Education

Haverhill Reports City Schools Not Affected by Software at the Center of a National Data Breach

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Parents of Haverhill Public School students are receiving assurances they are not impacted by a data breach involving a particular PowerSchool-branded educational product. Haverhill Director of Technology Douglas Russell said in an email Thursday to staff that city schools do not use the product. “First and foremost, we want to assure you that our district does not utilize PowerSchool’s Student Information System, which was the affected product in this incident. Instead, we use PowerSchool’s application system, and PowerSchool has indicated that only their SIS was compromised,” Russell wrote. Schools across the country were notified Wednesday by the Folsom, Calif.

Education

‘Journey to FAFSA’ Jan. 14 Helps Haverhill Students Seek College Financial Help

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Haverhill school students and their families will have a chance next week to learn about help paying for college and completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. Haverhill Supervisor of School Counseling Megan Arivella will partner with Renee McGuire, program director of MakeIT Haverhill during “Journey Into FAFSA.” They will be joined by financial aid and admissions representatives from UMass Lowell and Northern Essex Community College. “We know FAFSA can be confusing, and this is why we are offering ‘Journey to FAFSA.’ Due to the financial nature of this process, counselors will help start the application but not advise on finances,” they said in a statement. The program takes place Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 5:30 -7 p.m., at MakeIT Haverhill, 301 Washington St.

Education

State Renews, Adds Commitments for Northern Essex, UMass Lowell Early College Programs

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Northern Essex Community College and UMass Lowell Early College programs, enabling high school students to earn college credit, Tuesday were formally awarded state grants to continue operating, add capacity and plan expansions. All 55 existing Early College programs were awarded $50,000 to $125,000 to continue their work. These include such partnerships as Haverhill High School and Northern Essex Community College; Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College; Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School and North Shore Community College; and Lawrence High School with Merrimack College and Northern Essex Community College. “Early College programs are great for our students and great for our economy. They allow students to get college credit while they’re still in high school at no cost, making it more affordable for them to get their degree and preparing them to succeed in their careers,” said Gov. Maura Healey.

Education

HP3 Mentoring Program at Haverhill’s Whittier School Aims to Empower Students

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A new pilot mentoring program for John Greenleaf Whittier School students in grades 5 through 8 provides homework assistance, guidance achieving short and long-term goals, exploration of high school applications and help identifying students’ passions and interests. The program, in partnership with the Haverhill-Public Private Partnership, known as HP3, began in November. A dedicated team of mentors meet with students once a week, assisting students academically and fostering self-confidence and emotional well-being as they navigate, what organizers call, “the critical middle school years.”

“We believe this program will make a significant difference for our students,” said Whittier School interim Principal Kevin Higginbottom. “By offering a combination of academic guidance, emotional support and social assistance, we’re giving our students the tools they need to succeed now and in the future. This program has the potential to positively impact their academic achievements, as well as their overall well-being.”

This initiative was made possible through the partnership with HP3 and the efforts of the school’s guidance counselors, Jacquie Vlahos and Holly Deluca.

Education

González-De Jesús to Become Northern Essex Community College Lawrence Vice President

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Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús was recently chosen as Northern Essex Community College’s next vice president of Lawrence Campus and Community Relations. González-De Jesús begins work later this month. She succeeds Noemi Custodia-Lora, who has served since 2014 and this month becomes vice president of academic affairs and workforce development for Urban College of Boston. “We had terrific candidates across our hiring selection process, but Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús’s 20-plus years of experience in higher education administration combined with her mastery of international public diplomacy has been wonderfully on display across this entire process,” said Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn. Reporting to the president, and in close collaboration with other college leaders, the Lawrence Campus and Community Relations Council and the Lawrence Partnership, the vice president plays.

Business Bulletin

While UMass Lowell Exits Haverhill Property, Co-Working Space to Remain Under New Management

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The name of the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub in Haverhill is changing, but the two dozen businesses it hosts will remain in the new year after arrangements were made to keep the co-working space open. While the office, desk and event space remain open at 2 Merrimack St., in Haverhill, UMass Lowell is vacating both its former classroom space on the second floor as well as the iHub on the third floor, ending an experiment it began in 2017 to add a Haverhill campus. “UMass Lowell is no longer operating in the Harbor Place location in Haverhill. The university has been working with city leaders, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and Rep. Andy Vargas to develop a transition plan for the property,” UMass Lowell Assistant Director of Media Relations Nancy Cicco told WHAV Tuesday by email. She wrote, however, “UMass Lowell remains dedicated to serving Haverhill students through online and on-campus course offerings in Lowell, while partnering with businesses throughout the Merrimack Valley to advance our education and research missions.”

As WHAV first reported in September, UMass Lowell tenants were initially given until the end of October to leave the third-floor space at White’s Corner.

Education

Haverhill’s Silver Hill School to Get New Roof Under State Accelerated Repair Program

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Haverhill’s Silver Hill School was recently invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s accelerated repair program as the first step toward replacing the school’s aging roof. The state agency’s board of directors invited the school, built in 1993, into the program more than three years after the School Committee first tried for financial assistance for the project. School Committee member Richard J. Rosa confirmed the school system expects the program to cover approximately 76% of the still-to-be-determined total cost of the project. In Rosa’s words, taking advantage of the state’s repair program is “a fiscally responsible step to ensure our schools remain safe, efficient, and conducive to teaching and learning.”

“With the Silver Hill roof beyond its expected lifespan, our partnership with the MSBA allows us to make necessary upgrades while leveraging state funding to ease the burden on Haverhill taxpayers. We have to continually commit to maximizing opportunities like these—whether the Accelerated Repair Program or grants—to benefit our students and community,” he added.

Community Spotlight

Cornhole Tournament Feb. 1 to Benefit Haverhill’s Gateway Academy

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There will be a cornhole tournament to benefit Haverhill’s Gateway Academy on the first of February. Besides the tournament, there will be a 50/50 raffle as well as chances to win gift cards and baskets. Pizza will be provided by Romano’s. The fundraiser takes place Saturday, Feb. 1, with check-in at 1:30 p.m. and game at 2, at AmVets hall, 576 Primrose St., Haverhill.