Hello everyone,
This past week was National Read Across America week! Reading to kids whether at home, in classrooms, or in our community helps build confidence, connection, and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Some of Team Velis’s own favorite childhood stories include If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, Bear Wants More, and The Butter Battle Book.
As March begins, “Green” Season is in full swing throughout the district. On Monday, Team Velis proudly joined the Holyoke community for an Irish Flag raising ceremony at City Hall. However, St. Patrick’s Day festivities wouldn’t be complete without enjoying traditional boiled dinners, lively music, and spirited dancing. Throughout the week, we had a wonderful time connecting with friends and neighbors from Agawam, Westfield, and West Springfield, at various gatherings to embrace these beloved traditions.
On Tuesday, Caitlyn had the opportunity to connect with some of our local talented artists and musicians at the State House for Creative Sector Day. Caitlyn not only had the chance to sit down with Common Wealth Murals and learn about their impact on the City of Holyoke, but she also picked up a paintbrush to contribute to a collaborative artwork. This piece will be installed in Western Massachusetts later this spring, marking a meaningful connection between local artists and the community.
This week, Team Velis had the pleasure of welcoming two businesses to our district and presenting them with official citations from the Massachusetts State Senate to mark these special occasions. Congratulations go out to The Healing Well for launching their new wellness and therapy practice in West Springfield on Wednesday, as well as to the Print Lab for opening their new shop in Westfield on Thursday!
To close out the week, Mark and Bridget participated in several legislative events within the district on Friday. These engagements offered our team valuable insight and perspectives from those directly affected. Among the events we attended were the annual Western Massachusetts Labor Federation Breakfast and the Connecticut Valley Superintendents roundtable. Mark appreciated the opportunity to engage with our local superintendents and deepen his understanding of the challenges currently facing many of our school districts.
This week, Team Velis hosted office hours in Agawam. Next week, we will be hosting office hours at the Chicopee Council on Aging on Tuesday from 10:00am to 11:00am and again on Wednesday at the West Side Council on Aging from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you are unable to make office hours, please remember that you can reach us by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely,
Team Velis