Education

Haverhill School Committee Calls Attention to Two Scholarship Applications Due April 15

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The Haverhill School Committee is inviting graduating students to apply for two college scholarships—the Nicholas C. Johnson and Samuel and Bessie Milhendler College Scholarship Funds. The Johnson scholarship, while not required, is geared to, in the donor’s words, “persons seeking further education relating to the retail business.” Johnson specified the award be decided by a committee consisting of the principal of Haverhill High School and superintendent of schools. Similarly, the Milhendlers highly weighted the recommendation of the high school principal in deciding to whom the scholarship should be awarded. The donors said the grant “should be based on need, high standard of scholarship in high school and deportment while in said high school.” It is not limited to freshman year students. Applications are due by Monday, April 15.

Education

Whittier Tech Senior Curtis Becomes Youngest, Licensed Wastewater Plant Operator in State

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Kayden Curtis, a Haverhill senior at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, recently passed the Massachusetts Municipal Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Exam, making him the youngest licensed wastewater operator in the state. Curtis, who has been working on co-op at the Merrimac Wastewater Treatment Facility, took the state exam on his 18th birthday, successfully earning his certification. His work supervisor Justin Craig said he knew Curtis was on the road to success. “He shows up with a positive attitude and is ready to get right to work,” said Craig, adding, “He quickly picked up the daily operations and demonstrated exceptional potential. I pushed him to take the exam knowing he had what it takes, and he proved me right.”

Curtis credits Whittier Tech and his mentors, but Whittier Tech plumbing instructor Eli Roy pushes back.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Names Hamilton Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

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Jasmine Hamilton next Monday becomes Northern Essex Community College’s new head women’s volleyball coach. Hamilton, of Windham, N.H., currently teaches biology and anatomy at Lowell High School

“I can’t wait to get started and see what each individual can bring to the team. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be the next volleyball coach at NECC and look forward to not only enhancing the skill set of the players, but to be a positive role model for the student-athletes on and off the court,” Hamilton said. Northern Essex Community College Athletics Director of Dan Blair said he is “thrilled” to welcome Hamilton to the college and “excited for her fresh new perspective and leadership for the program. She will be a valuable asset as we continue to build upon the previous successes of the program.”

Hamilton enjoyed a standout high school playing career at Alvirne High School as an outside hitter where she led the team to multiple appearances in the New Hampshire Division I state tournament and, most recently, has been a member of the Alvirne coaching staff for the past two seasons.

Education

Kallin to Leave Haverhill Promise Reading Program This Month; Board Commits to Future

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After more than two years, Haverhill Promise, the city’s Campaign for Grade Level Reading, will soon begin a search for a new leader and the organization said Monday it remains committed to early literacy in Haverhill. Haverhill Promise Executive Director Jessica Kallin, who came onboard during the fall of 2022, leaves March 14 to become director of grants, gifts and special accounts at Lawrence Public Schools. “It has been an honor to serve Haverhill’s children and families through this incredible initiative,” said Kallin in a statement. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that Haverhill Promise will continue to make a positive impact on our community.”

Haverhill Promise, whose mission is to ensure all Haverhill children read at grade level by the end of third grade, launched during the spring of 2018 and moved to the Haverhill Public Library last September. Kallin referenced the move, saying, “While the transition last fall with City Hall presented some difficulties, we are incredibly grateful for the continued support and engagement of the Haverhill Public Library and its trustees.

Education

Pentucket Regional Fine Arts Instructor Nadeau Receives Massachusetts Art Education Honor

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Pentucket Regional Middle High School fine arts instructor Marcia Nadeau was recently honored by the Massachusetts Art Education Association. Nadeau, who has worked with the district for 28 years, was awarded the Association’s Distinguished Service Within the Profession Award. The award is designed to recognize outstanding achievements, contributions, and service in previous years to the field of art education. Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair David Schumacher said during her time as Pentucket’s department chair of the Fine and Performing Arts, Nadeau began numerous community outreach efforts, bringing opportunities for her students and the community to engage in the arts. She secured bus transportation to and from Mass College of Art and Design in Boston, offering enrichment at one of the oldest collegiate art schools.

Education

Haverhill School Administrators to Press for Increased Use of Bus Pass Swipe Program

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Haverhill school officials plan to double down on a bus pass program that so far has seen lukewarm success. Superintendent Margaret Marotta told School Committee members Thursday she’d prefer not to waste the investment, but instead encourage higher participation. “I think the swipe on, swipe off is incredibly important. Being the one who’s usually here in the late afternoon with a child that’s gotten off at the wrong stop or that has been picked up by a parent that hasn’t communicated with the other parent, the many different things that happen that happen in a larger school system. It’s terrifying for everyone involved,” Marotta said.

Education

Agreement Helps Northern Essex Community College Students Move on to Merrimack College

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A new joint admissions agreement between Northern Essex Community College and Merrimack College provides that students enrolling at the community college can be conditionally accepted at Merrimack at the same. The two schools said in a joint statement the plan gives Northern Essex students more seamless pathways to continue their education after graduating with associate degrees. Once a student graduates from the community college, they can begin the transfer process. “Now more than ever, we must ensure that any student who dreams of earning an associate degree and bachelor’s degree can do so,” said Merrimack College President Christopher E. Hopey. “And this agreement will make that dream more accessible to more students.

Education

Three Whittier Middle School Configurations on the Table for Haverhill’s Future

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School Superintendent Margaret Marotta Thursday night briefed the Haverhill School Committee on the future of the John Greenleaf Whittier School, with three options on the table for the city to pursue. Marotta outlined possible school configurations after officials previously committed up to $1.2 million for a feasibility study for the replacement or renovation of the aging building, the first step to receive reimbursement for construction from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. As WHAV reported last year, officials made formal their plans to submit a Statement of Interest to the state that sought plans to explore among other options, the possibility of merging both the elementary and middle schools. The first option would see the John Greenleaf Whittier School’s capacity increase to 745 seats, with the building used for grades five through eight. Combining both the John Greenleaf Whittier School and John C. Tilton school would see the Whittier School house 1,045 students in grades four to eight, incorporating Tilton as part of what Marotta calls the “JGW Pen Lake campus.”

The third option would see John Greenleaf Whittier School house 1,325 students in grades three to eight.