Bobcat Bulletin 11/23/22

NO SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH & FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH:

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR ENTIRE HUNKING COMMUNITY!!

 

ATTENDANCE CONTEST: There are exactly 25 days of school between Thanksgiving break and Winter break. Hunking will be holding an attendance contest starting Monday, November 28th. For every student who has perfect attendance from that day until December 23rd will be entered into a raffle to win an Amazon gift card. Please see the attached flyer:

 

Hunking Perfect Attendance Raffle

 

HAT AND MITTEN TREE: Our hat and mitten tree has been set up in the lobby. We are accepting donations of NEW hats, mittens and gloves of all sizes. These items will be available to any Hunking student who may need them now that the cold weather is upon us. 

 

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: 

 

Ihub Game Design Studio (Grades 4-7):

Family Game Design Day Flyer 2022 December

(Spanish) Family Game Design Day Flyer 2022 December

 

Roof Deck Glow Up!  Donations are DOUBLED on 11/29/2022

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.

 

PTO NEWS:  

 

  • The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the school library. Please note this date has changed. The meeting will last an hour and babysitters will be available.

  • Meadow Farms has shipped so be on the lookout! And apparel orders should be coming in right behind them! Reach out to HunkingPTO28@gmail.com with any questions!

  • Please consider donating to Heroes & Helpers! This need-based program (formerly known as “Shop with a Cop”) is 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

  • Check out Hunking’s 1st online auction: https://hunkingschoolpto.betterworld.org/auctions/2022-hunking-school-auction! We have some awesome experiences—courtesy of Hunking’s amazing teachers and staff—as well as some other great items!. These will make great holiday gifts and all proceeds go back to the school! Check back for updates and additional items!

  • The PTO has partnered with the Celebration of Lights being offered through fiesta shows at Mann’s Orchard this year!! Located in Methuen, MA, see over 1 mile of roadway that has been transformed into a glittering display of over 1 million LED lights — featuring a 90′ Christmas Tree! Listen to music played through FM radio in your own vehicle during this safe, holiday experience. Get tickets here

 

NEWS FROM GUIDANCE:

Hello 8th-grade students & families!

We are introducing a new avenue for you to access all information regarding applications and the transition to high school. We recommend you utilize this resource as often as possible, as we will consistently update this site throughout the week. We at Hunking believe that working together to support student success is paramount.

 

https://sites.google.com/haverhill-ps.org/roadmaptohighschool/hunking-home-hnk

 

EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS: 

 

4TH GRADE NEWS: This week 4th grade read the book Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet and learned about the historical connections the Macy’s Day Parade has to Haverhill. Students worked in groups to create their own balloon float & held a parade here at Hunking. Click here to see pictures of creative floats: Balloons Over Broadway

 

ST MATH NEWS: 

 

Hunking’s ST Math Puzzle Clubs!

Hunking’s 500 Puzzle Club

Hunking’s 1,000 Puzzle Club

Hunking’s Finishers Club

 

Hunking’s Snowball Challenge!

Ready for some competition?!  Starting November 28th.  

Each week your class hits the puzzle goal:

40 puzzles/week – grades K and 1

60 puzzles/week – grades 2-5

Or your class solves 15 more puzzles than the previous week

Your class will get a snowball to add to the wall!  The class with the most snowballs by December 22nd wins a hot chocolate and munchkin party with Mrs. Corcoran on 12/23!* 

 *If there are multiple classes with the same number of snowballs, we will pick a class raffle style.

 

Grade 5 & 6 Drop-in Math Center:

 

Congratulations to Charlotte Foley, Andrew Pelczar, Sofia Hamidine, Ellayna Lasonde for completing the problem of the week.  

 

Grades 5 and 6 problem of the week forms are available in the library.  Students will receive one raffle ticket for trying the problem and showing their work. Students who show the correct answer along with their work will receive an additional raffle ticket Winning tickets  will be drawn the first Friday of each month.

 

Grade 5 and 6 students are welcome to drop in the math center from 8:00am – 8:30am Monday – Friday in the library. (They do not have to come every day.)  Some students come in for more challenging math, some for help with homework and some just to have fun.   If your child would like to participate, please have them join the Drop-in Math Center Google Classroom, code vhur2o4. Please note that students must provide their own transportation.  

Any questions please contact Kim Surette  ksurette@haverhill-ps.org.

 

NEWS FROM OUR NURSES:  We will be working on hearing and vision screenings this week for 7th grade and any students that were not initially screened. Please call 978-420-1913 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: 

 

Boys Basketball:

Game – Tuesday 11/29 AT Hunking vs. Consentino. Girls Play First

Game – Thursday 12/1 AT Hunking vs. Nettle. Boys Play First

 

Girls Basketball: Practice – Monday 11/28 in the Hunking gym from 3:00 until 4:15.

Game – Tuesday 11/29 AT Hunking vs. Consentino. Girls Play First

Game – Thursday 12/1 AT Hunking vs. Nettle. Boys Play First

 

Cheerleading:  There will be cheerleading practice on Monday, November 28th and Wednesday, November 30th from 3-5:30. Games this week will be on Tuesday and Thursday. 

 

CLUB NEWS:

 

LEAD Program (Formerly VIP): Next meeting is Thursday, December 1st

 

GRIT: The next scheduled GRIT meeting will be on Monday, November 28 in Mr. Schaefer’s room.

 

MODEL UN: Next meeting will be Friday December 2nd from 2:45 to 3:30. There is a lot of information for students regarding their position papers in the Google Classroom.

MUN meet at Haverhill High School will be 12/15 and 12/16. Buses and lunch will be provided for students.   Permission slips will go home in early December.  We ask that students dress in appropriate attire for the event: business/ business casual/ No hoodies / sweats/ripped clothing / etc.  More information will be included with the permission slips. 

 

CHORUS: Both groups are making tremendous progress and are looking forward to their performance at the Hunking Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 13th at 6:30PM! 

Junior Bobcat Singers will rehearse Tuesday 11/29 and Senior Bobcat Singers on Thursday 12/1. See you then!

 

ART CLUB: On Monday, 11/28, art club members will be learning about needle felting. Please be advised that students will go over the safety procedure on using the felting needles for this exciting art project. If you have any questions feel free to contact Ms. Marte or Ms. Cerullo!

 

DRAMA CLUB:  The new schedule is being released this weekend along with the ticket sale information.  We will have an ALL cast rehearsal Monday 11/28 from 2:45 to 4:45. All cast members should be practicing over the break at least an hour or two a day. 

 

GUITAR ENSEMBLE:  We will meet on Thursday (12/1) and Thursday (12/8) in preparation for our concert with the band and chorus December 13th. I’ll be reaching out next week with all the show details. 

 

NJHS: Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday December 6th in Mrs Sciuto’s room, room 118. We will be brainstorming ideas of how we can continue to support our school and community.

 

STUDENT COUNCIL (grades 6-8):  The Student Council will be hosting a pet drive. All donations will go to the MSPCA. It will run from 11/21/22-12/16/22. Donations can be put in the boxes near the main office. Every donation counts! Donations include: treats, food, toys and gently used blankets. Thank you for your support! Also on meeting days, please be sure your child is picked up promptly at 4:00 p.m. 

 

YEARBOOK: The Yearbook Committee needs your help gathering photos! Any and all throwbacks, candids, group shots or selfies of the graduating 8th grade class will be considered. There are two ways to upload:

  1. Students can use this Google drive folder Instructions
  2. Anyone without an HPS email account can use this link to TreeRing
    1. Note: This method requires creating a username/password

 

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. 

 

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.