As we settle into October, thank you for the many ways you support our schools and students. Strong schools are built through partnership, curiosity, and a shared commitment to growth. Whether in classrooms, at school events, or around the table at community meetings, your questions, ideas, and engagement help us celebrate successes and continue moving forward together. We look forward to the journey!

Senior Jaziyah Forte was surprised with exciting news at a recent varsity volleyball practice: the dedicated student-athelete is the 2026 Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment (RYSE) Scholarship winner. Among an exceptionally competitive applicant pool, Forte stood out for her deep engagement and remarkably clear vision for the future. Inspired by hands-on experience working in childcare, she plans to attend a four-year college to study early childhood education. A program of Railroad Street Youth Project, RYSE offers South County high school students a safe, supportive space to explore post-graduation options, from college and vocational training to gap years. The weeklong program, held each July, features dynamic, youth-centered sessions to help students envision their next steps. "I’m so thankful [to have participated in RYSE]," says Forte who feels ready for her future— and the uncertainty that comes with it. Among the many lessons learned along the way, she shares this one: “Doing things you're not comfortable with is how you grow. It’s how I got where I am today, so my advice is to take every chance you can."

Four afternoons each week, the Farm and Garden Club seeks to connect students at Muddy Brook Elementary with food systems, the broader natural world, and each other. Each session begins with a group game relating to the subject at hand from compost relay races to food chain tag. Hands-on lessons in the garden space build upon big-picture ideas surrounding compost and the decomposers that help break it down; cold-hardy crops such as kale and broccoli; as well as vernalization and plant dormancy through planting garlic and tulips. While lessons relate 

to the Massachusetts Science frameworks, teamwork and social-emotional learning are equally important. Margaret Leahy, director of youth programs at Berkshire Botanical Gardens, sums it up: “Through gardening, students are empowered to take ownership and feel pride in their hard work, communicate with one another, and simply enjoy time spent outdoors.”  

On Friday, October 16, all 41 AP Language & Composition students met with author Jay Heinrichs via Zoom for a lively, 45-minute discussion about the art of persuasion and the importance of rhetoric in a world where digital communication and intense political divisions have become commonplace. While reading Heinrichs’ Thank You for Arguing, which explores the history and strategies of artful persuasion, students built a foundation for understanding key concepts in AP Language & Composition. “Heinrichs is an expert on all things rhetorical in a time when we deeply need it,” said teacher Jolyn Unruh, pointing to the author’s engaging, often humorous approach—one that brought classroom learning to life and challenged students to consider how thoughtful, effective communication can help shape a better world.

As part of its ongoing collaboration with Community Access to the Arts (CATA), Team 6 students visited the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown last week to experience I Am a Part of Art, an annual exhibition featuring vibrant paintings, drawings, and sculptures created by artists with disabilities. The visit offered students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of adversity, celebrate individual expression, and broaden their perspectives on disability. CATA’s mission is to nurture and celebrate the creativity of people with disabilities through shared experiences in the arts while challenging perceptions and inspiring social change. “We have been incredibly fortunate over the last several years to partner with CATA to bring awareness and tolerance to people who face challenges,” says Team 6 leader Kim Cormier. CATA is a valued community partner of the Berkshire Hills Regional School District, helping students develop empathy, embrace differences, and recognize the creativity and contributions of people of all abilities.

Sam Levin, PhD, has been an evolutionary biologist for as long as he can remember, dating back to his childhood explorations of the woods in New Marlborough. Today, after envisioning a career in academia, he is co-founder and CTO of Neion Bio, a New York City-based biotech company using cutting-edge genetic engineering to transform drug manufacturing and make life-saving medicines more affordable and accessible to everyone. “Life has been full of surprises,” says Levin, pointing to the foundation he got while a student at Monument. He considers building Project Sprout and the Independent Project defining acts in his life, calling Mike Powell the cornerstone of both. Levin credits Kathy Erickson with nurturing his love for academia and math—which has been at the heart of his career ever since—and the history department for shaping much of his world view. Perhaps most importantly, he co-founded his first company and launched his career with three Monument alums: Luc Harrigan, Loren AC, and Sean White. Levin’s advice to current students is simple: “Keep an open mind! Say yes to opportunities. Life is going to be filled with wrong turns and setbacks, so just keep going, exploring new things, and pulling on threads. Finding something you love takes time.”

Get ready for an afternoon of basketball, laughs, and school spirit! On Sunday, November 1, at 3 p.m., the Harlem Wizards will take on BHRSD faculty and staff in the Monument Mountain Regional High School gymnasium (get your tickets here). Families are invited to kick off the fun with a pre-game Wizzy Glizzy tailgate in the high school parking lot from noon to 2 p.m. See attached poster for more on family meal packages available from the grill or just turn up for tunes, hoops,and free fun in the sun. All proceeds benefit the W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School PTO.