A deep dive into STEM Beats, the new Peck School logo, and end of year dates in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-april-14-2025
Wrestling coach—and HHS Dean assistant principal—Vincent Silano was surprised today with a visit from TWO state senators! 🎉
Senator John Velis, who represents Holyoke, and Senator Adam Gomez, who represents Mr. Silano’s home district, came to HHS Dean to celebrate Mr. Silano’s outstanding recent achievement: He was recently named the MIAA Division 2 West Wrestling Coach of The Year 🥳
The senators presented Mr. Silano with an official Massachusetts State Senate Citation to commemorate the achievement, and celebrated with Dean staff and members of the wrestling team. Congratulations, Mr. Silano!
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! ⛳️📚
A new bike for Mia!
The Hampden County Sheriff's Office and Deputy Sheriff Robert “Bob the Bike Guy” Charlan surprised Lawrence third grader Mia McDonald with a brand new bicycle, helmet, bike lock, and first aid kit after her bike was stolen. They also had stuffed toys and Legos for her classmates, so each student went home with something new.
“I just want to say thank you and you’re all good people,” said Mia to her class. Thank you, Deputy Charlan!
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
Excellence award spotlight ✨ Morrison Duffy, a sixth grade student at Metcalf School, recently received a surprise visit from Superintendent Soto. Morrison was nominated by school adjustment counselor, Mauricio Tobar, for his outstanding critical thinking skills and connectedness with his peers, especially newcomers. He genuinely cares about and shows interest in the backgrounds of his peers, while also being very proud of his own.
Congrats, Morrison!
Meet one of the stars of Little Shop of Horrors: Audrey II! 🌱☠️ This carnivorous plant puppet—along with two other sizes to show her growth throughout the show—was designed and created by Phil Christofori. A retired art teacher and department head from HPS, Mr. Christofori has been the prop designer for HHS musicals for “a very long time.” For this production, Mr. Christofori created three puppets to show the plant’s growth throughout the show. He utilized unlikely and recycled materials, including a foam mattress, to make the puppets with support from student designer Chris MacLaughlin and set painter Bill Greaney 🎨 See all of the Audrey II puppets—and a talented cast of real-life student performers—in the HHS Theater Company production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ opening TOMORROW, April 3, and playing for one weekend only. Tickets available online or at the door. https://v6.click4tix.com/event-details.php?e=431721
Careers at HPS, Ignite Reading’s impact for young readers, and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-march-31-2025
Excellence award spotlight ✨ Superintendent Soto recently surprised Maridia Hobert with an award of excellence. Ms. Hobert is a Spanish language arts teacher at HHS North who goes above and beyond in the classroom, teaching efficiently and always lending a hand to other teachers. Her kindness and approachability are appreciated by students and staff alike. Congrats, Ms. Hobert!
If we are a community that believes in belonging, then Holyoke High School is… ✅ Inclusive
✅ Respects each other
✅ Student voices matter
✅ Collaborate
✅ We communicate
✅ Is a place where everyone can be themselves
✅ Works together
WATCH: https://youtu.be/NB8Rd8rNnjo
“We wanted to give our students something practical that they could learn to do to help support their interest in health careers.” 🩺 Students enrolled in the Engineering and Life Science (ELS) Academy at HHS North were participate in hands-on CPR training as an elective course, presented by the YMCA. Students learned CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants, as well as choking relief and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
🎥 WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx8gAApRNOQ
Mark your calendars for a visit to Skid Row: “Little Shop of Horrors” opens April 3 at HHS North, with additional performances April 4, 5, and 6. Tickets are available now via Click4Tix: https://v6.click4tix.com/event-details.php?e=431721
Impactful Student Summit, Read Across America, and cooking with confidence in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-march-17-2025
HHS North hosted their annual staff vs students basketball game on March 12, with staff taking the victory, 42-33. Students will have the opportunity for redemption, with a volleyball match and basketball rematch to be scheduled in the coming months.
Dates and times for graduation ceremonies have been set for all three Holyoke High School campuses 🎓 HHS Dean Campus will celebrate on Thursday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m.; HHS North on Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m.; and HHS Opportunity Academy on Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m.
Excellence award spotlight ✨ Superintendent Soto recently surprised Kade Sandomierski with an award of excellence. Mr. Sandomierski is an English language arts teacher at HHS Dean Tech who goes above and beyond in the classroom, within the school, and in the community to serve and support Dean students. His growth mindset and thoughtful application of feedback demonstrate his growth as an educator over his three years at Dean. Congrats, Mr. Sandomierski! 👏
Burlington adopted our classroom! 🧑🏫 Thank you to our new neighbors Burlington and the national nonprofit AdoptAClassroom for their support of our classrooms and students. We are thankful for your generous $5,000 donation to Lawrence School to help further our students’ education 💫
A visit from Governor Healy, Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards, and more in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-march-4-2025
HPS schools will open two hours late today due to weather. Delayed opening schedule here: http://bit.ly/3H3sTG1 | Las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke abrirán dos horas más tarde hoy debido al clima. Consulte el horario de comienzo de clases retrasado aquí: http://bit.ly/3H3sTG1
Black History Month, grant awards in action, and a tour of the new Peck Middle School in this edition of Together for Holyoke: https://holyokepsma.edurooms.com/engage/holyoke-public-schools/newsletters/together-for-holyoke-february-10-2025