A Message from:
Margaret Marotta, EdD, Superintendent of Schools
Hello Haverhill Families,
I hope this message finds you well! We have been busy, and students have been celebrating milestones at HPS. It is hard to believe that we marked the 100th day of school on February 13th. Students celebrated the event by dressing as 100-year-olds and partaking in fun 100-day activities. Check out some of the pictures in this newsletter and many more on our Facebook page. Included is a slideshow to see the wonderful things we have done during the 100 days! February Vacation Academy was a huge success. If you missed this vacation academy, watch our website for April Vacation Academy information which will post soon.
Winter sports are winding down, and spring sports will start soon. Our Hillie athletes have thrived on the tracks, mats, slopes, ice, and gyms. These students work hard at their sport while balancing academics and other responsibilities. We are so proud they wear their Hillie uniforms with pride!
Many informational events are coming up with preschool, kindergarten, and high school. You will want to check out some of these events if you have students of those ages.
We are looking forward to starting the year’s second half strong, with spring slowly reaching Haverhill; until then, stay well!
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 4 2023 9:30 AM- 11:30 AM
Haverhill 4th Annual Preschool Resource Fair
March 8, 2023 – HHS
Term 3 Progress Reports issued
March 8, 2023 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Hunking School 1st Annual Multicultural Celebration
March 9, 2023 – HHS
Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 9, 2023 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – HHS
Sophomore Parent Information Night
March 10, 2023 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
5th/6th Grade Dance at JG Whittier
March 16, 2023 9:00 AM
Parent Coffee Hour with School Counseling Department
March 20, 2023
Pre-K-8 Report Cards Issued
March 22, 2023
Early Release – All Students
March 26, 2023 – Golden Hill Elementary
Blood Drive in Honor of Bruce Mitchison Birthday
March 29, 2023 6:00 PM – 7:30
Kindergarten Information Night at Bradford Elementary
Tilton Upper Elementary School
Tilton Upper School brought back the Snow-Ball Dance this year on Valentine’s Day. Photo booths, face painting and dance offs! I think it’s safe to say that had a fantastic time!
Tilton Lower Elementary School
We thought we were seeing double at Tilton Lower! Students participated in Twin Day at School by wearing coordinating outfits.
Golden Hill Elementary School
Come out and support a great cause while helping Mr. Mitchison Celebrate his Birthday!
Sunday March 26, 2023
8:00 Am – 2:30 PM
John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School
JGW Cheer and Basketball Teams
J.G. Whittier Middle School
Students at J.G. Whittier Middle School, attended Town Hall Meetings where student leaders from various grade levels shared their Student-Voice Project plans as part of the district’s work with Equity Imperative. The 8th Grade group is also working on their topic for their Civics Action Project. They all did a great job bringing the issues that are important to students to the stakeholders!
District Health & Wellness Department
Teachers in the Health & Wellness Department spent their Professional Development Day at the Haverhill YMCA!
Silver Hill Elementary School
Samantha McCarthy the Nutrition and Group Exercise Director from Cedardale Health & Fitness in Bradford visited Silver Hill health classes this week to provide instruction on proper nutrition and discussion of healthy eating choices.
Kindergarten Information & Registration
Kindergarten Information Nights
Do you live in Haverhill and have a child who will be 5 years old by August 31, 2023? Join us for a Kindergarten Information Night, and hear from HPS Departments & Teachers on what you need to prepare your child for Kindergarten! For additional information on Kindergarten Registration, visit our website.
Kindergarten Registration
Registration for the 2023-2024 begins on FEB 1st! If your child was born between 9/1/2017 – 8/31/2018 they are eligible to start Kindergarten in the fall. Complete the forms online or book an appointment to come in person. Note: Students enrolled at Moody Preschool don’t have to re-enroll.
CTE Information Technology and Computer Science & Web Development Programs
The Haverhill High School Career Technical Education Information Technology program is a DESE approved Chapter 74 program that provides students with the fundamentals of Information Technology. Through hands-on real-world projects students will learn: basic robotics engineering concepts; object-oriented programming; how to assemble a computer and install operating systems; PC hardware and software maintenance; how to build 3D printers and design prototypes; network architecture; cyber security and database management. Upon successful completion of this program, students can earn college credit through articulation agreements with local community colleges.
The Haverhill High School Career Technical Education Computer Science & Web Development program is a DESE approved Chapter 74 program that provides students with an in-depth focus on programming and coding and its many applications within software, web and app development. Students will develop “in demand” project management skills as they work together to create: dynamic and user-friendly websites; apps to improve productivity; games for entertainment and education; code to control networks; and programs to keep computer systems safe.
Recap of Work-Based Learning Experiences
Work-Based Learning experiences enhance student learning by providing them with awareness, exploration and immersion activities throughout their four years in the CTE program. Students hear from guest speakers and attend field trips to businesses and colleges. They can attend job shadow days and internships to further explore and immerse themselves in a career they are considering post-high school.
First Semester (Sept 2022 – Jan 2023)
Guest Speakers:
- Zyon Bessette: alumni who now works as a programmer at iReady; spoke with Freshmen and Sophomores
- College Panel: six alumni currently attending various colleges spoke about the transition to college, college life, how to be successful in college classes and college internships
Internships:
This year we were able to offer paid internships to students, thanks to the STEM Internship grant and our partnership with MassHire YouthWorks. The following internships were paid experiences for our Information Technology and Computer Science & Web Development students.
- STEM Career Awareness – Year-long Internship:
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- Eight students provide Information Technology/Computer Science workshops to middle and elementary school students. This raises awareness of the CTE programs at HHS for the younger students and provides important workplace etiquette and leadership skills to these high school students.
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- One senior is a junior member of the programming team; Internship began during summer 2022 and has continued throughout the school year
- Lawrence General Hospital
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- Two students interned at the hospital in their IT department, assisting staff with their technology issues
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- Six students are participating in a year-long internship with HPS Technology helping with Chromebook repairs. Since every HPS student is assigned a Chromebook, there are many repairs that need to be done – from the LCD to the keyboard to the motherboard and beyond!
- Haverhill Public Schools 3D Printing
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- One senior is designing and 3D printing room and hallway signs for Haverhill High School.
Looking forward to Second Semester (Feb 2023 – June 2023)
*Including but not limited to the following:
Mock Interviews:
Program Advisory Committee (PAC) members work with current students to hone their job interviewing skills. Students prepare in advance by reviewing industry-related job descriptions, updating their resumes & cover letters, and preparing their answers to commonly asked interview questions. Afterwards, students receive feedback from their interviewer on areas such as appearance, poise, eye contact and industry knowledge.
Guest Speakers:
- Thomas Lienhard, Networked Camera Solutions
- Larry Dysart, programmer, PEGA.com
- Chris Valliere, CTO, HydraCor
- Brian Nagel, Cybersafety, HPS Technology
Shadow Days:
Field Trips:
- UMass Lowell iHub
- UMass Lowell Cyber Range
- Amazon Robotics
If you are interested in supporting our program by becoming an active PAC member, guest speaker, shadow day or internship host, please contact Lisa Hunt, Work Based Learning Specialist at lhunt@haverhill-ps.org.
Hillie Athletics
Wrestling
The boys had a great weekend at the Division I States! Two Freshman made the state finals! Matthew Harrold becomes the first Hillie Freshman to take home the State Championship while also getting an award for the most pins in the least amount of time. Shea and Michael Morris captured 2nd & 3rd place finishes!
Boys Varsity Ice Hockey
Boys Varsity Ice Hockey brought home the Newburyport Bank Classic Championship – Gulazian Division! Captain’s John Bishop and Cal Pruett receive the Tourney Plaque and John Bishop was the Tourney MVP!
Haverhill 4th Annual Preschool Resource Fair
Meet with local Preschool Programs. Get information about Haverhil September 2023 Kindergarten Registration. Fun Early Learning Activities – FREE to Families!
Haverhill High School
A Hillie High Five to one of our favorite Scholars/Athletes, and Guidance Counselors, Andy Alsup! Recently, Mr. Alsup was honored and inducted into the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA) Reggie Hall of Fame! A 1997 Haverhill High Graduate and 2002 Northeastern University Graduate, Mr. Alsup was a Scholar/Athlete at both schools before returning to HHS as a Guidance Counselor. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments on and off the Track, and we couldn’t think of a better mentor for our Students! Congrats, Mr. Alsup! #HillieStrong #onceahilliealwaysahillie
Qustodio
HPS has teamed up with Qustodio, a student safety and digital wellbeing platform. Qustodio allows you to view your child’s activity on their school devices, read digital safety guidance from experts, and remotely switch off the internet using the “Pause” button during hours designated by your district. We are excited to offer this to our families and the best part…it is FREE! For more information and to sign up, visit our website!
February Vacation Academy 2023
Day 1
Day 1 Students had a morning of engaging academics taught by HPS Staff and an afternoon of recreation. Mother Nature cooperated by providing snow outside while students learned how to create snowflakes inside.
Day 2
Day 2 Students read Snowflake Bentley and illustrated their favorite part. They practiced math in the Snowflake Game, worked with partners to make salt snowflakes and experimented with baking soda and vinegar in an exploding snowman experiment!
Day 3
Day 3!!! Students, Parents, and Teachers braved the elements this morning for another great day of February Vacation Academy! Students were busy with fairytales, reading 3 Billy Goats Gruff, afterwards they used different items to build a bridge to cross the river (STEM). Students also did some beautiful Origami Snowflakes which we hear went home to some lucky Moms!
Day 4
It’s a Wrap!!! Day 4 of February Vacation Academy has ended, and it was a Success! Students had a great time today continuing STEM activities and practicing Meditation! Thank you to the Parents and Guardians for entrusting your children with us; we had a great week and hope they did as well! If you missed February Vacation Academy, the information and registration for April Vacation Academy will be up on our website soon!
Attendance Superstars
Congratulations to our attendance superstars this month! These students had either Most Improved Attendance, Highest Attendance, and even Perfect Attendance!! We are so proud of their commitment to academics!
THANK YOU!!!!
STAFF SHOUT OUT!!!!
We would like to give a SHOUT OUT to our Community Partners; Haverhill YMCA, YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, and the folks at Pentucket Lake as well as staff! It rained, sleeted, and snowed but February Vacation Academy was a HUGE success!!!! Thank you to all for your commitment to our students!
FOOD SERVICE SHOUT OUT!!!!
Our Staff in the Food Service Department is AMAZING!! These Folks spent their Vacation Week preparing breakfast and lunch for our Students in February Vacation Academy!
100 Days of School Celebration!
Monday, February 13, 2023 was the 100th Day of School! Students and Staff went all out for the occasion! We want to warn you, the cuteness alert is at an all-time HIGH! We would like to thank the families who helped their students dress for the occasion, it was a great day! To see some of the fun we had at HPS for the First 100 Days of School, check out our slideshow!
HHS Monthly Parent Coffee Hour
Join our Monthly Parent Coffee Hour hosted by the School Counseling Department. This event will guide parents with:
- Student/Parent opportunities and Events
- Grade Level Expectations
- College and Career Planning
- College Applications, SAT Timelines
- Financial Aid and other Resources
March 16, 2023 @ 9:00 AM
Caleb Dustin Hunking School
You are invited to the Hunking 1st Annual Multicultural Festival on March 8, 2023 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Students and Families are invited to celebrate our diversity by sharing pieces of your culture!
Celebrating Black History Month
Students celebrated Black History Month by reporting on famous African Americans they didn’t know. Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Harriet Tubman, and Michael Jordan were some of the few that were chosen. They enjoyed learning about each person’s contribution to our country!
Hillie Athletics
Varsity Cheer
Hillie Cheer Rocked the House and the Mats at the MVCs yesterday! They placed 1st in the Co-Ed Division and were Grand Champions! Your hard work and dedication have paid off; it is what being a Hillie is all about. We are so Proud of you!
Boys Indoor Track
2023 MIAA State Champion, Natanael Vigo Catala in Boys 300m dash! Natanael is the first Hillie boy to win an All-State Title since 1997 Graduate Andy Alsup, who was recently inducted into the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Associated Hall of Fame.
HAVERHILL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Haverhill School Committee Approved Meeting Schedule:
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the Theodore A. Pelosi, Jr. Council Chambers, 4 Summer Street in Haverhill. Citizens of Haverhill who wish to submit items for a meeting agenda, should email the agenda item to the School Committee Office, Attn: Beverly McGillicuddy, Secretary to the Haverhill School Committee beverly.mcgillicuddy@haverhill-ps.org with a copy to both the Superintendent of Schools and the Mayor no later than the seven (7) days prior to a Committee meeting is held.
For additional information please visit the School Committee Department on our website: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/school-committee/
Mayor, James J. Fiorentini, Chairperson
mayor@cityofhaverhill.com
Ms. Toni Sapienza Donais, Vice Chairperson
tdonais@haverhill-ps.org
Mr. Scott Wood, Jr.
swood@haverhill-ps.org
Attorney Paul Magliocchetti
pmagliocchetti@haverhill-ps.org
Ms. Gail Sullivan
gail.sullivan@haverhill-ps.org
Attorney Richard Rosa
richard.rosa@haverhill-ps.org
Ms. Maura Ryan-Ciardiello
mryan-ciardiello@haverhill-ps.org
