BRRRR… winter is here! It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the school year. Monday, February 2, 2026, marks Groundhog Day, and with partly sunny skies in the forecast, many of us at HPS are crossing our fingers that Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow and that an early spring is on the way!

We are pleased to share our February District Newsletter with you. This edition highlights the many exciting things happening across our schools, along with important updates, upcoming events, and celebrations of our students and staff. We hope these stories offer a snapshot of the great work taking place throughout our district.

Inside the newsletter, you’ll also find information about Haverhill’s Community Resources. Our community is incredibly generous, and we want families to know that support is available. If you or your family need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you’re in a position to help, thank you — we are truly stronger when we support one another.

We also know that winter weather often brings many questions about Snow Cancellations and outdoor recess during colder conditions. To help provide clarity and consistency, guidelines for both snow-related school decisions and Outdoor Recess/Weather Conditions are available on our website. We encourage families to review these resources, which outline how decisions are made with student safety in mind.

Looking ahead, February Vacation Academies will be starting soon. Our community partners at the Haverhill Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and YWCA are offering a fun and engaging week for students. More information about these programs and how to sign up can be found on our website.

We are grateful for our partnership with families and look forward to all that the remainder of the school year will bring.

Important Dates

February 2, 2026. 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Haverhill SEPAC Coffee & Connect Virtual Meeting

February 4, 2026
PreK-4 Parent/Teacher Conferences

February 5, 2026
Grades 5-8 Parent/Teacher Conferences

February 12, 2026  7:00 PM
School Committee Regular Hybrid Meeting

February 16-20, 2026
February Break

February 25, 2026
HHS Term 3 Progress Reports issued

February 26, 2026  7:00 PM
School Committee Regular Hybrid Meeting

March 5, 2026
HHS Parent/Teacher Conferences

 

March 9, 2026
PreK-8 Marks close 2nd trimester

March 11, 2026
Early Release – All Students/Staff Professional Development

March 12, 2026. 7:00 PM
School Committee Regular Hybrid Meeting

March 13, 2026
PreK-8 Report Cards issued 2nd trimester

March 26, 2026  7:00 PM
School Committee Regular Hybrid Meeting

March 27, 2026
HHS Marks close Term 3

March 30, 2026
HHS Term 4 begins

City of Haverhill - Lead Hazard Reduction Program

Haverhill Public Schools

Winter is here, and with it comes snow and ice. As students travel to and from school during these conditions, we kindly remind families and community members to take extra caution. Slower speeds, awareness of sidewalks and crosswalks, and patience during winter weather all help us work together to keep our students safe.

We also have some protocols in place regarding school cancellations and weather conditions. Visit our website to learn more about: Outdoor Recess & Weather Conditions and Snow Cancellations. Thank you for your continued support.

Welcome to the Parent Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Resource Newsletter!

MTSS is a collaborative, team-based approach where families and schools work together to ensure every child is supported, challenged, and thriving.

We’re excited to share helpful resources, updates, and strategies to support your child’s success.

January 2026 MTSS Resource Newsletter

Inauguration Day at City Hall!

Our new and returning city leaders were officially sworn in. We extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing School Committee members for their dedication and commitment to strengthening our school system.

We also warmly welcome our new School Committee members as we continue working together to support our students, staff, and schools.

A special shout-out to the HHS Chorus for their beautiful performance—it truly made the ceremony memorable!

We Are Haverhill Spotlight: Jenna Lavallee

Meet Jenna Lavallee, an educator whose empathy, trust, and encouragement leave a lasting impact on her students.

Ms. Lavallee is the kind of teacher who truly believes in her students. During this summer’s production of The Fantastic Mr. Fox, she supported a student director by offering guidance when needed—while intentionally stepping back to allow full creative ownership. That trust gave students the confidence to lead, explore their strengths, recognize areas for growth, and discover what kind of leaders they can be.

By empowering students with real responsibility—from creative decision-making to building rehearsal schedules—Ms. Lavallee helped them develop skills that extend far beyond the stage. When challenges arose, she turned them into meaningful life lessons, emphasizing collaboration, perspective, and focusing on what truly matters.

Her belief in the cast inspired them to believe in themselves, resulting in a phenomenal production that made everyone involved proud. Beyond theater, Ms. Lavallee continues to mentor students through independent studies connected to her field of sculpture, helping them build strong foundations for future pursuits like architecture.

Ms. Lavallee exemplifies what it means to be an educator—supporting students not only in their learning, but in the life lessons they carry with them long after the class or curtain call ends. We are so proud to spotlight her as part of We Are Haverhill.

Tilton Elementary School

Tilton Elementary School held a school-wide clap out to cheer on our Multilingual learners as they prepared for ACCESS testing, which began this month.

We are so proud of their hard work and determination—and we love the amazing peer support shown throughout our schools!

Haverhill SEPAC: Virtual "Coffee & Connect" Meeting

Tilton Elementary School

Let’s go TIGERS! 
 
Our Tilton Elementary Tigers tied for 1st Place in the 2025 Holiday Card Contest hosted by Massachusetts State Senator Pavel Payano!
 
Congratulations to Lia Capellan Lora and Abrielle Hidalgo Casimiro from Ms. Lamoretti’s class—job well done! 
 
We are so proud of our students and their magnificent talents. What an incredible achievement! 

We Are Haverhill Spotlight: Sophia DeFrank

Meet Sophia—a dedicated Hillie in her Senior Year with a passion for swimming, science, and making a real difference in her community.

For her capstone project, Sophia took on an ambitious and meaningful goal: renovating the histology lab where her mom works. She’s spent countless hours researching, advocating for the equipment she needed (and successfully securing it!), taking detailed measurements of the lab, and surveying employees to ensure the changes reflect what they truly want and need.

Sophia is even collaborating with an architectural professor at Merrimack College to learn how professionals approach lab redesign and modifications. Through it all, she has shown incredible enthusiasm, resilience, and a positive attitude—never letting setbacks slow her down.

In addition to her academics, Sophia is an active member of the HHS Swim Team, HHS Crew Team, Drama Club, and Chorus—all of which are very important to her.

A true team player, Sophia collaborates well with peers, always lends a helping hand, and models an exceptional work ethic and mental fortitude. She shines academically in our biomedical science program, but even more importantly, she is a kind, creative, and determined human being.

We are so proud of you, Sophia—you truly represent the best of Haverhill!

Tilton Elementary

The Patriots must have felt all the good wishes coming from Tilton Elementary! 
After celebrating Patriots Day, it looks like the good vibes helped power a big playoff win against the Chargers!

Even though he’s only in his second year in the NFL, Drake “Drake Maye” Maye already has lots of fans cheering him on right here at Tilton

Go Pats!

Bradford Elementary School

PBIS Award Celebration

Today we’re celebrating the students from Bradford Elementary who received the PBIS Award for being Hardworking!

Hard work is one of our HUSKY Core Values:

Hardworking
Understanding
Self-Control
Kindness
You lead with Integrity

We are so proud of our students for showing what it means to be a true Husky.

Multilingual Learner Department

ELPAC Parent Meeting

Parents filled the library last week for our ELPAC meeting! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an engaging and informative discussion. Topics included ACCESS Testing, the Seal of Biliteracy, and gathering parent input on what they would like to see covered in future meetings.

Regardless of language barriers, every voice matters—and everyone’s input makes a difference in our schools. We truly value our families’ partnership and engagement!

Career Technical Education

CTE Healthcare Occupations Freshmen were pleased to welcome Ashley Hall from Greater Lawrence Family Health Center.  Ashley is the Director of the AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) program where she provides education and support to the community.  Students were interested to learn about public health in our own community as well as the career possibilities associated with the field.  Ms. Hall spoke with students about her career pathway and some of the work she has done as an infection preventionist and education around medication labels and healthy eating.  Students were excited to learn so much about this broad and interesting topic!  Special thanks to Ashley and Greater Lawrence Family Health Center for sharing your time with our students!

Haverhill High School MCJROTC

Our very own 1st Sgt. Grinstead from HHS MCJROTC recently sat down with Win Damon of WHAV during the Win for Breakfast segment!

Tune in to hear about all the great things HHS MCJROTC has been accomplishing—and get a preview of the exciting events and opportunities coming up. Click below, you won’t want to miss it!

Audio Credits: WHAV/Win Damon

Career Technical Education

CTE Alumni Panels

It’s that time of the year again!  Career Technical Education alumni came back to HHS to

share their insights and advice with current Juniors and Seniors.  This was a great opportunity for students to learn more about the transition to college or military life.  Day one brought back six alums from the Information Technology, Computer Science & Web Development and Engineering/Manufacturing programs.  Day two was composed of six alums from the Healthcare Occupations and Biomedical Science programs.  It was great to hear from our past students and we are so proud of all they are accomplishing!

Haverhill High School

After the collaboration of Mrs. Briggs, Miss Curley, and Officer Trocki , the Fall semester Criminal Justice students at Haverhill High School participated in an engaging presentation by the Haverhill Police Department.

Captain Jamie Landry and Lieutenant Kevin Lynch led the day, explaining the vital roles they serve within the community. Students were especially fascinated by “meeting” K9 Rex—from a safe distance—along with his handler, Officer Justin Graham.

Lieutenant Mike Shinners and Detective John Orsillo captivated students with stories of drug and gang arrests, as well as their work with federal law enforcement agencies. Students also gained valuable insight into how local law enforcement can—and does—de-escalate intense situations.
Officer Desiray Caracoglia, who works with the BRU, provided a detailed look into her role, sparking strong student interest and many follow-up questions.

Student feedback was 100% positive, and many students who were unable to attend due to class conflicts have already asked to be invited back next semester. We are incredibly grateful to HPD and everyone who made this experience possible!

Career Technical Education

HHS Intern Spotlight:

Chromebook Repair interns from the Computer Science & Web Development, and Information Technology programs have been doing an amazing job supporting the Haverhill Public School system. This dedicated group has repaired hundreds of Chromebooks, helping ensure students and staff have the technology they need every day. We are proud of their commitment, teamwork, and professionalism. Keep up the great work!

Bradford Elementary

Silver Hill Elementary students in 2nd and 3rd grade welcomed family and friends for a beautiful concert this past month!

Their song selection truly brightened the winter blues and filled the room with smiles and joy. What a wonderful celebration of music and community!

Golden Hill Elementary

Families became scientists at Golden Hill during Mad Scientist Night, sparking curiosity through hands-on activities!

One of our favorite things is seeing families come together with students to explore, experiment, and learn new techniques. The building was full of curious minds, big smiles, and plenty of “mad scientists” in action.

It was a great night at Golden Hill!

New Consentino School

School and city leaders walked through the new Consentino School this month to see the exciting progress being made. Each visit reveals more finished spaces, and construction is officially on track! We can’t wait for the moment when students bring the classrooms and hallways to life.

Bradford Elementary

Celebrating Student Growth at Bradford Elementary!

We are so proud of the Bradford Elementary students who showed the most growth on i-Ready from Fall to Winter!

3 students per grade (K–4) were recognized in Math and Reading for their outstanding progress.

A big shoutout to our incredible teachers and coaches — Rachel White and Jenn Davoli — for organizing this special celebration!

Each student received a certificate and a prize, and entire classrooms that demonstrated growth were also rewarded. Way to go, Bradford Huskies!

Career Technical Education

This month our CTE Biomedical Science sophomores in Mrs. Bamford’s Human Body Systems class had the opportunity to learn from Jen White, a physical therapist at Elliot Hospital!

Jen was a dynamic and engaging speaker who shared real-world stories from her career, highlighting the wide variety of settings she’s worked in—from hospital-based care to home health. Her visit was especially meaningful because students are currently working on a project where they step into the role of physical therapists, making her insights highly relevant and directly connected to their curriculum.

Jen discussed injury trends across different age groups, explained how physical therapists collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and gave students a hands-on look at tools of the trade. She demonstrated both the gait belt and the goniometer—a tool students have already practiced using in class—allowing them to see it in action and realize that this is a real tool physical therapists use every day. Several students even volunteered to help demonstrate techniques, making the experience interactive and engaging.

Thank you so much to Jen for taking time out of her day to inspire our students. We had a lot of fun—and learned a lot too!

February Vacation Academy 2026

Career Technical Education

Future Healthcare Heroes in the Making! 

We are incredibly proud to announce that our CTE Healthcare Occupations Seniors have officially presented their Capstone projects!

This presentation is the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication within the CTE program. Each student selected a topic meaningful to them, conducted in-depth research, and created a final deliverable to showcase their knowledge.

It was amazing to see the variety of topics and the level of professionalism our students displayed. The future of healthcare is in good hands!

Bradford Elementary

A Night of Fun & Learning at Bradford Elementary! 

We had an amazing turnout for Bradford Elementary’s Winterfest/Title I event! It was wonderful to see so many students and families come together for an evening packed with excitement.

From the DJ and bouncy slide to arts & crafts and games, the energy was incredible! A huge shout-out to the Bradford Staff who donated some unforgettable raffle prizes, including “Principal for the Day,” “Art Teacher for the Day,” and the crowd-favorite: Pie in the Face!

While the kids played, parents had the chance to attend an informative i-Ready presentation, and our friends from the Haverhill Public Library were on-site signing families up for library cards.

Thank you to everyone who made this night a success!

Silver Hill Elementary

Warm Hearts & Winning Books at Silver Hill! 

The winter weather outside couldn’t stop the fun inside Silver Hill Elementary last night! We were thrilled to see so many students and families brave the cold for our Bingo for Books event.

The cafeteria was filled with smiles and refreshments to keep everyone warm, while the Bingo competition got surprisingly fierce! Best of all, our lucky winners went home with the best prize of all: new books.

Thank you to everyone who came out to make it such a special evening of family fun and literacy!

Haverhill High School

Big shoutout to our Haverhill High Honor Roll students for Term 2!

Late nights, hard work, and determination = SUCCESS. We see you, we celebrate you, and we’re proud of you! Keep crushing it!

Visit our website for the complete list!

Haverhill Public Schools

Shout-Out Time!

While our students enjoyed a well-deserved day off, our Facilities and Transportation Departments were hard at work—putting in extra hours to clear snow from our school grounds and buses.

Huge thanks for always going the extra mile. It truly takes a village, and we’re proud to have you as part of ours!

Bradford Elementary

Bradford Elementary went FULL ‘patriot’-ism mode! Students and staff rocked their red, white, and blue to cheer on our favorite football team as they kicked off in the AFC Championship in Denver!

Word on the street is… they can hear our cheering alllll the way from Haverhill!

GO PATS!

Multilingual Learners

You’re never too old to learn!

As students were dismissed early, teachers across the district came together to collaborate and grow. Our Bilingual Parent Liaisons and Translators spent the afternoon learning alongside Greg Orr, our bilingual psychologist, who conducts much of our diagnostic testing.

A great example of lifelong learning in action!

Bradford Elementary

The hallways at Bradford Elementary were glowing with neon last week!
Teachers rocked some of their favorite ’90s outfits, and the kids absolutely loved the bold colors and fun styles. What a blast from the past!

Haverhill High School – School Counseling Department

Our February Newsletter is here!

Check out everything you need to know, important updates, and college & career prep resources to keep students on track.

Don’t miss out—stay informed and stay prepared!

Wear Red Day

February 6th is National Wear Red Day!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. Join us in showing your support for Heart Health Awareness by wearing red and helping spread the message about prevention and heart-healthy living.

Qustodio

At Haverhill Public Schools, we’re committed to providing a learning experience that allows your child to grow and flourish with technology.

We’re happy to invite you to join us in this world of digital wellbeing by giving you FREE access to the Qustodio Parents App.

Qustodio will provide you with full visibility on how your child is using their school devices. Simply create your account to see your personalized dashboard. For more information and instructions on how to sign up, visit our website.

Haverhill Community Resources

As the weather gets colder, we know that food and clothing insecurities can be a growing concern for some families.

Many of our schools are hosting Food and Clothing Drives and The Mayor’s Food Drive is underway — this is an excellent opportunity to support neighbors in need or to seek assistance if you could use a little extra help.

Visit our Community Resource page for a wealth of information about local support programs and services. Many of our schools also offer assistance for families — please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school for more helpful information.

Together, we can ensure everyone in our community stays nourished and cared for this season.

Device Waiver Fee

As part of the District’s 1:1 initiative, every Haverhill Public Schools student receives a HPS-issued Chromebook. HPS offers the opportunity to protect school-issued devices for the school year by paying a Device Waiver Fee. As outlined in the HPS Student Technology Device Policy, this $20 fee will help to cover the costs of potential damage, repair, or loss for the school year for the assigned device. Visit our website for more information.

Walnut Square Elementary

Early Release Days = Learning + Fun!

Our Superstars had a great day and earned a star craft and a Superstar Squeeze for attending.
So proud of our shining stars!

Want it adjusted for a specific school or grade level? I can tweak it fast

A.B. Consentino Middle School

Fifth-grade Science in action!

Our fifth-grade students have been exploring the physical properties of matter to answer the big question: How can we identify an unknown substance?

Through hands-on investigations, students:

  • Constructed electrical circuits to identify conductors and insulators
  • Tested objects to see if they conduct electricity or thermal energy (heat) or are attracted to a magnet
  • Investigated solubility—the ability of substances to dissolve—to help identify different materials

Awesome work, fifth graders! Keep exploring and asking great scientific questions!

Haverhill High School

Hey Hillies!

Staying after school for a club, sport, or extra help?

Join us after your activity from 2:30–3:30 PM for a FREE hot meal!

Don’t go home hungry!

2026 - 2027 Moody Schools Lottery

Gateway Academy

A sweet surprise today!

Raymond from Whitson Nutrition joined us to make homemade apple cobbler—absolutely delicious. Thank you!

Haverhill High School

Way to go, Hillie Graduates!

We are so proud of our newest graduates and excited to welcome five new alums to Hillie Nation. Your perseverance and dedication paid off! We are so proud of your accomplishments and are excited to see your future thrive! Congratulations!

Haverhill High School

Maria Maldonado Cruz, McKinney-Vento Liaison, collaborated with Meg Arivella, Supervisor of School Counseling, to offer an upcoming opportunity for our juniors and seniors. Ms. Maldonado Cruz will be taking a group of students to the Belle of the Ball event in April at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston and will assist in coordinating this trip for our students.

The McKinney-Vento liaisons partnered with the HHS Counseling Department to identify and recommend students and to provide an overview of the program. Belle of the Ball supports juniors and seniors who may otherwise be unable to attend their school prom by providing formal attire and a celebratory experience. Students select and keep dresses, shoes, and accessories, walk the red carpet with a DJ, and enjoy a provided lunch.

Two seniors also shared their experiences from last year’s event with the group as an introduction on what’s to come!

Haverhill’s 7th Annual Growing Together Preschool, Kindergarten & Community Expo at HHS!

Families came out to explore local preschools and toddler programs, connect with community resources, and even get a head start by signing up for 2026–2027 Kindergarten.

A special highlight was Zoo Creatures in Plaistow, who brought exotic animals for attendees to learn about—and even touch and hold!

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this such a fun and successful night for our families and community!

School Counseling at HHS

HHS School Counselors are hard at work helping students plan for success!

Counselors are meeting individually with all students during scheduled Science classes to review course selections and ensure each student’s schedule aligns with their 4-year plan and personal goals.

Counselors will be available in the library for most of the day over the next three weeks, providing individualized guidance and support to help students make confident choices for the future.

Our Schools

Bartlett School & Assessment Center,  Grades K-12.
978-469-8735

Bradford Elementary, Grades K-4
978-374-2443

Caleb Dustin Hunking, Grades K-8
978-374-5787

Consentino Middle School, Grades 5-8
978-374-5775

Gateway Academy, Grades 7-12
978-374-3473

Golden Hill, Grades K-4
978-374-5794

Greenleaf Academy, Grades 5-12
978-374-3487

Haverhill High School, Grades 9-12
978-374-5700

J.G. Whittier, Grades 5-8
978-374-5782

Moody PreSchool, Grades Pre-K – K
978-374-3459

Moody PreSchool Ext., Grades Pre-K
978-420-1901

Nettle Middle School, Grades 5-8
978-374-5792

Pentucket Lake Elementary, Grades K-5
978-374-2421

Silver Hill Elementary, Grades K-5
978-374-3448

Tilton Elementary, Grades K-3
978-374-3475

Walnut Square, Grades Pre-K-2
978-374-3471

Haverhill School Committee

Thursday, February 12, 2026   7:00 PM
Thursday, February 26, 2026   7:00 PM
Thursday, March 12, 2026   7:00 PM
Thursday, March 26, 2026   7:00 PM

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.

Mayor, Melinda E. Barrett, Chairperson
mayor@cityofhaverhill.com

Dr. Thomas Grannemann, Vice Chairperson
thomas.grannemann@haverhill-ps.org

Mrs. Amanda Basiliere, Ward 4
amanda.basiliere@haverhill-ps.org

Mr. Robert Brown III, Ward 2
robert.brown@haverhill-ps.org

Ms. Yonnie Collins, Ward 6
yonnie.collins@haverhill-ps.org

Ms. Penelope Guerrero, At-Large
penelope.guerrero@haverhill-ps.org

Mr. Josiah E. Morrow, At-Large
josiah.morrow@haverhill-ps.org

Ms. Mirca Zoraida Rivera, Ward 1
mirca.rivera@haverhill-ps.org

Ms. Maura Ryan-Ciardiello, Ward 3
mryan-ciardiello@haverhill-ps.org

Mrs. Toni Sapienza Donais, At Large
toni.sapienzadonais@haverhill-ps.org

Dr. Jill Story, Ward 5
jill.story@haverhill-ps.org

Mrs. Beverly McGillicuddy, Secretary
beverly.mcgillicuddy@haverhill-ps.org