Education

Haverhill Official Says Job Matching Programs Need Improved Targeting, Not More Public Money

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(See related story.)

During a forum Monday looking at how to better match students with jobs, Community Development Division Director Andrew K. Herlihy pointed to an unexpected problem. Herlihy, who also represents the city on the MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board, said there’s plenty of money, but some of it is being returned unused. “This is not a problem of resources,” he said. “The issue here is not to go after the mayor or delegation for more money. Our local workforce system, which includes MassHire, is a $14.3 million system.

Education

State Approves New Career Technical Education Programs at Whittier Tech, Essex Tech

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Pathways at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High and Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical Schools were among 18 new career technical education programs receiving state approval Tuesday. Whittier Tech in Haverhill will offer courses in Construction Craft Laborer, while Essex Tech in Danvers will offer courses in Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies. They were among 12 high schools statewide to win support. “Career-connected learning helps students with the applied learning they need for the jobs of today and the future and supports our employers and workforce in meeting high-demand careers,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been focused on expanding access to career-connected learning in traditional high schools and dedicated CTE schools.”

Collectively, an estimated 335 students will graduate from these new programs each year, an average of 18 students for each program and of which at least 200 will be new seats.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Men’s Basketball Picks Up Weekend Wins at Turkey Classic

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The Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team picked up a pair of wins over the holiday weekend as they hosted the third annual Northern Essex Turkey Classic at the Sports and Fitness Center. On Saturday, the Knights defeated Suffolk County Community College by 93-56 final before defeating SUNY Adirondack on Sunday by 92-77 result. The wins improve the Knights to 9-2 on the season and extends their home winning streak to 38 games dating back to February 23rd 2022. Four starters scored in double digits as the college jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in the game, taking a 30-point lead into halftime with a 51-21. Alex Johnson of Worcester scored a team high 14 points, followed by Ryan Pacy, of Salem, N.H., with 12; Christian Sanders of Boston with 11; and Alejandro Delgado of Haverhill with 10. Johnson also handed out six assists and had four takeaways.

Education

Haverhill Public Schools Win State Education Grant to Improve Dyslexia Action Plan

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Haverhill Public Schools has been accepted into a staff training program to better accommodate students with dyslexia. Haverhill School Committee members learned recently the district won a grant from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Haverhill to work with the Dyslexia Institute to build and improve the school system’s dyslexia action plan. The Institute is operated by Crafting Minds, a nonprofit built by developmental psychologist Dr. Melissa Orkin and others at the Tufts Center for Reading and Language Research. ELA Curriculum Supervisor Jennifer Peterson said the program consists of a hybrid 45-hour course taking place between April and October. A team, consisting of special and English Language Arts educators, had its first session in October and its first in-person session Nov.

Education

Haverhill’s Nettle School Students Could Soon Receive Benefits of a Comfort Dog Provided by Teacher

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Students and staff will soon welcome a new four-legged friend into the Dr. Paul C. Nettle School community. School Principal Eileen Doherty explained the value to School Committee members last week. She said “We also have the same mental health challenges that a lot of schools have. We have students struggling with anything from anxiety and depression to poor school attendance.” The comfort dog will also be used for separate programs to teach students responsibility and empathy, as well as to reduce stress among students and faculty. “I think if you look out there, I think there’s a lot of research that supports the idea of having a comfort animal in a school.

Education

Kempinski, Who Brought Holocaust Education Program to Haverhill, Becomes Honorary Consul

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(Additional photograph below.)

Haverhill High School history teacher Theodore “Ted” Kempinski, who earlier this year brought a virtual, live tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp to students, was formally appointed Friday as honorary consul of the Auschwitz Memorial in the United States. Kempinski made Haverhill High School the first American school to start cooperation with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to participate in online tours of the Auschwitz Memorial through the platform “Auschwitz. In Front of Your Eyes.” In his new role, he will primarily support the activities undertaken by the Diplomacy of Remembrance of the Museum in Massachusetts. “As a 25-year history secondary educator, I now commit a significant part of my life to improving Holocaust education relationships with organizations. As a teacher, I dedicated my career to empowering students at Haverhill High School.

Education

Haverhill School Committee Considers ‘Discipline Policy’ Following Charges Against Member

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The Haverhill School Committee Thursday sent a proposed “School Committee member or appointee Discipline Policy” to a committee for further study.  The policy includes a wide range of possible penalties. The policy, crafted in the wake of charges against Committee member Cheryl A. Ferguson, proposes a series of actions against someone accused, including an initial order to “stay away from all school buildings” and, after legal processes have concluded, penalties such as a “public reprimand, censure, suspension, call for resignation, or removal of the accused from the position held…” The policy brought forth by Committee Vice Chairman Paul A. Magliocchetti would address circumstances where a school official is accused of criminal or other misconduct. “In light of our recent events, we’ve been acting and following through with the interests of protecting the children and families in the city and in our schools,” Magliocchetti said. “During this process, we all had questions.

Education

Pentucket Regional High School’s Parrott and Bruno Win Competition to Perform at Music Festival

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Two Pentucket Regional High School music students were selected for the 2025 Massachusetts Music Educators’ Association Northeastern Senior District Music Festival. Junior Hailey Bruno and sophomore Ian Parrott competed against students in Grades 10-12 from across the northeast corner of Massachusetts to earn their spots. Both were accepted into the choir. The pair will perform in the choir in the Senior Festival Concert, which takes place Saturday, Jan. 11, at noon at Lexington High School, 251 Waltham St.