LHS Guidance Counselor Receives WMCA Rising Star Award

Join us in CONGRATULATING LHS 9th grade Guidance Counselor, Maria Lekarczyk, who recently received the Western Mass Counselors Association (WMCA) Rising Star Award; having been nominated by her colleague, LHS 11th grade counselor, Emily Connelly, and selected by the WMCA committee. Click here to read the full article.

 Biology Students Attend UMass College & Career Exploration Day 

Twenty-five LHS biology students attending the recent College and Career Exploration Day at U Mass Amherst, organized the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation. The one-day event is designed to expose students to the career opportunities within the life sciences industry. Click here to read the full article.

 School Committee Member, Jake Oliveira, Steps into the Classroom 

 LPS SC Member Jake Oliveira recently accepted a challenge to step into a classroom as a substitute teacher to teach both a 1st grade and kindergarten art class at East Street School. The photos capture Jake's time in front of the classroom but also highlights the spark of joy in each student as their art project came to life. Click here to read the full article.

ELL Students Practice Real Life Skills

 East Street School ELL teacher, Kerri Kinne, wrapped up a 1st grade unit with the essential question- “How do we get what we need?” How else, but to open a class shopping mall! Click here to read the full article.

BMS Science Department Takes PD to New Heights!

Faculty members of the Baird Middle School Science Department took their Professional Development to new heights when they recently put on their hiking gear and explored the Mount Holyoke Range. This activity encouraged cooperation, trust, sharing- and was a wonderful way to foster team building and support the curriculum. Click here to read the full article.

2019 Mayflower Marathon

We are PROUD to share that the LHS National Honor Society has done it again-- donating $9,171.33 worth of food to Springfield's Open Pantry during the Mayflower Marathon-- $2000 more than last year!
Since 2013, as a school, LHS has donated $55,626 worth of food to the Mayflower Marathon- AMAZING!

Lion's Pride Mentoring Program

This student led partnership is... LPS PRIDE.
This year the Lion's Pride Mentoring Program between Veterans Park School and Ludlow High School has grown to 60 students- 30 LHS Leading Lions (mentors) matched with 30 VP students. On November 25th they met each other for the first time at Vets Park to begin a year filled with fun, friendship and new, exciting experiences. 

 Talking Bananas at Chapin Street School!

 Chapin Street School cafeteria staff (Cindy Cabral, Luisa Almeida, Joan Horsler) are spreading bunches of positive messages during breakfast by writing encouraging & inspiring messages on bananas. We love how this creative idea is helping to start the day with such positive reminders! 

 Principal Reed's Positive Pause

Principal Reed is PROUD of this amazing Chapin Street School breakfast crew who gives 110% every day. Barbara Cebula for assisting students and making sure they eat breakfast and students Alexander Hamilton and Xzander Lincoln for being the best helpers during clean up time!

Gazette Publishes Article by LHS English Teacher, Chris Rea

Another reason we are proud of our faculty... sharing this thoughtful, honest article written by Chris Rea, Ludlow High School English teacher, about the importance for teachers to be placed in students’ shoes. Click here to read the full article.

VFW Patriot's Pen & Voice of Democracy Finalists

We are proud to share this year's Voice of Democracy finalists from Ludlow High School and the Patriot's Pen finalists from Baird Middle School. Click on the links to learn more about these students.

CTEC Walter E. Quigley Jr. Students of the Month Award

WAY TO GO... Zachary Archambault (Capentry II), Christian Roche (Machine Technology I), Isaiah Gutierrez (Culinary II) and Autumn Snow (Landscaping Technology/Horticulture I), LHS students who were recently recognized as October students of the month at the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center Program (CTEC).

 BMS Geography Teacher, Anna Babavol, Honored with VFW Award

Join us in CONGRATULATING Baird Middle School 7th grade geography teacher, Anna Baboval, on receiving the 2019 VFW Teacher Award. In part her nomination read- "Her class imparts pride in being an American as well as an understanding and appreciation of our allies so students recognize the value of friendships in navigating global challenges." Click here to learn more about Ms. Baboval and why she was chosen to receive this award.

 XC Runner Cross the Finish Line at States

 CELEBRATING with the LHS XC runners at the finish line of today's MIAA State Championship Meet in Gardner. CONGRATULATIONS Kendyl Vermette -42nd with a time of 20:33, Sofia Tulik 62nd with a time of 20:49 and Darius Housey 108th with a time of 17:42. We are so PROUD! Also sending a special thank you to their coaches- Amy Walsh and Becca Gauvin - who inspire and motivate the XC team members to be the best they can be on and off the track.

LHS Senior, Matthew Tibbitts, Elected Chair of Massachusetts State Student Advisory Council

We couldn't be prouder of LHS Senior, Matthew Tibbitts, who was recently elected as the Chair of MA State Student Advisory Council- attending the official ceremonial event at the State House, with Governor Charlie Baker swearing in new members. Click here to learn about Matt's journey to this prestigious position.

Students of the Month- Veterans Park

Please join us in CONGRATULATING Timothy, Olivia, Alexiya, Montana, Christian, Elsa, Tyler, Ariana, Brayden, Vinny, Jake, Joana, Jose, Beatrice, Rhiley & Evita for being recognized as Superheroes of COURAGE! Click here to learn more about these amazing students.

Thank You Rawson & Sons Insurance

We are so thankful to Rawson & Sons Insurance Group LLC for their very kind and extremely generous donation of school supplies for our Veterans Park students.

 Congratulations India!

FOCUSED> TALENTED> DETERMINED> all words that describe LHS freshman India Iwaniec both in school and when training and competing in the martial arts sport of Chinese Kenpo Karate. We are proud to share that India recently brought home GOLD medals in two separate tournaments- did we say impressive! Click here to read the full article.

November = Pumpkin Pies!

Adelei Bernard's Ludlow High School Food 101 class joined the LHS Life Skills class to create some delicious pumpkin pies. The Food 101 classes made the pie crusts the day before the Life Skills students joined them to make the perfect pumpkin pie filling--a winning team effort and a definite sweet success! 

Running Off to the States!

BURSTING WITH LHS PRIDE! The Western Mass Div I XC Championship was held on Saturday at Northfield Mountain. Please join us in congratulating Kendyl Vermette & Sofia Tulik finishing 6th & 7th and Darius Housey finishing 12th- each qualifying for the 11/16 MIAA State Championship race at Gardner Municipal Golf Course Overall, the girls team placed 4th & the boys team placed 11th- WOW- CONGRATS to all! Click here to read the full article.

 Thank You Letters Sent to Classmate's Uncle

Kindergarten students in room 110 at East Street School made, and sent, the sweetest thank you letters for their classmate, Cameron Newall's uncle- U.S. Marine Sgt.Travis Eugene Blanton, stationed in North Carolina. 

Hip, Hip Hooray! It's the 50th Day!

And just like that East Street staff and students were celebrating 50 days of learning in the most adorable way! Click here to view additional photos on the LPS Facebook Page.

Students Thank Their Principal

October was National Principals Month and to celebrate their AMAZING principal, and all she does for the Veterans Park community, students surprised Principal Knowles with the sweetest homemade cards/sign and flowers. We would agree- your principal is pretty special!

 Welcome to Room  9¾

Veterans Park School 5th grade English Language teacher, Amy Brown, changed things up a bit in her classroom this year, finding her inspiration from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! The classroom is now sprinkled with very impressive Harry Potter trademarks- which included changing the number of their room as a nod to Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station in London where students board the Hogwarts Express to attend wizard school! Did we say WOW! Click here to read the full article.

 One Book, One Community

2nd & 3rd graders at Chapin Street School gathered to SKYPE with Elana K. Arnold- the author of A Boy Named Bat- this year's book selection. It was an amazing opportunity for the entire school community to come together and discuss the book everyone had read this summer, with the author.

Pied Potter Shares Talent with LHS Students

Today the LHS art department had the pleasure of hosting Rick Hamelin of Pied Potter Hamelin Redware. Rick has shared his remarkable artistic talent with LHS students for the last ten years. His potter's wheel demonstration is enriching, entertaining and mesmerizing. His demonstration ends with putting all of the pieces together to create a very impressive dragon!

Teaching Beyond the Classroom

Baird Middle School Spanish Teacher, Melissa Kriebel, is always striving to expose her students to creative, innovative teaching strategies. Recently she brought a fun, educational BINGO activity to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month not only to her students but to the entire Baird community. Click here to read the full article.

 Welcome Back Mr. Gav!

LHS Class of 2014 graduate Timofey Gavrilov has returned to Ludlow High School, this time as a newly hired science teacher, teaching 9th, 10th & 11th grade biology & chemistry. Click here to read the outstanding article about Mr. Gav's journey, written by LUDLOW CUB staff writers-Madelyn Ogorzalek & Craig Nally. Photo credits- Lillian Przybyl.

East Street School 2019 Family Night

The 2019 Ghoulishly A-M-A-Z-I-N-G East Street School Family Fall Night is in the cauldron! Many thanks to staff who put in much time and energy to transform the hallways into an inviting, fun, spook-filled adventure at every turn! Additinal photos can be found on the LPS Facebook Page.

2019 BAND BASH

The 2019 BAND BASH and costume contest was recently held at Ludlow High School. Out of the shadows the LHS & BMS Bands performed as the audience fell under their spell. The costumes were magical, eerie and dare we say even a bit scary! Thanks to everyone who helped make this another spell binding, magical, fun evening!  Additional photos and information can be found on the LPS Facebook page.

Best Buddies Halloween Celebration

LHS Best Buddies celebrating Halloween = friendship, fun and some pretty cooooool costumes!

Congratulations!

CONGRATS to the LHS Varsity Girls Soccer Team on their recent win against Hoosac Valley- their last game of the season. And WOW what an amazing MassLive article about these never-give-up Lady Lions! Click here to read the full article.

Thank You Mrs. Lewison

Staff and students did a double take when they saw recently retired Chapin Street School 3rd grade teacher, Marybeth Lewison, in the hallways. Turns out she is volunteering- supporting student math skills- and anyone who had Mrs. Lewison as a teacher will remember how passionate she is about anything and everything math!

 Veterans Park School House 5 Growing the Good

 Veterans Park School House 5 Members organized a book donation drive for Shriners Hospital for Children - Springfield as their first "Grow the Good" activity of the year. We love what 4th grader, Jason Carmody said about the activity "It felt great to do something good for kids that are going through a tough time. To read the full article click here.

LHS College Fair

 The Ludlow High School gym was filled with over 100 colleges and post-secondary organizations giving students the opportunity to speak with representatives and gather information that will assist them to plan for life after graduating from LHS.

LHS Junior, Evan Libby, Headed to States

 With his 2nd place win of 82 at the Western MA D1 Golf Tournament at Southampton Country Club he will now bring his clubs to the MIAA D1 State Championship on Monday 10/28 at The Haven Country Club in Boylston, MA. GOOD LUCK EVAN!

Principal Reed's Positive Pause

CONGRATULATIONS Ava and Jace! Principal Reed was PROUD of both of you after learning...
Ava stepped in to support her classmate by helping him stay on task and be successful.
Jace showed courage by using his voice to share he was having difficulty in art class- showing classmates that asking for assistance can help each of us to reach our goals.

LHS Cross Country Teams Shine at Northeast Challenge 

 DID YOU HEAR THE LIONS ROAR from this weekend's 36th Annual Northeast Challenge at Brown University? The LHS Girls and Boys XC Teams had amazing results.The girls team ran against 30 teams, including some of the best in New England, bringing home an impressive overall finish in 9th place. Leading the Lady Lions was Kendyl Vermette who shattered her old school record by running a time of 18:40, placing 5th overall. Her performance, meeting the mile-split U.S. first team standard.The boys team placed 20th overall and was led by Darius Housey with a time of 16:39, becoming the 11th fastest boys' XC runner in school history. Click here to read the full article and view all of the impressive individual results.

 BMS English Teacher, Tina DeLullo, Crosses the Finish Line!

 Baird Middle School English teacher, Tina DeLullo, recently checked off-- COMPLETE 1st MARATHON - on her bucket list! Yep- she recently ran the Wineglass Marathon- starting in Bath, N. Y., and ending 26.2 miles later in Corning, N. Y. Did we say A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and CONGRATULATIONS! Click here to read the full article.

 Unified Special Olympics Fall Days 2019

 LHS Best Buddies student/athletes attended the Fall 2019 Unified Special Olympics event at Granby Jr./Sr. High School. The day was filled with a variety of activities, music, dancing, fun and friendship. Congratulations! We are very proud of each of you.

Coffee Break Escape!

Principal Knowles and the Outreach Class Ambassadors at Veterans Park School served up a Coffee Break Escape today for Veterans Park staff. The delicious treats included flavored coffees, cookies and donut holes.

BMS Principal Invited to Capital Hill

 In recognition of National Principals Month.Baird Middle School Principal, Stacy Monette, was invited to spend today on Capital Hill with principals from across the country. Her journey gave her the opportunity to meet with representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Representative Richard Neal and Senator Edward J. Markey.to advocate on behalf of public education.

 LHS Represented at MIAA Fall Huddle

Sofia and Mike representing Ludlow High School, and joining over 160 MIAA student ambassadors from across the state at today's Fall Huddle- sharing, listening and learning.

 Mindfulness Space- Leaving a Legacy 

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! So proud of Jeni Sanchez and Lizette Mendez two former BMS students & now LHS freshmen- who, with a vision and a few paint brushes in hand, volunteered to transform a dark, underused room at BMS into an inviting, calm, tranquil mindfulness space, for students and staff. Click here to read the full article.

Kind Gesture in Honor of Breast Cancer Month

This will melt you heart... In honor of October being Breast Cancer Month, before a recent game, Landon, a 3rd grade student/hockey player, wrapped his hockey stick in pink and on the stick blade wrote the name Jennifer McNeely, a breast cancer fighter and the sister of his teacher, Wendi Lawson. Ms. Lawson and her sister had no words to express how touched they were when Landon's mother shared her son's very kind, sweet gesture.

Principal Reed's Positive Pause

CONGRATULATIONS Tyler & Mateus! Principal Reed is so PROUD of you both for arriving to school with a smile and positive attitude to make your day at Chapin Street School the best it can be!

Veterans Park October Students of the Month

PROUD to share the Veterans Park School October Students of the Month! CONGRATULATIONS Karina, Molly, Alaina, Leila, Brady, Ned, Brielle, Jade, Robert, Hayden, Jayla, Gabriella, Christian, Liberty, Fabiola, Jayden & Lilly for being recognized as Superheroes of OPENNESS! We welcome you to view the slide presentation below to learn more about these amazing Superheroes! Click here to learn more about these amazing Superheroes! 

Kindergarten Fall Field Trip 

East Street School kindergartners enjoyed a fun-tastic fall day of decorating cookies & pumpkins, barrel train adventures, tractor rides, exploring the corn maze, and ringing the silver bell! Sending our thank you to the LES PTO for helping to fund this trip. Additional photos can be found on the LPS Facebook page.

 First Grade Fall Field Trip

Sharing some pics of 1st grade students enjoying their apple picking adventure to Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown. Sending our thanks to the LES PTO for their support in helping to fund this trip. Additional photos can be found on the LPS Facebook page.

 CTEC Walter E. Quigley Jr. Students of the Month Award

Join us in sending congratulations to LHS students- Wyatt Chambers (Machine Technology II), Justin Costa (Graphic & Visual Design), Hayleigh Paine (Culinary II) & Jared Provost (Information Support Services & Networking II) who were recently recognized as September students of the month at the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center Program (CTEC). Click here for the full article.

 Principal Reed's Positive Pause

 CONGRATULATIONS Camryn, Xavier & Violett! Principal Reed was PROUD to learn you helped a classmate having a difficult time arriving to school by offering him encouraging words to help him relax, feel welcomed & start his day on a positive note.

 Spike It For Life

 What an amazing collaboration LHS & Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls Volleyball Teams- raising $1,470 to be donated to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  Click here for the full story. 

 Custodial Workers Recognition Day THANK YOU!

 On Custodial Workers Recognition Day we want to give a shout out to our hardworking team- they are the BEST! THANK YOU for all you do to keep our schools running smoothly.

 What is Your Superpower?

 CONGRATULATIONS to 1st grade students in room 222 at East Street School for receiving Superpower Awards from Principal Welch -Cameron for courage & Aaliyah for love and compassion- both supporting classmates with kindness and acceptance.

National Principals Month- THANK YOU!

October is NationalPrincipalsMonth so we are proudly sharing this pic of our rock star Admin Team from the recent Future Ready Schools conference. Principals- Stacy Monette (BMS), Melissa Knowles (Veterans Park) Tom Welch, (East Street), Nikki Reed (Chapin Street), Lisa Nemeth (LHS) and our Director of Information Communication Technology, Mike Assaf. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to ensure the success and well-being of each student and staff member in our schools.

Spike It For Life

The Ludlow Girls Varsity Volleyball Team will play Wilbraham & Monson Academy in the Ludlow High School gym on October 4th at 7 PM. All proceeds from this event will be donated to The Jimmy Fund which raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Click here to learn more.

Seeing Double, Times NINE, at East Street School!

Western Mass News reporter Sabrina Reilley visited East Street School this morning to meet our NINE sets of twins- Nessa. & Nora, Aiden & Cameron, Liam & Sloan, Julia & Samson, Vivian & Lucas, Sarah & Hannah, Guliana & Lucas, Josh & Ella, and we can't forget Teddy and Freddy! Click here to view the WMN video.

Veterans Park Staff Receive Special Delivery

The Ambassador's of Hospitality- AKA Veterans Park School Outreach students- surprised staff with a special delivery of apples and apple cider this week. How sweet! #LPSGrowtheGood #kindnessmatters

1st Grader Shares Friendship Cards with Classmates

THIS WILL MELT YOUR HEART!! 1st grader, Caitlyn Sylvestre, made the sweetest friendship cards for each of her classmates in Grace Dolan's classroom at East Street School as part of the #StartwithHELLO campaign this week.
Thank you Caitlyn for spreading so much joy and making all of your classmates feel special- you are AMAZING! 

 Author Fair Features LHS English Teacher/Author

Our very own LHS English teacher/published author, Eric Johnson, will be at the Springfield Public Library Author Fair this Saturday, September 28 from 12:30-3:30PM. A total of 11 local authors - fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, and children's books- will be represented. Click here to learn more.

 LHS Girls XC Team Shines at Amherst Invitational

 The LHS Girls XC Team had a great showing at yesterday's Amherst Invitational with a 5th place overall finish against some of the best teams in Massachusetts. Click here to read the full article.

LHS Band Marches in Big E Parade

 The LHS Band marched in the Massachusetts Day parade at the Big E along with many other high school bands from our area. Band Director Kevin McAvoy reports -the weather was perfect and the students had a great time entertaining the crowd during the parade and seeing friends from other schools. Click here to view the Western Mass News video!

 Morgan Foye, LHS Class of 2016, Returns as Trainer

The LHS Football Team is getting some help in the weight room from Morgan Foye - LHS Class of 2016 graduate and current Springfield College senior majoring in Movement and Sports Studies. Foye has returned as a trainer helping the players not only get physically stronger, but translating their hard work in the weight room onto the field. Click here to view the Western Mass News video.

 LHS Junior, Kendyl Vermette, Sets New School XC Record

 CONGRATULATIONS to LHS Class of 2021 student/athlete Kendyl Vermette for recently breaking the school XC record with a time of 19:39.The record was previously set in 2012 by Deaven Theriault (LHS 2013 grad.) with a time of 19:47. Click here for the full article.

Kindness Ripples Spread at East Street School

 East Street School 1st grade teacher, Greg Bertsch, shared his Kindness Ripples Ceremony with his students- teaching them the importance of taking care of one another and those around them!

 Principal Reed's Positive Pause

 This year Chapin Street SchoolPrincipal Nikki Reed will pause to highlight positive social interactions that happen during the course of a school day.  Congratulations to each of these students for making Mrs. Reed proud!  To learn more about these students, and what they did to earn the positive pause photo please check out the school website.

New LHS Senior Class Tradition Begins

A new graduation tradition started at Ludlow High School this year. Members of the LHS Class of 2020 signed this gown which will be displayed in the senior section of the cafeteria all year. In the spring seniors will vote to decide which teacher will wear the gown at their graduation in May. Wonder who it will be?????

Gym Doors Receive a ROAR Makeover

Elizabeth Rodio, a 2017 LHS graduate, entering her junior year at MCLA (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts) with a Fine and Performing Arts major for transformed the gym doors at Veterans Park School into a work of art. To read the full article click here.

Kindergarten Student Confident on First Day

“Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” (Anonymous)

With her parents by her side, Emilie started Kindergarten confident it will be a great year in Mrs. Ortyl's class.

Why....because after the kindergarten screening her mom said- "I think you're going to like Mrs. Ortyl!"

Emilie responded, "I already do. She's a nice person."

We agree 100% Emilie!

 One Word Describes Return to School

We stopped by Veterans Park School asked a few 5th graders to tell us how they felt about being back in school using just one word and we loved their answers! To view all of the answers click here.

Students Begin Year with Positive Assignment

To start their year in 2nd grade students in Room 3 at Chapin Street School were given a pretty cool assignment by their teachers- Ms. Anderson and Mrs. Rhodes. "On a piece of paper write a positive word you want others to feel when they think of our classroom this year, and then construct it."
Here are some of their very sweet, positive responses...

 Twenty-five New Staff Members Attend Two Day Orientation 

In preparation for the 2019-20 school year, twenty-five new staff members to the Ludlow Public School district attended a two day orientation program as part of the district wide mentoring program.  First implemented at the start of the 2000-2001 school year affords teachers new to the district (protégés) the opportunity to regularly meet with veteran teachers (mentors) for advice, guidance, and support.  Click here to read the full article.

Nolan Ayers and Sara Ketchale Attend 2019 HOBY Seminar

Recently, Nolan Ayers and Sara Ketchale, LHS Class of 2021, attended the Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) State Leadership Seminar at Bentley University in Waltham, MA.  Ayers and Ketchale were joined by 224 other high school leaders from across the state of Massachusetts. Click here to read the full article.

When A Wish Comes True

Thanks to Make-A-Wish America,Chapin Street 3rd grader Joana Afonso's dream of meeting her favorite actor/singer, Cameron Boyce, came true this spring when they met at Dave and Buster's in NYC for a day filled with ice cream sundaes, dance moves and sharing secrets! Click here to learn more about this special memory making day.

Baird Family Mural

During their last formal faculty meeting of the year- Baird Middle School staff gathered in the library to create a mural that represents their Baird Family. Many thanks to the creative vision of BMS art teacher extraordinaire, Rob Nummy, for sharing his talents- the result is AMAZING! Click here to learn more.

CONGRATULATIONS LHS Class of 2019

 2019 LPS Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award Recipients

Our favorite time of the year-- drum roll please --- introducing our 2019 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award recipients. Join us in congratulating...
Chris Rea- Ludlow High 
David Galvin- Baird Middle School (1st year) 
Katie Leary- Veterans Park 
Deb Donovan- East Street 
CONGRATULATIONS to each of these hardworking, dedicated and passionate educators who make a positive difference for the students of Ludlow. Click the recipients names to learn more about these amazing teachers!

 The Ludlow Public Schools Mission

The mission of the Ludlow Public Schools is to provide a quality education for every student by working in partnership with parents and community to assist each student in reaching his/her full potential.