CCHS Students Take Over The Berkshires
By Sophia Reinhardt, CCHS Student
Earlier this year, CCHS students took a trip to Berkshires Massachusetts to explore the town and look at colleges. The junior high students were assigned to a group to research a town for community studies.
Since it was an overnight trip, they stayed in hotel rooms at Holiday Village in Hancock MA where each group had to cook, clean, and wash everything they used. In Montessori style, the students also went grocery shopping beforehand at a local Food Co-op where the students had a budget to buy everything they would need for the next three days.
The students were introduced to the BerkShares by trip leader and teacher/guide Tim Larson. Berkshares is a local currency used in Berkshire Massachusetts mostly by small businesses. Tim gave each student a limited amound of BerkShares to spend during their town visits…. The students learned that The Berkshares were created for a reason of course. The purpose of BerkShares is to strengthen the local economy by maximizing circulation of trade locally. The people who choose to use the currency make a conscious commitment to buy local first. They are taking personal responsibility for the health and well-being of their community by laying the foundation of a truly vibrant, and thriving local economy.
Groups of five to six students went to different towns throught MA. Each group was assigned a local attraction; some of the attractions were Ventford Hall, MASS MoCA, and Lee Library. Groups got a research packet to write stuff down as they went around their town documenting their stay and exploration.
The first town that the students went to was Lenox. While they were there, they visited Ventford Hall. According to the venue’s website, “Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. Designed by the architects Rotch & Tilden it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and declared an official project of “Save America’s Treasures.
The second town that students went to was North Adams. The students in the North Adams group went to MASS MoCA which according to their website is “One of the world's liveliest centers for making and enjoying today's most evocative visual and performing art.” Students toured the art museum and one student said “It's like the backrooms, it's never ending.”
The third MA town that students went to was Pittsfield. They went to the Pleasant Valley Nature Preserve which works to preserve the land for future generations including providing environmental education and sustainable practices. They work on enhancing water quality, restoring habitats, and creating green spaces for everyone.
The fourth town that students went to was Lee, MA. Students in the Lee group went to the local library to volunteer organizing books. The Lee Library takes pride in providing modern library resources and services in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
The fifth and final town the students went to was Stock Bridge, MA. Students took a tour of the Norman Rockwell Museum. According to their website, The Norman Rockwell Museum “illuminates the power of American illustration art to reflect and shape society, and advances the enduring values of kindness, respect, and social equity portrayed by Norman Rockwell.”
Overall, the three day trip to Massachusetts was a wonderful trip where students learned about local economies, towns, and people. For some students, it was their first time visiting Massachusetts, which gave them a richer perspective on a state that is close to home.