Latest news with #PittsfieldPublicSchools
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Two educators charged with manslaughter in Western Mass. 12-year-old's 2024 drowning death
Two people have been charged in the death of a 12-year-old Pittsfield Public Schools student who drowned during a field trip last summer, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday. EarlGiver Essien, who primarily went by 'Giver,' died on July 17, 2024, during an outing at Beartown State Forest in Great Barrington that was part of a summer learning program at her middle school, the district attorney's office said. The Herberg Middle School student would've turned 13 later that month, according to her obituary. Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue is set to share information about the suspects and allegations in the case Thursday morning during a press conference. But according to The Berkshire Eagle, the two people charged in the case are Linda Whitacre and Meghan Braley — both of whom helped run the school summer program Giver was attending when she died. On Wednesday, a Berkshire County grand jury indicted Whitacre, 68, and Braley, 30, on one count each of manslaughter, reckless endangerment of a child and permitting injury to a child, according to court records. Neither woman had a lawyer listed with Berkshire County Superior Court as of Wednesday evening, and their arraignments had not been scheduled. Both Whitacre and Braley helped run the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program — the program Giver was attending when she drowned — at Pittsfield Public Schools last summer. The federally funded program aims to increase learning time for students after school and over the summer. Whitacre was the district coordinator for the learning program, the Eagle reported. She is currently listed as its interim grant coordinator on Pittsfield Public Schools' website. Braley was the program's site supervisor, according to her LinkedIn profile. She was also a seventh-grade English teacher at Herberg Middle School for three years before Giver's death, but left this position before the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. Pittsfield Superintendent Joseph Curtis didn't return a request for comment on the indictments Wednesday evening. After Giver's death, witnesses connected to the case alleged that the program's leaders did not do swim tests with the students to assess their skill level — even though state law required them to do so, the Eagle reported. Christian's Law mandates that all municipal and recreational programs and licensed camps determine the swimming ability of all underage campers before they are allowed to swim. It also requires that summer programs and camps provide life jackets and other flotation devices to all children who swim poorly or not at all. The Massachusetts Legislature passed the law in 2012 — five years after a 4-year-old Sturbridge boy drowned while swimming without a life jacket during a town summer camp program. The law, which was named after the boy, was adopted in the hope of preventing future children who struggle with swimming from drowning. Witnesses say there was a lifeguard on duty while the students swam during the field trip last summer, the Eagle reported. No adults realized that Giver was missing until after the students got out of the water to change and a head count was conducted. It is not clear how long Giver was underwater before she was brought to shore, the Eagle reported. CPR was performed in an unsuccessful attempt to revive her. Harvard researcher accused of trying to smuggle frog embryos into the U.S. indicted FBI continues to track down plutonium allegedly sold by Hadley man Medford man accused of manufacturing pills for 'high-level drug trafficking scheme' Brockton man ID'd after fatal shooting outside Dedham BJ's Mass. teen's death in N.H. shooting ruled a homicide; investigation ongoing Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New safe swim initiative launches in Pittsfield to prevent youth drownings
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A new community-led initiative is diving headfirst into drowning prevention, offering local middle school students life-saving swim instruction during the April school break. The Stop Youth Drowning: Safe Swim Berkshire Initiative, set to run April 21–25, is a free weeklong pilot program created in response to a rise in youth drowning incidents in Berkshire County. Healthcare workers chosen as homebuyers for Habitat for Humanity condos in Pittsfield Launched in partnership with the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center (GABCC), Berkshire Family YMCA (BFYMCA), and Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS), the program aims to equip students with essential water safety skills, while fostering leadership and advocacy. Inspired by the tragic drowning of a local young woman during a school trip last summer, Dulye stepped in with both personal funding and passion to develop a program in her memory. 'I instantly felt the need to take action,' Dulye said. 'These are life-saving skills—and they also give young people the chance to grow as leaders and peer advocates for safety, inspiring others to shed fears and learn to swim.' Held during spring break, the initiative will provide students with direct instruction from certified aquatic professionals, swimsuits, daily lunch, and a safe learning environment. But the impact is intended to go beyond basic skills–students will be encouraged to share what they learn with peers, spreading awareness about water safety in their communities. 'While we offer swim lessons year-round, we've found that teens often miss out on these critical opportunities,' said Prashad Abeysinghe, Aquatics Director at GABCC, who helped shape the curriculum. 'This program is about changing that.' The program also received vital support from Pittsfield Public Schools. PE teacher Jennifer Roccabruna played a key role in coordinating outreach to families and helping recruit students. 'We believe no child should lose their life due to a lack of access to water safety education,' Roccabruna said. 'This program builds the knowledge and skills to stay safe and support one another.' Claire Langlois from BFYMCA also contributed to program development, working closely with instructors and community organizers to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all participants. As the pilot kicks off, organizers hope it will become a model for a broader community initiative aimed at eliminating youth drowning through education, accessibility, and empowerment. 'These are life-saving skills,' said Dulye. 'They also give young people the chance to grow as leaders and peer advocates for safety.' With additional funding and continued collaboration, the Safe Swim Berkshire Initiative could expand in the future to reach even more local youth across the region. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Pittsfield schools end hold-in-passing after online threat, no danger found
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – An investigation is taking place after an online threat was made to two high schools in Pittsfield. Dirt bike rider arrested in Pittsfield for allegedly driving recklessly, evading police Pittsfield Public Schools states that an online threat was made towards Taconic High School and Pittsfield High School Tuesday night. The Pittsfield Police Department was alerted and an investigation began. It was determined that the online social media post in question depicted an Orbeez gun, which is a type of toy gel blaster. Police have determined at this time that there is no current threat to the school community. Hold-in-passing procedures have been lifted at both schools, which will allow normal movement throughout the building to continue. An extra officer will be at both schools in addition to the School Resource Officer during the school day. Officer Winston with the Pittsfield Police Department will also be at the schools to help staff with students who may be feeling high levels of anxiety. 'We remain deeply appreciative of our students and staff for their ongoing vigilance and commitment to maintaining a safe school environment. Their quick actions and willingness to report concerns immediately to a school staff member or the Pittsfield Police Department play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our entire school community. By staying alert and proactive, our students and staff help foster a culture of awareness and responsibility, reinforcing the importance of open communication and collective safety efforts. We encourage everyone to continue reporting any suspicious activity or concerns without hesitation, as every report contributes to maintaining a secure and supportive learning environment for all,' said Joseph Curtis, Superintendent of the Pittsfield Public Schools. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
