Holyoke students, families, staff, and community members have another opportunity to weigh in on the official name of the new middle school now under construction at the site of the former William R. Peck School that was demolished earlier this year.
An earlier survey of the community yielded more than 200 submissions that included a wide range of suggestions for the name of the new school and what its mascot and school colors should be.
Since then the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) subcommittee of the HPS School Committee, along with other stakeholders including school staff, district staff, and a family member, has reviewed all of the proposed names, mascots, and colors. That list has now been narrowed down to their top semi-finalist choices for name, mascot, and colors.
To learn more about these options—and to vote on your favorite—please take this survey by November 3. (Note: One survey response per person. Respondents should be residents of Holyoke or students/staff of Holyoke Public Schools.)
HPS is especially seeking input from the students, families, and staff who will be a part of this new middle school community. Current Metcalf and STEM students will move to the new middle school in fall 2025. Donahue, Lawrence, and Morgan students will move to the new middle school when they reach grade 6.
Once the survey closes, DEI subcommittee members and other stakeholders will review the findings and make a recommendation when they meet on November 13. Their recommendation for the school name will then be shared with the full HPS School Committee and City Council. Their recommendations for school mascot and colors will be shared with HPS leadership. Final decisions are anticipated in January 2025.
Construction of the new middle school is moving along steadily, with the building expected to open for students in fall 2025.