MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL & MAIN OFFICE NEWS
ELECTION DAY: THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021 DUE TO ELECTION DAY.
BLACK OUT NEGATIVITY:
ATTENTION 8th GRADE FAMILIES: Greetings from Whittier Tech!
Attached please find a postcard invitation for our Sunday, November 7 Open House from 1-4PM for 8th grade students and families. This is the same postcard that was recently mailed to you. You do not need to register or sign up online in order to attend – simply bring the postcard with you and it will serve as your “admission ticket” in! We are excited for you to meet our students, our instructors, and to see all the wonderful opportunities that await you here.
KIMBALL FARM CORN MAZE: The National Junior honor society will be hosting a “Whittier corn maze night out” on November 4th. Please see the link for the flyer with all details: corn maze
PICTURE RETAKE DAY: Picture re-take day will be on Wednesday, November 10th. See attached flyer: https://www.barksdalestorefront.com/shop/login/?ac=1001092AR
HAVERHILL PUBLIC SCHOOLS HANDBOOK (K-8): Please click on the link below to be connected to our up to date handbook for grades K-8: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/hps-student-handbook/
MASKS: As we continue to adhere to the Massachusetts’s State Mandate that all people (students, staff, visitors) are required to wear a mask in the school building, we ask that you please send your student’s to school with a spare mask. Many students have been breaking their masks and need new one’s throughout the school day. We would appreciate families sending students with an extra mask each day. Thank you!
Chromebooks: PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR STUDENT IS COMING TO SCHOOL DAILY WITH THEIR CHROMEBOOKS FULLY CHARGED. THANK YOU!!
JGW Chromebook Policy
We understand that “things happen” and from time-to-time students will forget to charge their Chromebook or leave it at home. Unfortunately, this is becoming a habit for some students and is happening far too often overall. Students were made aware at the beginning of the school year that the expectation is for ALL students to bring their fully-charged Chromebook to school each day.
The supply of extra Chromebooks is limited. Because of this, we are implementing a borrowing policy here at JGW for Chromebooks and chargers. Students who forget their Chromebooks, bring them to school uncharged, or do not return a borrowed Chromebook the same day will be given consequences as follows:
First Offense: Student will be issued a warning
Second Offense: Parents/Guardians will be called
Third Offense or More: Student will be given after-school detention
**These consequences will reset for all students each trimester.
If a student loses or damages a Chromebook or charger and the student needs to be issued another device, the family will be charged a fee for the replacement. Typically, the Chromebook replacement fee will be $199.00 and the charger replacement fee will be $39.00.
It is very important for students to come to school with charged and functioning Chromebooks. The devices are used in most, if not all classes; including music and art. We are asking families to be partners with the JGW in this, and remind your children to charge their Chromebooks and bring them to school every day.
Attendance: A reminder to all families that if your student will be absent for the day, please make sure to call the main office (978-374-5782) to notify the school. Thank you.
Dress Code: We receive many questions about our school’s dress code. We would ask that all families please review the Haverhill Public Schools Dress Code Policy with their students in order to ensure that it is properly being followed. Thank you for your attention to this. Please find a copy of the HPS Dress Code Policy below:
PTO UPDATES
2001-2022 PTO Meeting Dates · September 8th · October 13th · November 10th · December 8th · January 12th · February 9th · March 9th · April 14th · May 11th · June 8th
SPORTS:
SOCCER: Monday November 1st. semi final 3:30 game start
Consentino vs Nettle @ Consentino,girls first
Whittier vs Hunking @ Hunking, girls first
Winners will advance to the Finals
Finals will be played at the high school on Nov 4 game starting @ 3:30
CROSS COUNTRY: The grade 6-8 Cross Country team turned in many strong performances at the Haverhill/Methuen/North Andover Invitational. This season has been filled with a lot of fun and positive attitudes. Runners have stepped up to support and push each other at practice and in races. JGW is proud of you all! The grade 5 team finishes up their season on Monday 11/1 at Winnekenni, 4 P.M.
SKI CLUB: Ski Club takes place Fridays, starting on January 7th and runs for 6 weeks
-Lift tickets are valid from 3pm-7pm.
-Transportation to and from the mountain must be provided by parents
-Ski club members must be able to ride the ski lift and ski/snowboard independently in order to participate in the program.
-Parent Lodge Monitors will be onsite for the duration of Ski Club to assist the students in the lodge.
-Ski Club enrollment packets and payment will be due Friday, November 12th.
-Please email Ski Club Coordinator Amie Moscaritolo with any questions.
CLUB NEWS:
DANCE TEAM: Dance team will continue to meet once a week in the gym after school. We continue to work on our lyrical dance while also starting work on our new Musical Theatre piece.
For the month of November- Dance team will meet Thursdays November 4th and 18th and on Tuesdays, November 9th and 23rd due to the holidays that month.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: We will be hosting a bake sale on Tuesday Nov 2nd in the cafe during the election from 8 am to 4pm. If anyone would like to donate a baked good item they can bring them in on MOnday November 1st.
The NJHS will be hosting a corn maze on Thursday November 4 from 6-8 pm at Kimball Farm. Tickets are 9$ a person. We are hoping to see many families there.
The NJHS is also having a “helping hands” drive from now through November 12th. We are accepting canned goods and toiletries to go towards families in need. All donations will be delivered to the UU church.
JR VIP: There will be no meeting this week, but permission slips are due on Friday for the Leadership field trip we will be attending on 11/18 at NECC in Haverhill.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CLUB: The next DnD club will be THURSDAY, November 4th in Room 13 until 3:45.
Willy Wonka Jr.: WE ARE LOOKING FOR ANY AND ALL AVAILABLE HELP FOR THE FALL MUSICAL!
If this is something that might interest you, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/xVKhhAZkoA4Cyvj3A
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES OFFICE:
The nurses will begin working on our annual immunization review! If your student has any updated health forms or immunization records, please send a copy to us. Thank you!
MEDICATIONS/INHALERS: A reminder to all parents that students cannot self carry medication of any kind without physician orders and an active administration plan in place developed with the school nurse. Please reach out to our nurse’s office with any questions.
CLASSROOM NEWS:
GRADE 5:
Ms. Simes: Grade 5 Math/Science (Blue/Purple Group) In math, students are working very hard, learning Topic 3 – Fluently Multiply Multi-Digit Whole Numbers. They continue to make connections to past knowledge of place value, powers of ten, and rounding as we learn strategies to multiply multi-digit numbers and to solve word problems. All students should continue to work on their math fact fluency, as this is important as we continue to move forward to learning our standards. In science, students will begin their Explore lab this week of learning about composting. After school help will be Monday and Thursday this week from 2:45 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at michele.simes@haverhill-ps.org. Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Marciano: ELA: We are continuing with our Fiction unit. We will begin reading “The Crane Girl” on Monday. We will continue with the theme of empathy and discuss Japanese haikus.
SS: We will be continuing with the first DBQ on the topic of European exploration. Students will be completing their analysis of the five documents which will support their thesis statements. Students will then be completing a graphic organizer, which will help them form their essay.
Ms. Hogan: In social studies we have been working hard on our DBQ assignment. We spent the beginning of the week looking closely at all of the sources. Towards the end of the week, we started to work on our graphic organizers for our writing. Next week, we will take our graphic organizers and turn them into a five paragraph essay. At the end of next week, we will start to learn about the 13 English colonies.
Ms. LaCoste: This week in grade 5 ELA students completed the novel How to Steal a Dog and took their final quiz on Thursday. After a quick text wrap-up on Friday, we’ll shift the structure of our lessons to accommodate more independent reading, small group guided reading, specific writing lessons, and word study. Please encourage your scholars to continue reading for pleasure at home. They are welcome to borrow books from my library at any time. If possible, it would be great if all students had a pair of earbuds (to use with their Chromebook). They can be purchased for very little money at the Dollar Store, Walmart etc. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions. Email: alacoste@haverhill-ps.org
Ms. Consolazio: In science, continue to learn about producers, consumers, and decomposers. As well as, food webs and food chains. Reminder, I will need 2 liter bottles for our experiment. If it is possible to donate them to the class that would be very helpful. Please make sure students bring their Chromebooks charged every day.
Mr. Kelly: We have been using our strategies to solve Multiplication Problems. We have been making connections between all of our strategies to see what will be the fastest and easiest to do. We started last week using the Standard Algorithm multiplying two, three and four digit numbers by one digit numbers. Next week, we will be going into multiplying by two and three digit numbers We will be using this strategy as we move into multiplying with Decimals. Reminder: There is homework every Monday through Thursday.
Ms. Lees: In Fifth grade the Orange and Green Groups will share in small groups Reading is Thinking
strategies – Summarizing, Connecting, Visualizing, Inferring, Predicting, and Questioning as well
as exploring different ways of how to talk and write about their reading. In Math students will
continue to master the standard algorithm for multi-digit multiplication and strengthen math
fact skills. Those students with individual goals will continue towards achievement. Please
reach out if after school or before school help will support your student.
Ms. Blanchette: Students in grade 5 continue to explore different types of literature and engage in class discussions to promote comprehension. In math, students are practicing multiplying mult-digit numbers using known strategies with appropriate materials such as multiplication charts. Please reach out with any questions. Have a great week!
GRADE 6:
Ms. Hamel: Social Studies: We are taking a look at the continent of Asia, the geography, climate and cultures. Before diving deep into early civilizations, with a focus on Mesopotamia- students are learning the geography of Asia today. Each student chose one of the 48 Asian Countries to research and create a poster. Students will research size, location, culture, leadership, independence, landmarks and more! We will also be watching videos on early Ancient Asian Civilizations; starting with the Babylonian, Assyrian and Sumer Empires.
ELA: We are beginning Unit 2 in Study Sync; “You and Me; How do relationships shape us?” Our first read is an excerpt from the Newbery Award Winning novel Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. We will explore, through reading and writing, a young girl’s relationship with her deceased mother, new neighbors, and most of all- herself. We will also be working on Adjectives (homework packet will be due on Friday and continuing to read another chapter in Percy Jackson, The Lightning Thief.
Ms. Silveira: In science, we are doing multiple hands on activities that allow us to tell the difference between solutions and mixtures.
In math, we will be identifying integers and their opposites.
Please check School Brains weekly for your child’s grades! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me.
Ashley.Silveira@haverhill-ps.org
Mr. Taylor: ELA- We utilitze the StudySync platform to explore how relationships shape us. Skills practiced will be citing textual evidence, vocabulary, and story structure.
SS- We continue to learn about Southwest Asia and the different climates that impact people and where they live
Mr. LeGrand: Mathematics: After spending the past weeks going over some foundational mathematical concepts, such as additions, subtraction, multiplication, and division, we are moving on to integers and rational numbers. Students will learn to identify opposites of integers, compare and order integers and use integers to represent real-world quantities. \
Social Studies: Students are working on completing their Document Based Question essay. Once students are done, we will move on to Southwest Asia. Students will explore how geography influences the way people live, why civilizations rise and fall, and how religion shape society.
Ms. Lane: In Science the students are closing their Gravitational Forces Unit with a Trivia Game Test Review, and a test on the subject Friday. They will then begin Mixtures and Density on Monday. They are about to begin a new journey studying how mixtures are made of separate substances and density is a property of all matter.
In Social Studies they are learning about Southwest Asia. The students are learning about how geography influences the way people live? They are also asking themselves, why do civilizations rise and fall and how does religion shape society?
Ms. Tarbox: In ELA, the Orange and Yellow groups learned about dramatic elements and text structure using StudySync. Next week, they will dive back into reading about Percy’s adventures. In Math, the Orange and Yellow groups wrapped up Topic 1 and will begin Topic 2 – Integers and Rational Numbers. Pull-out services have been delivered consistently. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns! mtarbox@haverhill-ps.org.
GRADE 7:
Mrs. Berthiaume: In Social Studies, we are working on the DBQ essay about ancient Chinese inventions. Students in ELA really enjoyed the excerpt from Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.
Mrs. Trombly: In math class this week we are finishing up topic one and testing on the first half of topic one. We will test on the second half of topic one next week. And we will be going into expressions and equations as we continue to focus on rational numbers as well. Please make sure your child has plenty of pencils and a notebook. Thank you
Mrs. MacKinnon: We have begun our next unit on the flow of energy in ecosystems. Students will Develop a model to describe that matter and energy are transferred among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem and that both matter and energy are conserved through these processes.
Ms. DiGloria: This week, students in Grade 7 Blue and Green groups will be wrapping up their DBQ essay in Social Studies, and diving back into Chinese history upon completion. In ELA, students will move into Unit 2 of our Study Sync curriculum, focusing on Love and Loss. We’ll be reading our first poem of the year, Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe. Grades will be closing sooner than you think – about a month. Keep an eye on your student’s progress on the student/parent portal. Reach out with any questions or concerns.
Mr. Auger: Hello everyone! This week in my 7th grade science class, students finished up the relationships in ecosystems unit and they had their second test of the year to finish the week. Next week we will move into our next ecosystems unit which discusses the flow of energy in ecosystems. In my social studies class, students have started the first document based question (DBQ) of the year. We will work next week to complete the writing process of the DBQ. Happy Halloween!
Mr. Harris: Green – We began our dive into Unit 2: Ratios, Rates, and Proportions. Students will learn how to find unit rates involving complex fractions and begin to look at how equivalent ratios help us develop proportions. Be on the lookout for a quiz!
Blue – We will be looking at some background knowledge that is needed to get the most understanding out of Unit 2. Students will “show what they know” as well as get some vocabulary work in, before diving in to Unit Rates and Ratios.
Ms. Bilmazes & Ms. Holmes: Mrs. Holmes and I have been meeting, during the success block, with those students who have pull-out support in Math and ELA. In addition, students are receiving support in the classroom from myself, Mrs. Holmes, and/or Ms. Credit. In ELA, students are wrapping up the conflicts and clashes unit as well as writing paragraphs in regards to the story, writing about how differences can cause conflicts. In Math, students are wrapping up the week with a Unit one quiz. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
GRADE 8:
Mr. Lewis: English class is finishing up their Halloween unit, which included the short stories The Tell-Tale Heart and The Lottery. During this unit, students focused on mood/atmosphere and learned how writers create mood in their stories. In addition, we had some fun writing our own scary stories by randomly picking numbers that represented setting/conflict. Some students had naturally flowing stories while others had a real challenge to make them work.
Ms. Deblasis: We have started Topic 2: Analyze and Solve Linear Equations. We are currently working on combining like terms to solve equations, solving equations with variables on both sides, and solving multi-step equations.
Mr. Marinella: ELA- In English we are still reading our new Novel, A Night to Remember! This story is about the tragic first voyage of the Titanic. Students will be reading a collection of first hand accounts as well as a narrative overview of the story. We will be highlighting heroism from passengers and crew, and doing our best to understand a new literary technique called irony!
Civics– Civics is still trying to understand how the US government was created. The Founding Fathers didn’t just make it up as they went, they researched different governments throughout history in order to find the right pieces for the American people. Our class is currently doing the same. We are looking at the different roots the Founding Fathers explored, and researching what they researched. The culminating project for this unit is a DBQ. This is basically an essay that pulls from different historical documents to answer a question. This DBQ is a long assignment and an important one, be sure to ask your student questions about their progress so they don’t miss vital parts and due dates!
Ms. Sullivan: This week we will be questioning how the ocean influences weather and climate. This week we will be reading, learning vocabulary and doing hands on activities to help us answer this question. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns csullivan@haverhill-ps.org.
Mr. Harris: Blue and Purple – Students have been working on how to combine like terms in an equation, and we will extend that thought process when we start to solve equations that have variables on both sides of the equal sign. We will then bring in some older material as we apply it to new situations as we solve multi-step equations. Be on the lookout for a quiz!
Ms. MacKinnon: we will starting our unit on Ocean Currents. They will be Describing how interactions involving the ocean affect weather and climate on a regional scale, including the influence of the ocean temperature as mediated by energy input from the Sun and energy loss due to evaporation or redistribution via ocean currents.
Ms. Senior: Mathematics students are doing the two-step! (Algebraic equations, that is)…In ELA, the horror stories keep coming in and the students are causing us teachers to gasp for air! Enjoy Trick or Treat in Haverhill—it’s on Sunday evening vs. Saturday.
Ms. Blanchette: Grade 8 students are exploring unit 2 which involves combining like terms in multi-step equations in math. Students will continue to read “A Night to Remember” while exploring new vocabulary and answer comprehension questions. Please reach out with any questions. Have a great week!
SPECIALISTS:
Physical Education: (Mr. Demarais): We are currently in our net games unit. We have worked on badminton skills and are also working on the necessary skills for volleyball. Bump, set, serve, spike, and dig.
Art (Ms. Boulger): The students in 5,6,7,8 red and green groups have been working on a variety of assignments such as paintings, flip book drawings and murals.
The art department is looking for donations of the following:
new/ used sports equipment (specifically footballs, and basketballs)
new/used frames
new/used/ unused jars to store mixed paint.
Artwork by Stephen A.
Health (Ms. Reynolds): grade 5 – We are in the middle of our Nutrition unit. This week we will be looking at food labels and how to read them.
grade 6 – We are working on the Body Systems. Skeletal, Digestive and Respiratory Systems will be discussed.
grade 7 – This week we are making counter ads or truthful Alcohol and Tobacco ads to counter the effect of the ads presented in magazines and the media.
grade 8 – We are finishing the Violence Unit by talking about Healthy Relationships.
* All classes will receive a permission slip for the Puberty and Reproductive System units associated with their grade level. This will be a passive permission slip and only needs to be sent back if the student will not attend these units. Another Special spot will be made for the student to attend while these units are being presented.
Music (Mr. Gariepy): Hello JGW Friends and Families!! For music class this week, we’ve been continuing to learn more about guitar and how to play individual notes. So far, we have learned how to play C, D, E, F, and G by using finger numbers 1 and 3. We will be wrapping up with guitars next week by learning how to play a few chords.
Library (Ms. Michitson): Hello Whittier Friends, Our book contest ends next week and I have to say I am very impressed with all the reading taking place in the Library. We continue to explore the newspapers, and in the final weeks of this trimester all students will write a letter/note to the author of their favorite book. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Technology (Mr. Gordon): All grades in grades 5-7 dug deeper into coding to learn how to incorporate sequencing, loops, and events in order to solve a problem or puzzle. Grade 8 students were introduced to the use of formulas in spreadsheets using Google Sheets.
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF
Guidance (Ms. Vlahos): It has been a great week visiting all 7th grade classes to present information regarding local high school options, admissions processes and the high school transition. The students were engaged and asked great questions during my class visits. If you have any questions at all about high school options or how to go about starting to navigate this transition, please do not hesitate to connect with me.
Important 8th Grade Dates:
November 7, 2021 – Whittier Tech Open House 1-4pm (The postcard mailed to 8th grade students and families from Whittier Tech is your “admission ticket” for their open house)
November 18, 2021 – HHS Classical Academy Virtual Information Session
Whittier CA info night
Thursday, November 18 · 7:00 – 8:00pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/tsq-osxm-ngk
November 20, 2021 – Essex Tech Open House – pre-registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-house-essex-north-shore-agricultural-technical-school-tickets-185704807077
November 23, 2021 – Gr. 8 Whittier Tech Tour (8th grade students must return signed permission slip to their homeroom teacher to attend – Permission slips will be distributed in homeroom on Monday 11/1)
December 7, 2021 – Gr. 8 HHS Tour (8th grade students must return signed permission slip to their homeroom teacher to attend – Permission slips will be distributed in homeroom on Monday 11/1)
I continue to be available to connect with and support all students and families throughout the school week. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at jvlahos@haverhill-ps.org. I look forward to our continued work in support of a healthy, safe, and successful school year!
Student Support Coordinator (Mr. Newell): I am available to help support students and their families in any way possible. Please email me with any questions, thank you.
Student Adjustment Counselor (Ms. Midolo): Hello Poets!
Next week’s topic will focus on “Negativity” and the stressors that come along with it. With that said, JGW’s goal for Next Friday, November 5th will be to wear the color “BLACK” in support of blocking out the negativity from our digital lives and, by doing so, end cruelty, homophobia, LGBTQIA+ discrimination, racism, hatred, shaming and online violence. Help join us in celebrating this amazing cause!
Student Adjustment Counselor (Ms. White): We continue to work on developing healthy coping skills and strategies to make this year successful in and outside of the classroom! Please contact me with any questions!
Middle School Support Program (Mrs. Leydon & Mr. Diffin): Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween this weekend. This week during most of our social groups we worked on creating our own jack o’lanterns for the pumpkin walk! We will start having binder checks the end of this week into next week to make sure our belongings are organized and in the right folders. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Parent Liaison (Ms. Arias-Reyes): Si tienen una pregunta o preocupación y necesitan un intérprete no duden en contactarme. Estaré más que feliz de poder ayudarlos a comunicarse con los maestros de sus hijos y el personal de la escuela. Mi horario es de 8:30am a 3:30 pm y mi número es 781-666-4085 y mi correo electrónico es maria.ariasreyes@haverhill-ps.org, me pueden llamar, mandar un mensaje de texto o enviarme un correo electrónico. También tienen la opción de llamar a la escuela directamente para contactarme o usar la aplicación Remind, esta aplicación manda los mensajes directamente a mi computadora. RECORDATORIO: NO HAY ESCUELA el 2 de noviembre de 2021.
ELL (Ms. Khakali & Corporan): Our Level 3,4, & 5 ELs are reading about schools around the world. Students will compare and contrast schools around the world and write comparison paragraphs using evidence from the text. Newcomer ELs, are finishing up Unit 1: “All About Me” and will be completing their Identity projects and presenting to the class.
Student Support Center (Mrs. Greenwood): It’s been a great week in SSC. We had a blast at the first annual Pumpkin Walk. The kids did a wonderful job decorating their pumpkins. We have a GREAT School. Please reach out if you have any questions. Thank you, Mrs. Greenwood and Miss House. 🙂
Reading Intervention Team (Ms. Guthrie, Ms. Carney, Ms. Trovato): The literacy team is midway through their first intervention cycles. Students are seen 3 times a week during our 6 day schedule. 5th grade F and P lessons are gradually being implemented and will include read alouds and leaning centers. For 6-8 grades Unit 2 of Study synch will begin on November 3. Grades are finishing up Unit 1 this week. Have a wonderful weekend. Happy Halloween!!