We are so grateful to our community for their generosity and commitment to our public schools during Covid 19, and to all of you for your help. This is also an exciting example of the power of collaboration among our PTOs and REAL.

When we launched WeAreCommunity, we recognized the importance of sharing resources among all of our schools, while also being deeply mindful of equity.

Thus, the first 50% of money raised will be distributed equally among the six NPS PTOs. The other 50% of funds will be distributed to the PTOs based on an average of school population and percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.  

Each PTO can use the funds to address needs in their school community related to the Covid-19 pandemic. PTOs have already begun to purchase remote learning supplies, classroom supplies, grocery cards, holiday gifts and much more. 

Please continue to let staff and families know that funds are available and to please reach out. A list of PTO and Principal contacts is attached below (and feel free to add additional contacts at your school). 

All requests will be considered and will be kept confidential. We know that this is sensitive, and appreciate any ideas on how to best connect those in need with these resources.  

Sending deepest thanks for all your work and very best wishes for 2021.

Bridge Street School

PTO: president@bsspto.org

Principal: bchoquette@northampton-k12.us

Jackson Street School

PTO: jacksonstreetpto@gmail.com

Principal: lbrown@northampton-k12.us

Leeds Elementary School

PTO: info@leedspto.org

Principal: cwenz@northampton-k12.us

R.K. Finn Ryan Road School

PTO: ryanroadpto@gmail.com

Principal: smadden@northampton-k12.us

JFK Middle School

PTO: jfkmspto@gmail.com

Principal: dcaldwell@northampton-k12.us

Northampton High School

PTO: nohopto@gmail.com

Principal: lorivaillancourt@northampton-k12.us

Hampshire HOPE is a coalition addressing opioid overdose and the impacts of substance use in our local communities. Hampshire HOPE is developing resources to help local businesses support employees who are struggling with substance abuse or in recovery.

Hampshire HOPE, Northampton Health Department, and CommunicateHealth (CH), a communication and research company, are looking for volunteers to give feedback and help us improve these resources.

1-hour sessions will be conducted the week of February 15, 2021. Volunteers will receive $150 for their time and participation. All those interested, please email Lydia Franklin by Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce that applications are available for two 3-bedroom homeownership opportunities in Pelham. The application deadline is Friday, March 12, 2021. The sale price for the home will be $155,000 or less. Eligible applicants will have incomes up to 60% of area median income which is adjusted for family size. 

People interested in submitting an application are invited to attend one of the following Zoom information sessions to learn more:

Saturday, January 23 @ 10am

Thursday, February 4 @ 5:30pm

Wednesday, February 24 @ 3:30pm

During the information session, potential applicants will learn about Habitat’s selection criteria and how to prepare a complete application. The selection criteria include housing need, ability to make mortgage payments of $700-$1,200/month, and willingness to partner with Habitat, such as participating in the construction of the home and other Habitat projects. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 am ET. The portal is fully open as of today, Tuesday, January 19, 2021, to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA.

Last week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small businesses.

The Lender Match tool helps businesses connect with a participating lender.

To help you navigate the second wave of stimulus and debt forgiveness, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) will offer a 90-minute Link/Learn education session with Adam Duso of Second Wind Consultants who will present best practices for understanding the PPP on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at 5:00 PM.

Learn more and register for this free program on GNCC's 2021 Event Page.

On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury released their official guidance on how the second round of PPP will work. The National Restaurant Association has distilled it into a “PPP User Manual”. The document can be found online here.

The temporary restrictions on capacity limits and gathering restrictions announced in December (and slated to expire on January 10th) will be extended until at least January 24th. Please see mass.gov/reopening for additional details regarding this extension.

Cooley Dickinson Health Care has created a FAQ Page that answers basic questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, and contains links to many resources including federal, state and local government health departments, vaccine manufacturer websites and their parent organization, Mass General Brigham. Information about the vaccines is evolving and the page will be updated as new information becomes available.

GNCC Investors may submit employment opportunities here.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Zoom

A presentation of best practices in preparing for debt forgiveness with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 12:00 - 1:30 PM

A free, 90-minute webinar to support civic and faith-based organizations, libraries, schools, businesses, and other community groups and individuals to better understand the impact of trauma and how to address it.

For more information, contact Ruth Ever, MPH, staff/consultant with Trauma Informed Hampshire County Network, a network responding to adverse childhood experiences by building resilience at HampshireTIHC@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Zoom

This virtual, networking event features 60 minutes of breakout rooms plus Community Leader, Joanne Marqusee, President and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Health Care, who will provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine distribution in Hampshire County.

SCORE Western Mass provides relevant and free workshops that you can register to attend here: Take a Workshop. There is no better time than now!

If you have any questions or are interested in viewing our library of prerecorded workshops, please email us.

This spring the UMass Fine Arts Center takes full advantage of the virtual world to engage and inspire audiences with over 40 online events featuring renowned artists like visual artist Alison Saar and the South African choral icons Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Audiences can witness musicians from around the world perform in the newest configuration of the Silkroad Ensemble and enjoy the return of audience favorites like cellist Matt Haimovitz. “This moment to pivot enabled us to expand our reach, allowing us to bring the wonders of the arts to more communities in our richly diverse region,” said director Jamilla Deria.

In keeping with tradition, the first event of the semester is the annual Fine Arts Center Gala hosted via Zoom on February 6, 2021, and sponsored by Greenfield | Northampton Cooperative Bank. With the theme of “Relive-Renew-Reimagine,” the virtual version of this beloved and historically sold out event celebrates and supports the Arts/Access outreach programs of the Fine Arts Center. The presentation includes a trivia contest and prizes sponsored by Florence Bank and a “mini” silent auction featuring work by Tom Friedman and Laura Radwell. The evening concludes with a virtual dance party to an original set by FEVER thanks to Finck & Perras Insurance. Registration is required and while the event is free, guest are asked to make a donation at whichever level they are comfortable.

Last week, the Downtown Northampton Association (DNA) partnered with local sustainable agriculture and food systems organization, Grow Food Northampton, to launch “Feeding the Frontlines – Nourishing Our Community,” an effort to deliver meals prepared by local restaurants to individuals and families experiencing increased food insecurity during the pandemic.

Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 7:00 PM

Zoom and Northampton Open Media Platforms

Historic Northampton is pleased to present a screening of two video episodes from Self-Evident Media’s series of educational resources. “One Minute’s Freedom” is about Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman and the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts and “The Truth is Powerful” (premiere) examines two public versions of Sojourner Truth’s most famous speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” delivered in 1851. Each video is about 12 minutes long.

Following the screenings, Professor Ousmane Power-Greene will moderate a discussion with the scholars, filmmakers, and educators who produced the series: Jellissa Lacon, Michael Lawrence-Riddell, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, and Bayeté Ross Smith. For more information on the speakers, click here.

Self-Evident Media creates highly engaging, multimedia, educational tools that educators, students, and communities can use to engage in conversations to understand the histories and the legacies of systemic racism in the United States.

Supported by Whalen Insurance

This Program is Free and Open to the Public.

CopyCat is excited to announce the 2021 Infinite Beauty wall calendar! Free to Greater Northampton Chamber Investors - email us at northampton@copycatink.com to reserve yours today! Desk calendars coming soon.

Preview a page here on Facebook or Instagram!

The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) is a Massachusetts state program where SNAP recipients get at least $40 of extra SNAP money every month to spend on local fruits and vegetables. That means if you have SNAP, you automatically have HIP!

Shop at these farm locations with your SNAP/EBT card, and get at least $40 extra to spend through the HIP program. See open HIP locations for 2021.

Looking to keep your holiday shopping local and support our small business community? Northampton.live is your ticket to all things happening right now in Northampton, including information on how your favorite shops, salons, restaurants, and coffee shops are operating during the pandemic. Keep it local, and stay informed with Northampton.live.