WHAV (https://whav.net/category/education/)
Editor’s Note: Gateway Academy now accepts 150 students at its Upper School. Haverhill Public School’s Gateway Academy has issued its lists of students earning distinction, high honors and honors for the first term. The school recently relocated to the former St. James School on Primrose Street. Its Upper School, officials say, supports up to 150 high school students in creating an individualized learning path leading beyond a high school diploma to success in college, career and beyond.
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The first students who will attend the new Dr. Albert B. Consentino School when it opens in 2026 were among those in attendance Monday morning for ceremonies marking the official start of construction. Consentino School Principal Richard Poor, who served as master of ceremonies for the chilly outdoor event, made note of the students as he welcomed city and state officials, including Massachusetts School Building Authority CEO James A. MacDonald. “I’d like to give a special shout out to our fifth graders—all 225 of them—who will likely be the first class to occupy the new Consentino School,” Poor said, followed by cheers and loud applause. Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini, who thanked mayor-elect Melinda E. Barrett and other local elected leaders as well as the city’s legislative delegation for their support, also directed his remarks to students. “Mostly, I want to thank you kids.
Haverhill Promise is being honored by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading with Pacesetter Honors for its 2022-23 work. Haverhill Promise Executive Director Jessica Kallin said Monday the award recognizes the group’s partnership with Book Buddies. “Through our collaborative efforts, Haverhill Promise has worked to increase engagement in our community to collectively promote literacy and foster meaningful relationships,” she said. “Our partnership with Book Buddies has underscored the transformative power of fostering intergenerational connections through the shared joy of reading. With the support of nearly 500 volunteers in Haverhill and our wonderful teachers and schools, we can pave the path for a brighter future, one handwritten letter and book at a time.”
Haverhill Book Buddies founder Matt Webel added, “In three short years, Book Buddies has shattered our expectations.
Watch out for that turkey! Pentucket Regional Middle High School is having its first Turkey Toss tomorrow with students, staff and public safety teams all competing for Turkey Toss trophies. The event, which concludes the school’s Spirit Week, features three rounds of toss and catch with a 10-pound turkey. Participants will be scored on the farthest throw and a successful catch. Afterward, all turkeys will be donated to a local food pantry following the event.
The recent request for a mediator to resolve contract negotiations between the Haverhill and educational support professionals brought condemnation last night of those who would bring a School Committee member’s disabled son into the fray. As WHAV reported first, School Committee negotiators sent the request to the state Department of Labor Relations once it appeared the two sides had reached an impasse in negotiations. Haverhill Education Association President Barry Davis accused School Committee negotiators Richard J. Rosa and Gail M. Sullivan of not bringing that decision to the entire School Committee beforehand. He also charged them with having a personal agenda to beat the union. Davis continued to express his dissatisfaction with the decision at last night’s meeting.
Northern Essex Community College is among state public colleges and universities hailing an expansion of student financial aid following Gov. Maura Healey administration’s Wednesday launch of the MASSGrant Plus Expansion program. Not including room and board, MASSGrant Plus Expansion will cover the total cost of tuition and fees for Pell Grant-eligible students, including, for the first time, the federal government-determined expected family contribution and an additional allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies. Just shortly after the state announcement at Salem State University, Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn told members of the college’s NECC Foundation that, while “Our lowest income students are already covered. This benefits students in the next bracket up. This will fill in some of the gaps,” he said.
The Groveland Fire Department and the Groveland Firefighters Association are holding their annual turkey raffle Friday to benefit a scholarship for a Pentucket Regional High School or Whitter Regional Vocational Technical High School student who lives in the Pentucket region. The raffle includes 40 frozen turkeys that were donated by Fada Issa, owner of Groveland Auto Repair and Sales. Prizes, including gift cards, cash and other donations will also be distributed to raffle winners. Pizza and refreshments will also be served. Tickets for the turkey raffle are $1 and may be purchased from any Groveland firefighter.
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A ceremonial start of construction of the new Dr. Albert B. Consentino School takes place Monday morning with the school chorus performing and talks by Massachusetts School Building Authority CEO James MacDonald and city and school officials. The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public, Monday, Nov. 20, starting at 10 a.m., behind the existing school at 685 Washington St. Last December, Mayor James J. Fiorentini gave a preview of the new school before city councilors voted unanimously to authorize about $160 million to pay for construction. “The first thing the new school will address is overcrowding.
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education—CASE for short—is recognizing the Northern Essex Community College alumni magazine, “alumnecc,” with its “Best of District 1” award. The fall 2022 edition of the magazine won in the Alumni/General Interest category for two-year institutions. The issue focused on the theme of “Better Together,” highlighting ways the Northern Essex Community College community and its alumni rebounded from the challenges of the pandemic. “To be recognized by CASE is truly a special honor,” says college Vice President for Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson. “Not only is it a testament to the hard work of our IA team at Northern Essex, but it demonstrates to our CASE colleagues around the globe the impact of this work at the community college level.”
CASE is a global nonprofit association dedicated to supporting educational advancement professionals—in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services.