North County Notebook: Feb. 3, 2021
Published: 2/2/2021 2:51:38 PM
Parents to protest moving sixth-graders to Pioneer
NORTHFIELD A group of concerned parents will gather outside the Northfield Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in protest of a recent decision by the Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee to move sixth-graders from the two district elementary schools to Pioneer Valley Regional School in the fall.
The group of parents has requested that the School Committee delay this move to allow for a thorough planning process and assessment of students’ needs after reduced learning time resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The parent group is also requesting that the School Committee implement further public input processes from families.
Rebuilding history: 80-year-old weather vane restored
The copper weather vane that was atop the Greenfield Fire Station has been repaired by metal smith John Passiglia. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz
John Passiglia of Pierce Street Iron Works paints a chemical onto the new copper to mimic the patina of the green toned copper weather vane that was atop the Greenfield Fire Station. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz
The copper weather vane that was atop the Greenfield Fire Station has been restored and will be on display in the station. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz
John Passiglia of Pierce Street Iron Works replaced some parts, like the horses ears, on the copper weather vane that was atop the Greenfield fire station. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz
‘What would D. L. say?’
Published: 12/22/2020 4:22:10 PM
In 1895, my grandfather’s sister, Jessie Adams, came to Northfield to be the athletic director of the Northfield Seminary. Having recently graduated from Wellesley College, she was drawn to Northfield by D. L. Moody and his vision of a Christian school for young women. She taught in the new Skinner Gymnasium (now Tracy) and supervised “her girls” in the dormitory until 1899, when Moody died.
Our family came to Northfield 49 years ago, when I accepted a job teaching math at Pioneer Valley Regional School. After 10 years, my wife and I joined the NMH faculty, where we worked for more than 20 years.
Northfield paramedic announces retirement, increased focus on Start ’Em Early Foundation
Northfield EMS Public Education Coordinator and Paramedic Erik Davidson, shown in February with items that are included in sensory bags for people with autism, is retiring as a paramedic but will continue to run his nonprofit, the Start ’Em Early Foundation. STAFF FILE PHOTO/DAN LITTLE
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NORTHFIELD Following complications from an accident and changes in his personal life, Northfield EMS Paramedic Erik Davidson will retire on Jan. 1.
In an email announcing his plans, Davidson, of Southwick, said continued factors from injuries he sustained in a fire in August have “affected (his) confidence as a running paramedic.” He also cited changes in his personal life, as he has assumed sole medical care of his elderly mother.
School Committee votes to move sixth grade to Pioneer come fall 2021
Pioneer Valley Regional School Principal Kevin Burke leads a group of students to their next class in September. The School Committee voted 7 to 5 on Thursday to move sixth grade up to the district’s middle and high school, starting in the fall of 2021. Staff File Photo/Paul Franz
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Parents request more research before moving sixth-graders to Pioneer
NORTHFIELD The sixth-grade classes that are currently housed at Bernardston Elementary School and Northfield Elementary School will be relocated to Pioneer Valley Regional School starting in the fall of 2021.
After more than an hour and a half of discussion during its meeting Thursday, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee voted seven to five to move sixth grade up to the district’s middle and high school. Pioneer Principal Kevin Burke, Northfield Elementary School Principal Megan Desmarais and Bernardston Elementary Scho