Community Spotlight

MakeIT Haverhill Offers Free Computer Classes in Spanish and English, Starting June 15

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MakeIT Haverhill plans two free “Introduction to Computer Basics” courses in both Spanish and English beginning tomorrow. Each class consists of two one-hour classes covering skills such as email, internet browsing and file/folder management. All classes will be at MakeIT Haverhill's collaboration space at 301 Washington St. The first course, to be taught in Spanish, begins with its first class Tuesday June 15, from 5-6 p.m., and second class on Tuesday June 22, from 5-6 p.m.

The second course, taught in English, begins with its first class on Saturday, June 19, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., and second class Saturday June 26, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

For both courses, instructors mix discussion with “hands-on” learning. Computers are available during class for each participant.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Students Elect Grace as College Trustee

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Human Services major Chrissy Grace of Dracut is joining the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees as the newly student-elected representative. Grace graduated from high school in 2004 and quickly found success working in the tech field as a product representative. But, after having a daughter three years ago, she said she feared running out of options for career growth and decided to move back home and work for her family’s transportation business. When COVID-19 struck, she decided to enroll at Northern Essex for the spring semester as a human services major, saying she was inspired to take on the new challenge by seeing her young daughter adapt and thrive during the pandemic. “She is three, she has spent most of her life in COVID and if she can do it, I can do it,” Grace said.

Education

All 267 Whittier Tech 2021 Graduates Have Firm Plans for Their Post-Pandemic Careers

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This year’s class president at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School probably said it best when she told the school’s 267 graduates last week, “Nobody plans for a global pandemic halfway through their high school experience.”

Makayla Hoffman of Rowley delivered the sole speech during last Thursday’s ceremony. “However, a lot of life is unpredictable and unplanned and Whittier has given us the tools we will need to take on whatever this life throws at us when we walk across the stage and move on from this chapter,” she said. And, move they did. Of the class of 2021, 101 plan to immediately enter the workforce, 78 plan to attend a four-year college, 67 plan to attend a two-year college, 15 will attend a technical/trade school and six enlisted in the military. Valedictorian Alyssa Michel of Haverhill, who studied engineering, will attend Northeastern University this fall, while Salutatorian Lilly Fox of Amesbury, who studied masonry, plans to enter the masonry field right away.

Education

Looking for Work? Haverhill Schools May Have a Job For You Helping Students Catch Up

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As one school year is in the process of wrapping up, Haverhill school administrators are already preparing for the next one by recruiting staff in various areas to help students catch up after the pandemic. Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, said the school budget includes a $7.6 million one-time payment from the federal government. Her plan calls for hiring an additional 70 employees to help students following a year of COVID-19-related learning challenges

“We’re also adding a lot of interventionists next year. It’s our hope in the proposed budget to add school adjustment councilors and reading interventionists and tutors and coaches to sort of make up for that learning loss. We have a substantial amount of grant money from the federal government so we will definitely be looking for people, and folks, that maybe out there and haven’t been working, maybe at home, hesitant, but they are ready to go back to work.

Education

Principal Finalists Meland and Parsons to Meet Students and Staff, Tour Haverhill High School Today

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Two job finalists for Haverhill High School principal meet with students, faculty, School Committee members and others during campus visits today. Jason Meland, principal of James P. Timilty Middle School in Boston, and D. Jaime Parsons, assistant and interim principal at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, will separately take classroom tours, answer student questions and meet with Superintendent Margaret Marotta, among others from 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

The candidates seek to succeed Haverhill High Principal Glenn Burns who, as WHAV reported a month ago, returns to Salem, Mass., as executive principal of Salem High Schools on July 1. In April, Burns emailed families, writing he was a finalist for the Salem job. Meland, who speaks fluent Spanish, received his bachelor’s in political science from University of Wisconsin-Madison and master’s in teaching from Marian University, Indianapolis. He also took part in the “Aspiring Principals Program” at Lynch Leadership Academy at Boston College.

Education

Haverhill’s Marigold Montessori School Receives State ‘Green Team’ Recognition

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Haverhill’s Marigold Montessori School was among 19 schools across the Commonwealth to be honored Monday as members of the “Green Team,” an environmental education program. Seemingly appropriate considering the school’s name and Wildflower School affiliation, Marigold Montessori’s pre-school students and lead teacher Linda Malbon were awarded bookmarks embedded with seeds to plant. They will also receive a link to an interactive performance by environmental “edu-tainer” Jack Golden. The school operates from Trinity Church, 26 White St., Haverhill. “Green Team students learn to take the concept of environmental stewardship into their schools and communities with practical approaches to energy conservation, recycling, composting and pollution prevention projects,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg.

Education

Groveland and Bagnall School Receive Honors in State Safe Routes to School Program

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Groveland and the Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall Elementary School was honored by the state’s Safe Routes to School Program in a ceremony last week recognizing improved pedestrian and bicycle safety efforts along Route 97. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation offers awards to partner schools, community champions and crossing guards in their efforts to allow and encourage students to safely walk, bike, and roll to school. The town and school were presented with the 2021 Exemplary Program Award for the northeast region. “Our student families and community called for this change, and it was by working together and with the town we’ve been able to make this area far safer for students traveling to and from school. Well done to each and every person involved.

Education

Haverhill High Graduates 484 with Pandemic Memories Looming Large Over Public Ceremony

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Haverhill graduated 484 seniors Friday night in as large a public gathering as the city has allowed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. The stark change hit home as the Class of 2021 honored one of the school’s own, 19-year-old Logan Todd, who became Haverhill’s youngest victim of the disease when he died this past January. “A year ago, Logan was first in line in a wheel chair when I presented him with a graduation certificate of achievement,” recalled Mayor James J. Fiorentini. “Logan was a young man who, despite his disabilities, smiled every day and every day put a smile on the face of everyone who met him.”

The mayor gave Todd’s brothers, Myles and Lucas Panneton, an honorary diploma for the young man. He further noted the city lost its 105th victim the day before.