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New Northampton High School Principal Bryan Lombardi in his office Monday. JERREY ROBERTS

Bryan Lombardi new principal at Northampton High School 

Monday, May 20, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — When he takes the helm of Northampton High School in July, Bryan Lombardi said the working style he has developed during his six years as associate principal at the school won’t change. “You’ll see me at all the same events,” Lombardi, 45, said in an interview with the Gazette shortly after he accepted the principal’s post Monday. He … 0

Amherst-Pelham school district expected to finish with a balanced $28.5 million budget despite unexpected costs

Sunday, May 19, 2013

AMHERST — The Amherst-Pelham regional school district is on track to finish with a balanced $28.5 million budget even though unexpected costs have led to some accounts running over budget. For example, the special education budget is currently $152,803 over its $1.2 million budget — in part as a result of out-of-district tuition from placement of students whose needs cannot be met within … 0

Preschool loses home of 75 years on Amherst College campus

Friday, May 17, 2013

AMHERST — As 18 girls and boys left the brick schoolhouse, they found small chairs and performed songs for spectators on a lawn. After receiving certificates and praise, they ran to parents and relatives and joined in a buffet to celebrate the conclusion of the school year. In that way, Thursday’s ceremony at the Little Red Schoolhouse resembled many before it. But it … 0

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Local Photography »
Doug Laroche of Hampshire Regional, right, gets tagged out at first by Matt Serra of Monson on a pick from the pitcher Tuesday at Hampshire. JERREY ROBERTS Tuesday’s high schools: Hampshire baseball qualifies for postseason
The Laprade's game is kept in a box covered with pictures of their family that ran in the local papers. Custom trivia game reveals generations of Laprade family lore
Left, Dawud Lubieddin's things are laid out where a bench used to be on Main Street Northampton. Lubieddin talks with Abd Lomax of Northampton. Fewer Northampton benches in effort to curb loitering
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11th annual Sojourner Truth event Sunday in Florence 
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JFK Middle School students Luke Haas of Florence and Mairead Blatner of Northampton, both 14,with their English teacher Holly Graham. Haas and Blatner won Gold Keys in state Scholastic Writing Awards. SARAH CROSBY

JFK Middle School students win national writing awards

Friday, May 17, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — You know you’re in the presence of a real writer when she talks to you about her craft in Latin. Asked about a short story for which she recently won a national Scholastic writing award, Mairead … 0

Excerpts from award-winning stories by JFK Middle School students

Friday, May 17, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Below are excerpts from stories by two JFK Middle School eighth graders who won silver in this year’s national Scholastic writing awards. Mairead Blatner, 14, of Northampton, won in the science fiction category for her short story “Pro Bono” about a mysterious attorney. Her essay “Perfect” … 0

Area high schoolers win Gold Key Scholastic art and writing awards

Friday, May 17, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — This year’s 90th annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program run by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artist and Writers drew more than 23,000 art and writing submissions from students in grades 7-12 nationwide. Each year, 15 Portfolio gold medalists receive $10,000 awards and national award-winning … 0

Longtime educator Paula Fitzgerald named principal at Belchertown school

Friday, May 17, 2013

BELCHERTOWN — Paula Fitzgerald, a longtime educator in the Pioneer Valley tapped this week as the new Chestnut Hill Community School principal, said she is looking forward to working in Belchertown. Fitzgerald, currently principal of the Quarry Hill Community School in Monson, will start the job July 1. … 0

Eric Weiss resigns from Belchertown School Committee

Friday, May 17, 2013

BELCHERTOWN — Eric Weiss, a nine-year veteran of Belchertown School Committee, resigned from the position at a meeting this week. Weiss, currently vice chairman, cited increased responsibility at work as the reason for his resignation. “It was time,” Weiss said in a telephone interview Thursday. “I love being … 0

Belchertown School Committee Vice Chairman resigns

Thursday, May 16, 2013

BELCHERTOWN — School Committee Vice Chairman Eric Weiss resigned from the committee during Tuesday night’s meeting. The nine-year committee veteran said the demands of his job did not allow enough time for him to adequately serve the community, according to news reports. Weiss’ last day will be July … 0

Paula Fitzgerald named new principal of Chestnut Hill Community School in Belchertown

Friday, May 17, 2013

BELCHERTOWN — Paula Fitzgerald has been appointed the new principal of Chestnut Hill Community School. Fitzgerald, the current principal of Quarry Hill Community School in Monson, will begin her role as the Belchertown principal July 1, according to a notice posted by Belchertown Superintendant Judith Houle on her … 0

Two finalists named for Leeds School principal in Northampton

Monday, May 13, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Two finalists have been named in the search for a new principal at Leeds School — Sal J. Canata, associate principal at JFK Middle School, and Carolyn J. Boyce, assistant principal and special education supervisor at Blueberry Hill School in Longmeadow. A 14-member search panel selected … 0

Northampton senior Allie Martineau applies a clear protective coat of polyurethane to the spring portion of a four-season themed mural that she and other Honors Art 4 students painted in the second floor girls rest room at the high school. KEVIN GUTTING

Jackson Street School seeks ideas for playground redesign

Monday, May 13, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Jackson Street Principal Gwen Agna shared some sad news last week with staff, students and parents. “Our beautiful signature playground, affectionately known as the ‘Wooden Structure’ is on its last legs,” she announced in the school … 0

Western Massachusetts Writing Project celebrates 20th anniversary

Monday, May 13, 2013

AMHERST — The Western Massachusetts Writing Project is preparing to mark its 20th anniversary Wednesday with a program honoring a Hatfield woman who was named Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and comments from Sharon Washington, executive director of the National Writing Project. The event is set for 4:30 … 0

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