THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 13th
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, WILL BE AN EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL STUDENTS. Dismissal will be at 11:05am. Please plan accordingly.
PTO Sponsored Hunking Fun Run
Get Ready for Our Hunking Bobcat Fun Run Fundraiser!
We’re thrilled for this year’s main fundraiser — Hunking Bobcat Fun Run! Our goal is 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 to benefit our students at Caleb Dustin Hunking School.
Why are we excited?
✅ Easy-to-use fundraising platform
✅ Character-building program
✅ Fitness celebration event for every student!
Families will gather donations through MyBooster.com by simply sharing your student’s page with friends and family. Every share makes a difference!
Students will also enjoy ‘Star Quest 5,’ an exciting character-building adventure where they’ll learn important values through space-themed figures and activities.
⭐ Key Dates:
Sign up opens today MyBooster.com – 10/10/2025
Kickoff in school – 10/27/2025
Event Day – 11/06/2025
PROGRESS REPORTS: Progress Reports for grades K-8 will be released on Tuesday, October 14th.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: Hunking’s 1st Trimester Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held right here at Hunking on Thursday, October 23rd.
K-4 conferences will be held between 4:00pm-5:30pm
5-8 conferences will be held between 5:00pm-6:30pm
Specialists will be available for conferences between 4:30pm-6:00pm
Please stay tuned for more information from your student’s teacher(s) or teams…
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:
CELEBRATING HISPANIC & LATINX HERITAGE MONTH:
From September 15th through October 15th, Massachusetts celebrates the contributions and history made by those of Hispanic & Latinx heritage. Be sure to check out some local events at the Haverhill Public Library (Friday Movies), Northern Essex Community College, and other Merrimack Valley cities and towns.
For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month’s origins, check out the Library of Congress’ website.
PTO NEWS:
-Candy Sale!
Every Friday, chocolate bars will be for sale $1.
All varieties are gluten free except the wafer option.
Available during each lunch time
-Coming Soon
Big Dog at Bradford Common 10/24-10/27
Come and vote!
Ways to reach us
- email: HunkingPTO28@gmail.com
- Find us on Facebook “C.D. Hunking School PTO”
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE
Terri Carney, School Counselor, grades 5-8
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
- The 8th-grade tour will be on October 24th during school hours! Look for the permission slip closer to that date!
- HHS Career Technical Education (CTE) will begin accepting applications on November 1st.
- HHS Classical Academy is accepting applications soon. The deadline to apply is January 17th, 2026. Classical Academy Application
- Grades 6-8 Families! December 4th is family night at HHS from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
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
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
Important Information for Parents of 7th and 8th graders
As part of the state’s pathway exploration policies, Haverhill Public Schools are required to share contact information of our 7th and 8th grade students to Whittier Vocational Technical High School and Essex North Shore Agriculture Admissions Office. They use this information to create mailing lists to update students and families on Open Houses, the application process, and any events that may be occurring that would be of interest to potential students. The information that would be shared: grade 7 and 8 students’ and parents/guardians’ first and last names, mailing addresses, the parents/guardians’ email addresses, and primary language.
Parents/Guardians, please fill out this form OPT OUT, if you DO NOT want the information specified above to be shared with the vocational schools.
English/Spanish/Portuguese CTE/HHS notification for middle school families 25-26
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/
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.
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
4th Grade: We were so lucky to have two cardiac nurses visit all four 4th grade classes this week! Students learned all about the heart and how it functions in the body. They even got to see a model of the heart up close and make connections to our Wit & Wisdom unit on “A Great Literal Heart.”
5th and 6th grade– A big shout out to the 5th and 6th grade teachers and students for a wonderful day at the Topsfield Fair. Parents should be proud, the children received compliments on their behavior and mannerism while at the fair by fair workers and other guests. We all had such a great time and I could tell by just looking at the smiles on their faces. We were able to take 300 children out of our building in a large venue and have no problems. I am so proud to be a part of this community. Thanks to my colleagues, the NRT bus drivers, Nurse Melyssa and most of all the kids for making this such an enjoyable day. You have set the bar high, be proud of yourselves!
-Mrs. Fielding
7th Grade:
Social Studies: Students practiced writing in a 1st person perspective. They created virtual postcards, including details from a digital field trip to different sites in China.
ELA: Students are wrapping up Unit 1 of StudySync by comparing themselves to a character from Unit 1 to create a characterization poster. Students will choose evidence from one of the texts to support their thinking and use examples from their lives to support their own character traits. We can’t wait to see what they come up with!
8th Grade:
ELA Walk to WIN groups begin on October 14th. Please check with your student on that day for information to be sent home by their WIN teacher.
Progress Reports will be available through the Portal on Tuesday October 14th. Students with missing or late assignments should prioritize their completion over this long weekend. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday October 23rd from 5 pm-6:30 pm. Sign up using this link.
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip: There is an informational meeting for parents on October 16th in the cafeteria starting at 6 pm.
Congratulations to the 8th grade students chosen for their modeling of Kindness for September: Addison V, Tavian L, Kendall A, Georgina S, Keilani G, Landon E, A’Marie L, Jazalyn P.
In celebration of finishing our first novel together, 8th graders (and staff) honored the themes and characters of The Outsiders by dressing up like a Greaser or a Soc for the day!
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: We have started vision and hearing screening with our lower school students. Next week is 2nd grade. 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 requires any medications at school, such as EpiPens or inhalers, please drop off the medication and necessary forms in the health office. The Health Office requires an order from the student’s provider and parental consent for medication administration. The medication must be in its original bottle/box with a pharmacy label. Please contact the Health Office if you did not receive an allergy/asthma packet.
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 showed incredible heart on Thursday against Consentino! The girls fought back after falling behind, and Kendall crushed a beautiful free kick in the final minutes to tie the game 1-1. The boys also came from behind, with Tommy drilling the game-winner in the second half to take the 2-1 victory.
Game & Practice Schedule – Week of 10/13-10/17
Tuesday – Game vs. Whittier @ Whittier Boys First
Thursday – Girls Practice 3-430
To get the most up-to-date information on schedule changes, click this link to joining the Hunking Soccer 2025 Remind classroom.
Cross Country:
Meets Date for this season:
10/20 Monday meet for Gr. 6-8 vs. Haverhill District School
10/28 Tuesday meet for Gr. 6-8 vs Methuen &North Andover
Unified Bocce Ball: With Monday October 13th being a holiday and Wednesday October 15th being a half day for students, there will not be any Unified Bocce Balls practices this week. The next practice will be Monday October 20th.
BASKETBALL: Any grade 6-8 student who plans on trying out for basketball this year WILL NOT be able to try out without an updated physical. Physicals are due no later than Monday, October 13th. They can be turned into Mrs. Mansour in room 301 or the nurse’s office.
CLUB NEWS:
Chorus: A reminder to 3-4th grade Chorus students for next weeks rehearsals: 3rd grade ONLY on Tuesday, and 4th grade ONLY on Friday. See our October Newsletter for more information on upcoming events!
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!
Student Council: Friday October 10th is our first ALL COUNCIL meeting to welcome our newly elected members! All should be checking our See the monthly meeting schedule here.
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here. Friday, Oct. 6th we spent the day with our Bobcat Buddies exploring Connors Farm. We are working hard to develop a strong inclusive environment.
Lego Club: Lego Club will begin in November
Model UN: Attention future diplomats! Model UN season is kicking off — it’s your chance to debate global issues, represent nations, and sharpen your leadership skills. Our first meeting is Thursday, October 16th in Room 211 — grab a permission slip from Mrs. Seed and join the team where your voice shapes the world!
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