Metcalf Middle School and the HPS Transitions Academy will soon have new leadership, with current Metcalf Principal Kate Ritchie leaving at the end of June to accept a position in a nearby school district.
Katherine “Katie” Bourque, currently an administrator in Holyoke’s Transitions Academy, will take on the role of acting principal at Metcalf for the 2024-25 school year, effective July 1. She will remain the administrator-in-charge at Transitions until June 30. HPS will be recruiting a new leader for Transitions Academy in the coming weeks.
“Although Ms. Bourque was only a part of the Transitions community for a short period of time, we appreciate her commitment to ensuring that every student in the Transitions program has had the opportunity to learn, discover their passions, and be supported,” Superintendent Anthony said. “I also want to thank Principal Ritchie for her leadership as we transitioned from the K-8 model to elementary and middle schools, as well as for her many years of teaching and leading in Holyoke.”
Ms. Bourque was born and raised in Holyoke and is a graduate of Holyoke High School. She began her teaching career in Holyoke in 2004 at Lynch School and also worked at Kelly School. She then worked in Westfield as an assistant principal, principal and as director of human resources before returning to Holyoke Public Schools last fall. Ms. Bourque holds an undergraduate degree from Merrimack College and a Masters in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is known for her equity-driven leadership and commitment to ensuring all students can and will succeed. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, riding bikes, trips to the Cape, and movie nights with her two daughters.
Ms. Bourque will meet with staff and students on Thursday, June 20. She will host a meet and greet for families and students at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at Metcalf