HUNKING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY: It is our hope that you are all aware that it has been a goal and priority of ours here at Hunking to build and foster partnerships with our entire community. The success of our students benefits most when families feel a sense of involvement and that their voices are heard.
To gauge Hunking’s progress toward this goal, I have shared a survey with all families. This was emailed home on Monday afternoon and is also shared on our Bobcat Bulletin. We hope that all families will take the time to complete this form. The grade level that completes the most surveys will win a prize. This survey will only be available to fill out until next Friday, October 31st.
Our Site Council will analyze and use this data to make necessary improvements throughout this year and moving into next year.
Thank you in advance for your support with this.
English Version:
Spanish Version
Portuguese Version
Haitian Creole Version
Hunking Fun Run: Registration for our schoolwide Hunking Bobcat Fun Run is now open! Visit MyBooster.com and get your student signed up today to learn more.
Remember, we’re attempting to raise $20,000 for grade-level field trips, in-school speakers and activities, in-school events such as dances, Block Party, Thanksgiving Feast, and Multicultural Night, staff appreciation, and other currently unfunded needs that strengthen our community, and we need your help.
So again, Registration is open online at MyBooster.com
Fundraiser Kickoff in school – 10/27/2025
Event Day – 11/06/2025
Theme of the Month: For the month of October, we will be celebrating the theme of Respect here at Hunking. Respect is to hold something or someone in high regard, showing honor, esteem, and admiration for their inherent value, worth, or qualities. It involves demonstrating care, consideration, and attentiveness to their feelings, needs, and boundaries, even if you disagree with them. True respect, particularly self-respect, fosters an environment of empathy and understanding, allowing for individual differences and a space to make mistakes without judgment. You show respect by listening actively and thoughtfully, acknowledging others’ viewpoints, respecting personal boundaries and property, and communicating with kindness and courtesy. Key actions include apologizing for mistakes, showing gratitude, being punctual and reliable, offering help, and standing up against disrespectful behavior toward others.
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:
PTO NEWS:
HALLOWEEN DANCE! Tonight, Friday the 24th! Costume contest for the spookiest, funniest, best DIY, and best duo or group! Prizes for all categories!
TICKETS can be purchased AT THE DOOR or through the cheddar up link HERE.
Pizza, water, and snacks will be available to purchase also.
- Grades 5&6 Dance 5-6:30pm
- Grades 7&8 Dance 7-8:30pm
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE:
Terri Carney, School Counselor, grades 5-8
Important for Parents of 7th Graders!!
Each year we administer Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) within our schools. This year at Hunking, we will administer the screening to Grade 7 on November 17th and one additional day if needed. SBIRT is a confidential conversation between a student and a trained adult about substance use. Participation is voluntary and parents/guardians have the right to opt their child out of participating. Additionally, on the day of the screening, students will also have the ability to opt out if they choose. Please use this form if you DO NOT want your student participating in SBIRT screening. Please complete this form by November 7th, 2025.
Family Night at HHS!
- Grades 6-8 Families! December 4th is family night at HHS from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Parents of 8th Graders: Planning Ahead, High School Options:
HHS
- HHS Career Technical Education (CTE) will begin accepting applications on November 1st.
- HHS Classical Academy is accepting applications. The deadline to apply is January 17th, 2026. Classical Academy Application
WVT
- The application window opens on November 1st
- Open house for 8th graders and families is on November 2nd from 1-4
- WVT tour for students is Dec 11th. Look for permission slips closer to the field trip.
- WVT has announced they will have a straight lottery system for admissions.
Essex North Shore
- There are 7 programs that Haverhill students may apply to
- Application window opens November 1, 2025 and closes on January 10, 2026
- Essex Open House is November 22nd Registration Required, go to website
- Essex will have a straight lottery
Other high school info:
- Private school application windows open early
- If you are planning to attend a private school for 9th grade, be sure to look at their websites for important information about applying and deadlines
For all parents and caregivers!
Massachusetts Partners for Youth has a wonderful resource! Check out the Parenting Solutions Library! https://peaceathomeparenting.com/mpy-solution-libraries/
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
Kindergarten: Thursday, students visited Rogers Spring Hill Farm. We learned about the pumpkin life cycle, rode on a hayride around the farm, picked our own pumpkins, saw animals, had a snack, and played on their playground. It was fun and educational!
7th Grade Social Studies: This week, students started the writing process for their DBQ (Document-Based Question) essay. This is a common assessment that all middle school students in Haverhill’s public schools work on. The DBQ essay enables students to analyze primary and secondary sources, utilize quotes as evidence, and craft a five-paragraph essay.
8th Grade visited Haverhill High School Friday for a tour of the building and information about the wide variety of programs offered to our students! In ELA students have been analyzing “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and performed group presentations on the allusions found in this text. We are seeing much growth in students’ public speaking strategies!
PENNY WAR is raging on the 3rd floor! WE may have a NEW WINNER for this round! All proceeds go to our 8th grade activities fund! The last day to bring in coins or bills (bills add points, coins subtract) is Friday October 31st! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR FUN!
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: We have started vision and hearing screening with our lower school students. Next week we will finish 3rd grade and start the 4th grade screenings. Please ensure your child wears their glasses to school (if they need them). We will be sending home referrals for any child who has trouble seeing or hearing. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
If your child will be participating in any sports this year, they will need a current physical in order to play. Our fax number is 978-274-1944 if you would like the doctor to fax it to our office.
ATHLETIC NEWS:
Soccer: 2025 Hunking Soccer Practice & Game Schedule
Both teams wrapped up their regular seasons with tough games that ended in ties! The girls finished undefeated with five wins and two ties, and the boys closed out an impressive season with five wins, one loss, and one tie.
Playoff Schedule Week of 10/27-10/31
Monday – Semi-Finals Location TBD
Tuesday – Finals Haverhill High School
To get the most up-to-date information on schedule changes, click this link to joining the Hunking Soccer 2025 Remind classroom.
Cross Country: IT’S OFFICIAL! Our Hunking Girls Team are the 2025 Haverhill District Champions!
Remaining meets dates for this season:
(Distance 1.44 miles)
10/28 Tuesday meet for Gr. 6-8 vs Methuen &North Andover
Unified Bocce Ball: The Unified Bocce Ball team will get the balls rolling for the final week of the season on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00pm – 4:00pm in the Hunking gym. Please plan to pick up your player following practice at the Hunking main entrance. All that is required for your child is a good pair of sneakers and a positive attitude!
Girls Basketball Tryouts: Grade 6-8 Girls basketball tryouts will be held on November 3rd and November 6th from 3:30-5:00. In order to try out students need to have a physical on file with the nurses office before the try out. The final team will be determined after the second tryout.
CLUB NEWS:
Music Dept: We have many exciting performances coming up for our Winter season! Attached is a flyer with all the dates you need to know to hear some wonderful music this season!
Hunking Music Winter Events Flyer 2025 (3)
Guitar Ensemble: We will continue to meet on Friday afternoons from 2:45-3:30. We are making great progress on our performance pieces and look forward to seeing you at the “Gumdrops and Guitars” recital on Friday, December 19th from 3:30-4:30. Please reach out if you have any questions. Mrs. Fairbrother (kfairbrother@haverhill-ps.org)
Chorus: Chorus will be continuing rehearsals of: M/Th Upper School, Tuesday 3rd grade and Friday 4th grade for the month of October. We are busy preparing for our upcoming Winter events: The Christmas Stroll/Tree Lighting on December 5th, and our Winter Concert on December 18th at 6:30pm!
Tri-M: Hunking will be starting its first Official Tri-M chapter this year! Tri-M is an honor society for students in 6-8th grade who participate in music programs. If you are interested in joining Tri-M, our first meeting will be Wednesday Oct 29th from 2:45-3:30pm in Room 127. Please reach out to Ms. Avalos with any questions!
Drama Club: Due to low attendance, we have decided to reschedule the show for a date in the spring. If students would like to continue, they have been asked to go into Google Classroom and confirm that they are staying in the cast. All cast members will receive a new schedule next Tuesday, October 28, from 2:45 to 4:45. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesdays, starting October 28. They will continue until after the February Vacation, when we will add a second day for rehearsals. Stay tuned for more, and thank you for your understanding.
Student Council: Monthly Meeting and Events Schedule can be found here. We add to this schedule as new events or dates are finalized, so please check it often.
The Student Council will be touring the State House in Boston and meeting with Representative Andy Vargas on Wednesday October 29th. All permission slips must be turned in before that date!
Council members have been hard at work planning the Halloween Dance and future events like the K-2 Winter Activity and a possible Winter Ball!
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here.
Lego Club: Lego Club will begin in November
Model UN: Model UN meets weekly on Thursdays from 2:55-3:45 in Room 211. We’re currently looking for a few enthusiastic 6th grade students who are interested in learning about current world issues, strengthening their public speaking and leadership skills, and taking on new challenges to join our Model UN team. Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Seed at kristin.seed@haverhill-ps.org for more information.
Technology Resources:
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.
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. The HPS website (under technology) explains SDC and has instructions on how to sign 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 and pick up & drop off procedures:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u0UOrpoO9vRnMMJuYpeJmaSGKcywt29SX94AQmSHFzQ/edit?usp=sharing