Haverhill SEPAC to Show How Kindergarten Readiness Helps as Far as High School

Research indicates kindergarten readiness can impact how successful a child is in high school. Haverhill’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council’s annual Kindergarten Readiness program next Monday shows how kindergarten readiness can lead to greater academic success, lower dropout rates and better health and lifestyle habits. Haverhill William H. Moody School Principal Kristi-Lynn Kurczy discusses the importance of preparing for kindergarten at the in-person presentation. Haverhill Promise and the Moody PTO will provide age-appropriate books on a first come, first serve basis with a preference to those families who sign up ahead of time. There is a limit of one book per family.

Merrimack Valley Credit Union Celebrate 𝜋 Day with Pie

Merrimack Valley Credit Union celebrated Pi Day with members and the community by handing out individual Table Talk pies at its 19 retail branches and delivering pies to some of the credit union’s Select Employer Group partners. Pi Day, first celebrated in 1988, honors the mathematical constant, 𝜋, commonly written as the numerals 3.14. The credit union joined in on the fun by ordering more than 3,100 assorted flavors of pies—the edible kind—and distributing them at retail branches. Members were welcomed with pie displays and were able to pick their favorite flavor of pie to take with them. “Celebrating Pi Day with our members is something we look forward to each year,” says Mike Davis, the credit union’s community relations officer.

Groveland Secures Nearly $1 Million Federal Grant to Replace and Improve Water Mains

Groveland is receiving nearly $1 million from the federal government to pay for repairs and improvements to nearly century old water mains. Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham and Water and Sewer Superintendent Colin Stokes said Monday in a joint statement that Congressman Seth Moulton helped win the infrastructure investment. “This funding will play a pivotal role in modernizing our water distribution system and providing the town with increased access to better quality water,” said Oldham. “These necessary updates will provide many benefits to the community.”

Groveland Water received $959,752 to repair mains on Washington and Wood Streets and Balch Avenue. The statement said the water mains are “significantly undersized” and replacing them will “improve water quality and quantity and create another water line to the town’s nearest water tower.”

Moulton secured $13.5 million to disperse between 15 different community improvement projects in fiscal year 2024 regulations.

Buttonwoods Offers Saturday Talk on the Nation’s Second Ladies, Including Haverhill’s Abigail Adams

Buttonwoods Museum is celebrating Women’s History Month by telling behind-the-scenes stories of vice-presidential spouses, including Haverhill native Abigail Adams, at a free talk Saturday. Northern Essex Community College Professor of History Rich Padova shares insights from his book “Who Are They? A Look at Vice-Presidential Spouses from Abigail Adams to Karen Pence” Saturday, March 23, 3 p.m., at Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill. The museum says attendees will “discover the remarkable stories of these influential women, often overlooked in popular history despite their significant roles as second ladies. Admission is free thanks to the support of the Cummings Foundation.

Legislature Enacts Haverhill Petitions to Allow Dacey and Clark to Take Civil Service Exams

The state House and Senate last week advanced two Haverhill home rule petitions which will allow two residents to take civil service examinations for Haverhill police and fire respectively. Each branch of the legislature enacted petitions to enable Brian Dacey to take the civil service examination for police officer and Derek Clark to take the civil service examination for the firefighter regardless of the usual maximum age requirements.

Pentucket Regional ‘High Performance Training’ Open to Area Students This Summer

Rock band practice, video game development and strength and agility training are among the summer program classes available to students both living in and outside of the Pentucket Regional School District. Pentucket schools have opened registration for “High Performance Training,” focusing on both traditional sports and athletics, as well as digital technologies such as video production and computer programming. Classes start as early as June 11. “Our goal is to develop programs that enable our students to acquire the skills that they need to pursue their interests and career aspirations,” Executive Director of Operations Jonathan Seymour said. “Team sports, strength and conditioning and even robotics and programming: it’s all there to cater to diverse interests.”

Students may register for individual training, focusing on either agility or strength, or for team training, which includes tennis, soccer, baseball, cheering, football, volleyball, basketball and field hockey.

FEMA to Reimburse Lawrence General Hospital Nearly $1.2 Million for Pandemic Staffing

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reimbursing Lawrence General Hospital almost $1.2 million for the cost of paying staff for additional hours worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Assistance grant will reimburse the 189-bed general hospital for the cost of paying staff for additional hours worked to respond to the surge in patents caused by pandemic between March and July 2020. Lawrence General Hospital paid 759 medical personnel, including registered nurses, certified medical assistants, lab technicians, surgical technicians, paramedics and pharmacy technicians for a total of 42,010 hours worked treating confirmed or suspected COVID patients. “FEMA is pleased to be able to assist Lawrence General Hospital with these costs,” said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. “Reimbursing state, county and municipal governments—as well as eligible non-profits and tribal entities—for the costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important part of our nation’s ongoing recovery.”

So far, FEMA has provided more than $2.8 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

Second Chance For Sight Plans Charity Social March 23

Second Chance For Sight, founded to empower individuals and families impacted by visual impairments caused by trauma, plans a fundraising social with dinner, live music and games. The social takes place Saturday, March 23, from 5-10 p.m., at Wicked Axe, 721 S, Main St., Haverhill. General admission tickets are $80 each and includes music, dinner, axe throwing, golf simulator, darts, pool and Jenga. Separate admission includes all features plus entry for two into a Cornhole Tournament, featuring up to 25 teams, for $160. Sponsorships are also available for $250.