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School nurses say they are overwhelmed and becoming burned out as a result of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tiffany Ann Bell, a family engagement nurse, addressed the Haverhill School Committee Thursday saying she and her fellow nurses need some kind of relief. “Our nurses are exhausted. We’re losing them. They’re getting ill.
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School is adapting its cosmetology programs to meet the state’s revised curriculum framework and adding new learning materials. Superintendent Maureen Lynch said the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this past fall updated expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each year. It aligns with requirements to achieve Massachusetts Cosmetology Licensure. The number of hours of instruction required by the frameworks exceeds the minimum 1,000 hours of practice required for the licensure, and is intended to provide adequate instructional time to meet the educational needs of students. Whittier Tech’s Cosmetology Shop recently ordered 12 textured mannequin heads so that students can practice wet and dry hair techniques.
Ernie DiBurro has done it again. Haverhill’s favorite “Hillie,” already well known for donating more than $1.5 million for school projects, is now contributing $1 million more for a new indoor tennis and pickleball center on the high school campus. “I’ve been a lifelong resident and a successful businessman and I love giving back to my high school and city,” DiBurro said Tuesday afternoon at the high school during a ceremony with Mayor James J. Fiorentini, school Superintendent Margaret Marotta, Athletic Director Tom O’Brien and Principal Jason Meland. The building is expected to cost approximately $1 million. Fiorentini said the city would likely cover any costs above that amount.
Haverhill High School is doing its part to ensure first, second and booster shots of COVID-19 vaccinations are available to the public. The school is hosting a free clinic Tuesday, Jan. 11, from 2:30-6 p.m., at the high school library, 137 Monument St., Haverhill. The public is advised to use parking lot “E” in the rear of the building and adjacent to the school library. Walk-ins are allowed, but online registration in advance is preferred.
The Golden Hill Eagle artists are soaring this month with varied student art on display at the Haverhill Public Library. There are torn paper owls and sunflowers from kindergartners, a colorful display of line sculptures and tree house creations by students in grade one, paper weavings from second grade artists, textured landscape collages and prints created by third graders and value study paintings by artists in fourth grade. During January, 28 pieces of art created by Golden Hill School elementary students in grades K-4 are on display in the gallery on the second floor at the Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main St.
Rep. Andy Vargas’ bill to provide free school meals got a boost last week from a top Maine lawmaker. Maine Senate President Troy Jackson urged Massachusetts to follow his state’s lead in passing a similar bill before the Massachusetts legislature. He testified before the Education Committee in support of universal school meals legislation sponsored in the House by Vargas of Haverhill and Sen. Sal DiDomenico of Everett. “As a lawmaker, and more importantly as a parent, I want children in Maine and all across this great nation to get a chance to focus on being kids, on playing with their friends and learning how to read, not worrying about where their next meal is going to come from and who’s going to pay for it,” Jackson said. “Now I imagine the folks in Massachusetts want the very same thing that I do.
The Methuen Police Department is sending eight student officers to the Northern Essex Community College Haverhill Police Academy in preparation for careers with Methuen Police. The eight officers were hired from the Civil Service Police Officers List and begin the police academy today. Students are Madison Adames, Robert Fitzgerald, Angel Mejia Jr., Dannery Serrano, Jason Young, Cameron Fountain, Kayleigh Forgetta and James Smith. “I’m excited that these eight great young men and women are up to the challenge of a career in law enforcement, said Police Chief Scott J. McNamara. “The lessons they learn over the next 38 weeks will prepare them for a career of helping others and protecting this community.”
Following 24 weeks of training at the college’s police academy, authorized by the Massachusetts Police Training Council, officers will graduate, become police officers and begin a 14-week Methuen Police Department Field Training Officer Program to train with experienced officers.
Haverhill and other area schools are closed Friday as the season’s first significant snowfall impacts the region. Haverhill school Superintendent Margaret Marotta cancelled both regular classes and all after-school activities. Similarly, classes are cancelled at Hill View Montessori Charter School; Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School; Pentucket Regional School District, serving Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury; Northern Essex Community College, UMass Lowell, Haverhill and Lowell campuses; and public schools in Methuen and Lawrence. Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said the city is pre-treating roads and calling in private snow plow contractors at 5 a.m. Highway Superintendent Michael Arpino reports the city has secured more than 120 private contractors. Trash pickup remains as scheduled.