Holyoke High Dean Campus

Counselors at Holyoke High School’s North, Dean, and Opportunity Academy campuses will be headed into 11th-grade classrooms in April to provide important college and career planning information to students. A College Planning Night is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, in the HHS North auditorium for families of high school juniors at all three campuses.

Grade 11 students are encouraged to take the SAT at HHS North on May 6. This is a test required for admission at some colleges. The regular registration deadline is April 7; the late registration deadline is April 25. Students must register at www.collegeboard.org. Students who would like help registering can visit the Gear Up office at their school.

MassHealth families need to renew their coverage this year and update their contact information and report household changes. COVID-19 coverage protections will end soon, and MassHealth will return to standard annual eligibility renewal processes. More info at https://bit.ly/3mvJk7E.

With feedback received from families, staff, and community residents, HPS leaders will continue their work refining the district’s strategic plan and focus areas for the coming year. To provide your feedback on the strategic plan and future priorities, please complete this brief survey by April 20 http://bit.ly/3G9fSLG.

Holyoke Public Schools is celebrating World Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day today, Monday April 3. Officially recognized on April 2 each year, this year’s recognition fell on a Sunday. Our students and staff are wearing solid or multi-colored rainbow shirts as part of our awareness efforts. Throughout April, our schools will be engaged in Autism Acceptance Spirit Week activities to highlight our students and programs. We can all play a role in making our schools and communities more accepting and inclusive for everyone. Check back soon for photos of our different celebrations.

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)