July 2010

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Pathways Early College Innovation School: Information Sessions

July 23, 2010 in Uncategorized by mr. baldassarre | Permalink

Clicking the link at the bottom of this post will take you to this morning’s feature on NPR about the Pathways Early College Innovation School. This new program will be launched this fall. It is yet another collaboration with Mount Wachusett Community College that will provide our students and students around Central Massachusetts with the opportunity to earn their Associates Degrees at the same time that they receive their high school diplomas.

For parents and students who are interested in this new program the following is a schedule for information sessions that will be held at Mount Wachusett Community College:

Tuesday, July 27, 1 p.m., Room 125
Wednesday, July 28, 6 p.m., Room 125
Thursday, July 29, 10 a.m., Room 125

Tuesday, August 10, 1 p.m., Room 202
Wednesday, August 11, 6 p.m., Room 202
Thursday, August 12, 10 a.m., Room 202

Tuesday, August 17, 1 p.m., Room 202
Wednesday, August 18, 6 p.m., Room 202
Thursday, August 19, 10 a.m., Room 202

Tuesday, August 24, 1 p.m., Room 202

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wfcr/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1679351/WFCR.Local.Features/Flexibility.and.%27Charter.Like%27.Options.for.Districts.with.MA.Innovation.Schools

Fire on Prentiss Street

July 23, 2010 in Uncategorized by mr. baldassarre | Permalink


When I was a little boy I remember standing in front of Central Lanes in Niagara Falls, NY while it burned to the ground. My older brother and I were on a Saturday morning bowling league, and I recall the sadness of knowing that we would be taking some time off from our weekend activity. Actually, Central Lanes was never rebuilt so my dreams of making the Professional Bowling Association could never be realized. In the days after the fire, my brother and I would sneak into the wreckage to find bowling balls, pins, and other bowling related paraphernalia.

That was the only time that I can recall seeing what the devastation of a fire looks like from the inside. Central Lanes burned down in the early 1980’s. My memory of the fire at the bowling alley revived when I walked through the fire at Ralph C. Mahar Administrative Assistant, Elaine Mitchell’s home last week. During one of last week’s storms, lightning struck Elaine’s home and within moments the entire second floor was engulfed in flames. As you can see in the photo, what was once a bedroom is now a wet charred pile of insulation, wood, and other materials used to build a home.

It was with good fortune that Elaine and her family were not home that evening. Not being in the house when the lightning struck provided the guarantee that no one was hurt. The day after the fire, one of our colleagues went to TD BankNorth in Orange and opened an account named “The Mitchell Family Fire Fund.” It is going to take a long time for Elaine and her family to get everything back to normal. While their home is being repaired/rebuilt they will be displaced and have many obstacles to overcome. Any assistance that the Mahar Community can provide will be much appreciated.