NO SCHOOL ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH IN OBSERVANCE OF VETERAN’S DAY
HUNKING’S 4TH ANNUAL FEAST: We are less than 2 weeks away! Thursday, November 20th, from 5:00-7:00 pm, come one and all! It is our 4th annual feast, and we are hoping to share a meal with our entire Hunking community. There is a lot to look forward to with this event, including a great meal…but there will also be a performance by our school chorus, a showcase of student work, holiday store, and… We will continue with the crowd favorite pie in the face raffle, and this year we are also adding a pie eating contest! We hope that you all sign up as soon as possible!
Please see the sign-up information and flyers below:
https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2025-hunking-thanksgiving-feast/items
Hunking 1K Food Drive
Please join the first annual Hunking 1K Food Drive the week of November 17th!!! Our goal is to collect ONE THOUSAND FOOD ITEMS (1K!!!). More details will be released, but this will be a huge competition with classrooms competing to bring in the most food! Give family and friends a heads up that we will be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to Open Hearts in Haverhill! Let’s see what classroom brings in the most items to benefit our community during these tough times!!!
Theme of the Month: It is officially a new month, so we’re embracing a new theme here at Hunking. 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: Supporting Our Students with Aroma Joe’s: 2025 Haverhill 2025 holiday drive (1) (2) (3) (1) Copy of 2025 Haverhill 2025 holiday drive (3) (1)
PTO NEWS
We’re excited to share that, thanks to your incredible support, we’ve exceeded our fundraising goal of $20,000!
Total Raised: We’ve raised $23,000!
Impact: Your donations are supporting 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, enhancing the educational experience for students.
MyBooster.com is available for one more week for any last-minute donations.
Once again, thank you for your unwavering support, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word. And a BIG thank you to our Hunking staff who played a crucial role in making this fundraiser a success. THANK YOU
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
From our friends at Vault 77!
Every Monday until the shutdown ends — Vault 77 Lounge & The Exchange Events Family will be hosting a free buffet-style meal for anyone with a valid EBT card and ID.
If you or your family could use a warm meal and a welcoming space, please come by.
We’ll also be collecting canned goods and non-perishable items. Anyone who would like to donate is more than welcome — everything collected will go directly to local families in need.
There’s absolutely no judgment — just compassion, kindness, and community.
Every Monday until the shutdown ends
5 PM – 8 PM
The Exchange Events – 4th Floor Function Hall
Please share this with anyone who could use a good meal or wants to help make a difference.
With love,
Vault 77 Lounge & The Exchange Events Family
Hunking 1K Food Drive
Please join the first annual Hunking 1K Food Drive the week of November 17th!!! Our goal is to collect ONE THOUSAND FOOD ITEMS (1K!!!). More details will be released, but this will be a huge competition with classrooms competing to bring in the most food! Give family and friends a heads up that we will be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to Open Hearts in Haverhill! Let’s see what classroom brings in the most items to benefit our community during these tough times!!!
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 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 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:
Grade 3
Inviting all grown-ups!
Third grade would like each student to invite a special grown up to join our Module 2 Book Tasting on Friday, November 14 at 1:00! We can only accommodate one adult per student at this time. We know this may be difficult for some folks to fit into their work week. However, we hope to have another ‘invite a grown-up day’ throughout the year! So, if you can’t make it this time, there should be other opportunities this year. Please click the name of your student’s teacher below to access the Google Form to sign up.
Grade 7:
SS: This week, students learned all about how American elections work. We went through the entire process from campaigns all the way to inaugurations. Students also participated in a mock citizenship test to see how they would stack up. Many students earned a new appreciation for family and friends who have taken and passed the citizenship test. Ask your student to quiz you on some of the test questions.
ELA: This week we’ve started our Unit 2 novel study using the novel Ghost by Jason Reynolds. We’ve been focusing our attention on how Reynold’s creates mood in the first two chapters and how mood and theme work together in a work of literature.
Grade 8: Grades for trimester 1 are closing on November 21. Math classes are wrapping up module 2 and preparing for a city-wide benchmark assessment. ELA just finished reading “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs and are learning about allusion, symbolism and irony. Science is starting on weather and climate. Civics completed their first DBQ and are now learning about the structure of government. Students showed their spirit at our first Hunking Fun Run on Thursday! Thank you to all who participated and sponsored our students!
ML News: Summit MOY Assessment for Multilingual Learners
Our Multilingual Learners are in the process of finishing up the Summit Middle-of-Year (MOY) Assessment. This formative assessment measures student growth and identifies areas where additional instruction may be needed. The results help teachers adjust lessons to better support each student’s learning goals.
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 screening with our upper school students. Next week we will continue 5th grade vision 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.
Health Alert:
Dear Hunking Families,
We would like to inform families that we have recently had a small cluster of students with hand, foot, and mouth disease in our lower school.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious childhood illness that is common and generally mild. Symptoms may include fever, poor appetite, and sore throat. About two days after the first signs of sickness, red sores or tiny blisters may develop in the mouth, and red, raised, or flat spots may be found on the hands and feet. Illness is usually mild, and most people get better in 7-10 days.
If your child develops any of the above symptoms, please keep them home. If you have any further questions concerning hand, foot, and mouth diseas,e please consult your healthcare provider. Also, please contact nurses if your child has been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Thank you,
Hunking School Nurses
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: FIRST TEAM PRACTICE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th 3-4:00
Boys Basketball: The time has come! Boys basketball tryouts for grades 6-8 will be held Monday, November 10th and Thursday, November 13th from 3:30-5:00. All physicals need to be in by next Monday before anyone can try out
**Ski Bradford: Winter is coming, and so is the Hunking Ski Club, which will start on Friday, January 9th, for 3rd – 8th graders on Friday nights from 5-9 p.m. (weather permitting). Please obtain your enrollment forms from the school office, as they are due back by Friday, November 14th.
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!
Tri-M: Students interested in Tri-M: the final day of auditions are Monday Nov 10th. Please make sure you have signed up for an audition time or have submitted your audition via email by the end of the day on Nov 10th. Permission slips are also due on Nov 10th. Please reach out to Ms. Avalos with any questions or concerns.
Drama Club: Next week’s rehearsal will be on Thursday, 11/13/2025, from 2:45 to 4:45 for ALL cast members. For November, we will resume Tuesday rehearsals starting on November 18, 202,5, from 2:45 to 4:45.
Student Council:
- Today 7th and 8th grade council members met with NJHS members to discuss our Hunking leadership expectations and opportunities.
- Next Friday November 14th all student council members will meet in room 301 until 3:45pm for our monthly meeting. The Agenda will include:
- Thank you to Representative Vargas
- Hunking Feast on 11/20
- K-2 Winter Fun in December
- Snow Ball in January
- SC tee-shirts and our Bobcat mascot
- 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.
- BIG SHOUT OUT TO Ms. Mastropiero our Hunking Educator of the Year Nominee! Your bobcat(s) love you!
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here.
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: LEGO Club begins next week. 4th Grade’s first meeting is November 13th and 5th Grade’s is November 20th. 6th-8th helpers can attend these meetings to assist with the younger grades.
Permission slips are required! For 4th grade and helpers, permission slips must be returned by November 12th. For 5th grade, permission slips must be returned by November 19th in order to attend.
There was an oversight in not sharing the calendar with the permission slips. Mr.
Molloy apologizes for the confusion. Paper copies of the calendar will be handed out at each first meeting and are currently available in room 300. 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