As the sign outside the high school reminds us: Read. Relax. Rejuvenate. I hope you're finding time this summer to do all three! Whether you're exploring somewhere new, enjoying a favorite book, or simply slowing down with family and friends, I wish you a memorable rest of the summer. Enjoy every moment of these beautiful Berkshire days! 

In early May, after sitting for their exam, Heather Boyko’s AP Chemistry students made a cameo appearance at Muddy Brook. Their presentation on ecosystems—how living things interact with one another and their environment—caught the attention of third graders who spent the year studying life sciences. WE Service integrates hands-on community service into AP courses and equips students with essential skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. The lesson culminated in an ecosystem-building activity and, during the last weeks of school, creations including “Pickle Planet” and “Geo Jaime Jungle” came to life before students’ eyes!

BHRSD students and alumni took to the stage at Saint James Place on June 14 for a moving performance of Missa Gaia: A Celebration of Our World Through Song. Julie Bickford directed Vocalis Youth Choir, a group featuring a trio of recent graduates—Stella Baden, Jazmin Celis-Antonio, and Sophia deLuca—alongside several W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School students and singers from neighboring communities. The band featured Jon Suters (dad of Ollie and Sadie) on guitar and Monument's former orchestra teacher, Matt Schneider, on bass. “The soundscape created by this music is as striking as it is evocative,” said Bickford, hopeful folks hear this music for what it was intended to be: “A prayer for the earth, a salute to art and the power of the music, and a call for us all to coexist peacefully.”  

As the culmination of a month-long study of community and economics, first-grade students brought their learning to life by designing and building a kid-sized box town using recycled cardboard boxes, paint, tape, glue, and plenty of imagination. Working collaboratively, students created 20 businesses that provide important needs and services for their community. The bustling neighborhood came to life in early June as businesses opened their doors for an afternoon of activities, including bank deposits, apple picking, book sales, and spa visits. “The students even participated in a real-world voting experience, choosing the town’s name during a visit to Town Hall in Great Barrington on a field trip exploring local downtown businesses,” said Jennifer Annand, grade one teacher, who called the making of Muddy Brook Meadows a memorable learning experience for everyone involved. 

When the pandemic broke out, Matthew Wahlan ’13 was knee deep in an oral history project about the effects of incarceration on prisoners and their families. A growing urgency in their struggles—from overcrowding and violence to the prevalence of intravenous drug use and HIV diagnoses—caused Whalen to shift gears. A series of investigative news articles ultimately became Bullock: Chronicles of Deprivation and Despair in an American Prison, which was published last August. In hindsight, the author credits an exceptional amount of academic freedom at Monument with helping to cultivate his curiosity. In the English Department, teachers like Brody Lipton, Lisken Dus, and Mike Rosenthal employed creativity to get their students thinking, reading, and writing. Independent Project allowed students like Whalan to dive deep into issues of interest and design their own curriculum with guidance from a mentor. “I'm very grateful I went to Monument,” says Whalan who learned the self discipline needed to excel in his chosen field. In a world where the number of young readers is dwindling, Whalan’s advice for aspiring writers is simple: “Read great books—serious books in your fields of interest, as many of them as you can—and listen to people without interrupting them as often as you can.” 

Students continue to play an important role in shaping the future Monument Mountain Regional High School. Through a series of workshops with the project team, students have been helping explore ideas related to environmental graphics, signage, and the overall identity of the building. Recent discussions have focused on themes inspired by the Berkshire landscape, including natural materials, wood tones, topographic patterns, and nature-based imagery that reflect the character of the region and school community. These ideas will continue to help inform the look and feel of shared spaces throughout the future building. By incorporating student feedback into the design process, the team is working to create a school environment that feels welcoming, authentic, and reflective of Monument’s identity.

July has a way of disappearing before you know it. While you're busy enjoying summer, take a minute to add the 2026–27 School Calendar to your family's planner. Mark the first day of school (August 31), vacations, holidays, and those early release days now—and thank yourself later.