Exclusive

New or Renovated Whittier Tech on the Way After School Building Authority Deems it Eligible

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A new or substantially renovated Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School is on the horizon. After five annual submissions, the Massachusetts School Building Authority last month invited the nearly 50-year-old school into its eligibility period. The designation means Whittier Tech must now form a local building committee. Superintendent Maureen A. Lynch last night told members of the Haverhill Education Coalition Whittier Tech was forced to take steps after Haverhill building officials declared no more renovations may take place. Inspectors said the school needs a modern sprinkler system, among other updates, to continue growing.

Education

Family and Friends Create Fund to Pay for Haverhill Kindergarten Cancer Victim’s Funeral

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Family and friends of a five-year-old Golden Hill School kindergarten student who lost his battle with cancer recently are asking for help paying for funeral expenses. A GoFundMe page was created for the family of the boy identified only as “Dyland.” As of last night, the fund was still short about $1,500 of the $5,000 goal. “With deep sadness, our five-year-old son Dyland unfortunately, lost his fight against cancer this past Saturday. He leaves behind two siblings, his mother and father. Dyland was a lovely boy who enjoyed playing with his toys and going to school,” a family statement said.

Education

Tilton Upper Plans Anti-Bullying Green Ribbon Week in March with Student-Led Presentations

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Be a buddy, not a bully!  That is the essence of Green Ribbon Week, a school-wide series of events scheduled for the week of March 16 through 20 at Tilton Upper School, formerly St. James School. The program features student-led presentations on bullying and tolerance, two school-wide assemblies with featured speakers and, for fifth and sixth graders and a Haverhill police officer discussing the law how bullying can lead to school violence. Megan Arivella, school adjustment counselor and a member of the school’s Parent Engagement Committee told School Committee members last week what the group hopes these events will accomplish. “We are hoping to spread cheer, increase student participation and attendance, create a school culture of awareness and tolerance for differences and, most importantly, increase the respect for others,” Arivella said.

Sports

Northern Essex Community College to Induct Rowinski, 2000-2001 Women’s Basketball Team into Hall of Fame

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Northern Essex Community College’s 2000-2001 Women’s Basketball Team and former Haverhill men’s basketball coach Mike Rowinski are to be inducted into the college’s Athletics Hall of Fame in March. One of the most accomplished women’s teams in the college’s history, the 2000-2001 women’s basketball team captured the Region 21 championship and advanced to the national semi-finals with an overall record of 24-10, including a national quarterfinal victory over top seeded Fulton-Montgomery. Coached by Andrew Pittington the team was led by Glenda Cancel, Jessica Hamilton and the Hamblet sisters Lyndsey and Tricia who all averaged double figures in points per game throughout the season. Cancel was named the Region 21 Tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Hamilton and Tricia Hamblet following the team’s 76-47 victory over Springfield Tech in the regional final. A Haverhill High alum and 1981 graduate of the college with a degree in criminal justice and men’s basketball student-athlete, Rowinski went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from St.

Education

Whittier Tech Cheerleaders Hold Clinic for Younger Students, While Raising Money for Sports

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Two cheerleaders from Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School combined their love of the sport with their business and leadership savvy last month when they offered a clinic for children aspiring to cheer one day. Jelena Valentin, a junior, and Anne Jacques, a sophomore, organized a cheerleading clinic on at the school’s gymnasium. Valentin and Jacques, members of the school’s DECA club, organized the clinic to practice project management skills and give back to the community. “Holding a clinic for younger students interested in cheerleading was a wonderful idea, and this was a great way for Jelena and Anne to practice their DECA skills, share their love of cheerleading, connect with the next generation of cheerleaders and raise money for their sports team,” Whittier Superintendent Maureen Lynch said. A group of 14 children in kindergarten through fifth grade attended the clinic, which was led by Whittier Tech’s cheerleading team, and learned two cheers—a dance and basic stunts.

Community Spotlight

Special Needs ‘Effective Communication’ Workshop Thursday at Haverhill High School

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“Effective Communication,” a free workshop for parents, guardians, caregivers and professionals, takes place under the auspices of the Haverhill Special Education Parent Advisory Council, this Thursday night. This presentation, presented by The Federation for Children with Special Needs, describes how to be an effective communicator, explains why effective communication with the school is important and clarifies how to establish effective communication with the school. Topics include identifying school successes, active listening, methods of communication, what factors can impact communication, preparing for team meetings, potential outcomes and strategies for success. The meeting takes place Thursday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m., at the Haverhill High School library, 137 Monument St.

Education

Haverhill High School Pool Roof Bids Come in $264,000 Over Projection; Mayor to Find the Difference

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While you would expect to get wet when swimming in an indoor pool, you probably would not expect that some of that water would be the result of a leaking roof, but that is the reality facing students at Haverhill High School. The roof over the Charles C. White pool has been in need of repair for some time and about two months ago, the City Council approved $400,000 for that work. That figure was based on an estimate by Greenwood Roof Services, the city’s roofing contractor. When the project went out to bid, however, the lowest offer came in at $664,000. Paul Hartford, a consultant for the Haverhill School Committee regarding roofing issues, explained what happened.

Education

Sacred Hearts School Students Send Holiday Cheer to Two Critically Injured Brothers

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Students at Bradford’s Sacred Hearts School jumped into action just before Christmas to help brighten the lives of two teen brothers who would be spending the holidays in the hospital after being critically injured in an automobile accident. Students didn’t know the boys—15-year-old Evan Bostwick and his 17-year-old brother Colin—but they couldn’t bear the thought of them suffering on Christmas. The Bostwicks were on their way to school Dec. 17 when the pickup truck they were riding in slid on an icy road in Bourne and struck a tree. They were rushed to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.