WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH IS AN EARLY RELEASE DAY. DISMISSAL WILL BE AT 11:05AM. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
NO SCHOOL ON THURSDAY & FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH-28TH. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Report Cards: 1st Trimester grades officially closed on Friday, November 21st. Report cards will be issued/available on Tuesday, December 2nd.
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:
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)
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:
Kindergarten: Students are working on their end of module task for Module 1 in Wit and Wisdom. They are showing all they have learned about the five senses by illustrating, labeling and writing short sentences.
We have also started Module 2 in math which is all about 2 and 3 dimensional shapes. Students will learn to analyze, name and construct shapes.
Grade 4: Did you know that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has roots right here in Haverhill!? This week we learned about how Macy opened the “Haverhill Cheap Store” in 1851, eventually occupying a building at 70 Merrimack St. in the newly constructed Granite Block (1852), and how his landlord was none other than Caleb Duston Hunking! To honor these roots, we read “Balloons Over Broadway” and will be designing and creating our own balloons for our “Balloons Over Hunking” parade next week. We are asking for help to collect the supplies needed for this project. If you are able, please see the attached Amazon wishlist:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XMVHOXCPIWV2?ref_=wl_share
We appreciate your support!
Grade 7: In SS, students all presented their group projects to some shark investors. The students did a fantastic job with their sales pitch. Here are a few photos of some of the winning teams.
In ELA, students are continuing their work with the novel Ghost by Jason Reynolds.
Grade 8: Math classes are working on module 3 dilations, similarity and angles of the triangle. ELA is working on socratic seminars while fine tuning writing skills. Science is studying climate change. Civics is starting the constitution.
Please view the linked document for some exciting raffle opportunities to fundraise for our 8th grade Washington DC trip. Every dollar from calendar sales goes directly to support individual students on their DC trip. Calendar
Homework Help: Drop in homework support is being offered Wednesday mornings from 8:00am – 8:30am starting December 3rd in the library with Mrs. Corcoran. You must provide transportation. If you have any questions, please email tcorcoran@haverhill-ps.org.
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. After the Thanksgiving break, 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.
Girls Basketball: Girls basketball will practice after school on Monday, November 24th from 3:00-4:30pm.
First game will be @Nettle (boys play 1st) on Tuesday, November 25th.
Boys Basketball: Boys basketball will practice after school on Monday, November 24th from 3:00-4:30pm.
First game will be @Nettle (boys play 1st) on Tuesday, November 25th.
Cheerleading: Stay tuned for roster and practice information soon…
CLUB NEWS:
Music Dept: Hunking Music Winter Events Flyer 2025 (3)
Guitar Ensemble: Reminder that there is no rehearsal on Friday, November 28th due to Thanksgiving break. We will be back on track Friday, December 5th. Our Gumdrops and Guitars performance is Friday, December 19th. Performers will stay right after school for our dress rehearsal and doors will open at 3:30 for our audience and guests. If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Fairbrother (kfairbrother@haverhill-ps.org) or via Remind (Guitar Ensemble @kfairbro)
Mentor/Mentee:
Chorus: Congratulations to the Hunking Chorus on an excellent performance at the Thanksgiving Feast! Everyone sounded beautiful! Next week’s rehearsals are Upper School Monday and Lower School Tuesday, and then we are off for Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
Tri-M: Congratulations to the newest members of the Hunking Tri-M Music Honor Society! We had our induction ceremony on Wednesday and I am so proud to welcome 14 new members. We will be having our next meeting on Wednesday Dec 17th from 2:45-3:30pm.
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 K-2 Winter Activity Committee is meeting Monday 11/24 until 3:30 p m in room 301.
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here. We were able to donate 5 turkeys at the Thanksgiving Feast because of all our fundraising hard work. Moving forward we looking forward to giving back. Next Bobcat Buddy is Wednesday before Thanksgiving break.
GSA: The GSA calendar can be found here.
Lego Club: The LEGO Club calendar can be found here.
Model UN: Hillie MUN is almost here! Mark your calendars for December 11th and 12th at Haverhill High School from 9am-1:30pm. Permission slips will be available next week from Mrs. Seed in Room 211.
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