• Dispose of Unwanted, Unused or Expired Medications at the Berkshire County Rx Round Up on April 28th from 10 to 2
• Teens are abusing some prescription and over-the-counter drugs to get high.~ Every day, 2,500 youth age 12 to 17 abuse a pain reliever for the very first time.~ Because these drugs are so readily available, teens who wouldnít otherwise touch illicit drugs might abuse prescription drugs.~ Many of these drugs can be addicting.~ Help prevent prescription drug abuse by clearing out your medicine cabinets.~ Get rid of any drugs that you are no longer using.~ This is the safest way to get rid of unused medications; flushing them down the toilet or sink could harm the water supply.~ You can safely dispose of your prescription medications at any of the 13 sites below on April 28th:
• North Berkshire County
• o Adams- Adams Police Station (4 School St.)
• o Lanesborough- Berkshire Mall Food Court
• o North Adams- Spitzer Senior Center (116 Ashland St.)
• o Williamstown- Transfer Station (667 Simonds Rd./Rt.7)
• Central Berkshire County
• o Dalton- Community Recreation Association (400 Main St.)
• o Lee- Lee Ambulance (177 Main St.)
• o Lenox- Lenox Town Hall (6 Walker Street)
• o Pittsfield- CHP Neighborhood Health Center (510 North St.)
• ~ ~ ~
• South Berkshire County
• o Egremont- Police Station/Town Hall (171 Egremont Plain Rd.)
• o Great Barrington- Police Station (465 Main Street)
• o Sheffield- Sheffield Senior Center (25 Cook Rd.)
• o Stockbridge- Police Station/Town Hall (50 Main St.)
• o West Stockbridge ñPolice Station (21 State Line Rd.)
• Canít make it to the Rx Round Up?~ You can also drop your drugs in the new Drop Box in the Pittsfield Police Department Lobby, 39 Allen Street, which is open 24 /7.~

Salvete!

On Friday 8th grade Latin students attended Classics Day at Mount Holyoke College. They attended workshops about Roman culture by college professors and competed in a variety of events including art and costume. Several students dressed up in costume inspired by our field trip to the Pompeii exhibit in December. 4 students - Brandon Lafleur, Ethan McCandless, Hannah Stechmann, and Tom Lee - participated in Certamen (Latin quiz team) and earned 3rd place competing against other schools including Lenox, Taconic, Berkshire Country Day, Amherst, and Williston. Congratulations!

Gratias!

Ms. Cope - Latin Teacher - Herberg Middle School

Students of The Month/January/2012.

White House

Catelotti/Michigan Belland/UNC Sacchetti/Duke EOS/MCLA

Emily West

Hailey Kirchner

Sam Fick

Darren Macdowell

Kendra Richards

Camry Francour

Ilyssa Creamer

Brett Steinman

Nichole LaPierre

Shonna Ridley

Thomas Vogel

Ashley Bissaillon

Mary Elizabeth Mooney

Blue House

Kelly/UMASS Smith/ Syracuse Berryman/UCONN Gardner/Texas A+M

Dan Maillet

Alyssa Le-Page

Sarai Campbell

Charles Losaw

Montgomery

Nadine Billow Samantha Rue Alyssa Dion

Danielle Davenport Jack Cooney Noah Casino

Danielle LaBlanc Kevin Lawton Thomas Lee

Students of The Month/November/2011.

Pictures will be taken and hung up in the main hallway entrance by Tuesday afternoon (December 13th).

White House

Catelotti/Michigan Belland/UNC Sacchetti/Duke EOS/MCLA

Molly Trainor Emma Sullivan Allyson Canale Michael Jones

Olivia Nda Shyla Groat Courtney Anderson

Eamon McCandless Dan Shepardson Alex Magner

Chris Bell Jonathan Sutherland Jenna Chalfonte

Blue House

Kelly/UMASS Smith/Syracuse Berryman/UCONN Gardner/Texas A+M

Lauren Mazzeo Sabrina Czarnecki Christina Anello Dwayne Revells

Emily Taylor Clair Hines Olivia Jones

Jayme McGuigan Alex Lamoureaux Ian Phair

Noah Santos Griffin Manns Logan Higuera

Pittsfield High School Drama Society will present "Noises Off" by Michael Frayn, directed by Jonathan Slocum. To be held at Pittsfield High School Auditorium Friday & Saturday December 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 11 at 1:30 p.m. Admission: Adults $10.00 / Students $8.00. Call 499-9535 x 1102 or email jslocum@pittsfield.net with questions. Walk-ins welcome.

The 26th Annual Berkshire County High School Art Show will be showcasing the top 10 artworks from each high school. The schedule is below:

Opening: February 4, 2012 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (with comments by glass artist Ricky Bernstein at 2:00 p.m.)

Last day to view: March 4, 2012

• Pittsfield Prevention Partnership Community Meeting: Current Youth Substance Use Rates and How Parents Can Influence the Trends

December 1, 7 pm Herberg Middle School Library

Learn what you can do. Come to the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership (PPP) community meeting on Current Youth Substance Use Rates and How Parents Can Influence the Trends on Thursday, December 1, 2011, at 7 pm at the Herberg Middle School Library, 501 Pomeroy Avenue, Pittsfield. Attendees can enter to win gas gift cards and refreshments will be served. ALL parents of middle and high school students are encouraged to attend.

PHS orchestra cordially invites you to an annual Holiday concert presented by the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum:

November 22 at 7:00pm at the Berkshire Athenaeum's auditorium

Admission is free.

Concert program will include all time favorites written by Baroque and Classical composers and popular Christmas tunes.

I am proud to announce that this year HMS 8th and some 7th graders will be joining PHS orchestra.

For immediate release Thursday, November 3, 2011 Contact: JC Considine 781-338-3112

Family Literacy Month Celebrates the Importance of Reading

MALDEN – The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today announced that Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed November 2011 to be the Commonwealth’s 15th annual Family Literacy Month in celebration of the importance of reading and the essential role that parents/guardians and families play in the educational success of their children.

A variety of Family Literacy Month activities are planned across the state throughout the month of November in support and celebration of literacy, lifelong learning and family well-being. Family Literacy Month events will kick-off with the 4th Annual Family Literacy Celebration, supported by the Boston Medical Center and "Reach Out and Read" and hosted by the Boston Children's Museum from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 4th.

"An early love of reading is key to a child's development," said Governor Deval Patrick. "We use this celebration each year to recognize the important contributions that families make all year round in helping children develop strong literacy skills."

Governor Patrick is committed to increasing early literacy rates, understanding that literacy is a foundation for learning, and has convened a Joint Departmental Committee comprised of members of the Boards and the Commissioners of Early Education and Care, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Higher Education, along with Education Secretary Paul Reville, to coordinate policy and support to make early literacy a reality for all students.

"Having strong literacy skills is a key to success in all academic subjects, not just English language arts," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. "Students who participate in rich reading and literacy activities early in their lives are better positioned for success in school and beyond."

"Literacy starts at home, so we are happy to promote Family Literacy Month as one way to help reinforce lessons learned at school that will help students continue their learning," said Secretary Reville. "An excellent education requires excellent literacy skills and we are all committed to ensuring students have access to instruction that prepares them for success."

Press ReleaseFamily Literacy Month is sponsored by the Massachusetts Family Literacy Consortium (MFLC), a group comprised of state agencies, community organizations, parents, and providers to expand and strengthen family literacy and support.

Some of the Family Literacy Month events taking place in Massachusetts include:

•November 4 – The Boston Children's Museum will conduct the 4th Annual Family Literacy Celebration from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester, Early Education and Care Commissioner Sherri Killins and Secretary of Education Paul Reville will each read stories to children and families during this event. There will also be hands-on literacy activities for families, take home resources and literacy materials. Participating agencies include ReadBoston; Jumpstart; Children's Trust Fund; Raising a Reader; Countdown to Kindergarten Boston; Newton Free Library; TERC; Wiggles Press; Kool Smiles; Neighborhood Health Plan; Women, Infants & Children (WIC); Boston Medical Center; and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office for School Nutrition, Health and Safety.

•November 5 – Cambridge will hold its 15th Annual Cambridge Family Literacy Fun Day from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Cambridge City Hall for all Cambridge families with children in pre-K through grade 5. This free event will include children's activities, free books, Bonaparte the Magician, sing-a-longs, face painting and more.

•November 5 – Chelsea will hold its 6th Annual Family Literacy Day, called "Chelsea Reads," at the Chelsea Public Library from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Raising a Reader and the Chelsea/Revere Family and Community Network Program have partnered with the library to provide this free event for toddlers and up. The event will include book-based activities, storytellers, face painting, music, games and prizes, as well as special guest Radio Disney. All children under 12 will receive a backpack full of books while supplies last.

•November 7 – The East Brookfield Public Library will hold a family night with stories, crafts, fun, activities and surprises for the whole family from 6:00 – 7:30. The Theme for November is “Celebrate Family and Thanksgiving”.

•November 10 – The Lawrence Adult Learning Center will hold a family literacy fun day from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. This event will include games, activities, special guests reading to children, music, face painting, a free raffle and refreshments. Every child will get a book and parents will learn about community resources.

•November 12 – The Holyoke Children's Museum will host "Reading is Power", a free family day of fun and learning from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Adult literacy and early childhood providers, local businesses and other community-based organizations in the greater Holyoke area are partnering to conduct this event that will include free books, hands-on activities for families, carousel rides, take home resources and literacy prizes.

•November 16 and 17 – Medford will conduct Story Time for children ages 2 to 5 at the Medford Public Library at 10:00 a.m. Families will listen to stories and do simple crafts. On November 17th, parents and children from birth to three will engage in an interactive songfest.

•November 29 – Haverhill Public Library will conduct a "Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature" event for families with children ages 3-5 at 10:00 a.m. Families will explore environmental science through children's literature and activities.

For more information on family literacy and ways to promote family literacy, learning and involvement, visit the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website at http://www.doe.mass.edu/familylit/month/.

• ALERT SYSTEM
• Test to Take Place November 9 at 2 p.m. EDT

Dear Colleagues;

As part of our larger efforts to strengthen our nations preparedness and resiliency, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct the first nation-wide test of the Emergency Alert System on November 9th at 2pm Eastern Standard Time.

The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States, if needed, to address the American public during emergencies. It is another critical communications tool that can protect the public and strengthen our nations resiliency. The National Weather Service, governors, and state and local authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.

This national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential disasters both nationally and regionally. The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that are needed to build a new, modernized, and fully accessible Emergency Alert System.

To support the disability community, FEMA has developed a toolkit that will allow you to reach out to your constituents and local partners. The toolkits, attached here in multiple formats, allow you and your organization to quickly disseminate information about this test.

In addition, were also releasing two new videos created to support the outreach efforts of our disability community partners. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate has long been a champion of the whole community and ensuring that FEMA represents the diversity of the people we serve. In one video, Neil Mc Devitt, from FEMAs Office of Disability Integration and Coordination joins Administrator Fugate in outlining the need for the upcoming Emergency Alert System test and the accessibility challenges posed by the test. The video has American Sign Language, open-captions, and is voiced throughout. Were also happy to provide a Spanish version of the message with open-captions.

If you have additional questions for FEMA-Office of Disability Integration and Coordination questions, please contact our office at

Marci Roth

Director

Office of Disability Integration and Coordination

〈FEMA Administrators Message - http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407

〈ASL Video: http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407

〈Spanish Video: http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6408

Please share this information with your constituencies, colleagues, friends, and families. Remember, on November 9th at 2pm ET, Don't stress; its only a test.

Invitation

On behalf of The Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs Association (MAFA)

And Mayor James M. Ruberto

A celebration event will take place this Friday, November 4th at 4pm at Park Square

In honor of the 200th anniversary of the Modern American Fair and the founding of the Berkshire Agricultural Society

Reenactment of first “fair” at Park Square

The November 4th celebration includes live demonstrations, historical interpretations, animals and exhibits depicting the early agricultural roots and fairs.

A reception will immediately follow the event, held on the top floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel with archives from different fairs on display.

For more information please contact Greg Chiecko, event chairman for MAFA: 413-205-5019 or gchiecko@TheBigE.com