At our March 2017 Partnership Meeting, several guest speakers helped us learn more about youth employment programs and opportunities in our community. Thanks to Donna Dusell of the Franklin Hampshire Employment Board, Lev Ben-Ezra of Community Action Youth Programs, Ricia Elwell, Community Action’s Summer Jobs and Beyond Program Specialist for Turners Falls, and Dana Lee […]
This Really Is Not Your (or Your Teen’s) Brain on Drugs
Remember that old TV commercial, “This is your brain. (cue egg) This is your brain on drugs. (cue frying egg in pan) Any questions?” It was very dramatic, but it wasn’t very effective in preventing drug use. We also now know the message is not a good analogy. A better analogy, particularly for the adolescent […]
“My neighbors notice when I do a good job and let me know about it.”
“No,” said 82% of students surveyed at Great Falls Middle and Turners Falls High Schools on an anonymous national survey in early 2015. (Read more about the survey below.) Research* shows that when young people feel supported by their neighbors (and other adults), they do better in school, are more likely to graduate and less likely to […]
GFMS Peer Mediators Made the Front Page!
Did you see the great article about the peer mediation program at Great Falls Middle School in the March 10, 2016 issue of The Montague Reporter? Here it is, reprinted with permission. Peer Mediation at the Middle School: Transformative, on Both Sides of the Table By LEE WICKS TURNERS FALLS – There’s a peer mediation […]
More February School Vacation Week Ideas
For the rest of the week (until Friday), the Teen Drop-In Center at the Brick House will be open for its regular hours: 2:30-6pm. If you’ve ever wondered what the Teen Center is like, this week is a great time to stop by and check it out! Did you know that in the Carnegie Library […]
What’s Open on Monday, 2/15?
The first day of school vacation week is also Presidents’ Day, which means that many offices and organizations (including libraries, banks, post offices, and the FRTA bus service) will be closed. But not everyone is on holiday! If you are looking for things to do in Turners Falls, MA on Monday, 2/15, here are some […]
It’s School Vacation Week!
From February 15-19, 2016 those of us who live and work with school-aged youth will have a break from our usual routine while most schools in our area are closed. With your help, we’ve gathered LOTS of information to help families and youth make the most of this time. We hope you will join us […]
School Justice Partnership Newsletter Highlights School Connectedness
We were so excited to see this topic highlighted by The School Justice Partnership: National Resource Center! Here’s an excerpt: “Feeling engaged and connected to school has been found to be one of the most important protective factors for youth at risk of dropping out of school. Interventions aimed at increasing school connectedness tend to […]