MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL & MAIN OFFICE NEWS
JANUARY NEWS: For the month of January, the school theme is growth. Growth is about making progress. Progress looks different for everyone. Making progress toward your goal demonstrates growth. Earning higher grades than you did before is an example of growth because it means making academic progress. Improving your behavior is an example of growth because it means making progress with your actions. Developing better habits is an example of growth because it means making progress with your day-to-day routines. Star Poet Society winners for the month of January will be selected based on this theme.
IREADY WINTER DIAGNOSTIC: All students will be taking the Winter iReady diagnostic benchmark during the week of 1/24-1/28. The instructional coaches and classroom teachers use these tests to compare student data from the beginning-of-year benchmark to this one in order to plan targeted interventions and enrichment. A third, and final, iReady benchmark will be taken in the spring.
VACCINE CLINIC: HPS GLFHC Vaccine Clinics
FEBRUARY VACATION ACADEMY: February Vacation Academy 2022 (1)
Haitian Creole February Vacation Academy 2022 (1)
Portuguese February Vacation Academy 2022 (1)
Spanish February Vacation Academy 2022 (1)
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 students to school with a spare mask. Many students have been breaking their masks and need new ones throughout the school day. We would appreciate families sending students with an extra mask each day. Thank you!
LOST & FOUND: Our lost & found is full of clothing. If your student is missing anything, please have them take a look!
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: Please be aware that students are not allowed to wear pajamas or pajama pants to school. 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: Dress Code Policy (HPS)
PTO UPDATES
The PTO has agreed to change future meeting dates to the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6:00pm-7:00pm in the JGW Teacher’s Room. The dates are as follows:
2001-2022 PTO Meeting Dates · February 10th · March 10th · April 14th · May 12th · June 9th
SPORTS:
BASKETBALL: Starting next week the basketball games will resume! However, due to safety reasons around Covid, we are only allowing immediate family to attend our games, no students will be allowed at the basketball games!
The boys will continue to have practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:45 – 4:00. There will be a game next Thursday against Sacred Heart at home. Only immediate family members of the basketball teams will be allowed to watch the game.
The girls will practice on Tuesday from 3:00-4:30pm. There will be a game next Thursday against Sacred Heart at home. Only immediate family members of the basketball teams will be allowed to watch the game.
CLUB NEWS:
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: Next meeting will be on January 26th from 2:45- 3:45
JR VIP: A meeting is planned for Wednesday, January 26th after school in the Art Room. We will finish our MLK poster/quilt and discuss an outline for a video project on Diversity at JGW.
The meeting is one hour and all students need to provide their own transportation home.
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES OFFICE:
With a recent uptick in COVID19 cases, we want to thank everyone for being so patient and understanding. Please reach out to the nurses if you have any questions or seek clarification on quarantine or testing protocols. If possible, please send students to school with their own masks. We do have masks here but our supply is going fast!
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: This week in math, students will show their understanding of using models and strategies for dividing decimals. We will then move onto Topic 7, which will have students focus on developing an understanding of how to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators by using equivalent fractions. All students should continue to work on their math facts fluency, as this continues to be an important component to our lessons. In science, students will continue to actively make observations and measurements of substances within our Explore lab. This will have students make connections to their knowledge of the physical properties of color, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, magnetism, solidity, and solubility and allow them to use this data to complete a CER and later, show understanding of this specific scope. After school help will be Monday, Tuesday, 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. Hogan: This week in social studies, we learned about more events that led to the American Revolution. We created a timeline of events, and we learned all about the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. Additionally, we considered the perspectives of patriots and loyalists. Next week, we will finish our chapter on the lead up to the American Revolution. We will be having a quiz on Friday 1/28. A study guide will be posted on Google Classroom.
Ms. LaCoste: This week students worked on book discussions with small groups. They practiced giving evidence and asking for evidence using reading comprehension questions. In writing, we continue to identify editing mistakes to reinforce the importance of capitalization and punctuation. Students have narrowed down their narrative writing ideas and have begun writing their stories. Reminders: 1. Classroom spelling bees will take place on Wednesday, January 26. 2. Our reading plot quiz will take place on Tuesday. Study materials were sent home and can be found on the google classroom.
Ms. Consolazio: In science, we continued with the Properties of Matter scope. In class, students watched a video about properties of matter, read about how sand is needed to make glass, and learned about solubility of substances. Next week there will be a quiz on this scope. Please make sure students bring their Chromebook every day for class.
Mr. Kelly: We have been working on Dividing with Decimals in our Divisor and also in our Divided. We will be going into Division with Decimals in both numbers this upcoming week. This will finish up our Dividing and Multiplying with Whole and Decimal Numbers Skills. Also, we will be taking our Winter I-Ready Test within the next two weeks. This will give us information about how well the students have improved. As a reminder, homework will be due every Friday.
Ms. Lees: The students in Fifth grade Orange and Green Groups are working well together discussing and analyzing their text and working on narrative writing continues. In Math class long division now has to be manipulated using decimals. Those students with individual goals continue working towards achievement. Students who have LEXIA accounts are encouraged to
work at home with their reading online as well as to read every day out loud with
someone at home or to themselves. It will help all students to log into iReady for
reading or math to strengthen their skills. Please reach out if after school or before
school help will support your student.
Ms. Blanchette: We are about half way through this school year and students continue to explore grade level curriculum and work to improve skills needed to master essential content. Students will also be completing the iReady reading and math diagnostic next week. Please check in with your child to ensure they are up to date with all assignments and understand the content. If you have any questions please reach out to me. I look forward to another great week here at Whittier!
GRADE 6:
Ms. Hamel: I want to remind all students and families that we will be conducting our Winter I Ready Diagnostic this week. We encourage all students to do their very best on these tests as we really want to see their academic progress from the fall. I will be giving out prizes to all students who make academic growth from their fall Diagnostic Reading Scores. LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!
ELA: This week students are really beginning to get into their first narrative writing piece. They are working on their story structure in order to create a plot line that will flow properly and engage the reader. Students are also learning the importance of interesting characters who can push a plot forward.
We continue to work on our Study Sync Unit “In the Dark.”
Intermittently we continue to read HOLES by Louis Sachar, a story told through a series of flashbacks.
SS: Students continue to work on the natural landscape of Africa. We are learning about the bodies of water that include the rivers and waterfalls of Africa. Students will also begin doing a research project on one of the 54 countries in Africa. Students will randomly receive a country to research and projects will be presented to the class. I am excited to see all the amazing discoveries we unearth from this beautiful region of our planet.
Ms. Silveira: 6th Grade Science: This week, we used Slinky’s to discover how waves and force are related. We have also been working on academic vocabulary in Science. Ask your child about it! We have been having a lot of fun!
Mr. Taylor: ELA – We are in Unit 3 in Study sync and examining how students figure things out when there are no instructions.
SS- Reading up on East African politics and society and some of the events that occur in that part of the continent.
Mr. LeGrand: Mathematics: Students will apply their understanding of equations to solve equations that involves rational numbers. They will extend prior work with expressions and equations to include writing and solving inequalities.
Social Studies: This week in Social Studies, students will get the option to create either a poster, an ad, a song, or a commercial video to help raise awareness about elephant poaching and the need for conservation.
Ms. Lane: Science: The students completed their test on Density and the Physical Properties. They began a new journey about Waves and their applications in technologies and Information Transfer. Their mission will be to design a device that uses light waves to communicate instead of digital signals. They will create a sales pitch that includes a visual as well as an explanation of how the device works, and how it would make life easier, and the advantages of using light waves over digital signals. After completing their investigations, they will take time to look for examples of these concepts in the world around them.
Social Studies: The students are studying Africa. They are learning the physical geographies of Africa. They have also read about the Ivory Wars and how important it is for us to try and figure out a way to stop the poachers, the Ivory trade and the black market. We are also discussing ways to save the Elephants from extinction. This is a topic that I would like to see the students discuss with their parents to help them brainstorm ideas.
Ms. Tarbox: Yellow and Orange groups are continuing to work on character develpment by writing their own narratives in ELA. In small group pull-out, students have been discussing story elements. Be on the lookout for emails regarding updated Fountas & Pinnell reading levels! We are in the process of administering our mid-year benchmark assessments. This will assess progress in fluency, decoding, and reading comprehension since our last assessment in October. In math, both Yellow and Orange groups are working their way through Topic 4. We are learning about the Property of Equality for all operations as well as inverse relationships to solve one-step equations. As always, please reach out to Mrs. Tarbox with any questions or concerns regarding any subject area, mtarbox@haverhill-ps.org.
GRADE 7:
Mrs. Berthiaume: In ELA, students did a fabulous job designing movie posters for our story “We Beat the Street.” So creative! Students will be taking the winter iReady diagnostic (reading) next week. Ancient Greece is where we have landed in Social Studies. We have lots of exploring ahead of us! One last thing: when students are absent, they should check Google Classroom for assignments. Assignments do need to be made up. Thank you!
Mrs. Trombly: Math classes will be starting there second diagnostic on I ready next week. Call we are finishing up on equations and will be moving on briefly to inequalities. Please have your children check online if they are absent or message me through the Remind app
Mrs. MacKinnon: We have finished our unit on weathering and erosion. Students have learned the difference between chemical and Mechanical weathering, the five agents of erosion and what deposition means. They had a test on Friday on these concepts and we will be beginning a new unit on geoscience processes nd how Earth’s surface has changed over time. This will include learning and discussing plate tectonics. I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
Ms. DiGloria: For students in Green and Blue ELA, students will begin the week by completing their iReady diagnostic. Then, we will read a poem (“Dreams” by Langston Hughes) and another text, “All Together Now” to continue exploring our Unit 3 theme of Chasing The Impossible. In Social Studies, we will go on a virtual “field trip” across ancient Greece! Students will explore the sights and learn more about Greek geography and important landmarks. We’ll end the week by completing a final map activity. Progress Reports are fast approaching – please keep up to date with your student’s grades and missing work.
Mr. Auger: Hello everyone! This week in my 7th grade science classes, students completed the unit on weathering and erosion. We began the week with an interactive lesson that required students to use Google Maps to view different examples of weathering and erosion found throughout the globe and make scientific observations on what they saw. We finished the week with a test on weathering and erosion. Next week, we will begin our next unit, geoscience processes. In my 7th grade social studies class, students worked to expand their knowledge of Japan and Korea. Next week, we will finish up learning about the history and culture of these two countries.
Mr. Harris: Green – students will be taking their Winter iReady Diagnostic testing. We will also be going back to chapter 2 to work on Proportional Relationships
Blue – students will be taking their Winter iReady Diagnostic testing. Students will be finishing up Chapter 4 on generating equivalent expressions.
Ms. Bilmazes & Ms. Holmes: In ELA, students have begun reading ‘The First Americans” and begun a discussion on Native Americans. In Math, students are continuing to work on the distributive property using variables and begun subtraction of like numbers and variables. Mrs. Holmes and I have been meeting, during the success block, with those students who have pull-out support in Math and ELA. This time is spent working on a variety of interventions, such as iReady, additional practice, help with homework and classwork support. In addition, students are receiving support in the classroom from myself, Mrs. Holmes, and/or Ms. Credit. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
GRADE 8:
Mr. Lewis: English has finished The Outsiders! Students will have one more reading quiz on Chapters 11 and 12 tomorrow, 1/20.
Ms. Deblasis: We will continue to work on Topic 4: Investigate Bivariate Data. Specifically, we will interpret 2-way frequency tables and relative frequency tables.
Mr. Marinella: ELA– Blue and Purple English has started a new novel that we are going to be reading and dissecting; The Call of the Wild. This story is about a dog named Buck who experiences hardships at the hands of his masters and must ultimately find freedom in the Yukon. While men fight and search for gold, Buck will be fighting and searching for his true identity, one that is tied to his wild ancestry. This book is overcoming hardship, connecting with your past, and becoming who you truly are. We are also learning how and why authors use figurative language in their writing, and how we can master this tricky skill
Civics– After understanding how the nation was damaged during the Civil War, 8th grade Civics has been looking into the Civil Rights movement, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow. Learning about this dark time in American history can create a generation of conscious and thoughtful individuals who can make sure discrimination such as this never happens again. We are focusing primarily on Civil Rights leaders who helped bring equality back to the forefront of our nation’s mind.
Ms. Sullivan: We just completed our unit on the structure of matter. This week will explore different materials to determine if a chemical reaction occurred. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Mr. Blaustein: We have completed our Lesson on the Civil War Amendments and we are taking the Quiz Thursday and Friday of this week. We are beginning our Lesson on the Civil Rights Movement which will conclude the chapter. We will be preparing for a Chapter test after the quiz for Lesson 4 The Civil Rights Movement.
Mr. Harris: Students will be taking their Winter iReady Diagnostic testing. We will also be starting our unit on Functions.
Ms. MacKinnon: We are continuing on our chemistry unit. Students are learning the difference between atoms, elements, molecules and compounds. We have been building these elements using interlocking blocks to learn the differences. Next we will be learning the difference between mixtures and solutions. Hope everyone has a nice weekend.
Ms. Senior: Essay writing time in ELA, with students working to create a thesis on their chosen “Outsiders” characters. In Math, plotting points, Y intercept, slope and other phrases are being used by students to better understand Y = mx + b.
Ms. Blanchette: We are about half way through this school year and students continue to explore grade level curriculum and work to improve skills needed to master essential content. Students will also be completing the iReady reading and math diagnostic next week. Please check in with your child to ensure they are up to date with all assignments and understand the content. If you have any questions please reach out to me. I look forward to another great week here at Whittier!
SPECIALISTS:
Physical Education: (Mr. Demarais): Our classes are currently in a short football unit. Our next unit will be a net games unit. Volleyball, badminton, and tennis skills will be taught.
Art (Ms. Boulger): The students in 7,8 blue and orange groups are working a variety of mixed media art assignments such as murals, paintings, sculptures and drawings! Students in grades 5 and 6 are making pinch pots and small clay sculptures while learning the stages of clay.
The art department is looking for donations of the following:
new/used sports equipment (specifically footballs, and basketballs)
new/used frames
new/used/ unused plastic or glass jars to store mixed paint.
new/used T-shirts to use as smocks.
Artwork by Jack
Health (Ms. Reynolds): Grade 5 – We have begun our Substance Abuse Unit and this week’s focus will be on smoking.
Grade 6 – This week we are beginning our Tobacco and NIcotine Unit. We will explore the dangers of cigarettes and vape products.
Grade 7 – The Online Safety and Cyberbullying unit begins this week. Students will take a survey of their on-line habits at the beginning of the unit.
Grade 8 – Substance Abuse projects are due this week. All slideshows must be submitted in the Health Google Classroom. The Mental Health Unit begins midweek.
Library (Ms. Michitson): This week we are focused on newspapers from all over the country. The objective is to learn about another resource to explore.
Very active with our contest and looking forward to continuing reading our new books.
Technology (Mr. Gordon): Grade 8 began lessons on properly and professionally sending emails.
Grades 7 & 6 continued working on digital mosaics
Grade 5 continued to work with coding on Code.org
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF
Guidance (Ms. Vlahos): Essex Tech and Whittier Tech have scheduled their interview dates for 8th grade applicants!
Essex Tech Interviews: this coming Friday, January 28, 2022 at JG Whittier Middle School. Interviews will be held from 11am and conclude at 2:30pm. Each applicant shall have been notified of their interview time. If you have a question, please contact Mrs. Vlahos.
Whittier Tech Interviews: Monday, February 14, 2022 and Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at JG Whittier Middle School. Interviews will be held from 9am and conclude by 8th grade lunch each day. Each applicant will be notified of their interview appointment by the end of the first week of February.
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): Great job to my student leaders this week who ran our social groups like the SUPER STARS that they are.
Next week we will focus on “Setting Boundaries”.
To most students, boundaries are the lines drawn between states or nations. Your child will also learn that boundaries also pertain to relationships—rules that tell us what we can and can’t do. We will discuss how boundaries apply in families, school, and society.
We will also talk about the types of rules pertaining to boundaries, for example—rigid (hard-and-fast), clear (firm but appropriate), and fuzzy (inconsistent or nonexistent).
As always, if you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to reach out @ tmidolo@haverhill-ps.org
Student Adjustment Counselor (Ms. White): We continue to work on managing our emotions and building coping strategies. I am available to support all students and families. Please do not hesitate to contact me at shelby.white@haverhill-ps.org.
Middle School Support Program (Mrs. Leydon & Mr. Diffin): Next week we will be doing our monthly binder checks to ensure things are in the proper places and to recycle/bring home old materials that aren’t needed anymore. Reach out with any questions or concerns!
Parent Liaison (Ms. Arias-Reyes): Recordatorio: 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. 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. ¡Que tengan un buen fin de semana!
ELL (Ms. Khakali & Corporan): Our newcomer English language learners are continuing Unit 3: On the Job. This unit focuses on the vocabulary of actions & careers. Students are learning how to give information, and ask & answer questions in English. Our Level 3-5 English learners will begin the first unit in 3D English – which is a powerful language development program designed to accelerate proficiency in academic language. Next week the students will begin reading and analyzing “Can Video Games Take Your Brain to the Next Level?” Students will begin utilizing new academic vocabulary to dive into this high interest topic.
Student Support Center (Mrs. Greenwood): We are more than half way through January already!. The kids are doing well. We are here to support all of the kids to make sure that they have their best year yet. Please reach out to Mrs. Greenwood or Miss House if you have any questions and or concerns.
Reading Intervention Team (Ms. Guthrie, Ms. Carney, Ms. Trovato): All students will be taking the 2nd iReady diagnostic benchmark between now and February break. The instructional coaches and classroom teachers use these tests to compare student data from the beginning-of-year benchmark to this one in order to plan targeted interventions and enrichment. A third, final, iReady benchmark will be taken at the end of the school year.
Math Coach (Mr. Stelzer): All students will be taking the 2nd iReady diagnostic benchmark between now and February break. The instructional coaches and classroom teachers use these tests to compare student data from the beginning-of-year benchmark to this one in order to plan targeted interventions and enrichment. A third, final, iReady benchmark will be taken at the end of the school year.