William R. Peck School

Holiday celebrations, Panorama survey, and a send-off to long-time School Committee members in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-december-8-2025

Get to know our principals! ✨

Name: Mr. Kevin McGrath
School mascot: Phoenixes
Favorite subject: Math and computer science
Hobbies: Hiking, sports, and CrossFit
Best part of my job: Building something new with this dedicated team
Fun fact: I have two children, ages 7 and 4. Our favorite activities include playing sports, cooking dinner together, and exploring nature as a family.

Inside the new Peck Middle School, an interview with Lawrence FACE coordinator, and a student taking center stage in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-november-2025

The School Committee meeting scheduled for October 27 has been cancelled. The next School Committee meeting will be Monday, November 3.

It’s International Translation Day! 🥳

Language translation and interpretation services in school aren’t just helpful — they’re essential! Families have a right to equal access to education, which includes having someone available in the language that you speak during meetings, school-wide events, conferences, and more. When one of our 150 qualified interpreters perform this work, barriers between families and school are removed.

At HPS, we aim to have as many interpreters as possible in each of our buildings by helping teachers, FACE coordinators, counselors, and more become certified interpreters. If you are a current staff member who speaks English along with Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese, or Arabic, this free program might be for you.

Learn more and register: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGFIvYInYU/cwdrRl64ynnrm8vObW357Q/view?

Hey families, check this out! 👇

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

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.

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

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