Holyoke Public Schools - Juntos Podemos | Together We Can

t’s staff appreciation week! Today, we are saying thank you to some of the people who help our students grow and succeed in school, at home, and beyond. 🤗 Counselors make students feel welcome, heard, and supported no matter what they might be going through. The relationships our counselors have built with students and families are part of what makes HPS a community. We don’t know where we would be without the kind and thoughtful support of our counselors. 👩‍🍳 Guidance counselors and career advisors help our students figure out how to be who they want to be. So many students have found their calling thanks to the drive and passion that our guidance team brings to work each day. We always appreciate your guidance. ✍🏽 Therapists and specialists at our schools represent a diverse array of student support services such as language support, physical therapy, and behavioral support—services that can make a critical difference for a student’s experience. The one-on-one support provided by our specialists and therapists makes our school a more joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging. 🧑‍⚕️ Nurses make school a safer and healthier place to be! Our talented team of nurses cares for students and families through a wide spectrum of services and supports. By ensuring that students are supported in something as fundamental as health and wellness, our nurses make it possible for children to focus on learning, relationships, and fun while they’re at school.

Mark your calendar for Friday, May 10! Everyone is invited to participate in the fourth annual Ethnic Studies Block Party from 5-8 p.m., at Holyoke High School North, 500 Beech Street. The event offers free refreshments, games, and prizes, musical performances, an open mic opportunity, and vendor tables from area businesses and agencies.

Our students are planting seeds and cultivating knowledge 🧑‍🌾 This is our second year of partnership with FoodCorps, a national program focused on food justice. Elementary students are planting gardens, learning about the environment, and getting hands-on with where food comes from. This program is supported in part through MA FRESH grand funding from the Massachusetts DESE, which is being used to maintain gardens at each elementary school and provide classroom supplies so that students can enjoy their harvest 🥕🍅

Join the Holyoke Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and HPS to discuss Extended School Year & summer programming opportunities for your student. Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 6-7 p.m. at Holyoke High School - North Campus. We will offer language interpretation, childcare, and refreshments. To request transportation or for more information, please contact the Student Services & Special Education Department at (413) 534-2000, ext. 1209.

All HPS schools will be closed next week, April 15-19, for April break. Classes resume on Monday, April 22. Reminder to families that April Vacation Academy is in session April 15-22 for students in grades 3-8 who enrolled in the program.

Good budget news and much more in this week's Together for Holyoke | Buenas noticias sobre el presupuesto y mucho más en la edición de esta semana de Together for Holyoke. https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-april-12-2024

Last call to enroll in April Vacation Academy! Vacation Academy is an enrichment and learning opportunity during April break for students in grades 3-8. The program runs April 15-22 and will focus on math, with special activities such as cooking, art, and gym. Sign up for free via SchoolMint: https://enrollholyoke.schoolmint.com/

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7 occurred at 10:20 a.m. this morning in North Plainfield, New Jersey. Shaking was reported in the Holyoke region, as well as Boston, Worcester, and areas in Rhode Island, and Connecticut. There has been no reported impact in Holyoke, and all schools are operating on their regular schedule.

HHS North will host the SAT on Saturday, May 4. Interested juniors must register at www.collegeboard.org by April 19. Email your school counselor for a fee waiver.

Reminder: HPS schools will be closed on Friday, March 29, in observance of Good Friday. In addition, Monday, April 1, is a districtwide professional development day. No school for students except for Lawrence students who will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. (3-hour early release).

Interested families should apply soon for admission to Dual Language program. Applications are due Friday, March 22. Learn more here: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/page/dual-language-program

Families are invited to The IEP Improvement Project - The New IEP informational meeting presented by Holyoke SEPAC and HPS on Wednesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Register ahead at https://bit.ly/3V3NSB9

February Vacation Academy is scheduled for February 19-23. There are still openings available for all district middle school students. Apply using this link: enrollholyoke.schoolmint.com

Next year’s PreK and Kinder parents! Apply for your child to be a part of the dual language program, where students learn both Spanish and English. Applications are open. Watch this short video (English / Spanish) featuring Kelly School to learn more. We also have dual language at E.N. White School or visit the district website. https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/page/dual-language-program

Featured Scholarship of the Day! The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is one scholarship application for over 160 local scholarships! Included in this application is the Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Mass & the Margaret Hyland Scholarship. Many HHS students get scholarships through the Community Foundation. We encourage students to apply here: https://communityfoundation.org/students/scholarships/. Deadline: March 31st.

The Holyoke High School North Campus leadership team analyzed data and reflected on actions as part of their second quarter school improvement plan (SIP) review. Principal Lori McKenna said, “we must make sure that student success isn’t siloed. What customized wraparound supports can we provide each student who is struggling?” https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/o/north

Featured Scholarship of the Day! The Hagan Scholarship is worth over $15,000 per year! This scholarship is for students who have a minimum 3.5 GPA and an annual family income of $100,000 or less. Students must attend a 4 year college after graduation. To apply: https://haganscholarships.org/. Deadline: March 1st.

Holyoke High School posts many scholarships for seniors each year. February through May is heavy scholarship season! Students and families can access the HHS Master Scholarship List at the college counseling website. We encourage students to apply to as many as possible! https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/o/hps/page/college-planning-and-financial-aid

Holyoke Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, February 13 due to weather conditions. There will be no after-school activities. Offices will be closed. -- Las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke permanecerán cerradas el martes, 13 de febrero debido a condiciones climáticas adversas. No habrá actividades extraescolares. Las oficinas estarán cerradas.

Students who wish to apply for admission to Holyoke High School Dean campus must submit their applications by tomorrow, February 9. Rolling interviews will take place throughout February. Students will be notified on February 27 if they have been accepted or waitlisted. More information is available online: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/o/Dean For assistance, please call (413) 534-2071. - Los estudiantes que deseen solicitar la admisión a la Escuela Superior de Holyoke Plantel Dean debe enviar su solicitud para el 9 de febrero. Las entrevistas continuas se llevarán a cabo durante todo el mes de febrero. Los estudiantes serán notificados el 27 de febrero si ellos han sido aceptados o si se encuentran en la lista de espera. Hay más información disponible en línea: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/o/Dean Para obtener ayuda, llame al (413) 534-2071.