VETERAN’S DAY: There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, 11/11/22 in observance of Veteran’s Day. Everyone here at Hunking would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the Veterans out there who have served or are currently serving our country. We are all extremely grateful for your service!!
EARLY RELEASE DAY: There will be an early release day for ALL students on Wednesday, November 16th. Dismissal will be at 11:05am
1ST ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FEAST: Thank you to all of those that have signed up and also donated to our Thanksgiving feast which will be happening this coming week on Thursday, November 17th at 5pm in the Hunking Cafeteria! We look forward to continuing to build our Hunking community and can’t wait to enjoy a great meal with everyone! See you there!!
HUNKING THEME OF THE MONTH: Hunking will be embracing a theme of the month which will be focused on in and around our School building throughout each month. Hunking staff will promote and nominate students each month who they feel have personified the monthly theme on a consistent basis. Based on those nominations, one boy and one girl in each grade will be recognized as a “Hunking Hero” and receive a t-shirt.
This month’s theme is Gratitude which is the quality of being thankful and readiness to show appreciation and return kindness.
Future themes will include:
December – Generosity:
January – Commitment:
February – Kindness and Respect:
March – Patience:
April – Peace:
May –Honesty:
June – Pride:
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
We are more than half way to our goal for roof deck furniture. If you are willing to share this on social media or with family and friends I’m sure our students will have this funded in no time and ready to enjoy as soon as snow is melted. Thank you for your support and generosity. (Please click the link “Roof Deck Glow Up!” to be connected.
ODDS & ENDS:
-All students in grades 5-8 have been issued school IDs. It is required that they bring and wear their ID badges each day.
-Please make sure that your student(s) are coming to school daily with a fully charged chromebook.
-Please make sure that you are sending your student(s) with a water bottle. We have a limited supply of cups and we do not have access to water fountains, only water bottle filling stations.
PTO NEWS:
The next PTO meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 6th at 6:00 p.m. in the school library. This meeting will last an hour and babysitters will be available.
Heroes & Helpers, formerly known as “Shop with a Cop” is a need-based program for middle school students. Selected students are given $100 spending money and are paired up with a Haverhill first responder to shop and wrap presents together for their families! All funds donated through this collection will go to sponsor children for this great program! Let’s rally this holiday season around this cause: my.cheddarup.com/c/heroes-and-helpers-copy
The Hunking School PTO is again partnering with Cottage Gardens to bring you our Holiday Fundraiser! Pre-order your wreaths, kissing balls, and poinsettias today (until 11/18): https://hunking-holiday-fundraiser-copy.cheddarup.com/ . Pickup at Cottage Gardens (935 Amesbury Rd., Route 110) beginning the weekend following Thanksgiving through November 30th.
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
ST Math News!
- Check out our ST Math 500 and 1,000 Puzzles Clubs!
- Hunking’s Puzzle 500 Club Hunking’s Puzzle 1000 Club
Grade 7 and 8 Math Drop-In Center. We are offering a math drop-in center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00am – 8:30am in the library. If your child would like to participate, please have them join the Grade 7 and 8 Drop-in Math Center Google Classroom, code ubuhlz7. Please note that students must provide their own transportation. Any questions, please email me at tcorcoran@haverhill-ps.org
8th Grade News:
WASHINGTON DC
November 18th: The first payment and registration for the WASHINGTON DC Trip is due. Please make sure you are registering and sending in those permission forms to Capital Tours
Parent Volunteers: If you have emailed me please fill out a CORI form. We are still waiting on the total number of students that are attending the trip.
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: We continue to work on vision screenings this week for 5th and 7th grade. Kindly send your child to school with glasses if they wear them. We will refer students who did not meet vision standards for an evaluation from an eye doctor . Please call 978-420-41913 if you have any questions or concerns.
LOST AND FOUND: Our lost and found for any clothing items is located in the locker room area in the main hallway of the school. Any lost lunch boxes or water bottles can be found on the shelves in our cafeteria. We encourage you to have your students check frequently as we plan to donate clothing that is unclaimed at the end of each month.
ATHLETIC NEWS:
Cross Country: Congratulations to our grades 4 & 5 runners who have won this year’s city championship!! All XC runners your t-shirts have come in, please see Coach Law to pick yours up.
Boys Basketball: Hunking boys basketball team roster will be posted on Tuesday, November 15th. First practice will be on Thursday November 17th from 3-5pm.
Girls Basketball: Tryouts will take place Monday and Tuesday November 14th and 15th from 3:00 until 4:15 in the Hunking gym. Players grades 6 to 8 are welcomed to come. Athletic clothing and proper shoes must be worn to play. Also Permission slips must be filled out PRIOR to participating. Copies of the form can be found in the main office as well as with Mr Gibbs on the third floor.
Coaches contact information: Tyler Gibbs – tyler.gibbs@haverhill-ps.org
Kayla Pellot – kpellot@haverhill-ps.org
Soccer: 1st off congratulations to our Girls team for their great season and hard fought championship game on Wednesday at the high school. The girls dropped a heartbreaker to Sacred Hearts 2-1. It was a valiant effort and we are all very proud of you and your great season.
In boy’s soccer news, a big congratulations for their victory over Consentino 1-0 on Wednesday at HHS. Your Hunking boys soccer team are the CHAMPS! Great work and great season!
Cheerleading: Tryouts will take place Monday November 14th and Tuesday November 15th from 3-5:30, as well as Wednesday November 16th from 11:15-1:30. Please note that Wednesday is a half day for students. Tryouts are open to grades 6 to 8, all are welcome. Athletic clothing and sneakers are required for tryouts (avoid loose fitting clothing please!). Medical release forms must be turned in at the FIRST tryout, prior to participating. Copies of medical forms and a signup sheet can be found with Miss C in grade two (RM 242 or 244). **IF YOU DID NOT RETURN YOUR UNIFORM FROM LAST YEAR PLEASE DO SO PRIOR TO THE FIRST TRYOUT OR AT THE FIRST TRYOUT**
Coaches Contact Information: Nathalia Carrasco – nathalia.carrasco@haverhill-ps.org
Olivia Rodgers – olivia.rodgers@haverhill-ps.org
CLUB NEWS:
LEAD Program (Formerly VIP): Next meeting is Thur., Nov 17.
GRIT: New round of GRIT coming soon! Any 7th & 8th grader will be allowed to apply if interested. Applications are in the folder outside Mr. Schaefer’s room. Limited space is available so make sure you sign up now.
GSA: The next meeting of the GSA will be Friday, November 18th from 3:00 to 4:00. The GSA is open to all students grades 7 & 8.
MODEL UN: Model UN will meet on Fridays 2:45 to 3:30. We have four delegates from HHS joining us! Students will be learning debate skills as well as current events/world issues. Please check the MUN Google Classroom for updates.
CHORUS: Junior Bobcat Singers will be meeting 11/15. Senior Bobcat Singers continue to grow in numbers! Students are still welcome to join both groups – please e-mail Mrs. Rico if you are interested!
DRAMA CLUB: A new November schedule for James and the Giant Peach is now available on google classroom and the remind app. We will be finalizing show dates and tickets will be on sale after Thanksgiving break. We will be sending out a parent volunteer form specifically looking for set builders and costumers.
GUITAR ENSEMBLE: Guitar ensemble will meet next on Thursday, 11/17.
NJHS: The NJHS will be conducting a food drive to benefit the Sacred Hearts food bank. Hunking has had a close relationship with this organization over the years and we look forward to paying it forward as we enter the holiday season. This food drive will run until Tuesday Nov 15th. Please consider donating non-perishable items during these dates.
SKI BRADFORD: The ski/snowboard program through Ski Bradford for 3rd – 8th graders is underway. The program for Hunking & Bradford Elementary will be offered on Friday nights beginning on January 6th from 5-9 p.m. The last day to register is Monday, November 14th and final payment is due by Monday, November 21st. Make checks payable to Hunking PTO or you can now make a payment electronically at https://2023-ski-club.cheddarup.com. Please note that transportation IS NOT provided for Hunking & Bradford Elementary. If interested, please read & complete the entire packet including enrollment form, liability waiver, and equipment rental if needed. A Enrollment forms are located in the school office. Please return your completed form by November 14th at the school office attention: Ski Bradford. All questions can be directed to lisa.antolick@crl.com
STUDENT COUNCIL: The first meeting is Tuesday, November 15th in room 110. Please be sure that transportation is arranged for 4:00 p.m. The number of members is limited. If you have any questions, see Miss Riley or Mrs. Pouliot.
SCHOOL POLICIES:
Lower school pick up: If you are walking to pick up your K student please wait near the kindergarten doors and if you are walking to pick up your grade 1-4 student please wait at the lower school walker pick up door. DO NOT come to the lower school playground to pick up your child. The students in the playground area are waiting for car pick up only.
Chromebook Insurance Policy: Haverhill Public Schools has chosen School Device Coverage (SDC) to insure the devices that will be given to your student as part of this year’s 1:1 device program. For only $20 per student, this insurance program will protect you and your student(s) in the event that your device is lost, stolen, or damaged accidentally over the course of the school year. Please follow this link for more information and to sign up. Haverhill Student Device Insurance
This information is also posted on the Parent and Student Resources page, Our Technology page, and the HPS Student Technology Device Policy (Spanish Version) document.
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/technology/device-insurance/
Student Dress Code: I have attached the dress code policy that can be found on page 23 of the HPS student handbook for all families to review:
“The responsibility for the dress and appearance of the students will rest with individual students and parents.
They have the right to determine how the student will dress providing that attire is not destructive to school property, complies with requirements for health and safety, and does not cause disorder or disruption. The administration is authorized to take action in instances where individual dress does not meet the stated requirements.
This does not mean that student, faculty, or parent groups may not recommend appropriate dress for school or special occasions. It means that students will not be prevented from attending school or a school function, or otherwise be discriminated against, so long as their dress and appearance meet the requirements set forth above.
Students are not permitted to dress in any manner that is distracting to teaching or learning, to other students or disrupting to the educational process or environment of the school. Clothing that is considered to be distracting includes but may not be limited to the following:
- Extremely short skirts or shorts rising more than 7″ above the knee.
- Shirts or blouses baring midriffs.
- See-through clothing.
- Halters or tank tops with less than 1″ straps, tube-tops, or blouses with excessively low cut tops.
- Low rider pants and pants that do not cover underwear.
- Clothing or jewelry that advertises or promotes products or activities that are illegal.
- Clothing containing inappropriate or suggestive language or pictures.
- Clothing that identifies students as members of a gang or an imitation of gang paraphernalia will not be permitted. This includes but is not limited to bandanas, pins, insignias, colors, jewelry, emblems, wave caps, etc.
- Studded accessories such as belt buckles, bracelets, chains, etc. are not permitted.
- Any other dress that distracts, disrupts, intimidates or provokes can be deemed inappropriate by the Principal or Assistant Principal.
The Principal and Assistant Principal have the final decision in making the determination that there has been a violation of the dress code policy. In the event that the Principal is unavailable, the Assistant Principal has the full authority to make the final determination on whether a student’s clothing is in violation of the dress code policy.”
CELL PHONE POLICY:
-Cell phones are not allowed to be used throughout the school day. The expectation is that the phone is turned off and put away.
-If students are found to be using their cell phone for any purpose the following policy will be followed:
-1st offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where the student can get the phone back at the end of the day with a warning.
-2nd offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where a parent/guardian will need to pick up the phone.
-3rd offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where a parent/guardian will need to pick up the phone and the student will be issued an office detention.
-4th offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and submitted to the main office where a parent/guardian will need to pick up the phone and a meeting will need to take place in order to establish a contract where phone can either be dropped off at arrival time and picked up at dismissal, or the phone is not allowed in school.
-Students will not be allowed to have cell phones in the bathroom. Students will need to leave their phones face down on their desk when leaving for the bathroom.
-We recognize the importance for students to have cell phones, but we respectfully ask for your support in reinforcing the cell phone rules. If there is ever a reason for a student to call home, I am happy to allow them to utilize my office phone. Also, if you have to get in touch with your student, we would ask that you please contact the main office during school hours.