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.
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!
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.
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.)
Reminder! Our next community forum will be on May 15th at 6pm!
The forum will take place in a hybrid format at the Welcome Center at Brayton Elementary School and via Zoom which can be accessed by going to napsk12.org/ZoomLinkMay15.
During the forum, we will be providing updates on grade configurations and logistics for the 2024-2025 school year including transportation, arrival and dismissal times, class sizes, and school choice updates. The forum is open to anyone interested and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
For questions, please email familysupports@napsk12.org or call 413-776-1458.
Our 21st Century Afterschool Program showered our School Lunch Heroes with some love! Thank you to all of our School Lunch Heroes for everything you do, including all the work that goes into serving our delicious dinner program that our Afterschool students get to enjoy!
Don't forget to thank your School Lunch Hero today!
Today, we’re celebrating our School Lunch Heroes! School meals are the building blocks for creating supportive learning environments so that all students feel valued, connected, nourished, and ready to learn. Thank you to all who provide healthy, nutritious meals to our students every day!
Upcoming programming at the Family Center
Food Pantry and Meal Site Listing for Berkshire County: https://5il.co/2k2xj
SNAP Information: https://5il.co/2k2xh
UMass Extension 4-H Career Exploration Series
See flyer for details.
Sheep to Shawl Festival at Sheep Hill
See flyer for details.
Rural Lands (a non-profit agency) manages a number of nature preserves and trails in our area, and they are conducting outreach to learn how they can be more inclusive to more people in our community. To this end, they request that any caregivers of students with disabilities fill out the survey below so Rural Lands can learn about how children living with a disability spend time in the outdoors.
Nature Accessibility Survey link: https://forms.gle/Str5tmz23hio3nDK9
Free credit success workshop with Wayfinders. See flyer for details.
