SBRSD celebrates accomplishments, looks to future

SHEFFIELD – The first ever “SBRSD on Parade,” an event to highlight the goings-on within the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, was “a resounding success.”

Wandering the halls of Mount Everett Regional High School, Superintendent Michael J. Singleton observed parents, students, teachers and other community members engaging with each other and the 42 displays highlighting district classrooms and programs.

“They’re excited about all the programs and events,” Dr. Singleton told The Beacon.

One of the organizations “on parade” at the event was the Eagle Fund, an initiative of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation that raises money for educational enrichment programs for SBRSD students.

“It’s a fantastic way to bring all the different types of activities together,” Eagle Fund Chair Lesliann Furcht said of the event.

The other 41 activities and programs on display during the two-hour open house included an IS 183 art show, robotics, Mt. Everett athletics and the Southern Berkshire Child Care program.

Speeches and presentations

Following the open house, a two-hour presentation featuring the district’s performing arts and remarks from district leaders welcoming future Superintendent David Hastings was held in the Thomas A. Consolati Performing Arts Center (TAC PAC).

“We’re here for at least two good reasons: to honor the faculty, the staff and the students…and we’re also here to welcome Dave Hastings, who will be our new superintendent,” School Committee Chairman Carl Stewart told the crowd.

Chairman Stewart also discussed the recent ranking of Mt. Everett by U.S. News and World Report in the top five percent of high schools in the United States.

“The ripple effect of this recognition will be real, it will be subtle,” he said. “Every college admissions office will know about this school.”

He also said he sees the district on an upward trend which will continue under Mr. Hastings’ leadership.

“I didn’t need the U.S. News and World Report to tell me this is a good district – I already know it is,” he said. “As good as we are now, we know that we’re on an upward path.”

The praise for the district continued with State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox).

“I represent nine or 10 [school] districts, and there’s not one of them I enjoy more than this one,” he said. “I had to be here tonight.”

To conclude the evening, Mr. Hastings took to the stage.

“I’m so thankful that you’re letting me lead this parade for the next couple of years,” the incoming superintendent said.

An annual event

The district hopes to make this an annual community outreach event.

“I can’t imagine not doing it again,” Chairman Stewart told The Beacon.

This year’s event was pulled together in just three weeks through the leadership of Mt. Everett Principal Glenn Devoti, Superintendent’s Office Administrative Assistant Linda Higgins and Class of 2013 President Taylor Garrett.

“Can you believe they put this all together in three weeks?” School Committee Member H. Bonnie Silvers, who also helped to organize the event, told The Beacon.

“It was amazing how this thing blossomed,” Mr. Hastings said of the event.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on May 23, 2013. Filed under Education News,Featured,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry