cream, and a separate Youth category for our younger bakers (16 and under). Look for entry forms in early September at Sheep Hill, the Milne Public Library, and Wild Oats Market, and more details on the WRLF website at www.wrlf.org. The evening will also feature a cooking demo, craft projects for kids, and an easy Full Moon hike around the property if the weather is clear.

For more information, call WRLF at 458-2494, or email ruraland@wrlf.org.

Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Bennington Museum celebrates local farming - Bennington Banner


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Bennington Museum celebrates local farming - Bennington Banner


Bennington Museum celebrates local farming
Bennington Banner
... produced in Bennington County Among the chefs preparing the meal are Greg Roach, Chef and Prepared Foods Manager of Wild Oats in Williamstown, Mass. ...

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Friday, August 20, 2010

WRLF to hold fundraiser, barn dance and barbecue, silent auction Friday September 10

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation's biggest fundraising event of the year will be held on Friday September 10th beginning at 6 PM. The Harvest Hoedown will feature a barbecue, square dancing and a silent auction, and will be held at 91 Northwest Hill Road in Williamstown.

Cliff and Senta Brodeur and the Square One Band with guest Bobby Sweet will play and call the dance; Cliff has been the Club Caller for the Pittsfield Squares for over twenty five years, and a caller for more than 40 years, first as a successful solo caller, and more recently with Square One, a quintet of virtuoso instrumentalists with an impressive track record of studio recording and concert performances. Members of Square One have toured internationally, and appeared with artists such as Willie Nelson, Arlo Guthrie, Bonnie Raitt and John Denver. Senta, his wife for 40 years shares his enthusiasm and backs him up in every way possible leading and organizing the squares and dance formations at the dances.

"The Harvest Hoedown will be a chance for people to get out on the dance floor and have fun" says Leslie Reed-Evans, WRLF Executive Director. "Eating delicious seasonal foods and dancing with friends and neighbors is the perfect way of celebrating the harvest season. In addition to having fun, guests will be helping to support the WRLF and its land protection efforts."

Barbecue will be provided by Williamstown's Bee Hill Culinary Services' Stephanie Santore. The silent auction features something for everyone, from local foods baskets and hand crafts to weekend getaways, gourmet dinners, and wine tastings.

Harvest Hoedown is open to the public. Ticket prices are $65 each, $55 for WRLF members. Ticket price includes dinner, drinks and dancing. Babysitting will also be available at Sheep Hill through the Williamstown Community Preschool. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 458-2494 or email ruraland@wrlf.org.

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is a non-profit member-supported land conservation trust dedicated to preserving the New England character of Williamstown and surrounding areas. WRLF properties, such as Sheep Hill, Pine Cobble and Fitch Woodlands are open to the public for hiking, nature study and enjoyment of nature. Website: www.wrlf.org.

SUBMITTED BY:
Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Solid Sound Festival Comes to an End


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Solid Sound Festival Comes to an End

 
Exceptional live music was around every corner Sunday on the third and final day of the Solid Sound Festival at Mass MoCA. The Nels Kline Singers wowed fans with a thrashing set; Avi Buffalo left one satisfied concert-goer leaving the Hunter...


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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600

Friday, August 13, 2010

NBH 17th Annual Open Golf Tournament / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

Clark Launches 'Sunsets at Stone Hill' Socials / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

New website will focus on Berkshires - Berkshire Eagle Online

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_15763865


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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600
Wpdensmore@gmail.com

Williams College Ranked Number One College in US, Report Says | Epoch Times Mobile

http://m.theepochtimes.com/index.php?page=content&id=40874


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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600
Wpdensmore@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

“The Last Goodbye” at Williamstown -- Arts Section -- Theatre

 
 

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via Blog Section by Dan Shaw on 8/10/10

Through August 20
Rural Intelligence Arts
Original rock-and-roll musicals like Hair and Rent have been big money makers, but if you start with an already successful album you have a built-in audience which is why Green Day's American Idiot is such a hit on Broadway.  And for fans of the late Jeff Buckley—who tragically died in a swimming accident in 1997 after releasing only one full-length, full-band studio album, GRACE, in 1994—the new musical The Last Goodbye is an innovative, dynamic tribute to his artistry.  Director Michael Kimmel has adapted the text of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet and used Buckley's arena-rock songs to create a score that is incendiary and bone-chilling. (This is West Side Story on crack and Special K.) Buckley's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" makes a haunting finale.

While the story of the lovers whose families are enemies is painfully familiar, the acting and choreography (by Sonya Tayeh) are raw, gutsy and mesmerizing. Most members of the cast have Broadway credits and strong voices and their powerful performances are what one expects from WTF. Kris Kukul's musical direction would play well at the Tony Awards, and don't be surprised if this makes it to Broadway sooner rather than later. See it now, and you can brag that you saw it at WTF first.
Williamstown Theatre Festival
Williamstown, MA


 
 

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Williamstown Selectmen Offer Advice to New Pub Manager - iBerkshires.com

 
 

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iBerkshires.com

Williamstown Selectmen Offer Advice to New Pub Manager
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Selectmen on Monday welcomed the soon-to-be opened Purple Pub but cautioned the owner and new manager that ...


 
 

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Gov. Patrick makes visits to Adams, Williamstown

 
 

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via Williamstown News on 8/10/10

Above, Gov. Deval Patrick addresses the crowd at Forest Park Country Club in Adams on Monday evening.


 
 

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Monday, August 09, 2010

International Family Film at Images Cinema - iBerkshires.com


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International Family Film at Images Cinema - iBerkshires.com


International Family Film at Images Cinema
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Images Cinema is presenting a nine-month International Family Film series, beginning on Saturday, September 18 with an Aardman ...



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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600

The Clark to Hold Final Summer Chamber Concert - iBerkshires.com


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The Clark to Hold Final Summer Chamber Concert - iBerkshires.com


Allentown Morning Call

The Clark to Hold Final Summer Chamber Concert
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The final concert in the summer Chamber Music Series at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute is Tuesday, Aug. ...
Miro String Quartet to perform at ClarkAlbany Times Union

all 6 news articles »


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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600

'Bachelorette' offers inside look at show - Bennington Banner

A raft of rivers - Boston Globe


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A raft of rivers - Boston Globe


Boston Globe

A raft of rivers
Boston Globe
... you spend time enjoying theater in Williamstown or art at Mass MoCA in North Adams during the summer, you'll notice the cars with kayaks on their roofs. ...



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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600

Freelance Cafe: Fund for Investigative Journalism grant proposals, deadline Sept 8 - Journalism That Matters | Google Groups

Review again recognizes Bennington College - Bennington Banner


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Review again recognizes Bennington College - Bennington Banner


Review again recognizes Bennington College
Bennington Banner
Also recognized in the Princeton Review's rankings is Williams College, in Williamstown, Mass., in four categories including "most accessible professors," ...

and more »


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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600

The varied views of the Adams Agricultural Fair


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The varied views of the Adams Agricultural Fair

Monday August 9, 2010 Georgianna Springstube, 16, of Stockbridge clips her goat's nails with her sister, Alex, 13, on Sunday afternoon during the Adams Agricultural Fair.


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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Fwd: BSO Concert in Williamstown: to benefit Humane Society

From: Alix Cabral

Date: August 7, 2010 11:25:05 AM EDT
Subject: BSO Concert in Williamstown

Musicians are Animal Lovers Too!

Cabral writes: "We are so excited! Please join us for a very special evening of Chamber Music performed by four amazing musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

"The members of the quartet, Tatiana Dimitriades and Catherine French on violin, Edward Gazouleas on viola, and Joel Moerschel on cello are generously donating their time to support the Berkshire Humane Society and its mission.

"Refreshments and a chance to chat with the musicians will follow the concert."
DATE/LOCATION: August 22nd, 2010, 7:30 p.m., St. John's Church, 35 Park St., Williamstown.
PROGRAM: Haydn: String Quartet, Opus 20, No. 4 in D major  and Debussy: String Quartet in G minor

"Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 at the door. Due to the intimate setting, seating is limited. To purchase tickets, please contact Diane Briggs at the Berkshire Humane Society, (413) 447-7878 ext. 31. Advance tickets are available only through Thursday, August 19. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the best of the BSO in Williamstown or please visit our "event" page on Facebook "Musicians are Animal Lovers Too"! AND PLEASE FORWARD THIS INVITE TO YOUR FRIENDS!! THANK YOU!!"

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Dylan Dethier goes off on grand golf adventure across the USA: Rutland Herald Online

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100730/SPORTS/707309892


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Bill Densmore
CircLabs / RJI
617-448-6600
Wpdensmore@gmail.com

International Family Film Coming to Images Cinema / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

Jeff Buckley Musical The Last Goodbye Premieres at Williamstown Aug. 5 - Playbill.com

Reader

Our Town Is More Than Ever: Thornton Wilder?s Our Town at the Williamstown Theatre Festival « Berkshire Review for the Arts

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Clickshare Service seeks motivated engineer; CircLabs seeking consult on iPad services

TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECH FOLKS:

If you know a capable software engineer who would like to relocate to a vibrant
college town in New England -- Amherst, Mass. -- there's an opening. The
company I helped found in 1994 -- Clickshare Service Corp. -- is adding
services and customers in the news business and needs to add a software
engineer as a result. Here are the details:

http://clickshare.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/hiring/

Another opportunity, too: CircLabs Inc. -- the RJI-Mizzou startup working on
web, mobile and tablet-based solutions for user privacy, personalization,
effective advertising and information commerce -- is seeking consultants who
like working on iPad applications. If you want to know more on this one, please
email me.

Reposting of this note is fine.

-- bill densmore / densmore@densmoreassociates.com
413-458-8001

Dartmouth hires athletic director from Williams

 
 

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via Boston.com -- Local news by on 8/3/10

The director of athletics at Williams College will be taking on the same position at Dartmouth College this fall.

Add to Facebook Add to Twitter Add to digg Add to StumbleUpon Add to Reddit Add to del.icio.us Email this Article

Dartmouth College - Williams College - United States - New Hampshire - Education

 
 

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Monday, August 02, 2010

Nostalgic 'Our Town' Beckons at Williamstown Theatre Festival / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

Race is developing for 2 of 3 open seats on Mount Greylock School Committee


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Race is developing for 2 of 3 open seats on Mount Greylock School Committee

Thursday July 29, 2010 North Adams Transcript



WILLIAMSTOWN -- A contested election is shaping up for two of the three local seats up for grabs on the Mount Greylock Regional School Committee.



Incumbent David J. Langston, appointee Carrie Greene and newcomer David Backus have submitted nomination papers to run for two, four-year terms on the School Committee.


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Griffin/Bailey recital DVD link


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Griffin/Bailey recital DVD link

Special Events at St. John's Episcopal Church Williamstown, MA — Sat Jul 31 05:49:00 UTC 2010
Willinet (Williamstown local cable access company) has posted a video of the concert given by baritone Avery Griffin and pianist Scott Bailey on July 19, 2010, part of the Summer Noontime Concert series at St. John's. Click on this link to view anytime...
about: Avery Griffin Baritone pianist Scott Bailey Technology Internet Video Williamstown Willimstown wwwwillinetorg


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