Connections Blooming with positive news

Connections Blooming with positive news

Holyoke Publ ic School s
Connections
Holyoke Public Schools
A Community Working Together
Our Web site: www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
Volume 7, Issue 3
Spring 2009
Holyoke Public Schools
Blooming with positive news
Inside this issue:
By Dr. Eduardo Carballo
Superintendent of Schools
Signs of spring are everywhere,
and after the long winter we had,
I think we are all ready for better
weather. Many positive activities
have been taking place in the
Holyoke Public Schools over the
last months, and there are more
positive activities arriving along
with spring!
I hope that many of you had the
opportunity to read about, or to
watch, as the Holyoke High
School hockey team, the Purple
Knights, won the Division IIIA
State Championship when they
defeated Oakmont 4-2 at the
MassMutual Center in Springfield
on March 12. This was a triumphant time for the team and a
proud moment for the Holyoke
School system.
Another event that is always a
“crowd pleaser” is the Holyoke
High School’s musical production. This year, 42nd Street was
performed, and the cast and
crew did an outstanding job delighting the audience with their
presentation. Attention was paid
to every detail, and those attending would have thought they
were at the actual “Broadway”
performance!
Both of the above accomplishments are the result of dedication,
commitment, and teamwork. Although I have highlighted two of
the more “well-known events,”
students throughout the Holyoke
Public Schools exhibit these characteristics throughout the school
year. You will read about these
and other achievements in the
pages to follow.
Celebrate
Holyoke Public Schools
week is April
27 through
May 1. Our
Rising Stars
recognition
will take place
this year on
April 30 beginning with
the MerryGo-Round
Reception
(everyone
welcome) and
ending with
the Banquet at Superintendent Dr. Eduardo Carballo presents Catherine
Hourihan of Peck School her certificate on achieving The
the Dean
Harold Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching Award.
Technical.
Each year
Faculty Exhibit” was held at the
students in grades six through
twelve are recognized for excel- Grynn & Barrett Studios. Those
exhibiting their art were: Bob
ling in scholarship, leadership,
Bard, Phil Christofori, Denise
and citizenship.
Descoteau, Diane Godek, Bill
Our students are not the only
Greaney, Sheila L’Amour, Steones who exhibit these qualities,
fania Lech, Eduardo Melendez,
and I am pleased to let you know
Mary Lou Mislak-Casson, and
that we also had the opportunity
Martha Roe Mulcahy. The exto select several outstanding
hibit was well attended and alteachers to be the recipients of
lowed the public the opportunity
the Harold Grinspoon Excellence
to view a wide array of works
in Teaching Award. On February
from our multi-talented faculty.
th
27 , seven of our teachers were
Our congratulations go to each
notified they were recipients for
of them.
this year. They are: Lori
I continue to visit the schools
McKenna, Dean Technical High
and continue to be impressed by
School; Kathleen O’Neil, Holythe progress made in our classoke High School; Luis D. Martinez, Kelly School; Christine Sulli- rooms across the city. As another round of MCAS testing
van, McMahon School; Susan E.
begins, I want to encourage our
Tawrel, Morgan School; Catherine M. Hourihan, Peck School; students to make their best efforts, and I encourage their famiMary L. McAndrew, Sullivan
School. Our congratulations go lies to support them in this process. I wish the students every
to each of them. In addition,
success and feel they are prefrom March 13 – 27, “The 10th
Annual Holyoke Public Schools Art
pared and will do well.
•
Dr. Seuss
2
•
Parent Information
4
•
Grinspoon Awards
5
•
Governor visits Peck 7
•
Hockey Champions
8
•
Sullivan Quillers
10
•
CONNECTIONS Art 12
•
Spanish Highlights
1316
Connections
Page 2
Edited by - Kelly Doktor - [email protected]
Special Thanks to: Luz Aguilar, Cris Brown, Mike Hines, Aaron Patterson, Jeannie Stone, and Judy Taylor
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.
Stephanie Murchison-Brown
Ellen Jackson
Miranda Smith
Pauline Carriere
Karen Kent
Jody Spitz
John Cavanaugh
Lee McGarrigle
Nancy Stenberg
Lisa Curtin
Margaret Morin
Karen Turcotte
Dan Dorozynski
Aaron Morris
Vionette Escudero-Turner
Josiah Friedberg
Sarah Platanitis
Peggy Vershon
Joe Gannon
Linda Prystupa
Sue Werenski
Karen Guillette
Anne Schmidt
Kevin Willard
Holyoke School
Committee
Mayor Michael Sullivan
William Collamore
Yvonne Garcia
The walls around the Morgan School Library are very bright and colorful these days, due to the
efforts of art teacher Eduardo Melendez and his students. Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday on
March 2nd, students created a wonderful gallery of many familiar Dr. Seuss characters throughout
the month-long celebration.
Barry Conway
Mollie Plant
Title I Events ~ 6:30 p.m.
Margaret Boulais
Gladys Lebron-Martinez
May 6
Howard Greaney
May 7
Kelly School
Make & Take Game
Dennis Birks
May 11
Morgan School
Rhyme Time
Michael Moriarty
May 13
E.N. White
Bingo for Books
June 1
Donahue School
Bingo for Books
June 4
McMahon School
Discovering Oceans
June 9
E.N. White
Bingo for Books
June 10
Morgan School
Bingo for Books
June 11
Kelly School
Bingo for Books
Families attending the Title I
Dr. Seuss Night at McMahon School
enjoyed making Grinch masks!
McMahon School
Dinosaur Night
Volume 7, Issue 3
Page 3
http://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
_____________________
What’s New on the Web
At left, Jerickson Rivera is using Aleks, a web-based
math enrichment program, in McMahon’s computer lab.
Several students in grades 4-8 are participating in this
program before or after school four days a week. Computer teacher Kathy Dunn says not only are students
enjoying the extra time on the computer, but they are
achieving the goal of enhancing their understanding of
math concepts that may be seen on the MCAS.
Eighth grade teacher Brett Latham has organized a twice-weekly after-school algebra club intended to prepare high-achieving eighth
grade math students for entry into advanced high school mathematics
classes in the fall at Holyoke High School. Students work on algebra
skills on Tuesdays, and then play related math games on Thursdays.
“We play the games just to keep them excited about algebra,” said
Latham at right shown working with student Kelsi Giguere. This
spring the club members will build bottle rockets that are expected
to reach 300 feet in the air. Launch date to be announced!
Noreen Ewick’s 6th grade social studies students have been using
map projections and web sites to study the density, distribution and
migration of our constantly changing world population. Students also
investigated population statistics at McMahon by collecting data from
the classrooms then graphed and interpreted the data creating a
variety of final products including bar graphs and pictographs. At left
Luz Quinones and Robert Proulx stand before their completed
graphs which are on display at the school
Fourth graders have been working on biography reports as a part of
their non-fiction writing unit. Subjects varied from historical figures
such as Abraham Lincoln and Helen Keller to contemporary celebrities like Miley Cyrus and LeBron James. Student Hailey Butler said, “I
loved learning all the fun facts about Milton Hershey (display at right).”
At the end of the unit, the fourth graders took part in a Biography Fair
when administrators, teachers and other students toured the classrooms and asked the researchers questions about their person.
Second grade teachers Jennifer Hartbarger and Stephanie Hills
connected lessons on repeating patterns within the Math
Investigations unit to create spider webs. Students studied
how spiders weave their webs and saw the patterns that are
created in the webs. The class read The Very Busy Spider by
Eric Carle followed by students making their own repeating
spider web pattern using paper, yarn and glue. At left, the
class stands underneath those spider webs.
Louise Cavanaugh’s 3rd grade students celebrated the 100th day of school by holding a food drive for
Kate’s Kitchen. The third grade class had a goal of collecting 100 items of food, one item for each day of
school, but they surpassed their goal. Kate’s Kitchen is a community kitchen that serves a noontime
meal to anyone in need.
By Judy Taylor
NEW:
Take a look at the Good News
link in the Announcements
section for information regarding
Chloe Mann, Sullivan School
student and Boston Globe essay
winner; and the HHS Division
IIIA State Champions. Good
News will be used as a vehicle
to highlight positive news from
schools in the district. Congratulations to the district Grinspoon
winners for Excellence in Teaching. Highlights of this, including
photos and teacher profiles, are
included in the Announcements section.
Click on the Kindergarten
Registration link for contact
information regarding the application process for children that
will be 5 years old on or before
September 1, 2009.
Holyoke High School site
http://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/
hhs/index.html
Click on the Guidance/Career
Center link to view weekly
announcements, scholarships,
and college acceptances.
Kelly students
lend support
Kelly School 6th and 7th graders
recently lent their enthusiasm
and support to a basketball
team in need. The 6th and 7th
grades had the opportunity to
attend a NCAA Division 2 Elite
Eight Basketball game at the
Mass Mutual Center in Springfield on March 25th. The catch
was, they had to support a
team. As part of a program to
drum up fans for teams visiting
from out of state, the students
were given a team to adopt and
support in exchange for tickets
to the game. Organized by
Continued on page 11
Connections
Page 4
Parents and Guardians of Current 6th Graders:
In order to enter 7th grade in September 2009, 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).
**Currently the Massachusetts Department of Health is reviewing
the above requirements and there may be changes. Please look in
the next edition of the Connections for any updates.
HPS Summer
School
Tentative
Dates
July 6 - August 6
Student signups
begin in May. Applications will be
available at all
schools.
Donahue
School:
HOLYOKE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
Carlos Dominicci, Shawn Gonzalez and Selena Ortega
E.N. White School: Omara Hall, Madysen
Eduardo B. Carballo, Superintendent
Lawrence and Samantha Poutre
Kelly School: Anissa Arena, Xaviel Colon and Britney Velez
McMahon School: Ashley Hartling, Jessica Lamagdeleine and
Natalie Mayko
Morgan School: Alejandro Martinez, Randolf Nazario, and
Aliah Santos-Casado
Now Enrolling!!
SY 2009-2010
Applicants must be five years old
on or before September 1, 2009
Kindergarten applications available at
the Student Assignment Center
Registration by appt. only by calling
534-2007
Peck School: Brian Almonte, Bianca Lopez and Amanda Rock
Sullivan School: Anne Cavanaugh, Grace Lavelle and Tyler
LeClerc
Center for Excellence: Leeanne Barry
Dean Technical: Jessenia DeJesus, Stephanie Jusino, Naishly
Ortiz, Carmen Robles Ruiz, Margarita Torres, and Deyanira Trujillo
Holyoke High: Nicholas Allende, Odalis Amparo, Nick
Beaulieu, Kayla Benitez, Patrick Bryant, Christopher Konstantinidis,
Desean Martinez, Courtney Neil, Danielle Plasse, Michael Trudel
and Emma Lynn Zwirko
Superintendent’s Picks: Jameson Kebba and Patrick Lenihan
Volume 7, Issue 3
Page 5
Christine Sullivan - McMahon
Catherine Hourihan - Peck
Kathleen O’Neill - HHS
Letter from Superintendent Dr. Carballo:
Lori McKenna - Dean
Susan Tawrel - Morgan
It is with pride and pleasure that I announce to everyone in the district the Grinspoon Foundation – Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award Winners from Holyoke Public Schools. The Grinspoon Foundation gave 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 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 local YMCAs. It is the sponsors’ belief that teachers are very important in shaping the lives of children in our society and in the
community in which they live. The celebration honoring teachers from Holyoke and surrounding communities will take place on May 7, 2009 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
413-534-2000 Extension 219 or contact her via Email at [email protected]. Please join me in
congratulating these teachers and acknowledging the
positive impact they have made and continue to make
in our District.
Luis Martinez - Kelly
Mary McAndrew Sullivan
Page 6
Connections
“Best effort can lead to success…”
Principal Ellen Jackson repeated this phrase during E.N.
White’s Achievement Award Ceremony when students in
grades 4-8 were awarded certificates for advanced and proficient performance on the Spring 2008 MCAS. Her words of
wisdom for Spring 2009 MCAS? “High achievement is possible for those who come to school
everyday, pay attention in class, ask for
help when needed and never give up!”
Got Game?
By Alecia Pettengill
Sixth grade students at E.N. White have game! They have been
playing the MCAS game for the last few weeks in preparation
for the MCAS tests at the beginning of April. The sixth graders
have realized that scoring well on the MCAS is an obtainable
goal especially when they are equipped with a game plan and
strategies. The students use an MCAS game board that requires them to move ahead, high five each other, lose a turn or
go back unless they preview the test, read the text, develop a
web, and “chunk ‘n go”. When students reach the end of the
game board, they are rewarded with the chance to read their
response to the class to earn a link for the class chain. When
the class earns enough links, they will celebrate together. Outfitted with a highlighter, pencil and the test, the students play
the game in teams and practice the game plan which includes
previewing the italicized print for the main idea of the text,
preparing a web to answer the ORQ, and chunking the text for
key ideas. “Most of the MCAS preparation that we do in class
is to take away the mystery and anxiety associated with the
test,” explained Mrs. Tierney. “We break it down into manageable chunks and have the students explore questions on their
own to reveal the secrets to success. The game helps to build
confidence and gives those students who are reluctant something to focus on and a plan to follow. The students have developed a list of strategies to use for multiple choice questions.
For example they are implementing multiple choice strategies
like trying to answer the question before they look at the options so they won’t be distracted by “possible” correct answers. They use the text to support all of their responses by
developing a web to help organize their open response answers. Their web is different than the traditional web because
they use a solid line to signify the response and a dotted line to
indicate the support for that response. They have also analyzed
actual responses and color coded them to visually represent
the same things. The ideas underlined in pink represent the
qualities; reasons etc. and the ideas underlined in green indicate
the support. These visual representations help to clarify what
should be included in a well-written response. “It’s really a
formula,” said 6th grade teacher, Alecia Pettengill. “Once you
have a basic formula to work with, then the task is not so intimidating.” The response to this game from the students has
been positive. They are competitive and want to build their
class chain for success. They believe that the biggest secret to
their success has been chunking the text as they go and utilizing
a web to organize their written responses. So they say “bring it
on, we’re ready!”
The students at E.N. White
School cannot wait for Field
Day 2009! In order to ensure
they have the best field day
yet, all students are digging
deep down into their pockets
for spare pennies to meet our
school goal of raising $1500 by
June 15. At presstime, students have collected $500.
The change drive will continue
throughout the months of April, May and June. Each grade is competing to meet a grade level goal of $166. All classes that reach their
goal will participate in an Ice Cream Sundae Social on Field Day. In
addition, the grade that collects the most money will win a cash grand
prize!
E.N. White students
participated in the On
the March for Food Drive
hosted by the Mayor’s
Peace Initiative Group.
The middle school students donated nonperishable items for the
local food pantries. The
students donated 626 items of food which equaled 11 boxes. The
homeroom that donated the most items was room 208. Mrs. Vandergheynst’s 6th grade students had a record number of 126 items
and will be treated to a pizza party for their good will and community spirit.
Grinning widely, many E.N. White students recently received their
much anticipated bound and published copies of their memoirs that
were written in their respective ELA classes. For several months,
students worked in Mrs. Lamour’s art classes and Ms. Marcotte’s
library classes, as well as in their ELA classes to create beautiful
bound books which included not only the text of each student’s
memoir, but also hand-drawn illustrations to match their text. Nationwide Learning in Topeka, Kansas, through its Student Treasures
Program, makes this publishing opportunity available annually to
teachers and librarians.
Kindergartners visit Eric Carle Museum!
Volume 7, Issue 3
Page 7
Governor visits Peck; converses with students
dent, Sarah Vasquez, a former Holyoke school student, remarked
Peck School students had some special visitors on hand to say
goodbye to them as they left for February vacation. Massachusetts on how meaningful it was for her to give back to her own community; “I hope I can be as inspiring to them as they are
Governor Deval
Patrick, Repreto me.”
sentative MiThe Commonwealth Corps was developed by Goverchael Kane (a
nor Patrick with a mission of engaging Massachusetts
Peck alumnus)
residents of all ages and backgrounds in direct service
and Superintento rebuild communities and address unmet community
dent Dr. Eduneeds. The mission of the Holyoke Corps is to join
ardo Carballo
college students from the three area institutions to
visited with
advance education in Holyoke four ways including:
students, teach•
Improve educational achievement among Holyoke
ers and college
student volunPublic School students
teers involved
•
Improve college awareness among Holyoke Public
with the GoverSchool
student and their families;
nor’s Commonwealth Corps
•
Engage in the Holyoke community; and
Initiative.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (far left) meets with students •
Recruit additional college/university students to
The Governor
and staff at Peck School.
support these aims
visited the 6th
Holyoke Corps members advance these goals by:
grade
Reader’s/Writers Workshop classroom of Vionette Escudero
•
Serving as tutors/mentors to students, in classrooms and
Turner where members of the Holyoke Corps, a group sponsored
in the CHOICES after school program at Peck school
by the Commonwealth Corps have been working with ELL stu•
Supporting college awareness programs, workshops, and
dents since the beginning of the school year. The Holyoke Corps
events raising college awareness among students and
project is directed by Alan Bloomgarden through the Weissman
families
Center for Leadership at Mount Holyoke College and includes
students from Mount Holyoke, UMASS Amherst and Holyoke
•
Participating in community-based events
Community College. Other partners in this effort are ENLACE
•
Bringing other campus resources to Holyoke, including
(Engaging Latino Communities in Education) and The William R.
students, staff, faculty, administrators, offices and organiPeck School.
zations of area higher education institutions, in service of
The Governor first spoke privately with Escudero-Turner and her
project aims.
students. Nilsa Gonzalez, age 12, remarked that she and her classPeck
School
was chosen as a partner for this initiative because
mates told the Governor about the projects they were working
they
had
a
pre-existing
relationship with Holyoke Community
on: letters to the Governor and the Mayor of Holyoke with policy
College and UMASS through “Student Bridges”; a similar tuproposals about problems challenging Holyoke such as homelesstor/mentor program that was in place at Lynch Middle School.
ness and lack of jobs. Gonzalez enjoys working with Commonwealth Corps member Emma Melendez, a Mount Holyoke student Peck is in the process of planning and developing a full-service
community school model, and involvement with the Commonmajoring in Critical Thought. “She does good work,” Nilsa said.
“We have to read paragraphs and if I don’t understand it, she helps wealth Corps is part of this project.
me.”
Escudero-Turner remarked that she was impressed with the time
that the Governor took with the students even though he was
scheduled to be somewhere else (a legislative luncheon!). “He sat
down and asked the students their names and spent time with
them. He also asked me about my background and thanked me for
working with the English Language Learners,” she said.
The Governor invited the press and the Commonwealth Corps
college students to speak with him. He asked the college students
what they enjoyed about their work at Peck and what could be
done to improve the Commonwealth Corps program. Several
comments were made to keep the program funded and one stu-
PECK’S TALKING POINTS
Congratulations to Holyoke Hospital’s Rising Star Award Winners:
Brian Almonte, Rhys Duquette, Kyomara Reynoso, Kristen Renta
and Yajaira Roman.
The Peck family is proud to acknowledge Maria Barreto who gives
her time as a hospice volunteer through the Hospice Life Care
Program which is run by the Holyoke Visiting Nurse Association.
Maria was featured in the Chicopee Register as a “Hero on the
Homefront.”
Page 8
Connections
Holyoke High Hockey Wins Division IIIA State Championship
By Jill Hoey ‘09
The Holyoke High School hockey team has made history. Holyoke defeated
Oakmont Regional High School, 4-2, to bring home the title of Division IIIA
State Champions, a first not only for our school, but for any hockey team in
Western Massachusetts. This was the first year that teams in Division IIIA battled for state supremacy. Senior Captain, Pat Lenihan, admits that being a state
champion is "a once in a life time experience". Entering into the playoffs, Holyoke was seeded 6th before defeating Chicopee and Agawam. Holyoke went on
to beat top-seeded Taconic and the tough competitors at Oakmont Regional
to arrive at the state title. Although the hockey team wears purple and white,
not all the players are from Holyoke High School. Holyoke's squad is a cooperative effort with players also from South Hadley and Granby. Out of 23 players, four are from Holyoke, three are from Granby, and sixteen are from South
Hadley. The four from Holyoke are seniors Pat Lenihan, Nick Blais, Angelo
Maymi, and Brendan Aluxek. Pat Lenihan and Nick Blais are also tournament
MVPs. Nick is also an associate captain of the team.
Volume 7, Issue 3
Page 9
Holyoke High School Happenings...
Grinspoon Award Winner Kathleen O’Neill
Every year since 2002, communities in the Pioneer Valley have
been awarding Grinspoon Awards for Excellence in Teaching to
teachers in the schools. These awards honor outstanding teachers
and appreciate the major
role that teachers play in
preparing students for the
future.
This year, on February 26,
seven Holyoke Public
Schools teachers were
presented with this award.
One of the honored is Ms.
Kathleen O’Neill, a Moderate Special Needs teacher
at Holyoke High School.
O’Neill received the highest recommendation for
this award.
“I have been fortunate to
Kathleen O’Neill works with one of her
spend my entire teaching
students.
career here at Holyoke
High School, and it has been great,” says O’Neill. She has been
teaching for thirty-three years, and claims “There is no better
place.” Throughout her career as a student, from elementary to
high school, O’Neill knew she would like to be a teacher. “That’s a
direct result of the wonderful teachers I experienced many, many
years ago as a student in the Holyoke Public Schools.”
O’Neill believes that “teaching is one of the most rewarding professions.” She explained that the most rewarding part of her job is
“watching a student who has been working very hard on a particu-
lar assignment or concept come to an understanding or realization
that, ‘Yes, I can do it, I understand it!’” She explains, “The look on
his or her face is worth a million dollars – it’s all about that look.”
However, difficulties and challenges usually come before rewards.
When asked about the hardest part of teaching, O’Neill answered,
for her, it is “to try and show students how important education is
to them now and in the future.” She explained, “Many students
have trouble believing that education is the key to their future.”
O’Neill does know what it takes to help them finally pull through.
“I feel the key to helping students understand the various subjects
include a structured classroom where anyone can feel comfortable
learning, and mutual respect: students to teacher and teacher to
students.” O’Neill feels that it a teachers’ responsibility to make
learning accessible to all students, although not all students will
learn at the same level. “At the same time students have the responsibility to be respectful to others, work hard and do the best
they can,” concluded O’Neill.
Debate Team
Congratulations to the Debate Team who finished the 2009 season
in a Connecticut Valley Debate League Tournament at East Longmeadow High School. Patrick O’Neil received an individual first
place award for best varsity speaker. The CVDL 2009 Team
Award was presented to Miguel Vasquez and Jovani Villegas for
their first place debate in the League’s Novice Division.
The Herald
Holyoke High School’s student newspaper, The Herald, recently
won awards at the AIC Scholastic Press Forum. Lorena Avendano
received first place for Best Sports Feature with her article interviewing the USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Coach. Tiffany Webb
received third place for Best Photograph. Finally, The Herald
placed fourth for Best Overall Newspaper.
Dean Tech’s Debate Team debates MySpace/Facebook vs. colleges
This spring Dean Technical High School entered a tournament in
which they had never competed. The scheduled event: A debate
that was to be judged by a senior judge from Springfield District
Court, a prominent lawyer and the Superintendant of Police from
the Springfield State Police barracks.
The topic for this war of words was in honor of the LincolnDouglas debates of 150 years ago. The debate topic was one that
the judges wanted the students to be passionate about and that they
could debate using their own voice, as well as their own investigative research. The topic was: Should colleges and universities be allowed to use an applicant’s MySpace or Facebook page as criteria for
acceptance into a college or university?
The students participated in lessons geared toward the topic in
Kevin Willard’s journalism class and also participated in brief debates as practice for the tournament. Nearly all students were
opposed to the idea that colleges may use MySpace for acceptance,
but many opinions changed after discussing the amendments of the
Constitution and ideas like personal and private life were discussed.
The team from Dean was given the stance that colleges cannot
use MySpace as a criteria for acceptance.
The students selected to represent Dean Tech were senior standout Nathalie Ortiz, and seniors Brian Pamayleon and James Kelly.
Ortiz nearly won the tournament herself as she was the lead
speaker and used all her allotted time to near perfection. The second speaker was Pamayleon who followed up
Ortiz’s performance with a very solid effort.
The last speaker was Kelly, who had the very
difficult task of providing a rebuttal to the arguments from Putnam High School. James tried
his best at this challenge and did well, but in
competition there has to be a winner and a loser and, on this day
Dean, came up a little short.
No matter whether the students won or lost, they gained valuable
experience in public speaking and met some very influential community leaders. The judges stated repeatedly how close the debate
was and expressed that Dean was given the tougher argument to
prove.
All in all, the day was a success for all those involved and has left a
few of Dean’s students knowing that sometimes “The pen (or the
words it writes) is mightier than the sword.”
Page 10
Stop the Presses!
Connections
Passing The Dream
By Chloe Mann
For Sullivan
School writers March has
come in like a
lion, as students have
been racking
up the laurels
lately. Seventh graders
Erin K.
Hebert and
Marissa A.
Bernard
Erin Hebert (L) and Marissa Bernard hold
took 1st and
up their winning entries in The Springfield
rd
3 prizes,
Republican’s Kids in Print Contest.
respectively,
for their essays published in the Springfield Republican’s “Kids in
Print” writing contest.
Hebert and Bernard’s pieces about sacrifice were written in response to a memoir chosen by the Republican.
They were well prepared for the contest after completing Sullivan’s memoir unit led by their teacher, Margaret
Miller. Hebert and Bernard were awarded a $100 prize,
attended an awards ceremony and were proud to see
their writing and pictures printed in the Republican.
Following that, eighth grader Chloe Mann took 1st prize
in the Boston Globe’s Sports Writing contest, besting
2000 other entrants from all over Massachusetts. (Her
essay is printed on the right side of this page.)
Mann’s essay was about “sports heroes” and she chose
to write about her father and coach, Donald, who was a
high school and college athlete before injuries forestalled
further play. Mann was also primed for her challenge
from finishing Sullivan’s memoir unit led by eighth grade
teacher Joe Gannon.
Mann won a $100 prize from the Boston Globe, was honored before a Boston Celtics game March 23rd, to which
she also received tickets for her and her family. She will
also have her essay published in the Boston Globe.
For more information on
the contest from the Boston
Globe please visit the Holyoke Public Schools web site
at www.hps.holyoke.ma.us
and click on the Good
News section on the home
page.
The second the snow melts he is out in the yard with a bat in
one hand and a ball in the other. He stands facing the fence and I can tell
that in his mind’s eye, it’s the bottom of the 9th, runners on second and
third. His team is down by two,
there are two outs and he is at
the plate: it’s all up to him. The
crowd cheers, “Don-nie”, “Donnie!”
With one motion he tosses
the ball in the air and executes a
beautiful swing. I hear the crack
of the bat. Going, going, GONE!!
The crowd goes wild! In his
mind’s eye he’s once again lived
his greatest dream. But then he
Chloe Mann stands between Sean
sighs. I can tell that in his heart
McDonough (voice of the Red Sox) and
he is disappointed that this dream
his sister Erin McDonough.
will never become a reality.
Even though this man is not a famous sports star, he is and always
will be an athlete that I most admire.
As a kid, my father, Donald James Mann played baseball and football.
In little league, he was always chosen first because he was an unbelievable
catcher. In football he was the star halfback due to his speed. “I love
football”, he said, “but baseball is my life”. His dream was to be a catcher
in the major leagues.
He worked incredibly hard to pursue that dream. His first goal was
to be a catcher for the high school team. He fulfilled it as the starting
catcher for the next three years. His junior year he and his teammates
won the state championship.
His senior year in high school he decided he would play baseball for
Springfield College. After that, who knew? But sometimes life changes the
course we plan. In his freshmen year, he hurt his knee so badly that it
ended his baseball career as well as his dream, but not his love of athletics. He took his love of sports and instead of playing he coached. Now
you can find him inspiring kids to play football and baseball in the same
city he grew up in. He coordinates the Holyoke Youth Football League as
well as coaching my softball team.
His softball team benefits from his passion for the game as well as his
knowledge. He dedicates so much time looking up drills and ideas on how
to help my team excel. He also takes us to batting and pitching clinics, and
instills in us the same passion he had in his earlier years when he played.
The second the snow melts we are out in the yard. He squats behind
the plate warming me up at second base. Only now it is my dream: bottom of the 9th, runners on first and third, I lead by one run. It’s a double
steal, the throw is off a bit but I make the tag and save the game. The
crowd cheers “Chl-oe! Chl-oe!!’
My dad might be throwing me the ball but he is passing me the
dream.
Volume 7, Issue 3
Page 11
One of Donahue School’s former staff members, Chastelyn Rodriguez (pictured at left), is representing Holyoke on Univision’s
Nuestra Belleza Latina. Rodriguez served as the family liaison for the 2006-07 school year. Many students who remember her
beauty and kindness are tuning in each Sunday at 8 p.m. to cheer her on. The 12 finalists of the show will be flown to Miami
and stay in a mansion while competing for a $200,000 prize. Viewers can go online and vote for Rodriguez.
Holyoke Hospital High Achievers
Donahue Rising Stars
Alyssa Hurley, Faith McAuliffe and Luis Robles
Carlos Dominicci - 6th grade; Shaun Gonzalez - 7th grade
Selena Ortega - 8th grade
President Alvarado!!
After a fierce three-way campaign battle, Jahaira Alvarado is announced winner of the
2008-2009 8th grade presidency
Three contestants, three powerful
speeches, one election. Connections is fortunate enough to have an exclusive interview
with Jahaira, just days into her new presidency.
Letters to
President Obama
Jahaira Alvarado
Connections: What made you decide to run Eighth-grade President
for the president of the 8th grade?
Jahaira: I’ve seen everyone misbehaving for
a long time... I thought I could help change that.
Connections: So far, are there any accomplishments as president you
could share with our readers?
Jahaira: The eight grade class will be having a 30 minute recess on
April 3rd.
Connections: How did you make that happen?
Jahaira: I made a deal with Mrs. Perez (Donahue’s Principal) that
students who behave and get their work done should be allowed to
have this time.
Connections: What’s it like being the president of the 8th grade?
Jahaira: It’s great being president, but also hard. Everybody puts a
lot of pressure of you.
Ms. Alvarado has the support and appreciation of the staff and students of the Maurice A. Donahue school. All have expressed the
hope that this is just one stepping stone in Jahaira’s stellar political
career.
Under the guidance of Iwona Langlois,
Donahue’s 6th grade ELA teacher,
students carefully researched issues to
help advise the country’s new administration. Topics reviewed ranged from
climate change to protecting endangered species, from increasing the
Erick Santos proudly
police force to changing our energy
shows his letter written
consumption habits. After weeks of
to President Obama
both print and internet based and
research, letters went through multiple drafts before being
printed on the Donahue School official letterhead and sent off
to Washington.
One student, Erick Santos, age 11, wrote to Obama in favor of
a four day school week. When asked why, Erick responded,
“In the news I’ve seen people, like teachers, losing their jobs.
If we had a four day school week we could save money. Mrs.
Langlois also told me there is sometimes not enough school
supplies. We could use the money we saved to buy more
supplies for next year.” Erick reported that he felt happy to
be able to write a letter to the President.
It is the hope of the 6th grade class that the White House’s
reply will be in time for the next issue of Connections. Hopefully by then we will have a three day weekend to mull over
President Obama’s responses.
Kelly School students support to Augusta State Jaguars...continued from page 3
seventh grade math teacher Katie Ross, this trip gave the students the opportunity to enjoy an Elite Eight basketball game, as well as show
how supportive and excited they can be. Says Ross, “I’ve been organizing this trip for some time now, and every year it’s a great experience.
It’s great to be able to offer a fun experience to the students, as well as provide fans for teams that may not have many here in the area.” In
preparation for the game, students researched their adopted team, the Augusta State Jaguars. Many students studied the players, even adopting a player to make signs for and support. The students spent time making posters and banners for the big game. On the day of the game,
faces were painted, ribbons tied in hair, and energy was high. After the first half of the game, it wasn’t looking good for the Jaguars. However, after much cheering and support, the Jaguars came back to win the game.
Page 12
CONNECTIONS art-based
programs very popular
From drumming, drama
and dancing to drawing
and everything in between,
participants at every
CONNECTIONS Program site can develop
their artistic interests and
talents in a variety of artbased enrichment activities.
At the Sullivan School
CONNECTIONS Program, participants in the
“Experience the Arts”
Club learned to make
The mural at Donahue School
creative connections between their lives and great
art. They began by making
sock puppet characters with glitter, buttons and pipe cleaners. Some students made their puppets very similar to themselves and others created
new identities expressing dreams and ambitions that they hope to one day
accomplish, transferring these qualities to their puppets. They then presented their puppet ‘characters’ to their club mates. Next, utilizing a series
of Shakespeare books that were in cartoon format, club facilitators Caitlin
Dunn and Nina Brigante helped students connect some of the universal
themes in Shakespeare’s work to their own lives. Students first selected
excerpts from the plays and performed them with their puppets. They then
put the puppets aside and worked on theatrical terms and skills and processes such as choreography, voice projecting, staging, emotional output and
pronunciation. Finally, students were given well known Shakespearean
themes (tragedy, comedy and a love story) and they created their own very
impressive characters, plots and set design. This activity gave students a
sense that they too can create similar stories and Shakespearean situations.
The Kelly CONNECTIONS Program has been fortunate to have a year long
Experiential Arts Program provided by The Enchanted Circle Theater
through a grant from United Bank Foundation. The program brings in professional artists from a variety of areas to work with students and takes
students on field trips to experience art on stage. During the first session in
the fall, the club focused on theater and students went to see a production
of “The Elephant Man” at the Williston-Northampton Academy. During the
second session a professional drummer taught the group the basics of African drumming. Hip Hop Dance has been the theme for the third session
and the Irish Cream, an Irish modern dance troupe provided the club with a
special workshop on March 19th. A focus on visual arts will complete the
program year.
At other CONNECTIONS Program sites, Deb Barboza, an acclaimed local
portrait artist provides drawing classes at Donahue, and Sullivan CONNECTIONS sites. Joan Cavanaugh provides music instruction at Sullivan and
Peck. Art is also offered at our new elementary programs at EN White and
Peck. At Holyoke High, students in CONNECTIONS can learn to make
jewelry, Hip Hop dance, Hip Hop CD production, Art, Drama/Expressive
Arts and Media Arts.
For more info about registering for the CONNECTIONS Program, please
contact Eileen Cavanaugh, Director, at 534-2168.
Connections
College for a Day
Many Holyoke Public School parents want to
go to college to help gain skills for the changing workforce. Two parents from the Pathways to Family Success program got to do just that. Holyoke Community College
and SABES sponsored College for a Day which targeted adult
learners offering a wide choice of college classes.
Pathways to Family Success students Lacecia Davis and Haydee
Gonzalez went to HCC with their pre-GED teacher Alice
Barrett. Davis attended, “Blood, Guts and Stuff” (biology) and
Gonzalez grooved to “Be Your Own Band” (electronic media).
Both also attended a writing workshop. They got to experience the campus, professors, and the cafeteria to get a real
sense of what it will be like to be a college student. They made
excellent presentations to their pre-GED class later that evening. If you, or someone you know, is interested in attending
an evening pre-GED class in a family literacy setting (candidate
must be a parent and Holyoke resident), please call Marisol at
538-5770.
The Center for Excellence Basketball Team
The Center for Excellence basketball team was inspired by the
high-powered NCAA March Madness tournament play ~ so
much so that at press time, the CFE team was 3-0 against other
alternative school teams. As a part of the incentive plan for students, all team members, comprised of boys in grades 3-11, had
to meet certain criteria as outlined by counselors and teachers.
Head Coach Mike Bombardier described this year’s squad with
“a solid perimeter game...with a strong low-post presence.” He
adds, “I like the balance we have with the big range of ages and
experience. I am looking forward to a strong showing for many
years to come.” The uniforms were donated by “The Friends of
the Holyoke Public Library.” Additional staff member assisting
the team are Peter Rodriguez, Peter Brocca, Yadira Batiz, Edwin
Carmona and Travis Andrews.
Summer Edition of the
Connections Newsletter
Submission Deadline
Estos son los puntos mas
sobresalientes del Boletin
Holyoke Public Schools
Volume 7, Issue 3
Invierno 2009
Escuelas Publicas de Holyoke
Floreciendo con noticias positivas
Por Dr. Eduardo Carballo
Superintendente de Escuelas
Los signos de primavera están en todas partes, y después del invierno largo que tuvimos,
pienso que estamos todos preparados para
mejor tiempo. ¡Muchas actividades positivas
han estado ocurriendo en las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke durante los meses pasados, y
hay actividades más positivas que llegan junto
con la primavera!
Espero que muchos de ustedes tuvieran la
oportunidad de leer sobre, o mirar, cuando
el equipo de hockey de la Escuela Secundaria
de Holyoke, los Purple Knights, ganó la División IIIA de Campeonato del Estado cuando
ellos derrotaron a Oakmont 4-2 en el Centro de MassMutual en Springfield el 12 de
marzo. Esto fue un tiempo triunfante para el
equipo y un orgullo para el Departamento
Escolar de Holyoke.
Otro acontecimiento que siempre es “una
muchedumbre complacida” es la producción
musical de la Escuela Secundaria de Holyoke.
Este año, la Calle 42 (42nd Street) fue interpretada, y el equipo y sus participantes hicieron un trabajo excepcional asegurándose
que los miembros de la audiencia estuvieran
encantados por la presentación. ¡La atención
fue prestada a cada detalle, y aquellos que
asistieron habrían pensado que ellos estaban
en la interpretación “Broadway” actual!
Ambos de los susodichos logros son el resultado de dedicación, compromiso, y trabajo en
equipo. Aunque yo haya destacado dos de
más “acontecimientos conocidos,” los estudiantes en todas las Escuelas Públicas de
Holyoke exponen estas características a lo
largo del año escolar. Usted leerá sobre
estos y otros logros en las páginas a seguir.
Celebrar la semana de las Escuelas Públicas
de Holyoke es el 27 de abril hasta el 1 de
mayo. Nuestro reconocimiento de Estrellas
Crecientes ocurrirá este año el 30 de abril
comenzando con la Recepción en MerryGo-Round (en el cual todos son bienvenidos)
y terminando con el Banquete en la Escuela
Dean Técnica. Cada
año los estudiantes en
grados seis a doce son
reconocidos por sobresalir en beca,
liderazgo, y ciudadanía.
Nuestros estudiantes
no son los únicos que
exponen estas calidades, y estoy contento
en dejarle saber que
también tuvimos la
oportunidad de seleccionar a varios maestros excepcionales
para ser los recipientes de la Excelencia de
Harold Grinspoon en
el Premio de la Enseñanza. El 27 de febrero, Dr. Eduardo Carballo felicita a Luis Martinez en su Premio de Grinspoon.
siete de nuestros maestros fueron notificados
siendo impresionado por el progreso hecho
que ellos eran recipientes para este año.
Ellos son: Lori McKenna, Escuela Secundaria en nuestros salones de clase a través de la
Ciudad. Cuando otra ronda de pruebas de
Dean Técnica; Kathleen O'Neil, Escuela Secundaria de Holyoke High; Luis D. Martinez, MCAS comienza, quiero animar a nuestros
estudiantes a hacer sus mejores esfuerzos, y
Escuela Kelly; Christine Sullivan, Escuela
McMahon; Susan E. Tawrel, Escuela Morgan; animar a sus familias para apoyarlos en este
proceso. Deseo a los estudiantes cada éxito
Catherine M. Hourihan, Escuela Peck; Mary
y siento que ellos están preparados y harán
L. McAndrew, Escuela Sullivan. Nuestras
felicitaciones van a cada uno de ellos.
bien.
Además, a partir del 13 al 27 de marzo, "el
10imo.
Arte Anual de la Facultad de las Escuelas
Públicas de Holyoke" fue llevado a cabo en
los Estudios de Barrett y Grynn.
Aquellos exponiendo su arte eran: Bob Bard,
Phil Christofori, Denise Descoteau, Diane
Godek, Bill Greaney, Sheila L’Amour, Stefania Lech, Eduardo Melendez, Mary Lou Mislak-Casson, y Martha Roe Mulcahy. La exhibición fue muy bien asistida y se le permitió al
público la oportunidad de ver una amplia
serie de trabajos de nuestra facultad multitalentosa. Nuestras felicitaciones van a cada
uno de ellos.
Continuaré visitando las escuelas y seguiré
Page 14
UNIONES programas a base
de arte son muy populares
De tamboreo, drama y baile al
dibujo y todo en medio, los
participantes en cada sitio del
Programa UNIONES pueden
desarrollar sus intereses
artísticos y talentos en una
variedad de actividades de
enriquecimiento a base de
arte.
En el Programa UNIONES de
la Escuela Sullivan, participantes en “el Club de Experiencia
de las Artes” aprendieron a
hacer uniones creativas entre
sus vidas y gran arte. Ellos
comenzaron haciendo personajes de marioneta de calcetín
con brillo, botones y limpia
pipas. Algunos estudiantes
Una estudiante creativa muestra su trabajo de
hicieron sus marionetas muy
arte termindo.
similares a ellos y los otros
crearon nuevas identidades
expresando sueños y ambiciones que ellos esperan llevar a cabo algún día, transfiriendo estas calidades a sus
marionetas. Ellos entonces presentaron sus 'personajes' de la marioneta a sus
compañeros del club. Después, utilizando una serie de libros de Shakespeare que
estaban en el formato de historieta, los facilitadores de club Caitlin Dunn y Nina
Brigante ayudaron a los estudiantes a unir algunos temas universales con el trabajo de Shakespeare a sus propias vidas. Los estudiantes primero seleccionaron
extractos de los juegos y los realizaron con sus marionetas. Ellos pusieron los
marionetas a un lado y trabajaron en términos teatrales y habilidades y procesos
como coreografía, proyección de voz, organización, salida emocional y pronunciación. Finalmente, a los estudiantes de dieron temas Shakesperianos conocidos
(comedia de tragedia y una historia de amor) y ellos crearon sus propios personajes muy impresionantes, complots y pusieron el diseño. Esta actividad dio a los
estudiantes un sentido que ellos también pueden crear historias similares y situaciones Shakesperianas.
El Programa UNIONES de la Kelly ha sido afortunado tener el Programa de Artes
Empírico de un año largo proporcionado por el Teatro de Círculo Encantado por
una subvención de la Fundación Bancaria Unida. El programa trae a artistas profesionales de una variedad de áreas para trabajar con estudiantes y lleva a los estudiantes en viajes de estudios para experimentar el arte en el escenario. Durante la
primera sesión en el otoño, el club se concentró en el teatro y los estudiantes
fueron a ver una producción “del Hombre Elefante” en la Academia WillistonNorthampton. Durante la segunda sesión un tambor profesional enseñó al grupo
los fundamentos del tamboreo africano. El Baile de Salto de Cadera ha sido el
tema para la tercera sesión y la Crema irlandesa, una compañía teatral de baile
moderna irlandesa proveyó al club de un taller especial el 19 de marzo. Un enfoque en artes visuales completará el año del programa.
En otros Programas de UNIONES, Deb Barboza, un artista de retrato local aclamado proporciona clases de dibujo en Donahue y Sullivan. Joan Cavanaugh proporciona la instrucción de música en Sullivan y Peck. El arte también es ofrecida
en nuestros nuevos programas elementales en E.N. White y Peck. En la Escuela
Holyoke High, los estudiantes en UNIONES pueden aprender a hacer joyas, baile
de Salto de Cadera, producción de CD de Hip Hop, Arte, Artes de Drama /
Artes Expresivas y Artes de Medios.
Para más información sobre el registro para el Programa UNIONES, por favor
póngase en contacto con Eileen Cavanaugh, Directora, al 534-2168.
Connections
Colegio durante un Día
Muchos padres de las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke quieren
ir a la universidad para ayudarles a aumentar habilidades
para cambio de trabajo, el 19 de marzo, dos padres del
programa Pathway a Éxito de Familia consiguieron hacer
esto. El Centro Universitario de Holyoke y SABES patrocinaron el Colegio durante un Día – que incitó a principiantes adultos en muchas de las clases de educación de
adultos del área – y ofreció una amplia opción de clases de
colegio. El programa Pathways a estudiantes de programa
de Éxito de Familia Lacecia Davis y Haydee González
fueron a HCC con su profesor pre-GED Alice Barrett.
Lacecia asistió a la clase de“ Sangre, Tripas y otra materia”
(Biología) y Haydee para “Ser su propia Cinta: Informática
para Creatividad” (Medios Electrónicos). Ellas ambos asistieron “Escritura lo que su propia imaginación no quiere
que usted sepa” (Escritura del Centro/Inglés). ¡Ellas consiguieron experimentar el campo, los profesores, la cafetería y tenían un verdadero sentido de lo que es ser un
estudiante de colegio asistiendo a clases! ¡Ellos hicieron
presentaciones a su clase pre-GED más tarde esa tarde y
ellas estuvieron muy excitadas y orgullosas! Si usted, o
alguien que usted conoce, están interesados en atender una
tarde a una clase pre-GED en un grupo de alfabetismo de
familia (debe ser un padre y un residente de Holyoke), por
favor llame a Marisol al 538-5770.
Peniques de la Escuela Peck
En marzo, salió una llamada a la Familia de la Escuela Dean
Técnica para ayuda. La Red de Milagro de Niños es una organización que provee a niños con la comodidad de varias formas mientras ellos están hospitalizados. Este año el tema era
"Cambio de Bandido". El Alumnado Asociado de la Escuela
Secundaria Dean Técnica aka Consejo de Estudiantes de la
Dean comenzó un esfuerzo organizado para coleccionar cambio de estudiantes y personal. Ellos comenzaron a coleccionar el cambio durante períodos de almuerzo y luego hicieron
un concurso entre talleres, estudiantes de primer año y personal. Los talleres del primer piso recogieron la mayor parte
de dinero. La meta era 10,000 peniques.
La
Dean Técnica no sólo recogió 10,000
peniques pero en total la Dean Técnica
recogió más de 17,000 peniques. Representantes del consejo de estudiantes,
Gerald Tessier, Alex Rodriguez, Jessenia
DeJesus, Lilly Rivera y consejera de Estudiantes la Sra. Murchison-Brown fue a
94.7 WMAS Radiothon en el Hospital de Niños de Baystate
para darles personalmente las donaciones recogidas. Fue en
ese entonces que ellos observaron a niños con varias enfermedades jugando en el cuarto de juegos.
Volume 7, Issue 3
Page 15
El Gobernador visita la Escuela Peck; conversa con estudiantes
Los estudiantes de la Escuela Peck tuvieron algunos invitados especiales a mano para decirles adiós cuando ellos salieron para las
vacaciones de febrero. El Gobernador Deval Patrick, Representante Michael Kane (un alumno de Peck) y Superintendente Carballo
fueron de visita con los estudiantes, maestros y voluntarios de
estudiantes de colegio envueltos con la iniciativa de Corp. de la
Comunidad de Naciones del Gobernador cuando los estudiantes
se marchaban y todos tres se pararon para charlar con los estudiantes y desearles unas vacaciones felices, sanas y seguras.
El Gobernador visitó el salón de clase de Taller de Escritores/Lectores de 6xto. grado de Vionette Escudero Turner donde
los miembros de Holyoke Corp, un grupo patrocinado por la Comunidad Corps han estado trabajando con estudiantes ELL - Principiante de Lenguaje Inglés desde el principio del año escolar. El
proyecto de Holyoke Corp. es dirigido por Alan Bloomgarden por
el Centro Weissman para Liderazgo en el Colegio de Mt. Holyoke
e incluye a estudiantes de Mt. Holyoke, UMASS Amherst y Centro
Universitario de Holyoke. Otros compañeros en este esfuerzo son
ENLACE (Involucrando Educación en las Comunidades Latinas) y la
Escuela William R. Peck.
El Gobernador primero habló en
privado con la Sra. Escudero
Turner y sus estudiantes. Nilsa
Gonzalez, edad 12, comentó que
ella y sus compañeros de clase le
dijeron al Gobernador sobre los
proyectos que ellos estaban trabajando: Cartas al Gobernador y
el alcalde de Holyoke con proVionette Escudero-Turner y El
puestas de política sobre probleGobernador Deval Patrick
mas retando a Holyoke como
falta de hogar y falta de empleos.
Nilsa disfruta trabajando con el miembro de Corp. de la Comunidad Emma Melendez, una estudiante de Mt. Holyoke especializándose en Pensamiento Crítico. “Ella hace un buen trabajo,” dijo
Nilsa. “Tenemos que leer párrafos y si no entiendo, ella me ayuda.”
La Sra. Escudero Turner comentó que ella estaba impresionada
por el tiempo que el Gobernador tomó con los estudiantes aunque
él estaba programado para estar en otra parte (un almuerzo legislativo!). “Él se sentó y preguntó a los estudiantes sus nombres y
pasó tiempo con ellos.” “Él también me preguntó sobre mi origen
y me agradeció por trabajar con los Principiantes de Lenguaje
Inglés.”
El Gobernador entonces invitó la prensa y los estudiantes del colegio para hablar con él. Él preguntó a los estudiantes del colegio qué
disfrutaron ellos sobre su trabajo en la Escuela Peck y lo que se
podría hacer para mejorar el programa de Corp. de la Comunidad.
Se hicieron varios comentarios para mantener el programa financiado y una estudiante, Sarah Vázquez, una antiguo estudiante de
las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke comentó en que significativo era
para ella regresar a su propia comunidad; “espero que yo pueda
ser tan inspirador a ellos como ellos son a mí.”
El Corps. de la Comunidad fue desarrollado por el Gobernador Patrick con una
misión de involucrar a los residentes de
Massachusetts de todas las edades y orígenes en servicio directo para reconstruir comunidades y dirigir necesidades
de la comunidad no encontradas. La misión de Corps. De Holyoke es afiliarse a
estudiantes de colegio de las tres instituciones de área para avanzar la educación
en Holyoke de cuatro maneras:
•
Mejorar el logro educativo
entre los estudiantes de las
Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke.
•
Mejorar el conocimiento de
colegio entre estudiantes de las
Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke y
sus familias;
•
Involucrarse en la comunidad de Holyoke; y
•
Reclutar estudiantes adicionales de colegio/universidad
para apoyar estos objetivos
Sarah Vázquez, una
antiguo estudiante de las
Escuelas Públicas de
Holyoke
Los miembros de Corps. de Holyoke avanzan estos objetivos por:
•
Servir como tutores/consejeros a estudiantes, en salones
de clase y en las OPCIONES del programa después de
horas en la escuela Peck
•
Apoyar programas de conocimiento de colegio, talleres,
y acontecimientos levantando conciencia de colegios
entre estudiantes y familias
•
Participar en acontecimientos basados en la comunidad
•
Traer otros recursos de campos en Holyoke, incluso
estudiantes, personal, facultad, administradores, oficinas y
organizaciones de instituciones de enseñanza de área
superior, en servicio de objetivos de proyectos.
La Escuela Peck fue elegida como un compañero para esta iniciativa
porque ellos tenían una relación preexistente con el Colegio de la
Comunidad de Holyoke y la Universidad de Massachusetts UMASS por “Puentes de Estudiante”; un programa de tutor/consejero similar que estaba en la Escuela Secundaria Lynch. La
Escuela Peck está en el proceso de planificación y desarrollo de un
modelo de escuela de comunidad de servicio completo, y la participación de Corps. de la Comunidad es parte de este proyecto.
Connections
Page 16
Escuelas Publicas de Holyoke
Eduardo B. Carballo, Superintendente
Equipo de Baloncesto de CFE
Comienza 1º de Abril los niños tienen que
cumplir los cinco años en o antes de 1º de
septiembre del 2009
Los solicitudes están disponibles in las escuelas elementales y La Oficina de
Asignación de Estudiantes
Localizada en
El Primer Piso - Calle Suffolk #57
Tel: 534-2007
*MATRICULA POR CITA SOLAMENTE*
La Fiebre de Locura de marzo está viva y bien en el CFE. Cuando el
torneo NCAA está en oscilación como es el equipo de baloncesto
CFE. Como parte del plan de incentivos para estudiantes una serie
de juegos de baloncesto ha ocurrido entre el CFE y varios otros
equipos escolares alternativos. Los jugadores para el CFE vienen de
estudiantes en grados 3-11. Todos los jugadores deben encontrar
los criterios para participar como descrito por sus consejeros y
maestros. El equipo ha respondido con tres victorias contra ningunos fracasos y no sólo juega como un ganador y con uniformes
nuevos que fueron donados a la escuela por” los AMIGOS DE LA
BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE HOLYOKE”. El entrenador Mike Bombardier ha descrito la escuadrilla de este año como "impresionante".
El Entrenador tiene muchos años de experiencia y le gusta la escuadrilla de este año. “Nuestro juego de perímetro ha sido sólido”
reporta el Entrenador Bombardier “y tenemos una presencia fuerte”. Otros miembros del personal que han asistido este año incluyen a Peter Rodriguez, Peter Brocca, Yadira Batiz, Edwin Carmona y
Travis Andrews.
Connections
Holyoke Public Schools
Media Center
c/o Kelly Doktor
500 Beech Street
Holyoke, MA 01040