MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL & MAIN OFFICE NEWS

• NO SCHOOL: Please be reminded that there will be NO SCHOOL for students on Monday, November 2^nd & Tuesday, November 3^rd.

• PROGRESS REPORTS: Your student’s progress report will be available to view online through the student/parent portal starting Tuesday, October 27^th at 3pm. Please follow these directions to gain access:

• Go to HPS main page: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/
  • Click on Parent & Student Resources
  • Click on Parent & Student Portal Login
  • Click Log-in
  • Use your student’s username & password to login
  • Click on Student Portal (top of page)
  • Select Report Cards/Progress Reports
  • Click Download

• I-READY: I have been notifying families that your students have been working with a program called I-ready. If you are interested in learning more and receiving a detailed individual report of your student’s progress please see below:

Please click the link to learn more: https://i-readycentral.com/articles/engaging-families/#help_families_understand_em_i_ready_em

How to Access iReady Scores:

• Have your child log into the HPS Launchpad
• Click on CLASS LINK
• Click on iREADY
• Choose READING or MATH
• You will now be on the “MY PATH” screen
• Click on the MY PROGRESS icon
• Click on the COMPLETED WORK tab
• DIAGNOSTIC shows your child’s score

If you would like a detailed report of your child’s score, please reach out to their ELA or MATH teacher directly.

• GREEN SHEETS & HEALTH FORMS: We are still looking to collect green sheets and health forms that were sent home for all hybrid students. Families, can you please make sure that you have those filled out and sent back to school with your student as soon as possible.

• ATTENDANCE POLICY: Please click the link to see the updated attendance policy shared by our Superintendent: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AWglC4E6i12t0XcDfnpZJtOtt-xb8V_RBq4djELxd5g/edit?usp=sharing

• ABSENCES (Remote & In-Person): Please note that while it is good practice to make your student’s homeroom teacher aware of any absences or appointments, it is most important that you are contacting the main office of the school each and any time that your student is going to be absent. Also, please make sure to forward all doctor’s notes and other absent note’s to our main office. Thank you!

• REMINDER OF EXPECTATIONS:

Please remember that on days that your student attends school in person that they MUST come with their school issued chromebook and make sure that it is fully charged.

For students learning remotely from home, please remember to treat your school day the same way that you would if you were in person (out of bed, appropriately dressed, in class on time, and remaining in class for the entirety of the lesson).

• PICTURE DAY: Picture day is coming. Here are some details:

            COHORT A: Tuesday, November 10, 2020

            COHORT B: Thursday, November 5, 2020

REMOTE LEARNING ACADEMY: Tuesday, November 10^th or Thursday, November 5^th between 3:00-4:00pm

Below is a new feature for 2020.  This link and flyer gives you direct access for ordering pictures.

Flyers will also be going home with hybrid students next week.

Access code: 1001092

https://hockstudio.com/onlineorders.php#orderbox

PTO UPDATES

Our next PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 11/4 from 6:00-7:30pm.

Please click the link to be connected to the most recent PTO news: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tNgQRCDcMFSmtw5lkS4_kMF3dO0t46JGiZy3wuRJ0gc/edit?usp=sharing

BOOK FAIR: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uCgLVwkPIxgyx9dyejYvr1c3FqhR-a7k/view?usp=sharing

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Please click on the link in order to be connected to some community resources which may prove helpful during the upcoming holiday season: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/haverhill-community-programs/

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

MODEL UN NEWS: Our first meeting was a success! Ms. DeLong is so excited to be working with you all this year.  We have the most members in the UN Club in the history of the organization. Special congratulations to our newly elected president, Angie Lucia! Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, 10/27 from 3:15-4:15 remotely on Google Meet (so go home after school).

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: All applications need to be emailed to Ms. Deblasis by next Friday, October 30th. jdeblasis@haverhill-ps.org 

HYBRID MODEL

GRADE 5:

Mrs. Sanguedolce – In math, we are finishing up our study of place value and decimals. Our last lesson is rounding decimals, and then we will have our first math test. In social studies, we will continue to learn about the impact that explorers and new settlements had on the “New World.” At the time of this writing, Room 3 has had three days of perfect attendance. Hooray for everyone in Room 3! 

Ms. Delong: Grade 5 Science (Yellow, Red, Orange): Ms. DeLong is so proud of all of her scientists who did so well on their first Science test of the year! Everyone worked hard and showcased what they learned about Energy Transfer.  We have started our next unit which is Matter and Energy in Plants. This topic follows our first topic of Energy Transfer so students can connect what they already know about plants.  

Grade 5 SS (Yellow): We are still following the Spanish Explorers in the New World and will be completing the first chapter this week.  Stay tuned for a SS test announcement. I have enjoyed the conversations that we have been having in class and the connections we are making as we study Columbus, Cortes, Pizarro, and Magellan.  

Mrs. LaCoste: Greetings Grade 5 families!

          Each week in ELA your students are exposed to 6 new vocabulary words, taken from our novel, How to Steal a Dog.  They complete a few activities to help them get to know the meanings and correct usage and are quizzed on both during our frequent reading quizzes.  Ask your student to use “scrawled” in a sentence!  Continuing with our novel study, students are strengthening their deeper understanding of elements of fiction.  Most recently, we covered how setting affects the story. 

             In Social Studies, we’ve traveled back in time to the days of European exploration of the Americas.  We’re recognizing both the positive and negative impacts these explorations have had on the world.

Ms. Lees: Ms. Kelly and Ms. Lees are with Orange and Red groups reading “How to Steal a Dog”, responding to text questions, and identifying story elements as well as working with identifying types of nouns.  Those students who have been given LexiaCore5 log-in with instructions how to use should be working at least 45 minutes a week in the program. In Math we are wrapping up Unit 1 and place value.  Please remember that Ms. Lees posts on Stream Pages and announces in our subject classroom meets when she and Ms. Kelly are in a google classroom to help with assignments and clarify lessons.  Please join!  Before and after school time is available too.   

GRADE 6:

Mrs. Hamel: Science: We have begun our new Science Scope on Mixtures. As wondering scientists, we are learning the difference between mixtures and solutions.  We will be conducting mini experiments to show how materials are mixtures of pure substances and can be separated by physical means into their component pure substances, while also thinking of ways in which to separate solutions back to their original substances. Time for goggles and beakers!!!

Social Studies: As we wrap up how Geographers use the Five Themes of Geography in order to analyze and organize data, we will be moving into Early Humans and the Agricultural Revolution and its impact on our world today. We will even be working from our own J. G. Whittier Restaurant known as “Grade 6 Hunters and Gatherers” to create a menu using only foods found in the Paleolithic Age… Mammoth Burger with Apple Glaze anyone???

Mr. Taylor: NO UPDATE PROVIDED

Ms. Sargent: Just a quick reminder to have your child’s chromebook fully charged when they arrive at school.  Also, your child needs to be logging into all google meets even when they are working remotely.  We will be having live lessons each class period.  Thank you for your continued help and support during this new learning curve for all.  Have a great weekend. 

Mrs. Guisti: Another great week for our grade six students with academic support!  Mrs. Cronin and Mrs. Guisti are proud of you for showing up to our online support google meet at 12:05.  If you haven’t remembered to join us, it’s not too late to start!  Small groups in person have been working on beginning our online reading program (Lexia) and have also discussed comprehension questions pertaining to articles that have been read in ELA.  Small groups have continued practice of math skills involving computation of decimals.  We love Ms. Sargent’s references to songs to help us remember the steps for dividing decimals (Straight up! and Swoop there it is!).  Have a wonderful weekend!

GRADE 7:

Mrs. Berthiaume: In ELA, your child should have completed the i-Ready diagnostic. Please make sure it has been submitted this week (it can be completed at home.). We recently worked on map skills in Social Studies, focusing on India.  Also, students read a recent New York Times article about the anti -pollution campaign to curb air pollution in New Delhi, India’s capital, before the wintertime during this current pandemic. (If you receive a newspaper at home, please encourage your child to read it. Online newspapers are fine, too.) 

Mrs. Trombly: Mrs. Trombly‘s math class is moving onto topic two after our benchmark assessment. Please make sure you get all work in that you owe me. Science class grades are being archived So please get in any work you owe me or it will be a permanent zero. Science classes are working on ecosystems.

Mr. Yanoff: The yellow and red groups are working on rates and ratios, while continuing to spiral fractions.  Their math understanding and study habits are growing, especially as absenteeism decreases. Learning is directly related to attendance and more students are on video so I can see them taking notes and asking questions. The Progress Reports will not reflect how hard many of these students are working, while getting back to learning and understanding the importance of math.  We are working on a lot of word problems so that students see how the math is working in the real-world.

Mrs. MacKinnon: Hello 7th grade families, in math class this week we will be working on topic 1-4 subtracting integers.  Please remind your children to log onto all the meets when they aren’t in person.  This is so important for learning and note taking.  

In science class this week we will continue to work on competition in ecosystems.  We will be talking about why organisms compete and for what resources are most important to sustain a healthy ecosystem. 

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Ms. DiGloria: Onto Week 7! This week in ELA, students will continue to interact with the text The Monsters are Due on Maple Street, looking at theme, conflict, and evidence-based writing. We will wrap this up in Week 8 by watching the 2003 episode of this script. In Social Studies this week, we will be moving on to Chapter 3 Lesson 3, learning more about ancient Indian history. At the end of the week, we will discuss leadership and discuss, in writing, the qualities of a good ancient leader. As always, all work will be posted on Google Classroom and students at home will be tuning in LIVE to all lessons. They should follow the same schedule every day, in-person or remote. If there are any questions, please email me right away. 

Ms. Bilmazes: Keep working hard to be successful.  In ELA. students are finishing up work on The Monsters are Due on Maple Street or Rikki Tikki. I have posted my google classroom link for additional help on Wednesdays. Please log on at 11:30. Students continue to receive support in the classroom from myself and/or Ms. Credit. Have a great weekend!

GRADE 8:

Mr. Lewis: In English, we will be finishing Flowers for Algernon this week. At the start of this week, Charlie Gordon is now a genius, and his life has been completely altered, for better or worse. We examine how Charlie’s life was, how it is, and how it will be, while keeping in mind how intelligence is viewed.

In Civics, we are beginning our study of citizenship – what it means, how to obtain it, and its roots in ancient government.

Ms. Deblasis:

Science: Students will be taking an assessment on Moon Phases, Seasons, and Eclipses next week.  Then we will begin our unit on Motion of Planets and the effect of gravity in our solar system. 

Math: Students will be completing their lesson on Comparing and Ordering Rational and Irrational Numbers.  Next week will continue our Unit on Real Numbers- specifically, evaluating square roots and cube roots. 

Mr. Blaustein: ELA Green & Blue

We are a third of the way into Flowers for Algernon and will continue to read and discuss this short story.

Civics Green & Blue

1. Lesson 1 Quiz Thursday 10/22. Students should take the practice quiz at the end of Lesson 1 to prepare.
2. Once the quiz is completed, we will begin the embedded Lesson #2 Becoming A Citizen

Ms. Sullivan: Science: Students will be taking an assessment on Moon Phases, Seasons, and Eclipses next week.  Then we will begin our unit on Motion of Planets and the effect of gravity in our solar system. 

Math: Students will be completing their lesson on Comparing and Ordering Rational and Irrational Numbers.  Next week will continue our Unit on Real Numbers- specifically, evaluating square roots and cube roots. 

Ms. Senior: Grade 8 is cooking along with new ways to determine the square roots of quirky integers in Mathematics class; ELA class is responding to readings from a novel, and students are getting ready to hit the middle part of the first trimester.  Time flies!

SPECIALISTS:

Physical Education: (Mr. Demarais)

Next week we will be working on soccer skills followed by some field games utilizing these skills.  Soccer style games as well as games such as capture the flag.  Physical distancing will be stressed and enforced during these activities.

Art (Ms. Boulger): All art classes are meeting synchronously (both online and in person) therefore if your child is at home please encourage and remind them to attend Google Meets as well as have art materials ready. We hold synchronous classes during their scheduled art classes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesdays they will have an A-Synchronous lesson to work on.

Health (Mrs. Reynolds): grade 5 will be finishing their unit on self-esteem by completing their “t-shirts.” Our unit on safety will begin with Fire safety. Students will work on home escape routes in class and at home.

grade 6 – will be starting the unit on Peer Pressure and how to handle uncomfortable or unsafe peer situations.  Refusal skills will be covered in the unit.

grade 7 – will be starting the Unit on The Dangers of Alcohol and Vaping. We will start the unit this week with alcohol facts and the dangers of drinking and driving.

grade 8 – Last week we began our unit on Substance Abuse.  This week we will focus on learning about the common drugs of abuse and their effects on the human body.

Technology (Mr. Kowalewski): More assignments have been added to Brain Pop and students should be working toward intermediate typing on typing.com.  Students should be working at their own pace.  Please make sure Chrome Books are being charged overnight. Tech Tip of the week, chrome books can be wiped down, just make sure the product you use to clean it is safe for electronics.  If any students are having issues with their Chrome books, please feel free to reach out to me.  Timothy.kowalewski@haverhill-ps.org

Music (Mr. Gariepy): NO UPDATE PROVIDED

REMOTE LEARNING ACADEMY

GRADE 5:

Ms. MacDonald: This week, parents and families will be picking up materials from Whittier Middle School. These supplies include: Whiteboards and markers, agendas, seed kits, and other materials your student might need. Pick up will occur between Monday through Friday during school hours. You will be able to pick up materials at the front desk. Just mention your child’s name and they will have a large manilla envelope with materials. If you have any questions, please email me. 

As always, please make sure your kiddos are online for their classes and ready to learn! 

Ms. Duquette: Last week we wrapped up our first writing assignment.  Students worked on improving narrative beginnings to hook the reader, sequencing their stories, and writing strong closings.  We also worked on the skills of revising and editing our work before turning it in.  We have been reading the story, The One and Only Ivan.  Some of our lessons have focused on story elements and narrative point of view.  The students are having great conversations in our meets about the story.  In the week ahead, we will continue with our reading of the story with the focus on character development.  We will also begin some focused grammar lessons on nouns.  Please make sure that your child logs on to our class meets for their instruction and that they are turning in work when it is due.  Both are important for their remote learning success.

Ms. Spadaro: Last week, we wrapped up Topic 2.  Students worked on adding, subtracting, comparing, and rounding decimals.  We focused on “stacking” and lining numbers up by the decimal. This week, we began Topic 3. We have been multiplying by powers of 10 and estimating products. In the week ahead, we will continue multiplying multi-digit numbers. Please be sure that your child logs in to class on time with a piece a paper and a pencil. Your child should be transferring problems from their Chromebook on to paper to solve. All assignments are listed in the “To Do List” and should be completed each day. 

GRADE 6:

Ms. Consolazio: In social studies class, students are learning about primary and secondary resources and how to plan and research a project.   Next week there will be a quiz on Chapter 1 lessons 1, 2, and 3.  We will begin chapter 2 next week.    Participation has increased and students have responded to with well thought out answers.   

In science class, we continued learning about the Earth, Moon, and stars.  We played Quizizz to review for the actual quiz on Friday.  Next week will begin a new chapter in science on mixtures and solutions. 

Mrs. Simes: In Math, we will wrap up our work within enVision Topic 1, as we solve problems with rational numbers. Students will have a review day on Monday, before completing their first remote assessment on Tuesday.  Next, students will work on a D.I.C.E. problem and begin Topic 2, Integers and Rational Numbers. In Science, students have started Unit 2, Mixtures within STEMscopes.  We will investigate and test to see if certain mixtures form solutions through demonstrations and videos.  I do ask that students continue to look in their math and science Google Classrooms daily at their interactive whiteboard that gives them information of the day’s expectations, along with their schedule.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at michele.simes@haverhill-ps.org.  Have a great weekend.

Ms. Riley: In ELA, we are starting personal narratives using graphic organizers, rubrics, and anchor charts.  Sharing in class will begin when completed.  I am looking for strong story starters, details, sequencing, and transitions with a beginning, middle, and end.  If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me at jamie.riley@haverhill-ps.org.  Have a nice weekend.

GRADE 7:

Ms. Marciano: ELA: We have started our Drama Unit and will continue reading Act I of “Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”. We will focus on mood and tone, as well as character development and conflict.

Science: We have started Unit 2: Competition in Ecosystems. We will be focusing on the following questions in this unit: How does the amount of resources in an ecosystem affect population? How do biotic and abiotic factors interact in an ecosystem? What types of competition exist between organisms? What can happen when interacting populations rely on a limited resource?

*Please make sure students are continuously checking the Student Portal to view their grades and any missing work.

Mr. LeGrand: Math:  This week we will continue our study of rational numbers.  Our focus will be on multiplying and dividing rational numbers (fractions, decimals).  Students will be able to decide which operations to use to solve problems with rational numbers.   

Social Studies:  We started our study of Central Asia, the Caucasus and Siberian Russia.  We will look at the countries that make up that region and their physical geography.  Please encourage your student to complete their assignments.

GRADE 8:

Mr. Harris: 8 RLA Math – we are going to be pivoting into operations with integer exponents, and will have a quiz coming up.

8 RLA Science – we are continuing our look at why we have seasons.  Students are eager to ask questions and have been very scientific in their inquiries!

Attendance is still the biggest thing for RLA.  Many students are missing out on vital instruction.  Also, please make sure that your child is doing their assignments.  Some students are clicking “submit” but leaving their assignments blank!

Mr. Marinella: Hello everyone!! It seems like are getting the hang of this and finding a groove in the RLA!! I think we are getting more comfortable with remote learning and are making great progress!! A few quick reminders: make sure you are signing in to google meets on time (starting with HR and ending with success block), attendance matters. Remember the rules during google meets and be respectful of others. The expectations are much higher now, work is being accepted and graded, so make sure you get everything in on time and complete!! If you are ever curious about your grade, check school brains! This will tell you everything you neeed to know!

ELA– We are still in our first novel, Johnny Tremaine, about a boy living in Boston before the American Revolution! Ask your students what we have learned about Johnny so far, and how they’d like living during that time. This week we are reading chapter 3 in and out of school, see what your student can teach you about chapter 3. We are also constantly working on reading skills, writing, and grammar. The focus now is transitions, how to move easily from one idea to another. I encourage all students to have a book or topic of what they like to read for down time, reading makes the brain stronger so more reading=more brain power!! 

History-

Civics is moving on!! We learned all the important stuff that Athens had to offer, then we learned about Rome contributions to our government, followed a quikc check with the Enlightenment Thinkers to see some more aspects of US government before the US was a thing. After a quick quiz we are moving on the 13 Colonies and the creation of the government we all live under!

Superstars–

A superstar is a student who is always trying, never getting discouraged, working hard, taking risks, helping others, setting great examples, or exhibiting another amazing characteristic important to learning or general success! This week’s superstars are Sarah Fils-Aimes and Jack Rubera of Orange, and Devin Cloyd and Lyliana Hester from purple!! Every student demonstrates superstar qualities, but these were the brightest shiners this week!

Ms. Blanchette: The middle school students have been engaged in grade level content this week. The special education teachers and support staff have been working to support students during math and ELA classes as well as during small group google meets. Please check my google classroom for daily office hours where students can receive help on their assignments.  Reach out with any questions!

SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF

Guidance (Mrs. Vlahos): My 5th grade class lessons, in person and virtually, on the transition to middle school have been great and will continue over the next couple weeks. I will also begin to meet with 8th grade and 7th grade classes regarding goal setting, high school options and transition to high school soon, too. Any student that wants to meet with me individually about the high school process should email me at jvlahos@haverhill-ps.org to schedule either an in person or google meet check in.

As a reminder, I am available to connect with and support all students and families.  I will continue to meet and check-in through Google Meet, email and by phone.  If desired, please email me to connect and request a check in and I will coordinate a meeting with you.  I also want to remind all students, especially those home learning remotely, to check their student school email accounts regularly.  Teachers and staff are emailing students and we do not want you to miss anything!

Student Adjustment Counselor (Mrs. Midolo): Next weeks topic will focus on  “Stress Management”. Please be sure to have your kids check Mrs Midolo’s google Classroom Page and Look for assignments and updates on Social Groups, which will held on Wednesdays. Please make sure that your student attends in order to receive the proper credit. Have a great weekend.

Student Support Coordinator (Mr. Newell): I am available for help with chrome books, attendance concerns and everything in general.

Middle School Support Program (Mrs. Leydon & Mr. Diffin): Nice job everyone on getting your work done and passed in! Please continue checking your google classrooms for missing work. There’s still a few students whom haven’t attended any social groups. Please check your grade level MSSP google classroom on times they are held. As always, reach out to us with any questions you may have! Hope to see you all this week! 

Parent Liaison (Ms. Arias-Reyes): Queridos padres,  

Soy el nuevo contacto para los padres hispanos de la escuela intermedia John G. Whittier. Si tienen alguna pregunta o preocupación y necesitan un intérprete, estoy a su servicio.  No dude en contactarme al 781-666-4085 o enviarme un correo electrónico a maria.ariasreyes@haverhill-ps.org. 

Student Support Center (Mrs. Greenwood): The SSC is proud of all the great work you are doing.

Thumbs up to the students who have advocated for themselves by asking teachers for help with their work. 

You are doing amazing!!!! 

 Have a great weekend !

NEWS FROM OUR NURSES OFFICE (Nurse Cartwright):

REMINDER: the FLU VACCINE is now a requirement for children 6 months to 18 years for attendance to child care and school. This is a NEW State requirement. All children without an exemption should be vaccinated as soon as possible before December 31, 2020.

Where can I get the flu shot: Call your pediatrician to ask about getting your child vaccinated. Additional options may be found at all major pharmacies or urgent care clinics. CALL AHEAD before you go to make sure they have enough vaccine and staff available and bring any insurance information with you.

The City of Haverhill Health Department is hosting a FREE Flu clinic next week for uninsured school aged children and children insured through Mass Health on Tuesday 10/27/2020 and Thursday 10/29/2020 at the Citizen Center at 10 Welcome Street in Haverhill, MA. APPOINTMENTS are REQUIRED! Please call (978)374-2390 ext.3915 or ext.3900 to register.

Once you have gotten your child vaccinated, please send paperwork into Nurse Kelsey. If you have any questions, you can email her at Kelsey.cartwright@haverhill-ps.org

¡POR FAVOR, compartir con todas las familias de Haverhill con niños en guarderías y escuelas públicas! ¿Sabía que la VACUNA CONTRA LA GRIPE es ahora un requisito para que los niños de 6 meses a 18 años que asistan a la guardería y a la escuela? Este es un NUEVO requisito estatal. Todos los niños sin ninguna excepción deben vacunarse lo antes posible antes del 31 de Diciembre del 2020. Llame a su pediatra para preguntar sobre cómo vacunar a su hijo/a. Se pueden encontrar opciones adicionales en la mayoría de farmacias  o clínicas de atención de urgencia. LLAME ANTES de ir para asegúrese de que tengan suficientes vacunas y personal disponible y lleve toda la información del seguro médico con usted.

Ciudad de Haverhill: El Departamento de Salud ofrecerá vacunas GRATUITAS contra la influenza la próxima semana para niños en edad escolar sin seguro y niños asegurados a través de MassHealth el Martes 10/27/2020 y el Jueves 10/29/2020 en el Citizen Center localizado en 10 Welcome Street en Haverhill, MA. ¡SE REQUIERE HACER CITA! Llame al (978)374-2390 ext.3915 o ext.3900 para registrarse.