MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL & MAIN OFFICE NEWS
FRIDAY, MAY 27th is an Early Release Day: All students will be released at 11:05am
NEW PRINCIPAL UPDATE: I am very excited for the JGW community to welcome our new Principal, Matt Condon! I have attached a link below to a letter from Mr. Condon and his entry/transition plan into JG Whittier for your review. You will notice that there will be opportunities to set up a personal meet with Mr. Condon via a link that is shared in the attached plan. Please make sure to check that out!
English Copy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QZjCfMa4jeSGHgw_q2eAHoh4PE0sxv4fu6MKCeqF_o/edit?usp=sharing
Spanish Copy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G8QHcOgBIrSRRxhQgqlgZ3AL5XQ1LU8ITIGM6_11IjE/edit?usp=sharing
Portuguese Copy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AUmZkB9vypMEB2p5GEJSpBfNpVaFP0dal7D3yHUfx6g/edit?usp=sharing
I look forward to Mr. Condon making his first visit to JGW on Tuesday, May 24th to spend the day, and his continued transition into the JGW community. I hope you will all help me welcome him into our community!
Thanks,
Tim Betty
Principal
COVID UPDATE: As most of you are aware, Covid numbers are once again on the rise. With only a few weeks left in our school year, we ask that everyone stay vigilant to the best practices used throughout this pandemic. We are highly encouraging staff & students to wear masks, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and maintain appropriate physical distance. If you are feeling unwell, please consider testing, regardless of vaccine status. If you are experiencing symptoms and are in the building please see our nurse. Masking continues to be one of the most effective mitigation measures to prevent COVID.We are seeing cases in both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students, and in those who have had COVID in the past. Thank you for your attention to this.
JGW 2022 SPRING BOOK FAIR:
8th GRADE NEWS: As we approach the end of the school year, there will be some fun activities for the entire 8th grade to participate in. A permission packet should have gone home with all 8th grade students this week. The schedule is as follow:
Monday 6/6: Academy Lanes
Tuesday 6/7: Chunky’s in Pelham
Wednesday 6/8: Cedardale in Groveland
Thursday 6/9: Walking trip to Winnekenni Castle & Field Day
Friday 6/10: Canobie Lake Park
Please remind your 8th grade student about our “Good Standing Policy” and expectations. This was shared with all 8th grade families via email on 4/25/22.
8th grade promotion will be held on Tuesday evening, June 14th at 6pm. (Dance to follow)
In order to make the dance a memorable one for our 8th graders, we are looking for some 8th grade parents to volunteer to help decorate for the dance. Please reach out to Mrs. MacKinnon if you are interested (lmackinnon@haverhill-ps.org). Thank you!
May News: For the month of May, our school theme is ‘unsung hero.’ Someone who is an unsung hero is someone who often does the right thing, but does not always get the recognition they deserve. This month, teachers will select students for JGW’s Star Poet Society based on this theme. This means that teachers will select students they feel do the right thing and have yet to be truly recognized for consistently doing so. Unsung heroes are often quiet leaders who are strong role models for their peers. This month, winners can be chosen based on a variety of ways! It could be related to academics, behavior, or anything else that aligns to keeping up with expectations at school.
The Helping Hillie:
BCBA Spring Newsletter – Spanish
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: 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 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 · June 9th
SPORTS:
Track & Field: Grades 5 & 6 have their track meet after school at HHS on Tuesday, May 24th. The 7th & 8th grades have their meet on Tuesday, May 31st. Come cheer on your classmates as they compete to take the events!! Parents will be charged $3 for the track meet. All students are free.
CLUB NEWS:
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: There will be a meeting on Wednesday May 25, from 2:45- 3:30. All hours are due this day. Please make every effort to attend. Permission slips have gone out for the two trips we have planned. Please bring them back as soon as possible. The induction banquet is on June 1st at 5:30 pm in the cafeteria.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CLUB: We are still meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays depending on availability and which groups students have been assigned. All players will need is a pencil, and preferably a notebook. If they have their own dice sets, now would be the time to use them! There are extras that will be made available to those who need them, and parents do not need to purchase anything for their child to be in DnD club! Please pay attention to the Google Classroom for updates on meeting times and cancellations.
DRAMA CLUB: FRIDAY, MAY 27th from 4pm-8pm Join Mr. Gariepy & the Cast of Moana Jr. at The Friendly Toast in North Andover for dinner!! 20% of the restaurant’s net profits will be donated to Moana Jr, regardless of who shows up to eat that night!! There will be raffle prizes and a merchandise table as well, so don’t miss out on this exciting and fun night!!
FRIDAY, JUNE 3rd – SUNDAY, JUNE 5th
JGW Drama Club & Mr. Gariepy Present:
Moana Jr. @ Consentino Middle School
Tickets are $8 for students/seniors and $10 for all others. Visit www.jgwdrama.com to buy your tickets today!!
NEWS FROM OUR NURSES OFFICE:
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, our nursing office is going through records to ensure we updated orders, up to date medications and physicals/immunizations. If you are able to get this paperwork ahead of time, it would be greatly appreciated for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please be aware that we are seeing a significant increase in COVID cases in our district. The nurse’s office has plenty of mask supply and testing resources for students.
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 past week in math, students completed their “Life in a Geometrical Town” and presented this to their classmates. They did a great job and their confidence is heartwarming. This week, students will pick a project from various 5th grade topics to showcase in their gallery walk. In science, students designed, built, and tested their feat of a water filter. They further had to predict if their water filter would remove particles in dirty water and why, as well as observe, analyze, and compare the performance of different filter materials. This week, we will circle back to wonder, why do objects in the sky appear to move and change so much? Students will work on a “Constellation Project” that has them researching, writing, and modeling. 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: Ask your child about their NEW VOCABULARY word they discovered in ELA! We will be reading a novel, “Frindle” by Andrew Clements, for the rest of the year in ELA. Students will be reading independently and in groups. Students will also be working with each other to complete activities for this book.
SS: We have finished discussing how advancements in transportation and technology shaped the new nation. We will be moving into Lesson 3: Who Were the People Living in the Early United States. We will be discussing how people’s experiences in the young nation were affected by their race, ethnicity, and gender.
Ms. Hogan: In social studies, we have been learning about what life was like during the 19th century. We thought about what it would have been like to travel across the country on the wagon and we considered how the Native Americans felt about people moving onto their land. Next week, we will be learning more about how the Native Americans were mistreated by the United States government. We will also discuss slavery and the abolitionist movement.
Ms. LaCoste: In ELA this week students have been sharpening their research skills while working on their nonfiction informative essays. They’ve chosen topics, identified 3 subtopics and begun to research information to write about each subtopic. They will include a table of contents, headings, pictures, captions, bold words, and a glossary in their final reports. In other stations, students continue to work on word work and reading comprehension. Over the next 2 weeks, every student will complete a Fountas and Pinnell Reading Benchmark assessment to measure their year’s reading progress. As always, feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Ms. Consolazio: In science, we are finishing our scope on Observing the Stars. Students will be working in groups and designing their own constellations, writing a story about it, and presenting it to the class. Next Wednesday, there will be a science quiz on this scope. Please make sure students bring their Chromebook charged every day for class.
Mr. Kelly: The students worked on another project this week learning the expenses and revenue of being in a band. We will finish this project early next week. After that we will start another project. For the next couple of weeks, we will be doing project-based learning activities in our classroom. The goal is for the students to be practicing the skills we have been learning all year but in real-life situations. On top of that, we will be practicing math fluency to increase the skills for the students. I will continue to be staying after school on Wednesdays if any students want to stay for extra support.
Ms. Lees: Fifth graders in Orange and Green Groups are working hard on project based lessons in both Math and ELA. 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: Students are working towards completing the standards for this grade level as the year comes to an end. Students are completing projects to show their knowledge on the curriculum. We have some fun things planned for the end of the year for students so please ensure your student is completing work and attending school. We look forward to another great week!
GRADE 6:
Ms. Hamel: ELA: Students continue to work on our fourth novel study of the year, Esperanza Rising. Discussion about strikes have come up and students will be creating their own “picket signs” and how strikes have both positive and negative impacts.
We have also begun new lessons on Social Emotional Learning by watching movies with strong SEL themes and working on higher order question packets. Students are really diving into what makes us people who have strong coping mechanisms, positive decision making skills, and empathetic values. Our first Movie Guide was “Because of Winn Dixie.” I implore you to ask your students about the major themes of the movie.
SS: Students are finishing up South America Culture packets and moving into Ancient Civilizations of South America and their impacts on society today. We will explore the Aztec, Inca and Mayan people and begin our next project on developing your own Ancient Civilization- what would you need and how could you survive without our modern day techniques.
Ms. Silveira: Next week in math, we’re going to take all of the information we have learned about statistics and the data that it shows and begin a statistics project.
In science, we switched things around a bit. We just finished our Cell Architect projects so now we will begin our 3D models of cells! Students can come up with their own ideas of what they will use to make each part of their cell. Please have them bring in any materials that they need, as we will be working on it in class and at home.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me.
Ashley.Silveira@haverhill-ps.org
Mr. Taylor: ELA – Continuing answering the question; Which character traits matter most while reading Ghost. We are also continuing our grammar work.
SS-Putting the finishing touches on our South American country presentations. Moving on to Ancient Civilizations Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas
Mr. LeGrand: Mathematics: Last year, students found the volumes of prisms with whole-number edge lengths using unit cubes and volume formulas. In this lesson, students find the volume of right rectangular prisms with fractional edge lengths.
Social Studies: Students are completing their South America project and will be watching the movie RIO.
Ms. Lane: Science: The students will turn in their Human Body Systems project on Monday 5/23/22. We have moved onto FOSSILS are mineral replacements, preserved remains, or traces of organisms that lived in the past. Thousands of layers of sedimentary rock provide evidence of the history of Earth itself and of changes in organisms whose fossil remains have been found in those layers. The collection of fossils and their placement in chronological order (e.g. through the location of the sedimentary layers in which they are found or through radioactive dating) is known as the fossil record. It documents the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of many life forms throughout the history of life on Earth.
Social Studies: The students are doing a project in South America. They will present their project on a poster board and they will describe the celebrations and religions of the people, the variety of food that the people eat, the South American Culture and traditions. They will write a brief description of a variety of music and dance. Name the main tourist attractions. They will describe the climate and seasons in South America as well. Finally, they will discuss the landforms of South America, for example, the Amazon River, the mountain ranges, islands and Machu Picchu.
Ms. Tarbox: In ELA, both Yellow and Orange groups are finishing their fourth novel study of the year! We have been reading “Esperanza Rising.” Also, students with reading goals have participated in their final round of Fountas & Pinnell testing to see just how much growth has been made this year! Be on the lookout for emails with updates on reading progress. In Math, both Yellow and Orange groups are finishing up surface area of pyramids and prisms. We will be finishing up this unit and then we will dive into working with data in various ways. This includes displaying, describing, and summarizing data. 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 read about a third of Hidden Figures, Students should see me about borrowing a copy of the book if they have been absent. I also have an audio of the book to listen to during their absence and would be happy to email that. In Social Studies, students recently created brochures of Rome and tested their Roman numeral skills.
Mrs. Trombly: Mrs. Trombly‘s math classes will be finishing up Geometry next week and will be going into our last unit on statistics and probability. Please make sure your child still has their notebooks and plenty of pencils for the rest of the school year. Social studies class will be finishing up their Greek mythology notebooks and continuing on with ancient Rome. Please check progress reports and school brains.
Mrs. MacKinnon: Students will Use a model to explain how thermal energy is transferred out of hotter regions or objects and into colder ones by convection, conduction, and radiation. They will generate and analyze data from iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process to optimize the object, tool, or process for its intended purpose.
Ms. DiGloria: Next week in Blue and Green English, we will be continuing to read The Giver. Students will continue to discuss the book and its major themes. We will be working on vocabulary and comprehension, and students will prepare to write their second response to a prompt of their choice. In Social Studies, we will finish up our work on emperors with a quiz, and complete a fun investigative activity in small groups. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.
Mr. Auger: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoy the warm weather this weekend! This week in my 7th grade science class, students continued learning about thermal energy and how heat transfers from one object to another. Students learned how different materials conduct heat at different rates. They also learned the difference between a conductor and an insulator and we discussed a lot of everyday examples of each. Next week, we will wrap up our unit on energy transfer and temperature. In my 7th grade social studies class, students continued to learn about Ancient Rome. We discussed the Punic Wars and some of the major leaders. Next week, we will continue on Ancient Rome. Have a great weekend!
Mr. Harris: Students will continue in their probability unit, learning about compound events and how independent vs dependent events can change probabilities
Ms. Bilmazes: In ELA, the blue group continues with their reading of The Giver and having small and large group discussions following each chapter. The yellow and orange groups are continuing to read Hidden Figures and further discussing the history of NASA. In Math, blue group students are working on probability, while the yellow and orange groups are working on surface area. We 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, Mrs. Holmes and I are supporting students within the classroom. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
GRADE 8:
Ms. Deblasis: We will begin Topic 8: Solving Volume Problems. We will be learning how to find the volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres.
Mr. Marinella: ELA– Blue and Purple ELA are still in our novel study. This unit we are reading “Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl”. This is an extremely emotionally charged text, written with first hand accounts of a young child living through one of the darkest moments in world history. We are going to be examining the emotion of the story, as well as making connections to our own lives and challenges. We are reading sections from the novel as well as the play to see the similarities and differences in types of stories while keeping the same overall plot.
Civics– We have also moved in our final article of the Constitution we are examining: Article III the Supreme Court. We will be analyzing the history, creation, and structure of the court, as well as its members and qualifications. We will also be spending a lot of time studying the most important cases they have heard and how this third branch has helped shape the nation!
Ms. Sullivan: This week we will be learning about Artificial Selection. We will be doing hands-on activities, vocabulary, and readings about the topic. We will be also working on a GMO class project.
Mr. Blaustein: We began the week by completing our Ch 6 Vocabulary and a refresher worksheet on the Executive Branch. We have completed the on-line review for the McGraw-Hill Ch 6 Lesson 1, The President’s Powers and roles. Next we will work on the Ch 6 Guided Reading and the Reading Essentials respectively. I expect our quiz to be early next week.
Mr. Harris: Students will continue in their geometry unit, learning about different angle types and relationships.
Ms. MacKinnon: Students will Synthesize and communicate information about artificial selection, or the ways in which humans have changed the inheritance of desired traits in organisms. They will be working on a project on GMOs for the next week.
Ms. Senior: H. G. Wells’s “The War of The Worlds” is fascinating our Grade 8 students as they respond to text by writing. Right triangles are everywhere in Math, as students fill in the variables with well-thought-out answers.
Ms. Blanchette: Students are working towards completing the standards for this grade level as the year comes to an end. Students are completing projects to show their knowledge on the curriculum. We have some fun things planned for the end of the year for students so please ensure your student is completing work and attending school. We look forward to another great week!
SPECIALISTS:
Physical Education: (Mr. Demarais): We are continuing with our field games unit.
Art (Ms. Boulger): The students in the purple and yellow groups are working on a variety of art projects in the upcoming week such as drawings, sculptures, earthenware 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 plastic or glass jars of any size to store mixed paint and glazes.
new/used T-shirts to use as smocks.
Artwork by Kianny
Health (Ms. Reynolds): As we approach the end of the term, all students will be beginning the Puberty (grades 5 and 6) and Human Reproduction (grades 7 and 8) Units in Health class. Students will be receiving a passive permission slip to bring home soon. Students only need to return the slip if permission is NOT given. If permission is given, nothing needs to be done. Copies of this permission slip are also found on my website at jgwhealth.weebly.com. Please feel free to also email me at nicole.reynolds@haverhill-ps.org with any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you. Regards, Mrs. Reynolds
Music (Mr. Gariepy): In music class we’ve been learning how to play e-minor and G-major on the guitar! We’ve also been using Soundation to write our own music and produce our own songs!!
Library (Ms. Michitson): In the library we are still following current events, formula shortage, inflation and the War. Focusing on the Book Fair Tuesday May31- Friday June 3rd. Students continue to read their novels. Have a great weekend!
Technology (Mr. Gordon): All grades were introduced to Pixel Art and continued various coding projects.
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF
Guidance (Ms. Vlahos): 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 finish to the 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): Next weeks topic will focus on “Differences between Good Friends and Toxic Friends”.
Good friends can be members of your family. When you find friends like that, hold on tight. Unfortunately, not all are. Some are toxic — not good for you and, honestly, probably not great for the other person either. Toxic relationships can take a serious toll on you: your physical health, your emotional health, your feelings of self-worth, and even your other relationships. Knowing what a toxic relationship looks like — and how it’s different than a real friendship — can help you determine if it’s time to reevaluate a friendship or two, and save you a lot of heartache in the process.
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 end of the school year!
Middle School Support Program (Mrs. Leydon & Mr. Diffin): Social groups are going well. Ms Credit is enjoying her time spent with the groups. 5th graders are progressing well…and look forward to seeing how they respond the next few weeks as school winds down. Our 6th graders should be well prepared to move onto 7th grade. Their teachers are preparing them for the move to the other wing! And all should make the jump with ease. The 7th graders have been tremendous all year…they have made the jump, and are becoming better advocates for themselves! 8th graders have worked hard all year preparing themselves for the next 4 years…and all have done extremely well! I look forward to seeing so much success from this group in the future!
Parent Liaison (Ms. Arias-Reyes): RECORDATORIO: El viernes 27 de mayo es mediodía para los estudiantes, serán despachados a las 11:05am. No hay escuela el lunes 30 de mayo ya que es un día feriado. Que tengan un feliz fin de semana.
ELL (Ms. Khakali & Corporan): All of our ELs will be completing the EL End of Year (EOY) Writing Assessment. In this assessment, students have the opportunity to show their mastery and command of the written English language. We will use this writing assessment, along with other assessments, to determine students’ progress and placement for next year.
Student Support Center (Mrs. Greenwood): We are down to the last few weeks of school. Looking forward to all of the fun activities that are coming up for the kids. WE hope everyone has a great weekend. Stay cool with the hot temperatures that are coming! If you have any questions and or concerns please reach out to Mrs. Greenwood or Ms. House.
Reading Intervention Team (Ms. Guthrie, Ms. Carney, Ms. Trovato): This week in 5th grade we have begun the final benchmark assessments. The teachers and students have been working hard to complete this task while continuing running reading stations.
6th -8th grade are working on their novel studies, This has been a great way to implement and practice all the strategies and skills learned throughout the year while implementing Studysync.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or need reading suggestions for your child over the summer.
Have a great weekend!