MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL:
We are still experiencing some challenges during the morning drop-off. This is a reminder that no one is able to drop off at the main entrance between 8:00-8:30am. We have placed cones up to prohibit cars from entering during that time. We would ask that all families that drop off in the morning to please follow the drop-off policy and follow the traffic pattern to drop your student off at the correct entrance (lower or upper school). Please do not drop students off along the main road out in front of the school. This is a huge safety concern and also impedes the traffic. Our policy is in place to ensure the safety of all students, and to create a pattern that allows all to drop off and be able to exit quickly. We appreciate your attention and cooperation in helping this run smoothly.
Thank you!
THEME OF THE MONTH: The theme for our first month is KINDNESS. The definition of kindness is simply being friendly, generous, and considerate. It is part of the golden rule: treat others the way that you want to be treated. Kindness is the quality of being caring and helpful. We hope that everyone in the Hunking community will embrace this theme with us, and jumpstart an amazing school year. Staff will be on the lookout over the next month for the students that most personify this theme!
SEPTEMBER BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS (If the links are not working, please visit https://www.fdmealplanner.com/ and type in “Hunking” for the location.)
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
YMCA program:
Community Health Survey Flyer: AJH – Survey Flyer – Spanish
PTO NEWS:
- Our 4th Annual Read-a-Thon is underway and will run through September 20th! This is meant to promote literacy, celebrate the joy of reading (for all ages and reading levels), and to raise money for Hunking (specifically learning experiences and future on- and off-site field trips)!|
To add your child as a participant, please follow these easy steps:
1. Go to this link – https://app.99pledges.com/fund/HunkingReads
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link to add a participant.
3. Enter your child’s name, enter your email(s), and select their homeroom
4. Click “Add” > this will take you to your newly created pledge page
Registration is completely free and we hope ALL STUDENTS will participate. Even if you don’t collect pledges (this part is optional), encourage your child to READ, READ, READ! All of the minutes that they read will count toward their classroom’s total minutes and help them win a special prize! Please note that families can use the same email to register multiple children.
- Our first PTO Meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, September 19th from 5:00-6:00pm in the Hunking Conference Room! We will always try to have NJHS babysitters on hand! We’re looking for more parents and guardians to get involved! If you can’t make it but have ideas/suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out (hunkingpto28@gmail.com).
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE
School Counselor: Terri Carney terri.carney@haverhill-ps.org
8th Graders!!! Mark your calendar for October 1, 2024!!!
HHS Career Technical Education (CTE) Program: https://cte.haverhill-ps.org/
Application Window opens October 1, 2024.
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Whittier-application window opens November 1. Open house is November 3rd from 1-4. Please see their website for more details.
Parents/Guardians of 7th graders: If your student is interested in attending a specialized high school program in 9th grade (to include Classical Academy and CTE at HHS) or a high school other than HHS (such as Whittier, Phillips, Central Catholic, etc), 7th grade counts!! The various voc and private high schools have gotten very competitive. Attendance, Grades and Behavior are factored into the student’s score which is used for acceptance. Please remind your student how important 7th grade is for their future plans.
Parents/Guardians of 8th graders:
On the horizon: HHS will have a “High School Roadshow” during the school day for 8th grade students two times this fall. HHS will visit Hunking during the school day to provide a wealth of information to students. The visits will be on September 27th and October 25th for 8th grade students only.
Work Permits: Find all the information needed to obtain a work permit here
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/work-permit-information/
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
Kindergarten: Students had a great first full week of school. We have been getting to know each other, establish rules and routines and we are slowly starting to dive into our curriculum. Ask your child about the letterlanders they have met!
Grade 8: In Math, students are learning about exponent properties, ask them what happens when something is to the power of 0. During Civics, they are examining the impacts that Ancient Greece and Rome had on the foundations of the US government. Creative poetry juices are flowing in ELA and we are looking forward to seeing many parents in person on Thursday (click here for Mrs. Corkum, here for Mr. Molloy). Students are diving into the world of astronomy in Science.
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: Next week we will be finishing vision and hearing screening on kindergarten students and hopefully be starting screenings on first grade which includes vision, hearing and heights and weights. If you receive a referral for your child, please have the child evaluated by a doctor and return the evaluation as soon as possible.
If your child has any medications that are needed at school such as Epipens and inhalers, please drop off the medication and forms in the health office. The Health Office needs an order from the student’s provider and parental consent for medication administration and the medication should be in the original bottle/box with a pharmacy label. Health Forms were sent home last week. Please complete and send back to school as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Health Office (978-420-1913).
ATHLETIC NEWS:
Soccer: Thank you to all the athletes who attended tryouts on Monday & Tuesday. I am looking forward to next week when we officially start our 2024 season!
Rosters for Boys* and Girls teams will be posted outside Coach Thornton’s room (212) and in the gym on Monday (9/16) morning. There will be a GAME SQUAD (attend all practices and suit up for games) and a PRACTICE SQUAD (attend all practices and replace any openings in the game squad). Both squads should grab a schedule which includes practice times and a game schedule. Here’s a digital version.
*Due to the overwhelming attendance at Tuesday’s tryout, unfortunately, some boys won’t make the team. I encourage everyone of those players to tryout next year when there are more spots available.
Cross Country: Coaches Law & Gibbs are excited to get this season underway!
We are currently at capacity for XC and are waitlisting any additional runners.
Friendly Reminders:
Practices for Gr. 4 & 5 are this Tuesday, September 17th & Gr 6-8 practice on Thursday, September 19th both practices run from 3:15-4:30. Pick up is on the Upper-School side of Hunking.
Students are required to wear appropriate sneakers, running attire and have a water bottle for practice. In addition, in order to participate all health/permission packets need to be completed and in the hand of a coach before the student can participate. Students who arrive to practice without these forms will not be able to stay and/or participate.
As always please reach out with any questions to Coach Law via our remind classroom: XC Crew Remind Group
CLUB NEWS:
Drama Club: Drama had a great turn out on tuesday, thank you to everyone who was able to make it. Please stay tuned, Mrs. Fairbrother and Mr. K are currently working on a schedule. If you are interested in joining drama club and could not make the meeting please see Mr. K or Mrs. Fairbrother for the Broadway Bobcats class code.
GRIT: We had more than 30 applicants for 18 spots and the students selected have been notified by email. Our first meeting is Monday, Sept. 23 from 2:45 – 4:30. Students who did not get in can apply for round 2 which begins in December. If your child was selected, they will be bringing home a letter with all the information about GRIT and the dates of meetings. Advisors for GRIT are Mr Schaefer and Ms Curry.
Chorus: Chorus had a great turnout for our informational meeting on Thursday! I am so excited to get started. We may eventually split into two groups, but for now we will meet altogether as a group on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:45am. Please sign up for my Remind class (information sent home with students on Thursday) or with this link: https://www.remind.com/join/cbegcc for updates! Or you can reach out to Ms. Avalos with any questions.
Band: All 5th grade students attended a band assembly on Monday where they learned about the instruments offered at Hunking and how the band program works at Hunking. Band in Haverhill is an elective course offered to middle school students during the school day. Registration is open for this year’s beginning band and will close on Tuesday, September 17th. Information packets and signup sheets were sent home with students on Monday, and can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DsJIOCCfWHpOQanlnc0FbxBuwLu-oauWsIw-B43-F2U/edit?usp=sharing
NJHS: Here is the calendar for the 24-25 year. All permission slips need to be turned into Mrs. Kelly or Mr. Molloy asap. We are also hoping to hear from the Best Buddies and Big Dog committees. The sign up for PTO meeting babysitting for community service is in the Google Classroom. On September 25th we will host our first Best Buddies activity.
Student Council: Students interested in running for Student Council in grades 4-8 may pick up an application from Mrs Bielski in room 235, Mrs Mansour in room 301 or Mrs Corkum in room 315 (or print one here). Applications must be completed and returned to homeroom teachers by Friday September 20th. No late applications will be accepted. Eligible candidates will be notified Monday September 23rd about the upcoming election process.
ODDS & ENDS:
-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:
-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