Education

Recently Hatched Falcons are Real Life UMass Lowell River Hawks

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Donning hard hats and holding Styrofoam pool noodles to keep a protective mother peregrine falcon at bay, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife biologists Thursday retrieved two falcon chicks hatched in a nest box at UMass Lowell, to get a look at the birds and assess their health. Both chicks—a male and female—are doing well, according to officials. Amid a gathering of UMass Lowell staff, volunteers and other guests, including state Rep. Rodney Elliott, wildlife biologists fitted each bird with an ID tag that will allow officials to track the chicks over their lifespan. Hatched about three weeks ago in the nest box atop the university’s Fox Hall, the chicks will grow on campus until early August, when they will fledge the nest, according to Wildlife Biologist Chalis Bird, who led the event. “Then they will disperse to find their own identity.

Education

Guest Opinion: 2017 Study Says Investing in School Buildings Improves Student Outcomes

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Editor’s note: Haverhill voters have a week to decide whether to support a debt exclusion as the method of financing construction of a new Dr. Albert B. Consentino School. A special election takes place Tuesday, June 6, at voters’ usual polling locations. Early voting runs from Wednesday, May 31, to Saturday, June 3, at Haverhill City Hall, in the former basement offices of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, 4 Summer St. Hours are Wednesday and Friday, from 8 a.m.- 4p.m.; extended hours Thursday, from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.; and weekend hours Saturday, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

As a Haverhill parent and community member, I believe investing in our schools is crucial to ensure that all children have access to the best possible educational facilities and resources. The upcoming vote on the debt exclusion to fund the new Consentino Middle School is a crucial step in making this belief a reality.

Education

Haverhill Schools, Mayor Come Closer on $128 Million Budget; Debt Vote Could Help Finance It

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The Haverhill School Committee last night held firm on its $128 million spending plan—and won a level of support from the mayor—after school administrators presented facts and figures on how that money would be used to improve education. At the last meeting, Committee members learned the city would not be providing an expected $3.3 million to that budget and school administrators were told by Mayor James J. Fiorentini they must make cuts to stay within the city’s total budget. Instead, however, school officials returned with a presentation explaining why there is no room to make budget cuts while still preserving a quality education for students. Assistant School Superintendent Michael J. Pfifferling began by citing a survey conducted earlier this year asking parents, teachers and others what was most important to them regarding school spending. “We did a community survey to all of our parents, all of our staff members, of what they thought our budget priorities should be.

Education

North Andover and Lawrence Students Among Statewide Green Team Winners

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Students from North Andover and Lawrence were among the award winners for outstanding environmental actions as members of the Green Team, a statewide environmental education program. State environmental officials Wednesday recognized students from 48 schools across Massachusetts participating in the program sponsored by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the state Department of Environmental Protection. Classes receiving prizes were North Andover’s Annie L. Sargent Elementary School, teacher Julie Ambrose; Atkinson Elementary School, teacher Mandi Imasogie; Franklin Elementary School, teachers Rochelle Hardenstine and Hilary Alden; Kittredge Elementary School, teacher Cheryl Means; North Andover Middle School, teacher Erien Gordon; and Pvt. Albert E. Thomson Elementary School, teacher Lucy Frey. In Lawrence, winners were Lawrence Family Development Charter School, teacher George Masterson; Robert Frost Middle School, teacher Paul Flanigan

Students won such prizes as reusable snack bags, straws and utensils; certificates for garden supplies; or paper bookmarks with seeds embedded for planting.

Education

Students Test the Waters During Whittier Tech’s Eight-Week Exploration of Trades Programs

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Five students, including four from Haverhill High and one from Triton Regional High School, recently completed an eight-week exploration of trades programs offered by Whittier regional Vocational technical High School. Superintendent Maureen Lynch said the successful program is geared to high school seniors from sending communities. Haverhill High School seniors Braxton Caswell, Yomar Alicea, Andy Gomez and Jaden Capeles and Triton High School senior Elliot Johnson, of Rowley, completed the program last Friday, received certificates of completion and were treated to a celebratory breakfast. “Our programs offer students a unique experience where they can explore technical programs centered around careers that interest them. Our exploratory program gives non-vocational school students the opportunity to explore those interests further through hands-on and interactive learning,” Lynch said.

Community Spotlight

Updated: Haverhill’s First City-Wide Civics Project Showcase Open to the Public Tonight

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Back again: Presentations take place tonight, May 24, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., at the Dr. Albert B. Consentino School library, 685 Washington St. Haverhill. Haverhill’s first “City-Wide Civics Project Showcase,” prepared by eighth and 10th grade public school students, takes place tonight. Propelled by a 2018 Massachusetts law, the “history of the United States of America and social science, including civics, shall be taught as required subjects to promote civic service and a greater knowledge thereof and to prepare students, morally and intellectually, for the duties of citizenship.” One of the requirements is Student-led Civics Projects. “This event showcases the top projects from each middle school and Haverhill High School, and provides students with an opportunity to bring their issues to local stakeholders and decision-makers,” reads the invitation from the Haverhill Public Schools Social Studies/History Department.

Education

Merrimack College Study Says Most Teachers Don’t Recommend Job; Mental Health Support Would Help

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A newly released study by Merrimack College shows only 46% of current public educators would be “fairly” or “very likely” to advise their younger selves to choose teaching again and more than a 35% are considering leaving the profession altogether. Authors say the 2023 Merrimack College Teacher Survey, which was conducted by the Winston School of Education and Social Policy at Merrimack College, shines a spotlight on a pressing crisis facing American education. “While this should serve as a flashing red light to educational policymakers, the survey also provides insights into strategies that educational administrators and policymakers can employ to address this,” said Dean Deborah Margolis. “By prioritizing teacher mental health and wellbeing, and taking steps to build teacher morale, academic leaders can help create a healthier and happier school environment and retain more of their teachers.”

While the survey, conducted in partnership with the nonprofit, nonpartisan EdWeek Research Center, paints a dark picture overall for American public K-12 education, it reports there are areas that have seen notable improvements since last year. The percentage of teachers who are very satisfied with their jobs has nearly doubled to 20%, and the percentage of teachers considering leaving the profession within the next two years has dropped from 44% to 35%.

Education

Greater Lawrence Tech To Grow School Library with Grant From the Laura Bush Foundation

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Greater Lawrence Technical School is the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. Superintendent John Lavoie said Greater Lawrence Tech was one of 300 schools across 36 states that was awarded funding. The grant will be used to pay for a new collection of books and library materials for the school’s library department. “I would like to thank Laura Bush and the Foundation for awarding us with this funding,” said Lavoie. “This funding will help us to add and improve our current collection of library books.