Education

Whittier Tech Students Benefit From New State-of-the-Art CAD/Drafting, Engineering Equipment

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Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School students are benefitting from recently purchased cutting-edge technology used in the Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/Drafting and Engineering pathways. Whittier Tech purchased an Epilog Fusion Pro 32, a laser engraving and cutting machine, for the CAD pathway. The device has a CO2 laser and a maximum laser strength of 120 watts. An 80-watt laser also was purchased for the Engineering pathway. “Our industry is a groundbreaking one and our students deserve to practice with cutting-edge technology in our area,” said CAD Instructor Scott Robertson.

Education

Labor Secretary Walsh Addresses Graduates Saturday at Endicott College Commencement

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Former Boston Mayor and U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. “Marty” Walsh is scheduled to speak during Saturday’s 2022 Endicott College Commencement. Walsh will also receive an honorary doctorate during the 82nd commencement ceremony, taking place Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m., at the college’s Hempstead Stadium. “Secretary Walsh’s commitment to equity and creating jobs for all people—first in the Commonwealth, and now nationally—is the very embodiment of an Endicott education, which is defined by internships and experiential learning,” said Endicott College President Steven R. DiSalvo. Born and raised in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester by immigrant parents, Walsh is a survivor of Burkitt lymphoma and is a proud member of the recovery community who has worked to expand addiction treatment throughout his career. While working full-time as a legislator, he returned to school to earn a degree in Political Science at Boston College.

Education

Haverhill Schools Begin Budget Season With Draft $130.6 Million Spending Plans

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Haverhill school administrators presented the opening salvo of discussions regarding the upcoming school year budget at last Thursday’s School Committee meeting. Two spending scenarios were presented—both showing an increase in net school spending for the upcoming year of little more than $9.5 million for a total of more than $130.6 million to service 8,252 students in grades K-12. The differences in the two budgets primarily relate to the number of teachers, tutors, interventionists and guidance counselors available. Assistant School Superintendent Michael J. Pfifferling told the committee there are three levels of funding to be considered. “First is to level fund the budget.

Education

Haverhill Lodge of Elks Provides Boost for Walnut Square School

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The Haverhill Lodge of Elks #165 is working to make library improvements and provide playground equipment at Walnut Square School. Lodge members held a concert to raise money and addressed School Committee members last Thursday. Lodge President Francisco Rosario presented a check to school’s Administrator Jennifer Rubera. “On behalf of the Haverhill Elks, I would like to present Jen Rubera a check for $4,660 for the library upgrade.”

Rubera thanked the Elks for its donation, not just this year, but last year as well. She explained the group raised another $10,000 last year for the John G. Whittier School sixth grade field trips program.

Education

Haverhill High Students Complain New ID Requirement Causes Problems at Events

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The recent addition of student identification cards at Haverhill High School, a measure put in place to help protect pupils, is causing some confusion around after-school activities. Two Haverhill High students addressed the School Committee at Thursday’s meeting, complaining some students were turned away from a recent school-sponsored dance because they had not brought their school ID with them. Committee member Scott W. Wood Jr. told those students he had heard about the issue and thought a little common sense should have prevailed. “I did get a couple of calls from parents of students who were denied admission in. My understanding was they didn’t have their ID, but a staff member said ‘I know who they are, they’re a senior’ and they were still denied admission even though there was, legitimately a Haverhill High School staff member there saying ‘They’re a student here.

Education

Pentucket Regional High’s Free Café Jazz Program Tonight with Guests Harris and McGowan

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Pentucket Regional High School’s Jazz Program offers Café Jazz tonight with guest drummers Les Harris Jr and Phil McGowan. The free concert takes place tonight, May 13, beginning at 7 p.m., at Pentucket Regional High School, 24 Main St, West Newbury. Besides Harris and McGowan, the high school’s Improv Class, Big Band and award-winning Jazz Combo will perform. The music of Charles Mingus, Chick Corea and Horace Silver and others will be featured. Following tradition, the cafeteria will be transformed into an intimate jazz club where patrons may relax with a warm cup of coffee and a plate of tasty treats as they sit among the musicians.

Business Bulletin

MakeIT Haverhill, Haverhill Public Schools Score at Digital Equity Challenge

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MakeIT Haverhill walked away with the top prize and Haverhill schools won the Fan Favorite Award at the Digital Equity Challenge April 27. The inaugural event, which took place at UMass Lowell’s Innovation Hub in Haverhill, gave entrepreneurs and nonprofits a chance to pitch their ideas and projects for increasing digital access and literacy. The Challenge was open to Essex County’s 34 cities and towns and offered a total of $10,000 in prize money. MakeIT Haverhill collected $5,000 for its Affordable Internet Access Program. Volunteer Tim Haynes, who leads the organization’s digital literacy and equity programs, said the program wishes to hire a “digital ambassador” to educate community members and create a public WiFi hotspot outside its Washington Street headquarters.

Education

Pentucket Regional Schools Cut Spending, Increase Fees; Both Sides Blame State Ed Formula

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The Pentucket Regional School Committee this week approved spending cuts and fee increases after two of its three member towns rejected a Proposition 2 ½ override. Groveland and Merrimac voters last week defeated what was called an “operational budget override” to pay for the district’s proposed $50 million spending plan. West Newbury had budgeted for the proposed increase. Both proponent Pentucket Regional School Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and override opponent, former Groveland Selectman Joseph R. D’Amore, agree on one thing—the state deserves the blame. They appeared in back-to-back, live interviews over 97.9 WHAV Wednesday morning.