School Notes: HHS Meet the Faculty Night Scheduled for Sept. 21

Haverhill High School. (WHAV News file photograph.)

Classes have been in session only a few days, but you’d never know it by looking at the full calendars at Greater Haverhill schools.

At Haverhill High School (main entrance pictured), Meet the Faculty Night is Thursday, Sept. 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“It is our hope that all parents and guardians will continue as they did in the elementary and middle school years to participate in our Meet the Faculty and Parent-Teacher conferences throughout the years here at Haverhill High School,” said Principal Beth Kitsos.

After the Meet the Faculty session, there will be a short meeting in the Haverhill High auditorium for all parents of Advance Placement students. The meeting will begin at approximately 7:35 p.m. Discussion will center on the AP exam deposits and fees, the AP agreement contract, and the exam schedule for May. Questions should be directed to Jami Dion, the supervisor of Guidance at the high school.

Dion reminds sophomore and junior students and their parents that the deadline is approaching to register for the PSAT. Students must be registered by Sept. 29 for the test, which will be administered on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 7:25 a.m.

“Students who take the PSAT receive important feedback as well as a personalized study plan for the SAT,” Dion said. The PSAT is a standardized test that measures reading, writing and math skills needed for college. Participation is not mandatory, but it is encouraged. Juniors who take the PSAT are considered for eligibility through the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students can sign up beginning Monday, Sept. 11 in the Guidance office. Fee is $16.

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At Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, N.H., administrators are celebrating increases in student scores on state accountability tests taken last spring.

On the SAT School Day, so-called because the test is taken during the regular school day, juniors who took the test outperformed state averages in Mathematics and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. The percentage of students who met or exceeded Reading and Writing benchmarks increased from 64 percent in 2016 to 67 percent in 2017. The percentage who met or exceeded benchmarks for Math increased from 41 percent to 46 percent in the same one-year span, according to the College Board.

About 10 percent of the Class of 2017 took the ACT, the nation’s most popular college entrance exam. Of that group, 74 percent met benchmark scores in all four categories of the test, which exceeded the performance of students statewide.

Superintendent Earl Metzler said he is proud of the work of instructional leaders, teachers, support staff and students.

“We celebrate every new benchmark as affirmation that our hard work is paying off,” Metzler said.

Timberlane serves students from Plaistow, Atkinson, Sandown and Danville.

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Methuen’s Comprehensive Grammar School has organized a donation drive to support families in Texas after the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. From Sept. 7 through 11, students are encouraged to bring donations to school. A notice sent home in children’s backpacks this week listed the items that are needed.

“The Comprehensive Grammar School is an amazing, kind and giving community and we appreciate your support with this fundraiser for the families in Texas,” said Principal Christopher Reeve.

Students at Methuen High School have donated Rangers apparel, as well.

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Parents of Central Catholic High School freshmen are invited to Freshman Parent Welcome Night on Friday, Sept. 8, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Memorial Gymnasium building. The evening is an introduction to student life at CCHS. The program includes a Raider Reception hosted by the Parents Guild, with light pastries, fruit and other refreshments.