Forum tonight to consider South Hadley's present, future

SOUTH HADLEY - The town's present and future will be the topic of discussion tonight during a What's New forum sponsored by the Know Your Town organization.

Members of the Select Board, Planning Board and Appropriations Committee will be on hand to answer questions during the free public session at 7 p.m. in the South Hadley High School library, 153 Newton St.

Photo: Iceless fishing

Mount Holyoke juniors help South Hadley students to become better writers

SOUTH HADLEY - Inspired by their experience learning to be better writers at Mount Holyoke College, Ariel Lantz and Julia Herman, both juniors, had a great idea. Why not adapt the college's Speaking, Arguing and Writing program into a writing center at nearby South Hadley High School? Lantz said the high school writing center that she and Herman developed was inspired by an international writing-center conference they attended in 2010 in Baltimore. Lantz and Herman then worked with Mount Holyoke professors and South Hadley High School teachers to adapt Mount Holyoke's model for a high school setting.

South Hadley Falls project topic of forum

SOUTH HADLEY - A public forum to discuss proposed redevelopment of South Hadley Falls will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

The details

What is a writing center and how does it work?

Using the Mount Holyoke College model, the writing center at South Hadley High School trains students to act as mentors to other students, offering help and support in strengthening analytical thinking, persuasive speaking and the nuts and bolts of effective writing - correct grammar and punctuation.

South Hadley plans to expand landfill

SOUTH HADLEY - Plans are under way to expand the town landfill onto a 13-acre parcel bordering the town's industrial park off New Ludlow Road, a move that could extend the life of the dump and generate cash for the town.

South Hadley raises the bar for students

SOUTH HADLEY - Graduation standards will be higher for incoming freshmen at South Hadley High School next year, at the request of Principal Sean McNiff.

At his urging, the School Committee voted last week to require an extra year of math, going from three years to four, two years of classes of the same foreign language and a year of art classes.