Dayspring Christian Academy of Attleboro recently received a five-year re-accreditation from the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools. (Photo courtesy of Dayspring Christian Academy) 

ATTLEBORO  – Dayspring Christian Academy of Attleboro was recently notified by the Association of Christian Teachers and Schools of its procurement of a new five-year accreditation through the national organization.

According to Administrator Frank Rydwansky, DCA successfully completed a three-day accreditation review earlier this year from a team of ACTS representatives, which resulted in its accreditation being renewed. The team was headed by Dr. A. Glenn McClure, Ed.D., who praised the school “for an outstanding program and facility.”

“Dayspring Christian Academy is representative of an outstanding Christian school which provides a quality education and Christian environment for its students in Kindergarten through eighth grade,” McClure said. “This year, I again sensed the dedication to education ministry and service to the students.”

The ACTS team specifically commended DCA “for employing a full-time qualified nurse; for an excellent computer lab; for its detailed technology plan and the implementation of the first stage of that plan; for conducting an annual audit; for astute financial management of school funds; for traffic patterns and flow (which) are constantly evaluated for improvement; for the attractiveness and clarity of policies, procedures, obligations and expectations; for the organization of faculty and student records all housed securely in fire-proof filing cabinets; and for the installation of eight cameras, a monitor and a buzzer system to increase security.”

Murray Petrarca, head of the Christian School Ministry of South Attleboro Assembly of God Church (of which DCA is a ministry), was jubilant in his assessment of the ACTS reaccreditation.

“We are truly blessed with a dedicated and hard-working staff at Dayspring,” Petrarca said. “God has continued to reward their work this past year as our students have shown the fruits of their labor.”

Headquartered in Rockford, Ill., ACTS offers various programs to Christian schools and educators in an effort to improve the quality of Christian education in the United States. According to its Web site, www.actsschools,org, its stated mission is “assisting Christian schools to realize the highest level of educational credibility.”

Left to right, back row, Jean Fitzpatrick RN, ACNM, Emergency Department; Capt. Raymond Medeiros, North Providence Fire Department; Colin Freitas, Ron Goffe and Steve Gomes, all from Med Tech Ambulance, Amir Bernaba, MD, EMS Director, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Emergency Department; Steve Guadalupe, Marketing Director, Med Tech Ambulance; Joe DeAngelis, Cumberland Fire Department; Gregg Noury and John Vernancio, both from New England Ambulance and Lori-Ann Gagne, Secretary to the Physician-in-Chief, Emergency Department.

Left to right, front row, Barbie Malacaria, RN, Patient Care Director; Lance Dumont Pawtucket Fire Department; Judy Van Tilburg, RN, Vice President Professional Practice; Brian Wiley, DO, Interim Physician-in-Chief Emergency Department; Shelley MacDonald, RN, Senior Vice President Operations; and Thomas J. Gough, Senior Vice President Business Development, Administration and Practice Operations.

PAWTUCKET – Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and The Blackstone Valley Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council honored EMS workers in the Pawtucket area with an appreciation breakfast at the hospital on May 21st. National Emergency Medical Services Week in Rhode Island is celebrated during May 19 – 26, 2013.

The Administration and staff at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island recognizes the value of EMS providers as a vital public service for the local community. EMS workers provide immediate lifesaving care and transportation to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As is tradition at St. Mary-Sacred Heart School, the two second grade classes had their annual crowning of Mother Mary Prayer Service.  May is a time when many 2nd grade catholics receive their first communion.  It is also one of the months we honor our Blessed Mother Mary.  The two second grade teachers, Mrs. Patricia Diamond and Ms. Anne Sullivan work with their students who come dressed in their first communion dresses and suits, to honor Mary.  During the ceremony the children lay flowers at Mother Mary’s feet and crown her with a vail of roses.

In the photo the entire two 2nd grade classes pose with their teachers, Mrs. Patricia Diamond and Mrs. Anne Sullivan, along with their teachers aid, Mrs. Martha O’Neill and the school director, Rev. David Costa. 

Attleboro Resident Bryana Killion Inducted Into Criminology Honor Society

 Attleboro resident Bryana Killion, a member of the Stonehill College Class of 2013, was inducted into the Edwin H. Sutherland Honor Society.

To gain membership into the honor society, juniors and seniors must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, and 3.2 in criminology courses. Students must also have taken a minimum of five criminology course, and be ranked in the top thirty-five percent of their class. Founded in 2004, the society is named after the father of modern criminologist, Edward H. Sutherland.

Stonehill is a selective Catholic college located near Boston on a beautiful 384-acre campus in Easton, Massachusetts. With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, the College engages over 2,500 students in 80+ rigorous academic programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and pre-professional fields. The Stonehill community helps students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character to meet their professional goals and to live lives of purpose and integrity.

The Altar Servers from St. Theresa’s Church were presented with certificates at the South Attleboro Knights of Columbus Annual Youth Appreciation Nite.

Pictured from left to right: Lauren St Pierrre. Thomas Salois, Father John Paul Gallant,  Paster of St. Theresa’s Church, Mathieu Salois, Christopher Silva, Matt Sweeny Grand Knight, Alexandra Grover, Lily Nguyen

Students at Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro complete another lap Wednesday during the school’s Walk-A-Thon at the Poncin Hewitt Fields in Attleboro. (Photo courtesy of Grace Baptist Christian Academy)

ATTLEBORO – Students at Grace Baptist Christian Academy of Attleboro are speaking with their feet this week as they participate in a Walk-A-Thon to benefit the school.

According to faculty member Billi Jo Nichols, GBCA students are walking laps on a paved path at the nearby Poncin-Hewitt Fields in Attleboro to raise funds for the school. Students have solicited contributions from family members, relatives and friends based on the total number of laps they complete.

According to Mrs. Nichols, GBCA’s elementary-school students (Grades 1 through 6) successfully finished their walks Wednesday. Junior high school and senior high school students (encompassing Grades 7 through 12) will participate Thursday.

GBCA students are using both a one-half mile lap and a one-mile lap at the Poncin Hewitt Fields during the Walk-A-Thon.

“This is the third time we have held a Walk-A-Thon and the kids really enjoy it,” Mrs. Nichols said. “They get to help themselves through exercising and also help the school.”  

Linden Place Mansion and Bristol Yoga Studio invite you to enjoy a connection to history through Linden Place Mansion’s sculpture and rose gardens, and the peacefulness of Yoga. The Yoga asana (postures) offered is appropriate for all experience levels— from newcomers who can’t touch their toes to those seeking to continue their practice while basking in a breathtaking new atmosphere. The instructors will introduce students to a variety of Hatha Yoga styles using warm, welcoming, and sometimes comical approach. . Each class includes different yoga poses, attention to alignment, breath-work, and flow. The class finishes with building core strength and relaxation, all within the tranquil and historic downtown setting of Linden Place’s gardens (or tented courtyard in the case of rain).  You are left feeling your best!

 Classes are held weekly on Mondays from 4:30pm-5:45pm starting June 3^rd and running through September 2^nd.  Drop-ins are welcome at $15 or class cards may be purchased through the Bristol Yoga Studio.  To register, contact the Bristol Yoga Studio at 401-569-0147.

 Friends of Linden Place is a non-profit corporation responsible for the preservation, restoration, and promotion of Linden Place, an 1810 Federal period mansion located in the center of downtown Bristol, RI. The Linden Place organization offers cultural and educational programs to the RI community. The mansion is open from May 1^st through Columbus Day, during the holiday season and by appointment. 

During the recent Youth Appreciation Nite at the South Attleboro Knights of Columbus, awards were presented to essay contest winners from Bishop Feehan High School.  

Pictured from left to right: Richard Enright-PGK; Chris Servant-President of Bishop Feehan; Jessica Mahoney-1st place; Devan Hunter-2nd place; Benjamin Fiske-3rd place; Matt Sweeney-Grand Knight; and Jeffrey Day-Bishop Feehan English Teacher

 The Rhode Island Watercolor Society announces its upcoming Art Yard Sale and Small Picture Show.

Two Mass. Sites Added to National Superfund List
One N.H. site also proposed to be listed

(Boston, Mass. – May 21, 2013) – EPA today is adding two Massachusetts sites to the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites, and is proposing to add one New Hampshire site as well.  Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country to protect people’s health and the environment. 

The former Walton & Lonsbury Inc. facility in Attleboro, Mass. and the former Creese & Cook Tannery in Danvers, Mass. have been added to the list.  The former Collins & Aikman Plant in Farmington, N.H. has been proposed for consideration.

“Adding these two sites to the national Superfund list allows EPA to begin addressing contamination issues on these parcels.  Superfund has been very effective cleaning contaminated lands across the country, ensuring cleaner and healthier communities,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.

“These heavily contaminated sites in Attleboro and Danvers will one day be clean enough to be redeveloped and help boost the Massachusetts economy,” said Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “We thank our partners at the EPA for listing these sites as priorities, helping us to protect our residents and the environment.”

The former Walton & Lonsbury site housed a chrome plating facility, formerly operated by Walton & Lonsbury, Inc.  While in operation from 1940-2007, the facility was used to chrome plate oversized objects such as pistons for large hydraulic equipment or rollers for paper mills.  A number of chemicals and chemical compounds were used and left as waste in the operations process.  The contaminants of concern on the site include total chromium, hexavalent chromium, lead and volatile organic compounds.  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts referred the site to EPA because it poses a serious risk to human health and the environment and because the former Walton & Lonsbury Inc. is bankrupt.  EPA has been working on a removal action since 2010 to address the most immediate risks. The NPL listing allows EPA to address long-term risks.

The former Creese & Cook Tannery property is comprised of three parcels and a portion of a fourth parcel (a railroad right-of-way) totaling approximately 17 acres of land situated along opposite banks of the Crane River in Danvers, Mass. At one time, the four parcels were owned by the Creese & Cook Company being used as a leather tanning and finishing operation from 1903 until 1981, when the company went bankrupt.  Solid wastes from the manufacturing process were disposed of in two onsite landfills. Liquid effluent was discharged directly to the Crane River and later to sewers, while sludge waste was deposited in an on-site lagoon system. The former Creese & Cook Tannery property was later subdivided and one of the three parcels has been redeveloped into a condominium complex. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts referred the site to EPA because it poses a serious risk to human health and the environment and because there are no funds available to continue work.

The next steps for the two Massachusetts sites, as with all NPL sites, is for EPA to identify companies or people responsible for the contamination at a site, and require them to conduct or pay for the cleanup. For the newly listed sites without viable potentially responsible parties, EPA will investigate the full extent of the contamination before starting significant cleanup at the site. Therefore, it may be several years before significant EPA clean up funding is required for these sites.

The former Collins & Aikman Plant in Farmington, N.H. was also formally proposed to be added to the NPL.  This action initiates a 60-day public comment period. Following the public comment period, EPA will review comments received to determine if the site should be listed on the NPL.  The Collins & Aikman Plant itself was a former automotive parts manufacturing facility.  The facility is a source for groundwater contamination in the area.  The State of New Hampshire has referred the site to EPA for review because the site poses risk to the environment and human health.  Collins & Aikman Co. is bankrupt, leaving no money to continue the investigation and implement a comprehensive cleanup in the future. 

Since 1983, EPA has listed 1,685 sites on the NPL. At 1,145 or 68 percent of NPL sites, all cleanup remedies are in place. Approximately 610 or 36 percent of NPL sites have all necessary long-term protections in place, which means EPA considers the sites protective for redevelopment or reuse.