BERKSHIRE ROBOTICS CHALLENGE 2024
Due to popular demand, the Berkshire Innovation Center is adding an additional house team for the 2024 Berkshire Robotics Challenge. This BIC Team will practice at the new BIC Works @ MoCA in North Adams starting in January. If you are a 4th grade student interested in STEAM, robotics and coding, they would love to have you join them!
Team BIC WORKS will meet on Mondays from 3:30 - 5:30 PM at BIC Works on the First Floor of MASS MoCA building 2.
Interested in joining or coaching?
Email: ben@the-bic.org
What Mammal is That?
Sheep Hill
January 20, 1-3pm
FREE hands-on discovery program
Register for this FREE event at: https://rurallands.org/events/what-mammal-is-that/
Questions? programs@rurallands.org
On Saturday April 6, 2024, Berkshire AHEC’s Tobacco Free Community Partnership Program will be holding Berkshire Baby Bonanza 2024 at the Stationery Factory in Dalton from 11AM – 2PM. This event will be hosted by the 2024 Community Baby Shower Committee and the Berkshire AHEC Tobacco-Free Community Partnership Program.
Berkshire Baby Bonanza 2024 is focused on providing information that is geared towards those contemplating pregnancy, pregnant individuals, post-partum individuals and their partners, as well as parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers. Community Baby Showers in the past have been a great success, with many Berkshire County agencies participating and 200 - 300 people attending. See flyer for details.
North Adams Mobile Food Bank
Friday, 1/5
11am to noon
In the event the mobile is cancelled due to winter weather the Food Bank website is updated and the hotline (413)-419-0079 contains a notice of the cancellation. They would also send out information through social media and our community partners as soon as possible.
Upcoming programming from the Family Center.
Upcoming programming at the North Adams Public Library.
North Adams Mobile Food Bank
Friday, 12/15
11am to noon
Brien Center Parking Lot (American Legion Drive).
Please note that parking is limited at the American Legion. If the lot is at capacity, please come back and see us anytime before noon. In the event of inclement weather, we will send out updates through social media. The Food Bank also has a line that people can call to check on the status of the mobiles 413-419-0079.
The community is also invited to join Berkshire Food Project for their holiday meal on Wednesday, December 20 from 11:30 – 2 at the Berkshire Food Project, 134 Main St (entrance on Summer St). They will be serving turkey, ham, plenty of sides and holiday cookies. All are welcome for a no-cost meal and holiday cheer!
2024 Western Mass Family Leadership Series
The series is for family caregivers who are interested in learning about leadership and advocacy, creating a vision, policy making, and self-care, as well as being a networking opportunity.
See flyer for details.
Brayton Elementary School Book Fair
December 11 - 15
This year's Book Fair at Bryton Elementary School is going to be epic! More Books. More Choices. More Fun.
Start exploring together on our school's Book Fair homepage!
2024 Williams College Winter Basketball Clinic through Special Olympics MA
Basketball clinic for athletes ages 5 through 18 at Williams College. Both Traditional Athletes and Unified Partners are welcome! A traditional athlete is an individual diagnosed with an intellectual disability. A Unified Partner is an individual not diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The program will run on Sunday mornings from 11 am to 12:30 pm in the Chandler Gymnasium on the following dates: January 7th, January 14th and January 21st.
Register here: https://www.specialolympicsma.org/play-sports/find-sports-programs-near-you?*=williams
If you do not receive a confirmation email after registering, please contact Ops@SpecialOlympicsMA.org
Upcoming programming by the Family Center
Housing Resource & Rental Assistance guides from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
English: https://5il.co/2adqh
Spanish: https://5il.co/2adqg
Chinese (simplifies): https://5il.co/2adqf
College Meet and Greet with Williams College and Berkshire Community College
Saturday, December 9th, 1 – 2:30 pm
Berkshire Athenaeum
Attendees will learn what each school has to offer and how to start applying. Michael Byrns, Admission Counselor at Williams College, will provide some insight on how to write a successful college essay and how to think about the storytelling components of the college application.
No registration required. Prospective students and their families are welcome!
Email vanessa@pittsfieldlibrary.org with questions.
Make your voice heard: Family Volunteers Needed!
Join our district Family Leadership Team (FLT)
1. Offer input on district initiatives
2. Discuss topics such as home visiting, attendance processes, and communication protocols
Interested? Email familysupports@napsk12.org or call 413-412-1106.
Looking forward to you joining us!
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (dcr) is hosting an Adaptive Skating Games event on 1/4, 2/15, and 3/14 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Vietnam Veterans Skating Rink. Registration is required. See flyer for details.
Pamela Schwartz, Western MA Network to End Homelessness, shared the attached flyers below that summarize the available resources through the Emergency Assistance program for family shelter.
English: https://5il.co/29ph2
Spanish: https://5il.co/29ph3
Haitian Creole: https://5il.co/29ph4
Additional Resources
Applying for EA Shelter: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-ea-emergency-family-shelter
DESE Guidance on Supporting Homeless Students During the State of Emergency (8/24/23)
Emergency Shelter Fact Sheet & FAQ (September 2023)
MA Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Resources and Data
Free Family Skate Day
Hosted by nbCC
See flyer for details.
The next Safe Neighborhoods event will be at Greylock Elementary on November 29th from 5-7 pm.
5-5:30 pm Dinner (pizza!)
5:30-6:30 pm Talk Saves Lives presentation by Annie Pecor and Linda Wooten, Berkshire Coaltion for Suicide Prevention
For kids: basketball with SRO Mirante from 5:30-7pm
Events are open to all!
*The last event in the series will be on Dec. 6th at Colegrove Elementary with a presentation by the North Adams Fire Department Fire Safety Education team.
This Gratitude Tree was developed for students and staff at Brayton Elementary School to help them remember what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving Season. As part of social-emotional learning, students helped cut and paste leaves on the tree and together, made this beautiful display.
A special thanks to the students, faculty, and staff who made this happen!
Here is the updated Food and Meal Site listing for Berkshire County (dated 11/13/23): https://5il.co/29ckn
Additional Resources:
* From the Food Bank of W. MA~ Do you need help buying groceries every month? The federal nutrition program called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—or food stamps) is available for you. Everyone can apply for SNAP benefits–college students, seniors over 60, people with disabilities, homeless individuals, and families. Call the Food Bank’s SNAP line at 413.992.6204 and one of our Coordinators can quickly tell you if you’re eligible and help you apply for SNAP benefits over the phone. If you need help in languages other than English and Spanish, they can assist with those, too. Their services are free to all Western Massachusetts residents.
*Below are the Income Guidelines for WIC. For more information~ https://www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/programs-and-services/community-wellness/wic-program/
*Below are the guidelines (English & Spanish) for BCAC's Fuel Assistance program. Families can apply through the offices or online at https://www.bcacinc.org/fuel-assistance-2/
