Holyoke Public Schools

1. Welcome Back Holyoke Public Schools

2. Good News - MAP Results • Compared to Spring 07 • Percentage of students in the district meeting their growth targets increased in every grade for math and reading • Students in grades 5 and 8 showed double digit gains in meeting their growth targets in math and showed the greatest gains in in reading • Students in grades 3, 4, 6 and 8 exceeded their mean growth targets in mathematics for the academic year

3. Good News • Evidence of more rigorous student work observed during focus walks • Adequate progress in MEPA improved by 6% for the district; significantly higher at Donahue, White, and HHS ( >15%) • ELD students make strong gains in reading and writing English

4. Good News • CONNECTIONS Program - selected to be a recipient of the 2008 William S. White 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program of Distinction award by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation • Only Superintendent in the state appointed to Governor’s Readiness Project • Increased number of schools making AYP • Both high schools exceeded AYP Graduation – HHS ____% and Dean ____% (Kirk) • HHS ranked 5th in the state for Abigail Adams Scholarships • Anything Goes another successful production

5. Good News - Athletics • MIAA Tournament Qualifiers • Dean Golf (1st time in) and Baseball (State Vocational Semi-Finalist) • HHS Girls Volleyball, Girls Soccer, Girls Basketball, and Ice Hockey (WMass Tournament Division 3A Semi-Finalists) • Western Mass Team Sportsmanship Award • Dean Baseball and HHS Girls Soccer

6. Good News - Athletics • Other Athletic Accomplishments • Dean Football – Division III Superbowl, League Champions • Dean Wrestling – 4 wrestlers seeded #1 in WMass Tournament • HHS Swimming – 3 State Qualifiers • HHS Indoor Track – 5 School Records Set; 7 State Tournament Qualifiers (2nd most in school history)

7. Good News – Parent Involvement • 20% increase in parent/ student involvement for Title I workshops and activities over prior year • After school parent activities – over 7,063 parents and students participated • Family events – Bingo for Books gave away close to 1,050 books • 8th year of the Backpack Campaign – over the 8 years have given out over 2,000 backpacks (all to HPS students) • Increased parent involvement in Bilingual and SPED Parent Advisory Council (PACs) • 3 Kings Day highest attendance (almost 700 attendees)

8. Efforts to Achieve the Standards Continue • Data Driven District and School Improvement Plans developed • Curriculum alignment and maps complete in ELA and Math • Curriculum maps have been revised to support ELL learners • Assessments are embedded in instructional delivery • Consistency in student work products • Focus on completing Science, Social Studies, and Health this year • ELD (English Language Development) has been expanded to include Math for Second Language Learners (MSL)

9. Efforts to Achieve the Standards Continue • ELA, Math, and ELL Coaches supporting teachers • Streamlined interventions for students • Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approves and commends Professional Development Plan • Another record year for student participation in reading campaign • Strengthened communication between district and schools through professional learning communities, district leadership teams, and school focus walks

10. District-wide Changes • K-8 Schools now include Donahue, Kelly, McMahon, Morgan, Peck, Sullivan, and White • K-12 Center for Excellence

11. Our Academic Mission • HPS will continue to stay on target and on course • We have a great team which includes you, central office administrators, school committee, and all district employees • Let’s have another great year

12. Welcome Back Holyoke Public Schools