Daily Hampshire Gazette - Established 1786
Rain
48°
Rain
Hi 65° | Lo 48°

Hatfield

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 encouraged to do away with a spending cap on charter schools in poorly performing districts. Here is what local legislators are proposing: ■ An act to establish a school choice “circuit breaker.” This bill, filed by Scibak, seeks reimbursement from the state … 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 student 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 … 0

Hatfield: Case study in receiving end of school choice

Friday, May 24, 2013

In Hatfield — the smallest kindergarten through Grade 12 district in the state — about a quarter of the student population are school choice students from other communities. The town is well known for attracting school choice students with its small class sizes that allow for extra attention to students, said Superintendant John Robert. In five years, Hatfield has collected $2.8 million from … 0

Cities & Towns »
Read our local coverage for
a specific town
Local Photography »
Northampton Center for the Arts. KEVIN GUTTING Photo Gallery: Old friend
Barry Brzoska, with son Jacob Your Time: The 30th annual Kids’ Junior Trout Fishing Derby, Easthampton
Toni Hochstadt of Northampton. KEVIN GUTTING Style Stop: Toni Hochstadt
Other Local News
Institute graduates latest class of 34 women leaders
From News »
Judge again denies bail for murder suspect Cara Lee Rintala while awaiting new trial in 2010 slaying
From News »
Bruins fail to hold the lead twice, fall in overtime
From Sports »
Starting pitcher Kevin Ziomek of Amherst gets no decision in tournament win by Vanderbilt baseball 
From Sports »
What makes a downtown?
From Opinion »
Democracy, not dynasty
From Opinion »
Chutney tacos? You betcha! Top chefs offer up fresh takes on taco night
From Living »
Lou & Lucy’s Leftovers: There’s more than one way to cook an asparagus
From Living »
Art People: Bruce Watson | satirist, biographer
From Arts & Entertainment »
Williston alum Rafael Cortina wins Student Academy Award
From Arts & Entertainment »

Jury out in trial of ex-probation chief Christopher Hoffman

Friday, May 10, 2013

WORCESTER — After four hours of deliberation, jurors in the federal obstruction-of-justice trial of Christopher J. Hoffman were sent home late Friday afternoon. They will return to their discussions Monday in U.S. District Court. Hoffman, of Hatfield, is the former acting probation chief of Hampshire Superior Court. He … 0

School lunch menus

Friday, May 10, 2013

Amherst-Pelham  (Elementary) MONDAY: Chicken and cheese quesadilla, black beans, broccoli, diced pears, apple TUESDAY: Fish sticks, cream of tomato soup, diced pears, cucumbers, green grapes WEDNESDAY: Grilled cheese, fries, blueberries, corn, bananas THURSDAY: Crispy chicken sandwich, green beans, strawberry cup, apple slices FRIDAY: Pizza, green grapes, carrot sticks, … 0

Ashlee McGan of Hampshire Regional pitches to Frontier Regional Thursday at Frontier. JERREY ROBERTS

Thursday’s high schools: Hampshire softball comes through in clutch against Frontier

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Ashlee McGan and Krystel Enko had matching lines but the Hampshire Regional softball team came through in the clutch to beat Frontier Regional 5-1 and qualify for the postseason Thursday in South Deerfield. Both pitchers struck out eight … 0

Thursday’s high schools: South Hadley edges East Longmeadow in boys tennis

Thursday, May 9, 2013

James Stawarz pulled out a three-set victory at No. 2 singles to give the South Hadley boys tennis team a 3-2 victory over East Longmeadow. Stawarz beat Brian Grohe 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-1 to join Mikey Miele (No. 1 singles) and first doubles team of Chris Larrow and … 0

Hampshire Regional senior Frankie Weir, top, has been named the Daily Hampshire Gazette Wrestling Player of the Year.

Gazette Wrestler of Year: Frankie Weir of Hampshire 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Frankie Weir entered his senior season at Hampshire Regional with lofty expectations and left with a lasting wrestling legacy. After a season in which he placed third in the 170-pound weight class at the all-state tournament, second at … 0

Hatfield Elementary students Jacob Yagodzinski and Maisy Dyer run cross-gym sprints during a BOKS (Build Our Kids' Success) program before school Tuesday. KEVIN GUTTING

Program helps Hatfield students jump-start morning

Thursday, May 9, 2013

HATFIELD — It’s not often elementary school students ask to go to school early. For parents with children at Hatfield Elementary School however, this request may become increasingly commonplace. This spring, Hatfield Elementary School incorporated a 10-week physical … 0

GAZETTE FILE PHOTO Anne Marie Bettencourt, right, and Daniel Zukergood, co-wrote "Teaching in the Real World" in 2008.

Anne Marie Bettencourt of Hatfield state Teacher of Year

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

HATFIELD — Hatfield resident and Springfield Central High School English teacher Anne Marie Bettencourt has been named the 2013 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Bettencourt is the 52nd recipient of this award and automatically becomes the state’s candidate … 0

JERREY ROBERTS Daniel Zukergood and Anne Marie Bettencourt, authors of the book "Teaching in the Real World" talk about their book Thursday in the office/studio of Zukergood's home in Holyoke.

Anne Marie Bettencourt of Hatfield named Massachusetts Teacher of Year

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Hatfield resident and Springfield Central High School English teacher Anne Marie Bettencourt has been named 2013 Teacher of the Year. Bettencourt is the state’s 52nd recipient of this award and automatically becomes the state’s candidate for the National … 0

Anne Marie Bettencourt of Hatfield named Massachusetts Teacher of Year

Thursday, May 16, 2013

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Anne Marie Bettencourt of Hatfield, a ninth-grade English teacher at Springfield Central High School, has been named the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Bettencourt received the honor Tuesday from state Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. Bettencourt, a New Bedford native, originally went to … 0

Monday’s high school softball: Krystel Enko fans 17 as Frontier rolls past Greenfield

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Krystel Enko struck out 17 and allowed only four hits as the Frontier Regional softball team rolled to a 15-2 victory at Greenfield and pulled within a win of qualifying for the postseason. Caitlyn Sullivan (four RBIs) had four hits for the Red Hawks (9-3, 8-3), while McKayla … 0

Don't Miss This