This week, there are two important matters I want to bring to your attention. The first is that Holyoke Public Schools has decided to participate in a new, at-home COVID-19 testing program recently made available to school districts in Massachusett. You can read more about the program in the story below. I hope every student and staff member enrolls in the program so everyone can self-test once a week, every week at home.

I also wanted to share with you the news that a decision has been made about grade configurations at the elementary and middle school levels: In the future, HPS elementary schools will serve pre-kindergarten through grade 5, while our middle schools will serve grades 6-8. We still have more work to do before we can make those changes and we will engage in a thorough community process to solicit your input, but this decision is an important step in the process.

This week’s Holyoke Update includes the following:

• New, at-home COVID-19 testing option
• Elementary and middle school grade configuration decision
• Middle school proposal on Finance Committee’s agenda
• New schedule planned for Dean Campus next fall
• Annual Family Language Access Survey
• Dual Language Program updates
• Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
• Employment opportunities
• Cone of Excellence awarded to Mario Feliciano, ESL Teacher at Holyoke High Dean Campus
• COVID-19 updates
• Holyoke High School North
• Holyoke High School Dean Campus
• College Counseling
• Athletics
• Events calendar

Sincerely,

Mr. Anthony Soto, Superintendent/Receiver