Connections Holyoke Public Schools a Community Working Together Our Web Site: Volume 5, Issue 4 Summer 2007

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Connections Holyoke Public Schools a Community Working Together Our Web Site: Volume 5, Issue 4 Summer 2007 Holyoke Public Schools Connections Holyoke Public Schools A Community Working Together Our Web site: www.hps.holyoke.ma.us Volume 5, Issue 4 Summer 2007 HPS school year comes to a quick, busy close By Eduardo B. Carballo **Updated Vaccine Superintendent of Schools Information on page 11 Dear Readers: Our Unsung Heroines 3 It’s hard to believe that we are coming to the end of another school year! It’s been a busy Races to Space 4 year and much has been ac- complished by all. I want to take this opportunity to ac- Summer Fun 5 knowledge the work of all Suggestions staff across the district and to the many partners, volunteers Rising Stars and 6-7 and families. Dr. Eduardo Carballo addresses the media at 57 Suffolk Street in a School Briefs At this time I would like to recent press conference speaking in support of the city’s schools, specifically talk about two teachers, staff and administration. outstanding educators, who Talking Points 7 after many years of service, A reminder to the whole grams will be in full swing have been recently recognized community that next year again this year. I hope a lot of as Unsung Heroines by the McMahon Elementary School our students will take advan- Massachusetts Commission on will grow to include 7th grade tage of them. The Summer Holyoke Sports 8 the Status of Women. They and that Morgan and Peck were honored at the Massa- Programs will run from July 9 schools have become sister chusetts State House on May to August 9, 2007, Monday schools for the 2007/2008 through Thursday from 8:00 16, 2007. Dr. Maria Barreto is a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The sites for Spanish Highlights 9-12 a teacher at Peck Middle school year. these programs are Holyoke ...more sports photos School and Linda Amaral is a The Grade 8 Moving-Up High, Dean Technical High, teacher at Sullivan School. Ceremonies were a large suc- These teachers were nomi- cess and the support of the Peck Middle, Donahue, Mor- gan, Lawrence, Sullivan and nated by their peers, which in families in celebrating the ac- White. Student applications itself is an honor. To quote complishments of their chil- (K-8) are available from the the Massachusetts Unsung dren was wonderful to see. schools; Holyoke High and Heroines 2007 Nomination Schools having the annual Form, “They are the Unsung ceremony were Lynch and Dean Technical High will re- Heroines who use their time, Peck Middle Schools, and cruit students as has been past practice. John Cavanaugh will talent, spirit and enthusiasm to Donahue, Sullivan, E.N. White, once again be overseeing enrich the lives of others. They Kelly Elementary Schools and these programs and may be are mentors, volunteers and HAP. contacted by e-mail at jcava- innovators. They are the glue On behalf of the School Com- that keeps a community to- [email protected] if mittee and myself, congratula- you have any questions. gether, they are the spark that tions to all the graduating gets things started and gets seniors and their families. We I wish all of our readers a safe things done…they care about wish you well and hope you and relaxing summer. other people and it shows.” stay connected and let us Congratulations to both of know how you are doing in them. A complete feature is your future endeavors. inside on page 3 of Connec- tions. Reminder - our summer pro- Page 2 Connections Edited by Kelly Doktor [email protected] Mission Statement Special Thanks to: The mission of the Luz Aguilar, Cris Brown, Kim Counter, Laura DuPont, Mike Hines, Holyoke Public Schools Judy Taylor, Judy Williams and Chris Zajac is to provide educational opportunities for all Contributing to this issue: students to reach their Linda Amaral Joanne Marcotte Mary Kate Richie full potential in a safe, secure, healthy learning Pauline Carriere Lee McGarrigle Hilary Russell environment while Mary Falcetti Debbie Menard Nancy Stenberg valuing diversity and William Greaney Joanne O’Toole Sue Werenski promoting responsible Patti Jennings Aaron Patterson Sharon Winston citizenship. Robert Lastowski Hava Preye Elaine Lathrop Bonnie Randall Parent Academy makes community connections Holyoke’s Title I Program sponsored the first Parent Academy on Saturday, April 28th, at Donahue School. The purpose of the family event is to comply with state and federal parent involvement guidelines in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act. The three-hour workshop was filled with beneficial presenta- tions by dedicated teachers. The goals of the Parent Academy were to provide parents with Holyoke School materials for home that will have a direct impact Committee on student achievement, to foster home-to- school connections, to build a network and Mayor Michael Sullivan share with other parents, help parents under- Michael Moriarty stand the expectations in the school academic setting, and to build a community of support Mary Signet among parents, administrators, and teachers. Yvonne Garcia Workshops included Homemade Toys, Make- Barry Conway And-Take activities, Homework Helper, Poetry, Physical Exercise, and math seminars on basic Mollie Plant facts and probability. Another parent academy is being planned for the fall. Suggestions for sum- William A. Collamore mer activities are on page 5 of this issue of Margaret Boulais Connections. Gladys Lebron-Martinez Jonathan Allyn Volume 5, Issue 4 Page 3 Teachers are Massachusetts Unsung Heroines www.hps.holyoke.ma.us ———————————— Linda Amaral, Sullivan Elemen- others, as well as being What’s New on the Web tary School teacher and Maria mentors, volunteers and Barreto, a teacher at Peck Mid- innovators” garnered By Judy Taylor dle School, were each honored them the award as nomi- in a ceremony as an Unsung nated by colleagues. Heroine at the Massachusetts Recent additions to The Massachusetts Com- Statehouse on May 16th. There mission on the Status of the district Web site were several inspirational Women sponsored the speeches by women at the cere- include: 2007 Unsung Heroine mony with the day ending with Award Initiative, which an address from Governor through nominations, Deval Patrick. Amaral, from • Athletics Forms identifies and honors Ludlow and Barreto, from Holy- extraordinary women • Emergency Information oke, were the only representa- from each of the Com- tives from their respective monwealth’s 351 cities • Prohibition of Hazing hometowns in being identified Policy as an extraordinary woman for and towns. “performing unheralded acts on • Sportsmanship Policy a daily basis that make our com- munities better places to live.” Peck Middle School teacher Maria Barreto Using their “talent, spirit and (L) and Sullivan Elementary Teacher Linda The links are located on the enthusiasm to enrich the lives of Amaral receive their Unsung Heroine Athletics pages for Dean and Awards at the Statehouse May 16th. Holyoke High Schools. ———————————— Linda Amaral Nomination Letter Maria Barreto Nomination Letter New to the Holyoke High School website Linda Amaral is a motivating, supporting, strong and Maria Barreto works with the students and www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/hhs is persevering woman. She is a person that re- families of T.O.P. above and beyond the a page featuring the Jobs for examines, challenges and pushes herself further than scope of her responsibilities to the Holyoke Baystate Graduates Program you ever thought possible. Her co-workers are her Public Schools. Many families that we intake accessible via the Programs extended family. She will go above and beyond to are struggling with issues that deal with help out anyone having difficulties with professional housing, medical, physical, psychological, and menu. or personal issues. If she can’t help you , she will domestic abuse. Her spirit embraces these ———————————— find someone who will. Aside from her professional students and families creating an environment duties, Linda helps operate the Western Mass Junior that is safe and welcoming. Maria looks for Check out our new Summer Pioneer soccer organization. She is a woman full of ways to network families into the community Educational Opportunities energy and she transmits this to anyone she talks to. for the services that meet their needs. Many Page containing information She makes you feel like you are not alone, like of our families stay in touch with her after regarding summer programs, someone who has walked this path before you. She they transition to their zone schools because activities and events including knows how to make a situation easier and knows they have met a good friend and helper. KinderKamp and the Barnes how to conquer problems with logical reasoning, When the school day is over, she opens her and Noble Summer Reading communication and consideration. At Sullivan heart to the community reaching out and Program (read eight books, School, Linda is someone many of us turn to when touching those in need. Using personal re- get one free!) we have questions about the DOE or ELL. We leave sources to care for others, she works tire- the conversation with a sense of peace, enlighten- lessly to lessen their burdens. Maria is an ———————————— ment, appreciation, and a feeling of a weight being inspiration to those who know her and a lifted off of us. Linda is an amazing person. Her friend to all who meet her. We are blessed to integrity and honesty is empowering and has a last- have her share her talents, skills and compas- On the Web site in the late ing effect on those who know her. She is always sionate heart with us. summer be sure to look for continuing her education and sharing that knowl- opening day information in- edge with others. She is humble about her gifts, cluding, but not limited to the talents and interests.
Recommended publications
  • Connections Holyoke Public Schools a Community Working Together Our Web Site: Volume 8, Issue 3 Spring 2010
    Holyoke Public Schools Connections Holyoke Public Schools A Community Working Together Our Web site: www.hps.holyoke.ma.us Volume 8, Issue 3 Spring 2010 Holyoke Public Schools Blooming with positive news By Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo awarded. Those re- ceiving this recogni- Inside this issue: Superintendent of Schools tion for 2010 are: Susan Cohen, Center for Excellence; Nor- How nice to see signs of spring! • Meet Peck School’s mand LeBlanc, Dean Students have been working very Family Coordinator 2 Technical High School; hard over the winter months, and Josiah Friedberg, many have been preparing for Donahue School; Ana • Family Notices various MCAS and MEPA tests in Malave, Morgan • Bullying Essay Winner 4 addition to performing their regu- School; Justin Cotton, lar school work. The students are Peck School; Elaine looking forward to spring vacation Furtak, Sullivan School; and will have an opportunity to 5 and Carole Gamache, • Grinspoon Photo refresh themselves before the next E.N. White School. Essay round of testing begins for many of Our congratulations them. They have been well pre- go to each of them, pared, and I am confident with and our thanks go to • Helping Haiti 6 their effort and our continued all of the dedicated encouragement and support, they Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo teachers in the Holy- will be very successful. It is impor- presents Josiah Friedberg of Donahue School his oke Public Schools. tant for them to get plenty of sleep certificate on achieving The Harold Grinspoon The winners are 7 and be well-rested, and the role of • Talking Points featured on page 5 of Excellence in Teaching Award.
    [Show full text]
  • MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM Schedule of Nonemployer Allocations and Schedule of Collective Pension Amounts June 30
    MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS'RETIREMENT SYSTEM Schedule of Nonemployer Allocations and Schedule of Collective Pension Amounts June 30, 2016 (With Independent Auditors' Report Thereon) KPMG LLP Two Financial Center 60 South Street Boston, MA 02111 Independent Auditors' Report Mr. Thomas G. Shack III, Comptroller Commonwealth of Massachusetts: We have audited the accompanying schedule of nonemployer allocations of the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS) as of and for the year ended June 30, 2016, and the related notes. We have also audited the columns titled net pension liability, total deferred outflows of resources, total deferred inflows of resources, and total nonemploy.er pension expense (specified column totals) included in the accompanying schedule of collective pension amounts of MTRS as of and for the year ended June 30, 2016, and the related notes. Management's Responsibility for the Schedules Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these schedules in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the schedules that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditors' Responsibility Our responsibility is to express opinions on the schedule of nonemployer allocations and the specified column totals included in the schedule of collective pension amounts based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the schedule of nonemployer allocations and the specified column totals included in the schedule of collective pension amounts are free from material misstatement.
    [Show full text]
  • Connections Blooming with Positive News
    Holyoke Public Schools Connections Holyoke Public Schools A Community Working Together Our Web site: www.hps.holyoke.ma.us Volume 7, Issue 3 Spring 2009 Holyoke Public Schools Blooming with positive news Inside this issue: By Dr. Eduardo Carballo Celebrate Holyoke Pub- Superintendent of Schools lic Schools week is April • Dr. Seuss 2 Signs of spring are everywhere, 27 through and after the long winter we had, May 1. Our Rising Stars I think we are all ready for better 4 weather. Many positive activities recognition • Parent Information have been taking place in the will take place Holyoke Public Schools over the this year on last months, and there are more April 30 be- • Grinspoon Awards 5 positive activities arriving along ginning with the Merry- with spring! Go-Round I hope that many of you had the Reception • Governor visits Peck 7 opportunity to read about, or to (everyone watch, as the Holyoke High welcome) and School hockey team, the Purple ending with Knights, won the Division IIIA Superintendent Dr. Eduardo Carballo presents Catherine the Banquet at • Hockey Champions 8 State Championship when they the Dean Hourihan of Peck School her certificate on achieving The defeated Oakmont 4-2 at the Technical. Harold Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching Award. MassMutual Center in Springfield Each year on March 12. This was a trium- students in grades six through Faculty Exhibit” was held at the • Sullivan Quillers 10 phant time for the team and a twelve are recognized for excel- Grynn & Barrett Studios. Those proud moment for the Holyoke ling in scholarship, leadership, exhibiting their art were: Bob School system.
    [Show full text]
  • Phoenix Charter Academy Network Annual Report 2014-2015
    Phoenix Charter Academy Network Annual Report 2014-2015 Submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education August 1, 2015 Phoenix Charter Academy 59 Nichols Street Chelsea, MA 02150 Phone number: 1-617-889-3100 Fax Number: 1-617-889-3144 Email: [email protected] Website: phoenixcharteracademy.org Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School 1 Federal Street, Building 104 Springfield, MA 01109 Phone number: 1-413-233-4412 Fax Number: Email: [email protected] Website: phoenixcharteracademy.org Table of Contents Introduction to the School ..............................................................................................................................................3 Letter from the Chair of the Board of Trustees ..............................................................................................................4 School Performance and Program Implementation........................................................................................................6 I. Faithfulness to the Charter ...............................................................................................................................6 i. Mission and Key Design Elements ..............................................................................6 ii. Amendments to the Charter..........................................................................................8 iii. Dissemination Efforts...................................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • Connections Holyoke Public Schools a Community Working Together Our Web Site: Volume 6, Issue 3 Spring 2008
    Holyoke Public Schools Connections Holyoke Public Schools A Community Working Together Our Web site: www.hps.holyoke.ma.us Volume 6, Issue 3 Spring 2008 Spring has sprung for Holyoke Public Schools By Eduardo B. Carballo tion will take place May 1 with Superintendent of Schools the Merry-Go- Inside this issue: Round Reception and Banquet. Let me tell you about what is Each year we coming up over the next few recognize stu- weeks and what has been going dents in grades six Look Back at Lynch Middle 2 on. through twelve First, I hope that many of you who have been were able to experience Holy- selected on the • Mayor Sullivan oke High School’s production of basis of scholar- • HPS Web site news 3 Anything Goes. The students and ship, leadership staff worked very hard to stage and citizenship. an outstanding show and gave You will read Parent Information 4 excellent performances. more about this in the newspaper We also had the opportunity to next month as Patricia Redfern, Donahue grade 4 teacher, receives select some outstanding teachers • Celebrating Dr. Seuss the Republican her Harold Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Teach- for the Harold Grinspoon Excel- newspaper ing from Supt. Dr. Eduardo Carballo. Full photo gallery • Title I Event Listing 5 lence in Teaching Award. Seven usually has an of all Grinspoon winners is on page 8. of our teachers were notified on insert all about March 12th that they were re- the Rising Stars. from Lawrence and Lynch to cipients for this year. They are Grinspoon Award Winners 8 Debra Sherburne, E.N.
    [Show full text]
  • Report No Available from Abstract
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 281 951 UD 025 507 AUTHOR Clinchy, Evans TITLE Opening the Door for Partnership; Choice in Our Public Schools. Final Report of the New England Regional Conference on Parent Participation and Choice in the Public Schools (Worcester, Massachusetts, May 6, 1985). INSTITUTION Institute for Responsive Education, Boston, gass. SPONS AGENCY Department of Education, Boston, MA. Region 1. REPORT NO IRE-R-10 PUB DATE 85 ROTE 28p. AVAILABLE FROM Institute for Responsive Education, 605 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. PUB TYPE Collected Works - Conference Proceedings (021) EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Administrator Role; Educational Opportunities; Elementary Secondary Education; *Parent Participation; *Parent Role; Parent School Relationship; School Administration; School Based Management; *School Choice; *Urban Schools ABSTRACT This paper summarizes the major recommendations agreed on at a conference of parents, educational administrators, and educators from 21 school systems in five New England states. The subject of the conference was choice in public education. First, excerpts from opening remarks and a note on the conference are presented. Then, major recommendations are outlined, including: (I) Parents must be involved in deciding which different kinds of educational options should be offered in their district and whichare best for each of their children. (2) Teachers and principals must be able to choose the kind of schooling they wish to practice. (3) A permanent system-wide Parent and Citizen Planning Council should be established, and its members should conduct parent/professional surveys, operate a city-wide Parent Information Center, and perform other similar functions. (4) School-based management is preferred, and every school should have a School Parent Council elected by the parents whose children attend that school.
    [Show full text]
  • Holyoke Level 5 District Turnaround Plan Executive Summary Executive Summary
    Holyoke Level 5 District Turnaround Plan Executive Summary Executive Summary In April 2015, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to designate the Holyoke Public Schools chronically underperforming (Level 5), placing the district in state receivership. In July 2015, by appointment of Commissioner Mitchell Chester, Stephen Zrike became the Receiver of the Holyoke Public Schools. The receivership provides the opportunity for a significant, sustained district turnaround in Holyoke. At the core of this plan is the firm belief that all Holyoke students deserve a world-class education. For too long, many Holyoke students have not received a high-quality education or were allowed to fail. With this plan, we will raise the bar, improve the instruction and services we offer, and provide students with the skills and tools they need to be successful in school now, and later in college and their careers. Central to the turnaround plan are the educators1 who are charged with transforming the district from one of low performance to one in which student achievement is consistently strong. Job one is ensuring that we employ an effective teacher in every classroom and that effective administrators lead our schools. To accomplish this, the district will implement strategies to retain high-performing staff and to recruit new talent to Holyoke, to ensure that all students receive strong instruction, interventions, and supports in every classroom, every day. Throughout the plan, we focus on the following critical action steps
    [Show full text]
  • PVIAC Distinguished Service Past Award Winners
    PVIAC Distinguished Service Past Award Winners 2001 Charles Kimball, Principal—South Hadley High School Michael Kane-Principal—Monson High School 2002 William Decker, Principal—Frontier Regional High School Joseph Spadafora—Athletic Director—Mahar Regional High School 2003 John Domaingue, Athletic Director—West Springfield High School Andy Kozikowski, Athletic Director—Monson High School 2004 Robert Delisle, Principal-West Springfield High School Barbara Martino, Athletic Director-Holyoke Public Schools Michael Dorunda, Assistant Principal-Hampshire Regional High School 2005 James Cokkinias, Principal-Ludlow High School 2006 James Cavallo, Principal-Ludlow High School Paul Cournoyer, Athletic Director-Turners Falls High School 2007 William Mahoney, Principal-Hopkins Academy Jeff Boudway, Athletic Director-Northampton High School Al Nummy, Athletic Director- Westfield High School 2008 James Vincent, Principal-Southwick Tolland Regional High School Jeff Fisk, Athletic Director-Gateway Regional High School 2009 Michael Deary, Athletic Director-Longmeadow High School 2010 Jim Peters, Principal - Monson High School Lou Conte, Athletic Director - Agawam High School Ned Doyle, Athletic Director - Minnechaug Regional High School 2011 Nancy Kurty - Athletic Director, Ludlow High School Sherry Webb,- Athletic Director, Smith Academy Robert Englehardt - Athletic Director, Pioneer Valley Regional High School 2012 Thomas Russo – Athletic Director, Springfield Public Schools Roland Joyal, Principal – Chicopee High School 2013 Peter Dufresne, Principal – West Springfield and Granby Jr.-Sr. High Schools 2014 Donna Woodcock, Principal – Greenfield High School 2016 Ann Trytko, Athletic Director - Hampshire Regional High School 2017 Steve Lemanski, Principal - Agawam High School 2018 Don Irzyk, Athletic Director – Palmer High School 2019 Andrew Linkenhoker, Superintendent – Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School 2020 Marty Sanderson, Athletic Director - Frontier Regional High School .
    [Show full text]
  • Massachusetts School Wellness Policy Needs Assessment
    Massachusetts School Wellness Needs Assessment August 2019 Authored by: Catherine Wickham, PhD, RD, CDN, Michael Crosier, PhD, RD, and Megan Lehnerd, PhD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Principal Investigator Catherine Wickham, PhD, RD, CDN Data Analysis by: Michael Crosier, PhD, RD Megan Lehnerd, PhD Catherine Wickham, PhD, RD, CDN The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition Karen McGrail, Med, RD, LDN, Director Food and Nutrition Department, Framingham State University Jerusha Nelson-Peterman, Chair Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office for Food and Nutrition Programs Robert Leshin, MPA, Director Denise Courtney, MS, RD, Nutrition Education and School Wellness Training Coordinator This project was funded through the US Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program as administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs and the Food and Nutrition Department at Framingham State University. The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition is a partnership of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Framingham State University. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition at Framingham State University 2019 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to acknowledge all School Wellness Initiative for Thriving Community Health (SWITCH) Coalition members and the staff of The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs who participated in the Delphi process and Pilot of the Survey. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the Framingham State University, Department of Food and Nutrition Graduate Assistants for their contributions to this project.
    [Show full text]
  • Connections Holyoke Public Schools
    Connections Holyoke Public Schools A Community Working Together Volume 3, Issue 4 Summer 2005 Change characterizes 2004-2005 school year By September of 2005 Holy- oke will have four K-8 Inside this issue: Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo schools, two middle Superintendent of Schools schools and three K-5 schools. These school New Curriculum Direc- 2 configurations afford We, the citizens, parents, teach- parents and their children tor ers and leaders of the Holyoke the opportunity to community have done much to choose two pathways to improve our schools over the high school. Preventing Summer 3 past three years. The 2004-2005 Learning Loss school year is coming to an end Holyoke, with the assis- and I want to share with you tance of the Parent Advi- some of our accomplishments. sory Council, has jointly School Briefs 4 petitioned a judge to We have successfully completed a Sullivan School’s Giranni Peguero (left) and remove forced busing in total alignment of our curriculum Kelsey Brunell (right) read to Dr. Eduardo the Holyoke Public to ensure that every school is Carballo. Schools. This action teaching to the Massachusetts Education Commis- 5 makes more sense for Standards. Our math curriculum schools who need additional help sioner visits Holyoke our children and families. It has program is excellent and we are before they can become true lead to the re-zoning of our very excited about the recent ninth graders. These transitional schools which allows families to improvements that we have seen academies are very important as Talking Points 4 attend the same schools and si- in our students’ performance.
    [Show full text]
  • Connections Holyoke Public Schools Volume 14, Issue 3 Spring 2016 Artist: Destiny Franco a Community Working Together
    Holy oke P ublic Sc ho ols Connections Holyoke Public Schools Volume 14, Issue 3 Spring 2016 Artist: Destiny Franco A Community Working Together An Open Letter to the Holyoke School Community Celebrating Teaching and Learning By Dr. Stephen Zrike, Receiver Holyoke Families and Community Members, Donahue Student Artist: Siannah Santos It has been a privilege celebrating the talented students and staff in the Holyoke Public Schools over the last few months. In March we were able to recognize seven staff members who were awarded the Howard Grinspoon Award for Excellence in the Pioneer Valley. As we celebrated and honored these Inside this issue: teachers, I couldn’t help but think that these awards could have been given to countless teachers across HPS. All year I have watched our teachers go to great lengths to connect with families, exten- sively plan lessons to reach all students, provide an embrace or words of encouragement to a reluctant Announcements 2-4 learner and remain open-minded about our turnaround work. Our most critical asset is our staff and we are committed to continuing to develop, support and advocate for their success with our city’s School News 4-11 children. Athletics and 12 At the same time, we must also highlight the extraordinary talents of our young people. In the last few After School months, our students have been celebrated for: their induction to the National Honor Society, their performance on last year’s MCAS assessment, excellence in athletics, a critically acclaimed perfor- Spanish 13-16 mance of Shrek, their art work at the annual Heritage Park show and outstanding achievement in the career technical fields.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019-20 Connections Brochure
    Holyoke Public Schools HOLYOKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS A P A T H W A Y F O R E V E R Y S T U D E N T Connections Edition 2020 elcome to the WHolyoke Public Schools In Holyoke, we know that students do their best when they choose their pathways and pursue their passions. That is why we have designed multiple pathways of excellence where all students graduate prepared to excel in college, career, and community leadership. A little bit about us... Elementary and Middle: Donahue, E.N. White, Holyoke STEM Academy, Kelly, H Lawrence, McMahon, Metcalf, Morgan, Peck, Sullivan, Veritas Prep Holyoke Our Schools Holyoke High School: Dean Campus, North Campus, Opportunity Academy Total enrollment: 5,350 A Student/teacher ratio: 13 to 1 Full-time teachers: 387 Students & Teachers Average class size: 19 in elementary school, 17 in middle school, 17 in high school AP courses offered: 11 o College prep programming: Nearly 345 enrollments Students enrolled in advanced opportunities (gr. 11-12): 45 percent College Prep (including AP courses, Early College, Dual Enrollment and internships) Connect with Us Contact Us 57 Suffolk Street Facebook Twitter Holyoke, MA 01040 facebook.com/holyokepublicschools @hpsholyoke Phone: (413) 534-2000 YouTube Instagram Fax: (413) 534-3730 Holyoke Public Schools Media Center @hpsholyoke www.hps.holyoke.ma.us At HPS, the numbers add UP! 10 Point Increase in the graduation rate 6 Point 53 Percent Increase in third-grade Decrease in the ELA MCAS since last year dropout rate 120 Students Participating in work-based learning (internships, co-ops, & practicums) 522 Number of PreK seats, nearly doubling our access to PreK programming 85 Percent 10x $17+ Million Increase in number of Increase in dual language Invested in the physical students enrolled in student enrollment infrastructure of our school college prep programming buildings * * Unless otherwise indicated, facts are determined by comparing data from 2019 to data from 2015.
    [Show full text]