Holyoke Publ ic School s
Connections
A Community Working Together
Our Web site: www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
Holyoke Public Schools
Volume 5, Issue 3
Spring 2007
Grinspoon Awards, Rising Stars, Summer Programs
Spring has sprung for Holyoke Schools
By
Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo
Superintendent of Schools
Spring is here and there is lots
going on in the district! Eight of
our teachers received the Harold Grinspoon Excellence in
Teaching Awards. A delegation
from the main office surprised
them at their respective schools
on Friday, March 16th. I enjoy
going around to the schools and
surprising the teachers and so
again, I want to congratulate and
thank this year’s award recipients for their contributions to
our children’s learning. The
recipients are: Cynthia DiDonato, Holyoke High; Darren
Walsh, Lawrence Elementary;
Lisa O’Neil and Jennifer Lee,
Peck Middle School; Philip
Christofori, Kelly School;
Donna Dempsey, Sullivan Elementary; Diane Ayers, McMahon Elementary; and Kenneth
Lombardini from Dean Tech.
Rising Stars week is April 23
through April 26. Forty-two
letters went out from my office
notifying parents that their child
had been chosen. The banquet
is scheduled for Wednesday,
April 25, and I hope to see all
the new Rising Stars there!
Holyoke High School’s musical,
Beauty and the Beast, was performed in March. With the
students and staff putting in so
much hard work and effort, I
hope many of you enjoyed this
fantastic show.
We are gearing up for the summer programs. KinderKamp
was a huge success last year and
we are hoping to service another 60 incoming kindergarten
students in an effort to get them
ready for a successful first education experience. Summer
School classes
will be offered
for every grade
level as well as
additional
classes for
credit being
held at Holyoke High
School and the
Special Education camp will
run at Jericho.
There will be
announceSuperintendent of Schools, Dr. Eduardo Carballo,
ments before
reads with Metcalf Pre-Schoolers Franchesca Rivera
the summer
and Isaac Aponte.
break. Keep
your eyes on
Channel 12 and check with your
child’s school for more details.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss. Millions of children have grown up
www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
with his books. His wonderful
style of writing made it easy for
What’s New on the Web
the young ones to “read” at an
early age, and his invention and
By Judy Taylor
illustrations of strange looking
animals with even stranger
The newly revamped Holyoke High
sounding names was ingenious.
School website has been estabHis books have been translated
lished and is available at
into more than fifteen languages
www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/hhs .
and over two hundred million
Please see page 3 for detailed incopies have been printed. The
formation about this site.
interesting thing about these
books is the vocabulary is limRecent enhancements to the
ited, but this makes them so
District Website include new pages
accessible to the younger chilfor : English Language Learners,
dren. Who can forget Green
McHugh Educational Center, and
Eggs and Ham with “I am Sam,
Curriculum - (includes Maps and
Sam I am.” The great thing
Alignments, District Accommodaabout these books is the fact
tion Plan, Early Childhood Accredithat parents read them to their
dation, Literacy, and Math Prochildren and the children, in
grams, Saturday School Program,
turn, read them to their parents
Connections After School Proand siblings. This fosters an
gram, Grade Level Benchmarks Kinterest in reading, which hope8, Professional Development Plan
fully continues throughout their
2006-2007). Additionally, the follives. You never stop learning
lowing documents have been
posted: Turn Around Plan, Student
and you need to read to learn.
Handbook, and America’s Choice
Action and Implementation Plans
(added to school pages).
Inside this issue:
New HHS Website
3
Celebrating Dr. Seuss
4
Mayor’s Message
5
Grinspoon Winners
6
Arts & Music
7
School Briefs
9-10
Spanish Highlights
1316
Connections
Page 2
Mission Statement
The mission of the
Holyoke Public Schools
is to provide educational
opportunities for all
students to reach their
full potential in a safe,
secure, healthy learning
environment while
valuing diversity and
promoting responsible
citizenship.
Edited by
Kelly Doktor
[email protected]
Special Thanks to:
Luz Aguilar, Cris Brown, Kim Counter, Laura Dupont, Mike Hines,
Judy Taylor, Judy Williams and Chris Zajac
Contributing to this issue:
Carol Babkiewicz
Kate Dean
James Lescault
Nora Burke-Patton
Lorie Banks
Helen Gibson
Maureen Lyons
Hava Preye
Pauline Carriere
Jose Gonzalez
Joanne Marcotte
Mary Kate Richie
John Cavanaugh
Karen Guillette
Lee McGarrigle
Jody Spitz
Michelle Chmura
Paul Hyry
Debbie Menard
Nancy Stenberg
Steve Damon
Lois Keefe
Aaron Morris
Chris VanLeeuwan
Rachel Kuhn Daviau
Betty Larivee
Winnie Moynihan
Sue Werenski
Even Start Family Literacy’s parents sing praises
Holyoke School
Committee
Mayor Michael Sullivan
Michael Moriarty
Mary Signet
Yvonne Garcia
Barry Conway
Mollie Plant
William A. Collamore
Margaret Boulais
Gladys Lebron-Martinez
Jonathan Allyn
A program is only as good as
how its participants evaluate
their learning experience and
articulate the impact the program has made in their lives.
The Holyoke Even Start Family
Literacy Program has recently
conducted a parent focus group
under the supervision of the
program’s Local Evaluator, Dale
Parker.
“My writing ability has improved, I feel more confident
in speaking English in my daily
life. The teachers teach us
how to read children’s books
for content and proper pronunciation so we can read to
our kids. The home visits are
good because she does drawing and writing activities with
the kids. She includes me
Roselyn Rodriguez and her two sons
and we read together, the
This evaluation process has been
work on homework together. She
children love it.
undertaken every year for the
credits the Even Start Program in
past five years to provide feedIn parent Ed class I learned
helping her children with their
back to the staff during program that my children can have a
schoolwork.
planning and design. The follow- tutor if needed. The
ing are some of the parents’
teachers are nice and teach
not afraid to speak it. I am getwritten remarks and selfus about our rights and the
ting better at understanding
evaluations that they have agreed school system.
what people say as well. Due to
to share with the Connections
By visiting the school I saw how this I have more self-esteem and
readership.
my grandson is taught. I was
I am more emotionally stable.
“Making the decision to learn
able to talk with the teacher and
The Home Visits have been
English as a second language was see all of the work he had done.
beneficial to me and my child in
the best thing in taking the first
I felt proud because the teacher
improving our reading skills
step towards a better future for said that he is very intelligent.
together. My child waits with
Visiting the school has helped me
my children and my family.
anticipation for these visits from
develop a good relationship with
The teachers are very nice and
the home visitors.
the teacher. I lost my fear of
they do a great job. I am very
going into the schools. Now I
- Dalin Portes
happy that communication with
can go alone”. - Alma Torres Any Holyoke parent, with chilmy children is improving. They
have noticed that I am able to
help them with homework, and I
am also able to read with them
daily. Seeing how happy this
makes my children also, makes
me happy.” - Roselyn Rodriguez
“The Adult Education component has helped me a great deal.
I now have the confidence to
interact in English with the people of my community. Even
though my English is limited, I am
dren between the ages of 3-7
years old, is welcomed to apply.
For further information or referrals please call 534-2165 or
534-2040 ext. 6212
Volume 5, Issue 3
Page 3
Continued from Page 1
Title I Parent/School
Events
**All start at 6:30 p.m.
April Activities
4/23 at Donahue School
Bingo for Books
4/25 at Sullivan School
Reading Café
4/26 at McMahon School
Family Game Night
4/30 at Morgan School
Bingo for Books
May Activities
5/1 at Lawrence School
Dinosaur Night
5/2 at EN White School
Bingo for Books
5/3 at Mater Dolorosa
Arthur Literacy Night
5/14 at Morgan School
Bingo for Books
5/17 at First Lutheran
Pocket Math
5/24 at Kelly School
Exploring the Ocean
June Activities
**All are ALOHA! Bingo
6/5 at EN White School
6/6 at Lawrence School
6/7 at McMahon School
6/11 at Morgan School
6/14 at Kelly School
Connections
Page 4
Dr. Seuss leads the way in Holyoke for great reading in March
Over 125 parents and children
attended an interactive family
literacy night at Kelly School on
March 22. Activities included all
subject areas - math, reading
and writing. The Cat in the Hat
was prowling the room as well
– full of mischief and the children loved having their pictures
taken with The Cat! Assistant
Principal Hector Santos
greeted all parents and children
and provided translations in
Spanish throughout the evening.
Maria Ramos, who attends a
GED class in the Pathways to
Family Success family literacy
program, brought her children
Yamilet, age 9 and Uriel, age 6
and said “I am so glad that we
came! The kids and I enjoyed
this event, with staff available to
the activities and the books
inform families about Head
very much.” Each child who
attended the event received a
Start and childcare options.
Dr. Seuss book to take home
and also enjoyed ice cream,
cookies and juice.
This family literacy event was a
collaboration among many
different programs. The Holyoke Public Schools were represented by Title I, Even Start and
Pathways to Family Success
family literacy programs, and
the Student Assignment office
(which gave parents Kindergarten registration packets and
information about this summer’s Kinder Kamp). AdditionDalin Portes and her children
ally, Holyoke-Chicopeemeet The Cat in the Hat at
Springfield Head Start and the
Kelly School.
Holyoke Early Childhood Partnership Council co-sponsored
A cold, wintry morning did
not stop Sullivan Elementary
School kindergartners from
going out to see the brightlycolored Volkswagen bug
from the Eric Carle Museum
of Picture Book Art in Amherst. Museum representative Corey Feltovic answered all the children’s questions about their favorite author. The visit culminated a full
author’s study unit on Eric Carle.
Sullivan students celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
Above (left), Sullivan kindergartner Giovanni Rosado and his second
grade partner, Jerry Cruz, illustrate a Cat in the Hat poem during an
afternoon of Dr. Seuss related language arts and math activities on
March 2. At right is second grader Justin Rodriguez who made a Cat
in the Hat hat with a sugar cookie, marshmallows and red frosting.
On March 5th, 14 students from Peck Middle
School were guest readers for kindergarten
students at Morgan Elementary School as a part
of the Read Across
America Day and Dr.
Seuss’ birthday. At right,
Andres Colon, Reads
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A
Who to a class; and below, Becca Deleporte
reads in another room.
The GEAR UP Program
helped to support the trip.
Guest Readers at
Peck Middle School
Local community leaders have
been reading to the Peck Middle
School students in the library. Each
month a different readers and
writers group, functional education
or TOP group of students is chosen to participate.
Those from the community who
have read so far are: Mayor Michael Sullivan, Holyoke Fire Chief
David Lafond, HHS basketball
coach Anthony Rigali, Holyoke
Police Chief Anthony Scott, Channel 3 meteorologist Brandon
Butcher, and Read 180 Coordinator Lynn Lajoie.
Requirements for students to be
selected are completed class work
and maintaining good behavior.
Volume 5, Issue 3
Page 5
Memories of spring now include MCAS
By
Michael Sullivan
Mayor of Holyoke
This time of the year seems to be
particularly dreary. Even back
when I was attending Kirtland Elementary School, it was…cold, dank,
mornings with puddle-laden afternoons and the smell of soggy mittens drying on the coat room radiator. There was no place to really
play as the local glaciers receded
leaving grassy areas soaked and
asphalt surfaces with rivulets of
melting snow. Then there was the
stress of pulling on your galoshes
(boots) over your shoes and keeping track of all the scarves and hats.
Yes, I was one of those kids with
sleeve suspenders that kept your
mittens attached to your coat. Of
course we all thought we might
avoid this unpleasantness this
year…but Mother Nature had
Coming
Soon…
another idea. So
here we are waiting
for spring to return, the season
that we had
thought was here
in December.
Information
about the
Mayor Sullivan (center) gives a pep talk about
If those memories
are not unpleasant
MCAS to students at McMahon.
enough, I cannot
imagine how difficult they are
of being invited to one school to
when you add the MCAS.
give a “pep talk”…I am sure that
Trapped in a room for an exthese young minds were truly
tended period of time, taking a
inspired by my words… (That’s
“high stakes” test which everyone
sarcasm in case the Math teachers
is telling you to “just do your
did not recognize it). It was apbest” and you’re only in the 3rd
parent that these students were
grade! I would be losing more
very focused and somewhat nervthan my mittens.
ous about this experience. I told
I have to commend the incredible
teachers in the Holyoke Public
Schools for attempting to make
this experience palatable…you are
all true angels. I had the pleasure
them to do “the best they can.”
What else can you say?
Where did I put my mittens? I
should have kept the sleeve suspenders.
Summer Program
Stay Tuned to
Channel 12 for
announcements
HOLYOKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Eduardo B. Carballo, Superintendent
NOW OPEN !!
Get Ready for Kindergarten!!
Applicants must be
HOLYOKE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
five years old on
Free Summer Program
or before September 1, 2007
Kindergarten applications available at
the schools and at the
For 4 & 5 year olds entering
Kindergarten in Fall 2007
July - August; Monday-Thursday 9-1
Student Assignment Center
Families must register at:
1st Floor - 57 Suffolk Street
Student Assignment Center
Tel: 534 - 2007
1st Floor - 57 Suffolk Street
Hours of Registration: 8:30 - 2:30 M-F
Tel: 534-2055
**Priority given to students who have not had PreK experience.
Connections
Page 6
About the Award…
Diane Ayers, Middle School math teacher at
McMahon, receives her award from principal
Sue Frederick and Superintendent Dr. Carballo.
Donna Dempsey (3rd from left), special education teacher at Sullivan School, is with the students on her special day.
There was a great celebration in
Holyoke the day before St. Patrick’s
Day. On March 16th, Superintendent Dr. Eduardo Carballo; Human
Resource Director Rafael Bones; and
HPS Recruitment Specialist Meaghan
O’Neill presented eight teachers
with the coveted Excellence in
Teaching Award.
The program rewards winning teachers with $600 cash award, a YMCA
Membership, dinner event, participation in various workshops, an afternoon in the Berkshires seeing a performance at Jacob’s Pillow as well as
flowers and other gifts.
Nominated by building principals,
Grinspoon Award criteria are: professionalism, great attendance, collaborations, performs above and
beyond, links community to the
classroom, respected by peers and
demonstrates enthusiasm.
Praises from Principals:
On Diane Ayers: “...eager to join
McMahon staff and flexible with
adjustments in moving to a new
school.”
On Philip Christofori:
“...enthusiastically taken on challenge
of establishing mentoring relationships.”
Jennifer Lee, science teacher in the TOP Program at Peck Middle School, receives her prize
from Principal Terri Pudlo and Superintendent
Dr. Carballo.
Philip Christofori, art teacher at Kelly School, is
flanked by students and Rafael Bones, Meaghan
O’Neill and Dr. Carballo.
On Donna Dempsey: “...students
have passed the Alternative MCAS
Assessments every year scoring 100
points.”
On Cynthia DiDonato: “...supports
and involves students in community
(National Honor Society).”
Cynthia DiDonato, math teacher at Holyoke High
School, shares her moment with students and
HHS Principal David Dupont (L) and Dr. Carballo.
Kenneth
Lombardini,
machine technology teacher at
Dean Technical
High School,
receives his award
in the machine
shop.
On Jenn Lee: “...she teaches to her
students’ individual differences and
ensures each child is involved in
active learning.
On Ken Lombardini: “...he teaches by
example, very active volunteer for
school and community.”
On Lisa O’Neil: “...her teaching is
commendable and the students are
the sole benefactors.”
Lisa O’Neil, middle of group, a special education
teacher at Peck Middle School, beams with students and administration.
On Darren Walsh: “...creates new,
stimulating activities for students,
experiments with varied effective
centers such as Mystery Reader.”
Darren Walsh, second grade teacher at Lawrence School, shares a smile with students and
principal Hilary Russell and Dr. Carballo.
Volume 5, Issue 3
McMahon School
Sullivan School
The McDermott School of Irish Dance visited in March to perform Irish dancing for
the students. The dancers also gave insight
into the origin and culture of the dance by
answering questions from the audience. The
performance was coordinated by Carol
Hepworth.
Music Teacher Jose Gonzalez has produced a new bilingual CD of Children’s
Songs titled
Caribbean Fiesta
for Kids! which
includes new
versions of the
classic Latin
Morgan School
children’s
songs Chequi
Student cellists and violinists performed at
Barnes and Noble in March as a fundraiser. Morena and El Coqui as well as original songs
written by Gonzalez. The CD can be purBarnes and Noble donated a percentage of
chased at www.CDBaby.com. His CD has
sales made during the concert to the Morgan School PAC. Later that week, the group been featured on the PBS TV Special
played at Holyoke High School. They also
“Visions of Puerto Rico.”
participated in the St. Patrick’s Day parade
Steve Damon, Sullivan Band Director, is
playing while riding on the city-wide music the 2007 recipient of the Excellence in Genfloat.
eral Music Teaching, presented by the Society for General Music in Massachusetts. He
Kelly School
was honored at the conference in March.
Art Teacher Denise Descoteau recently
Damon was featured in the winter edition of
had her artwork featured in The Central
Connections for recording students playing
Gallery at UMASS Amherst. The exhibit
and gathering feedback from musicians from
entitled, “If You Walk in the Woods…” was around the country. He now has comments
on display during the month of March.
from 15 states and the District of Columbia.
Lynch band performs at Literacy Night
The Lynch Middle School held its sixth annual Literacy Night in
March. The event included the new Lynch band performing under
the direction of Kevin Noble. Members of the band are: Sixth
graders - Rhys Duquette, Kiara Fernandez, and Jaime Monegro;
Seventh graders - Jason Arble, Luis Gonzalez, Brittany Morin, Peter Shewchuk and Kris Tardy; Eighth graders - Caitlin Anable,
Tyler Arsenault, Nelson Balvin, Manuel Bodon, Joey Judd, Nick
Kelleher, and Shanice Reyes.
Page 7
EN White
In addition to choral, guitar, and recorder
classes, Choral Director Robert Dickson
is teaching music and production classes.
The classes will help prepare students for
careers in both music performance and
music production. The curriculum includes
writing and performing radio and dance
shows and television commercials; composing, noting and music theory. The culminating event will be an actual performances by
students as disc jockeys during Field Day.
Andrew Verrocchi, String Program Director, began a viola class to supplement the
violin program. Adrienne Sambo, Holyoke’s city-wide cello teacher, also comes to
EN White to teach two afternoons a week.
Student Art Exhibit
The Heart of Holyoke Student Art Exhibit will feature over 150 works of art at
the Holyoke Public Library April 5th
through April 26th.
Faculty Art Show
The eighth annual art exhibit featuring
works from Holyoke art faculty runs
until April 22 at 4 Open Square Way.
The gallery is open Monday through
Friday from 9-5 and Saturdays from 115. Each year faculty members display
work they have created outside their
responsibilities as
teachers. Above top,
artwork on display;
middle photo shows
retired Art Department Head Lora Barrett shares a laugh with
Alissa Breyare while
preparing for the show.
At left, those enjoying
the opening reception
catered by the culinary
arts students from
Dean Technical High
School.
Connections
Page 8
Pi Day at E.N. White a true collaboration among teachers
Sixth graders at E.N. White
School celebrated March 14th in a
special way. March 14 or 3-14 is
Pi Day. For many of us, Pi is a
number that we were told to use
to calculate the circumference
and area of a circle, but for students at E.N. White, it is a neverending number that was discovered by Archimedes that represents a relationship between the
diameter and the circumference.
The students were treated to a
day-long celebration of Pi that
included face painting, songs and
pie! Lori Mathurin, math teacher,
wanted to create hands-on experiences into the world of Pi.
She set up several centers around
her classroom where the students
participated in a variety of activities that explored the various
aspects of Pi. They measured the
circumference and diameter of
assorted circles like hula hoops,
bike tires, and mixing bowls, then
Cumference
and the
Dragon of Pi.
The children responded to
the story by
creating
Odes to Pi.
“It’s amazing
to see what
the children
come up
with to
praise a
number that
Kiara Calderon and Ericka Velez count beads to the
until re800th place past the decimal point in the Pi equation.
cently was
only a means to calculating the
lighted Pi. When students recircumference and area of a circle
flected back on their day of learnfor me and unknown to them. I
Pi Day was crossed over into ELA
ing it was best concluded by
really get the concept of Pi now
classes with students creating a
Ericka Velez’ comment: “I loved Pi
too,” said ELA teacher Alecia
list of as many circles they could
Day because we were learning
think of in the world with the top Pettengill.
math and didn’t even know it. We
Each 6th grade classroom also
three winners receiving - pie!
were having so much fun!”
There was also a read-aloud of Sir created a themed-door that highcompared that information to get
a real understanding of the number and be able to take ownership
themselves. “Lessons that are
hands and minds-on are more
meaningful and relevant to the
students,” said Mathurin. The
students also strung beads using
10 different colors to represent
each digit in Pi. The students
continued more than 800 places
after the decimal, and the beads
measured the length of the chalkboard.
The students also measured the
circumference of volcanoes that
they created as a part of a unit on
landforms. “Math and science are
natural partners,” said science
teacher Mark Vatousiou.
Honda Finance and Peck in partnership
Ann Dixon, representative from
The Honda Finance Corporation
on Kelly Drive in Holyoke; and
Terri Pudlo, Peck Middle School
principal, recently met and outlined a partnership between the
business and the school. The first
commitment is Honda supporting
a mentoring program with 17 of its
employees paired up with students
and having lunch once a month. In
addition to mentoring, Honda will
fund a student dinner for the 25
Book Campaign, buy books to
enhance science and social studies
classrooms, and fund a student trip
to Sunset Resort in Connecticut in
June.
Twenty-six students in Lorie Banks’ eighth grade math classes at Peck
Middle School participated in a St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
“Mathathon” fundraiser bringing in over $200. Students were given a
book of 8th grade math problems to solve and they could receive
pledges based on the number of problems solved or they could accept
straight donations.
Holyoke Credit Union assists with life skills
Students enrolled in the Connections Life Skills after school program at Dean Technical High School recently participated in the
Money Smart program sponsored by the Holyoke Credit Union.
Barbara Baran and Jane Therrien of the Holyoke Credit Union
spent two afternoons with students explaining banking and money
management skills. After providing a brief explanation of how
banks operate, the women allowed students to experience banking
procedures first-hand. They learned how to open bank accounts,
write checks, balance an account and to make deposits and withdrawals. Life Skills workshop instructors, Joyce Siok and Maureen
Lyons, say the presentation provided worthwhile information
delivered by HCU employees in a caring and supportive manner.
Volume 5, Issue 3
Dominican Republic Pen Pals
Students in
Linda Overlock’s
fourth grade
classes have
been writing
to students
in the Dominican ReDominican students
public. By
writing letters, their pen pals are
learning more English skills. E.N.
A view of the two-room schoolhouse in the Dominican Republic.
Page 9
White students have learned their
pen pals wear uniforms to school and
the school only has two classrooms.
The children use outhouses for bathrooms and the library has two bookcases, but does not have many books.
The two classes have been exchanging
photos as well.
requires the chicks be placed at a
farm when old enough. The league
provides instructions through a manual and teacher training. The classroom activity is an exciting way to
meet the state curriculum standard to
recognize that animals and plants are
living things that have needs.
Professional boxer visits
“Egg-citement” in classroom
Mrs. Healy’s second graders have
been carefully watching 18 fertilized
chicken eggs inside an incubator since
March 7th. While anticipating the
chicks’ birth, students have been busy
making daily recordings of temperature and humidity in the incubator.
Three times a day, the caretakers
must roll the eggs over. Students
gather data, and incorporate those
numbers into math activities. The eggs
were provided by the Hampden
County Improvement League which
While reading The Contender by
Robert Lipsyte, middle school students in the Read 180 program
wanted to know more about the
sport of boxing. Teacher Mary
Menard arranged a visit by Iowa native and boxer Jeff Farmer who is
currently training at the Holyoke
YMCA. He talked to students about
the rigors of training and emphasized
the need for a person to have “a single-minded dedication in skill building”
in order to become successful in the
sport.
Write It and Recite It!
The Title I Parent Night held on March
12th was a Poetry Slam. Students in
grades 3-8 participated in the event by
presenting poetry written by themselves and famous authors. The night
also included pizza, cookies, juice and a
raffle for poetry books.
Netanya Ortiz shows Paul DeLeon her
picture book about hair entitled,
“Reveal the Secrets.”
Petitions by students
Seventh graders at Donahue School
were inspired by projects they did with
the Book of the Month, Talking Walls,
by Margy Burns Knight. Above (L to R)
Geraldo Ramirez, Ixia Maldonado, Rosa
Colon and Charity Lebron learned
about the petition process. In doing so,
their petition to get bathrooms cleaned
up has been accepted and a remodeling/painting project is underway. The
second petition of getting healthy vending machines is still pending.
Report Writing
Natalie Pedraza recites her poem
as Aimee Estrada waits her turn at
Donahue’s Poetry Slam night.
All classrooms at Donahue School
turned into research labs during the
recently completed America’s Choice
report writing unit. Selected picture
books from grades 3 and 7 are on display outside the office along with reports from other grades.
Page 10
Connections
McMahon
School
Students in the Quilting Workshop at the Holyoke High School
Connections Program recently attended “Hands Across the Valley
Quilters Guild Quilt Show” at Amherst College. The students,
from HHS and Dean Technical were impressed by the 380 handmade quilts and clothing accessories that were on display. Stephanie Jusino from Dean said, “I can’t believe how long it must have
taken to make the quilts.” Tashia Davis learned that you can make
a quilt from using photographs as a guide in your design. Above,
Stephanie Jusino and Haydee Santiago make a quilt bag.
After giving the
fourth grade
students a pep
talk about doing
their best during
the MCAS testing, Mayor Michael Sullivan
(center) shows a
light-hearted
moment with the class as he is balancing on crutches recovering
from an ankle injury.
The school has had a great turnout for its MCAS ELA after school
preparation program.
On a sad note, long-time cafeteria worker Claire Hart recently
died. She was known to everyone as “grandma” by many of the
students.
Morgan School
Kia, the certified therapy dog from the Belchertown Public Library, recently visited
Morgan School. At
right, second grader
Olegario Carillo shares
a hug with Kia after he
and several other second graders read books to him as he is trained to be an
excellent listener.
Doris Ransford, president of the Greater Holyoke Chamber
of Commerce, State Representative Michael F. Kane, State
Senator Michael R. Knapik and John Hazen, president of
Hazen Paper Company, observe fifth grade students from
Sullivan School (L to R) Giovanny Pagan, Austin Chotain,
Bridget Higgins and Maggie Bryant, participating in a design
challenge to make paper as part of the Holyoke Manufacturing Education Initiative. The initiative at Hazen Paper Company is a program of the World Is Our Classroom, Inc., a
nonprofit organization that seeks to provide students with a
curricula to emphasize real-world contexts using hands-on
learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics. All Holyoke fifth grades participated in the
program this year.
Metcalf Pre-School
As a part of the ongoing
science and health curriculum in
the preschool program, the children at the Metcalf PreSchool
have been learning about nutrition and healthy eating habits.
The series of six lessons has been
taught by Karen Lennon (right) of the Family Nutrition Program at
UMASS. As a follow-up to these lessons, a training session for parents is being planned for May. A “Nutrition Corner” is set up in an
area in the library which has children’s books and games to be used
during the program.
Volume 5, Issue 3
Page 11
Holyoke Lions Club offers glasses to city students
The Holyoke Lions Club and
Holyoke Opticians have teamed
up with the Holyoke School
Health Program to provide up to
40 free pairs of eyeglasses to eligible students as identified by
school nurses, vision and hearing
testers, and parents.
In November 2006, Lions Club
member Ray Lange extended the
offer on behalf of the club for city
students.
The goal of the program is to
Holyoke Public School student
provide glasses quickly to those in
Christina Cruz is a recipient of
need for whom the cost of the
glasses from the Holyoke Lions Club
glasses is a financial hardship.
and Holyoke Opticians. She says she
Once a child has been identified as loves her glasses because “things are
not blurry anymore.”
eligible for the “Glasses for Student’s Program,” a parent will be
email with the Lions Club Proasked to sign a permission form
gram Coordinator and Treasurer
that will allow the nursing supervifor funding approval. Once funding
sor to share the child’s name via
is approved, the parent will receive that confirmation and then
will be able to take the child to
Holyoke Opticians on High Street
to get fitted for glasses that are
usually ready within one week.
The funding is only for eyeglasses
with a prescription that is less
than one year old. The Lions Club
does not pay for any exams.
There are three issues that face
some of our children who need
glasses. One is the inability for
parents to replace broken or lost
glasses due to insurance restrictions. Another issue is the long
waiting period between the time a
prescription is written and the
time MassHealth approves payment. Lastly, there may be no
insurance coverage at all for some
families.
Division II National Basketball Champions
Lynch cheers on Barton College Bulldogs of NC
Seventh graders at Lynch Middle School had a once-in-a-lifetime
basketball experience in March. They were one of eight schools
in Western Massachusetts chosen to attend an opening round of
the Division II Elite 8 Tournament at the Mass Mutual Center in
Springfield. Lynch’s adopted team was the Bulldogs of Barton
College in Wilson,
North Carolina.
Lynch students prepared for the day by
researching Barton
College and learning
about the region the
college is located.
Students also made
signs and painted
their faces to show
support.
After the Barton
team pulled off an overtime victory in the first
round and saw the enormous support by the
students, the team decided to visit Lynch Middle School to show their appreciation.
Barton College administration then paid for
seventh graders to attend the championship
game held on March 24th that saw the Bulldogs
win the Division II Championship. The following organizations made the experience possible:
Division II Championship Committee, Verizon,
Barton College and the NCAA.
Upcoming
Appeals Board
Meeting Dates
All Meetings held
in the Conference
Room at Holyoke
High School
6-8 PM
•
June 13, 2007
•
Aug. 15, 2007
•
Sept. 6, 2007
Title I News & Notices
The Parent Academy
Parents of students in elementary grades are invited to the
first Title I Parent Academy to
be held on Saturday, April 28
at Donahue Elementary
School from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Parents will have the opportunity to select workshops that
include math, reading and ELL
topics. On site childcare will
be available.
Summer Boredom Program
Students in K-2 will be invited
to participate in an at-home
learning program. Those who
voluntarily sign up for the
program will received a
packet of reading, language
arts, and math materials to do
over the summer. Students
will receive the information
which must be filled out and
returned by May 4. Students
will receive the packet two
weeks before the end of
school.
For more information on
either of these programs contact Pauline Carriere at 5402434.
Page 12
The Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Creative Schools Grant funded the
Enchanted Circle Theatre and the Hitchcock Center for the Environment working together with the fifth grade teachers and students at
the following Holyoke schools: Morgan, E.N. White, Donahue, Kelly
and Sullivan. This grant provided four consecutive days of workshops
that integrated the arts into the science curriculum. Teachers chose
either Weather & Climate or Animal Adaptations as the focus this
year. Above are the students that took part in the modeling of lessons
given by Priscella Hellweg and Ted Watt. This year is the first of a twoyear grant.
Parents/Guardians of Current 6th Graders
In order to enter 7th grade in September
2007, documentation of the following
requirements will need to be submitted to
the School Nurse:
Physical Exam (copy of exam or appointment date), 2 doses of Measles vaccine
(MMR), 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
(within the last 5 years), and the Varicella
vaccine (or physician documented case)
Connections
Engineering Workshop
Donahue School
HPS is working in collaboration
with the Pioneer Valley Regional PreK-16 Network and
has been awarded funding to
hire the Boston Museum of
Science to train 20 (grade 3-5)
teachers in how to implement
the Engineering is Elementary
curriculum. The EIE curriculum
integrates an elementary school
science topic with a specific
field of engineering. The training will be a two-week workshop in Holyoke and teachers
will be paid a stipend of $800
for the two weeks. Teachers
interested in participating
should contact Dr. Helen Gibson, Science Academic Coordinator by calling 534-2312 or by
Third graders Jose Perez,
Julia Mantilla, and Dayanise
Cruz were the winning students in a recent Holyoke Gas
& Electric electrical safety
poster contest.
Corrina Caraballo,
Francheska Feliciano and
Alyssa Hurley are Rising Star
recipients. The girls have
shown great leadership, good
citizenship and a diligence for
learning.
Dean Technical
Josvette Colon has been
nominated for the Title I
Robert Watson Memorial
Scholarship. She has already
been awarded the President’s
Volunteer Service Award and
Email:
will receive it and a letter
[email protected]
signed by President Bush at her
graduation. Josvette’s goal is to
earn a four-year degree in Fine
Lynch Middle School
Arts, leading to a career in art
Selected eighth graders reeducation or in a museum of
cently finished a six-week grant fine arts.
funded program called GoFIT,
Kelly School
an organization in Springfield
that promotes nutrition and
Spear-headed by Diane Baez,
fitness in young people. This
the school celebrated St. Patprogram was in collaboration
rick’s Day with a luncheon for
with the school’s physical edu- the staff with traditional Irish
cation curriculum and featured foods. Staff dined while Irish
guest speakers, aerobics, and
music played in the background
free sneakers for each partici- and scenic photos of Ireland
pant. The program was made
flashed on the school’s Smartpossible with a grant from Citi- Board.
zens Bank.
Karoline Syner and Lisa
Sam Lawson, a Lynch 7th
Mier recently began a fitness
grader, took third place in The club at the school for students
Springfield Republican newspain grades K-5 as well as teachper’s Kids in Print writing con- ers. During the three-day-atest. His teacher, Cathleen
week program, students parFoley encouraged him and
ticipate in various physical acclassmates Mary Ellen Hartivities and learn about healthy
nois and Matthew Goulding eating habits. Depending on the
to participate. Lawson had to
number of miles walked, stucomplete an essay based on the dents can earn rewards.
Supreme Court cases deciding
that schools can restrict students’ freedom of speech in
certain cases.
Estos son los puntos mas
sobresalientes del Boletin
Holyoke Public Schools
Volume 5, Issue 3
Primavera 2007
Ha llegado la Primavera a las Escuelas de Holyoke
Por
Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo
Superintendente de Escuelos
Bien, la Primavera está aquí y hay cosas que
continúan en el distrito. Ocho de nuestros
maestros fueron denominados por la Excelencia de Harold Grinspoon en la Enseñanza
de Premios. Una delegación de la oficina
central los sorprendió en sus respectivas
escuelas el tercer viernes de marzo. Yo disfruto caminando por las escuelas y sorprender a los maestros y de nuevo, quiero felicitar y agradecer a los recipientes de premio
de este año por sus contribuciones al aprendizaje de nuestros niños. Los recipientes son:
Cynthia DiDonato, Escuela Superior de Holyoke-HHS; Darren Walsh, Escuela Lawrence;
Lisa O’Neil y Jennifer Lee, Escuela Peck;
Philip Christofori, Escuela Kelly; Donna
Dempsey, Escuela Sullivan; Diane Ayers,
Escuela McMahon; y Kenneth Lombardini,
Escuela Dean.
La semana de Estrellas (Rising Stars) es el 23
de abril hasta el 26 de abril. Cuarenta y dos
cartas salieron de mi oficina notificando a los
padres que sus estudiantes habían sido elegidos. El banquete esta programado para el
miércoles, 25 de abril y espero ver algunos
de ustedes allí.
La música de la Escuela Secundaria de Holyoke-HHS, se llevó a cabo en marzo y este año
ellos realizaron la Bella y la Bestia. Fue un
gran espectáculo. Los estudiantes y el personal pusieron mucho trabajo difícil y esfuerzo
en estas producciones y espero que muchos
de ustedes vieron y disfrutaron de ello.
Aumentamos los programas de verano. El
KinderKamp fue un éxito enorme el año
pasado y esperamos atender a otros sesenta
estudiantes de jardín de infancia en un esfuerzo para prepararlos para una primera
experiencia de educación exitosa; las clases
de Curso de Verano serán ofrecidas para
cada nivel de grado; las clases se llevarán a
cabo en la Escuela Secundaria de HolyokeHHS y el campo de Educación Especial se
llevará a cabo en Jericho. Habrá anuncios
Superintendente Dr. Eduardo Carballo lee con estudiantes Pre-escolares de la Escuela Metcalf
Franchesca Rivera and Isaac Aponte.
vidas. Usted nunca deja de aprender y usted
antes de las vacaciones de verano. Vea el
Canal 12 y compruebe con la escuela de su
tiene que leer para aprender.
niño para más detalles.
Feliz Cumpleaños, doctor Seuss. Millones de
niños han crecido con sus libros. Su maravilloso estilo de escribir lo hizo fácil para los
jóvenes "leer" en una edad temprana, y su
invención e ilustraciones de animales de
aspectos extraños hasta con nombres de
sonidos extraños fueron ingeniosas. Sus
libros han sido traducidos en más de quince
idiomas y más de doscientos millones de
copias han sido imprimidas. Lo interesante
de estos libros es que el vocabulario es limitado, pero esto lo hace tan accesibles a los
niños más jóvenes. Es reiterativo, pero mantiene su interés. Quién puede olvidar Huevos
Verdes y Jamón “con soy Sam, Sam soy”. La
gran cosa sobre estos libros es el hecho que
los padres los leen a sus niños y los niños,
por su parte, los leen a sus padres y hermanos. Este cría un interés en leer, que con
esperanza sigue en todas partes de nuestras
Page 14
Connections
Los padres de Alfabetismo Even Start cantan alabanzas
Un programa es sólo tan bueno en como sus
participantes evalúan su aprendizaje de experiencia y articulan el impacto que el programa
ha hecho en sus vidas. El Programa de Alfabetización de Familia en Holyoke, ha llevado a cabo
recientemente un grupo de enfoque paternal
bajo la supervisión del Evaluador Local del programa, Dale Parker.
Este proceso de evaluación ha sido emprendido
cada año durante los últimos cinco años para
proporcionar información al personal durante la
planificación y diseño del programa. Los siguientes son algunos comentarios escritos por los
padres y auto evaluación que ellos consintieron
en compartir con los lectores del Programa
Uniones.
“Tomando la decisión de aprender inglés como
una segunda lengua fue la decisión más perfecta
que he hecho en tomar el primer paso hacia un
mejor futuro para mis niños y mi familia.
El Programa (Even Start) me ha ayudado a
aprender el lenguaje inglés. Los maestros son
muy agradables y ellos hacen un gran trabajo.
Estoy muy feliz que la comunicación con mis
niños está mejorando. Ellos han notado que
estoy capacitada de ayudarles con la tarea, y
Roselyn Rodriguez y sus dos hijos trabajan juntos en las tarea. Ella da credito al Programa
también puedo leer con ellos diariamente. Ver a
Even Start en ser exitosa para ayudar a sus ninos con sus tareas.
mis hijos felices también me hacen sentir muy
feliz.
“El componente de Educación de Adultos me
inglesa”. -Dalin Portes
Me gusta la clase dada en (Even Start) porque
ha ayudado mucho. Ahora tengo la confianza
Cualquier padre de Holyoke, con niños entre
aprendo sobre la escuela de mi hijo y las visitas para relacionarme con la gente de mi comunilos 3-7 años de edad, son bienvenidos a aplicar.
al salón de clase han ayudado a mis niños a
dad en inglés. Aunque mi inglés sea limitado, no
Para información adicional o referidos, por
sentirse importantes y los ha motivado para
tengo miedo de hablarlo. Estoy mejorando en
favor llamar al 534-2165 o 534-2040 ext.
hacer el trabajo mejor en su clase.” --Roselyn entender lo que la gente dice también. Debido a
esto tengo más amor propio y soy más estable 6212.
Rodriguez
emocionalmente.
“Mi capacidad en escritura ha mejorado, me
Title I Noticia
siento más confidente hablando inglés en mi
Las actividades y las técnicas sobre la lectura a
vida diaria. Los maestros nos enseñan como
niños que he aprendido en el componente de
leer libros de niños para pronunciación y conte- Alfabetización Interactivo me han ayudado a
Estudiantes en el Jarnido apropiado para poder leerle a nuestros
leerle a mi niño con más eficacia, en la cual hago
dín de infancia en
niños. Las visitas al hogar son buenas porque
regularmente. Las Visitas al Hogar han sido
Grados 1 y 2 serán
ella hace actividades de dibujo y escritura con
beneficiosas para mí y para mi niño en el mejoinvitados a participar
los niños. Ella me incluye y leemos juntos, a los ramiento de nuestras habilidades de lectura. Mi
en un programa de
niño
espera
con
anticipación
estas
visitas
al
niños les fascina.
aprendizaje en el
hogar.
En la clase de Educación para padres aprendí
hogar. Los estudiantes y los padres que
que mis niños pueden tener un tutor si es nece- Estoy agradecido por la información que consise registran voluntariamente para este
sario. Los maestros son agradables y nos ense- go de la clase de Educación Paternal. Esto me
programa recibirán un Paquete de mateñan sobre nuestros derechos y el sistema esco- ha ayudado a hacerme más consciente de las
riales para hacer en los meses de verano.
cuestiones de educación que afectan la educalar.
Las actividades incluyen artes de lenguación de mi niño y me involucraron en la educaVisitando la escuela vi. como le enseñan a mi
je/lectura y matemáticas. Los estudiantes
ción de mi niño y la escuela. Voy a la escuela de
nieto. Yo pude hablar con el maestro y ver
recibirán la información en la mitad de
mi niño casi diario (Head Start) para verla tratodo el trabajo que él había hecho. Me sentí
abril y la forma de permiso pabajar y hacer actividades con ella. Esto ha resulorgullosa porque el maestro dijo que él es muy
dre/estudiante debe de ser devuelta para
tado en una buena relación con el maestro de
inteligente. La visita a la escuela me ha ayudado
el 4 de mayo. Si usted necesita más informi
niño.
a desarrollar una relación buena con el maesmación por favor comunicarse con Paulitro. Perdí mi miedo de entrar a las escuelas.
Estoy agradecido y aprecio lo que el personal
ne Carriere al 540-2434.
de (Even Start) hace para ayudarme y ayudar a
Ahora puedo ir sola”. - Alma Torres
mi niño a integrarse en la comunidad de habla
Volume 5, Issue 3
Page 15
Las memorias de la primavera ahora incluyen MCAS
Por
Michael Sullivan
Alcalde de Holyoke
Este tiempo del año parece ser en particular
triste. Incluso antes cuando yo asistía a la
Escuela Primaria Kirtland, las mañanas eran
tan frías, húmedas con charcos en las tardes,
el olor de guantes empapados secándose en
el radiador del cuarto de abrigos. Realmente
no había ningún lugar para jugar ya que los
glaciares locales retrocedían dejando áreas
cubiertas de hierbas empapadas y superficies
de asfalto con riachuelos de la nieve que se
derretía. La tensión de ponerse su galashes
(botas) sobre sus zapatos y manteniendo la
pista de todas las bufandas y sombreros. Sí,
yo era uno de aquellos niños con ligas de
manga que guardaban sus manoplas
(guantes) atadas a su abrigo. Por supuesto
todos pensábamos que podríamos evitar
este tiempo desagradable este año, pero la
Madre Naturaleza tenía otra idea.
Así que estamos esperando la
primavera que habíamos pensado
que había vuelto en diciembre.
Si aquellas memorias no son muy
agradables, no puedo imaginar que
difícil son cuando se añade el
MCAS. ¡Atrapados en un cuarto
durante un gran período del tiempo, tomando “la prueba y todos te
dicen “haz todo lo posible” y tu
El alcalde Michael Sullivan (centro) da unas palabras de
estás solamente en el 3er. grado!
aliento sobre el MCAS a estudiantes en la Escuela de
Yo perdería más que mi manoplas
McMahon.
(guantes).
cas no lo reconocieron). Era aparente que
Tengo que alabar a los maestros de las Esestos estudiantes estaban muy enfocados y
cuelas Públicas de Holyoke por tratar de
algo nerviosos sobre esta experiencia. Les
hacer esta experiencia placentera…todos
ustedes son unos verdaderos ángeles. Tuve dije que hicieran “lo mejor que ellos puedan.
¿” Qué más se puede decir?
el placer de ser invitado a una escuela a
decir "unas palabras de aliento"…estoy se¿Dónde puse mis manoplas (guantes)? Yo
guro que estas mentes jóvenes fueron real- debería haber guardado las ligas de la manga.
mente inspiradas por mis palabras… (Ese
sarcasmo por si los maestros de Matemáti-
El Club de Leones de Holyoke ofrece gafas gratis
El Programa de Salud Escolar ha estado trabajando con el Club de Leones de Holyoke y
los Ópticos de Holyoke en la Calle High
para proporcionar gafas gratis a estudiantes
elegibles identificados por las Enfermeras
Escolares, Probador de la Visión y Audición,
maestros y padres.
En noviembre de 2006, Ray Lange del Club
de Leones de Holyoke extendió una oferta
al Programa de Salud de las Escuelas Públicas
de Holyoke para proporcionar 30-40 pares
de gafas gratis a estudiantes en nuestras
escuelas.
El objetivo del programa es proporcionar
gafas rápidamente a estudiantes identificados
que necesitan gafas para participar en la
escuela y/o para quien el costo de las gafas
es una privación financiera. En general, tres
problemas afrontan a algunos de nuestros
estudiantes que necesitan gafas. Una cuestión es la inhabilidad de sustituir gafas perdidas o rotas debido a restricciones de seguros. El seguro por lo general cubre sólo un
(1) par de gafas por año. La segunda cuestión
para estudiantes es el período de espera
prolongado para obtener una prescripción y
el seguro de MassHealth apruebe el pago.
Esto puede
tomar hasta
de
6-8
semanas o
más. Para
niños con
mala visión,
esta larga
e s p e r a
puede
y
afectar
negativamente sus
académicas.
La tercera
cuestión
Estudiante Christina Cruz rees ningucientemente recibio gafas del
na
coprograma.
Ella dice que esta feliz
bertura
de segu- “que ya no ve las cosas borrosas.”
ros
en
absoluto para algunas familias.
Una vez que un niño ha sido identificado
como elegible para “el Programa de Gafas
para Estudiantes”, se le pedirá a un padre
firmar una forma de permiso que permitirá
que el Supervisor de Enfermería comparta el
nombre del niño vía un correo electrónico
con el Coordinador del Programa de Club
de Leones y el Tesorero para solicitar la
aprobación de financiación. Una vez que la
financiación es aprobada, el padre recibirá
una copia verificada de un correo electrónico firmado por el Supervisor de Enfermería
de la Enfermera Escolar. El padre/persona
encargada, entonces podrá llevar al niño y el
correo electrónico verificado a los Ópticos
de Holyoke en la Calle High para obtener un
par de gafas gratis que estarán listas por lo
general dentro de una semana. La financiación NO es para un examen visual. El padre
debe proporcionar una prescripción para las
gafas que tiene menos de un año. La financiación es para las gafas SÓLAMENTE.
Gracias a la generosidad del Club de Leones
de Holyoke y a los Ópticos de Holyoke “las
Gafas para Estudiantes” han sido muy exitosas y diariamente estamos consiguiendo más
referidos. Como tal, el Club de Leones de
Holyoke acaba de ofrecer en financiar 35
más pares de gafas gratis. ¡¡De parte de todos nosotros en el Programa de Salud Escolar y de todos los estudiantes que se han
beneficiado del Club de Leones y la bondad
de los Ópticos de Holyoke, les damos las
GRACIAS!!.
Connections
Page 16
Escuelas Publicas de Holyoke
Eduardo B. Carballo, Superintendente
¡Preparacion para Kindergarten!
Comienza
Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke
El 2º de Abril
Los niños tienen que cumplir los
cinco aºos en o
Programa de Verano
Para niños/as de 4 y 5 anos de
edad entrando a Kindergarten
antes del 1º de septiembre del 2007
En el Otoño 2007
Los solicitudes están disponibles en
julio - augusto
las escuelas elementales y
lunes a jueves 9:00 - 1:00
La Oficina de Asignación de Estudiantes
El programa sera gratis
Localizada en
Familias deben registrarse en:
El Primer Piso - Calle Suffolk #57
La Oficina de Asignación de Estudiantes
Tel: 534-2007
Tel: 534-2055
Horas de registrar: 8:30 hasta 2:30
lunes a viernes
**Daremos prioridad a estudiantes que no
han tenido experiencia pre-escolar.
Connections
Holyoke Public Schools
Media Center
c/o Kelly Doktor
500 Beech Street
Holyoke, MA 01040