Though our school believes in recognizing all peoples' history all year long, we have started a new tradition of seizing the opportunity during Black History Month to enjoy readings from black authors during Morning Meeting. Both faculty and students have the option to sign up to read on any given day in February. Earlier this week, Mrs. BZ read from the introduction of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, a book by activist and professor Michelle Alexander. Next week, the community will hear a poem, an excerpt from a biography, a speech, and a bit of history, with more variety of works to come as we progress through the month. Any student wishing to sign up for a day should contact Mrs. BZ or Mr. Gay.

As we continue to explore the possibilities for content explored within advisory groups, students and advisors met this week in our traditional grade pairings (7th & 8th, 9th & 10th, 11th & 12th) for discussions on digital citizenship. Drawing upon curriculum from Common Sense Media, 7th-10th graders reviewed statistics gathered about adolescent habits of digital communication, and considered the various upsides and downsides to our increasingly technological lives. 11th and 12th graders also discussed the statistics offered, and additionally viewed and discussed an anecdote from a teen who had posted personal images on social media and later regretted it. Common Sense Media, in addition to writing curriculum for teachers to use, also provides tip sheets for families. Common Sense on Digital Life provides information relevant to the more general discussion that all grades engaged in, and Common Sense on Privacy and Digital Footprints reflects on the additional discussion held with juniors and seniors.

We will continue to explore these and related issues all across the grades. Any questions or concerns can be forwarded to Nora Bates Zale.

While studying weather and climate, the 7th grade Climate Connections class was visited by Western Mass News meteorologist Jacob Wycoff.

Please come out to watch the faculty-student basketball game on Thursday, February 22nd at 3:15PM at the Cowell Gym (51 Maple Street, Shelburne Falls). Parents, if you are interested in playing, you are welcome to join!

15 bags, each with meal ingredients for a family of six, plus 2 very full bags of "extras" were delivered this week to the United Way of Franklin County offices in Greenfield for their "Supper for Six" project. These were distributed to their partner agencies who provide direct services to families. The partner agencies will distribute the bags to their clients during the upcoming public school vacation week. The United Way staff was impressed with and grateful for the generosity of The Academy community and the efforts of our Community Service Council to organize our donations. Thanks to all!