Welcome February! It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the school year! We celebrate 100 school days on Monday, February 3, and look forward to seeing our students celebrate in style. On February 1, 2025, Early Kindergarten Registration opens for children who turn five by August 31, 2025. Parents/Guardians can register online (with all required documents) or book an appointment to meet with one of our enrollment specialists. Keep your eye out for Kindergarten Information Nights to attend and learn everything you need to know, plus meet some of our outstanding teachers and administrators.
This first week of February (3-7), we celebrate the incredible work of our School Counselors and School Counselors Week. They support students’ mental health, academic success, and overall well-being and shape a positive and supportive environment for all students. We hope you join us in thanking our school counselors’ for helping our students navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve their goals!
On February 6, 2025, Bartlett School & Assessment Center, Greenleaf Academy, and Gateway Academy will be holding a Job Fair. If you are looking for a rewarding career while making a difference in a child’s life, we hope you come and see what these fantastic schools offer!
Lastly, Cinderella’s Closet is back at Haverhill High School this year to help make prom dreams come true! If you need a dress, suit, or accessories, they’ve got you covered—free of charge. Their mission is to ensure every student has the chance to feel confident and special on prom night! Cinderella’s Closet is also looking for donations of clothing racks, jewelry trees, mannequins, suits, ties, shirts, prom dresses, shoes, and jewelry. If you want to donate anything, you can drop it off at Haverhill High School in the main office.
We hope you enjoy the past month’s highlights at Haverhill Public Schools!
Important Dates
February 1, 2025, 2:00 PM
Cornhole Tournament to benefit Gateway Academy
February 1, 2025
Kindergarten Registration for SY 2025-2026 Opens
February 3, 2025
100th Day of School
February 3-7, 2025
National School Counseling Week
February 6, 2025, 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Bartlett/Gateway/Greenleaf Job Fair
February 11, 2025, 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
District Parent Council Meeting
February 13, 2025, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Junior Parent Night – Class of 2026
February 13, 2025, 7:00 PM
School Committee Meeting
February 17, 2025
No School – President’s Day
February 18-21, 2025
February Vacation
February 24, 2025
All Schools Reopen
February 27, 2025, 7:00 PM
School Committee Meeting
Pentucket Lake Elementary
Pentucket Lake School had a fun Staff vs. Student Basketball PBIS event before the break. Students used the Lion Cash that they earned to purchase a ticket to play or attend to spectate the basketball game.
Approximately 30 students played against the teachers. Everyone enjoyed the friendly competition! Student spectators had a great time cheering on their friends. At half-time, Mr. Brennan and Mr. Barnard played a game with some student spectators to see if anyone could get a ring on their antlers. It was a great way to wrap up before the Holiday Break!
2025 February Vacation Academy
HPS will once again be offering Vacation Academies during the February break with our Community Partners: YMCA, YWCA, and the Boys & Girls Club. This Academy features academic lessons and recreational activities during February vacation to keep students engaged in learning and to provide working families with an option of high-quality childcare at no cost.
- Attached are the February 2025 Vacation Academy flyers
- Families enroll by contacting the YMCA, YWCA or the Boys/Girls Club directly
For more information, visit our website.
J.G. Whittier Middle School
New Year! New Classrooms!
JG Whittier Middle School had a great start to the new year; some classrooms moved into the new modular classrooms. Students and teachers were excited to be in their new spacious classrooms. Students in Mr. Tingle’s 7th Grade Social Studies class enjoyed the day’s lesson!
Gateway Academy
Cornhole Tournament to Benefit Gateway Academy
Looking for something fun to do this winter? We hope you join us for a Cornhole Tournament to benefit Gateway Academy:
Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 2pm
Amvets, 576 Primrose Street, Haverhill.
Tilton Elementary School
Recently, ELL (English Language Learners) students in the District have taken part in ACCESS Testing. ACCESS measures English Language proficiency. At Tilton Elementary, these students were cheered on by their fellow students in a “Clap Out”! Let’s give them a round of applause as they wrap up this important step in their learning journey. Let’s GO Tigers!
Silver Hill Elementary
Clap Out for ELL Access Testing Students!
Silver Hill Elementary cheered on their incredible students who are finishing their ELL Access testing! Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have truly shined through, and we’re so proud of all you’ve accomplished.
Nettle Middle School
Over at Nettle Middle School, Tucker is creating a calm, supportive space where students feel confident to read and grow their skills.
Sometimes, the best teacher is a furry friend who makes reading fun and less stressful!
J.G. Whittier Middle School
New Mentoring Program at JG Whittier Middle School Aims to Empower Students in Partnership with HP3
JG Whittier Middle School is proud to announce the launch of a new mentoring pilot program for students in grades 5 through 8. In partnership with HP3, this program combines academic, emotional, and social assistance to support students and equip them with the tools needed to succeed now and in the future. The mentoring program began in November, bringing together a dedicated team of mentors with students once a week to provide homework assistance, discuss short and long-term goals, explore high school applications, and help students identify their passions and interests. These one-on-one mentoring sessions assist students academically and foster self-confidence and emotional well-being as they navigate the critical middle school years.
The importance of mentoring cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping a student’s development. With the guidance of caring mentors, students gain valuable insights, support, and motivation that will impact their success in school and life. Mentors work alongside students to help them develop important life skills, including time management, goal-setting, and problem-solving while offering a trusted space for social and emotional growth. “We believe this program will make a significant difference for our students,” said Kevin Higginbottom, Interim Principal of JG Whittier Middle School. “By offering a combination of academic guidance, emotional support, and social assistance, we’re giving our students the tools they need to succeed now and in the future. This program has the potential to positively impact their academic achievements, as well as their overall well-being.” This initiative was made possible through the partnership with HP3 and the efforts of the School’s Guidance Counselors, Jacquie Vlahos and Holly Deluca, who share a deep commitment to the success of every student. In the coming year, JG Whittier Middle School is excited to expand the program to include more students, ensuring that even more learners have the opportunity to benefit from the invaluable support of this program. “This mentoring pilot program is a critical step toward ensuring that every student at JG Whittier Middle School receives the encouragement, resources, and guidance they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Allison Heartquist, Director of HP3. For more information on the mentoring program, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, please contact allison.heartquist@haverhill-stage.materiell.net.
Bradford Elementary School
Bradford Elementary School wants to thank Premier Martial Arts for their continued partnership with BES and the Haverhill Community. The engaging, educational, and entertaining classes and demonstrations are always a highlight for the kids! We thank them for their donation! We’ve always wanted to be presented with a giant check!
Career Technical Education
CTE Sophomores in the Information Technology and Computer Science & Web Development programs participated in a follow-up discussion with George Peters from New England Invents, as part of the Inventor in Residence program at Haverhill High School. Mr. Peters discussed the topic of copyrights. Students were engaged and learned a lot of important information. For more information about CTE Work-Based Learning opportunities, contact Lisa Hunt at lhunt@haverhill-stage.materiell.net.
Tilton Elementary
Check out these Tigers! Tilton Elementary had a ROAR Assembly this week. We are undoubtedly proud of their R.(Respectful and Kind to Others).O.(Outstanding Attitudes).A.(Always Be Safe).R.(Responsible for My Learning) Efforts, it is what makes Tilton an AMAZING School! Go Tigers!
Journey to FAFSA
“Journey to FAFSA” was a successful evening as the HHS Counseling Department partnered with MakeIT Haverhill to assist families with starting and/or completing the application. Counselors from HHS, UMass Lowell, and Northern Essex Community College helped families make this process easier and more enjoyable.
Career Technical Education
CTE Healthcare Occupations Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors had the opportunity to learn about the transition to college life during this year’s Alumni College Panel. Six HHS alumni from the CTE program came back to HHS to share their insights and advice. It was great to catch up and hear about their accomplishments since graduating from HHS!
Big Congrats to Our Newest HHS Alumni!
We recently celebrated and graduated our night school students! You’ve shown incredible dedication, hard work, and resilience to balance your studies with life’s other demands. The late nights, sacrifices, and long hours all paid off!
We are so PROUD of your accomplishments and can’t wait to hear about all of your successes! Remember, #OnceAHillieAlwaysAHillie!
Career Technical Education
CTE Juniors and Seniors in the Information Technology, Computer Science & Web Development and Engineering/Manufacturing programs learned about the transition to college life directly from our HHS CTE Alumni! Nine alumni attended the annual Alumni College Panel and shared their advice with our current students. They sure had a lot of great information to share and we heard a lot of emphasis on taking advantage of Internship opportunities! We are so proud of our alumni and look forward to keeping in touch as they make their mark in the business world.
Walnut Square Elementary
Our Superstars at Walnut Square Elementary sure do love their pizza! They were all smiles on Friday “Pizza Day.” Keep Smiling!
Career Technical Education
CTE Healthcare Occupations Seniors presented their Capstone presentations. The Capstone Project is the culmination of their four years in the CTE program. Students select a topic that is important to them, research and create a deliverable. It was amazing to hear what they accomplished and we are so proud of them!
Pentucket Lake Elementary
Fourth-grade students are reading the novel Hatchet for Module 2 of Wit & Wisdom. It is about surviving in extreme circumstances and situations. The 4th-grade team thought it would be a nice idea to have a Massachusetts Environmental Officer come and talk to the students about being out in the woods and what to do/not to do when you are in the woods or elsewhere in nature.
Massachusetts Environmental Officer Nick Anderson spoke with the students about the environment and what to expect in nature. The students enjoyed the hands-on experience and connecting their literacy work to a real-life experience.
Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education students who completed Fall Internships participated in our Final Presentation Celebration. Students did a great job highlighting their experiences and how the internship helped them make important decisions about their future career paths. A huge thank you to the City of Haverhill Engineering department, Parkland Medical Center (and their free-standing Plaistow Emergency Room) and the Work-Based Learning Alliance. For more information about internships, contact Helin Nieves at helin.nieves@haverhill-stage.materiell.net.
Haverhill High School
Huge congratulations to these Hillies for making the Honor Roll! All your hard work and dedication is paying off, and we’re so proud of you! Keep shining bright and reaching for the stars!
Career Technical Education
On Tuesday, January 21st, Mrs. Johnston’s CTE Biomedical Science class had the privilege of learning about Biomechanics from Dr. John Gallagher, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Merrimack College. Dr. Gallagher discussed how engineers use biomimicry to produce designs that use the wisdom of nature to solve real world problems- everything from airplanes designed like a bird’s wing to make-up that mimics the reflective scales of blue butterflies. He also discussed studying the human body to figure out what loads it is meant for and how this relates to sports medicine and medical devices to heal injuries. He further discussed engineered materials such as nitinol that take on different characteristics at different temperatures. Students were delighted to see an example of nitinol coiled up at one temperature and automatically converted to a totally different form at a different temperature. This material has medical applications such as stents, where the device will be coiled up in the cold operating room and spring open to unclog an artery in the warm human body. Finally, he discussed what the day in the life of a Biomechanical Engineer is like. We are very grateful to Dr. Gallagher for his exceptional talk.
Haverhill 6th Annual Preschool, Kindergarten & Community Expo
Device Waiver Fee
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. For more information, visit our website.
Walnut Square Elementary
Over at Walnut Square Elementary, students are building background knowledge for the next story in Grade 2 Wit and Wisdom, “The Buffalo Are Back” by Jean Craighead George. Among other facts, students learned about buffalos and their habitat, food choices, body parts, predators, and prey. We love their colorful pictures of buffalo!
Gateway Academy
Students from Gateway Academy are on their way to being our future leaders! Students took a trip to the Massachusetts Institute of Youth Leadership. Students took time to sharpen and define their leadership skills! We are proud of these Grizzlies and can’t wait to see what their future holds!
Consentino Middle School
Unbelievable performance by our Charger girls as they bring home the Middle School Basketball Championship for the 3rd CONSECUTIVE time. They played Sacred Heart who also had an amazing season! One thing is for sure…Haverhill has talent!
Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education Guest Speaker:
Mrs. Johnston’s Biomedical Science Freshmen welcomed Dr. Rickey Caldwell, Chair of the Department of Engineering at Merrimack College on Tuesday, January 28th. Mr. Ashbrook’s Computer Science & Web Development Sophomores and Ms Dalphin’s Engineering Freshmen also participated. Dr. Caldwell discussed everything from courses needed to be successful in college to future salaries of different types of engineers ranging from Biomechanical to Computer Engineering as well as what types of benefits students should look for in professional careers. He brought two robots: Darwin (small mobile soccer-playing robot) and Spot, a load carrying and rescue dog. Students had great fun walking Spot up and down the stairs and experimenting on how high an obstacle Spot could climb. Dr. Caldwell is an engaging speaker and students were enthusiastic to participate. We anticipate that Dr. Caldwell will continue to partner with our CTE programs and will return with his robot team at our Career Fair in May. Thank you Dr. Caldwell! For more information about CTE Work-Based Learning opportunities, contact Lisa Hunt at lhunt@haverhill-stage.materiell.net.
Device Waiver Fee
Haverhill Public School 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. For more information, visit our website.
HHS School Counseling Department
The HHS School Counseling Department has published the February Newsletter! For all information about the School Counseling Department at Haverhill Public Schools, visit their website!
National School Counseling Week
Happy School Counseling Week February 3rd – 7th, 2025!
Join us as we celebrate the incredible school counselors at Haverhill Public Schools who make a difference every day! They’re the ones who lend an ear, offer guidance, and help students navigate both their academic journey and personal growth.
Thank you to all the school counselors shaping the future by supporting students, families, and teachers. Your impact is felt far and wide!
Qustodio
Did you know that children spend an average of 4 hours daily on apps unrelated to schoolwork? Do you want to know how to change that? Haverhill Public Schools has teamed up with Qustodio, a FREE student safety, digital wellbeing platform that helps you control your child’s access to the internet on their school-issued Chromebook. For more information, visit our website.
Early Kindergarten Registration Opens February 1, 2025
The Kindergarten online registration forms for the 2025-2026 school year will be available on Feb 1, 2025, and families can begin completing them online at that time (must have all required documents available to upload).
- For families who would like to register in person you MUST make appointments to come in person, this helps us manage scheduling times to avoid wait times.
- The Moody PK Lottery also opens on Feb 1. This is for 3 & 4-year-olds who do not have an IEP. Parents can reach out to Moody or Registration to put their child on the waitlist. Students who get a spot will be notified Mid-March to complete registration.
- Similar to last year, students currently enrolled at Moody will not need to re-register. These students will be automatically enrolled in their home district schools unless their IEP requires a different placement. Families are notified of this late spring.
Golden Hill Elementary Food Drive
Haverhill High School
We love a good STEM project! Recently, students in integrated Biology and Math spent some time assembling cars. Some cars were solar-powered and some were battery-powered. One thing is for certain, they had a great time racing them and watching their creations move! They also spent time learning about the different bones in the body by putting together a life-sized human skeleton. Nice work, Hillies!
Cinderella’s Closet at Haverhill High School
Cinderella’s Closet is back this year to help make prom dreams come true! If you need a dress, suit, or accessories, we’ve got you covered—free of charge. Our mission is to ensure every student has the chance to feel confident and special on prom night!
Here’s how it works:
- Dates and Times: Opening March 3, 2025, and every Monday after school until 4:00 PM until May.
- Location: New Cinderella’s Closet (formerly the Cyber Cafe
- What’s Available: Dresses, suits, shoes, jewelry, and more! Everything is free, and we’re happy to help you find the perfect fit.
You don’t need to be shy—come by, find your dream outfit, and make prom night unforgettable. And if you have gently used formal wear or accessories you’d like to donate, we’d love your help to keep the Closet stocked!
Haverhill School Committee
Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 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-stage.materiell.net 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-stage.materiell.net
Ms. Yonnie Collins, Ward 6
yonnie.collins@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Ms. Erica Diaz, Ward 1
erica.diaz@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Ms. Cheryl Ferguson, Ward 3
cheryl.ferguson@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Dr. Thomas Grannemann, Ward 7
thomas.grannemann@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Mrs. Mikaela Lalumiere, Ward 4
mikaela.lalumiere@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Attorney Richard Rosa, At-Large
richard.rosa@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Ms. Maura Ryan-Ciardiello, At-Large
mryan-ciardiello@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Dr. Jill Story, Ward 5
jill.story@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Ms. Gail Sullivan, Ward 2
gail.sullivan@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
Mrs. Beverly McGillicuddy, Secretary
beverly.mcgillicuddy@haverhill-stage.materiell.net
