Spring 2010 - Holyoke Public Schools

Holyoke Publ ic School s
Connections
Holyoke Public Schools
A Community Working Together
Our Web site: www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
Volume 8, Issue 3
Spring 2010
Holyoke Public Schools
Blooming with positive news
By Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo
Superintendent of Schools
How nice to see signs of spring!
Students have been working very
hard over the winter months, and
many have been preparing for
various MCAS and MEPA tests in
addition to performing their regular school work. The students are
looking forward to spring vacation
and will have an opportunity to
refresh themselves before the next
round of testing begins for many of
them. They have been well prepared, and I am confident with
their effort and our continued
encouragement and support, they
will be very successful. It is important for them to get plenty of sleep
and be well-rested, and the role of
their parents in ensuring this is
sincerely appreciated.
We were pleased to see that the
Drop-Out Rate has decreased by
almost two full points. This is very
positive news, and is the result of
ongoing efforts in the district to
perform better transitioning from
the middle schools to high schools.
This could not be achieved without
the commitment of the counselors
and staff at the high schools as well
as the Gateway Program with
Holyoke Community College and
the ENLACE efforts under the
leadership of Jaime Cotto. This
downward trend is encouraging,
however, we will work diligently to
continue improvement in this important area.
It was my pleasure again this year
to notify the teachers who were
selected as recipients of the Harold
Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching
Award. This is one of many rewarding roles of being a Superintendent. Holyoke Public Schools is
very fortunate to have so many
outstanding teachers, and as a
result, it is not an easy task to
select the final seven to be
awarded. Those receiving this recognition for 2010 are:
Susan Cohen, Center
for Excellence; Normand LeBlanc, Dean
Technical High School;
Josiah Friedberg,
Donahue School; Ana
Malave, Morgan
School; Justin Cotton,
Peck School; Elaine
Furtak, Sullivan School;
and Carole Gamache,
E.N. White School.
Our congratulations
go to each of them,
and our thanks go to
all of the dedicated
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo
teachers in the Holypresents Josiah Friedberg of Donahue School his
oke Public Schools.
certificate on achieving The Harold Grinspoon
The winners are
Excellence in Teaching Award.
featured on page 5 of
this issue of the
As many of you know, Holyoke
Connections newsletter.
High School Principal, David DuCelebrate Holyoke Public Schools pont, will be our next Superintenweek is April 26 through April 30. dent of Schools. After the April
Our Rising Stars recognition will
vacation, the “Superintendent-in take place this year on April 29,
Transition” will be coming onbeginning with the Merry-Goboard at the Central Office, and I
Round Reception (in which every- am looking forward to working
one is welcome) and ending with
side-by-side with Mr. Dupont until
the banquet at Dean Technical.
the end of the school year as we
Each year students in grades six
deal with the many challenging
through 12 are recognized for
issues he will face in July. The
excelling in scholarship, leadership, school district is very fortunate to
and citizenship. A complete list of
have someone such as Mr. Dupont,
the Rising Stars is on page 15.
who has dedicated his entire life to
Congratulations to all of our Rising work on behalf of Holyoke School
Stars!
children. As I end my 8 ½ years as
Superintendent of Schools, I cannot
Again this year, the Holyoke High
think of a better person to replace
School Music Department presented another spectacular musical me in this role.
production which received very
positive reviews! This year, FAME,
Grinspoon Winners
won the praise of the audiences.
Our congratulations go to DirecPage 5
tor Mark Todd, and to all the students, staff, and others who
worked to support this major
Rising Stars
effort. The City of Holyoke is very
proud of our students’ performPage 15
ances!
Inside this issue:
•
Meet Peck School’s
Family Coordinator
•
•
Family Notices
Bullying Essay Winner 4
•
Grinspoon Photo
Essay
5
•
Helping Haiti
6
•
Talking Points
7
•
Science
8
•
Sports
10
•
Spanish Highlights
2
13-16
Connections
Page 2
Edited by - Kelly Doktor - kdoktor@hps.holyoke.ma.us
Editor Emeritus: Laura DuPont
Contributing to this issue:
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.
Nora Burke Patton
Aaron Morris
Pauline Carriere
Cheryl Parzich
Amy Fitzgerald
Terri Pudlo
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Josiah Friedberg
Virginia Roche
Luz Aguilar
Helen Gibson
Hilary Russell
Yvonne Hilyard
Miranda Smith
Ellen Jackson
Jody Spitz
Lois Keefe
Sue Werenski
Renee LaRue
Mary Wright
Carmen Sikand
Mike Hines
Aaron Patterson
Jeannie Stone
Judy Taylor
Alison L’Heureux
Maria Luisa Arroyo
Meet Peck’s Family Access and Engagement Coordinator
Holyoke School
Committee
Mayor Elaine Pluta
William Collamore
Yvonne Garcia
Margaret Boulais
Gladys Lebron-Martinez
Howard Greaney
Dennis Birks
Michael Moriarty
Cesar Lopez
Devin Sheehan
One of the highest priorities of
the Peck Full Service Community
School is family engagement, and
as a result, María Luisa Arroyo
has been hired as Peck’s Family
Access and Engagement Coordinator. Arroyo brings a multilingual background of teaching at the
high school, GED, and college
levels, as well as having rich experience as a local published poet.
“I welcome and engage families as
their children’s first educators and
as true partners at Peck,” said
Arroyo. Some of the projects
Arroyo is currently working on
include organizing a Summer Opportunities Learning Fair for families, coordinating a Monthly Family Conversations/Charlas Series
for parents about Supporting
Learning at Home, coordinating
Peck’s Parents-in-the-Classroom
Project, and overseeing the design
and development of Peck’s Family
Resource Room.
Another key component of the
Family Engagement work at Peck
is the establishment of Peck Parents United in Action (P-PUA), a
FSCS parent-driven work group
that meets three times a month.
Child-care is provided at all meetings. Through P-PUA, families
learn about services, supports,
and programming located within
Peck and its attendance zone, as
well as to find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities in the
school and in the classroom. PPUA oversees Peck’s Parent Ambassador Program, which matches
the skills and talents of family
members with classroom curricular foci and other school-wide
needs.
Arroyo is also at Peck to connect
families with services to address
basic and immediate needs. As a
Full Service Community School,
Peck offers sign-ups and support
through the Virtual Gateway’s
Common Intake for families needing to sign up for (among others)
MassHealth, Women, Infants and
Children (WIC), subsidized child
care, and Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Families can also be referred
to in-house medical and mental
health services through Peck’s
partnership with River Valley
Counseling Center’s school-based
health center, and a comprehen-
sive Case
Management
program
is offered
for families in
crisis.
“Being a
part of
the Peck
Maria Luisa Arroyo
community has
been a joy for me as we – faculty,
staff, community partners, and
families - work together and, as a
result, have redefined what
‘community’ is,” said Arroyo.
“The excitement and spirit of
collaboration I experienced at the
2010 FSCS Full Partnership Meeting with over 60 community partners, faculty, staff, and parents,
affirmed that we as a collective
group are moving together in the
right direction in the best interest
of all our students and their families.”
For more information, contact
Maria Luisa Arroyo at (413) 5342040 or email her at:
mlarroyo@hps.holyoke.ma.us.
Volume 8, Issue 3
Page 3
Dr. Seuss!
In celebration of Dr.
Seuss’ birthday on March
2nd, the Title I team was
busy with a Dr. Seuss
Family Night at McMahon School. At right, the
Cat in the Hat (Ronnie
Authier) is flanked by
first graders Davis
O’Connell (l) and Samantha Authier. Below,
Antonio Correa reads a
Dr. Seuss book with his
daughter Chantel.
http://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
_____________________
What’s New on the Web
By Judy Taylor
Holyoke Herald wins
The staff of the Holyoke High School student
newspaper, The Herald, received seven awards
at the 39th Annual Scholastic Press Forum held
at American International College in March. The
Herald took first place as best newspaper and
also first place in photography, profiles, editorials, and cartoons. The team also placed fourth
place for news feature story.
District Homepage
http://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
NEW
•
Take a look at the
Announcements section
for information
regarding the district
Grinspoon winners for
Excellence in Teaching. Photo highlights
and teacher profiles
are included.
•
Click on the Kindergarten Registration
link within the Announcements section
for contact information regarding the application process for
children who will be 5
years old on or before
September 1, 2010.
•
Teacher professional
development information is now listed at:
Green Eggs and Ham
The William R. Peck School music teacher Peg
Boulanger celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday with
the kindergarten and first-grade students setting Dr. Seuss’ book Green Eggs and Ham to
music. The students read the book along with
Boulanger and set it to song and used rhythm
sticks.
Kelly School annual St. Patty’s Day luncheon
The luck of the Irish was with Kelly School on March 17th. Kelly School once
again hosted its annual Irish Luncheon. Members of the Kelly School community
feasted on traditional Irish fare, such as corned beef, potatoes, cabbage, and
shepherd’s pie. Lavish decorations and upbeat Irish music made the atmosphere
festive. Organized by paraprofessionals Noranne Duquette and Diane Baez, the
luncheon is one of the highlights of the year at Kelly School. Vice-Principal,
Jackie Glasheen, summed up the festive feeling by saying, “It was a fantastic Irish
Luncheon, such a great day! I am lucky to work with such terrific people.”
http://www.hps.holyoke.
ma.us/teachers.htm
•
http://www.hps.holyoke.
ma.us/ell.htm
Morgan Mathematicians Celebrate “Pi”
On March 15th, students in Suzanne Marx’s sixth-grade math classes at Morgan School enjoyed a day-long celebration of Pi, the mathematical explanation
of the relationship between the circumference and diameter of a circle. Students explored the age of philosophy, the history of mathematics, irrational
numbers, and different mathematical relationships. The day began with the
discovery of Pi. Each student was given a circle of a different size. Using rulers
and calculation skills, students measured the circumference of their individual
circles. After measuring the circumference and the diameter of their circles,
students were asked to calculate the circumference ÷ diameter. Most students found a number close to 3.1415…Students enjoyed a short read-aloud of Sir Cumference and the
Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander. Classes also explored The Joy of Pi, by David Blatner. Some
students created a “Pi chain” using different colors of paper to represent the digits of Pi. Several students from each class also participated in a memory contest, with one student memorizing the digits of
Pi to the 14th digit! In addition to discovering, reading, and reciting Pi, many students created “Pi Posters” for display in the classroom. As a final activity to remember Pi Day 2010, each student was given a
Pi pencil with the message “Everyone Loves Pi, It’s Irrational!”. Most importantly, students connected
important higher-level mathematical thinking to their own everyday lives and had fun at the same time!
Updated Annual Measurable Achievement
Objectives documents
are available at:
HHS Web site
http://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/
hhs/index.html
•
The Guidance/Career
Center link provides
weekly announcements, college visits,
testing information,
career options, support, scholarships, and
college acceptances.
Page 4
Connections
HPS Summer
School
Parents and Guardians of Current 6th Graders:
In order to enter 7th grade in September 2010, documentation of
the following requirements will need to be submitted to the
School Nurse:
Physical Exam (done within 1 year or copy of appointment date);
2 doses of Measles vaccine (MMR); 3 doses of Hepatitis B Series
vaccine; Tetanus Booster (within last 5 years); and the Varicella
vaccine (or physician documented case).
**Beginning in September 2011, the Department of Public Health
is implementing new requirements for 7th grade entry. Those
changes will be announced in the Spring 2011 newsletter.
Tentative Dates
July 6 - August 5
Student signups
begin in May.
Applications will be
available at all
schools.
Congratulations Kayla Michon
Holyoke Public Schools
Eduardo B. Carballo, Superintendent
Now Enrolling for School Year
2010-2011
Children must be 5 years old on or
before September 1, 2010.
Applications available at the
Student Assignment Office
57 Suffolk Street, 1st floor
Registration by appointment only
by calling 534-2007
A positive result from
being bullied
The Maurice A.
Donahue community is pleased to
announce one of
its seventh-grade
students, Kayla
Michon, recently
placed 2nd in the
NIE (Newspapers
in Education) “Kids
ELA teacher Tracy Russell and published
in Print” annual arts
and writing contest.
author Kayla Michon.
Her essay and profile were printed in The Republican’s March 9, 2010 edition.
Due to recent news of student suicides related to bullying, this
year’s theme addressed what could be done to help put a stop
to this consequential and cruel behavior.
Tracy Russell, seventh- grade ELA teacher, received a copy of
the contest that she shared with the class. Since the students
were working on a research unit, Michon was able to incorporate her essay into the class curriculum. Both Michon and
Russell worked on the essay together before the start of
school and during MCAS prep periods. In Russell’s words, “I
am happy for Kayla because she struggled with being bullied at
the beginning of the year. She stood up for herself and reported the problems to us. The issues were resolved and she
Continued on page 12
Volume 8, Issue 3
Normand LeBlanc, Jr. - Dean
Page 5
Josiah Friedberg Donahue
Letter from Superintendent Dr. Carballo:
Carol Gamache E.N. White
Elaine Furtak - Sullivan
It is with pride and pleasure that I announce the district’s 2010 Grinspoon Foundation – Pioneer Valley
Excellence in Teaching Award winners from Holyoke
Public Schools. The Grinspoon Foundation alloted
seven spots to our district this year to recognize and
honor teachers for their tremendous impact on children and their community. This is a prestigious award
and honorable recognition to an educator. Every year,
I am presented with the difficulty of choosing a limited
number of winners in a system with so many deserving
teachers. Funding for the awards program is provided
again this year from the Irene E. & George A. Davis
Foundation, the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, MassMutual Financial Group, Myers Bros. &
Kalicka, P.C., The Reminder, Southworth Paper Company, The Springfield Republican, STCU Credit Union,
Westfield State College Foundation, WGBY Channel
57, Channels 40 & 22, Big Y, The Log Cabin Banquet &
Meeting House, and the local YMCAs. The celebration
honoring teachers from Holyoke and surrounding communities will take place on May 13, 2010 at the Log
Cabin in Holyoke. If you have any questions regarding
this ceremony or award, you can contact: Carmen E.
Sikand, Assistant Director of Human Resources at 413534-2000 Extension 219 or contact her via email at:
csikand@hps.holyoke.ma.us.
Justin Cotton - Peck
Ana Malave - Morgan
Susan Cohen - Center
for Excellence
Page 6
Connections
Holyoke Helps Haiti
Students and staff at Sullivan School
raised over $900 for Haitian relief.
The classes of Kiely Rigali and Andrew Leveton, from the Center for Excellence, led the
humanitarian effort to raise money for Haitian relief. Over $278 was raised, one penny at a
time, in an effort to help the Haitian people after the deadly earthquake that struck the Caribbean Island. The students from the two classes collected money daily from students and
staff. Pictured left to right: Joshua Suriel, Jefforey Johnson, Rick Lee from the Red Cross,
Jessie Caisse, Joseph Cintron, and Kiely Rigali, teacher.
E.N. White School fourth-grader, Mary-Catherine
Whalen, was upset by the devastation caused by the
earthquake in Haiti so she decided to be proactive in doing something to help the victims of this disaster. She
wrote a letter to Principal Ellen Jackson suggesting a fundraiser. With help from her classmates, the fourth grade
decided on a “Hats for Haiti” day. The students made
posters and encouraged their friends to wear their favorite hat to school for $1.00. With great pride, the students
of E.N. White School presented a check to the Red Cross
for $500.00.
Maurice A. Donahue students recently raised money to help the victims of Haiti’s
earthquake. This civic effort was named “Helping Hands for Haiti.” The project was a resounding success, and exceeded all expectations. Connections is pleased to present the following interview with one of the organizers behind the fundraising effort, Iwona Langlois, 6th grade ELA
teacher.
Connections: How did you come up with the idea for “Helping Hands for Haiti?”
Langlois: Mrs. Leenders (6th grade math) and I were talking about what we could do after we
heard the devastating news. We have always made an effort to familiarize our students with
events happening in the world. Events like this help students learn compassion and visualize the
world beyond their neighborhoods. It is amazing how generous and caring our students are
when given the opportunity.
Connections: How did you go about organizing this effort?
Langlois: After doing some research, we talked about the best way to connect our community to it. We came up with “Helping Hands for Haiti”
and had every sixth grader work on posters. We traced the hands of students from kindergarten all the way through the eighth grade. The hands
were colored in as we reached our fund-raising goals. We chose to donate to the Red Cross because they are a reputable organization. They
were engaged with our effort, sending a representative to the school and mailing certificates to applaud our effort.
Connections: What were fundraising goals?
Langlois: We thought maybe we could raise about $500. Students were very generous and we raised the bar to $750 but donations eventually
exceeded $1000. Lots of pennies! Kids were donating their snack money, allowances and even collected cans. We really worked on letting kids
know what it meant to contribute from the heart. What really mattered was not how much they gave, but what was behind it.
Volume 8, Issue 3
Page 7
Peck School News...
•
Thanks to a successful grant written by librarian
Renee LaRue, the Peck School library collection will
soon be expanding. The National Education Association (NEA) Foundation has awarded Peck School one
of only 43 Books Across America $1,000 School Library Grants for 2010. LaRue’s application was one of
more than 650 submitted for the grant.
•
Robin Marion, one of Peck’s Full Service Community
School partners (through Peck’s ACCESS committee),
organized “A Day at Hampshire College” for approximately 30 eighth-grade students. Students visited the
Hampshire College campus on April 7 to get a tour of
the school and receive further college/career guidance.
•
Thirty eighth-grade students will attend
the Westfield State College Early College Awareness
Day on May 7. This event takes place every year in an
effort to educate middle school students about the
possibilities awaiting them in higher education. Coordinated by Katelyn Shea, Assistant Director
of Admission at the college, the half-day program
includes a campus tour, a college information game/
activity portion, and lunch in the Dining Commons.
•
Peck held a Full Service Community School Full
Partnership meeting this spring with more than 60
community partners, faculty, administration and parents. The meeting was a time to share and to celebrate progress of the continued efforts to transform
Peck into a Full Service Community School.
•
Peck is in the midst of making a school video to welcome families into the programs, services, and opportunities available as a Full Service Community
School. A screening party will be held in June.
•
Peck will hold a Family Health and Resource Fair
on Friday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than 20
community organizations will share resources and
prevention education with students and families.
E.N. White parent volunteer Janet Langevin creates a special welcoming
touch to the school entrance each month. The staff at E.N. White send her
this Irish blessing: “May your smile be as bright as a shamrock and your heart
be as light as a song, may each day bring you happiness and stay with you all
year long.”
McMahon fifth-graders took to the ice at the
MassMutual Center in Springfield, where they
opened a Springfield Falcons hockey game by singing the national anthem. “There were 16 students
who sang, and about 90 supporters from McMahon
in the stands,” said music teacher Russell Scott.
“They did a great job.” Student Tamara Rivera
said, “It was really great to be out there to sing in
front of all those people!”
Andrew Crowley (l) and
Brouche Dominguez
from Donahue School are
the Holyoke Gas and Electric winners of the recent
safety poster contest.
Christopher Perez from Nicole
Fisher’s kindergarten class at E.N.
White School gets all wrapped up in
Eric Carle’s The Very Busy Spider’s
web during a performance to culminate the Eric Carle Author Study
unit. Fisher’s student teacher, Miss
Blais, assisted the students in developing their roles in the play and creating their own costumes and props.
Page 8
Connections
“Get Out!” Inquiry Science
“This Valley Rocks!”
Art and science came together when
educators from the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst
and the Enchanted Circle Theater in
Holyoke recently visited fifth-grade
classes at William R. Peck School
for six days. Ted Watt from the
Hitchcock Center and Aaron
“Brando” Brandes from Enchanted
Circle Theater helped students to
see the connections between their
respective disciplines through activities that incorporated elements of
both. Students made observations of
plants and animals on school
Ted Watt assists Lissette Almonte with
grounds, shared their experiences
her poem.
through interviews with classmates,
and then communicated what they learned to the whole class. They also practiced presentation skills through theater games, designed and conducted an
experiment to see which foods mice preferred, and wrote and illustrated
poems using sensory details from their outdoor observations. Entitled “Get
Out! Inquiry Science Through the Arts on the School Grounds,” the project
was funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Schools Program.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Gini Traub, from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, visited the fourth-grade classes at
William R. Peck School to present “This Valley Rocks,”
a hands-on geological history demonstration. Students
studied different rocks from the Connecticut River Valley,
created a mock landslide, observed the effects of erosion,
and identified properties of rocks. The students benefited
from the interactive activities that supported what they
have been learning in their fourth-grade Rocks and Minerals
unit. In the photograph above, L to R: Genesis Cruz,
teacher Mary Beth DeLisi, Emelymary Almonte and Juan
Rosado examine samples of earth materials.
McMahon School
New England Aquarium trip
McMahon School’s seventh and eighth-grade students
recently boarded buses for the long trip from Holyoke to
the Boston Harbor, where students spent the day exploring
the wonders at the New England Aquarium. The students
received a grant from the aquarium which covered the cost
of admission, and students held fundraisers to help pay for
the buses. Seventh-grader Anthony Skuse said, “There was
an ecosystem from the Caribbean Sea with a fake reef and
sharks, turtles and a fish that looked like a tuna along with a
fish that sparkled like a diamond.” Science teacher Rachael
Gazzillo, one of the trip organizers, said “I was so happy
they got to have this rich learning experience.”
Animal Adaptations
Gini Traub, scientist from the Department of
Conservation and Recreation (DCR), recently
visited the fifth and sixth grade science students
at Maurice A. Donahue School. She brought
Gini Traub and sixth-graders
dioramas of three environments and animals
Angel Guzman, Adrian Ortiz,
commonly found in the Pioneer Valley. Using
Hector Cabrera and Abdul
clues about their animal’s needs and adaptations, Mendoza work on a diorama.
students were challenged to match their animal
with the best environment. Animal survival and success is based on how well
animals can get food, water and shelter. "The collaboration with the DCR is
about letting students see and explore the environments and the animals
around them in the Pioneer Valley," said Caleb Snow, science teacher at Donahue. "Students become excited when they realize that there are animals like
bobcats, beavers and otters living in the areas very close to their houses," said
Snow. Jailene Delgado, a sixth-grade student, commented on her experience.
"My animal was a muskrat and I learned that they live in a lodge in the water.
So they need an environment that has plenty of ponds and rivers.”
School Chemical Cleanout Campaign
This summer, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be helping
the Holyoke Public School district implement a chemical management
system which will ensure the schools are free from chemical hazards. In addition, the EPA staff will provide teachers with training in safe chemical management, pollution prevention and Green Chemistry in the upcoming year.
By implementing an integrated program, it will provide a healthier environment for students, teachers and support staff.
Volume 8, Issue 3
The World is Our Classroom
Page 9
Science in a bottle
No, they weren’t out at sea! Instead, Kris Machnik’s seventh-grade science
class created their own Bottle Biology for a closed ecosystem demonstrating the water cycle to see how all the components of the ecosystems work
together ~ soil, water and plants. Two 2-liter plastic bottles were cut and
reconfigured to make a giant water bottle for each group. They were able
to observe the water cycle with an aquatic plant in the bottom with a wick
system. Pebbles and aquatic life could be observed; a tiny guppy in one, a
tiny snail in another. The soil provided grass to grow. The ecosystems
were periodically moved from sun to shade to provide proof of the effect
of the sun on plant growth.
Morgan students visit MIT
Fifth-grade students from Sullivan School and Michael E.
Jackowski, lead teacher for World Is Our Classroom, Inc.,
participated in a “design challenge” during a visit to the Hazen
Paper Company. The Holyoke Manufacturing Education Initiative provides students with hands-on, “real world” applications of science and technology that are linked both to their
school curriculum and to the local manufacturing industry. In
its sixth year at Hazen Paper, more than 2,400 Holyoke Public
School students have participated in the program which is
offered to all fifth-graders in the city. World Is Our Classroom, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) corporation that seeks to
provide the region’s educational community with innovative
programs that emphasize real-world experiences that are
focused in the areas of science, technology, engineering,
mathematics, and manufacturing.
Summer Connections Newsletter
Deadline ~ May 14, 2010
Students in grades 6-8 from Morgan School
had the amazing opportunity to go to MIT in
Boston in March to attend the Science Extravaganza. Eighth-grade science teacher
Yvonne Hilyard and 50 students from the
school had the opportunity to tour the campus
and talk with other minority students who
attend MIT and are going into science-related
careers including engineering and technology. Students got to go into a real
lab and look at projects that students are working on and participate in
making their own mousetrap car, Oobleck, ice-cream, and many other
projects. Students learned that anything is possible and science is a great
way to discover and develop things in the world including new technology
such as with the iPhone and Microsoft products. Eighth-grader Ricardo
Vazquez commented, "My favorite part of the trip was when the governor,
Deval Patrick, was giving his speech because it was interesting hearing
about his life growing up.” Through this trip, students realized anything is
possible. If you have an idea for a project, test it out! You could be the
next Bill Gates or someday go to the moon. If you have enough determination and motivation you can achieve your goals. Yes you can! ¡Sí se Puede!"
Robotics at McMahon
By Noreen Ewick
You are probably familiar with robotics in
movies, television shows and science-fiction
writing. They are able to talk, think, move and
feel. But in reality, a robot is just a system of
parts. These parts include a movable physical
structure, a motor, a sensor system, a power
supply and a computer “brain” that controls
all of the parts. The computer is programmed
or instructed to do specific tasks. Sixth-grade
students in Noreen Ewick’s class at McMahon
Eduardo Ramirez
School are learning that and much more! As
assembles his robot. part of their “Specials” schedule, groups of
students participate in a robotics program
twice a week. Working in teams of two, students practice problem
solving strategies and communication skills to complete a series of
tasks. Incorporating mathematics and science standards, the engineering design process, inquiry-based thinking and hands-on activi-
ties; robotics provides an opportunity for the students to show
cooperative learning and perseverance. In addition, students are
required to write reflection responses after completing a task, and
to engage in extension activities that integrate concepts from other
curriculum areas. Using LEGO Mindstorms education kits and a
curriculum developed in conjunction with UMASS and the Learning
Physics with Robotics Curriculum Working Group, students are
challenged to identify LEGO building pieces, build a basic robot,
program the robot to move forward and backward and respond to
different types of sensors. After these basic skills have been mastered, students will move on to challenges such as, Light and Dark
Scavenger Hunt and Cave Explorer. Student Cameron Hartling said,
“It is fun learning to build robots and program them. You have to
try and try again.” Deziray DeJesus said, “Robotics is cool, but it
frustrated me sometimes, because you have to keep on trying and
not give up”.
Page 10
Connections
HOLYOKE HIGH SCHOOL:
• The varsity girls’ basketball team finished its season with impressive victories against East Longmeadow, Central and Minnechaug finishing with a regular season record of 18-2. They won the league title for the second time in school history and they qualified for the MIAA
Playoffs as the #2 seed. They made it to the semi-finals against East Longmeadow where they unfortunately lost by one point after battling
back from a 26-point deficit.
•
The varsity boys’ basketball team finished its season with a record of 11-9 which qualified them for the MIAA Playoffs for the first time
in 3 years (2007 was the last time they qualified – the same year they were Western Massachusetts Champions). They received the 7th seed
in the playoffs. They lost to Chicopee in the first round of the playoffs.
•
The indoor track team had three athletes qualify for the State Championships. Erin Corrigan (300 meters), Cody Hodgins (2-mile),
and Kris Tardy (300 meters) each participated in the meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.
•
Two school records were broken in indoor track. Erin Corrigan has a new record in the 300 meter race and Rachel Brochu broke
the old shot put record held by Carla Stauber with a throw of 28-00.50.
•
Indoor Track Highlights from the Western Mass Indoor Track Championships include:
•
Cody Hodgins placed 2nd in the mile with a time of 4:43.
•
Boys 4x800 placed 6th with a time of 9:22 with members Cody Hodgins, Rhys Duquette, Jason Arble, and Captain Evan Bibeau
•
Freshman Rhys Duquette ran a 10:38 in the two mile.
•
Jonathan Gray places 7th in the shot put with a personal record throw of 40-8.5
•
The ice hockey team finished the regular season with a record of 18-1-1 and an overall record of 21-2-1. The Knights won the
league title for the 3rd straight season. The team won the Western Mass Championship for the 2nd consecutive season beating Agawam 3-2
in the finals. They lost to Oakmont in the State Finals 4-2.
•
The swim team won the MIAA and the Referee’s Association Team Sportsmanship Award for both the boys and girls team.
Molly Burns qualified for the W. Mass Championships for the second consecutive year in swimming.
•
Hannah Harazmus qualified for the State Championships in Alpine Skiing
DEAN TECH HIGHLIGHTS:
•
The Dean boys’ basketball team finished the regular season with a record of 17-3 and they won the Tri-County League Title. The
boys’ basketball team qualified for both the State Vocational Tournament and the MIAA Tournament. In the State Vocational semi-finals,
they won by 40 points against Cape Cod Technical HS advancing them to the State Vocational Finals. They lost in the finals to North Shore
Technical HS finishing runner-up in the State Vocational Championship for the Small Division. The team was seeded 8th in the MIAA Playoffs. In the first tournament game, the Golden Hawks beat Monson High School in the preliminary round of the playoffs. They traveled to
the #1 seed New Leadership Charter School in Springfield and unfortunately lost which ended the season. They finished with an overall
record of 19-5, League Champions, and Vocational State Runner-Up. Josue Figueroa scored his 1000th point at the State Vocational SemiFinals at Assabet Regional Technical High School against Cape Cod Technical HS. This was the second consecutive season the team qualified for the State Vocational and the MIAA Tournament.
•
The Dean girls’ basketball team finished the season with a record of 8-8 which qualified them for the MIAA Playoffs for the first time
in over 10 years. The girls’ basketball team lost to Hopkins Academy in the first round of the MIAA Division 3 Championship.
The wrestling team finished the season with great success. At the Western Massachusetts Championships 5 wresters placed and two qualified for the State Championships. David Brazeau and Raul Torres both advanced to the State Championship meet and Travis Wells, Jose
Gomez and Gary Charlton placed at the Western Mass Championships.
Visit the Holyoke High School Sports Web Site at: http://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/athletics.htm
Volume 8, Issue 3
Photos by
www.sweetdogphotos.com
Athletes pictured clockwise:
The Holyoke High School basketball team; Juan Lopez receiving the Most Outstanding Player
Award at the 2010 Hoophall
Classic; Sean O’Donnell, HHS
hockey; Zeila Quinones, Dean
basketball; Monique Heard;
HHS basketball; Foster Alston;
Dean basketball; David Brazeau,
Dean wrestling; and the HHS
Swim Team.
Page 11
Connections
Page 12
The spirit of greatness is alive and well at E.N. White
School! There were cheers, hoorays and “thumbs ups” heralding in the gymnasium as Principal Ellen Jackson presented
E.N. White students with Certificates of Achievement recognizing
MCAS proficiency.
Every year, Principal Jackson invites parents and students to
join together to acknowledge the hard work of all E.N. White
students during the busy MCAS testing season. The embossed
certificates serve as a positive incentive for students to strive
for their personal best as they participate in the rigorous Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.
On Thursday, March 18, 2010, Maurice A. Donahue
held its first MCAS Pep Rally and Ice Cream Social for
students and parents. Over 200 people were in attendance at the event, and teacher volunteers diligently
created sundaes for each and every individual. Highlights of the night included a motivational speech by
Principal Amy Fitzgerald, a performance from the sixth
grade, and a slideshow showing staff and students
readying themselves for the test. Also included in the
evening, was the world premiere of the music video for
“Beat it (the MCAS).” This video included lyrics written by sixth-graders under the direction of Iwona Langlois; choral singing directed by our music teacher, Ray
Crooks; and video-editing by Donahue’s award-winning
Library Media Specialist, Josiah Friedberg. Above, Cathy
Desrosiers enjoys ice cream with the children. The
energy at this event was palpable, and if enthusiasm is
any indication of test results, this year will be Donahue’s best yet. If other schools are interested in viewing the video, please contact Principal Amy Fitzgerald
for a DVD.
Above, Hector Abreu and Belkis Santiago were crowned
King and Queen on this particular day by fourth-grade math
teacher Julie Griffin-Pluta. Students are chosen daily as a
math motivator to recognize hard work and good math
energy.
•
The Latency/Adolescent Program at Morgan School has been participating in a program sponsored by the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society titled Character Education Program. Lori
Swanson, the Education and Outreach Manager for Dakin brings shelter animals that have been
abused, neglected, and/or mistreated. As the students work with
these animals they naturally develop empathy and understanding for
By Alison L’Heureux, LICSW them. The students also begin to have a better understanding of
themselves and others, build social skills, and increased feelings of
competence. It has long been known that children who experience difficulty in social relationships benefit
from engaging responsibility with animals. In addition, the program assists in averting animal cruelty and
in turn improves our relationships with each other by teaching acceptance, compassion, and integrity.
• Maria Pelcher from the Holyoke Fire Department has been visiting the Latency/Adolescent Program at
Trying on fire equipment
Morgan School talking with students about fire safety. Pelcher has brought different guest speakers including a firefighter from the Springfield Fire Department as well as an arson investigator. The students have learned about the dangers
of playing with fire, ways to remain safe in the event of a fire, as well as potential fire hazards in the home.
Morgan School
Latency Program
Continued from page 4
…is much happier coming to school. She found a way to turn a trying experience into an opportunity to help all the young people of Holyoke.”
Here is an interview with Kayla Michon:
Connections: What inspired you to write this essay?
Kayla: I’ve been bullied before and I wanted to help put a stop to it.
Connections: Do you have any advice for anyone experiencing being bullied?
Kayla: Just ignore them and walk away. If you argue or fight with them, sometimes people will think that you are the one who started the fight, and you
will get in trouble.
Connections: Do you have anyone you’d like to thank for helping you with this achievement?
Kayla: Mrs. Russell helped me by telling me about the contest and helping with some of the words. I also want to thank my older sister, Jennifer (at
Holyoke High), for helping me.
Estos son los puntos mas
sobresalientes del Boletin
Holyoke Public Schools
Volume 8, Issue 3
Primavera 2010
Escuelas Publicas de Holyoke
Floreciendo con noticias positivas
Por Dr. Eduardo B. Carballo
Superintendente de Escuelas
Es tan agradable ver señales de la primavera! Los estudiantes han estado trabajando
muy fuerte durante los meses de invierno, y
muchos han estado preparándose para varias pruebas de MCAS y MEPA además de
hacer su trabajo escolar regular. Los estudiantes esperan con mucha ilusión las vacaciones de primavera y tendrán una oportunidad de refrescarse antes de que la siguiente ronda de pruebas comience para muchos
de ellos. Ellos han estado bien preparados, y
yo confío que con su esfuerzo y nuestro
estímulo y apoyo continuo, ellos serán muy
exitosos. Es importante para ellos dormir y
descansar, y el papel de sus padres es asegurar que esto es sinceramente apreciado.
Estábamos muy complacidos ver que ha
disminuido el abandonar la escuela por casi
dos puntos completos. Estas son noticias
muy positivas, y es el resultado de esfuerzos
en el Distrito para trabajar mejoren la transición de las escuelas intermedias a escuelas
secundarias. Esto no se podía lograr sin el
compromiso de los consejeros y personal
en las escuelas secundarias así como el
Programa Gateway con el Centro Universitario de Holyoke y los esfuerzos de ENLACE bajo el mando de Jaime Cotto. Esta
tendencia hacia abajo es alentadora, sin
embargo, trabajaremos diligentemente para
seguir la mejora de esta área importante.
Fue un gran placer de nuevo este año en
notificar a los maestros que fueron seleccionados como recipientes de la Excelencia
de Harold Grinspoon en el Premio de la
Enseñanza. Este es uno de los muchos papeles provechosos de ser un Superintendente.
Las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke son muy
afortunadas tener a tantos maestros excepcionales, y como resultado, esta no es una
tarea fácil de seleccionar los siete finalistas
para ser premiados. Aquellos recibiendo
este reconocimiento para el 2010
son: Susan Cohen, CFE - Centro
para la Excelencia; Normand LeBlanc, Escuela Secundaria Dean
Técnica; Josiah Friedberg, Escuela
Donahue; Ana Malavé, Escuela
Morgan; Justin Cotton, Escuela
Peck; Elaine Furtak, Escuela Sullivan; y Carole Gamache, Escuela
E.N. White. Nuestras felicitaciones van a cada uno de ellos, y
nuestros agradecimientos van a
todos los maestros dedicados en
las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke.
Celebre la semana de las Escuelas
Públicas de Holyoke el 26 de abril
hasta el 30 de abril. Nuestro reco- Dr. Eduardo Carballo felicita a Ana Malave en su Premio de
nocimiento de las Estrellas CrecienGrinspoon.
tes – Rising Stars ocurrirá este año
el 29 de abril, comenzando con la
Recepción de Merry-Go-Round (en la cual hasta el final de año escolar mientras tratacada uno es bienvenido) y terminando con mos con muchas cuestiones desafiantes que
el Banquete en la Escuela Dean Técnica.
él tendrá en julio. El Distrito Escolar es muy
Cada año los estudiantes en los grados seis afortunado en tener a alguien como el Sr.
a doce son reconocidos por sobresalir en
Dupont, que ha dedicado su vida entera
beca, liderazgo y ciudadanía. Usted leerá
para trabajar con los Alumnos en Holyoke.
más sobre esto más adelante. ¡Felicitaciones Ya que termino mis 8 ½ años como Superintendente de Escuelas, no puedo pensar en
a todas nuestras Estrellas Crecientes!
una mejor persona para sustituirme en este
¡Otra vez este año, el Departamento de
Música de la Escuela Secundaria de Holyoke papel.
presentó otra producción musical espectacular que recibió revisiones muy positivas!
Este año, FAME, ganó el elogio de la audiencia. Nuestras felicitaciones van al Director,
Mark Todd, y a todos los estudiantes, personal, y otros que trabajaron para apoyar
este esfuerzo principal. ¡La Ciudad de Holyoke está muy orgullosa con las interpretaciones de nuestros estudiantes!
Como mucho de ustedes saben, nuestro
Principal de la Escuela Secundaria, David
Dupont, será nuestro próximo Superintendente de las Escuelas. Después de las vacaciones de abril, 'el Superintendente en
Transición' vendrá a La Oficina Central, y
deseo trabajar al lado con el Sr. Dupont
Connections
Page 14
María Luisa Arroyo: Coordinadora de Compromiso y Acceso de Familia de la Escuela
Hogar, Coordinando a los Padres de la Peck en
necesidades básicas e inmediatas.
Una de las prioridades más altas de la Escuela de
Proyectos del Salón de Clase, y supervisión del
Como una Escuela de Comuni-
la Comunidad de Servicio Completo de la Escuela
diseño y el desarrollo del Salón de Recurso de
dad de Servicio Completo, la
Peck es el compromiso de familia, y como resul-
Familia de la Peck.Otro componente clave del
Peck ofrece registros y el apoyo
tado, María Luisa Arroyo ha sido contratada
trabajo de Compromiso de Familia en la Peck es
de Entrada Virtual para familias
como la Coordinadora de Compromiso y Acceso
el establecimiento de Padres Unidos en Acción (P
que necesitan registrarse (entre
de Familia de la Escuela Peck. Arroyo tiene ante-
-PUA), FSCS un grupo de trabajo conducido por
otros) MassHealth, Mujeres,
cedente de enseñanza multilingüe de la escuela
padres que ese reúnen tres veces por mes. El
Niños y Niños (WIC), cuidado
secundaria, GED, y niveles de colegio, así como
cuidado de los niños es proporcionado en todas
de niños subvencionado, y Programa de Ayuda de
experiencia como un poeta publicado local.“Doy
las reuniones. Por P-PUA, las familias aprenden
Nutrición Suplementa (SNAP). Las familias tam-
la bienvenida a familias como sus primeros educa-
sobre servicios, apoyos, y programación localizada bién pueden ser referidas a servicios de salud
dores de niños y como compañeros verdaderos
dentro de la Peck y su zona de asistencia, así
en la Peck,” dijo Arroyo. Algunos proyectos en
como oportunidades de voluntario próximas en la Peck con el centro médico a través del Centro de
los que Arroyo está trabajando actualmente in-
escuela y en el salón. El P-PUA supervisa el Pro-
Consejería de River Valley, y un programa de
cluyen la organización de Oportunidades para
grama de Embajador Paternal de la Peck, en la
Consejería de Caso completo es ofrecido para
Familias de una Feria de Aprendizaje en Verano el
cual iguala las habilidades y talentos de miembros
familias en crisis. Para más información, póngase
viernes, 16 de abril, coordinando una Serie de
de familia con enfoque curricular y otras necesi-
en contacto con María Luisa Arroyo al (413) 534-
Conversaciones/Charlas Familiares Mensuales
dades de toda la escuela. Arroyo está también en
2040 o
para padres en como Apoyar el Aprendizaje en el
la Peck para unir familias con servicios para dirigir
mlarroyo@hps.holyoke.ma.us.
2010-2011
La Escuelas Publicas de Holyoke
Maria Arroyo
mental y médico interior por la sociedad de la
El Rey
y
La Reina
Eduardo B. Carballo, Superintendente
Virginia Rivera and Michael Polanco son el rey y la reina del
día en clase de matemáticas de Julie Griffin-Pluta grado cuatro en la
escuela E.N. White. Un nuevo rey y una reina son elegidos cada día
como un factor de motivación de matemáticas en el fin de reconocer el trabajo duro y una energía de matemáticas buena!
EMPEZANDO EL 5o DE ABRIL 2010
Los niños tienen que cumplir los 5 años en o
antes del 1o de septiembre, 2010.
Solicitudes disponibles en
LA OFICINA DE ASIGNACIÓN
57 Suffolk Street Primer Piso
Matricula por cita solamente
Llame: 534-2007
Animales ayudando a los niños
El programa de latencia/adolescente en la escuela
de Morgan han estado participando en un programa patrocinado por la Dakin Pioneer Valley
Humane Society titulado programa de carácter
educativo. Lori Swanson, la educación y el Manager de extensión para Dakin trae consigo sus
animales de refugio que han sido objeto de abusos, descuidados y maltratados. Los estudiantes también comienzan a
tener un mejor entendimiento de sí mismos y a otros, construir habilidades sociales y el aumento de los sentimientos de la competencia.
Durante mucho tiempo ha sido conocido que benefician a los niños
que experimentan dificultades en las relaciones sociales de incurrir en
responsabilidad con animales. Además, el programa ayuda a evitar la
crueldad animal y a su vez mejora nuestras relaciones unos con otros
mediante la enseñanza de la aceptación, compasión e integridad.
Volume 8, Issue 3
Page 15
Un resultado positive de acoso escolar
La comunidad de la Escuela Maurice A. Donahue está contenta de
anunciar que uno de nuestros estudiantes de 7timo. grado, Kayla
Michon, recientemente estaba en el 2ndo. Lugar en el NIE
(Periódicos en la Educación) “Niños en la competencia anual de
“Lectura y Escritura”. Su composición y perfil fueron escritos en el
periódico The Republican en la edición del 9 de marzo de 2010.
Debido a noticias recientes de suicidios de estudiante relacionados
con la intimidación, el tema de este año se dirigió lo que se podría
hacer para ayudar a poner un pare a este comportamiento consiguiente y cruel.
La Sra Tracy Russell, maestra de ELA - Artes de Lenguaje Inglés de
7imo. Grado de la Escuela Maurice A. Donahue, recibió una copia
de la competición que ella compartió con la clase. Ella notó el interés de Kayla, que trajo un borrador el lunes siguiente. Ya que
ellos están trabajando en una unidad de investigación, Kayla pudo
incorporar su composición en el plan de estudios de la clase. Kayla
y la Sra. Russell trabajaron juntas en la composición antes del principio de escuela y durante períodos preparatorios de MCAS. En las
palabras de la Sra. Russell, “estoy feliz por Kayla porque ella luchó
con ser intimidada a principios del año. Ella se defendió y nos relató los problemas. Las cuestiones fueron resueltas y ella es mucho
más feliz de llegar a la escuela. Estoy también contenta que la experiencia demostró fructuosa para ella. Ella encontró un modo de
convertir una experiencia de tentativa en una oportunidad de ayudar a toda la gente joven de Holyoke.”
Este reportero de Uniones estuvo muy contento de tener la oportunidad de entrevistar a Kayla.
Uniones: ¿Qué le inspiró a escribir esta composición?
Kayla: he sido intimidada antes y quise ayudar a ponerle un pare.
Uniones: ¿Cómo se siente ser una autora publicada?
Dean Tech
Emilys Barbosa
Kayla: Se
impresionante.
Voy a salir
a comer
mañana
para celebrar. No sé
cuantas
copias del
periódico
tiene mi
familia,
pero
La Sra. Tracy Russell y Kayla Michon
tenemos
muchas.
Uniones: Escuché que hay un premio. ¿Qué es, y qué planea hacer
con el premio?
Kayla: gané setenta y cinco dólares. Estoy ahorrando para un viaje
a Florida en mayo.
Uniones: ¿tiene usted algún consejo para alguien experimentando
ser intimidada/o?
Kayla: Sólo ignorar y no hacer caso y alejarse. Si usted discute o
pelea con ellos, a veces la gente pensará que usted es el que
comenzó la pelea, y usted se meterá en problema.
Uniones: ¿tiene usted a alguien que le gustaría agradecer por ayudarle con este logro?
Kayla: La Sra. Russell me ayudó diciéndome sobre la competencia y
ayudándome con algunas palabras. Ella me ayudó con tres bosquejos antes de entregarlos finalmente. También quiero agradecer a mi
hermana mayor, Jennifer (de Holyoke High), por ayudarme.
Sullivan
Holyoke High
Ryan Beauregard
Evan Bibeau
Lauren D’Addario
Kiara Calderon
Wilmarie Guzman
Rhiannon Goebel
Donahue
Peck
Victoria Hepworth
David Douglas
Kody Guedes
Jailah Hernandez
Cristian Luis Pedraza
Angel Ortiz
Elizabeth Hurley
Imalay Vargas
Naudia Sanchez
Morgan
E.N. White
Jermith Alvarez
Emmanuel Lopez
Vicdaly Ortiz
Maura McAndrew
Neysh M. Rodriguez
Emma Price
Gary Charlton
Kelly
Xaviel Colon
Anfernee Hernandez
Angelica Pacheco
Shaline Serrano
Ashlie Roche
Cyd Marie Troche
Center for
McMahon
Timothy Paradis
Excellence
Kaitlin Laflamme
Miguel Torres-DeLeon
Kristian Munoz, Jr.
Margaret Walsh
Angel Sanchez
Jonathon Yee
Joseph Houle
Joshua S. Montero
Superintendent’s Picks:
Caitlin Anable (HHS) and Stephanie Jusino (Dean)
Britney Lopez
Timothy Moskal
Connections
Page 16
Título I - Noches de Familia
Title I - Family Nights
April
Wed., April 28 ~ White ~
Bingo for Books
May
Wed., May 5 ~ McMahon ~
Career Night
Mon., May 10 ~ Kelly ~
Bingo for Books
Wed., May 12 ~ White ~
Bingo for Books
Thurs., May 20 ~ Dean Tech ~ Celebrating Successes
Mon., May 24 ~ Donahue ~
Bingo for Books
Wed., May 26 ~ Morgan ~
Eric Carle Literacy Night
June
Tues., June 1 ~ McMahon ~
Aloha Bingo
Mon., June 7 ~ Kelly
Aloha Bingo
~
Thurs., June 10 ~ White~
Aloha Bingo
Mon., June 14 ~ Morgan ~
Aloha Bingo
Los acontecimientos comienzan a las 6:30 menos que se indique.
Events start at 6:30 unless noted.
La geometría es divertida
Varios padres pre-GED en los Caminos al
programa de alfabetismo de familia de
Éxito están cortando y pegando formas
tridimensionales - octaedros y dodecahedrons y formas geométricas con 12 lados
para compartir con sus niños. Si usted
dodecahedron
está interesado en nuestro programa por
favor llame a Marisol al 538-5770 o Jody al 534-2026.
Connections
Holyoke Public Schools
Media Center
c/o Kelly Doktor
500 Beech Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
Crédito de foto Manuel Frau /El Sol Latino