PumpernickelPuppets at the Winchendon Library

WINCHENDON — Join the Beals Memorial Library this February vacation for a fun, free puppet show with Pumpernickel Puppets.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m., join professional puppeteer John McDonough and his lively cast for an audience-interactive show. All of the puppets featured in the show are designed and crafted by McDonough himself. Following every performance, McDonough provides a demonstration period that gives audiences a behind-the-scenes look at puppetry.

This event is free to attend, and is sponsored in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council and the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library.

The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. For more information, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit their website at bealslibrary.org.

NarragansettRegional School District receives recognition in psychological services

BALDWINVILLE — Narragansett Regional School District has received national recognition for the quality of its school psychological services. These services, program and staff have received the recognition of Proficient Status from the National Association of School Psychologists’ Excellence in School Psychological Services Recognition Program.

This recognition reflects the organizational commitment and hard work of Narragansett’s mental and behavioral health teams who support the learning and mental health needs of all students so that they can thrive in school, at home, and throughout life.

At the heart of this achievement is a team of professionals comprising nurses, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), counselors, adjustment counselors and school psychologists. Together, they have collaboratively built robust structures addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of their students.

This group’s efforts extend beyond the school walls, as they actively partner with the Heywood Hospital team and Clinical Support Options. This strategic alliance aims to expand mental health services within the school setting and break down barriers to accessing essential mental health care, underscoring the district’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of its students.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Casavant stated, “Narragansett is one of only two school districts in the state of Massachusetts to receive this national recognition (the other being Boston Public Schools). This award is a testament to Narragansett’s commitment to our student’s mental health needs. With the expertise and leadership of our Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Ashley Niggl, we have worked hard to prioritize and develop programming and services to support our students from preschool through high school. I am very proud of our District and School Based Care Teams for this well deserved achievement and recognition.”

Weekly children’s programs at the Beals MemorialLibrary

WINCHENDON — The Winchendon Library has a number of fun, weekly programs for young children and school-aged children to join in the morning and early afternoon.

Starting on Friday, Feb. 16, The Beals Memorial Library will be offering Story Time every Friday morning at 10a.m. Bring the little ones in for a fun, engaging half hour of delightful picture books each week to get them excited about reading. This program is in partnership with the Winchendon Coordinated Family and Community Engage Grant (CFCE).

In addition to Story Time, the library hosts the CFCE’s weekly Preschool Playgroup every Thursday afternoon from 2-3 p.m. Families with children up to age 8 are welcome to participate in a fun hour of free play, crafting, story time, music, and movement. Programming from the Winchendon CFCE is made possible by a grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care, and the Winchendon Public Schools.

Every Monday from 4-5 p.m., the library holds their ongoing Drop-In Lego Club. Preschool and school-aged children are welcome to join in the fun as the library transforms into a Lego construction zone.

The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. For more information, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit their website at bealslibrary.org.

For more information about the Preschool Playgroup or the Winchendon CFCE, contact the CFCE Coordinator, Kristin Moran, at kmoran@winchendonk12.org.