Education

Haverhill High School Admin Shows Marked Student Gains

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Haverhill High School Principal Michael Downs detailed for the School Committee last week how the school has “come a long way in the last four years.”

The principal documented chronic absenteeism is down while daily attendance is up, averaging in the 90% range, compared to the 80s. He noted, however, students at the high school are in a category by themselves. “It’s a lot different at the high school than the lower levels. They have licenses and jobs, and sometimes that takes the priority, but we do the best we can,” he explained. The dropout rate before Downs took over as principal was 4% of 2,000 pupils, but recent data shows 1.3% and still improving.

Education

Schools’ Receipt of $3.2 Million Grant Offers Public Training Opportunities

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The School Committee took time Thursday to cheer the receipt of a $3.2 million state grant that also offers communitywide benefits. As WHAV reported first last week, the Career and Technical Education Annex Pilot Program will create 140 new vocational seats for Haverhill High School students. Haverhill Public Schools Supervisor of Career and Technical Education Victoria Kelley told the Committee the school system “took a leap of faith this year” and accepted all its lottery students this year using shared classroom space. The grant, however, pays for construction of dedicated classrooms and labs, accommodating current growth and allowing an additional 80 student seats. The grant pays for a dedicated Healthcare Simulation Lab to expand the school’s Health Assisting program and Advanced Technology Lab for the Information Support Services and Networking program.

Education

Gerber Joins Greater Lawrence Technical School in Workforce Development

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Tia Gerber has joined Greater Lawrence Technical School as workforce development program coordinator. Gerber, who previously worked nine years at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School as director of community partnership, will help further identify new and growing opportunities for students and the public, including students from neighboring communities who do not have direct access to vocational education and adult learners. “I am thrilled to have begun my new role at GLTS, and I want to highlight the incredible team we have here. They truly pride themselves on this type of work, and it has been a pleasure getting to learn from them and work alongside them as I have entered this role,” she said, “My focus for the Workforce Development Program is to continue highlighting our wonderful programs that strive to expand the education of our students and community.”

The school, serving Lawrence, Methuen, Andover and North Andover, offers three main outlets in the program, including After Dark, Adult Technical Training and an Apprenticeship Program. All of the technical career pathways offered through the GLTS After Dark Program align with local, regional and statewide labor market needs.

Education

State Awards Haverhill High School $50K to Continue Innovation Career Pathways

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Haverhill High School was awarded $50,000 Thursday to continue its Innovation Career Pathways programs that provide students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to explore careers in high-demand STEM fields and other growing industries. Last May, Haverhill High School’s Graphic Design and Visual Communications program was designated an Innovation Career Pathway by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The sum was among $4.7 million statewide in implementation and continuation grants to help schools sustain and strengthen existing programs this school year. This school year, more than 8,500 students are enrolled in 303 Innovation Career Pathways at 130 high schools, representing nearly 36% of eligible high schools across Massachusetts. Through these programs, students explore careers, take advanced coursework and gain real-world experience through internships and work-based learning.

Education

Articulation Agreement Turns Community Health Workers’ Experience into College Credit

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A new agreement between the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers and Northern Essex Community College makes it easier for local community health workers to earn associate degrees. What is known as an articulation agreement, the pact allows health workers to receive college credit for time they’ve already spent working in the field. Students who have completed a Massachusetts Department of Public Health-approved community health worker training program could be eligible for up to 15 credits immediately, with another nine possible upon further evaluation—the equivalent of two semesters. “They already have thousands of community work hours as part of their CHW certification, so we recognize their expertise,” said Northern Essex Community College’s Public Health Program Coordinator Amanda Prophett. She expects the articulation agreement will encourage more workers to seek associate degrees in public health, which can lead to transfer opportunities, career advancement, better care for the individuals they serve and higher wages.

Education

Haverhill High Wins $3.2M State Grant to Expand Career Programs

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Haverhill High School was awarded $3.2 million Wednesday to expand its Health Assisting and Information Support Services and Networking programs.

The school was one of six statewide to share in $14.5 million in grants, awarded through the state’s new Career and Technical Education Annex Pilot Program. Haverhill High School plans to add approximately 3,828 square feet of new instructional space, including a health care simulation center and technology innovation laboratory. The expansion will create approximately 140 additional vocational seats and support a satellite technology repair program where students gain experience maintaining municipal technology. Officials said grants will help comprehensive high schools add career technical education programs, increase enrollment capacity and partner with vocational schools, employers and colleges to provide students with career-connected learning opportunities, particularly in communities where access has been limited. “Students across Massachusetts want more opportunities to learn a trade, gain hands-on experience and prepare for good-paying jobs, and we are delivering,” said Gov. Maura Healey.

Education

Barrett Expresses Hope After Northern Essex, Whittier Tech Cease Working Together

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Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett expressed hope Wednesday plans to locate a new Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School at Northern Essex Community College can be salvaged after the two schools stopped working together. The gulf between the schools became apparent Wednesday when Northern Essex President Lane A. Glenn sent a letter to communities, saying “we no longer see a viable path forward for the project as currently envisioned.”

Barrett, who conditioned any changes to the regional agreement between the 11 member communities on cooperation between the schools, said a renewed path forward is crucial. “I don’t see an immediate resolution, but I think this is almost too big to fail. It’s so important,” Barrett told WHAV. She said she will call for the communities to get together to try to put the project back on track.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Scores $136K Workforce Training Grant

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Northern Essex Community College’s Certified Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician programs are getting a boost thanks to a $136,142 state grant to support workforce training. Northern Essex was awarded the most among all 15 state community colleges that received Training Resources and Internships Network—or TRAIN—grants during this round. Gov. Maura Healey distributed $1.5 million in grants as part of Massachusetts STEM Week. “Every Massachusetts student deserves the opportunity to build a career and earn a good living,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “That’s why we made community college tuition and fee-free and why we’re continuing to invest in workforce training across the state.