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:
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:
Thank you for your continued PTO support. More field trips are getting planned, teacher wish lists are getting filled, and supporting our school wide events like the recent Thanksgiving Feast.
Our January meeting is the 8th at 5:30pm. Babysitting and homework help is available by NJHS.
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
- 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. Please send in completed permission slips by Monday, December 8th!
- 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:
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.
Grades 5-8 i-Ready Winter Growth Competition!
8th Grade will be taking Winter iReady Diagnostic in Math on Tuesday 12/9 and Wednesday 12/10 and in ELA on Friday 12/12 and Monday 12/15. Students are striving to show their growth, so a good night sleep and charged chromebooks are highly encouraged!
In ELA students are working in research teams to prepare for our GR8 Debate on 12/18. In Math, students are looking at different approaches to solving variable equations. Science is starting a unit on climate change and learning about the three branches of government in Civics.
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. We will finish 7th grade screenings and any student that was absent or needs rescreening. 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. 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.
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: The girls team will practice after school on Monday, December 8th from 3:00-4:00pm.
There are NO games the week of 12/8-12/12.
The next game is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/16 at Hunking vs. Sacred Hearts
Boys Basketball: The boys team will practice after school on Wednesday, December 10th from 3:00-4:30pm.
There are NO games the week of 12/8-12/12.
The next game is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/16 at Hunking vs. Sacred Hearts
CLUB NEWS:
Music Dept: Hunking Music Winter Events Flyer 2025 (3)
Guitar Ensemble: We will meet Friday, December 12th until 3:30. On Friday, December 19th, ensemble members will stay after school for a dress rehearsal before we welcome our audience at 3:30. Our performance is open to anyone who wishes to attend and support these amazing musicians.
Mentor/Mentee:
Chorus: Congratulations to the Hunking Chorus for an amazing (and chilly) performance at the Haverhill Christmas Tree Lighting! Come to see our Winter Concert on Thursday December 18th at 6:30pm, here at the Hunking School Gym!
Tri-M: We will be having our next meeting on Wednesday Dec 17th from 2:45-3:30pm.
Student Council: Student Council members will be running a K-2 Winter Fun Afternoon on Thursday December 11th in rooms 301 and 315 until 4:30 pm. for $10. This event includes an “Olaf” short winter video with an allergy free snack and a winter craft to take home. We can accommodate 40 students so please return the sign up form as soon as possible [English; Spanish; Portuguese; Arabic]. *ALL STUDENTS COUNCIL MEMBERS should plan to attend this event to provide help to the K-2 students.
Our next meeting is Friday December 12th after school in room 301 until 3:45 pm. 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.
In the news: Mrs. Mansour and six of our student council members represented Hunking at a district meeting on the new Belonging Initiative this week. After surveying our 7th and 8th graders, they were able to share with the School Committee, the things we love most about our school : the welcoming atmosphere, supportive teachers, fun activities, clubs & sports, and Bobcat spirit. They also shared the topics they’d like the School Committee’s help in improving like the cleanliness of our school and need for more custodians, as well as class or club offerings like foreign language and advanced math. The students look forward to the next meeting and making progress towards solving their concerns.
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