Greenfield Notebook: Jan. 13, 2023

Published: 01-12-2023 4:31 PM

Dana White speaking in author series

GREENFIELD — Dana White, creator of the popular podcast and blog “A Slob Comes Clean,” will impart tips from her books “Organizing for the Rest of Us” and ”Decluttering at the Speed of Life,” on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. in a virtual talk hosted by the Greenfield Public Library.

For more information and to register for this and other upcoming talks, visit libraryc.org/greenfieldpubliclibrary/upcoming.

Each talk features the opportunity to participate in author question-and-answer session or pre-submit questions during registration. Copies of these books are available at the Greenfield Public Library.

DESE Office of Public School Monitoring to visit GCVS

GREENFIELD — The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Greater Commonwealth Virtual School during the week of Feb. 27.

Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation, according to GCVS. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint and equal access to programs for all students.

In addition to the on-site visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. According to GCVS, survey results will contribute to the development of a report.

Parents and other individuals may call or email Director of Accountability Sarah Jordan at sjordan@gcvs.org or 413-862-5684; Director of Special Education Darlene Thorpe at dthorpe@gcvs.org or 413-862-5685; or call DESE Public School Monitoring Chairperson Sandra Hanig at 413-413-6707 to request a phone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the on-site visit, the review chairperson will provide GCVS with a report detailing areas in which the school meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the school requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports.

City lifts state of water conservation

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Greenfield Police seek robbery suspect
Driver taken to hospital after Interstate 91 rollover in Bernardston
New Salem man faces charges after striking school bus in Barre
My Turn: Biden’s record and accomplishments are extremely positive
‘There’s nothing we can’t fix’: Busy Bee Computers opens in Greenfield
Greenfield’s Lucas Allenby, Landon Allenby qualify for USASA Nationals

GREENFIELD — Effective immediately, the city is lifting the state of water conservation for the Greenfield water system that was declared last July amid a region-wide drought. Mandatory water-use restrictions were lifted in November. The water system has now returned to normal operating status.

“Though we’re technically still in a mild drought, the city’s water resources have recovered and we’re comfortable lifting the state of water supply conservation,” Department of Public Works Director Marlo Warner II said in a statement. “We want to thank residents and businesses that helped conserve this finite resource, and even though the water supply has returned to normal operations, it’s always a good idea to conserve.”

The city has resumed drawing water from the Leyden Glen Reservoir, now that it has refilled to sufficient levels following a dredging project last summer. The Millbrook Wellfield and Green River Pumping Station are also operating normally.

Conservation tips from the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force include:

■Address leaks as soon as possible.

■Conduct water audits on larger buildings and businesses to identify leaks and potential water conservation opportunities.

■Minimize lawn watering.

■Harvest rainwater for outdoor watering. Rain barrels are available for residents to buy at the discounted price of $79 at the Greenfield Department of Public Works office at 189 Wells St.

More information on the region’s current drought status is available at mass.gov/info-details/drought-status.

]]>