Holyoke Public Schools - Juntos Podemos | Together We Can

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, Humans of OA, and stronger teacher retention rates in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-october-6-2025

Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto surprised five students in their classrooms on Friday with news that they received awards for participating in the district’s Summer Reading Challenge presented in partnership with the Holyoke Public Library. Hierianna Wiley, Catalina Stallings, Ramona Provost, Lorena Berroa, and Jackson Pennant each took home a tablet or scooter, a new T-shirt, and a certificate to celebrate their outstanding summer reading.

It’s International Translation Day! 🥳

Language translation and interpretation services in school aren’t just helpful — they’re essential! Families have a right to equal access to education, which includes having someone available in the language that you speak during meetings, school-wide events, conferences, and more. When one of our 150 qualified interpreters perform this work, barriers between families and school are removed.

At HPS, we aim to have as many interpreters as possible in each of our buildings by helping teachers, FACE coordinators, counselors, and more become certified interpreters. If you are a current staff member who speaks English along with Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese, or Arabic, this free program might be for you.

Learn more and register: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGFIvYInYU/cwdrRl64ynnrm8vObW357Q/view?

Hey families, check this out! 👇

Student voices www.youtube.com/@hpsmediacenter
Holyoke High School North seniors Jaydasen Otero, Avery Feliciano, Julia Guzik, and Jyzaha Perez introduce themselves and share their experiences in the inaugural episode of the Herald’s podcast “Unscripted.”

We invite you to attend the Holyoke SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) and Holyoke Public Schools' Introduction to SEPAC and the 2025-26 elections on October 1, from 6-7 PM . Read more: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/article/2447619

Ahoy, ye mateys! 🏴‍☠️⚓️ Lawrence Lions celebrated spirit week with a sea-worthy finale: Pirate day. Staff and students enjoyed dressing up in their finest eyepatches, bandanas, and peglegs—and of course, talking like pirates, too.

Scenes from the “walking school bus” 🚌.

Teacher Samantha Morin captured these shots during a recent walk to school alongside Morgan School’s “walking school bus,” an organized route that students join in the morning and afternoon on their way to and from school. The walking school bus provides more than just safety—it’s an opportunity for students to connect, get to know Holyoke, and start their morning with activity and movement.

Check out these images from the walk to school, or better yet, take a walk through Holyoke and capture your own! 📸

A strong start to the new school year, ribbon cutting at Peck, and school open house dates in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-september-9-2025

Back-to-school excitement, attendance support, and how to keep in touch with HPS in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-august-18-2025

Can you believe school resumes this month? 📝

The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 is Monday, August 25, and is a full day of school. PreK and kindergarten begin on Wednesday, August 27.

We can’t wait to welcome you back for another year of discovery, play, and growth at HPS!

See you soon! 👋

Some summer meals sites are CLOSED today due to weather: Pouilot Pool, Heritage Park, Peck Field, McMahon. ~~~ These summer meals sites are OPEN today, July 31: Library Park, Community Field, Springdale Park, Carlos Vega, and Holyoke Hills Tokeneke

It’s not too late to make progress on your summer reading log! Students in grades K-8 who read for 30 minutes a day can submit their reading log at the start of the school year for the opportunity to win a prize. Older students and adults have options, too: The Holyoke Public Library is running reading challenges throughout the summer.

Highlighting achievements, summer construction updates, and a new Lawrence Lion in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-july-21-2025

🎓 Watch the full Opportunity Academy "Class of 2025" Graduation 🎓 www.youtube.com/@hpsmediacenter @hpsmediacenter

OA graduation, summer programming, and celebrating district accomplishments in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-june-16-2025