Berkshire County School Counselors Association

The Berkshire County School Counselors Association (BCSCA) is a group comprised of Guidance Counselors, School Adjustment Counselors, College Admissions Representatives, and individuals interested in promoting quality comprehensive guidance services throughout Berkshire County.

The BCSCA membership meets formally three times per year in October, March, and May. The October meeting is a college/university sponsored dinner which includes a business meeting, professional development component, and the opportunity to network. In March, BCSCA hosts an annual “Sharing Workshop” which involves a presentation/discussion regarding a guidance theme of importance to the membership. In May, the Association organizes an appreciation dinner to recognize retirees and administrative professionals. During this evening, the association announces one scholarship recipient from Berkshire Community College pursuing a degree in counseling/education and a “Friend of School Counselors Award” is presented.  In September 2021, BCSCA started regular professional development meetings through virtual meetings to review local resources and best practices.

BCSCA collaborates with the Berkshire Superintendent’s Roundtable to serve as a Professional Learning Network for school counselors. The Roundtable sponsors a fall professional development day and provides PDP’s for our professional development work.

Each spring, the BCSCA offers a three-credit guidance and counseling course through the Fitchburg State University to provide and encourage professional development in our profession.

Annual membership dues are $30 for active School Counselors and $20 for retirees. Make your check payable to BCSCA and email Meaghan Rogers, Student Support Counselor at meaghan.rogers@questar.org for address information.

2023-2024 - Berkshire County School Counselors Association Executive Board

President	Dr. Josh Mendel – J.Mendel@mcla.edu
Vice President	Christine Salvie - csalvie@pittsfield.net
Treasurer	Meaghan Rogers - meaghan.rogers@questar.org
MASCA Trustee	Anne Thidemann French - annethidemannfrench@gmail.com
North County Rep	Jana Boyer - J.Boyer@mcla.edu
North County Rep	Twink Williams Burns - cwillia2@williams.edu
Central County Rep	Catherine Grady - cgrady@cbrsd.org
Central County Rep	Peter Andersen - pandersen@cbrsd.org
Central County Rep	Megan Lussier - mlussier@berkshirecc.edu
Central County Rep	Meghan Donnelly - mdonnelly@pittsfield.net
Central County Rep	Jaclyn Keefe - jkeefe@pittsfield.net
South County Rep	Open

BCSCA Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/844563373210171

History

Berkshire County School Counselors Association

On October 30, 1959 at the Berkshire County Teachers Convention Guidance personnel of Berkshire County were invited to a section meeting at Pittsfield High School by Charles E. Murphy, Director of Guidance for the City of Pittsfield. The following people attended:  Walter F. Reagan, John T. Reid, and Mr. Murphy of Pittsfield; Russell T. Bird, Lee; Maurice Filler, Williamstown; Dorothy F. Glendon, Dalton; Dolores Toporowski, Adams; and Scott Lowe, Great Barrington. The purpose of the meeting was to decide whether or not it was desirable to form a guidance group in the county.  Those present decided that such a group would be of value to all concerned, and authorized Mr. Murphy to find a suitable meeting place in Pittsfield for the first meeting to be held on November 9, 1959.

BCSCA - First meeting
An organizational meeting of Berkshire County School Guidance personnel was held in the Rosa Restaurant in Pittsfield, MA on November 9, 1959.  Charles E. Murphy, Director of Guidance for the City of Pittsfield was elected chairman and Dolores E. Toporowski, Guidance Counselor at Adams High School was chosen Secretary.  Twenty-two representatives were present from Williamstown, North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield, Dalton, Lee, Great Barrington, and Sheffield.
The main purposes of the group will be to exchange information and ideas, and to discuss common problems.  The committee in charge will consist of Paul R. Rochford, Mount Everett Regional, Sheffield; Miss Dorothy F. Glendon, Dalton High; Scott Lowe, Searles High, Great Barrington; and Russell T. Bird, Lee High.  Meetings will be every other month.  

Edited from Berkshire Evening Eagle article and notes, November 10, 1959.

BCSCA- MASCA Connections

1964-1965 - Charles E. Murphy - Pittsfield was the first member of the Berkshire County Guidance Association to be elected President of the Massachusetts Guidance Association.
1969-1970 - Donald R. Sommer - Adams was the second member of the Berkshire County Guidance Association to be elected President of the Massachusetts Guidance Association.
1974-1975 - Edmund J. Plummer, Jr. - Pittsfield was the third member of the Berkshire County Guidance Association to be elected President of the Massachusetts Guidance Association.

Name change
At the May Appreciation Dinner in 2011 the Berkshire County Guidance Association voted to change its name to the Berkshire County School Counselors Association.  The purpose of that change was to ensure that our local professional organization remains current in its mission and
identity.  
 
Current
The Berkshire County School Counselors Association (BCSCA) is a group comprised of School Counselors, School Adjustment Counselors, College Admissions Representatives, and individuals interested in promoting quality comprehensive guidance services throughout Berkshire County.  
 
The BCSCA membership meets formally three times per year in October, March, and May. The October meeting is a college/university sponsored dinner which includes a business meeting, professional development component, and the opportunity to network. In March, BCSCA hosts an annual “Sharing Workshop” which involves a presentation/discussion regarding a guidance theme of importance to the membership. In May, the Association organizes an appreciation dinner to recognize retirees and administrative assistant professionals. During this evening, the association also announces one scholarship recipient from Berkshire Community College pursuing a degree in counseling/education and a “Friend of School Counselors Award” is presented.
 
BCSCA collaborates with the Berkshire Superintendent’s Roundtable to serve as a Professional Learning Network for school counselors. The Roundtable sponsors a fall professional development day and provides PDP’s for our professional development work.

Each spring, the BCSCA offers a graduate-level school counseling course to provide and encourage professional development in our profession.

Past BCGA/BCSCA presidents in addition to Charles E. Murphy have included: Edmund Plummer, William Frazier, Carmelita Scott, Rosie Michel-Cleeve, Pat Gabarcik, Marietta Rapetti Cawse with Kathy Morgan, and Peter Andersen. Nancy Woitkowski served as treasurer for many years, followed by Donna Therrien.  Dr. Josh Mendel, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Associate Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education for Partnerships and Programs is our current President, Meaghan Rogers, Questar III BOCES|Questar III & HVCC STEM High School is our current treasurer.  Anne French, Retired School Adjustment Counselor is our MASCA Liaison.