During today's monthly central office birthday and anniversary celebration, we realized something exciting...
One of today's celebrated employees is Bill Welch. Mr. Welch is a help desk computer technician who has been at HPS for 43 years! With a few upcoming retirements, Mr. Welch will be the most senior employee at HPS during the 2025-26 school year. Thank you for choosing Holyoke Public Schools, Bill. Congrats!
Our four-year graduation rate has increased significantly: from 62% in 2015 to 77.1% last year. 🎓 Among Hispanic/Latino students, the rate has increased even more: from 55.6% to 76.2% during the same period.
Summer is just around the corner! ☀️
Before you hit the beach, make sure the following important dates are in your calendar:
• Thursday, May 29: HHS Dean graduation
• Friday, May 30: HHS North graduation
• Friday, June 13: OA graduation
• Wednesday, June 18: Last day of school!
The last day of school will follow the regular Wednesday schedule.
Academic celebrations, budget planning, and neuroscience at Kelly School in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-may-19-2025
Scenes from the Western Massachusetts Unified Track meet 📸 This week, 11 Unified Track and Field teams met at HHS North for their sectional competition. Students of all abilities competed in events such as the 100 meter dash, javelin throw, 4x400 relay, and long jump.
Hey families! You’re invited to the Transition Resource Fair on Thursday, May 1 🦋
This event, sponsored by the Holyoke/Chicopee Department of Developmental Services (DDS), will showcase local services and supports for students transitioning out of special education. It is open to students ages 14-21, their families, and special education professionals. Thursday, May 1 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Portuguese American Club, 149 Exchange St., Chicopee.
Wrestling coach—and HHS Dean assistant principal—Vincent Silano was surprised today with a visit from TWO state senators! 🎉
Senator John Velis, who represents Holyoke, and Senator Adam Gomez, who represents Mr. Silano’s home district, came to HHS Dean to celebrate Mr. Silano’s outstanding recent achievement: He was recently named the MIAA Division 2 West Wrestling Coach of The Year 🥳
The senators presented Mr. Silano with an official Massachusetts State Senate Citation to commemorate the achievement, and celebrated with Dean staff and members of the wrestling team. Congratulations, Mr. Silano!
Head to the Holyoke Public Library on Saturday, April 12, from 9:30-3:30 to play 18 holes of miniature golf for FREE inside the library and "Human Foosball" outside! ⛳️📚
April Acceleration Academy: Enroll today! ⏰
HPS has scheduled FREE Acceleration Academies for Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25, designed to provide enriching learning experiences as well as math support for elementary, middle, and high school students during April break. Families of interested students can enroll online. Space is limited so families are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible to ensure their children can participate. For assistance with enrollment, please call (413) 534-2000, option 1. https://enrollholyoke.schoolmint.com/login
Meet one of the stars of Little Shop of Horrors: Audrey II! 🌱☠️ This carnivorous plant puppet—along with two other sizes to show her growth throughout the show—was designed and created by Phil Christofori. A retired art teacher and department head from HPS, Mr. Christofori has been the prop designer for HHS musicals for “a very long time.” For this production, Mr. Christofori created three puppets to show the plant’s growth throughout the show. He utilized unlikely and recycled materials, including a foam mattress, to make the puppets with support from student designer Chris MacLaughlin and set painter Bill Greaney 🎨 See all of the Audrey II puppets—and a talented cast of real-life student performers—in the HHS Theater Company production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ opening TOMORROW, April 3, and playing for one weekend only. Tickets available online or at the door. https://v6.click4tix.com/event-details.php?e=431721
We're celebrating Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Today we're saying 'Thank You' for of all the amazing work these educators do for our students each day. Pictured is Nayarit Padilla, one of the members of our talented team ✨
Careers at HPS, Ignite Reading’s impact for young readers, and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-march-31-2025
Mark your calendars for a visit to Skid Row: “Little Shop of Horrors” opens April 3 at HHS North, with additional performances April 4, 5, and 6. Tickets are available now via Click4Tix: https://v6.click4tix.com/event-details.php?e=431721
Impactful Student Summit, Read Across America, and cooking with confidence in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-march-17-2025
Excellence award spotlight ✨ Superintendent Soto recently surprised Kade Sandomierski with an award of excellence. Mr. Sandomierski is an English language arts teacher at HHS Dean Tech who goes above and beyond in the classroom, within the school, and in the community to serve and support Dean students. His growth mindset and thoughtful application of feedback demonstrate his growth as an educator over his three years at Dean. Congrats, Mr. Sandomierski! 👏
A visit from Governor Healy, Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards, and more in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-march-4-2025
HPS schools will open two hours late today due to weather. Delayed opening schedule here: http://bit.ly/3H3sTG1 | Las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke abrirán dos horas más tarde hoy debido al clima. Consulte el horario de comienzo de clases retrasado aquí: http://bit.ly/3H3sTG1
Black History Month, grant awards in action, and a tour of the new Peck Middle School in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-february-10-2025
Congratulations to our Q2 attendance award winners! 📆🏅 More than 50 students were honored for their excellent or improved attendance during last Thursday’s community dinner celebration at Kelly School. Honorees enjoyed food, a prize raffle, and commendations from the Mayor and Superintendent for modeling excellent attendance for their peers.
