Hello Haverhill Families,

This past month, we have had a great start to the 2024-2025 School Year. Students are in the routine of working hard in their classrooms and learning. The cooler weather is now here; as the temperature lowers during the days, we would like to remind you to make sure your child dresses appropriately for recess. Our Outdoor Recess and Weather guidelines share information on deciding whether outdoor recess will occur.

September was Attendance Awareness Month; student success relies on good attendance. HPS has teamed up with some influential members of the Haverhill Community to share some PSAs about attendance—many thanks to HC Media for working with us to share this vital message. You can click on the names to view the PSA, HPS School Committee,  Judge Ahern, and HPS Administrators

Fall athletics are in full swing. Last week, a message was sent to all families regarding student safety at football games. This message is for all sports events; we hope you have conversations about good sportsmanship and safety with your children. Our Hillies love having spectators at their events; we hope you can take some time this Fall to check out an event or two; for a complete list of games, visit the haverhillhillies website.

Our fantastic team at HHS has been busy touring our Middle Schools to talk to eighth graders about the exciting opportunities at HHS. We have two more events leading up to the highly anticipated Middle School Grades 6-8 Family Night at Haverhill High School on Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. We encourage families to attend and learn more about what HHS has to offer. You can click on the Roadshow Presentation to view HHS offerings.

As a crucial part of our school bus safety measures, we kindly ask you to remind your children about the importance of their ZPass. Swiping when boarding and departing the school bus is essential for student safety. If your child doesn’t have a ZPass, please fill out an application for a new one here.

Lastly, we hope to see you at some of our many events in October. As always, we thank you for your continued support of the Haverhill Public Schools.

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday, October 2, 2024
HHS – Progress Reports Issued – Term 1

Friday, October 4, 2024 
Nettle Roadshow

Thursday, October 10, 2024 – 7:00 PM
Haverhill School Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Trunk or Treat at Golden Hill

Thursday, October 10, 2024
Parent/Teacher Conferences at HHS

Monday, October 14, 2024
Holiday – No School

Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Progress Reports Issued – PreK – 8 – 1st Trimester

Thursday, October 17, 2024 
Parent/Teacher Conferences – PreK – 8

Thursday, October 17, 2024 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Bartlett School Pumpkin Festival @ Chris’ Farmstand

Monday, October 21, 2024 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Trunk or Treat at Silver Hill Elementary

Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Early Release – All Students – Staff Professional Development

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 6:00 PM
Drug Story Theater Presents “Back to Life”

Thursday, October 24, 2024 7:00 PM
School Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 5:00 PM
Fright Night at Consentino Middle School

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
HHS – Marks Close – Term 1

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Election Day
No School – All Students

Monday, November 7, 2024 – 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Middle School Family Night at Haverhill High School

Silver Hill Elementary

Silver Hill Elementary had a Kindergarten Open House last week. New HPS Students visited the school, met teachers, and, most importantly, got acquainted with the playground! We are excited to join these new Jaguars on their education journey!

Tilton Elementary School

We are so excited to have our Kindergarten class start their educational journey with HPS! Tilton Elementary had a Kindergarten Meet & Greet! Students got to meet, see the school, and meet teachers, and they also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Conant, the new Principal at Tilton!

Career Technical Education

 Summer Intern Spotlight:

Saidatu Yussif and Arianna Ortega, We are thrilled to highlight two exceptional CTE Healthcare and BioMed students, Saidatu and Arianna Ortega, both seniors. This summer, they were selected for the UMass Lowell Propel Summer Internship, where they immersed themselves in groundbreaking research on fast-growing plants for tissue engineering applications. This opportunity allowed them to gain hands-on experience in a lab setting, fueling their passion for healthcare and preparing them for their college journeys. Their hard work and dedication paid off, as they earned Best Poster during their final presentation! Arianna also won the Most Inquisitive award, while Saidatu was recognized for Most Creative Problem Solving. Congratulations, ladies!

Career Technical Education

We recently held our internship presentations to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students this summer. 64 students gained valuable experiences across various fields. We appreciate our incredible business partners who made these opportunities possible: Lowell General Hospital, Lawrence General Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, Haverhill Engineering, Haverhill Public School Technology Department, Haverhill Conservation Department, the Haverhill Mayor’s Office, Kidshine, HCMedia, Salem Animal Hospital, Lindt, UMass Lowell, Hydracor, and Bethany Communities. Your support has been invaluable!

A Message from the Transportation Department

Hello Haverhill Families,

Our students are back into the rhythm of the school year. As we enter our third week of school, we wanted to share some bus safety guidelines for parents and students.

Our Philosophy:

Riding the school bus is a privilege in Haverhill. We believe all qualifying students have the right to a safe bus ride, and no student has the right to prevent other students from safe transportation. We also believe all students have the ability to behave appropriately when riding the school bus. Improper conduct may result in being suspended from school bus transportation. The following are some bus rules and safety guidelines we would ask you to share with your child(ren). 

Bus Rules:

  1. Students should listen and follow directions from the bus driver AT ALL TIMES – NO EXCEPTIONS.
  2. Students are only allowed to travel on board their assigned bus and must only exit at their designated stop.
  1. Students MUST SCAN Zpass cards when boarding and exiting the bus. This is extremely important, this gives us the ability to know when and where students boarded and exited the bus, in the event of an emergency.
  2. When boarding the bus students should go directly to a seat; remain seated facing forward for the duration of the bus ride. Students are only allowed to stand when the bus has come to a complete stop and has arrived at the students destination. 
  1. When the student arrives at school or their designated stop, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop. If it is the students stop, proceed to exit the bus; otherwise, remain seated. Students should always be courteous to others when boarding and exiting the bus.
  2. Swearing, yelling, loud whistling, rude gestures, cruel teasing, and belittling of others are NOT ALLOWED on the bus at any time.
     
  3. Students should keep their heads,bodies, hands, feet, and ALL objects to themselves while on the bus.
  4. Musical instruments, backpacks, and equipment may not occupy needed seating space and must be under the owner’s control at all times.       
     
  5. No dangerous objects, weapons, alcohol, or tobacco are allowed on the bus. If it is not allowed in school, it is not allowed on the bus.
  6. Eating food, drinking, or chewing gum is not allowed on the bus at any time.
  7.  No animals, insects, or reptiles are allowed on the bus at any time.
  8.  No glass or sharp objects are allowed on the bus.
  9. The aisle and emergency exit for the bus MUST REMAIN CLEAR at all times.

Bus Safety: 

Parents/guardians, please share with your child the following safety measures. If possible, parents should accompany their child(ren) to the bus stop and wait until the bus arrives.

 

  • Safety starts at the bus stop.
    • Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Visit the bus stop with your child to show them where to wait for the bus: at least 6 feet (3 giant steps) away from the curb or street. Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.
  • Boarding and leaving the bus safely.
    • When the school bus arrives, your child should wait to approach the bus door until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says that it’s okay to board. Your child should use the handrails to avoid falling when boarding and leaving the bus. Be careful of straps or drawstrings that could get caught in the door. One person at a time when boarding/exiting the bus.      
  • Using caution around the bus.
    • Your child should never walk behind the school bus. If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, inform your child when leaving the bus to walk to the sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least 10 feet (five giant steps) in front of the bus before crossing. Your child should make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to ensure the driver can see your child and only cross when the driver indicates it’s safe. Teach kids to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street. If your child ever drops something near the school bus, like a ball or book, the safest thing is to tell the bus driver right away. Your child should not try to pick the item up because the driver might not be able to see your child.

To help ensure your child’s safety, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to discuss the following topics with them:

  • The route your child is to take to and from the bus stop.
  • The assigned bus number and bus stop.
  • They should be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
  • Appropriate bus stop behavior and bus rules.
  • What to do if the bus is more than 15 minutes late.
  • What do you do if no one is home when they get there in the afternoon?
  • What to do if they miss the bus.
  • Have your child tell the driver if he(she) is on the wrong bus or doesn’t know where to go.
  • Have your child tell their bus driver if they are having problems on the bus.

We can all contribute to a safer and more enjoyable bus ride for our students by following these simple guidelines. We take pride in the fact you entrust our Transportation Department with your child; with your cooperation and commitment to safety, we can maintain safe transportation for all of our students.

Remembering 9/11

On September 11, 2024, at the 9/11 Memorial at Haverhill High School, we paused to honor and remember the lives lost and the bravery shown on September 11, 2001. It’s a day of reflection, respect, and solidarity for those affected by the tragic events. HHS MCJROTC led a ceremony for our community to take a moment to appreciate the resilience and strength that emerged from that day as we continue to support one another with compassion and unity.
#NeverForget #September11 #HonorAndRemember

Community Partnerships

At the heart of a thriving community is the collaboration between individuals, organizations, and institutions. Our commitment to fostering strong community partnerships is rooted in the belief that by working together, we can create a supportive and inclusive environment where all families can flourish.  Haverhill Public Schools values the partnership with Make-it Haverhill, where families can participate in Digital Equity, English, Information Technology, and workforce development.

Volunteers and community partnerships were recognized at  MakeIT Haverhill’s Celebration of Success – a night of triumph!

Career Technical Education

As part of our Career Technical Education Work-Based Learning Plan, we expect students to present themselves professionally for our guest speakers, business and college tours, job shadow days, and internships. To facilitate this for all of our CTE students, we hosted a Pop-Up Thrift Shop at HHS in partnership with Ruth’s House. We were thrilled to see so many students take advantage of this opportunity! Over 75 students popped in to shop, while 48 students left with 65 articles of professional attire. We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to the staff and volunteers at Ruth’s House, especially Barbara Canyes and Claire Hailson, for making this event possible. Families are encouraged to visit Ruth’s House at 111 Lafayette Square for all their shopping needs. For more information about CTE Work-Based Learning, reach out to Lisa Hunt, lhunt@haverhill-ps.org.

H.O.P.E Task Force

The Mayor’s Hope Task Force appreciated the participation of their newest high school members! Students are an essential part of this committee, which works to achieve funding for the city regarding the prevention of substance use and to provide resources for the community.  The H.O.P.E. task force collaborates with community representatives from various sectors, including government, education, safety, health, and recreation. Student voices are always appreciated and welcomed! Stay tuned for a fantastic opportunity- Drug Story Theater is hosting a performance at H.H.S. on October 23rd at 6 pm. Grab bags and refreshments will be served. More info is coming soon!

Bradford Elementary School

Bradford Elementary School recently had a Back to School Ice Cream Social sponsored by the BES PTO. Families had a great time listening to music spun by the DJ  and checking out police cruisers and fire trucks provided by the Haverhill Police Department and Haverhill Fire Department. Premier Martial Arts and our new Husky mascot also made appearances. It was a great turnout, and many thanks to the PTO, HPD, HFD, and everyone else who made this such a successful event!

Haverhill High School MCJROTC

Haverhill High School 2023 – 2024 Naval Honor School

The Haverhill High School MCJROTC is selected for the 5th year as a Naval Honor School for the 2023-2024 school year.  Only 9 out of 63 schools in Region 1 (now Region 9) or the North East earn this honor.   We are very proud of the cadet’s hard work and dedication.

The selection is based on several criteria, including the number of cadets active in school activities and clubs, the number of community service hours for the unit as a whole and per cadet, the number of organizations assisted by the unit, and scholastic achievements including the number of academic awards and scholarships given to cadets. The units are also measured by participation in public affairs events, drill team competitions, rifle team competitions, physical fitness team competitions, and field trips.

As a result of this prestigious status, the Haverhill High School unit will have the opportunity to send nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the Military Academy at West Point.  This award not only recognizes the unit’s excellence but also provides students with a desire to join a service academy with a significant advantage. They can earn recommendation letters from their JROTC instructors, which, under this award designation, carry just as much weight as a letter from a U.S. Representative or Senator, opening doors to their future careers.

Bullets from last year:

2nd Best Marksmanship team, Best PT team, and Raider Team in New England!

Female Team 3rd out of 21 teams at Nationals PT Competition

Boys Team 4th out of 21 teams at Nationals PT Competition

2nd Best Raiders Team in the mixed division in the Country

Cadet Strength was 110 w/ 18 Seniors!  Scholarship money $780,880.00

Community Service Hours: 5880 w/ 32 Public Events

Haverhill Parent Survey

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. Please note: issues of theft should still be reported to the police.

The Device Waiver Fee is available for purchase throughout the school year. Visit our website for more information.

Qustodio

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

That’s why we’ve teamed up with a student safety and digital wellbeing platform that is now protecting the devices your child uses at school, ensuring they stay safe and secure. To sign up for a FREE account, visit our website.

School Counseling and Guidance Department

Meg Arivella, Supervisor of School Counseling, greets students and the HHS Counselors throughout the day. The Guidance Office is bursting with plans for Freshman & Senior meetings, 8th-grade tours, Roadshows to highlight our programs, survey implementation, college visits, and all the other initiatives that keep our students making progress toward their personal social and academic goals.

Haverhill High School MCJROTC

Oorah to our HHS MCJROTC! For the 2nd year in a row, they have been selected as Best Unit in Region 1 by the MCRA!

Marine Corps Junior ROTC Outstanding Unit Award (MCRA)
“The effects of the Marine Corps JROTC program reach far beyond the classroom and into the community in developing character, leadership, and civic responsibility in tens of thousands of America’s kids. Marine Corps JROTC, at its essence, is a character education program. The program keeps kids in school, helps them find their way during the turbulent teenage years, and assists them in becoming productive members of their community. Our program produces young men and women who are ready to accept the responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship. We are rightfully proud of our contribution to America’s future and thankful for the dedicated instructors, staff, school administrators, and communities whose hard work and commitment make the program’s success possible. ”
“Eagle Globe and Anchor Award”

In conjunction with HQMC, the Association has sponsored this award for 35 years. Again this year, four outstanding high schools, one from each of the four Regions, were recognized. The Association coordinated with members in the local area to present the award on behalf of the Association. Cadet Participation judges the MCRA Award in a variety of events, including Inspection, Citizenship, Scholastic Achievement, and Extracurricular Events. Included in the MCRA are 4 Regions with 67 MCJROTC Programs in Region 1.

Haverhill Hammers Wrestling

Haverhill High Middle School Roadshow

8th-grade students at Hunking started their day with the Haverhill High Middle School Roadshow! Our fantastic team at the high school is on tour to our middle schools, giving 8th-grade students a peak at what programs, extracurricular activities, and resources they have available to them when they attend Haverhill High! Students and families are invited to participate in the HHS Middle School Grades 6-8 Family Night at HHS on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Visit our website for the presentation and more information on Middle School Family Night!

Hillies Take on The Topsfield Fair

SNEAK PEAK! Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more Pumpkins! Students at Haverhill High School have been busy decorating pumpkins, door hangings, and posters for the Topsfield Fair! The pumpkins will be submitted to a contest for best decoration during this year’s Fair from October 4 to 14! The judges may have difficulty deciding which

Drug Story Theater's "Back to Life"

Haverhill DST Flyer (1)

Haverhill High School School Counseling Newsletter

Haverhill High School

School Counselors K-12 and School Adjustment Counselors meet under the leadership of Jami Dion and Meg Arivella during Curriculum time to collaborate and discuss plans for the upcoming school year. Curriculum time included participation in training on Supporting Restorative Practices hosted by our Lead School Adjustment Counselors and education on supporting families and encouraging attendance by Lorna Marchant, Supervisor of Attendance.

Bartlett School & Assessment Center

It’s A Pumpkin Festival! Students from the Bartlett School & Assessment Center will have their 4th Annual Pumpkin Festival at Chris’ Farmstand on October 17, 2024, from 3:30 – 5:30.

Curriculum Department

Math and ELA coaches from the district working together on “The Opportunity Myth,” ensuring access to high-quality, grade-level instructional materials for all students. Collaboration across schools and content areas to ensure we are moving all of our HPS students forward.

Request for Support in Ensuring Safe an Positive Behavior at Hillie Football Games

Arabic-Request for Support in Ensuring Safe and Positive Behavior at Hillie Football Games
French-Request for Support in Ensuring Safe and Positive Behavior at Hillie Football Games
Haitian Creole-Request for Support in Ensuring Safe and Positive Behavior at Hillie Football Games
Portuguese-Request for Support in Ensuring Safe and Positive Behavior at Hillie Football Games
Spanish-Request for Support in Ensuring Safe and Positive Behavior at Hillie Football Games

Dear Hillie Fans,

We are so pleased to see such a strong turnout of students at our Hillie football games! It’s wonderful to witness the enthusiasm and school spirit as our students come together to cheer on their team.

However, we’ve noticed that a group of middle school students, and even some elementary students, have been engaging in unsafe behavior in areas of the stadium that are less supervised, such as behind the bleachers. While we work hard to monitor the stadium, it’s a large area to cover, and we need your active involvement to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

In the interest of safety, we kindly ask for your support in the following ways:

  1. Please remind your student(s) that this is a school-sponsored event, and they are expected to follow the same rules as they would during the school day. Consequences for misbehavior at football games and other events are the same as those outlined in our student handbook.
  2. If possible, attend the game with your student(s) to help us keep an eye on things and encourage positive behavior. Your presence can make a big difference in helping students stay focused on the game and socializing responsibly.

Please know that if any student is found behaving inappropriately, they will be asked to leave the game, and they may not be allowed to attend future games.

We deeply appreciate your support in ensuring a fun, safe, and positive atmosphere at our Hillie football games. Your involvement is crucial in making these events a great experience for all, and we thank you for your continued commitment to our school community!

Sincerely,

Margaret Marotta EdD
Superintendent of Schools

Tilton Elementary School

Yesterday was Tilton School’s first ROAR assembly for the school year. The assembly included reviewing the ROAR pledge, attendance winners for September (Ms. Vitiello’s class), and student-led pledges on how to be Kind! Go Tigers!

Bradford Elementary School

Shout out to these Huskies! Bradford Elementary Students showed the character trait of Respect for September. Keep up the excellent work!

C.D. Hunking School

The 3rd Annual Hunking School Block Party was a great success! Thank You, to all of the staff, students, families, and community members who attended and helped make our block party another successful one! It was a beautiful night with good food, games, and fun! A special thank you to our PTO for helping make this event happen!

A.B. Consentino Middle School

The Consentino Back to School BBQ was a little different this year because of construction. This did not change the outcome, students, families, and staff all came out to enjoy a beautiful night! Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a great success!

Tilton Elementary School

Tilton Elementary School celebrated the Wit and Wisdom curriculum with a BBQ this month. Students, families, and staff enjoyed an evening of great food, activities, and books!

Walnut Square

At Walnut Square, we spied three students helping each other out. A shoelace came untied on a student’s sneaker, and two of his peers stepped in to help solve the situation. We love it when our students show kindness and help each other out!

Silver Hill Elementary School

Silver Hill Grade 3 had a Wit and Wisdom Book Tasting! Students got a sneak peek at the texts they will read about the sea in the upcoming weeks!

Little Book Library at Swazey Field

Beautiful day for a ribbon cutting! Thank you to Haverhill Promise for their hard work in adding another Little Book Library to the Swazey field. Awesome to see these supports in the community for our kids as we work together to achieve grade-level reading.

Consentino Building Project

Check out these incredible shots of the building process of the New Consentino Middle School. We are getting excited; our building crews are making fantastic progress!

Walnut Square Elementary

Grade 1 Wit and Wisdom lesson with Mrs. Hughes- Who, What, and When search! SHINE BRIGHT SUPERSTARS!!

Freight Farm at Gateway Academy Celebrates 1st Anniversary!

The Freight Farm at Gateway Academy has produced 3,000 pounds of lettuce. Our Freight Farm has allowed us to impact our community positively and directly address food insecurity. The produce is given to our students and families and local food pantries and used throughout HPS for school lunches.

Thank you to the Haverhill YMCA and Beth Israel Lahey Health for partnering with us to ensure everyone in our community can access fresh produce year-round.

Haverhill High School

Did you know that Haverhill High School has a weekly newsletter which gives information on all things Hillie! To view, visit their website.

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

Haverhill School Committee Approved Meeting Schedule

Thursday, October 10, 2024
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Thursday, November 21, 2024

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

Attorney Paul Magliocchetti, Vice Chairperson
pmagliocchetti@haverhill-ps.org

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

Ms. Erica Diaz, Ward 1
erica.diaz@haverhill-ps.org

Ms. Cheryl Ferguson, Ward 3
cheryl.ferguson@haverhill-ps.org

Dr. Thomas Grannemann, Ward 7
thomas.grannemann@haverhill-ps.org

Mrs. Mikaela Lalumiere, Ward 4
mikaela.lalumiere@haverhill-ps.org

Attorney Richard Rosa, At-Large
richard.rosa@haverhill-ps.org

Ms. Maura Ryan-Ciardiello, At-Large
mryan-ciardiello@haverhill-ps.org

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

Ms. Gail Sullivan, Ward 2
gail.sullivan@haverhill-ps.org

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