Regional Vaccine Site a Reality by Dalton Zbierski Staff Writer
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Serving the city HOLYOKE since 1995 FREE the May 7, 2021 Local news. Local stories. Local advertisers. A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com [email protected] www.sun.turley.com Regional vaccine site a reality By Dalton Zbierski Staff Writer CHICOPEE – Four neigh- boring communities celebrat- ed together on April 28, as a regional vaccination site began operating out of the Castle of Knights in Chicopee on Memorial Drive. The opening served as a tremendous accom- plishment for all involved. The clinic will admin- ister state-allotted doses of the Moderna vaccine to resi- dents from Chicopee, Granby, Holyoke Community College nursing students Brittany Lord, Christine Holyoke and South Hadley and Briggs and Yamaira Bejesus came out to work the first day of the Chicopee has the capacity to administer regional vaccination clinic. 800 shots a day. After several weeks of discussions, the Department of Public Health approved the regional vaccination site at the Castle of Knights in late March. Doses, however, were slow to follow. The operation remained uncertain until an Holyoke Community College nursing students Shauna Martinez, Matthew opening date was announced in Tetreault, Veronica Machuca, Edward Brewer prepare for the first day of mid-April. the regional vaccination clinic that is operating at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. Weeks of waiting culmi- Alongside a mix of municipal and state officials, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau offers a round of applause for the healthcare workers and first nated in the April 28 opening, responders, who are manning Chicopee’s regional vaccination site. of the podium. I want to thank said Cocchi. which drove Chicopee Health each and every one of you for Interim Holyoke Mayor Director Lisa Sanders to tears. responders and medical profes- ed today. It’s about getting the stepping up and doing the work Terence Murphy took to the “I’m so excited today. I’m sionals, who make the clinic message out there. We’ve made that you do,” said Cocchi. microphone as well, thank- used to being at this podium and possible. vaccines available, and that was Cocchi acknowledged that ing the students from Holyoke telling you guys all the active Referencing the ris- our goal,” said Vieau. vaccinations are controversial. Community College’s nursing cases we have, but it’s so good ing availability of COVID-19 A number of speakers took Nonetheless, he encouraged res- program, who are working the to finally tell you that we have testing and vaccines, Vieau to the podium at the Castle of idents to book an appointment, clinic. Murphy also delivered an vaccines in the city. It’s been expressed his belief that the the Knights on April 28. Among even if only for peace of mind. important message to employers so long, and I’m just so happy. state is making strong progress. them was Hampden County “One vaccine at a time throughout the region. Let’s fill up these slots and Last Thursday, he emphasized Sheriff Nick Cocchi, who will allow us to open up this “Without mandating, I let’s just crush COVID,” said the magnitude of the clinic’s praised all involved in manning Commonwealth and, then, that would like to challenge employ- Sanders. opening. the clinic. person, that family or that indi- ers to give your employees, Chicopee Mayor John “I have some scripted “The heroes that are in this vidual can feel confident about especially those that are on low Vieau urged residents to get things that I’m not going to room today are not behind the moving forward and doing so in vaccinated and credited the first use; it’s not about being script- podium. They’re out in front a very safe and productive way,” See VACCINE, page 9 Return to school, in-person TEACHERS GET VACCINATED Senate moves graduation scheduled Soldiers’ Home By Shelby Macri in-person schooling by grade. bill forward [email protected] Next Monday, seniors will HOLYOKE – On be in person while grades Thursday, Apr. 29, the HOLYOKE – This nine through 11 are remote, Massachusetts State Senate year’s graduating class has a Tuesday, juniors will be in unanimously voted to pass a lot to look forward to in the person with grades 9, 10, and bill authorizing $400 million in upcoming month as gradua- 12 being remote, Wednesday, bonds for the design and con- tion ceremonies roll around sophomores will return and struction of a new facility for in June. grades 9,11, and 12 are the soldiers’ home in Holyoke. The Holyoke Public remote, Thursday, freshmen It also authorizes the issuance Schools has started announc- are in-person and grades 10 of $200 million in general ing information on gradua- through 12 are remote. On obligation bonds to increase tion ceremonies, senior activ- Friday, May 14, all grades geographic equity and accessi- ities, and other important will be either in-person or bility related to the continuum information for the end of the fully remote as the year fin- of long-term care services for academic year. ishes. those Massachusetts veterans Additionally, they’ve For Holyoke High not primarily served by the announced when students School Dean Campus, all soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or will be returning to in-person grades will return to in-per- Holyoke. classes for each school. son schooling or be fully “Massachusetts has always For Holyoke High remote starting Monday, been a leader for Veteran ser- School North Campus; each May 17. Students will con- vices, and this bill reflects the grade will return for one day tinue with the current hybrid Senate’s deep commitment before going fully remote at schedule until Friday, May to those who have served our the end of next week. Starting 14, and the Dean Campus nation,” stated Senator John Monday, May 10 students The vaccine clinic for the teachers in the Holyoke Public Schools takes will be re-introduced to See SCHOOL, page 9 place recently. For many, it was their second shot. Submitted photo See SOLDIERS, page 9 ◗ In The News IN-PERSON ART Water main project beginning soon in Highlands area HOLYOKE – Residents are advised the Massachusetts Department of that work will begin soon on a Holyoke Environmental Protection. The project is Water Works water main replacement proj- designed to improve fire protection and ect in the Highlands area of Holyoke. Work water quality for the residents in these will take place in Fairfield, Morgan, Pearl, areas and demonstrates the city’s commit- and Nonotuck Streets, along with Loomis ment to upgrading the water system infra- Avenue and small segments of Pleasant structure through this multi-phase project and Northampton Streets. Construction is implemented over the next few years in a expected to continue into this fall with final number of areas across the city. completion and pavement restoration next Please expect traffic delays and spring. In preparation for the water main detours while this work is ongoing. improvements, crews working for Holyoke Holyoke Water Works and Holyoke Gas & Gas & Electric have already started work Electric will make every effort to provide on a new gas main on Pearl Street and will advance notification to residents in spe- shift to Morgan Street when this work is cific work areas that may see their service complete in about 4 weeks. impacted by this project. This much-needed project has been Holyoke Water Works can be reached contracted to Caracas Construction at (413) 536-0442 if you have any ques- In-person Holyoke elementary school students show off their recent artwork. Students and is funded by the State Revolving tions regarding the water main replacement have been phased back in to in-person learning in the last few weeks. Submitted photo Fund Program administered by portion of the project. Holyoke Public Schools to celebrate National School Nurse Week HOLYOKE – National School Nurse School nurses serve as a critical dling medical emergencies… and now, children learn better, and school nurses Week is May 6 to 12 and School Nurse health hub for students, ensuring that stu- navigating through the COVID-19 pan- make that happen. day is May 12, a date set aside to recog- dents are ready for learning by managing demic through actions such as COVID- The Holyoke Public Schools appre- nize the integral role that school nurs- complex chronic conditions; identifying teaching, testing, tracking and vaccination ciate all their hard work in keeping our es play bridging health and education to and addressing mental health issues; lev- clinics for students and school personnel. students and staff safe and let them improve each child’s cognitive, physi- eling the field on health disparities and School nurses champion the whole know just how lucky we feel to have cal, social and emotional development, promoting healthy behaviors; enrolling student every day of the year. But, on them in their schools. Join HPS in cel- regardless of whether they are physically children in health insurance and connect- National School Nurse Day, we take spe- ebrating them during this special week present in school or not. ing families to healthcare providers; han- cial time to celebrate and recognize the by sending us a shout out for us to share contributions that our Holyoke Public on their district social media accounts Schools’ nurses are making to the health by emailing a note of thanks to social@ and learning of our students. Healthy hps.holyoke.ma.us. LaFlammes GREENHOUSES Family Owned & Operated for 3 Generations Gorgeous Hanging Plants MOM’S OWN HERB GARDEN! Buy 5 herb plants Job Fair Get the Thursday, May 13th 6th one FREE! 2:00 - 4:00pm ANNUALS - Big Sale On Flats! Notes: Mother’s Day! DAYBROOK VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING K 298 Jarvis Ave.