MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL & MAIN OFFICE NEWS

 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16^TH IS AN EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL STUDENTS: Dismissal time will be at 11:05am.

• 2^nd Trimester Report Cards will be available via the Student/Parent Portal on Friday, March 18^th 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

MCAS: MCAS Testing Schedule 2022

March News: This month, the school theme is grit. When you work hard toward a goal, overcome challenges, and stick with it even when it’s hard…that’s grit! Star Poet Society winners for the month of March will be selected based on this theme.

Congratulations to all winners for the month of February, based on the theme of Empathy! The winners are: Shealeigh S., Mariana S. Sarriyah B., Isabella G., Ava C., Ricky G., Delia E., Lacey S., Lana T., Melani A.G., Gavin G., Jackson C., Brodie M., Ari M., Kayleigh D., Jackson C., Kaelie M., Nadyiah T., Lyn R., Fotini Z., Nevaeh M., Nevaeh B., Grace H., Nicky B., Eusebio A., Reese N., Jayslee H., AnaBella B., Charlie S., Christopher H., Zoey P., Natalie H., Kiara S., Nathan C., Karina P., & Gracelin S.

BUSES: There has been some overcrowding on our buses, specifically in the afternoon. Due to this fact, we will begin checking student’s bus passes prior to boarding buses the week of 3/14. Please make sure that your bus student has their bus pass in their possession.

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/

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 meets on the 2^nd 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 · April 14th · May 12th · June 9^th

SPORTS:

Volleyball: Boys & Girls Practice on Monday 3/14 & Girls practice on Friday 3/18

Games: Tuesday 3/15 @ Consentino (Girls play 1^st) & Thursday 3/17 vs. Sacred Hearts (Boys play 1^st)

CLUB NEWS:

DANCE TEAM: Dance team will meet on Monday, 3/14 after school in the cafeteria.

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: All popcorn fundraiser forms will are due by Monday March 14th and we will submit them on Thursday March 17th.  The popcorn will be delivered on April 6th to the school.  There will be no meeting the Month of March due to volleyball after school and 8th grade having foreign language before school.    Applications for 6th and 7th graders that are looking to join National Junior honor society will be going out by the end of the month.  Stay tuned for that and if you have any questions please email me @ lmackinnon@haverhill-ps.org

JR VIP:  No Jr VIP meeting this week.  Stay tuned for next meeting!!

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CLUB: We will be moving into weekly meetings, splitting the group into 2 campaigns. On Tuesday, Group A (lowerclassmen) will meet, and Thursday Group B (upperclassmen) will meet. All meetings will take place in room 15, and generally last until 4pm at the latest. Students are only required to bring a notebook and pencil, but if they have a set of dice they can bring them too, although dice can be provided to those who do not have them!

DRAMA CLUB: 2022 Spring Musical: Moana Jr.

Please consider visiting www.jgwdrama.com to make a donation today!!

NEWS FROM OUR NURSES OFFICE:

Hello JGW Families!

Due to the pandemic, our office has been behind on immunization review and necessary screenings for our students. We will be reviewing immunization records more intently. If you have any updated immunization records or physical exam paperwork, please send a copy to me or send it to school with your student to the nurse’s office.

We are also looking for any clothing donations to keep in our office in case students are in need of a change of clothes. Any contribution is greatly appreciated! Sizing preference varies: Pants, sweatpants, jeans, leggings, tshirts (long sleeve or short sleeve) and socks are needed. We have students from grades 5 to 8, therefore any sizing that may be appropriate for this age group is welcome! Thank you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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 use their conceptual understanding of multiplying fractions to divide unit fractions by whole numbers.  In addition, this topic will give them much needed background information for further topics, which will ask them to convert measurements from one unit to another.  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 completed their last scope to the unit of Interactions in Matter.  This week, we begin Unit 3 – What role does water play on our Earth, and what steps can be taken to conserve it?  Students will be asked to model, as well as be able to describe the cycling of water through evaporation, precipitation, absorption, runoff, and condensation.  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. Marciano: SS: We will be discussing what it was like to live during the American Revolution, as well as what the colonists gained by winning the war. Students will have a Unit 5 assessment at the end of the week.

ELA: We are three weeks away from the ELA MCAS, so we will be spending time reviewing different skills in order to make sure students feel confident and can be successful on the assessment.

Ms. Hogan: We spent all of this week on our DBQ essay! We worked hard to plan out our writing using a graphic organizer, and then we took the information from our graphic organizers to write our essay. Most students were able to finish their essay during class, but a few students need to finish typing this weekend. Next week, we will return to our discussion about the Revolutionary War. We will learn about some of the major battles in the war and the hardships that both the Americans and the British faced.

Ms. LaCoste: Biography book report books should be chosen by this point and students should begin reading and note taking as soon as possible.  Assignment details can be found on your Google Classroom.  We’ll be doing the final project in class, but students should do the bulk of reading and note taking at home. This week students have practiced using the writing with colors method to write response essays about a reading passage.  We also reviewed test taking strategies including identifying important parts of a question and the process of elimination.   Grades closed this week and term three began today!  As always- feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!

Ms. Consolazio: In science, we are finishing up our scope on Mixtures.   Students continued to learn about physical changes, chemical changes, mixtures, and solutions.   The students took a quiz on Wednesday and wrote a CER on their knowledge of chemical changes and mixtures. I will be assigning MCAS practice in science for homework each week.  Please make sure students bring their Chromebook charged every day for class.

Mr. Kelly: This week, we started working on Multiplying Fractions. We will be working on this skill for the next two weeks. Afterwards, we will go into Dividing with Fractions. As a reminder, homework is given out on Monday and is due on Friday. If any student needs help, I am available to stay after school on any day to provide support.

Ms. Lees: Students in Fifth grade Orange and Green Groups will continue learning to multiply and divide fractions. In ELA we will be responding to informational text in writing. 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 everyday 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 now in trimester 3! Students continue to engage in grade level curriculum. Report cards will be available to view on schoolbrains next Friday, March 18. Extra help will be offered after school on Tuesday and Thursday next week with Ms. Blanchette. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Have a great week!

GRADE 6:

Ms. Hamel: I would like to Congratulate Nadyiah T, of the Red Group for winning the Student of the Month. This month’s theme was “EMPATHY”- Great Job and keep up this beautiful quality!!!

ELA: Students have been working on the Theme: Personal Best and are concentrating on School Bullying. Students have read some fictional stories on the topic and this week will work on Argumentative Essays on whether or not schools are doing their best to keep students safe from bullying. They will read articles on both sides and write a well formulated essay on the side they choose.

We continue our Novel Study on A LONG WALK TO WATER and students have had wonderful class discussions on the impoverished and oppressed people of Africa. I applaud their honesty and curiosity as well as becoming informed thinkers.

SS: We begin our trip into South Africa and the Political Divisions of this great continent. This first section introduces the three regions and the 12 countries of South America. Students are learning how the regions differ in size and population, and are studying data about the largest countries and cities within each region. Students are also focusing on the unique and interesting capital cities of this amazing continent.

Mr. Taylor: ELA – Continuing on in Unit 4  in Study sync answering the question; Which character traits matter most?.

SS-Analyzing documents for the spring DBQ social studies writing assignment.

Mr. LeGrand: Mathematics:  Previous in this lesson students solved problems using rates.  In this week’s lessons, students will work with customary units of measure to learn two approaches to converting measurement units.  Students will also learn to convert metric units of measure and convert between measurement systems.

Social Studies:  Students are working on completing the second Document Based Question essay.

Once students are done, we will begin studying South America.  Students will learn how the regions differ in size and population and study data about the largest countries and cities within each region.  Students will also learn about the capital cities of South America.

Ms. Lane: Science: Student Grades closed 3/10/22. Please ask your student if they did all of their make-up work. The yellow group also begins new Specials for the spring on 3/11/22, they will participate in Art and Health.

Social Studies: Student Grades closed 3/10/22. Please ask your student if they did all of their make-up work. If you have any questions or concerns always communicate with me. I stay after school everday until 3:45pm and welcome my students to stay with me for extra help and also a quiet place to get work done. This way if they do have a question they may ask me directly. My email address is stacy.lane@haverhill-ps.org

Ms. Tarbox: Next week, both Yellow and Orange groups will continue with the novel study, “A Long Walk to Water” in ELA. During small group pull out sessions, students will dive into MCAS test taking strategies while continuing to support progress toward individual goals. In math, both groups just completed a mid year benchmark assessment. We will continue working with ratios as we work through Topic 5. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns, mtarbox@haverhill-ps.org.

GRADE 7:

Mrs. Berthiaume: In ELA, we have started Unit 4.  Make sure you turn in your assignments in StudySync– it’s easy to forget sometimes.  ELA MCAS will be April 11 and 12.  In Social Studies, we worked on the spring DBQ.  The third (and final) trimester started today, March 11.  Let’s make this last trimester the best one ever!

Mrs. MacKinnon: We have finished up our unit on human impact on the environment.  We had some great discussions within that lesson. We will begin with our next unit on Electricity and Magnetism.   We will be Analyzing data to describe the effect of distance and magnitude of electric charge on the strength of electric forces.  We will also be  using scientific evidence to argue that fields exist between objects with mass, between magnetic objects, and between electrically charged objects that exert force on each other even though the objects are not in contact.  Hope everyone has a nice weekend

Ms. DiGloria: In Blue and Green English next week, students will be reading an informational text. We will also continue to work with nonfiction by working on idea generation and writing flash fiction. We’ll end the week by completing another MCAS practice. In Social Studies, students will be completing their second (and last) DBQ essay. This is an important benchmark assessment.

Mr. Auger: Hello everyone! This week in my 7th grade science class, we finished our unit on human impact on the environment.  Students learned about different types of renewable and non renewable energy sources and their impact on the environment.  Next week, we will begin our next unit which will explore electric and magnetic forces. In my 7th grade social studies class, students began working on their second DBQ (Document Based Question) assignment of the year.  This DBQ requires students to analyze how ancient Greek inventions/contributions still impact our world today.  Have a great weekend!

Mr. Harris: Green and Blue – students are hard at work on our percentages unit.  We ended the week looking at percent change/error, as well as price markups and markdowns.  To finish the unit, we will look at simple interest.  Be on the look for some assessments coming!  We also start a new term this week!

Ms. Bilmazes & Ms. Holmes: Grades have closed so it’s time to focus on trimester three. In ELA , students have begun the Moment of Truth unit, discussing the core vocabulary as well as working on writing essays based on “Casey at the Bat” in preparation for MCAS. In Math, students completed their benchmark assessments, as well as continuing to work on proportionality, using cross multiplication. 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: We have been studying persuasive techniques such as using logic, emotion, and credibility to communicate important ideas. Students have been watching and reading Charlie Chaplin’s speech from his comedy the Great Dictator to practice identifying and explaining this strategies.

Ms. Deblasis: We will complete Topic 5: Solving Systems of Linear Equations.  We will be learning how to use the Elimination Method.

Mr. Marinella: ELA– Blue and Purple are moving into a new unit! Instead of analyzing a whole novel, we will be looking at short stories and essays. The focus is trying to find the correct words to make arguments in order to effectively prove a point to readers.

Civics– Civics is moving into our last DBQ of the year! This is a writing assignment that will span a few weeks. We will be reading and dissecting primary sources from or about the Constitution in order to understand how that Founding Document ensures that no one person or group becomes too powerful or tyrannical. After all sources are read and analyzed, we will be writing a 5 paragraph essay to show what we have learned and answer the essential question.

Ms. Sullivan: This week we will be starting our unit on Newton’s Laws.  We will be looking to Provide evidence that the change in an object’s speed depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. Our focus will be on balanced and unbalanced forces in a system, qualitative comparisons of forces, mass, and changes in speed in one dimension.

Mr. Blaustein: This week we are studying How Congress works Ch 5 Lesson 3. I expect the quiz to be early next week. We will work on the Civics Project after completing the quiz as well as the next class. Our next topic, Ch 5 Lesson 4, will be How A Bill Becomes A Law.

Mr. Harris: students are running through our data unit.  Students have been working with scatter plots and trend lines.  Now we will use those to make predictions based on our data, before moving into frequency tables.  Be on the lookout for some assessments coming!  We also start a new term this week!

Ms. MacKinnon: We have finished up heat and matter and are now beginning on our next unit on Newton’s Laws. We will be  Developing a model that demonstrates Newton’s third law involving the motion of two colliding objects. We will also be presenting information that illustrates how a product can be created using basic processes in manufacturing systems, including forming, separating, conditioning, assembling, finishing, quality control, and safety. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of human vs. computer control of these processes.  Hope everyone has a nice weekend

Ms. Senior: Eighth graders are completing the district-wide benchmark testing and continuing with systems of equations. In ELA, students are examining complex text and working on vocabulary to stretch their knowledge of more intricate writing.

Ms. Blanchette: We are now in trimester 3! Students continue to engage in grade level curriculum. Report cards will be available to view on schoolbrains next Friday, March 18. Extra help will be offered after school on Tuesday and Thursday next week with Ms. Blanchette. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Have a great week!

SPECIALISTS:

Physical Education: (Mr. Demarais): We will be moving to our third trimester on Friday.  Orange and blue groups will be transitioning to physical education.  We will be beginning each class with a half mile walk weather permitting.  Please make sure to dress for the weather. Make sure to have sneakers as well as a water bottle for class.  Our first unit will be team field sports.  (hockey, soccer, lacrosse, ultimate.)

Art (Ms. Boulger): Grades closed for the Blue and Orange Groups and the Purple and Yellow groups will be starting art this trimester.

Artwork by Elena

Health (Ms. Reynolds): New Term and new classes begin!!

grade 5 – Unit on Self Esteem and how to improve our self esteem

grade 6 – Unit on Healthy Habits and the Health Triangle

grade 7 – Unit on Goal Setting and setting goals for life

grade 8 – Unit on Decision Making and ways to make healthy decisions

Music (Mr. Gariepy): Hi JGW Friends and Families!! This week was our last week in trimester two. Grades are posted and can be found on SchoolBrains. We finished with one last guitar lesson, as well as open studio time with both pianos and guitars. Some classes also had the opportunity to play Music Jeopardy with me as well. Have a great weekend!!

Library (Ms. Michitson): Hello Families.  Our book contest is over,and the well deserved pizza parties are next week.  Students learned a lot this term, we covered newspaper articles, discussed favorite books,Wall street, the Ukraine  war and NATO with the 7&8th graders only.

Friday starts a new trimester and I am looking forward to meeting new students.  Thank you

Technology (Mr. Gordon): All grades this week are taking time to finish any incomplete assignments, and doing practice with coding.

SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF

Guidance (Ms. Vlahos): Over the next few weeks, the 8th grade course registration process will be underway for Haverhill High School. Eighth grade teachers will be inputting course level recommendations and 8th grade students and students and families will be receiving information on course options and electives available at Haverhill High.  Stay tuned for more information on high school course registration as it will be forthcoming!

Haverhill High School CTE interviews are scheduled for Wednesday,  March 23 and Thursday, March 24.  All applicants scheduled to interview have been given their interview appointment times at school on Wednesday March 9.  If you have a question about your interview, please see Mrs. Vlahos in the Guidance office.

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): Loyalty, Compassion and Self-Sacrifice: SEL Lesson on the four dragons

This origin story folktale of the four major rivers in China teaches empathy and accountability. Four Dragons take pity on a village that has not had rain and suffers destruction due to drought.  The Dragons contradict the authority of the Jade Emperor and pay the ultimate price for their empathy.  It introduces 4 Awesome Questions** to initiate an open ethical discussion that fosters critical thinking and social emotional learning objectives.

*Like many old tales, the four Dragons teaches a social emotional lesson as well as reinforcing geography. Use this lesson in conjunction with world studies, diversity, and social justice curriculum.

**Four Awesome Questions: Before you speak or act, first ask . . . Is it True? Is it Fair? Will it Build Community and Better Friendship? Will it be Helpful to those Involved?

Student Adjustment Counselor (Ms. White): 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 shelby.white@haverhill-ps.org.  I look forward to our continued work in support of a healthy, safe, and successful school year!  We continue to work on developing coping strategies and how we can utilize them across our day!

Middle School Support Program (Mrs. Leydon & Mr. Diffin): We are officially entering our last trimester! We will be doing our monthly binder checks to ensure all our materials are sorted and/or recycled to start the trimester off with a clean slate. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Parent Liaison (Ms. Arias-Reyes): Estaré fuera el próximo viernes 18 de marzo, habrá alguien cubriendo por mí que podrá ayudarlos. Cuando se acerque la fecha les enviaré la información de contacto por la aplicación Remind. También, pueden llamar a la escuela directamente y ellos les pueden dar su información a la traductora/intérprete que estará cubriendo por mí y la traductora/intérprete les devolverá la llamada. ¡Gracias y que tengan un buen fin de semana!

Student Support Center (Mrs. Greenwood): We are getting through the month of March!. The school year is flying by. We are here to support all students.  Please reach out to Mrs. Greenwood or Ms. House if you have any questions and or concerns. Have a great weekend.

Reading Intervention Team (Ms. Guthrie, Ms. Carney, Ms. Trovato): Happy March! This week has been a busy one for the literacy center. We have been working with new teachers and intervention groups. Unit 4 in Study Synch has just started for grades 6-8. We are looking forward to reading “hard copies” of StudySync novels at the end of this Unit. Have a great weekend.

Math Coach (Mr. Stelzer): All students are taking the 2nd district math benchmark this week. Beginning next week, math teachers will meet with the math coach to review data from the benchmark results in order to plan interventions, re-teaching and/or enrichment.