by Tom Riddell  Northampton Resident, retired Smith College Professor & Class Dean #1 On June 17th, there was a Special Meeting of the Northampton City Council. It was called by six members of the Council and the Mayor. The purpose of the meeting was to allow Ward 3 Councilor Quaverly Rothenburg to present ideas for…

Print a flyer for posting on a community bulletin board or in a local business to support connecting others to our social media pages and web site.   Click to download a PDF file that is printable in color or black-white.

Lawn signs and car magnets are provided free by request.   Once we receive your request form, we will send to you as quickly as we can!  New signs are bilingual! English on one side and Spanish on the other side. Lawn Sign Request – Google Form Car Magnet Request – Google Form

“On whom will our politicians choose to inflict harm? Will they provide bold and creative solutions to allocate harm equitably among those best equipped to bear it, while advocating for change on Beacon Hill and at Smith? Or will they cower behind ‘fiscal responsibility’ and place the greatest burden on kids and the tireless educators…

“These staff members are not extraneous — the work they do is essential to our school’s ability to keep our children safe and serve all students adequately and equitably.” Read Rebecca Allen-Oleet’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-55287639 June 1, 2024

“If you were a fifth grade teacher, would you want to work on 27 report cards for 27 individual students? Or have to look at and assess that many tests every time there was a test or assessment? Not to mention just regular daily work.” Read Ruby Theberge-Goode’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-54638708 April 11,…

“It was not and never was NASE’s budget. Rather, it was a budget that maintained current staff and services in the schools and one that received vigorous and ongoing support from many community members.” Read Tom Riddell’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-55903833 July 11, 2024

“They continue to experience fallout from over a year without consistent in-person schooling, both emotionally and academically. . . Our children’s collective wellness is the foundation of their future and our community’s future.” Read Sarah Buttenwieser’s Letter to the Editor here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Letter-to-the-editor-55127683 May 15, 2024

“Mindless, grinding cuts, year after year, are as suicidal as overspending . . . Yes, ‘budget shortfalls.’ Yes, ‘sunsetting pandemic funds.’ Yes, inflation . . . we can either muster the vision and tenacity and stomach to plan for it — with innovative new public-investment funds, with creative and surgical approaches to tax policy, with…

“Creating the programs and learning environments that ensure all students can grow and thrive takes time, money and staff. Slashing staff and services as students return to routines disrupted by the pandemic is a recipe for diminishing the school experience for entire classrooms — or even entire schools.” Read Andrea Egitto’s Guest Column here:https://www.gazettenet.com/Guest-columnist-Egitto-55341389 May…