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Region One keeps partnership with Nuvance Health

FALLS VILLAGE — The Region One Board of Education met Monday, June 5 and discussed a program in cooperation with Nuvance Health, the possibility of future electric buses for the region and hiring new staff.

The board heard from Heather Strid, transition coordinator for Housatonic Valley Regional High School on a partnership with Nuvance Health (owner of Sharon Hospital). Her role is to assist students entering the workforce by helping them consider and get experience with certain jobs.

“Since I started this job back in 2018, one of my professional goals was to establish a partnership with Sharon Hospital,” Strid said. Strid connected with the Nuvance officials to develop a program called “Introduction to Health Care Roles” which offers students a five week internship to learn about various healthcare positions.

The program offers 24 departments available for students to shadow, ranging from the emergency room to non-clinical careers such as information technology and security. Five students took part in the pilot program on Wednesdays from March 29 to May 10. Staff of Sharon Hospital assisted in answering questions, touring the hospital and shadowing in chosen departments. Two students completed the program in its entirety, a junior and a sophomore who shadowed social work and emergency room departments. Student feedback is being considered and implemented into next year’s program. “Our goal is to offer a fall and a spring session,” Strid said.     

Sam Herrick, the board’s business manager, presented the possibility of the high school obtaining an electric bus. The region was approved for a grant to cover the cost of an electric bus as well as charging equipment, totalling $375,000. The region is in its last year with a contract with All-star Transportation. The board would have to complete a purchase order by August 15. Logistics such as where the bus would be held, where to set up a charging station and who could drive the new buses as it requires a commercial driver’s license remain unanswered. If purchased the bus would be fully purchased and delivered by later in 2024. Considering unanswered questions, and with Herrick stating he did not recommend board action, the board didn’t vote.

The board approved the hiring of Grace Hemenway for the new position of School Psychologist.

HVRHS will hold graduation ceremonies on Friday,  June 16 at 6:30 p.m., under a large tent on the oval lawn in front of the school.

Matthew Kreta

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