Region

All Care Hospice Seeks Merrimack Valley Volunteers

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All Care Hospice, a nonprofit serving more than 90 communities throughout Massachusetts, is seeking volunteers in the Merrimack Valley, where patients are waiting for support. The organization says an hour of a volunteer’s time can bring comfort and companionship to someone in the community. Volunteers may visit patients, provide telephone support to patients and families, help with office tasks and offer a comforting presence during a patient’s final hours. All Care Hospice says no medical experience or specialized training is needed. They ask volunteers be compassionate, patient, dependable, good listeners and at least 18 years old.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Members to Network at The Beck

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Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce plans a Business Networking Mixer at The Beck, the new 290-unit housing complex on the Merrimack River in Bradford. Besides networking, the event, co-hosted by Studios 15, gives Chamber members and guests time to gather for complimentary appetizers and drinks and opportunities to win door prizes. The Business Networking Mixer at The Beck takes place Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 5-7 p.m., at 39 Railroad Ave., Haverhill. Registration takes place at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Education

 Methuen High Students Take Part in College and Careers Fair

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Methuen High School recently held a successful College and Careers Fair for senior students featuring more than 55 colleges, businesses, military organizations, technical schools and certification programs.

Besides being able to network and learn about local colleges and schools, students found opportunities to learn how their current classes remain important as they consider secondary education or enter the workforce. The school cited, for example, if a student is interested in plumbing, classes in geometry and physics at Methuen High School can help prepare them and create a bridge between their current classes and their future careers. “At Methuen Public Schools, we firmly believe in opportunities for all students, and by having our students participate in these programs and events, we are able to have more in-depth conversations and connect students with the right resources to further their education during their time in Methuen and after graduation,” said Methuen School Counseling Department Chair Martha Tatro. Methuen High School Counseling Department is also planning two field trips for Early College students where they will visit UMass Lowell.

Education

Haverhill High School Admin Shows Marked Student Gains

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Haverhill High School Principal Michael Downs detailed for the School Committee last week how the school has “come a long way in the last four years.”

The principal documented chronic absenteeism is down while daily attendance is up, averaging in the 90% range, compared to the 80s. He noted, however, students at the high school are in a category by themselves. “It’s a lot different at the high school than the lower levels. They have licenses and jobs, and sometimes that takes the priority, but we do the best we can,” he explained. The dropout rate before Downs took over as principal was 4% of 2,000 pupils, but recent data shows 1.3% and still improving.

Haverhill

Officials Laud $400K for Haverhill Disaster Pay, Train Noise Suppression, School Athletics

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City and state officials gathered Friday at three Haverhill locations to demonstrate how $500,000 from the current state budget and voter-approved Fair Share Amendment—often called the “millionaire’s tax,” was secured by legislators to help cover emergency overtime pay, reduce noise from idling trains in Bradford and bolster school physical education. Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, Sens. Barry R. Finegold and Pavel M. Payano and Reps. Andy X. Vargas and Ryan M. Hamilton touted state investments during presentations at the Braford commuter rail station, Haverhill’s Water Street Fire Station and Haverhill High School. A portion of $175,000 goes to cover overtime pay for Haverhill firefighters and police officers who responded to an April 28 fire that destroyed the Stevens Street mill and subsequent round-the-clock coverage.

Education

Schools’ Receipt of $3.2 Million Grant Offers Public Training Opportunities

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The School Committee took time Thursday to cheer the receipt of a $3.2 million state grant that also offers communitywide benefits. As WHAV reported first last week, the Career and Technical Education Annex Pilot Program will create 140 new vocational seats for Haverhill High School students. Haverhill Public Schools Supervisor of Career and Technical Education Victoria Kelley told the Committee the school system “took a leap of faith this year” and accepted all its lottery students this year using shared classroom space. The grant, however, pays for construction of dedicated classrooms and labs, accommodating current growth and allowing an additional 80 student seats. The grant pays for a dedicated Healthcare Simulation Lab to expand the school’s Health Assisting program and Advanced Technology Lab for the Information Support Services and Networking program.

Sports

Merrimack College Athletics to Commence ‘Warriors Rising’ Plan

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Merrimack College athletics is adding four sports as part of its “Warriors Rising: A Blueprint for Athletics Growth and Competitive Excellence” Plan. Merrimack will add four Division I varsity sports including women’s flag football, acrobatics and tumbling, men’s swimming and men’s rowing, beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. Merrimack becomes the first NCAA Division I institution in New England to sponsor varsity women’s flag football. Over the next five years, the department plans to grow its student-athlete population by more than 40%. President of Merrimack College Christopher E. Hopey said “Athletics is an important part of who we are at Merrimack.