Latest news with #SpringfieldPublicSchools
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Local schools work to keep students cool as temperatures rise
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Temperatures will likely reach 90 degrees on Thursday in some western Massachusetts communities, and this means it could get especially warm inside classrooms. Between Holyoke and Springfield, there are nearly 80 public schools that will be following hot weather protocols. Many schools in Springfield were built before air conditioners were available. Now, there is AC in about 50% of the buildings. Canadian wildfire smoke brings hazy skies to Massachusetts The school district is working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to help fund renovations to the rest. In the next five years, all the schools should have AC units. In the meantime, classes will be held in cooler areas, fans will always be working, and shades will be pulled down when needed. Nurses will also monitor students for heat-related incidents, and they say parents can help too. 'We rely on our families to send their students to school prepared, wearing light clothing, and with water bottles,' said Azell Cavaan, CCO of Springfield Public Schools. 'We encourage students to stay hydrated during the course of the day.' While the HVAC systems and ACs are working in all Holyoke schools, their hot weather protocols include limiting recess and physical education. When it gets too hot, schools may be closed early or for the day. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield schools raises 67,000 meals in Ozarks Food Harvest competition
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield Public Schools (SPS) has raised over 67,000 meals during the 2025 Food Fight this year. According to an Ozarks Food Harvest press release, SPS students and various organizations participated in the 14th annual Food Fight competition to support Ozarks Food Harvest in March and April. The contest involved 38 schools and four administrative offices collecting food and funds over a two-week period to support The Food Bank, the release says. 'The partnership with Ozarks Food Harvest has not only helped alleviate immediate needs but also fostered a nurturing environment where students and their families feel supported and valued,' Jessica Blake, coordinator of community relations for SPS, said in a press release. 'We are grateful for our ongoing partnership, the support they give to us and the families we serve.' Food donated from the contest will be distributed through Ozark Food Harvest's 28-county service area. Funds will be used for the Weekend Backpack Program that gives meals to over 49 children. This year's winners included Study High School, Westport K-8, Wilson's Creek Intermediate, Boyd Elementary, Cowden Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, McBride Elementary, York Elementary and Mallory ECC. 'We're so proud to work with Springfield Public Schools, presenting sponsor Rapid Roberts and other partnering organizations across Springfield for Food Fight,' Bart Brown, president at Ozarks Food Harvest, said in the release. 'These meals will go a long way toward helping the 1 in 5 children and 1 in 6 adults who face hunger here in the Ozarks.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield Public Schools honor 2025 grads
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Public Schools are holding their graduation ceremonies for the class of 2025. Monday night's ceremony was for the Springfield Renaissance School, which provides its students with an academic program to help them pursue a college education in a small, personalized setting. Some notable people at the ceremony included Springfield Public School's superintendent, Dr. Sonia Dinnall, and Springfield mayor Domenic Sarno. On Tuesday, the graduating class at Roger L. Putnam Vocational-Technical Academy will walk across the stage. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Springfield Public Schools opens diploma requests for former students affected by past MCAS rules
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Public Schools is now accepting diploma eligibility requests from former students who previously received a Certificate of Attainment instead of a high school diploma due to past MCAS graduation requirements. The change comes in response to the passage of Massachusetts Ballot Question 2 on November 5, 2024, which altered the Competency Determination (CD) requirement for high school graduation statewide. Amherst Regional Middle School appoints new principal In alignment with the new policy, Springfield Public Schools has revised its graduation criteria for students in the classes of 2003 through 2024. Eligible former students must have earned passing grades in English 9 and English 10, Algebra 1 or Algebra 2, and Geometry, and at least one laboratory-based core science course such as Biology, Chemistry, or Introductory Physics. In addition to these academic benchmarks, students must have also met all other local graduation requirements in place at the time they attended, as outlined in the district's Pupil Progression Plan. 'If you or someone you know received a Certificate of Attainment due to MCAS testing requirements and believe you now meet the updated criteria, we encourage you to apply,' said Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall. The district is urging eligible individuals to review the updated guidelines and submit a request at WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SPS finishes two more school shelters, will use leftover funds for two new projects
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield Public Schools (SPS) has finished building storm shelters in Holland and Cowden Elementary Schools. They are the final two of six school storm shelters built under Proposition 'S'. The other four schools are Pittman, Watkins, Wilder, and Mann. The shelters are mostly located in larger areas like gymnasiums, auditoriums or cafeterias. Proposition 'S' was approved in 2023, which authorized a $220-million bond towards the funding of the six shelters. According to Sean Dilday, the Executive Director of SPS, there is money left over, which will now be used towards two other projects, involving Bingham and Bissett elementaries. 'We'll be adding the two new projects. Bingham Elementary will be a tear down of the existing building. We'll build a new building, an elementary and then add a storm shelter to that location,' explains Dilday. 'Bissett will be a complete remodel of the existing building and we'll be adding a storm shelter as well to that building.' Dilday adds that the shelters will provide safety for students first and staff in the buildings during school, then to the community members after hours. In emergencies, however, they 'will never turn someone down' who needs help. The district currently has 20 different storm shelters. Locations can be found on the SPS website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
