About Us

Our District

Serving approximately 6,800 PreK-12 students across 15 schools, Chicopee Public Schools is committed to fostering academic excellence and innovation in every classroom.

Our Community

Our vibrant community is enriched by a diverse mix of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. With families speaking several languages and bringing unique traditions.

Our Superintendent

Now in his second year as Superintendent of the Chicopee Public Schools, Dr. Marcus L. Ware is eager to build on the foundation he established during his first year on the job. Learn More Here

Our Schools

The Chicopee School District has 6800 students in pre K-12 educated in 1 Early childhood Center, 9 Elementary Schools, 2 Middle Schools, 2 High Schools and 1 Alternative School.View Schools

Chicopee Public Schools News

Oct 31, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools

The Superintendent's Newsletter Issue No. 14

The Superintendent's Newsletter

Issue No. 14 🦃 🍂

October 31, 2025

Welcome to the fourteenth issue of The Superintendent’s Newsletter! As October comes to a close and we turn the page to November, the crisp autumn air and colorful New England landscapes remind us how quickly the seasons — and the school year — move along. From festive fall celebrations to impressive academic and extracurricular achievements, it’s been a lively and inspiring month across Chicopee Public Schools.

November offers a moment to reflect and give thanks — for our dedicated staff, hardworking students, and supportive families who make our district such a special community.

Let’s take a look at the latest highlights and happenings from around the district as we continue building momentum toward a strong and successful 2025–2026 school year!

City Spooktacular 👻

Thank you to everyone who joined in the excitement at this year’s City of Chicopee Spooktacular! The evening was filled with creativity, laughter, and plenty of community spirit as families, students, vendors, staff, and city officials came together in droves to celebrate this cherished Chicopee tradition.

Our Chicopee Public Schools FACE (Family and Community Engagement) Team had a fantastic time connecting with families and handing out candy, while Chicopee Fresh kept the crowd energized with frightfully flavorful bites from their food truck. Even with all the spooky disguises, it was the smiles that stood out most!

As we are heading into Halloween night, we remind everyone to stay safe on the roads and in neighborhoods tonight—whether you’re out celebrating, passing out treats, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home. Parents and guardians, if your child is going out, take a moment to review safety tips and plan a route with a designated meeting spot if needed. The last thing anyone wants is an accident to spoil the fun. Wishing all a safe and enjoyable night!

CPS Spotlight ✨

In this section, we aim to highlight and celebrate the many positive activities, achievements, and initiatives taking place across our school district. It serves as a way to recognize the hard work of students, staff, and the community, showcasing successes in academics, sports, arts, and service projects.

Family Cooking Night at Belcher School

Chicopee FRESH and the CPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Team recently joined forces to host a fun and flavorful Family Cooking Night at Belcher School! Families rolled up their sleeves to make their own enchilada casseroles using almost entirely local ingredients — including fresh corn tortillas from Mi Tierra Tortillas, produce from Czajkowski Farm, cheddar from Cabot Creamery, onions from Bardwell Farm, and apple cider from Atkins Farms.

In addition to cooking, families enjoyed seasonal activities such as pumpkin painting (with pumpkins supplied by Plainville Farm) and dried bean art for a creative fall touch. Special guests included Superintendent Dr. Marcus Ware, Assistant Superintendent Carol Kruser, and Abby Getman-Skillicorn from Mass Farm to School, who all joined in on the fun.

It was a wonderful evening filled with food, family, and community spirit. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and to the staff and volunteers who made this event happen!

CHS Boys Soccer 🏆

CONGRATULATIONS to our Chicopee High Boys Soccer team on winning the Western Mass Championship! The Pacers battled hard and came out on top against Pope Francis, marking a historic win for the program. We couldn’t be prouder of their effort, teamwork, and determination. Way to go, Pacers. Now take it all the way!

Congratulations to our Director of Athletics Sean Mackin!

We’re proud to share that Sean Mackin has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 NIAAA Distinguished Service Award “Inside the Field of Athletics.” This prestigious national honor is presented to just one individual each year in recognition of exceptional leadership, years of dedicated service, and outstanding contributions to athletic administration at the local, state, and national levels.

This well-deserved recognition highlights Mr. Mackin’s unwavering commitment to supporting student-athletes, advancing school athletics, and fostering excellence across all Chicopee Public Schools programs. Congratulations, Sean, on this remarkable achievement!

CHS Pathways Info Night

Join us for Pathways Info Night at Chicopee High School on November 5th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the CHS Auditorium (Community Entrance).

Learn about the exciting career-focused Pathway Programs available to students — from Business and Health Sciences to Graphic Communications, TV/Video Production, and more.

Discover how Chicopee High helps students explore their interests and gain hands-on experience for future success!

CCHS CTE Info Night

Join us for CTE Info Night at Chicopee Comprehensive High School to explore the wide range of Career and Technical Education programs available — including Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Graphic Design, Information Technology, and much more.

Date: November 6, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Student Cafeteria

Come see how Chicopee Comp helps students gain real-world skills and hands-on experience for future success.

Community Meetings with Dr. Ware Return This Fall

Dr. Marcus Ware is once again inviting Chicopee community members to join him for a new round of Community Meetings this fall and winter. These sessions are an opportunity for open conversation about our schools — what’s working well, where we can grow, and how we can continue to build trust and collaboration across our district.

Your voice truly matters. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, staff member, or community partner, your experiences and ideas help guide meaningful progress in Chicopee Public Schools.

The first round of meetings begins Tuesday, November 18th, and continues through January 2026, with both morning and evening options available to fit your schedule.

Upcoming November Meeting:

Wards 2, 4, & 5

📅 Tuesday, November 18th, 2025

📍 Chicopee Public Library, Community Room

🕘 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM & 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Important November Dates and Observances

National Career Development Month

National Scholarship Month

Nov. 2:

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Nov. 3:

National School Psychology Week (Nov. 3–7)

Nov. 4:

Professional Development (No School - District-wide)

Municipal Election Day

Nov. 8:

National STEM and STEAM Day

Nov. 11:

Veterans Day (Schools and Offices Closed)

Nov. 13:

World Kindness Day (#MakeKindnessTheNorm)

Nov. 15:

America Recycles Day

Nov. 17:

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 17–23)

American Education Week (Nov. 17–21) #AEW2025

Nov. 19:

Education Support Professionals Day

Nov. 20:

World Children’s Day

National Parent Involvement Day

Nov. 21:

Substitute Educators Day (#SubstituteEducatorsDay)

Nov. 26:

Day Before Thanksgiving (Schools and Offices Closed)

Nov. 27:

Thanksgiving Day (Schools and Offices Closed)

Nov. 28:

Day After Thanksgiving (Schools and Offices Closed)

Oct 31, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools
Additonal Local Food Support Resources
Oct 22, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools
CCHS CTE Info Night
Attention Class of 2030 families!

Join us for CTE Info Night at Chicopee Comprehensive High School to explore the wide range of Career and Technical Education programs available — including Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Graphic Design, Information Technology, and much more.

Date: November 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Student Cafeteria

Come see how Chicopee Comp helps students gain real-world skills and hands-on experience for future success.
Oct 21, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools
CHS Pathways Info Night
Attention Class of 2030 families!

Join us for Pathways Info Night at Chicopee High School on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the CHS Auditorium (Community Entrance).

Learn about the exciting career-focused Pathway Programs available to students — from Business and Health Sciences to Graphic Communications, TV/Video Production, and more.

Discover how Chicopee High helps students explore their interests and gain hands-on experience for future success!
Oct 17, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools
Join the City for a Spooktacular Night!
🎃👻 Get ready for a Spooktacular night in Chicopee! 👻🎃

Join the City of Chicopee for some Halloween fun at Szot Park on Wednesday, October 23rd from 4:00–7:00 PM!

There will be treats, costumes, and plenty of spooky surprises for kids of all ages. 🕸️🦇

Szot Park – 687 Front St., Chicopee, MA
Wednesday, October 23 | ⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM

Don’t miss out on this fun community tradition — bring your family and friends for a frightfully good time! 🎃🧙‍♀️
Oct 10, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools
Reminder: 2025-2026 Chicopee Suburban Basketball Tryouts
2025-2026 Chicopee Suburban Basketball Tryouts soon! Participants MUST be pre-registered. Follow the QR code to www.chicopeerec.com to do so. With questions contact the Parks Department at 594-3481.

Sep 30, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools

The Superintendent's Newsletter Issue No. 13

The Superintendent's Newsletter

Issue No. 13 🕷️

September 30, 2025

Welcome to the thirteenth issue of The Superintendent’s Newsletter! October has arrived, bringing cooler days, colorful leaves, and plenty of excitement across Chicopee Public Schools. The first weeks of the school year are behind us, routines are taking shape, and our classrooms are buzzing with learning and creativity.

This season is a perfect time to celebrate student accomplishments, highlight staff achievements, and enjoy the many events and traditions that make fall such a special time in our schools.

Let’s jump into the latest updates and happenings from around the district as we continue to make this a successful 2025–2026 school year!

Welcoming Our New Educational Stability Coordinator

We are excited to welcome Lexus McCollaum as our new Educational Stability Coordinator, who officially joined us on September 29th. A proud Chicopee Comp graduate, Lexus will be continuing the important work of supporting some of our most vulnerable students and families, including those experiencing homelessness and foster care. We are thrilled to have her back in Chicopee Public Schools and look forward to the positive impact she will bring to our community.

Lexus graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2022 and earned her Master’s in Social Work in 2025. She previously worked at the Center for Human Development, where she served as both an ETO Specialist and ADA Coordinator. In these roles, she supported families living in homeless shelters across Hampden County, ensuring accessibility, tracking program data, and coordinating services for individuals experiencing housing instability. Her strong background in advocacy and student support makes her a wonderful addition to our district team.

And now for a few fun facts to get to know Lexus:

Favorite TV show: New Girl
Coffee or tea? Coffee all the way!
Early bird or night owl? Definitely a night owl
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Go-to comfort meal: Chick-fil-A crispy nuggets with mac and cheese
Best trip so far: Hawaii
Proudest accomplishment: Earning her Master’s degree in Social Work

Please join us in giving Lexus a warm Chicopee Public Schools welcome!

CPS Spotlight ✨

35th Annual Springfield Puerto Rican Parade 🇵🇷

We were proud to join the City of Chicopee and the Mayor’s Office in marching in the 35th Annual Springfield Puerto Rican Parade on Sunday, September 14!

Superintendent Ware, the Chicopee High School Pacers Band, and the Majorettes Team proudly represented CPS as part of the city’s delegation, celebrating culture, community, and pride.

A big thank-you to the City of Springfield for inviting us to be part of this special celebration, and to our incredible students and staff for bringing your talent, energy, and school spirit to the parade. ¡WEPA!

Chicopee Day at The Big E 🎡

Everyone had a fantastic time at Chicopee Day at The Big E!

Thank you to all of our families who came out to show their Chicopee pride and to our amazing students who represented CPS in the parade. It was a great day to celebrate our community together — we’re already looking forward to next year!

Belcher HVAC Funding 💵

We are pleased to share that Senator Jake Oliveira has successfully secured $100,000 in funding through Fair Share to support HVAC upgrades at Belcher School. This funding, which is part of the current supplemental budget process, will play an important role in improving the learning environment for Belcher’s students and staff.

This investment reflects a strong commitment from our state leaders to the needs of our schools and supports our ongoing capital improvement efforts. We are grateful to Senator Oliveira and his team for advocating for Chicopee Public Schools and look forward to seeing this move through the final stages of the budget process.

Senator Jake Oliveira Check Presentation at Belcher School For HVAC Funds.

Chicopee Family Survey Fall 2025

Our district truly values your feedback. We are surveying all Chicopee Public Schools families to better understand your perceptions of your child’s school and our district as a whole. Your input is essential as we work to provide high-quality, rigorous learning experiences that support every student and prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

This year’s Family Survey will once again be administered through Panorama Education. The survey is completely anonymous - your responses will not be linked to you or your child. It takes about 10 minutes to complete and will give us valuable insight as we continue to improve our schools and district.

You may complete the survey online anytime before Friday, October 17, 2025 on a computer, tablet, or smartphone by visiting:

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/chicopeema/family25/surveys

Click the green “Take the Survey” button next to your child’s school. If you have children in more than one school, you’re encouraged to complete the survey for each school.

Thank you in advance for your time and thoughtful feedback. If you have any questions, please contact Abbey Tenczar, Director of Counseling, at atenczar@cpsge.org.

Suicide Awareness & Prevention for Caregivers & Communities

Join us for an important conversation on how to recognize risk factors, dispel myths, and support youth who may be struggling.

📅 Tuesday, October 21

🕠 5:30–7:00 PM ET | 3:30–5:00 PM MT

🎤 Facilitated by Roddia Hill, PsyD (Tier 3 Director at TRAILS)

Together, we can make a difference. 💜

Important October Dates and Observances

National Principals Month #ThankaPrincipal

Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15)

Oct. 1:

Yom Kippur Begins

Oct. 2:

School Custodian Appreciation Day

Oct. 6:

National Coaches Appreciation Day

Oct. 13:

Indigenous People's' Day (Schools and Offices Closed)
National School Lunch Week (Oct. 13-17)

Oct. 16:

National Boss's Day

Oct. 20:

National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 20-24)
Diwali

Oct. 31:

Teacher Collaboration (Early Dismissal - Pre K - 5 only)
Halloween

Sep 29, 2025 · Chicopee Public Schools
🏊‍♂️ Join the Chicopee Amberjacks Swim Team! 🏊‍♀️
The Chicopee Amberjacks are recruiting new swimmers!

They're a competitive swim team that is part of the PVSL and they welcome swimmers from Chicopee and surrounding towns.

✅ Who can join?
• Swimmers ages 5–18 who can swim unassisted
• Athletes from Chicopee and nearby towns

✅ What do we do?
They teach the fundamentals of swimming, refine all competitive strokes, and build a positive, team-oriented environment.

📅 Registration is now open!
Complete the registration form here:
🔗 Register Now

📧 Questions? Email Amberjacksswim@gmail.com or visit ChicopeeAmberjacks.org.

District Events

No events for November, 2025

November 2025

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134 Dulong Circle CHICOPEE, MA 01022

+1 413 594 3410