And just like that, school’s back in session! The 2026–27 school year is underway, and we’re excited to have our buildings bustling with the energy that accompanies learning. Classrooms are coming to life, routines are taking shape, and our school communities are finding their rhythm. It’s an exciting time of year, filled with new beginnings, opportunities to learn and grow, and the many small moments that make a school year special. We’re looking forward to all that this year will bring and are grateful to begin it together. 

Families came together last week for Meet the Teams Night at Du Bois Regional Middle School, an opportunity to connect with one another and get to know the teachers and staff who will be supporting students throughout the school year. Families met with their grade-level teams, connected with exploratory teachers, and gathered with other members of the school community to enjoy the PTO Ice Cream Social (featuring student scoopers of all ages!). It was a wonderful evening of conversation, connection, and community—and a sweet way to start the school year together. 

Sometimes, the best way to support our student-athletes is simply to remember what got them out there in the first place: Passion for their chosen sport, not pressure to excel at it. The MIAA Student Advisory Committee created a 90-second video called “Still That Same Kid” that offers a fun, heartfelt reminder about the impact parents can have from the sidelines—an especially timely message as a new season gets underway. It’s a quick watch, but the message is a powerful one: cheer loudly, support positively, and remember that underneath the uniform is still your kid. Take 90 seconds to watch this video and share it with your family and fellow sports parents!

The 4th-grade Yearbook Club is officially underway—and there’s plenty to create! Students are working together to shape the 2027 yearbook from choosing a theme, colors, and fonts to promoting the Cover Contest, collecting baby pictures, and designing pages that capture special school events. We can’t wait to see the result of their teamwork and design skills! Please follow this form for more information and to sign up.

For more than 20 years, Suzanne Wool has been a valued member of the Berkshire Hills Regional School District, contributing a sense of calm to the classroom. At Du Bois Middle School, it is not uncommon to hear a chorus of “Ms. Wool! Ms. Wool!” as students seek her out for help, conversation or simply good company. Suzanne has a gift for building trusting relationships with students, many of whom she first got to know at Muddy Brook, and has enjoyed watching them grow and mature. Her superpower is knowing which individuals need her support and how to offer it while fully integrating herself into the classroom community. As Debra Spence puts it, “You never have to ‘ask’ Suzanne; she just does it.” Her laughter and stories have made her a trusted colleague and caring advocate for students. Suzanne will retire September 30, and we are grateful for all she has given our school community. Her energy, compassion and sense of humor will be missed.

Applications for a pair of grant opportunities through Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation are now available to support innovative ideas from our school community. The Berkshire Hills Fund for Excellence (BHFE) supports projects that enhance and enrich the educational experience of students and teachers throughout BHRSD. The fund is designed to promote the highest levels of achievement and help students and educators pursue excellence both in school and in the broader community. Students, teachers, administrators and community members are invited to apply. The Monument Mountain School Center Fund supports programs, projects, and initiatives at Monument Mountain Regional High School that encourage innovation and demonstrate benefit to the school community as a whole. Students, teachers, staff, and administrators are eligible to apply. The deadline for both funds is October 15.

Bring the whole family and join us for an evening of fun at Muddy Brook Elementary after hours! Head to the playground on Friday, October 2, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. for music, games, a bake sale, and plenty of opportunities to connect with other Muddy Brook families. Because no family night is complete without a little extra fun, every family will receive a s’mores kit, and every child can choose a temporary tattoo. Suggested donation: $10 per family. We hope to see you there!