FEBRUARY VACATION: There will be NO school from 2/19-2/23.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28th IS A HALF DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS. DISMISSAL WILL BE AT 11:05AM
2ND ANNUAL MULTICULTURAL NIGHT: It is that time of year again, where we are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Multicultural Night! If you are interested in participating and sharing your culture with the Hunking community, please click the link below to sign up/register:
https://hunking-multicultural-night-2024.cheddarup.com/
Hunking’s 2nd annual multicultural night is meant to celebrate our diverse community! This fun night will be family-facilitated—the idea is for students & families to volunteer to share pieces of their culture with others. Please join us on Thursday, March 14th from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
This could include but is not limited to:
- Presenting your country’s flag
- Sharing your favorite cuisine
- Music and/or dance
- Art
- Fashion
- Games
- Stories
- Traditions
- Anything else that showcases your heritage and culture
Black History Month Fact: The 2024 theme of Black History Month is Black History and the Arts. Some of you might know the song, What a Wonderful World. Jazz musician Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He lived with his mother and sister in one room with no lights and no running water. When Louis was just 11 years old, he was sent away to a home for boys. He missed his family. Louis learned how to play the bugle and then became the bandleader. That was just the beginning. Louis was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you’d like to learn more, we recommend the book, Just a Lucky So and So – The Story of Louis Armstrong by Lesa Cline-Ransome.
MCAS: We are quickly closing in on that time of year again. Please click the link below to view the calendar with our MCAS schedule, to see and be prepared for when your student(s) will be taking MCAS: MCAS Calendar 2024
HUNKING THEME OF THE MONTH: We are embracing the theme of FRIENDSHIP throughout the month of February. Being a good friend. A friend is someone who is always happy to help when you run into a problem. A friend is someone who brings out the best in you and has respect for you. A real friend is someone who cheers you up when you feel bad. A friend is someone who makes a positive difference in someone’s life. A friend is someone you can depend on and will never leave you out. A friend is someone that is always there for you.Staff will be on the look out this month for students who are personifying this theme.
FEBRUARY BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUS
(if the links don’t work, please check out: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/food-services/, and type in “Hunking” for the school location)
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
HPS WELLNESS CAREGIVER SERIES:
WASHINGTON, DC GRADE 8:
- Update: 117 students are registered!
- All registered students must have a signed District Permission Slip AND Student Participation Contract signed and returned to their homeroom asap.
- Next payment is due: March 8th $225
- Fundraising deductions- Student accounts are being updated as fundraising efforts and funds have been sent to Capital Tours. Check your account frequently over the next few weeks. Last chance to reduce your payments is the Adrenaline Cookies-coming soon!
- Rooming: Students were provided with a google form in their google classroom homerooms to list 3 other students for their room preference. Accommodations will be made as best as we can for students to room with their preferred choices. All groups will be reviewed by trip coordinator and/or admin and preferences will be taken into account, but can not be guaranteed.
Dates/Info to remember:
- May 22, 2024: Parent/Guardian meeting @ 6pm, Hunking. Please attend specifically for those students who will have medication distributed on the trip. Nurses will be available. Medication and doctors orders (that match the district permission form) are to be brought to this meeting.
- Chaperones- Please have your cori completed in the main office and fingerprints done.
Questions????- Megan.arivella@haverhill-ps.org
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE:
Grades 5 and 6: Sarah Petrick sarah.petrick@haverhill-ps.org
Grades 7 and 8: Terri Carney terri.carney@haverhill-ps.org
8th Graders, it is time to select Electives for High School!!!
NEED A WORK PERMIT?
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/work-permit-information/
Haverhill High School
Career Technical Education (CTE): Interviews at Hunking on March 8th and 11th during school day.
Whittier Tech Next Steps: Interviews at Hunking on February 27th and 28th during school day.
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
6th Grade: The 6th graders were treated to an in school field trip last week courtesy of the PTO. They learned about ancient Egypt and were able to view and wear some replica artifacts. Thank you to Mrs. Paquette and to the PTO for making this possible.
7th Grade Social Studies: In Social Studies we are putting together a 7th grade recipe book for the upcoming multicultural night. Every student has their own google slide posted on google classroom to create a family recipe or a recipe for their favorite dish. Mr. Kellerman will compile all the submitted recipes into one grade wide recipe book. Recipes are due by March 8th. We would love to get as many recipes as we can.
7th Grade Science:Students are analyzing and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data from last week’s Acidification of the Ocean lab.
8th Grade:Thank you to all the families that stopped by parent teacher conferences last night! Students enjoyed a fun staff vs. student basketball game today as a kick off to February vacation!!! When students return from vacation, Whittier Vo-Tech will be conducting interviews at Hunking for applicants. These interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, February 27th, and Wednesday, February 28th, with schedules posted on the third floor. It’s important to dress to impress for these interviews.
Congratulations to all those that made the volleyball team. Practices start after vacation.
Wishing everyone a fantastic vacation filled with relaxation and rejuvenation!
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: Mandatory Postural/Scoliosis screenings are planned to start Monday Feb 26th during gym class. The Purpose of the screening is to detect possible curvature of the spine in children. If the condition is detected early and appropriately treated, progressive spinal deformity may be prevented.
To assure a good view of the spine, we will request the students expose their backs during screening. It is recommended that boys wear a shirt that can be easily removed. Girls should wear a bathing suit top, or sport bra or halter under a shirt or sweater. Please make sure to have your child come dressed as recommended above on the day they are scheduled for gym.
If your child is currently under active treatment for a spinal problem, or if you have any objection to having your child participate in the screening program, please inform the school nurse in writing. A report from your healthcare provider is requested.
It is the cold and flu season. We also have had a rise in stomach bug cases this week as well as several cases of Covid and Flu. If your child is out for an illness please reach out to the nurses at 978-420-1913. Your child must be fever free and/or vomit free for 24 hours without medication to return to school. Good hygiene such as washing hands and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing is a great way to prevent illness.
If your child was given a vision or hearing referral, please make sure it is sent back to the health office after seeing an eye or hearing specialist. Stay healthy.
ATHLETIC NEWS:
Girls Volleyball: We will have practice Wednesday and Thursday (2/21 & 2/22) over vacation from 10-12pm both days. Enter the gym through the bus driveway out back. It is not mandatory but Coach Ada and Coach Taylor will be here for some play. First official girl’s practice will be Monday, Feb 26th 3-5pm.
Boys Volleyball: We will have practice Wednesday and Thursday (2/21 & 2/22) over vacation from 10-12pm both days. Enter the gym through the bus driveway out back. It is not mandatory but Coach Ada and Coach Taylor will be here for some play. Boys will also have practice Tuesday, Feb 27th 3-5pm.
EARLY SPRING TRACK SIGN UP
We know the snow has just begun, but we cannot wait for Spring! My fellow coaches and I are already excited for our upcoming 2024 track season! I am hoping to get a good idea as to how many kiddos are interested in joining us this year, so I wanted to create this form to make sign-ups easier. SPRING TRACK SIGN UP
(*This sign up link has also been added to our school website*)
Prior to the beginning of the season I will follow up with students/parents that have filled this form out to confirm if they are still interested. We will still have a “sign up” available in-person as we have in the past; however this form can expedite that process.
Last, but certainly not least, if your athlete took part in a school sport during this year (2023-2024) you do not need to fill out another health participation packet.Only the first and last page is needed. If not, the entire packet needs to be filled, current physical submitted, signed and returned before participation is permitted.
Our main office retains hard copies for students to take home, but I have also included the link below if you’d prefer to print out and return ahead of time.
HPS (Middle School) Sport Permission Packet
When our season officially commences I will provide practice dates, schedules, meet information and all things track via our Remind class link (see below).
As always thank you for your continued support and please reach out should you have any questions!
-Coach Law
CLUB NEWS:
Academic Bowl: Practices will be held Mondays from 2:45 – 3:30. Seniors meet in Mrs. Bizeur’s room and Juniors meet in Mr. Ivancic’s room. The schedule for competitions can be found here.
GSA (Gender-Sexuality Alliance): The GSA calendar can be found here.
LEGO Club: The LEGO club calendar can be found here.
NJHS: Valentine sales during lunches were a huge hit! And thank you to all the families, teachers and staff who baked for our first bake sale. The NJHS calendar can be found here.
Student Council: Please check Google Classroom for our meeting schedule and announcements. We had a few members help out last night at our parent/teacher conferences to read or color with children that came with their parents.
Guitar Ensemble: We will meet the week after break (2/29) in Mrs. Fairbrother’s room at 8am. Enjoy your vacation.
GRIT: There is no GRIT meeting on Monday, Feb 26. The next meeting will be on Monday, March 4. This week GRIT got to attend a field trip to USA Ninja Challenge. A fun time was had by all.
Drama Club: Pre-sale for tickets is now happening, please see a cast member for more information or order tickets here.
YEARBOOK: ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS! The Yearbook Cover Contest is now open! Submissions will be accepted until April 12th. If you would like to submit a cover, please bring a letter-sized, colored drawing to Room 213 or email a detailed picture to Mr. Thornton (matthew.thornton@haverhill-ps.org)
ODDS & ENDS:
-All students have been issued school IDs. It is required that they bring and wear their ID badges each day. These badges are also used for breakfast and lunches as well as to “swipe” on & off the bus.
-Please make sure that your student(s) are coming to school daily with a fully charged chromebook.
HPS has chosen School Device Coverage (SDC) to insure the Chromebooks that students have been issued. The cost of coverage for the year is $20 and includes accidental damage, loss, fire, and theft. As of right now, families have the option to sign up during the month of September (we will let you know if it extends). After sign up closes, only new students will be given a special code to sign up at registration. Our website explains SDC and has instructions on how to signing up online:
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/technology/device-insurance/
Qustodio: a FREE student safety, digital wellbeing platform that helps parents/guardians control their child’s access to the internet on their school issued devices. Qustodio is FREE for HPS Students/Families. More information and how to sign up for Qustodio can be found on our website at:
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/technology/athome/student-safety-and-digital-wellbeing-platform/
-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: Please click on the link below to review Hunking policies including cell phone, dress code, and pick up & drop off procedures:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OOOIPyskLX9WyYSuAWqfyQCB0ZJZ8JFsTTgB_sNW8d4/edit?usp=sharing