Holyoke Public Schools - Juntos Podemos | Together We Can

Breathe deep and learn to de-stress with Morgan students 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSkFF-eOoGM 🎥 As part of the TRAILS Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum that has been implemented district-wide this year, Morgan students are exploring a variety ways to manage stress. During a recent classroom discussion, a group of second-graders shared some of their favorite stress-relief tactics, including deep breathing and tracing their hands.

Kelly students played soccer the bionic way! ⚽ The Bionic Project paid a visit to students to talk about inclusion at school, especially regarding ability and disability. Students then led conversations about what improvements they could make at school to make learning, play, and clubs more accessible for everyone before getting to enjoy a game of soccer—with a challenge! The guests from the Bionic Project challenged grade 5 students to play on one leg, making the game most students know into a new challenge.

Holyoke Public Schools is offering free summer meals for children and teens under the age of 18 throughout the summer. We need your help in picking when and where we should provide these meals to ensure we are selecting the most convenient times and locations, so please complete this short meals preference survey. Survey closes on Wednesday, May 29. Meal times and locations will be announced soon after. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzh8Y2GPzWwDUTtIjK_fzxe0_e5vsq1CxV5f9kXWp5kvzZ5A/viewform

HPS schools will be closed on Monday, May 27 in recognition of Memorial Day. Enjoy the long weekend. See you Tuesday.

The Holyoke Elementary Farm Fun Fair is fun for all! ✨ Join us at 5 p.m. Thursday June 6 at Donahue School for games, crafts, and seed planting for kids, and a wealth of local garden, farming, and food access resources for adults. RSVP at bit.ly/farmfunfair2024

We’ve got the beat at Sullivan School! 💃 In addition to typical physical education offerings, students at Sullivan can also take dance classes. Together with the guidance of an instructor, they learn different moves and techniques, choreography, and how to perform in sync as a team 👯

Is your child ready for kindergarten? 🎒 Kindergarten enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is now open for children who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2024. The first day of school will be here before you know it—enroll today! https://enrollholyoke.schoolmint.com/login

As summer draws closer and closer, so do summer learning opportunities! 🌞 Summer programming at HPS is split into two main programs: Summer Learning Academies for elementary and middle school students, and Extended School Year for elementary, middle, and high school students with an eligible IEP. Learn more and enroll today at https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/page/summer-learning

Did you know? 🤔 Data shows that students who learn in dual language immersion programs—including native Spanish speakers—outperform their single-language peers on standardized tests in middle school and beyond. HPS offers an immersive dual language program with Spanish and English instruction, beginning with preschool and kindergarten at E.N. White and Kelly Schools, and continuing through elementary, middle, and high school. Learn more and enroll today: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/page/dual-language-program

26 students from Dean and North campuses earn Seal of Biliteracy 🎉 The number of HPS students who earned a Seal of Biliteracy more than tripled this year, from eight students earning this distinction in 2023 to a total of 26 students in 2024. Learn more about the students and the Seal 👉 https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/article/1595861

5-9-2024 Together for Holyoke - Juntos por Holyoke | Stories and Inspiration From our Schools - Inspiración e Historias de Nuestras Escuelas https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-may-9-2024

Check out this drone footage taken on Friday, May 3 at the middle school construction site. https://youtu.be/ZbaGxoXjoN4

t’s staff appreciation week! Today, we are saying thank you to some of the people who help our students grow and succeed in school, at home, and beyond. 🤗 Counselors make students feel welcome, heard, and supported no matter what they might be going through. The relationships our counselors have built with students and families are part of what makes HPS a community. We don’t know where we would be without the kind and thoughtful support of our counselors. 👩‍🍳 Guidance counselors and career advisors help our students figure out how to be who they want to be. So many students have found their calling thanks to the drive and passion that our guidance team brings to work each day. We always appreciate your guidance. ✍🏽 Therapists and specialists at our schools represent a diverse array of student support services such as language support, physical therapy, and behavioral support—services that can make a critical difference for a student’s experience. The one-on-one support provided by our specialists and therapists makes our school a more joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging. 🧑‍⚕️ Nurses make school a safer and healthier place to be! Our talented team of nurses cares for students and families through a wide spectrum of services and supports. By ensuring that students are supported in something as fundamental as health and wellness, our nurses make it possible for children to focus on learning, relationships, and fun while they’re at school.

Mark your calendar for Friday, May 10! Everyone is invited to participate in the fourth annual Ethnic Studies Block Party from 5-8 p.m., at Holyoke High School North, 500 Beech Street. The event offers free refreshments, games, and prizes, musical performances, an open mic opportunity, and vendor tables from area businesses and agencies.

Our students are planting seeds and cultivating knowledge 🧑‍🌾 This is our second year of partnership with FoodCorps, a national program focused on food justice. Elementary students are planting gardens, learning about the environment, and getting hands-on with where food comes from. This program is supported in part through MA FRESH grand funding from the Massachusetts DESE, which is being used to maintain gardens at each elementary school and provide classroom supplies so that students can enjoy their harvest 🥕🍅

Join the Holyoke Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and HPS to discuss Extended School Year & summer programming opportunities for your student. Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 6-7 p.m. at Holyoke High School - North Campus. We will offer language interpretation, childcare, and refreshments. To request transportation or for more information, please contact the Student Services & Special Education Department at (413) 534-2000, ext. 1209.

All HPS schools will be closed next week, April 15-19, for April break. Classes resume on Monday, April 22. Reminder to families that April Vacation Academy is in session April 15-22 for students in grades 3-8 who enrolled in the program.

Good budget news and much more in this week's Together for Holyoke | Buenas noticias sobre el presupuesto y mucho más en la edición de esta semana de Together for Holyoke. https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-april-12-2024

Last call to enroll in April Vacation Academy! Vacation Academy is an enrichment and learning opportunity during April break for students in grades 3-8. The program runs April 15-22 and will focus on math, with special activities such as cooking, art, and gym. Sign up for free via SchoolMint: https://enrollholyoke.schoolmint.com/

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7 occurred at 10:20 a.m. this morning in North Plainfield, New Jersey. Shaking was reported in the Holyoke region, as well as Boston, Worcester, and areas in Rhode Island, and Connecticut. There has been no reported impact in Holyoke, and all schools are operating on their regular schedule.