H.B. Lawrence School

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.

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.

🎓 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

🎓 Watch the full Holyoke High School North Graduation 🎓 www.youtube.com/@hpsmediacenter

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.

🎓 Watch the full Dean Tech Graduation 🎓 www.youtube.com/@hpsmediacenter

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

It's staff appreciation week! 🍎 Lawrence School staff appreciate Shakira Colon, who works on the TIP team. Every day, Ms. Shakira writes a new inspirational message on the whiteboard in the main office to brighten the day of her co-workers. Her positivity is infectious—and appreciated, this week and every week!

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! ⛳️📚