WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH WILL BE A HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS. DISMISSAL WILL BE AT 11:05AM. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
Safety & Security: Arrival and Dismissal procedures
As a school we have been actively observing and working on our arrival and dismissal procedures in collaboration with District Leadership, the Haverhill Police Department, and Safe Routes to School Program. It is our intent to implement some necessary changes over the course of this school year, and then implement further changes as we plan for next school year. We have already had the city install crosswalk signs at the crosswalk at the end of Revere St. While we strategically plan some other necessary changes, we want everyone to be reminded of some of our basic arrival & dismissal rules:
-Students can begin getting dropped off at 8am
-Drivers, please make sure to use directionals at all times in order to help staff who are directing traffic.
-There are NO drop-offs along the main road of Hunking. Please make sure to drop off in front of the lower school or upper school doors.
-Please make sure to follow the flow of traffic and be patient. We recognize that everyone has places to get to in the morning.
-There are NO drop offs at the main entrance between 8:00-8:30am.
-Families should not be lining up for parent pick-up anytime prior to 2:15pm.
-Always use caution when entering an area with a crosswalk.
-Please make sure that you do not exceed 10mph while on Hunking school property.
**Please make note that these rules apply to everyone and we very much appreciate your support and cooperation in order to maintain the safety of all of our students.
As previously shared, please see the attached report from Safe Routes to School Program which includes recommendations to improve our arrival and dismissal procedures and ensure the safety of all of our students:
Dismissal Observation – Hunking, Haverhill_2024
THEME OF THE MONTH: We will be embracing the theme of Commitment throughout the month of January. Commitment is an agreement or pledge to do something in the future. It is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity. In regard to our theme here at Hunking, with it being a new year, we are looking for students who are committed to working hard to either maintain or bring your grades up. We are looking for students who are committed to improving themselves both as students and all around people, and ultimately committing themselves to the mission of Hunking to be kind and respectful always. Staff will be on the lookout for students who best personify this theme throughout the month.
JANUARY BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS (If the links don’t work, you can visit www.fdmealplanner.com, and enter “Hunking” for the school location.)
PTO NEWS:
We’ll hit the ground running with our first PTO Meeting of the new year on Thursday, January 16th at 5:30pm in the Hunking Conference Room! We’d love to see some new faces, so grab a friend and join us!
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE
School Counselor: Terri Carney terri.carney@haverhill-ps.org
HHS Schedules for 8th Graders
Sometime in January, look for information to be sent to you from HHS on taking part in the 9th grade class schedule. At that time, students can select options for electives. Schedules will not be finalized until back to school time, though! All students will select 10 or more electives in order to have a choice in their courses. Look for the course selection letter to be sent out! More information to follow!
Next Steps for HHS CTE, Classical Academy and various high school programs
Once a student has applied to the high school program of their choice, the next step is an interview which does not take place until Feb or March 2025.
You will not hear anything until the interview schedule is posted. Thank you for your patience!
HHS CTE practice interview questions are available on the School Counseling google classroom and CTE posts them on their application page: https://cte.haverhill-ps.org/application-process/.
8th grade School Counseling google classroom code
Students, join the google classroom with: egta65o
WVT does not release their interview questions.
Classical Academy @HHS
Classical Application 2023_2024.docx
Career Technical Education (CTE) @HHS
HHS Career Technical Education (CTE) Program: https://cte.haverhill-ps.org/
Whittier: Apply here and find important dates! https://whittiertech.go2cte.com/
Work Permits: Find all the information needed to obtain a work permit here:
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/work-permit-information
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
7th Grade:
Dear 7th Grade Hunking families,
Happy New Year! The 7th-grade English Language Arts team is excited to share an update about our WIN (What I Need) blocks, a vital part of our middle school learning environment. For the next 6-8 weeks, we are enhancing our approach to literacy by focusing on leveled books in reading groups to support and challenge students at their individual reading levels.
During WIN blocks, students will engage with texts that match their abilities while exploring meaningful content that builds critical thinking skills. In these groups, students will:
- Expand their vocabulary by encountering and discussing new words in context.
- Participate in thoughtful discussions to deepen comprehension and articulate their perspectives.
- Develop writing skills by using textual evidence to support their ideas and arguments.
Our goal is to foster a love of reading while helping students grow in their ability to analyze and interact with texts. These focused sessions allow us to provide personalized support to match each child’s unique needs and ensure their academic success.
Our best,
Mr. Thornton, Mrs. Seed, Mr. Kellerman, and Mrs. Sadrnoori
8th Grade:
The 8th grade team is glad to welcome back all of our students after a restful break and wish everyone the warmest wishes for the coming year. Next week’s bulletin will contain further updates on the curriculum.
It is time to start fundraising and planning for our end of the year activities for the week of 8th grade promotion week! If you’re interested in helping to plan, coordinate, or just have great ideas to add, please reach out to 8th grade parent and PTO member, Alisha Rochon at arochon8@gmail.com.
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: We will be starting Posture or scoliosis screening the week of January 20th for all 5th through 8th grade students. This screening is to check the spine for scoliosis and is required by the state. The screening requires the exposure of the student’s back for assessment so we request girls wear a sports bra for gym class. The screening is done in a private space and done during gym class. If you would like your child to be opted out of this screening, a written note needs to be sent to the health office either by email or paper. We would also need a current physical showing the child was screened by his/her doctor for your child to opt out. If you have any questions or concerns, you may reach the health office at 978-420-1913.
If you send your child in with a water bottle, please make sure it is not glass.
Cold and flu season has arrived. Please make sure your child is wearing appropriate clothes for the weather and using good hand hygiene to prevent getting sick. Proper cough etiquette is important to keep from spreading germs so please sneeze or cough into your elbow or a tissue.
ATHLETIC NEWS:
Basketball: Congratulations to both of our basketball teams on their victories over J.G Whittier this week. Both teams will be back in action this coming Thursday, January 9th @ Consentino (boys play 1st)
CLUB NEWS:
Guitar Ensemble: The Hunking Guitar Ensemble is open to any students in grades 5-8. Students do not need prior experience or a guitar. We will meet on Friday afternoons from 2:45-3:30 (starting January 17th). For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Mrs Fairbrother.
Drama Club: Happy New Year! On Tuesday January 7th we will be holding the second round of auditions for the rest of the roles available for BeetleJuice Junior. The auditions will start at 2:45 and go until 4:30 in the music room. On Thursday January 9th we will hold our first full cast rehearsal from 2:45 to 4:45 in the music room, students will receive the full rehearsal schedule on Thursday.
GRIT: The next meetings are Monday, Jan 6 and Monday, Jan 13. Reminder that meetings are until 4:30.
Mentor/Mentee: The mentors and mentees had their holiday celebrations right before vacation and they enjoyed some treats and played games and won prizes. A good time was had by all.
Chorus: Happy New Year! Chorus will be resuming rehearsals starting Tuesday January 14th. Please see the January Calendar here: Jan 2025 Chorus Calendar
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here.
GSA: The calendar for the GSA can be found here.
LEGO Club: The LEGO Club calendar can be found here.
Art Club: STUDENTS IN 4TH GRADE ONLY:
January 9th, 16th, and 23rd (3 – 3:50pm) pick up is at the Lower School Entrance.
Student Council: Student Council Meeting Calendar can be found here.
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