NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY
KINDERGARTEN: 1st day of school for all kindergarten students is Wednesday, September 3rd.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL: I want to thank everyone in the Hunking community (Students, Staff, Families, Etc.) for a successful start to our 2025-2026 school year! I am looking forward to a great year, and would just like to reiterate that we are a partnership that values open lines of communication.
Safety is and will always remain our number one priority. With that said, I just please ask that all families continue to follow school procedures during school drop off and dismissal. We recognize that the first couple of weeks can be chaotic, but we have to get into a routine, and ask that everyone have patience and follow our procedures to streamline the process. We value everyone’s time, but we prioritize the safety of our students above all else. We thank you for your patience, support, and cooperation!
**You can review our arrival and dismissal procedures at the very bottom of this bulletin by clicking on the link
Theme of the Month: We celebrate and focus on a theme each month here at Hunking. Our first theme of the school year captures our number one rule: KINDNESS. Kindness is the quality of being generous, considerate, and compassionate toward others, often involving acts of help or service without expecting anything in return. Kindness can be practiced through actions like sharing, listening, or offering support. Practicing kindness can improve one’s own mood and well-being, strengthen relationships, and create a positive chain reaction here at Hunking and in the world in general! It is treating others the way that you want to be treated. Staff will be on the lookout throughout this first month for the students who best personify this theme.
At the end of the month, we celebrate by conducting brief grade-level assemblies to recognize those students who have best personified the theme of the month.
Food Services has changed the menus this year. When you go to https://www.fdmealplanner.com/, and type in “Hunking” for the school location, you will see a WEEKLY menu. You will see the main lunch and other options available for the day. You will still be able to filter according to food allergens. Any questions, please contact Food Services at anna.perracchio@haverhill-ps.org.
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
Haverhill SEPAC: 2025-9-22 SPED Flyer_1 All Translations Combined PDF
PTO NEWS:
- Our first PTO meeting of the year is September 11th from 5:30-6:30pm at Hunking! Grab a friend, bring your ideas and help us hit our 2025-2026 fundraising goal of $45,000! Questions? Join our Facebook group (C.D. Hunking School PTO) or email HunkingPTO28@gmail.com!
- Spirit Wear is on Sale! Order now and save 25%: https://1stplace.sale/40727
Sale Dates: 8/18/2025 – 9/23/2025
25% off all merchandise
Free shipping on orders over $75
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE
For all parents and caregivers!
Massachusetts Partners for Youth has a wonderful resource for parents! Check out the Parenting Solutions Library!
https://peaceathomeparenting.com/mpy-solution-libraries/
Grade 8 parents:
A big step for 8th graders is choosing what high school or program they will attend. Haverhill High School Career Technical program will begin accepting applications on November 1st. Classical Academy opens the application window in late October or the beginning of November. Exact date will be posted soon. Be sure to check the Bobcat Bulletin for additional information or the program websites!
WVT opens the window to apply on November 1st. They hold their open house on Sunday, November 2nd, from 1-4 p.m.
Many of the private schools have application windows that open and close a lot sooner than the ones noted above. Please be sure to check the website of the school your student plans to attend in high school so applications are submitted on time!
Is your student interested in getting a job?
Work permit information:
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/work-permit-information/
Technology Resources: In case you missed this section at the Open House, here are some helpful informational links.
DESE Learning Standards for Families: learning benchmarks for math and ELA per grade level.
Technology Webpage: How to Access Parent Portal (PDF), Google Classroom, Parent controls (Qustodio), and basic ipad and chromebook usage tips.
Remind app: How to download and use Remind to communicate with teachers.
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
4th Grade: We had such a wonderful first week of school! Students participated in lots of team-building activities, and we set important expectations that will help us be successful this year. Our three expectations for all fourth graders are: Be Kind, Be Respectful, and Have Control. Be sure to ask your child if they can tell you all three! Next week, we will begin our i-Ready diagnostic, so please make sure students come to school each day with their Chromebook fully charged.
7th Grade: The 7th-grade team had a great first week of school. We introduced the 5 P’s, which will be a focus of this school year. This is something that will be referenced throughout the school year.
1- Be Prompt
2- Be Prepared
3- Be Positive
4- Be Productive
5- Be Polite
8th Grade: We began week 1 by learning our academic schedules and expectations. Each day ended with some team-building fun, and Friday was a pancake breakfast followed by homeroom activities. We are proud to celebrate the original 37 Hunking Bobcats that are going to graduate this year, along with all our graduates.
In place are Penny Wars to support grade 8 activities, and our Giving Tree is in need of some giving. Have your student grab a Post-It if you’re able to support the grade 8 floor.
iREADY INFORMATION:
I am excited to share that we are planning our Fall iReady diagnostic for Mathematics and Reading. This will provide teachers with data on students’ proficiency levels in these subjects.
What is i-Ready?
i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on student responses. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.
What can you do to help?
To help prepare your child for the i-Ready Diagnostic, encourage them to:
- Get a good night’s sleep and eat a full breakfast the day of the assessment.
- Try their best on each question and try not to rush.
- Try not to worry about questions to which they do not know the answers—
Remind them that it is expected that they will only get about half of the questions correct.
- Be respectful of other students who take longer to finish.
What happens next?
The i-Ready Diagnostic will provide results that help teachers identify your child’s strengths and determine next steps for instruction. Using this data, grade 9 and 10 teachers will make decisions around interventions for students. The results reports will be printed by your child’s Mathematics and English Language Arts teachers and distributed to students during class in early January.
If you have any questions about i-Ready, please do not hesitate to contact me or the school. You can also learn more about i-Ready by visiting i-ReadyCentral.com/FamilyCenter.
As always, thank you for your continued support and for being a partner in your child’s learning! It is much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Tim Betty
Principal
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: Welcome back. I hope everyone had a safe and happy summer. 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. Please reach out to the Health office if you did not receive an allergy/asthma packet. You should be receiving an Annual Health Update and Permission form. Please complete and send back to school as soon as possible. Please list the medications you do not want your child to have in school (This is a change from last year’s form) and sign the bottom of the form. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Health Office (978-420-1913).
ATHLETIC NEWS:
Soccer: Please stay tuned for further information about soccer (grades 6-8) in morning announcements and in future bulletins.
Cross Country:
Hello Runners & Families!
We’re so excited to be on the precipice of another XC season! XC tryouts are open to grades 4 through 8. Thank you for signing up early as it helps us plan practices, uniforms and meets so we can start strong right from day one!
What to know now:
Practices: Practices will all be held at Hunking from 3:30-4:30 (Days of the week by grade will be determined after tryouts
Health Packet: Each and every participant prior to tryouts MUST have an up-to-date physical and athletic packet turned in. There are no exceptions to this policy. If you have any questions pertaining to your students current physical forms status please reach out to our amazing nurses, Karen Casanova R.N.(karen.casanova@haverhill-ps.org) or Ada Colon-Burdier RN.(ada.colonburdier@haverhill-ps.org)
What to bring: Running shoes, a water bottle, and comfortable athletic clothes. (i.e. no jeans, crocs permitted/students will not be allowed to participate)
Communication: Updates will be shared through our Hunking XC Remind Class
Tryouts: Official tryout dates will be sent out upon our return from the Labor Day weekend
Cross Country is about more than just running-its about building stamina, teamwork, and resilience. Whether you are new to the sport or a returning runner, you’ll find support, encouragement, and plenty of fun along the way.
We’ll send more details as the season gets closer, but for now, we’d be thrilled to have you on the roster. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Looking forward to a great season together,
Coach Law
CLUB NEWS:
Chorus: Chorus will be starting soon! Our first rehearsal for students in grades 5-8 will be Monday, Sept 8th, and for students in grades 3-4 we will meet Tuesday, Sept 9th. Permission slips are available outside of room #127. Please reach out to Ms. Avalos with any questions!
Tri-M: Tri-M is an honor society for students in grades 6-8 who participate in the music program. Any student who was in Tri-M last year, or is interested in joining this year, we will be having a meeting on Thursday, Sept 4th at 7:45am in the Music Room. Please reach out to Ms. Avalos with any questions or concerns!
Drama Club: Welcome back! Our first drama club meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 16th, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. in the music room. Drama club is open to students in grades 5-8. We will review the winter show and audition requirements.
Student Council: Thank you to all the members who spent several hours putting together the Open House trifolds and to those who volunteered at the event! You were an integral part of the trade show portion of the night! Our first meeting will be Friday September 12th in room 301 until 3:45 pm. See Meeting Schedule here. Next week we will announce elections for new members to fill the empty seats on our council. Stay tuned!
NJHS: Thank you to all the Open House volunteers. Keep track of your hours and soon enough we will share a Community Service tracking form. Coming ahead is your first meeting on Friday, September 5th, The Big Dog and Bobcat Buddies.
GSA: GSA will begin in October
Lego Club: Lego Club will begin in November
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 ensure 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 sign up online: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/technology/device-waiver-fee/
-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 and pick up & drop off procedures:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u0UOrpoO9vRnMMJuYpeJmaSGKcywt29SX94AQmSHFzQ/edit?usp=sharing