Community Spotlight

Haverhill Kindergarten Registration for Next Fall Is Now Open

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Families with children turning 5-years-old on or before Aug. 31 are eligible to register for the 2019-2020 Haverhill kindergarten program. Appointments may be scheduled by calling the Parent Resource Center at 978-420-1951 and parents of children who register before April 15 will receive their child’s school assignment by May 15. More information on the citywide kindergarten program is available by visiting www.haverhill-ps.org.

Education

Tilton Teacher Guertin Prepares to Release Second Children’s Book

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Tilton Tigers, get ready for another storytime session with teacher Annemarie Guertin: The first-grade educator tells WHAV her second children’s book, “Why the Evergreens Keep Their Leaves” hits stores on Sept. 1. Centered around the themes of kindness, compassion and helping others, Guertin’s folktale follows her debut release “How the Finch Got His Colors” that hit stores last year. As WHAV previously reported, Guertin snagged a second book deal—and an agent!—two months after her debut hit store shelves. Familius Publishing is again backing Guertin's work.

Education

School Committee to Hear Update on Whittier Repairs Thursday

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An update on issues and repair timelines for Haverhill’s JG Whittier Middle School is on the agenda when the city’s School Committee meets Thursday night. At the request of Committee vice chairman Paul A. Magliocchetti, the group will receive an update on efforts to rehab the more than 60-year-old Concord Street school. Magliocchetti put the item on the agenda after receiving an email from Whittier parent Paige Caswell, one of the city’s most vocal advocates for change. “This city does not care about the children at J.G. Whittier. There is no investment in the youth at this school. It’s utterly disgraceful,” Caswell wrote in a passionate plea to the School Committee, Superintendent Margaret Marotta, Mayor James J. Fiorentini and school Supervisor of Facilities Heather Forgione over the weekend.

Education

Haverhill Police Deem Wednesday Bomb Threat at Nettle ‘Not Credible,’ School Swept as Precaution

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Haverhill Police were at Nettle Middle School before the opening bell Wednesday morning to sweep the Boardman Street building after a bomb threat was written on a bathroom wall, officials tell WHAV. Deemed “not credible,” the threat was found before school opened,” Principal Tim Corkery said in a letter to parents. The campus was immediately swept by police at the request of Superintendent Margaret Marotta and while nothing was found, an increased police presence in and around school will be seen throughout the day. “All threats to school safety are taken very seriously and the police department continues to investigate the threat,” Corkery said. Nettle is the second Haverhill school to receive a threat in as many days.

Education

Haverhill Police Hosting March 27 Q&A on Vaping: DeNaro Warns of ‘Epidemic’ Usage Among Teens

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Haverhill parents, this one’s for you: The city’s police department, in partnership with Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Marotta, plans a free panel discussion on the hidden dangers associated with teen vape usage later this month. According to Chief Alan R. DeNaro, his team of school resource officers and narcotics division was inspired to act after an alarming increase in the presence of THC oils and related paraphernalia in city schools. The March 27 forum, he tells WHAV, is open to parents with children of any age. Think a child is too young to vape? Think again, DeNaro said.

Education

Whittier Tech Dismisses Students Early Because of Reported ‘Threat’

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Students at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School were dismissed at lunchtime today because of a reported “threat.”

Haverhill Police Capt. Robert P. Pistone confirmed school officials were alerted by a student about the threat. Because the matter is under investigation, the exact nature of the risk was not disclosed. Pistone, however, said it isn’t believed to be “credible.”

“We’re working with State Police to use K9 units to sweep the building,” he said, Coincidentally, other local and state K9 units were already in the area for a training exercise, he added. Haverhill firefighters also sent trucks to the school. Superintendent Maureen Lynch released a statement around 12:30, Monday.

Education

Power Surge Closes Consentino School; Students Sent to Silver Hill, HHS

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Students at Albert B. Consentino School were bused to other schools after what was believed to be a citywide power surge caused an outage at the middle school. Fire Chief William F. Laliberty said the surge caused the school to lose a phase of a three-phase power system. As a result, he added, some electrical relays appear to have failed. “There was no fire in the building,” the chief said. Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta said fourth and fifth graders were sent to Silver Hill School, while older students were sent to Haverhill High School while repairs are made.

Community Spotlight

Protecting Kids from Cyber Dangers is Focus of HTM Credit Union Program

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Community Spotlight is heard quarter past every hour on 97.9 WHAV. Greater Haverhill nonprofit organizations are invited to submit news of events, fundraising appeals and other community calendar announcements. Click image to use the Submit News Tip form to submit your information. Whether its strangers, cyber bullies or any host of online dangers, HTM Credit Union is sponsoring a safety program in concert with Haverhill Public Schools for seventh graders. “Growing Up in the Digital Age: How to Raise Savvy Cyber Kid,” helps students not only recognize dangers, but to take steps to guard their identities and images.