Schools

Sunnyside Child Care center finds new home in Northampton

Friday, May 24, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — A former “doggie day care” is getting upgraded to provide a learning environment for a whole new species. Sunnyside Child Care center is breaking ground next week for its new, permanent location at 557 Easthampton Road, the home of the former Dances With Dogs pet care center. Campus expansion plans at Smith College, Sunnyside’s current location, required the demolition of the school building at the end of Paradise … 0

Local lawmakers seek to lessen choice’s impact on sending schools

Friday, May 24, 2013

School choice and charter school options affect western Massachusetts communities differently than they do in the eastern part of the state, and local legislators are filing bills that aim to correct the imbalance. This year, John Scibak, D-South Hadley, and Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, filed three bills seeking to make alterations to educational option programs. Meanwhile, in Boston, the Legislature’s educational committee is being … 0

Bridge Street School 4th-grader Elizabeth Watts draws, Wednesday, alongside classmate Finn Puckett, 8, at the school. The Watts family, who are from Holyoke, have chosen to attend Bridge Street School in Northampton.

SARAH CROSBY

Options help families find schools that meet needs

Friday, May 24, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — When Mark Watts’ oldest daughter reached school age five years ago, he and wife Deborah Miller wanted to enroll Pippa in public school. Some of the other families in their Holyoke Highlands neighborhood were sending their children to private schools, but the Watts-Miller family didn’t like that option. Still, with Holyoke … 2

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Cody Baglow, left, and Jonathan Traester of Amherst celebrate after Amherst scores Friday against Northampton during a lacrosse game at Northampton High School.

SARAH CROSBY

Amherst eliminates rival Northampton from playoff contention

Craig Murdock, Bridge Street School physical education teacher, and second grader C.J. Ryznic take a lap around the playground during recess Wednesday as part of the "Feelin' Good" walking program. Many students run the first two laps for one "punch" on their mile marker card. Twenty punches fills the card and marks five miles completed.
KEVIN GUTTING

Running buddies

About 350 people attended the annual Health and Safety Fair held Thursday at the Northampton Senior Center. The event offered information about the services and resources — including respite, adult day programs, and in-home care — that are available in this area. Those who attended were also able to learn about specific health conditions; here, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School student Paige Petersen of Huntington, 16, checks a blood pressure reading for Janice Cromack of Hadley.

SARAH CROSBY

Getting a checkup

Other Local News

Verse inspires Leeds School students at poetry cafe

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

S ome wrote about their favorite food, others about sports or annoying siblings, and one gave directions about how to be a ninja. Jesse Pompei’s third-grade class at Leeds School listened to, read and wrote poetry for six … 0

Edwards Roberts Jr. talks to a group of Smith Vocational students about his experiences and the hazards of drunk driving during a program Friday afternoon.

Safe prom event challenges denial about teen drinking

Friday, May 17, 2013

WESTHAMPTON – Edward Roberts heard plenty of speakers warn about the dangers of drinking and driving when he was in high school more than a decade ago at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. “I was one of … 0

Experts favor positive strategies for helping teens stay safe at prom and graduation time

Thursday, May 16, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — While mock car crashes and cautionary tales by survivors of drunken driving accidents are still popular ways to reach teens, experts favor safety programs that take a more positive approach. Effective programs are those that “include coping strategies for ways young people can avoid risky behavior,” … 0

Six tips for a safe prom and graduation season

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and drivers age 15 to 20 are especially vulnerable to crashes. That’s why prom and graduation season, when many young people are attending parties, is a time to … 0

The ends of kielbasa are tied, Thursday, at Smith Vocational High School in Northampton.

SARAH CROSBY

Smith Vocational students bested by Chicopee Comp in kielbasa contest

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Student chefs from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School didn’t win a kielbasa-making contest Friday, but one judge said they surprised and impressed judges with their tasty, innovative recipe. Chicopee Comprehensive High School won the competition … 0

Eliza Bannasch, right, takes notes as fellow Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School ninth-graders Brahm Masla and Brendan Drinkwater, standing left, in their roles as delegates from Bolivia, present their position papers at an all-day climate change summit on Monday.
KEVIN GUTTING

PVPA students tackle climate change at mock UN summit

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

SOUTH HADLEY — It’s one thing to learn about the scientific facts and theories behind climate change. It’s quite another to take a hard look at the politics involved. Ninth-graders at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public … 0

Northampton High School student artwork displayed at Forbes Library gallery

Thursday, May 16, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — A special section of protest art will be among the offerings at the Northampton High School Student Art Show now on display at Forbes Library’s Hosmer Gallery. Photography students will exhibit images from the “Rally for Creativity” in March where more than 200 NHS students rallied … 0

Hampshire Regional students to perform 'Alice in Wonderland' this weekend

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

WESTHAMPTON — Audiences can go through the looking glass this weekend at Hampshire Regional High School when the school’s drama company performs “Alice in Wonderland.” The play, which takes place May 10 through 12, was adapted for the stage from Lewis Carroll’s tales of young Alice as she … 0

Wednesday is National School Nurse Day

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

NORTHAMPTON — Karen Jarvis-Vance will spend much of today visiting the city’s six school buildings, delivering flowers and messages to a special set of employees: school nurses. In honor of National School Nurse Day, Jarvis-Vance, who is Northampton’s director of health services and education, will also be encouraging … 0

Former assistant principal Darius Modestow will become principal of Frontier Regional School, starting July 1.
KATHLEEN McKIERNAN

Assistant principal Darius Modestow to head Frontier Regional

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

DEERFIELD — The assistant principal at the Frontier Regional School will serve as Martha Barrett’s successor. Starting July 1, Darius Modestow will become principal for the 607 students at the regional school. He will succeed Barrett, the current … 0

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Schools

Sunnyside Child Care center finds new home in Northampton

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