Upcoming Roots Teen Center Events:
Upcoming Family Center Events:
On Tuesday, February 2nd, all students and staff are working remotely. The central office is closed due to inclement weather. There is no meal service today. Thank you.
Due to the timing of today's storm, North Adams Public Schools dinner service at Brayton Elementary School is cancelled for Monday, February 1st. Meal distribution sites will remain closed on Tuesday, February 2nd and will reopen Wednesday February 3rd. Thank you.
Due to the impending snowstorm, the North Adams Public Schools meal distribution sites will be open and distributing meals on Monday, February 1st, and will be closed on Tuesday, February 2nd. Thank you for your flexibility and participation in the food service program.
Due to COVID-19 testing as of January 28, 2021, the North Adams Public Schools will continue remote learning through Friday, February 5th.
Please see here to view the February menus for the North Adams Public Schools:
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Monthly Forum: Youth Mental Health Impacts & COVID-19: Crisis as Opportunity. Friday, February 12. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Via Zoom: BIT.LY/FEBMHFORUM. See flyer for details.
Please see the January 22, 2021 letter from Superintendent Malkas with latest COVID-19 news: https://5il.co/ovvl
Please see the detailed COVID-19 data as of January 21, 2021.
MA 4-H CES 2/3/2021 Event
nbCC's Student Support Program at UNO Community Center will continue to provide guidance and support through the winter to students and their families navigating remote learning: Wednesday's from 12:00 - 3:00pm and Thursdays from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. See flyer for details.
January 19, 2021 letter from Superintendent Malkas:
Dear Students, Families, and Staff Members,
Each Thursday evening the Department of Public Health releases the city/town and Berkshire County data updates for the previous 14 day period. The most recent data has shown that we continue to be challenged with high rates for contagion for COVID-19.
The benchmarks that we use to determine if there is community spread that warrants moving to remote learning include:
● 3% positivity rate for the City of North Adams: Current rate is 4.36%.*
● 3% average positivity rate for 15 collective towns and cities that represent locations where staff or students who enter North Adams Public Schools reside: Current rate is 6.59%.*
Both the 4.36% positivity rate for the city and the 6.59% positivity rate for the 15 collective towns has triggered the continuation of remote learning through January 29, 2021. Without serious efforts to lower these rates, we may need to extend the time period for remote learning beyond that date.
It is my sincerest hope that all of our families, staff and community members do those things that will help us to get back to school in the coming weeks. We must stop the spread using the simple steps that helped us maintain low positivity rates: wear a mask at all times when in public, wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available, maintain physical distancing, and refrain from large gatherings. If you or your child develop symptoms of COVID-19, it is very important that you quarantine, get tested as soon as possible, and follow your health care provider’s recommendations for your recovery.
COVID- 19 Symptoms
If you or your child develops any symptoms associated with COVID-19, it is important that you quarantine and schedule a test to confirm your illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
● Fever or chills
● Cough
● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
● Fatigue
● Muscle or body aches
● Headache
● New loss of taste or smell
● Sore throat
● Congestion or runny nose
● Nausea or vomiting
● Diarrhea
Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:
● Trouble breathing
● Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
● New confusion
● Inability to wake or stay awake
● Bluish lips or face
Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
COVID-19 Testing
Rapid PCR testing is available in the office of North Berkshire Pediatrics: This test is for their patients who have any symptoms that could possibly be due to COVID. The test result is available in 15 minutes and the practice is available to see these patients 7 days a week. The rapid test is not sensitive enough for people without symptoms, so if patients who were exposed to a COVID positive individual but don’t have symptoms can either be seen and have a test performed to send to BMC or direct them to a testing site. Increased availability and faster turnaround times for results are available through BMC: the North Adams testing site is open 7 days a week from 8:30-4 by appointment (call 855-BMC-LINK) and the tests are now being sent to the Broad Institute which has a slightly greater than 24 hours turnaround time.
Thank you.
Dr. Barbara Malkas
*Current public health data for North Adams and surrounding communities.
Please see the attached January 14, 2021 COVID-19 detailed data report.
Webinar Registration: Protecting Children in Cyberspace https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6016105668662/WN_WjPP3bEvQICtZwdcARxuKw
Remote learning for the North Adams Public Schools has been extended through January 29, 2021, due to COVID rates. Please see the attached letter from Superintendent Malkas: https://5il.co/oeoy
Upcoming programming offered by Roots Teen Center. See flyers for details.
The North Adams Public Schools food service meal distribution sites will resume operations the week of January 4, 2021.
Berkshire County Historical Society is offering a free online writing workshop.
Upcoming programming brought to you by the Family Center. See flyers for additional information.
