Serving the city HOLYOKE since 1995 FREE the October 16, 2020 Local news. Local stories. Local advertisers. A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com [email protected] www.sun.turley.com Women’s REMOTE LEARNING CONTINUES Leadership Schools partner with luncheon Oct. 28 HOLYOKE – Colleen pharmacy to meet Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize Community Development flu shot mandate Corporation in Springfield, same times. These sites are and Nicole Palange, vice By Shelby Macri hosting the program and are president of V&F Auto in [email protected] servicing all staff and students Agawam, will lead the final from the school system, not 2020 Women’s Leadership HOLYOKE – The just the staff and students at Luncheon series session Holyoke public schools part- those schools. on Wed., Oct. 28, present- nered with the Department of Participants will be ing on the topic “Women health to run an outdoor flu asked to where a mask and Leaders in Non-Traditional shot clinic. Also, the public to maintain social distancing Businesses.” school nurses are in collabo- ration with the Stop & Shop during the clinic, additional- Pharmacy. ly they will need to complete LUNCHEON, 5 “We wanted to make sure paperwork for themselves all students are able to have and their family members to access to a flu shot.” School bring to the clinic. The forms Receiver declares Superintendent Dr. Alberto are available online on the alternate holiday Vázquez Matos said. “We’re Holyoke public school web- Mr. Labrie, a science teacher at the STEM academy, engages in remote not assuming they have site. They include a screening learning. Submitted photo HOLYOKE – As we access to primary or avail- and consent form, the same in work to become an antirac- ability to places like CVS and Spanish, and a COVID screen- ist and culturally respon- Walgreens.” ing form. Staff and parents sive school community, He explained that it’s can contact their school nurse we have chosen to cele- important to get a flu shot not for more information or any brate Indigenous Peoples’ only because it’s flu season, questions. Day instead of Columbus but because there’s the added “We’re amid a pandem- Day on Monday, Oct. 12. worry of COVID-19. ic and we want to make sure HPS is closed in obser- There will be different people have access to the vance of this holiday that sites hosting the flu shot clin- things they need.” Dr. Vázquez is celebrated across the ic for Holyoke staff and their said. “I understand it’s our United States. Indigenous families along with students. first year hosting a clinic rath- Peoples’ Day offers us a Both students and staff family er than promoting other sites.” time to honor and reflect members must be nine years The clinic was a solution on the histories and culture or older and students will need among COVID and may not of Indigenous Americans. to be accompanied by a parent be held in the future, though The celebration of or guardian. Dr. Vázquez Matos couldn’t Columbus Day enforc- The clinics will be on stay for sure what the future es the historical miscon- Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Dr. holds. ception that Chrisopher Marcella R. Kelly School There will be free flu Columbus discovered from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., clinics offered at Holyoke America. The first inhab- then another will be held on Community College, though itants of our country were Monday, Oct. 26 at Maurice A young student participates in physical education activities via Indigenous Americans. A. Donahue School at the See FLU, page 6 remote learning. Columbus and other colo- nists used violence against generations of Indigenous Americans in their pursuit DOWN THE FIELD of colonization. Grant awarded for school redesign HOLIDAY, 6 By Shelby Macri to be successful in school for success in college and [email protected] now and later in college, then career.” eventually in their careers. The This will help the schools’ Morse announces HOLYOKE – The grant will also help to continue mission is to help all students Holyoke Public Schools was to implement the high school’s graduate and be prepared to appointments awarded two grants from the early college program, North succeed in the college and HOLYOKE – Mayor Barr Foundation, the first campus’ career academ- career of their choice. Alex Morse has submit- being given in the summer and ics, support for instructional The high school’s rede- ted the appointments of 8 the second being given recent- improvement, teacher coach- sign includes five core innova- individuals before the City ly. The two grants add up to ing and professional learn- tions that are aimed at increas- Council last week to serve $1,000,000 awarded for the ing, and time for curriculum ing equality, opportunity, and on various City Boards High School’s redesign work. revision and implementation. performance. These innova- & Commissions. These In the early summer These things will be especially tions include incorporating appointments help our the Barr Foundation granted helpful for teachers during this Dean, North, and Opportunity local government remain the Holyoke public schools new form of schooling. Academy campuses together open and responsive to $250,000 to continue devel- “We are extremely grate- and having them be supervised the people of Holyoke and oping a program for students ful to the Barr Foundation for by the Executive Principal, reflect the diversity of our who are significantly off track their generosity in awarding Dr. Steven Mahoney. This community. Over the last to graduate. The foundation these grants to the Holyoke will allow for a tighter level of nine years, Mayor Morse recently gave the holyoke pub- Public Schools. These funds coordination and collaboration has made it a priority to lic school a $750,000 grant to will allow us to continue the across the campuses, including open up the doors of City support and fun the continued important high school redesign better distribution of resources Hall and bring new peo- implementation of the high work that is taking place in our among the three campuses. ple into city government. school’s redesign model. district.” Superintendent of The core innovations also The Mayor has also made The Holyoke High School field The model includes cre- Schools Dr. Alberto Vázquez include launching Freshman it a priority to diversify hockey team has gotten its season ating strategies to improve Matos said. “We appreciate teams, and Sophomore city government, greatly underway. The Knights took on instruction and other services; Barr’s partnership, support, Academies that help link Westfield last week. More photos like providing students with and investment in our students to career fields for Western APPOINTMENTS, 9 from that game are on page 7. the tools and skills they need as we continue to prepare them Photo by Gregory A. Scibelli See GRANT, page 5 ◗ In The News City schools celebrate Hispanic Heritage month By Shelby Macri tures, language, and contributions of the the school had a team that was working he explains how the schools serve nearly [email protected] Hispanic and Latin people within the city on an editorial calendar to keep track 4,200 students who identify as Hispanic and largely the country. of the different activities, so they were or Latino/a, and that’s about 81 percent HOLYOKE – The Holyoke public While the schools aren’t able to able to plan out a fun and informational of the schools enrollment. The staff also schools offered online celebrations to gather during this time, Dr. Vázquez way to celebrate the heritage. He further includes many Hispanic and Latino/a honor Hispanic Heritage month, as the Matos made sure there was activities explained that Holyoke has a diverse his- members throughout the district. Dr. schools have celebrated this month for being done online. He adapted Hispanic tory of Hispanic families and important Vázquez Matos felt it was important to years. Instead of traditional celebrations, heritage month to fit the current style of individuals throughout the city. still celebrate Hispanic heritage month, the Holyoke public schools posted differ- school. “It’s cool to see and read about dif- although they couldn’t do it normally. ent games and trivia online. “A lot is being done remotely, ferent families heritage and stories. It’s It’s important to reach out to the students “In the past it was held at we have Dr. V’s top questions on our also encouraging students and families and families, and stay connected during schools throughout the city.” School Facebook page, we had a week were we to read each others posts, and find var- these times. Superintendent Dr. Alberto Vázquez posted about the heritage of those in the ious way to celebrate.” Vázquez Matos In his letter, Dr. Vázquez Matos Matos said. “Schools would celebrate city and another week we did something said. “I look at the posts on the Facebook said, “As a Hispanic myself, who cam with traditional foods, clothing, dances, different.” Vázquez Matos said. “We have page, and they have received a lot of to the mainland U.S. from Puerto Rico decorations, and more.” people sharing pictures and stories about feedback.” He further explained that at a young age as an English learner, They celebrate Hispanic heritage their family and heritage. We also have one post reached 440 people, with many I join our Hispanic and Latino/s/x stu- month each year from September 15 to a webpage up on the site and a letter I encouraging and positive reactions and dents, families, and staff in celebrating October 15, Allowing the schools to cel- wrote for Hispanic heritage month.” comments on it.