Spirit Week: Hunking Spirit Week
Theme of the Month: Throughout the month of December, we will be celebrating the theme of Generosity. Generosity is simply the quality of being kind & generous. It is the quality of being unselfish and sharing what you have without expecting anything in return. It is your willingness to share your resources with others, with no strings attached. Generosity is not just about giving material things; it is also about giving your time, energy, emotional support, encouragement, or wisdom.
Food Services has changed the menus this year. When you go to FD MealPlanner, 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)
PTO NEWS: Here are 2 easy ways to support HUNKING!
For over 29 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn cash for schools with products they already buy! Today, you can find hundreds of participating products throughout the store. Scan or submit your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase and you’ll earn for Hunking with every Box Tops product you buy!
Just download the app and scan your receipt each time you grocery shop to raise money for Hunking!
During the holiday season, raise money for Hunking by purchasing gift cards at face value. Shop 750+ top brands and immediately earn up to 20% on every gift card you buy for Hunking!
Simply create an account on the RaiseRight app or at raiseright.com using Hunking’s enrollment code: 2LE6ECBC18345!
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
HHS Options
- HHS Career Technical Education (CTE) HHS CTE Application Deadline to apply Jan 9, 2026
- HHS CTE Application Instructions
- Classical Academy Application Deadline to apply: January 17th, 2026.
WVT
- WVT Application. Deadline to apply Jan 9, 2026.
- WVT Application Instructions
- 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 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:
4th Grade: To make the days before Winter Break fun, the 4th grade team would like to do a special activity each day starting on Friday 12/19 and continuing until Tuesday 12/23. We are asking for donations from parents to make this possible. If you are able to help, please click on the link: 4th Grade Winter Fun SignUp Genius
7th Grade: In ELA, students are wrapping up their novel study of Ghost by Jason Reynolds. Students will practice their argument writing skills through a multi-paragraph essay.
8th Grade ELA will be holding their annual GR8 Debate on Thursday the 18th and Friday the 19th in the library. Parents should be on the lookout for an invitation for their student’s specific day and time for debate.
This week, students were given a permission slip (attached below) for a field trip on 12/22 to attend The Firehouse Theater in Newburyport for a variation of the play, “The Nutctracker.” The cost is $10 and financial aid is available. LUNCH will now be provided at school when we return! Please make sure to complete ALL PARTS of the 2 sided permission slip. Payment can be cash or check (Payable to “Hunking School”. Please write “Grade 8 Nutcracker” on the memo line to track payments). Please make sure these are returned by 12/15 to finalize bussing.
Grade 8: Firehouse Theater Permission Slip
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 are wrapping up screenings for vision and hearing. We have sent home referrals for any child who has trouble seeing or hearing. If your child did receive a referral, please send in any notes from the doctor or the completed referral form. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
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:
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: The girls will practice on Monday, 12/15 after school from 3:00-4:00pm.
There will be an open gym on Monday morning for the girl’s and boy’s basketball teams from 7:15am-8:15am.
The next game will be on Thursday, December 18th @ Consentino (the girls will play 1st)
Boys Basketball: The boys will practice on Wednesday, 12/17 after school from 3:15-4:30pm.
There will be an open gym on Monday morning for the girl’s and boy’s basketball teams from 7:15am-8:15am.
The next game will be on Thursday, December 18th @ Consentino (the girls will play 1st)
CLUB NEWS:
Music Dept: Hunking Music Winter Events Flyer 2025 (3)
8th grade student at recent Winter Jazz Concert
Guitar Ensemble: Join us for “Guitars and Gumdrops” next Friday (12/19) at 3:30pm in rm 143. Hear the sounds of the season played on guitar by our own Hunking Bobcats. Performers will stay right after school (2:45) until the end of the performance. Excited to have you all join us.
Mrs Fairbrother
Chorus: Congratulations to the Hunking Chorus for an incredible performance at the Haverhill Tree Lighting! Our concert is this Thursday December 18th at 6:30pm. Students should arrive at 5:45pm at the music room door, dressed and ready to go. Doors open at 6:10pm, all friends and family are welcome!
Tri-M: 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.
The Student Council held their annual K-2 Winter Fun Afternoon this week. Our Council members worked hard to make the afternoon fun for all! Thank you to all who signed up!
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here.
GSA: The GSA calendar can be found here.
Lego Club: The LEGO Club calendar can be found here.
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