MCAS SCHEDULE: MCAS season is once again nearly upon us. Our grades 3-8 students will be participating in the state’s annual MCAS testing. This is still a very important assessment for our students and measures our progress as a school in comparison to other schools in our district and throughout the state of Massachusetts. Students’ participation in this test is of utmost importance.
Please find the link to the MCAS schedule below, where you can find out exactly when
your student(s) are scheduled to test.
Family Literacy & Math Night!
K–8 Family Literacy & Math Night is getting closer! Join us on Thursday, April 16th from 4:30pm – 6:00pm, in the Hunking Cafeteria! We will be playing Bingo for Books and many other hands-on Literacy and Math games that the whole family can enjoy. Just like last year, Andy the Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse will be making a guest appearance. We hope you can join us for a night of learning, laughter, and family fun! This is a family event, so we kindly ask that parents stay with their children throughout the activities.
Please sign up here to let us know you’re coming!
https://math-and-literacy-night-30188.cheddarup.com
Theme of the Month: This month, we will be embracing the theme of Honesty. Honesty is a core moral virtue characterized by truthfulness, sincerity, and integrity, where actions align with inner values. It involves transparent communication, owning mistakes, and avoiding deception. Benefits include strengthened trust in relationships, improved reputation, and personal integrity, while fostering deeper connections through vulnerability. It is true that honesty is the best policy! Staff will be on the lookout throughout this month for the students who best personify this theme.
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:
InclYOUsion Sports Spring 2026 Haverhill Flyer!
Summer School & Programming (Opportunities): We are excited to announce a fresh direction for this year’s summer programs! To enhance the student experience, we are revamping our extended-year offerings for grades K-4 through a new partnership with our Discovery and Access 21 Clubs. The Literacy Academy and the Language Institute are merging with Discovery and Access 21 to provide a more hands-on learning experience using DESE-approved curriculum. The district will continue to identify students to invite based on data. In addition, our community partners, The YMCA and The Boys and Girls Club, will be offering an afternoon program with limited openings.
Applications will be going out in the next few weeks – please check your email.
Attached is a summary of the Summer 2026 Learning Opportunities for our students. Please keep in mind that most of these programs are by invitation, based on specific criteria.
PTO NEWS: Next Meeting is May 7th @ 5:30pm
Bobcat Bingo and Band tickets are live! This event will run alongside an online auction.
Grab your favorite blue outfit, gather friends and get ready for a fun adult only night out to raise money for Hunking School. Tickets can be purchased here https://my.cheddarup.com/c/bobcat-bingo/items
NEWS FROM GUIDANCE
Terri Carney, School Counselor, grades 5-8
Eighth Grade parents: Students are still being moved from the “waitlist” to “accepted” at both WVT and CTE. Please be sure to check the email used to apply because there are deadlines to reply if your student was accepted.
Work Permits
For those that have obtained a job:
Work Permit Applications: https://archive.haverhill-ps.org/work-permit-information/
EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS:
Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade: Our K-2 Concert is this week! The concert is at 9am in the Hunking Gym. Please send students in their concert best and a change of clothes (if needed). These students have been working hard and we cannot wait for you to see their hard work!
Eighth Grade: Students from Mr. Molloy and Mrs. Corkum’s WIN blocks met the author Anjali Sachdeva for a virtual Q & A on Wednesday to ask her about the work they had studied.
End of the year events are starting to come together, so please, Save the Dates! Canobie 6/12/26 9-5pm and Bradford Swim Club 6/15/2026 9-2pm. More to come!
ELA MCAS has been completed and moving forward students will read about Fredrick Douglas. Coming around the corner is Math MCAS beginning May 7th and 11th. Math classes are studying the relationships between data sets, using scatterplots and lines of best fit. They are applying the skills they have learned this year toward real world data. In Science they are beginning biology and in Civics, voting for projects and Civics Showcase will be May 14th, time for parents is TBD.
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES: Allergy season is upon us. The health office does not have allergy medication so please give your child allergy medication at home so they can have a great day of learning. We also request sending your child in with a water bottle. Good hydration prevents headaches and dizziness as we head into the warmer weather.
The flu season is still ongoing, so please make sure your child is 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. If your child has an illness or medical issue, please let the health office know so we can make accommodations (if needed) for your child.
If your child has had a physical recently, please send a copy to the health office. It is important for the health office to have up to date information so we may keep your child safe and healthy while at school.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may reach the health office at 978-420-1913.
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.
Volleyball: Volleyball season is coming to an end this coming week. Thus far both teams have done a great job and going into finals are both in first place.
For the week of 4/13-4/17:
Mon 4/13- Coed practice 3-5pm
Tues 4/14-Semi Finals at Hunking:
Boys first (3:30pm) vs Sacred Hearts and Girls after vs JG Whitter.
Wed 4/15-Practice 3-5pm for team who wins semifinal games
Thur 4/16-Finals at Haverhill High school at 5pm (Girls play 1st)
Also, we have started giving out flyers at lunch for a May 2, 2026 Saturday Volleyball clinic. The setup will be the same as last time and is on the flyer. If you need any information on it feel free to email Coach Taylor at todd.taylor@haverhill-ps.org.
CLUB NEWS:
Guitar Ensemble: We are continuing to rehearse on Friday afternoons in preparation for our concert (May 29th). If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Mrs. Fairbrother
Student Council: Monthly Meeting and Events Schedule can be found here.
NJHS: The NJHS calendar can be found here. Community service hours are due May 1st. 8th grade is traveling to MIT, Tuesday April 14th, permission slips are due!
6th and 7th grade students were provided with a brief presentation followed by a Q & A session from NJHS members. Students can get an application starting Monday, April 13th from room 300 or 309.
GSA: The GSA calendar can be found here.
Lego Club: The LEGO Club calendar can be found here.
Yearbook: We are looking for any photos of the 8th Grade class, past or present, to use for the yearbook. Upload your pictures using this Google Drive link.
Are you interested in purchasing a yearbook? Click here for more information.
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 PROCEDURES: Please click on the link below to review Hunking procedures, including cell phone and pick up & drop off procedures:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u0UOrpoO9vRnMMJuYpeJmaSGKcywt29SX94AQmSHFzQ/edit?usp=sharing