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
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.
Catch the Holyoke High School Band performing with the Bombyx Brass Collective this Thursday! 🎺
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! ⛳️📚
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
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
Excellence award spotlight ✨ Superintendent Soto recently surprised Maridia Hobert with an award of excellence. Ms. Hobert is a Spanish language arts teacher at HHS North who goes above and beyond in the classroom, teaching efficiently and always lending a hand to other teachers. Her kindness and approachability are appreciated by students and staff alike. Congrats, Ms. Hobert!
If we are a community that believes in belonging, then Holyoke High School is… ✅ Inclusive
✅ Respects each other
✅ Student voices matter
✅ Collaborate
✅ We communicate
✅ Is a place where everyone can be themselves
✅ Works together
WATCH: https://youtu.be/NB8Rd8rNnjo
“We wanted to give our students something practical that they could learn to do to help support their interest in health careers.” 🩺 Students enrolled in the Engineering and Life Science (ELS) Academy at HHS North were participate in hands-on CPR training as an elective course, presented by the YMCA. Students learned CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants, as well as choking relief and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
🎥 WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx8gAApRNOQ
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
HHS North hosted their annual staff vs students basketball game on March 12, with staff taking the victory, 42-33. Students will have the opportunity for redemption, with a volleyball match and basketball rematch to be scheduled in the coming months.
