North Adams Public Schools -

Preventing the Spread of Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses in Schools: Across Massachusetts, schools are seeing a concerning increase in seasonal respiratory illnesses, particularly COVID-19 and influenza. The best guards against severe illness are vaccinations against both. The Department of Public Health recommends that every person over the age of 6 months get a flu shot annually, and DESE strongly encourages districts and schools to engage with school communities to ensure as many staff and students as possible receive a flu and a COVID-19 vaccination this school year. Other preventive measures include reminding staff and students to stay home if they are not feeling well, take a COVID-19 test and seek treatment if needed, wear a mask if desired, and wash their hands. 

Happening today! There will be a COVID vaccine clinic on Tuesday, 12/20, from 2-5 pm, Hoosac Valley Middle/High School. A $75 gift card is available for folks who receive their vaccine or booster while supplies last. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cdrmaguire?calendar=b01203fe-5014-4752-b7e7-c102956a48f4 Walk ins are also welcome! If you can't make this event there will be another opportunity at the end of the month. The CHP mobile unit will be returning to the Harper Center, 118 Church St. Williamstown, on Tuesday December 27th from 1:30 to 3:30pm. They’ll have the latest booster, the bivalent from Pfizer and Moderna, Covid vaccines will be available to folks 6 months old and older and they’ll have Flu vaccines, regular and the senior version. Walk-ins are welcome but if you want to register, call 413-528-0475.

Berkshire Youth Leadership Program applications are now available! The Berkshire Youth Leadership Program is a 10-month-long program for High School Juniors that aims to help students build a strong sense of self in the Berkshires, facilitate deepened leadership skill development, provide career exploration options, engage students in collective community service, and offer a space to develop meaningful relationships with peers across the entire region. Students must apply for the program in the winter of their Sophomore year and selected students will then begin their participation with a 2-night retreat in early/mid June 2023. Starting in August 2023, students will then participate in monthly, day-long sessions that will run through April 2024. Any and all Berkshire County high school sophomores, or sophomore aged home-school students in the Berkshires, are urged to apply. The deadline for current Sophomores to apply is February 10th, 2023. For more information, and the link to apply, please go to https://1berkshire.com/1berkshire-programs/youth-leadership-program/

Due to the weather, the North Adams Mobile Food Bank has been CANCELLED for today. The next North Adams distribution will be on January 6th. Food and Meal Site listing for the Berkshires can be found here: https://5il.co/1m4ki

COVID Vaccine Clinic Hoosac Valley Middle School 12/20 from 2-5pm Open to all! Pre-registration is strongly encouraged: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cdrmaguire?calendar=b01203fe-5014-4752-b7e7-c102956a48f4 Walk ins are also welcome! A $75 gift card is available for folks who receive their vaccine or booster while supplies last!

Last Mobile Food Bank of 2022! Friday, 12/16 10-11am Brien Center parking lot The Food Bank of WMA has a Nutrition Tips section on their website for tips and recipes using food bank items: https://www.foodbankwma.org/learn/nutrition-tips/

Announcing the NEW Food Pantry at the Northern Berkshire YMCA All are welcome! Membership not required Hours of Operation Monday through Friday 5:45am - 8pm Saturday and Sunday 8am - 2pm

Food and Meal Site listing for the Berkshires in English and Spanish: https://5il.co/1lsri https://5il.co/1lsrh

Upcoming programming from Roots Teen Center.

Upcoming programing from the Family Center.

Upcoming programing from the Family Center.

Upcoming programing from the Family Center.

CHP Family Services is hosting a special virtual event: The Secret Life of Autism on December 7 at 11 AM - Please see the flyer for registration information and for an updated holiday schedule for playgroups.

Information from the Attorney General's Office about energy bills.

What are you doing on Friday, December 2 from 5pm to 8pm? We hope you'll come to the First Friday Holiday Festivities organized by the North Adams Chamber of Commerce! Here are a few of the free family-friendly activities planned: 5pm reading of The Night Before Christmas by Mayor at The Bear & Bee Bookstore (28 Holden St) 5pm Drury High School Band plays festive tunes at Terra Nova Church (85 Main Street) followed by a march around downtown! 5pm-7pm Horse & Carriage rides by McKay Farms. 5pm-7pm Make s’mores at the fire pit at the First Congregational Church 7pm-8pm Enjoy the melodic sounds of a 12-member bell ringer group at Terra Nova Church (85 Main St)! Many businesses are hosting their own special events too! View full list of festivities at: https://www.nachamber.org/events

North Adams Mobile Food Bank Friday, December 2nd 10-11am Brien Center parking lot All are welcome! There are no eligibility requirements to participate.

NORTH ADAMS EMERGENCY SERVICES TOY DRIVE They will be at Walmart on November 26, 2022 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They are accepting new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0-10 All toy distributed locally Donations will be accepted until December 7th Toy drop off locations: North Adams Police Station North Adams Fire Station Northern Berkshire Ambulance Station Village Pizza Bright Ideas Brewery NORAD Mill Bfair Dr. Maselli’s Office Dr. Messenger’s Office North Adams Movie Plex Stamford School

Information on the current winter programs. Every program is expecting to see an increase in the numbers served this year. See individual flyers for details.

The updated Food and Meal Site listing for Berkshire County dated 11/17/22 can be found here: https://5il.co/1l4iy Also, see image for a list of community sites hosting a Thanksgiving meal this week for folks looking for options in their community.

The North Adams Public Schools Greenhouse program is holding an all-day open house on Wednesday November 30th, 8:00 am to 6:30 pm. See flyer for other details.