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Families can now use the Enroll Holyoke portal to enroll their children in kindergarten or submit lottery applications for preschool or dual language programs for the 2023-2024 school year. Enroll now at https://www.enrollholyoke.com.
Holyoke resident Mara Castillo is a third-year carpenters union apprentice and graduate of HHS Dean Campus. Now 21 years old, she works for DA Sullivan & Sons construction company in Northampton, forging a career path that she says has changed her life.
She is one of a number of guests who will be participating in a special event on Monday March 20 at UMass Amherst organized by the UMass Building Authority to recognize the valuable work DA Sullivan has done to encourage and provide opportunities for women in the male-dominated construction industry.
Help HPS! There's still time to complete our Panorama survey by March 21. Please complete one survey for each school where you have a child attending. Survey in English https://bit.ly/3SFYF1q. Survey en español http://bit.ly/3m0Brqk.
Volunteers are needed to carry signs during Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 19. Organizers say it’s a fun way to be a part of a community-wide experience, and a chance to earn $20 you can donate to a good cause of your choice. Sign carriers must be at least 12 years old; adults are also welcome to participate. At the conclusion of the parade, sign carriers will be mailed checks for $20 that can be donated or kept for themselves. Organizers say this is a great opportunity for clubs and sports teams to raise funds and for students who are looking to fulfill volunteer hours. Interested participants should complete this form https://bit.ly/3SSrYO9.
About a dozen representatives from local manufacturing companies met with Dean students and city officials on Thursday, March 2 for the first quarterly roundtable held on the Dean Campus. Prior discussions have always taken place at City Hall. Joining this week’s conversation were Mayor Joshua Garcia, Director of Planning and Economic Development Aaron Vega, DPW Superintendent Carl Rossi and City Engineer Kris Baker.
About a dozen representatives from local manufacturing companies met with Dean students and city officials on Thursday, March 2 for the first quarterly roundtable held on the Dean Campus. Prior discussions have always taken place at City Hall. Joining this week’s conversation were Mayor Joshua Garcia, Director of Planning and Economic Development Aaron Vega, DPW Superintendent Carl Rossi and City Engineer Kris Baker.
“The purpose of the Manufacturers Roundtable is to foster communication and a working relationship between local manufacturers, the city, and the community,” explained Marie Brazeau, who serves as Head Clerk of Holyoke’s Office of Planning and Economic Development.
Developing these relationships will help the Dean Campus place students in co-op and internship positions, said Aaron Vega, Director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development. “The city's hope is to highlight Dean as one of our great manufacturing assets and showcase the amazing work of students and staff in keeping manufacturing in Holyoke.”
Dean Principal Alan Gates sees the Roundtable conversations as life-altering opportunities. “Having students who are currently engaged in High Quality Advanced Manufacturing Training sitting at the table for such a discussion is an experience they will likely not forget,” he said.
Student interest in enrolling at Dean is the highest it’s been in at least 10 years, Mr. Gates said. “If we can keep our students involved and continue to partner with local businesses, our students will realize they do not need to go very far to find the right opportunities to find quality employment in the field of manufacturing.”
Acceleration Academies at Donahue, Morgan, HHS North and Dean campuses have been canceled for tomorrow, Thursday, February 23, due to weather conditions.
Offices will be open. Facilities staff should report at their regular time. Year-round staff have a two-hour delayed arrival. Staff may take a personal or vacation day with the approval of their supervisor.
February break is a great time for HPS staff, students, and their families to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster. Some local vaccine sites are offering $75 gift cards next week—and you can even get a free meal from CRAVE Holyoke at one vaccine site. Here are the details:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is offering free, family-friendly “Get Boosted” clinics where anyone ages 6 months and up can get a COVID-19 vaccine or updated booster. As part of a special promotion, Massachusetts residents who get vaccinated (first dose, second dose, or booster) at participating Get Boosted clinics will receive a $75 gift card while supplies last.
Holyoke Public Library, 250 Chestnut St.
February 21—3:30-6:30 p.m. Outside in the CRAVE Food Truck! Pre-registration requested: http://bit.ly/3lLbafJ Everyone receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or booster during this clinic can also receive a free meal at the food truck. Additional meals can also be purchased.
Vaccine clinics will also be held at Holyoke Health Center, 267 High Street, Call (413) 420-2200 for information or walk in during operating hours. No appointment is necessary. Handicap-accessible entry through the High Street main door.
February 21—9 a.m.-12 noon, 1-4 p.m., and 4:45-6:30 p.m.
February 22—9 a.m.-12 noon, 1-4 p.m., and 4:45-6:30 p.m.
February 23—9 a.m.-12 noon and 1-4 p.m.
February 24—9 a.m.-12 noon and 1-4 p.m.
February 27—9 a.m.-12 noon, 1-4 p.m., and 4:45-6:30 p.m.
February 28—9 a.m.-12 noon, 1-4 p.m., and 4:45-6:30 p.m.
Get vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a $75 gift card in February! The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is offering free, family-friendly “Get Boosted” clinics during the February break. Anyone ages 6 months and up can get a COVID-19 vaccine or updated booster. Contact your school building nurse for more information or walk in to one of the clinics in Holyoke. Protect yourself and your loved ones while also getting a gift card!
Is your child planning to attend Holyoke Community College next year? The HCC Foundation uses one application for their many scholarships. Some of the scholarships cover the full cost of HCC. This scholarship application is due March 10th. Apply here http://bit.ly/3XzM7JO!
Members of the Community Attendance Task Force held their first meeting at Enlace de Familias to begin deep-dive discussions around the challenges and obstacles to ensuring that students are in school on time every day.
The Task Force is part of Holyoke Public School’s recently launched attendance campaign—Asiste Hoy, Triunfa Mañana/Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. Task force members include HPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE) coordinators, school leaders, and community partners. They will meet monthly to design system solutions and tighten coordination of student and family support around student attendance.
HPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council invites you to their SEPAC Open Forum on Tuesday, February 28 via Zoom. Register here http://bit.ly/3kJqwRv to participate! | El Consejo Asesor de Padres de Educación Especial de HPS (SEPAC) lo invita a su Foro Abierto el martes 28 de febrero a través de Zoom. ¡Regístrate aquí http://bit.ly/3kJqwRv para participar!
Welcome to Scholarship & Financial Aid Week! This week you can expect daily messages about scholarships and financial aid to help keep you and your students informed! Today, we highlight the Red Pine Scholarship (https://bit.ly/3HWzRgB). This prestigious local scholarship is worth up to $20,000 per year! HHS students who have won this award in the past attend college for FREE. The deadline is February 15th. If your senior meets the eligibility, have them apply! | ¡Bienvenido a la Semana de Becas y Apoyo Económico! Esta semana puedes esperar mensajes diarios sobre becas y apoyo económico para ayudarles a usted y a su estudiante a mantenerse informado. Hoy destacamos la beca Red Pine (https://bit.ly/3HWzRgB). ¡Esta beca local y prestigiosa vale hasta $20,000 al año! Estudiantes de HHS que han recibido esta beca en años pasados han asistido a la universidad gratis. La fecha límite es el 15 de febrero. Si su hijo es elegible, ¡animelo a que la solicite!
Next week is Scholarship & Financial Aid Week at all HHS campuses! Did you know that the Community Foundation of Western Mass is one scholarship application for over 140 local scholarships? This VERY important scholarship application is due on February 28. Apply now http://bit.ly/3Ioz0XD !
Holyoke Public Schools has established the following timeline to prepare for the transition to separate elementary (PreK-5) and middle schools (grades 6-8) and to redraw school boundary lines for fall 2023:
Late January: Letters were mailed to families with their child’s school placement and transportation eligibility
February: Conduct family surveys for input
February-May: Host school tours for new families
March: Announce SY23-24 calendar, school start and end times, and uniform decisions
March 1-31: Open Priority Zone Appeal application
May 15: Host School PD day with new school teams
Mid-to-Late August: Host Back-to-school celebrations, orientations, tours, etc. AND release student-teacher assignments and bus routes
Ongoing: Upgrade facilities (especially Sullivan, Metcalf)
Holyoke students can develop their skills and have fun playing football and soccer thanks to community programs offered in partnership with Holyoke Public Schools. The programs are free, and no equipment is needed. No need to register; students can just show up to participate!
Don't let the flu and COVID-19 catch you off guard this winter, join us for a Flu & COVID Vaccination Clinic happening on Wednesday, February 15, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at The Care Center (247 Cabot Street). Vaccinations and boosters will be available for those six months and up, bring your insurance card for the flu shot and be prepared to stay for a 15-minute observation after getting vaccinated. Registration is encouraged but optional; you can register at https://bit.ly/3HfbXg6. And as a bonus, get a $75 gift card for COVID vaccines while supplies last!
Take advantage of this opportunity to protect yourself and your loved ones from these serious illnesses.
HPS kicks off attendance campaign with celebration tomorrow, January 18! Holyoke Public Schools will celebrate students’ attendance achievements with festivities scheduled for 4:15-5:15 p.m. on January 18 at Holyoke High School North. During the event, Mayor Joshua Garcia and HPS Superintendent Anthony Soto will be joined by 50-70 students and their families from throughout the district to celebrate the students' excellent attendance and/or significant attendance improvements.
Holyoke Public School’s “community-centric” approach to strategic planning was featured in a recent article published by consulting firm Education Resources Strategies (ERS), shining a bright light on both the process and the outcomes. The article can be found here: http://bit.ly/3G9tSUN
“While many districts often struggle to execute a planning process that fosters widespread community buy-in, HPS leaders were able to design for equitable, long-lasting engagement,” ERS wrote in the article. “They embedded the community directly and authentically in the work to create full alignment and a bold plan that will guide them over the next few years.”
The district’s Strategic Planning process began in September 2021 as Superintendent Anthony Soto launched his entry plan work and included an inclusive planning process throughout spring and summer 2022. Under the umbrella of the district’s existing turnaround plan, Holyoke Public Schools released a new multi-year strategic plan in August. The plan reflects all the work that had been done under the turnaround plan over the last almost seven years and articulates focus for the next few years. Throughout the process, more than 400 staff, family members, students, and community members provided input for the plan, in addition to the 1,150+ people who contributed to Superintendent Anthony Soto’s entry plan process that concluded earlier this year.
Viruses and bacterial infections are on the rise: Please take precautions. RSV, Flu, COVID-19, and Group A streptococcus infections also pose combined risks. Like schools and communities across the state and country, Holyoke has recently experienced overlapping surges of viral illnesses among our students and staff, including the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the flu, and COVID-19. Some parts of the country have also seen an increase in Group A streptococcus infections (such as scarlet fever and strep throat) in children. Massachusetts health officials are bracing for these bacterial infections to be on the rise locally, too. All of these illnesses are contagious, and spread can occur relatively quickly. It is particularly concerning that it is possible for individuals to have two or more of these viral conditions serially, simultaneously, or even paired with bacterial or other infections. And because the symptoms for these three viral illnesses share some similar symptoms, it can be hard to tell them apart. If your child is symptomatic, we recommend keeping your child at home and reaching out to your healthcare provider for guidance. Likewise, we recommend the same for staff members. You can read more about these illnesses on our website, along with important steps you can take to help keep yourself and your family healthy this winter. https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/page/health-wellness-nursing