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Dr. Vazquez Entry Plan Holyoke Public Schools 11.12.2020
Dr. Vazquez Entry Plan Holyoke Public Schools 11.12.2020
Dr. Vazquez Entry Plan Holyoke Public Schools 11.12.2020
November 2020
_____________________________________________
Despite the challenges that COVID-19 presented this summer and continues to present, I am in
many ways grateful for the opportunity to begin serving as your Superintendent/Receiver in
these most unusual circumstances. The need to develop and implement comprehensive plans to
ensure health and safety protocols and effective teaching and learning afforded me rare insights
into nearly every function of the school district in a short time. Even now, as schools and central
offices -- in partnership with families, local officials, and the community -- work diligently to
craft and execute plans, I am learning a great deal about the people, systems, and priorities that
fuel the operation of this school district.
After four months on the job, I am so encouraged and inspired by what I’ve already seen, heard,
and experienced. I know that the staff of the Holyoke Public Schools care deeply about the
future of this community. They understand the tremendous opportunity and responsibility we
have to make a lasting difference – by giving our students the first-class education they all
deserve.
Beginning my tenure during the pandemic also meant not having the opportunity to introduce
myself to the community as thoroughly as I had hoped. With schools and other venues closed,
and all of us practicing social distancing, there are far fewer chances to be out and about,
meeting my new colleagues, speaking to parents, and learning my way around the city. This was
not a summer of festivals, block parties, and parades, where I could have begun to discover all
that this city has to offer. Despite those obstacles, I’ve been warmly welcomed to the school
district and to Holyoke in different ways. I want to thank everyone – including Mayor Alex
With the school year now well underway -- though still remotely for most of our students -- I am
pleased to present this Entry Plan. This document shares with the community:
● Some of the ways that I have begun to listen, learn, and understand since I was hired for the
position, including conversations with community leaders, educators, parents, and students;
● Upcoming opportunities for me to engage further with individuals and small groups of
stakeholders, whether in person (socially distanced and wearing masks, of course) or
virtually; and
● Actions I’ve taken during my first four months to build a strong team and establish a solid
foundation for improvement moving forward.
In short, this Entry Plan is designed to give me and the community a clearer picture of where
we’ve been and where we are now, in order to solidify and accelerate our plans for where we go
from here.
Sincerely,
STRUCTURE
The plan is aligned with the school district’s four Strategic Priorities
(https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/turnaround/strategic-priorities/). I appreciate and am eager
to continue soliciting your input on how best to achieve the goals associated with these
priorities, as well as the Equity Commitments that accompany them.
I have identified six key areas for review, which reflect the core functions of the school district:
1. Student Achievement
2. Communications and Engagement
3. Human Capital and Leadership
4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
5. Budget and Finance
6. Facilities and Operations
GUIDING QUESTIONS
The findings from the Entry Plan will be guided by a series of overarching questions for all
stakeholders, including:
● What is working well in the Holyoke Public Schools? What are the strengths on which we
can build, and what are the successes we can expand and replicate?
● What are the greatest challenges facing the Holyoke Public Schools? Where do we need
to improve most urgently and dramatically?
● How can we best ensure that every student graduates from the Holyoke Public Schools
with the knowledge, skills, self-confidence, and determination to achieve their dreams?
Summer 2020
● Introducing goals and measurable outcomes building from the district’s four strategic
priorities as part of the turnaround plan;
● Securing funding for devices and internet access for all students and instructional staff to
access remote learning;
● Deepening relationships with community partners, including the local Board of Health,
● Moving the Payroll Office to Human Resources to align with other personnel functions;
● Expanding access to aligned science curriculum in grades K-4 to complete the K-8
Science curriculum and hiring a district-wide Science Instructional Leadership Specialist
to build the capacity of science teachers;
● Adding a half-time Data position to strengthen the district’s capacity for data-driven
decision-making;
UPCOMING CONVERSATIONS
In order to continue “listening, learning, and understanding,” I am hosting meetings and
engagement sessions over the next three months to gather diverse perspectives about the future
of the Holyoke Public Schools. In particular, stakeholders are invited to participate in a series of
virtual Town Halls:
I also invite students, families, staff, and community members to share their priorities, ideas,
and comments about the school district by emailing superintendent@hps.holyoke.ma.us.
PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS
Using the themes that emerge from these and other conversations and my review of data,
documents, and email, I will present a report of my findings to the community in February
2021. The findings will guide and inform our plans moving forward, including any
modifications needed to the Strategic Plan.
I appreciate your interest and support and look forward to continuing to get to
know you and Holyoke!
If you have any questions or comments about this Entry Plan, please contact
superintendent@hps.holyoke.ma.us.