Education

Northern Essex Police Academy Training Recruits in Active Shooter and Hostile Event Response

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The Northern Essex Community College Police Academy is now training recruits with Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, called the FBI’s gold standard for use in active attack and shooter events. The ALERRT course is designed to improve the safety and survivability of victims and increase the effectiveness, coordination and resource integration between law enforcement, fire, telecommunication and emergency medical services. “Active Shooter and Hostile Event Response training is critical to ensuring first responders are prepared to act decisively and collaboratively during life-threatening emergencies,” said Municipal Police Training Committee Statewide Director of Active Shooter Hostile Event Response John J. Mazza. “The recent ALERRT train-the-trainer program is imperative in rolling out the most up-to-date curriculum and contributing to the Commonwealth’s mission to advance multi-agency preparedness and community resilience.”

The Municipal Police Training Committee held the four-day intensive Train the Trainer course for instructors last month. The program included classroom time during the day and extensive simulated shooting drills in the evenings.

Education

Bullet Shell Casing at Pentucket Regional Prompts Search; Now Believed to Have Been Dropped

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Police and school officials now believe a bullet shell casing found Monday on the grounds of Pentucket Regional Middle High School was dropped accidentally and there is no danger. The discovery of the shell first prompted concern about 1:30, Monday afternoon when a student reported finding a handgun caliber shell casing in the parking lot near the football field. Following established procedures, school administrators said, they called West Newbury Police Department. Chief Michael Dwyer and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew said in a joint statement the shell was found several hundred yards from the Pentucket Regional Middle High School building school and the incident did not require school dismissal. Dwyer and Bartholomew said a school family reported early Monday night they recently parked in the area and the casing likely fell from their vehicle or pocket.

Education

Haverhill Schools Note Dilemma Parents of Special Needs Students Face Over Earning Diploma

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Receiving a diploma and graduating from high school may work against a high needs student’s interest. Haverhill School Committee members recently acknowledged a dilemma parents face when a high school diploma actually denies special needs students services to which they are entitled after age 18. School Committee Vice Chair Richard J. Rosa explained post high school programs may better prepare them for adult life. “They can’t get into the 18 to 22 programs, they not going to be able to get into an adult day program if they have a diploma. We know some students with autism, despite getting a diploma, they’re not going to be gainfully employed,” he said.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Credit Union Accepting Scholarship Applications Through Feb. 28

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Merrimack Valley Credit Union is now accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors graduating this year, and expects to award more than $26,000 to 18 students within its field of membership. Two of the awards honor late members of the credit union’s family. The Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500 will be presented to one student who embodies the credit union philosophy of people helping people, dedicating themself to their community through volunteer efforts both in and outside of school. James A. Burley Jr. Scholarships are awarded to three students who excel academically, actively participate in extracurricular activities and provide exceptional essay responses. First place is $5,000, second place is $3,000 and third place is $2,000.

Education

Haverhill School Hosts Food Drive to Bolster Food Pantry in Time for February Vacation

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Golden Hill School in Haverhill is conducting a food drive through Friday, Feb. 7, to support families in need. “We’re trying to reinvigorate a small food pantry that’s utilized by families as-needed,” School Committee member Mikaela Lalumiere explained during last week’s School Committee meeting. Hygiene and food items are in need throughout the year, but Lalumiere stressed donations this month are aimed at supporting families during school vacation next month. Ongoing collections to support the pantry are also planned.

Education

Classes Resume at Pentucket Regional Middle High School After Fire Cleanup

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Pentucket Regional Middle High School reopens for classes Wednesday, Jan. 29, following a weekend trash barrel fire that brought smoke odors and residues. Superintendent Justin Bartholomew said Tuesday walls, floors and flat surfaces were cleaned and all air filters and fire extinguishers replaced. He credited “diligent efforts by a professional fire remediation team, supported by the Pentucket facilities and custodial teams” for clearing the kitchen and other impacted areas for student and staff use. “All things considered; this could have been much worse,” he said.

Education

Proposed Student Cellphone Ban Builds Momentum in NH State House and School Districts

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by Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin
January 28, 2025

Months after his school banned cellphone use during class time, Cameron Marvin is breathing a little easier. Before the ban, the eighth grader at Pelham Memorial School saw the phones do more harm than good. Kids would show off memes in the classroom, creating distractions. Teachers would interrupt a lesson to tell those students to put the phones away – another distraction. And breaks to the bathroom were fraught with the prospect of pranks, vandalism, and disruptive behavior, all filmed on students’ phones to be posted for later online glory.

Education

State Awards Haverhill Schools $16,260 for Reading Success from Age 3 Through Grade 3

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Haverhill Public Schools is receiving $16,260 from a state program to help early learners with reading skills. The city on Monday became one of only 15 districts across the state to receive a grant during the first round from the Partnership for Reading Success in Massachusetts—known as PRISM. “Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3” aims to make sure Massachusetts schools, educators and students have access to “high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction through literacy materials, technical support, coaching and professional development.”

“Massachusetts is #1 in the nation for education, and we’re on a mission to be #1 for early literacy as well. We’re doing that through Literacy Launch, which is making the best reading materials available to more districts and more students. I am pleased to see the first funding from this going out the door to districts today,” said Gov. Maura T. Healey.