HUNKING’S 4TH ANNUAL FEAST: I am super excited that we are just ONE week away from our 4th Annual Feast! We will be hosting this event next Thursday, November 20th from 5:00-7:00pm right here at Hunking!
Here are some of the things that we have for you to look forward to:
-A catered “Thanksgiving like meal”
-Access to our Holiday Store
-Showcase of student work
-The popular Pie in the face raffle
-Mr. Betty’s 1st Ever Pie Eating Contest
-A performance by our school chorus
-And more!!
This school/community event is truly our opportunity to share a meal and time with all of our families. We truly hope that ALL Hunking families will come and join us for this fun and amazing evening!
Our success with this event in the past and moving forward is thanks to all of those in our community who have helped to sponsor it! We could not do it without all of your support! So if you are someone with a business or are a family that would like to help sponsor this event, you have that option on the registration link below, or you can call the school directly at 978-374-5787. We are happy to recognize all of our sponsors on the night of the event and following week.
Finally, we would like to make sure that all families are registered by Tuesday, November 18th to ensure that the event is organized and successful and that everyone has an amazing experience. We appreciate you signing up and registering for the event as soon as possible!
Please see the registration & sponsor link and flyers below:
https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2025-hunking-thanksgiving-feast/items
Hunking 1K Food Drive Begins Monday, November 17th
Please join the first annual Hunking 1K Food Drive the week of November 17th!!! Our goal is to collect ONE THOUSAND FOOD ITEMS (1K!!!). Students will bring their non-perishable food items to their homeroom to be counted. The students in the homeroom that have the most items donated will each win a t-shirt and will have a special reward for their class.
Theme of the Month: For the month of November, we will be celebrating GRATITUDE. Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for things in one’s life, which can lead to mental and physical health benefits, improved relationships, and a greater sense of well-being. It involves recognizing the goodness in both big and small things, and it can be strengthened through simple, consistent practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal or verbally expressing appreciation to 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 justin.hodgkins@haverhill-ps.org.
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
Haverhill SEPAC:
Food Pantry Info:
Resource Guide: 2025 updated resource guide 10-29
Spanish-Resource Guide ENGLISH March 2024-2025_Al-Camila_updated (2)
Holiday Drive: Copy of 2025 Haverhill 2025 holiday drive (3) (1)
2025 Haverhill 2025 holiday drive (1) (2) (3) (1)
PTO NEWS:
The Holiday Store is back and will be running from November 18-November 21. We’re looking for CORI’d volunteers to help us work the shop during the school day. Please reference the class schedule below (which classes will be going down when) and sign up here.
If you’d like to look, use the preview link as a shopping guide for your student’s upcoming holiday shop.
Reach out to HunkingPTO28@gmail.com with any questions!
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE
Terri Carney, School Counselor, grades 5-8
⭐If you are in need of food assistance resources, please access this folder with local resources. Local Food Resources
Hunking 1K Food Drive Begins Monday, November 17th
Please join the first annual Hunking 1K Food Drive the week of November 17th!!! Our goal is to collect ONE THOUSAND FOOD ITEMS (1K!!!). Students will bring their non-perishable food items to their homeroom to be counted. The students in the homeroom that have the most items donated will each win a t-shirt and will have a special reward for their class.
Family Night at HHS!
- Grades 6-8 Families! December 4th is family night at HHS from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
HHS Options
- HHS Career Technical Education (CTE) HHS CTE Application
- HHS CTE Application Instructions
- HHS Classical Academy is accepting applications. The deadline to apply is January 17th, 2026. Classical Academy Application
WVT
- WVT Application. Please note, WVT is a straight lottery meaning everyone who applies has an equal chance. Although the system still reflects that other documents are required, this is not the case. WVT is trying to get the system to reflect that they are a straight lottery with no additional documents required.
- WVT Application Instructions
- WVT tour for students is Dec 11th. Look for permission slips to be sent home with students the week after the Thanksgiving break.
- 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 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:
7th Grade SS: This week, students have been working on a group project where each group chose an invention from the ancient world. They are preparing to create a sales pitch for their invention. Next week, each group will present their pitch to the class.
Grade 8: Grades for trimester 1 are closing on November 21. Math classes took a city- wide benchmark test, finished module 2 and are starting module 3 on dilations and similarity. ELA is writing essays on “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs and are starting literature circles in WIN. Science is learning about weather and climate. Civics is exploring the first constitutional convention.
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: A friendly reminder that we have many students with dietary restrictions / allergies. Please do not send in snacks / treats without checking with your child’s homeroom teacher and/or the health office first and please make sure it is well in advance so we can plan.
We have started vision, hearing and heights and weights screenings with our upper school students. Next week we will start 7th 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 978-374-5790 if you would like the doctor to fax it to our office.
ATHLETIC NEWS:
In order to participate in any Hunking sports a current physical exam (done within the last 12 months) needs to be provided to the health office. This is a Haverhill Public School policy.
Boys Basketball: Thank you to all of the boys in grades 6-8 who tried out for the team. Please stay tuned for the final roster to be posted and further information in regard to the team’s first official practice.
Cheerleading: Calling all 6th 7th 8th grade Bobcats!
Monday and Wednesday 3:00pm-5:30pm, come show your Hunking pride at the Hunking cheerleading tryouts! Boys and Girls are welcome to tryout, No experience or special skills needed to make the team. We are looking for kind, enthusiastic, and eager to learn athletes to join our team!
CLUB NEWS:
Music Dept: 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)
Mentor/Mentee:
Chorus: Chorus is working hard for all our upcoming Winter Events! We will be performing carols at the Thanksgiving Feast on Nov 20th, the Haverhill Tree Lighting/Christmas Stroll on Dec 5th, and our Winter Concert on Thursday Dec 18th at 6:30pm!
Hunking Christmas Stroll Flyer
Tri-M: Thank you to everyone who auditioned for Tri-M this year! Our Induction Ceremony will be Wednesday Nov 19th from 3-3:30pm For more information, please reach out to Ms. Avalos.
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.
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here. Thank you to everyone who supported our Rolls & Butter, and GiftCard fundraiser. We are able to give back and raffle off FREE turkeys for the upcoming holidays and take trips to Phillip’s Andover like we did Wed. Nov. 12th.
GSA: The middle school’s GSA program will be starting back up in late November. The first meeting will be November 21st. The program is open to all 6th-8th grade students but is geared towards students who fall under the LGBT+ umbrella. If your child identifies as LGBT+, the GSA seeks to create a community space for them to meet and talk with students who share similar experiences. Details to follow soon.
Lego Club: The LEGO Club calendar can be found here. *4th Grade LEGO Club is now full and is no longer accepting permission slips. 5th Grade’s first LEGO Club date is next Thursday and permission slips are still being accepted.
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