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Pittsfield NH News

January 15, 2014

The Suncook Valley Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.



 

The Pittsfield School Board is organizing a study committee to review its recently-completed energy audit, study energy alternatives, and make recommendations regarding long-term energy issues.

 

The committee is likely to begin its work in February with a target of having recommendations by the end of June. An organizational meeting will be scheduled based on the availability of participants.

 

If you are interested in participating on this committee, call Sheila at the SAU 51 office – 435-5526.

 


 

Affordable Care Act Information Session

 

On Tuesday January 21st from 10:00 am to noon, a presentation will be offered to explain the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) and how to apply for health insurance  through the new heath care insurance exchange systems.  There will be a question and answer session with a Certified Marketplace Assister and a chance to schedule appointments to receive individual assistance.  The presentation will take place in the function room of the Pittsfield Community Center, 74 Main Street.  Anyone who does not have health insurance is encouraged to attend.  If you have questions please call 435-8482.

 


 

Skating In Pittsfield

Submitted By Larry Berkson

Pittsfield Clark's_Pond_Cropped.jpg

Clark’s Pond, now the Town Pool, one of Pittsfield’s favorite skating places in years gone by. Note the large old house on the far side of the pond which later became the site of the old canning factory. The building on the left was used as a tanning mill, fulling mill, lumber operation, and ice house.

 

After writing an article on the history of skiing in Pittsfield last winter, several people asked why I had not also written something about skating. So here goes. Below is what I have gleaned from newspapers, talking with some of our senior citizens, and my personal recollections. 

 

One thing for sure, it was a much more popular activity in yesteryear than it is today. Colonel J. Frank Drake, who was born in 1889, once remarked, “I can’t remember presents ever being anything but sleds and skates—as you got older you got a new pair of skates.”

 

The first mention I have found in the newspapers was in 1874. Several boys were skating on Clark’s Pond, now the town pool, and broke through the ice. Fortunately, they were able to get out “with no other injury than a cold bath.” Eddie L. Winslow was not so lucky in 1882. In November, skating at an unspecified location, he had a severe accident. Another person ran into him knocking him down backwards. He was rendered “insensible” for nearly half an hour.

 

Skating continued on Clark’s Pond for decades. Colonel Drake vividly recalled receiving skates one Christmas in his youth and rushing to the pond to try them out. Pearl Osgood, born in 1894, recalled skating on both Clark’s and White’s Ponds.

 

Evidently, the river was one of the primary locations for skating during the 19th Century. In 1875 it was reported that the town’s boys had great skating on Suncook River at Thanksgiving, “with no accidents.” Ten years later people were skating there at the end of November on three inches of ice. There were worries, however. Noting that 50 boys were skating there one Sunday afternoon, the editor of The Analecta cautioned, “It would be nothing strange if some drowning accidents were to happen if such a practice is continued.”

 

But the practice did continue. Richard Foss recalls that he and the kids in the Lyford-Leavitt Hill area and those living on the Corporation often skated on the river just above the dam. Fred Nutter skated there also. This was in the late 1930s and early 1940s. 

 

By the time of my youth, late 1940s and early 50s, children were strictly forbidden from skating on the river. It simply was not safe. The explanation? Colonel Drake offered his opinion in 1974.  “I believe what they say about the world getting warmer. Why, we were skating by Thanksgiving, certainly by Christmas.”  

 

Robert Moulton once told me that someone froze over the Town Common at French Circle when he was a boy and ice hockey was played there. According to him, several members of the Boston Bruins came to watch a game, for reasons which I now forget, and it was a huge event in Pittsfield. Unfortunately, I have found nothing about this in my reading and no one has come forward with any information about it.

 

Skating on White’s Pond apparently began shortly after it was developed in 1899. In About 1940 Eleanor (Leduc) Watson and Joan (Trace) Riel remember a near tragedy there as a youth. Eleanor, her sister Virginia, two brothers Harrison and Vernon, Bill and Dorothy Freese, and several other people were skating at the far end of the pond on Thanksgiving Day. Barbara McGrath, who lived in the old Tobin’s Nursing Home, entered the ice near the roadway and the guys began hollering for her to go back because the ice was unsafe. “She didn’t get far,” Eleanor relates, “before the ice gave way and into the water she went all the way up to her neck.” There was a shack at the edge of the water and her brother Vernon broke down the door, grabbed an ax and chopped off a tree branch. His brother Harrison used it to help get to Barbara. When he got within 10-12 feet, he, too, fell through. By using his arms he broke the ice between them and got to her. Finally, he pushed her out onto the ice where brother Vernon pulled her to safety. After breaking though again, Harrison got out. By this time both were very hypothermic, stiff and cold.   

 

In the meantime, Bill Freese had contacted the fire department and they arrived to handle the situation from there. Eleanor’s father John Leduc, a fireman and hearing that she was involved, was the first on the scene with his pickup truck. Fearing that his two daughters were too young to place in the back, he put them in the cab and had Harrison ride in the open air in the back on the way to their South Main Street home. Barbara apparently missed several days of school as a result of her mishap. 

 

This writer also remember occasionally skating on White’s Pond during the 1950s. Generally it was rough skating there but once in a while it would be perfectly smooth. We would get two or three old tires, touch them off with gasoline, and build a huge fire which belched black smoke. We had to skate up-wind so as not to inhale the dirty stuff. The fire would last all evening, keeping us warm and providing enough light by which to skate. 

 

Eleanor and Joan also remember that several people skated on a natural pond behind Mrs. Argue’s house on Concord Hill Road. This area was located just past Swett Road on the left side and is now a swamp area behind glass blower Bruce Cobb and Evelyn Robert’s house. Her recollection is likely stimulated by the fact that trying to complete one of her graceful moves she fell and broke her nose.

 

By 1941 an alternative site became popular, Academy Park, now called Dustin Park. It was “lightly” flooded each night to make the surface smooth. According to the editor of The Valley Times, it was “thronged” by young and old people, day and night. Skating, however, was not permitted on Sundays until 2:00 pm. 

 

In the summer of 1946 school board laid electrical lines to the tennis courts and installed a number of 18-inch reflector lights, allowing for night play. During the winter of 1947 the selectmen flooded the 18,000 square foot courts for skating. The following year the operation was to be abandoned because there was no appropriation for it.  However, the school board took up the challenge, believing that the project was so important to the community that funds could be raised. Some suggested that a year-round building be erected for use in the summer during rainy days and in the winter by skaters. Most agreed that this would not happen but it was thought that a heavy canvas wind-breaker might be placed around the courts.  Others thought that the the pavilion adjacent to the rink might be closed off for a warm place for changing skates. 

 

By the end of December so many people were using the courts that there was a need for temporary rules to be put in place. Rene Drolet, who was in charge of the rink, and school custodian Irving Ames as well as other school district employees were authorized to enforce the rules:

 

1. No one on the ice without skates

2. No dropping trash on the ice

3. No sleds on the ice

4. No snap-the-whips allowed

5. No hockey sticks allowed

6. No hockey or other games to be played

 

Later, a meeting was to be held to develop permanent rules. Whether prohibition of hockey was among them I have not learned. However, from personal experience I do know that broom hockey was played on the courts by 1950. One person did have a hockey stick. Art Morse, Norman Plante, Kenny Purtell, and I were among the players.  

 

Whether a canvas was ever placed around the courts has not been learned, but the pavilion was closed in with plywood and an old fashion pot-bellied stove was placed inside. Wood was left outside and skaters simply started and stoked the fire as needed. Can you imagine school children doing this today without supervision! The pavilion was a great place for changing skates and warming up on very cold days. 

 

In addition to the formal skating rink at Drake Field, throughout the 1950s and 60s and probably later skating was done at local ponds all over town. The South Pittsfield neighborhood regularly used the fire pond at Leavitt’s Mill. Slabs were burned from the mill to keep warm on cold days. Some even managed to get a few cups of rather aged cider to warm up the insides. 

 

Frank Volpe had a 6,000 foot skating rink. John Genest remembers that it was located on Shackford Court next to Frank’s house.

 

Cindy (Paige) Cook tells of her father flooding the area between her house and McGrath’s, now the driveway into Rolling Green, for neighborhood children to skate on. Beginners learned to skate by holding onto children’s chairs. Later, when the family moved to South Main Street, now the home of Scott and Arlene Brown, they skated in the small adjacent pond.

 

There was a small pond in front off where Joe Rogers now lives. Mary Briggs and her brother Dave Robinson remember skating there. According to Mary, Romeo Drolet would check to see if the ice was safe and sometimes the kids would have a bonfire to keep warm. Apparently, they did not always have that luxury. “I can just remember my toes being frozen and hardly being able to walk back home and when there sat on the radiator to warm them up. But we’d do it all over again.”     

 

For several years Jim Walker plowed of the river cove in front of where Bridge View Apartments now stand. I remember a huge crowd of people there on Saturdays and Sundays.              

 

John Charron remembers that when he was young arrangements were made for school classes to skate on a pond at his parents’ house on Mountain Road. They used candles in milk jugs for night skating. It was usually on the weekends and his mother would serve hot chocolate.

 

Gary Jenisch remembers playing hockey on ice across from the garage on Barnstead Road. This was on cemetery property between where the Thyng Memorial is now located and the gate to the cemetery.

 

In 1970 the Town Swimming Pool, formerly the site of Clark’s Pond, was cleared of snow by Roland Hutchins so that youngsters could skate there. The Town Recreation Department checked the ice regularly and everyone was allowed to skate as long as the gate was open. The area was not supervised. 

 

Apparently, keeping the pool in good condition for winter skating did not last very long. In 1977 Paul Morency complained bitterly in an article published in The Suncook Valley Sun that it was not being maintained. He tried skating there but the conditions were very bad and he finally gave up. He noted that it was unreasonable to expect Pittsfield’s youth to travel to Concord or other surrounding towns to skate. The cost of travel and the charge for skating was expensive, and the hours were of skating were generally restricted. He asked around town and found a great deal of support for having a local program. Several people he talked to made additional suggestions, such as providing lighting for night skating, and having special times for playing hockey and allowing figure skating. What came of this has not been learned 

 

For well over a decade the town has not sponsored a skating rink and it is a rarity to see large crowds skating in Pittsfield. Indeed, today, skating seems to be all but a thing of the past.

 


 

“Meet Our Members” – Fire Chief Rob Martin

Pittsfield_Fire_MOM_Chief_martin.jpg

Next up in Pittsfield Fire Department’s “Meet Our Members” series is Fire Chief Rob Martin.  Chief Martin has been recently appointed to this position and started on December 3, 2013.  We would like to welcome Chief Martin to the department and look forward to working with him.

  

Q: How long have you been a firefighter/EMT?  Please tell us about your background.

 

A: I began my career as a call firefighter in 1983 with the Pembroke Fire Department.  In 1988, I was hired full-time with the Allenstown Fire Department.  Between 2001 and 2011, I moved up the ranks to Lieutenant, and then to Captain, and then to Deputy Fire Chief. I was appointed and served as Fire Chief from 2011-2013.  The knowledge I received from the department and the town was the greatest experience I could have asked for.  All my colleagues, family, and friends have inspired me to be who I am today.  

 

Q: Why did you become a firefighter?

 

A: I have a long family history in the fire service. My grandfather, uncles, and my father all served with the Pembroke Fire Department.  My dad use to bring me to the fire station when I was a young boy. We lived directly behind the fire station and I can remember several times when my dad jumped up when the alarm bells rang for a call.  It didn’t matter what time of the day it was–he was ready to answer the call.  When I was of age, I was an Explorer briefly with the Concord Fire Department until Pembroke started the Junior Firefighter program.  I spent many hours and days learning the trade from some of the best firemen and my dad.  I remember leaving school several times for building and brush fires, being one of the first ones to arrive at the station and jumping on the tailboard. That’s right–“tailboard”–buckling in for a ride to the scene.  Those were fun times not too long ago.  Every night, I use to go to the station with my dad to work on equipment, do house chores, or just sit and listen to the stories the other firemen would share.  So, as you can see, I have a long history of the fire service “brotherhood” and that is why I chose this profession

 

Q: What was the best training you attended?

 

A: Well, there are so many great trainings I have attended.  I would say, the first great training I participated in was Firefighter I when I was just starting out.  Once I received my certification I was able to fight fire and go into a burning building with my dad. What a rush!  Some of the other trainings that really stick out is the trip to Texas at the “TEEX” school for the “Enhanced All-Hazards Incident Management/Unified Command.” This class is for all disciplines on any field that deals with public safety, school, and health care.  I met people from all around the country and the networking we did for the week will always be remembered.

 

Q: What is your vision for the fire department?

 

A: My vision for the fire department is to treat people the way you would want people to treat you.  I expect people to remember why they joined the fire department and to keep the “brotherhood” going by helping one another.

 


 

Globe Manufacturing Acquires Falcon Performance Footwear

Manufacturer Continues Commitment To Employees And American-Made Footwear

 

Globe Manufacturing Company announced today the recent acquisition of Falcon Performance Footwear in Auburn, Maine. Effective January 1, 2014, the business will continue as Globe Footwear, LLC.

 

Falcon has been making boots continuously in Maine for over 50 years. As a Globe sister company, it has manufactured Globe firefighter boots since 2006. The unique construction of these boots improves first responder performance and minimizes slips and falls, a major hazard for firefighters on the fire ground.

 

“In just seven short years, Globe boots have become a huge success in the fire service industry because of the expertise and skills of our employees in Auburn, who we recognize as our greatest asset,” said Rob Freese, senior vice president of marketing at Globe Manufacturing Company. “We are proud to continue manufacturing our boots, as well as our turnout gear, in the USA.”

 

Significant investments have been made in the capacity to manufacture American-made footwear through lean manufacturing and producing components that were previously only available from offshore suppliers. As Globe Footwear, LLC, all employees at the factory in Auburn will continue their tradition of innovation, quality, and manufacturing excellence.

 

About Globe

Globe is the largest and most trusted manufacturer of structural firesuits in the world. Over its 127 years, Globe has been responsible for introducing many of the materials, designs, and construction methods now taken for granted in personal protective equipment. Learn more at www.globeturnoutgear.com.

 


 

In Appreciation

 

Thank you to all who generously supported us with donations this past year.  We were delighted to receive many winter contributions which allowed us to help needy families and individuals prior to Christmas.  Special thanks to the couple who anonymously surprised us with a New Year’s gift  of several new Men’s Coats and pairs of boots.  Not all can do this but the need in cold weather is, of course, ongoing so keep us in mind when you are sorting items at home.  Paul Rogers has volunteered to keep his “Coat Drop Box” available at Jitters Cafe to assist us.  May you experience good health and blessings in 2014. 

 

Beverly and Rene Drolet and The Clothes Closet Staff

 


 

A Message From Fuller Oil

January 8, 2014

 

We at Fred Fuller Oil & Propane Co., Inc. have proudly served the heating needs in the State of New Hampshire for over two generations, and we value the relationship we have built and maintain with our great customers, with the service and competitive pricing we have always offered through the years.

 

Recently, due to a combination of extreme weather conditions, a huge uptake in oil and propane demand, and an overload and temporary crash of our company wide phone system, we have fallen behind on deliveries.  We apologize to our customers who have been affected.

 

This is the first such crisis we have experienced in our 45 year history, and we have called this unfortunate combination of weather, demand and technology the perfect storm. We are taking all steps necessary to catch up on deliveries and maintain the standard of service and customer relations we have always proudly held.  We have added personnel, added hours, added equipment and have been working with our phone service suppliers to rectify the situation, which has now been fixed as of late this afternoon, after having been down for close to six days.  We will continue to do all we can.

 

Because we had experienced some the problems with our telephone system, with the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office and the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, a special hotline has been established at 227-0002, for our customers that might have run out of oil. This hotline will stay in place at least into Thursday, January 9th while we continue to catch up. 

 

Additionally we have worked with Homeland Security to provide a back-up cell phone coverage plan for our office staff, which will be put into place should our land lines crash again.  

 

We are now at the point where we have turned the corner and expect to be fully back to normal by Friday, January 10th. We greatly appreciate the input and outreach and help provided by Governor Hassan and her office, by Attorney General Foster and his, and by Homeland Security’s Director Plummer and his, in providing invaluable backup to assist us in completing delivery to our customers.  

 

Once again, we apologize to those who may have been inconvenienced, and we thank them for their patience and we understand the frustration some may have experienced.  We thank our loyal customers throughout the state for their continuing support and patronage, and we look forward to continuing as the largest private and family owned heating supplier in the state, and look forward to continuing to provide the competitive pricing and service our customers have always expected of us, despite the recent setbacks.

 


 

Community Connection January 16th on Restorative Justice

 

What is Restorative Justice? What does it have to do with Student Centered Learning? Why is it a good fit for the Pittsfield Middle High School? Join to learn more and share feedback at the Pittsfield Listens Community Connection on Thursday January 16th at 6:30 pm at the Pittsfield Youth Workshop (5 Park St.). There will be a presentation from students with the Restorative Justice Committee, followed by small group discussions to hear your feedback which will inform next steps as students implement Restorative Justice at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

 

Restorative Justice was chosen as a focus based on feedback from participants of the October community dialogue series, A Journey to Student Centered Learning hosted by Pittsfield Listens. It was also chosen based on a request from the Restorative Justice Committee to have more community feedback to help inform their next steps.  

 

Dinner is provided. Childcare available upon request. RSVP requested to help plan for food. For more information or to RSVP, contact Molly with Pittsfield Listens at email: [email protected]  or call 312-6980 

 

The Community Connection Series is a monthly meeting hosted by Pittsfield Listens. Focuses have included educational sessions, opportunities to learn more and share feedback on the journey to Student Centered Learning at Pittsfield Middle High Schools, community dialogues, guest speakers and trainings. To learn more, visit pittsfieldlistens.org.

 


 

Pittsfield Man Relocates To Ghana, West Africa

To Open A Children’s Orphanage

Pittsfield MIKE copy.jpg

In April of 2013, John Michael Stainsby of Pittsfield, NH at the age of 59, left the comforts of his home and management career to answer the call of God on his life to establish an orphanage in Ghana, West Africa.  John first received the call from God while on his first mission trip to Ghana in 2007.  It was at that time he was given the inspiration for Step By Step Children’s Orphanage. A Scripture was written on his heart, “I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.” John 14:18.  

 

In the years that followed, John continued to go on mission trips to Ghana building the foundation for his eventual move and establishing relationships with many of the people and organizations he would be working with to make Step By Step Children’s Orphanage a reality.  When the time came for John to make plans to leave the US in April of 2013 and start his new life in Ghana, he sold his home with all his possessions except for a few personal items which were packed in his car and shipped overseas.  

 

Since arriving in Ghana, John has obtained permanent residency status, established the orphanage with the Government of Ghana, and has been pursuing the opening of this first SBS Orphanage.  He has been diligently working on the physical construction of the facility, which includes receiving funding and procurement of all the foundational requirements essential to care for the children.  According to John, right now their greatest needs are beds and furnishings for the inaugural facility and a generator to provide a reliable power source. [Daily power outages are common in Ghana]  As more children come, the need for reliable power is critical for food preservation and the safety of the children.  This campus will accommodate 48 children as well as 10 infants.

 

The three fold purpose for Step By Step Children’s Orphanage is to give every child they receive, A Home, A Hope, A Future.   

 

You can learn more about John and Step by Step Worldwide Ministries and Step by Step Children’s Orphanage by visiting www.stepbystepworldwide.org or their page on Facebook. 

 


 

Pittsfield Police Department Getting Hairy For Charity

Submitted by Officer John Webber

 

Perhaps by now you’ve heard the phrase, “I ‘mustache’ you a question, never mind I’ll ‘shave’ it for later.” And if not then you certainly don’t know that mustaches are all the rage right now. Taking that trend just a bit further The Pittsfield Police Department has collectively decided to grow their beards and mustaches for charity, specifically The Special Olympics. 

 

More than just going without shaving for a day, the officers had to petition Chief of Police, Robert Wharem, to stray from official uniformed protocol that states they must not have a beard. While mustaches are certainly welcome if they stay trimmed, the beards will be the big deal. (The department members who will be getting hairy for charity must still follow certain guidelines and look professional and well groomed.) Members are urging Police Chief Wharem, who already has a well-groomed ‘stache, to, instead, shave it for charity.

 

Department members are required to donate $100.00 each in order to have the freedom to grow their beards and are requesting donations from the public as well. Chief Wharem states that, “It’s a big deal to waive this protocol but the benefit of the charitable contribution outweighs the ‘no beards’ policy.”

 

Beginning January 1, 2014 you will begin to see the stubble grow on Pittsfield’s finest faces as a reminder of your opportunity to donate to The Special Olympics, a worthwhile cause that helps those with intellectual disabilities meet their goals, make new friends, participate in their communities and believe in themselves.

 

“Shaving it for later” The bearded madness ends on Saturday March 8 when certain officers participating in the “Winni Dip” wear their warm beards for the last time into the frigid waters of the Winnipesaukee. Thus far, Sergeant Cain and Officer Webber have signed up for the plunge and need to raise an additional $150.00 for their charitable craziness. Checks can be made out to The Pittsfield Police Association with “Special Olympics” on the memo and brought into or mailed to The Pittsfield Police Department, PO BOX 98, Pittsfield, NH.

 

Watch this paper for pictures, contests and more info on “Getting Hairy for Charity.” Also, for more info on the Winni Dip; visit sonh.org.

 


 

Local Students Named To KSC Dean’s List

 

Keene State College has released the Dean’s List for the fall semester 2013. Among the 1,498 students named to the Dean’s List are: Samuel Bassett of Northwood, Jennifer Daviault of Gilmanton Iron Works, Denise Grattage of Pittsfield, Cassandra Horohov of Center Barnstead, Meghan Jenks of Chichester, Kayla Magan of Epsom, Evan Merrill of Epsom, and Alissa Toscano of Northwood.

 

The Dean’s List designation is bestowed to those Keene State College undergraduates enrolled in a degree program who have completed a minimum of six credit hours in the semester, receiving no failing or incomplete grades. A 3.5 or higher grade point average on a 4.0 scale is required to earn the Dean’s List honor.

 


 

Sage Open Mic

 

Sage Wellness Center and Spa will be hosting Open Mic for musicians Saturday January 25 7:00pm (6:30 musicians).

 

Open mics provide an opportunity for musicians to gain experience performing in front of a live audience. Sage is a perfect venue for those to practice their singing and song writing talents and for the audience to support them in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.  

 

Open mics have been steadily increasing in popularity and provide a comfortable place for singers to gain the experience and practice they need to progress further. This event is open to any level and is free to the public. Spend an evening listening to the sweet sounds of several talented singers and songwriters!  More information can be found at SageWellnessCenterAndSpa.com or call 435-7711. Musicians, please sign up with Deb Godin at 620-8690 or email [email protected]

 


 

Loudon Center Freewill Baptist Church News

 

Please note our new service time as 9:30 am starting on Sunday, January 5, 2014.

 

Saturday, January 18, 2014 please join us for a potluck supper at 6 pm followed by a free concert at 7 pm by the Dump Run Band from Gilmanton, NH. Please join us with your family and friends for a fun filled evening for all ages!

 

Please mark your calendars for Monday January 20, 2014 at 7 pm for a FREE public presentation on child/teen trafficking. A representative of LOVE146 will be presenting on this very important topic. This is happening right here in NH and everybody needs to be made aware. Please share this date/time with everyone you know, including: law enforcement, healthcare workers, educators, social workers, etc. A freewill offering will be collected for LOVE146. Refreshments will be served. For more information call Rev. Linda Overall at 603.875.5822 or Stephanie Gagne at 603.568.5080. You can also check out LOVE146 online.

 


 

Schools Can’t Do It Alone: The Role Of The

Pittsfield Community And School In Supporting

Student Centered Learning

 

Pittsfield Listens hosted two gatherings in October 2013 to bring people together to learn more about student centered learning, explore specific initiatives being implemented as part of the Pittsfield school redesign effort, talk about their impressions and share input.  In the end, over 33 people participated. These opportunities continue to be one key way for community members to get informed, respond to changes, and impact next steps.

 

The feedback from Pittsfield Listens dialogue series yielded productive exchanges about key issues related to the school redesign project including community engagement, communication, and student-centered learning. The following is a summary of themes.  To read the full report, go to www.pittsfieldlistens.org  and click on Pittsfield Listens Full Summary Report.

 

Community & Parent Engagement

• There was a desire expressed for the community to continue to support the schools and for the schools to continue to support the community, with a particular interest on engaging parents and adults. 

 

Improving Channels of Communication and Community Outreach

• It seemed that a key aspect of community engagement in Pittsfield was determined to be effective communication.

 

• Though multiple communication strategies were discussed, it appears that in addition to continued email, website, newspaper and newsletter approaches, the Pittsfield community values personal interaction through word of mouth and phone calls.

 

Perceptions of Changes within the School District

• There was discussion about various initiatives that encourage student centered learning within the schools including ELOs, learning studios, competency based learning, restorative justice, and new technology in the classroom.

 

• Generally participants in the conversations expressed positive feedback in what they knew about these initiatives, but also a desire for more detailed information about the changes taking place within the schools.

 

Pride and Excitement

• All participant groups expressed pride and excitement about the changes occurring within the schools and community, which reiterates the idea that the Pittsfield community values its children and educational system.

 

For more information about Pittsfield Listens, check out www.pittsfieldlistens.org or contact Molly, Community Outreach Coordinator at email: [email protected]  or call 312-6980.

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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