North Adams Public Schools -

Community organization Hoosac Harvest announces its annual seedling swap will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024, as part of the North Adams Farmer’s Market on Main Street in downtown North Adams. Community members are invited to bring seedlings to swap, or to come without seedlings and just choose offerings for their spring gardens. All seedlings are free--you don’t need to bring some to swap to take some home. Donations to Hoosac Harvest are encouraged. Seedlings to share can be extra vegetables or flowers that you bought or grew and can even be cuttings or plants that you have too many of in your yard. Bring and share what you can.

Drury High School - Band Concert Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 7pm Drury High School Auditorium Hope to see you there!

Our make-up screening date for Kindergarten registrations and PreK applications is quickly approaching! June 6th 9am - 12pm Welcome Center at Brayton Elementary School See flyer for details Info about Kindergarten Registration: https://www.napsk12.org/article/1589502 Infor about PreK Application: https://www.napsk12.org/article/1589474

Bingo for Books Monday, 5/20 at 5:30 pm Free and open to all. NAPS, CCB and Head Start staff will be available starting at 5pm to answer questions about PreK/Kindergarten, assist with enrollment and give classroom tours. Pizza will be available at 5:30. Games start at 6pm.

The Federation for Children with Special Needs is providing FREE workshops for special education families about the NEW IEP form. Details about upcoming trainings and registration information can be found at https://fcsn.org/new-iep/ More opportunities can be found at https://fcsn.org/news/

5/17 North Adams Mobile Food Bank, 11am -noon, Brien Center Parking Lot

May 14th Virtual Event, 6:30-8:30pm RSVP to Kashawn.McRavion-Little@mass.gov for the Zoom information. Learn about becoming a foster parent and adopting from foster care. Guest speakers include current foster parents and youth who have aged out of foster care. Please see the attached flyer for additional information. June 4th Virtual Event, 6:30-8:30pm RSVP to Kashawn.McRavion-Little@mass.gov for the Zoom information. KICK OFF Celebration of Juneteenth & Helping To Foster Diversity! Join us virtually on June 4, 2024 from 6:30-8:30PM for a Presentation, Information Session and Engaging Conversation Current Foster Parents Encouraged to Attend and to Bring a Friend!

Congratulations to SRO Mirante who was the recipient of the Spirit of the Future award at the 6th Annual Spirit of Caring Northern Berkshire United Way event!

School of Rock Tonight! 5/13 at 7:00 pm Limited seating available

Don't forget! NAPS Community Forum: Grade Configuration Updates Wednesday, May 15th at 6 PM At the Welcome Center at Brayton Elementary School and via Zoom (link napsk12.org/ZoomLinkMay15) Forums are open to anyone interested in learning more about the logistics planned for the upcoming school year, including, transportation, arrival and dismissal times, class sizes, and school choice updates. The forum will also allow participants to ask questions and provide feedback.

Giuseppe Grandini and the Search for the World's Greatest Opera Character A Free Family Concert 11:00 AM Saturday, May 18 Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare and Co., Lenox Full information and free registration here: https://www.berkshireoperafestival.org/grandini Part of ArtWeek Berkshires 2024 On Saturday, May 18, from 11:00-11:50am at Shakespeare and Co. in Lenox, Berkshire Opera Festival will present a performance specifically tailored to young people, ages 8-14. With the bumbling Italian opera impresario Giuseppe Grandini as your guide, explore opera's most unforgettable characters through the music of Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, and more! Four acclaimed singers will take the stage in this free, interactive event that is sure to inspire the whole family.

DDS Neurodiversity EVENT May 23, 2024 The Statewide Autism Team is excited to present the next training in the Neurodiversity Training Series. Unmasking the Hidden Struggles: Navigating Autistic Burnout and Masking Date/Time: Thursday, 5/23 at 12 pm Registration Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMocuGorzwpGNzxz8d7YFR2Q5Aq6orF1sTQ#/registration Presenter: Megan Anna Neff, PsyD She/They, Website: www.neurodivergentinsights.com Description: Join us for a 90-minute discussion that sheds light on the intertwined realities of Autistic masking and burnout, significantly impacting the lives of Autistic adults. Hosted by Dr. Neff, an Autistic clinical psychologist and author, this talk is set to illuminate the often-overlooked “invisible end of the spectrum.” As awareness of autism without co-occurring intellectual disability grows, an increasing number of adults are seeking supportive services. However, historically, the field has not fully grasped their presentation or needs. This talk aims to demystify by exploring and defining a few key features: • The lost generation of Autistic adults • Autistic masking (not what you think it is) • Autistic burnout We will delve into the concept of "masking" — the innate drive for safety that leads many Autistic people to repress Autistic traits and mimic neurotypical norms, examining its deep connection to Autistic burnout. This state of physical and mental exhaustion can lead to severe consequences for quality of life, including an increased risk of suicidality. By engaging with the latest research, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how the current support system, despite its good intentions, may inadvertently exacerbate these challenges. This training is set to challenge the status quo, advocating for a shift towards more neuro-affirming approaches in therapy and support services. It questions long-held assumptions about the needs of Autistic individuals. Bio: Dr. Neff is a neurodivergent Psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights where she creates education and wellness resources for neurodivergent adults. Dr. Neff is the author of Self-Care for Autistic People. Additionally, she has published in several peer-reviewed journals.

Massachusetts has a new IEP Form!  The new form is written in easier-to-understand language and is designed to increase collaboration among IEP Team members.  Centering on student’s strengths and vision, a goal is to help students take an active part in the IEP planning process.  Come to our virtual Introduction to the New IEP Form presentation to learn what has changed!  This workshop is free and open to all families, educators, and administrators in current MassPAC member communities. Date: Wednesday, May 8th Time: 5:00 PM-6:00 PM Presenter: Leslie M. Leslie, MassPAC Project Director Please register to get the Zoom link to participate: https://fcsn.org/event/new-iep-may-8/ Questions? lleslie@fcsn.org

The AYJ Fund invites families to their Once Upon A Dream children's concert on Saturday May 18th. Ticket prices and details are included on the flyer. For more information about the AYJ Fund, visit https://www.ayjfund.org/

Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Certification Training See flyer for details

Sheep Hill Scientists! See flyer for details.

SAVE THE DATE! Drury High School's semi-annual End of Semester Showcase & Student Recognition Event June 7th from 10:45am to 2:20pm Doors open at 10:35 Four different showcase locations: gym, library, and band and theatre classrooms. Student Recognition Ceremony will begin at 1pm in the auditorium

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts is hosting a hiking event for those who will be entering Grades K to 3 in Sept 2024. The event will take place on May 25 at 11:30 am, Glen Meadow Loop at the Greylock Glen. RSVP by May 21st - https://bit.ly/GSAdamsHiking (See flyer for additional details.)

The Greenhouse Program is holding its Spring Open House on Thursday, May 9th from 9am to 6pm. See flyers for additional hours they will be open and pricing.

Teen Writing Workshop Showcase See flyer for details!