High schools in Springfield, Boston and Beverly receiving $972,000 in grants for after-school programming for teens with substance use disorder
Updated 10:33 AM;
Massachusetts officials have announced $972,000 in grants going to high schools in Springfield, Boston and Beverly to allow for after-school programming for teens with substance use disorder or who are at risk for developing the disorder.
The award recipients are the Springfield Public Schools, Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) and the Northshore Education Consortium in Beverly.
“Research has shown that being in a school setting that promotes recovery provides students with an influential network that can lead to academic success and a reduction in substance use,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “This award will expand after-school and outside of school supports particularly in response to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Pittsfield principal to lead Wolf Swamp Road Elementary School in Longmeadow
Updated May 12, 2021;
LONGMEADOW Jared Materas has been named the new principal of Wolf Swamp Road Elementary School.
Materas, who is currently the principal at Egremont Elementary School in Pittsfield, succeeds interim Wolf Swamp Road School Principal Marie Pratt, who had come out of retirement to lead the elementary school last year. Pratt retired as principal of Blueberry Hill Elementary School in 2017.
Pratt replaced Elizabeth Nelson, who was named principal of Wolf Swamp Road in 2016. In September 2020, Nelson accepted the role of principal of Williams Middle School.
The principal search committee was comprised of Wolf Swamp Road School parents, teachers and staff. Dr. Marty O’Shea, superintendent of the Longmeadow Public Schools, described the screening process as thorough and lasting many weeks. Though the applicant pool had several experienced and qualified educators, Materas rose to the to
Lucy Vinis, Sean VanGordon, Heather Buch, Greg James, Caitlin Vargas and Zach Bessett
The United Front partnership of Lane County brings local governments and public agencies together to promote federal funding and policies that benefit our local communities. It is a unique collaboration that includes the cities of Eugene and Springfield, Lane County, Springfield Public Schools, Lane Transit District and Willamalane Parks and Recreation District.
Over the past 35 years, the United Front has brought millions of dollars of federal investment to our region, including funding for major infrastructure projects, health care systems and payments in lieu of taxes from federally managed forests, to name a few. More importantly, though, and in line with what President Biden and his administration are proposing, our United Front has brought a cohesiveness and focus to regional priorities that cover numerous needs of our community and its infrastructure. As the chief elected officials for ou