THEEYEOFTHE HURRICANE
UPCOMINGEVENTS
UnifiedBasketballArrivesatHoosac!
Staff from The Eye recently had the chance to ask some questions of Mrs Danielle Racette, the coach of our brand new Unified Basketball team She explainedtousthatUnifiedBasketballisa Varsity Sport under the MIAA with Special Olympicsthatprovidesanopportunityfor students of all intellectual abilities to participate in the sport of basketball. The Unified basketball team is co-ed and its roster is made up of students with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (partners) Anyone in grades 7-12 is welcome to play Unified Basketball, but students in 7th grade do need a waiver in order to participate She shared that there are a handful of other schools in Berkshire County with unified teams including Wahconah, Lenox, Pittsfield, and Mt Greylock The season runs from the start of October until roughly the second week of November While it was not Coach Racette who personally brought the sport to Hoosac, she was a member of the team that worked on it and was thrilled when she got the opportunity to be the coach Unified basketball had been broughtupatDruryinpreviousyearsand after some of the administration at Hoosac watched a game it started to flourish from there Coach Racette personallylovesbasketball,coachingand physical therapy, so it was a nice way for thosethreeworldstocollide.
She is excited to engage with kids of all abilities through the sport of basketball and give anyone a chance to play this wonderfulsportinaninclusive,supportive environment. Unfortunately, no student using equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, etc is able to participate in unifiedbasketballgames Thereareother unified sports where those types of equipment are allowed, but due to the nature of the game they currently do not allow this Unified basketball is meant to becompetitiveandplayedbytherulesas much as possible, while still accommodating everyone on the court and having fun Unified basketball is a great way to meet new people, take on new roles and support your peers. Coach Racette is happy to have athletes, partners and spectators create and embrace Hoosac Valley as a unified school! Unified basketball is a piece of creating relationships and skills that will hopefully impact all participants on and off the court Coach Racette and the teamlookforwardtoagreatseasonand seeing you all on the court or in the bleachersthisfall!
TheEyeoftheHurricaneStaffVanessa Biddy, Ella Bissaillon, Austin Brazee, Kelsey Brown, Libby Curry, Kyiah Dillard, Kaydence Furrow, Nate Gageant, Tim Harrington, Bella Klose Payton Kolis, Cameron Lovato, Makenna Malloy, Lukas Mazzeo,LeviMiller,GriffinPytko,KyleScott,RyanStrek, GracelynWright
Classof2026Advisors,byEllaBissaillon
AdvisorsReflectontheClassof2026
As the Class of 2026 begins its senior year, their advisors, Ms. BennettandMs Koczela,tooka moment to reflect on their journey with the students and sharewhatmakesthisgroupso special.ForBennett,it’sallabout the relationships “I love the connections I’ve had and watchingyougrowasafamily,” shesaid,notingthatshe’sknown manyofthestudentssincethey were in seventh grade Koczela added that the closeness comes from time spent together.“Forsomeofus,we’ve been together for four consecutive years” When it comes to memories, the list is long from movie nights to the excitement of planning prom and dancing the night away Each event, they agreed, showcased the class’s teamworkandspirit
SeptemberinPictures
As seniors prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead, Bennett and Koczela offer simple but meaningful advice: relax, make smart choices,andavoidunnecessary dramaOr,asBennettputit,“Like Elsasays,letitgo.”Theadvisors agree that the most rewarding partoftheirroleisthechanceto work with students outside the classroom Whether it’s supporting campaigns for studentoffice,guidingactivities, or celebrating milestones, they seeeachstepasasuccess.So how did they become coadvisors in the first place? It all started with a student request, andthetimingwasrightAsbest friendsthemselves,Bennettand Koczela say teaming up to guide the Class of 2026 just madesenseandtheywouldn’t haveitanyotherway.
WerecentlysatdownwithHVHSSeniorIzabelaTart tolearnmoreaboutournewestfallsport.
EOTH: How would you describe your team’s dynamicthisseason?
Izabela Tart: It is interesting because it is Hoosac and Drury kids, two different schools combined Most people thought it would be toxic, but it isn’t likepeoplethoughtitwasgoingtobe.
EOTH: What goals did the team set at the beginning of the season, and how are you progressingtowardthem?
IT: One of them is to win, and to improve and get better during games So far we have started accomplishing those goals and we have seen the improvement.
EOTH: How do you support each other during toughgamesorlosingstreaks?
IT:We keep things positive, and make sure to pick people up We leave it all on the court in order to workhardertoimproveinthenextpractice
EOTH: Are there any team traditions or rituals you dobeforegames?
IIT:Beforehomegameswewillrunouttothecourt duringasongandhighfiveeachoveringroups
Asofpresstime,theHVHS/DruryVolleyballTeamis 0-6
Tripto Fenway
byKyleScott
Mr.Boulger PathwaysElectives
Igotthechancetointerviewoneof the new teachers, Mr Boulger He has told me a lot of interesting things starting from background andsomepersonalinformation
MrBoulgeristhenewmusicteacherhereatHoosacValley,hehas workedhereinAdamsbefore,buthewasoriginallyfromNewYork and has been teaching for a while. He teaches strictly music and middleschoolbandandhehasworkedatafewotherschoolslike the Hartt School of Music Mr Boulger started teaching because of hisdadandhisideaofteachingkidsandpeopleofallagesmore soofthosewhohavetroubletimelearning,ashewouldknowthe strugglebecausehetoldmethatitwashardforhimwhenhewas youngertolearnbecausehehaddyslexia.Hetakesgreatinfluence fromhisdad,whoalsohappenedtoworkhereatHoosacValley Mr Boulger even has his own school where he teaches music outside of Hoosac called BAAMS and he's taught a bunch of ages startingfrom6goingallthewayupto88yearsold Hewasaskedwhathewantshisstudentstotakeorlearnfromhis classes and he responded that he wants students to know that people can do what you really set your mind to, it might be over said but its true he also said “if you don’t end up doing what you wanted,itwasbecauseyoudidn'tbelieveinyourselfhardenough’ Heisareallyopenpersonsoifyoueverneedachatwithsomeone to get good answers I recommend visiting Mr Boulger Especially whenitcomestomusic Ifyouhaveanyotherquestionsabouthim, goandseehim,heisareallyniceperson.Sofarheisenjoyinghis timehereandheseesalotofpotentialineveryoneandhe'svery excitedtobehere
NurseCassidy, SchoolNurse
by Kyiah Dillard, Payton Kolis, & MakennaMaloy
AsthenewschoolyearkicksoffatHoosacValleythere's a fresh face in the health office, ready to patch up scrapedkneesandsootheafewfirst-daynerves Nurse Cassidy , a former student at Wahconah High School with4yearsofexperience,hasjoinedourstafftoensure thehealthandwell-beingofallstudents
byRyanStrek
Mrs.Cross, SchoolCounselor
One of the new faces at HVHS this year is Mrs Cross who is the new School Counselor Mrs Cross previously worked as a counselor for grades 6-8 and at a school called Hillcrest. She came to this career choice, not only because she loved working with children, but because she had a very good experiencewithherHScounselor
She also loves hanging out with her family, being outside, drinking coffee, and eating many different foods Mrs Cross says that she has had an overall positive experience and is really liking the learning environment so far at Hoosac saying that“alloftheadminandstudentshavebeenverykind,helpful, and patient.” Mrs. Cross is really looking forward to connecting withthestudentsandfindingcommoninterestswiththemthis school year as well as learning about the college application process So if you find yourself wandering past her office or haveabitoffreetime,dropinandsayhello
by KaydenceFurrow
Mrs.Lenski, AcademicSupport
This school year has welcomed lots of new staff to our school I talked to one of the new staff, Mrs Lenski. Her first coupleofweeksatHoosacValleyhave been very busy, interesting, and most extremely positive. Staff and students arewelcoming
When we asked Nurse Cassidy what made her choose Hoosac, she told us that she’d always wanted to be a school nurse. She had the best nurse during her high school years so when she sawaschoolnurseopeneing,shewashappytotakeit Shehas beenanursefor3yearsandtoldusshe’dalwayswantedtobe a nurse and work with kids Her biggest challenge so far is getting to know everyone and what they need on an individual level, but she says Hoosac has been great so far! If there are students who are interested in a career in nursing, she encouragesthemtotryoutdifferentavenuesinnursingandnot stick to one thing so they can find what they like most Prior to beingatHoosac,NurseCassidyworkedatTaconicHighSchool
Mrs. Lenksi told me that she enjoys this school and it keeps her on her toes. She's looking forward to supporting and watching the process and growth of her students. Her goal this year is to build great connections and help her students reach their goals. She chose to be an academic support teacher because she talked about how she's a good communicator Mrs Lenski is going try connecting withherstudentsbytryingtolistenandaskquestions, be patient, and find their interests Mrs Lenski doesn’t think Hoosac is necessarily calm but there is excitement and energy in a positive way In her free time she likes to do a lot of seasonal sports I also discovered she has 2 dogs One is a golden poodle andtheotherisagoldenretriever
Mr.Manley Science
Lookforour interview withMr. Manleyin nextmonth’s editionof TheEye!
Mrs.Mason,Math
byCameronLovato &VanessaBiddy
We recently conducted an email interview with our new math teacher, Mrs Mason Mrs Mason has been teaching for five years. The first thing I asked her was about what methods she uses to check for understanding and monitor her student’s progress She told us that she continuously checkstheroom,checkingonstudents individually and giving exit tickets She also use a thumbs up/thumbs down check-in to get quick feedback about how students are feeling about the topic they’re working on Mrs Mason believes that the most important aspect of teaching math is breaking down the information so that students can understand things and be successful. When students ask Mrs. Mason how math affects us outside of school,shesaidthatsheusesdifferent examples depending on the grade level So, for example, if you ever want tobuyacar,howmuchmoneydoyou need for a loan? Sure, a calculator could tell you, but you need to know what you’re agreeing to pay If you everwanttobuildahouse,youneedto knowanglesforrafters
Basically, having a good number sense helps with financial planning We asked Mrs Masonwhyshechosetobe a math teacher and if she had considered any other careers She said that she became a mathteacherbecauseherown kids were struggling in math, they felt the information was just being thrown at them and she wanted to help them and others understand. Shad had severalcareersbeforeteaching, such as auto parts manager, house flipper, stay at home mom, and competitive gymnasticscoach
Last week I got to sit down with our newhistoryteacherMrsRicciandpick herbrainabouthistoryaswellasher thoughts on Hoosac. When asked about her goals for the first year at Hoosac, MrsRicci gave a blunt (but quite understandable answer) “Survive”beforeaddingonherwishto connectwithlotsofstudents
After inquiring further about what fuels her passion for teachingMrs Riccitoldme“Ialwaysthoughteducationis ameanstochangetheworld,andthroughteachingIcan make the world a better, more knowledgeable place”. Movingon,Iaskedherwhatherfavoritehistoricalperiodis to teach to which she replied “Modern History, but I am loving the new civics curriculum (provided by the democratic knowledge project)” From there I wanted to know how she used history to prepare students for the modern world and she said “It is important to learn as much as we can from history and then move forward in life with those lessons” before ending our interview off by saying she hopes her room can be a safe space for students
Ms.Ward, ELA
byLukasMazzeo
Meet Ms. Ward! Our new 8-10 grade ELA teacher. I recently met with Ms.Ward herself and asked her a few questions about herself. I learned that prior to her positionatHoosac, byLeviMiller
Ms.Ward taught in the Bahamas at The Island School. She taught English at this semester schoolwhichfocusesonsustainabilityandthe environment. I also learned that she's originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts just outsideoftheBoston.Ms.Wardwasanathlete growing up doing cross country and playing softball and basketball. When asked how she likes the school so far, immediately I saw her facelightupassheproceededtotellmehow she likes the students and how welcoming it’s beenwithlotsofenergyandbeautifulviewsof ourveryownMountGreylock.
Mr.Wasser, ELA
byAustinBrazee&GriffinPytko
RecentlywemetupwithanewELA teacher at Hoosac Valley, Mr Wasser We asked him for some backgroundtostartandhetoldus a bit about himself He says he's been working as a teacher in Massachusettsfor16years.Helives allthewayoutinNewYorkwithhis two dogs who he plays with frequently Painting,baking, and hangingoutwithfriendsarejusta few of his hobbies. Mr Wasser started teaching gymnastics and fellinlovewithit,helaterreturnedto collegetogethismastersdegree for teaching. Hoosac was his choice due to it being close enoughtodriveandhelovedthe interviewwithMrsByrd.Inaddition to teaching, Mr Wasser was a professionalactorfortwentyyears andtriestoincorporatehisacting skills into teaching. He prides himselfonlearningnamesquickly andalwaystriestofindoutwhat’s interesting to his students. He describeshisclassroomstyleas
laidbackandengaging Hetries to meet the students where they’re at and considers a successful day one where students were engaged with the lesson, tried their best, and the period went by quickly He considers his bar mitzvah teacher to be one of his teaching inspirations, because he gave Mr. Wasser a lot of support throughout his life Mr Wasserhopestobeteachingat Hoosac for a long while and hopefullyeventillretirement
