HHS Newsletter August 25-29, 2025

Haverhill High School
Newsletter

August 25-29, 2025

Upcoming Events

For all district related events please visit the District Calendar!
For Sports related events please visit the Haverhill Hillies Calendar!

2025-2026 – BUS Schedule

Do you live too close to qualify for a school bus (within 2 miles), consider taking the free MEVA! Routes 15 and 16 will get you to school on time. They stop where you are along the route (as long as it’s safe to do so), and drop you off on Monument Street in front of the school! No more excuses, take the public transport! They are also going to stop at the end of the day and wait until 2:15 to depart, to give the kids time to get to their bus.
Route 15 (Loops with route 16)
Route 16 (Loops with route 15)

Tuesday, August 26 – 1st Day of School

Wednesday, September 3 – Picture DAY (Freshman only)!!

Friday, August 20 – Early Release at 10:15am – Blocks E & C

Monday, September 1 – No School

Tuesday, September 2 – LOOP Program starts for 8th Graders

Thursday, September 4 – Meet the staff 6pm at Haverhill High School

Monday, September 8, 2025 – Picture Day! (please see flyer above)

Wednesday, September 25 – Early Release at 10:15am – Blocks A & D 

To Haverhill High School Students, Parents and Guardians: 

Welcome and welcome back everyone. Last year we made great strides in our operations and connecting to students. Our goal is to continue improving operations and procedures that will make this school safer and more efficient. Additionally, continue to make connections and find ways to connect instruction to all students. This document reflects many of these new operations and procedures.

As a team we reviewed this entire document to make our expectations clearer for students,  staff and families. Each new procedure and policy is aligned with the core values of Haverhill High School. You will notice that consequences for actions are not clearly spelled out. The purpose is to allow the administration the discretion to do what is best for that student. However, please note the administration team is and will be calibrated in terms of procedures and consequences to make things as fair and consistent as possible. As it is difficult to provide an all-inclusive document that captures all incidents that may occur at the high school, it serves as a supplement to the decision making of the faculty and administrative team at Haverhill High School.  

Whether you are a new parent/caregiver or one who has been with us before, please review this document with your student(s). The overall intent of the Student Handbook is to assist in providing an environment that best supports teaching and student learning. While all your inquiries may not be included in this document, a directory is included and will assist you in contacting the appropriate staff member.

Safety is paramount for everyone in the school; hence, the primary focus on changes is protocols and procedures. My primary job and focus is the safety of all and therefore we are implementing changes that will help us, along with the cooperation of the staff, students and families. Social probation and the restorative practice to get off of social probation are to serve as reminders that participation/attendance of any athletic event and/or club/activity are privileges. How students perform in school and follow our core values will determine access to those privileges. Students who do the right thing day in and day out and have earned those privileges should be recognized with participation/attendance. Additionally, everyone should be aware that excessive absences and tardies will negatively impact academic performance and prohibit participation in athletics and clubs.

The main message of accountability and fairness leads me to my final remarks. My staff and team are here to connect with students and this document will serve as the base for expectations for all of us. I hope your student(s) take advantage of the many great opportunities to join clubs and to participate on athletic teams that are listed in the Student Handbook.  You will find that participation in these activities will assist you in making life-long connections.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Downs
Principal Haverhill High School 

Haverhill High School
School Year 2025-2026

Bell Schedule

On July 25, 2024 the School Committee unanimously approved the new cell phone policy at the high school to help students focus on learning while in class, to increase student engagement, and to prevent coordinated events while in class. The policy states that cell phones (and other electronic devices) must be turned off and cell phones must be put into the designated classroom container or on silent in a backpack. No cell phone use is allowed while out on a hall pass during class time.

Students will still be able to check their phones between classes or during lunch but families can call the main office to reach students if an emergency arises.

Working as a team to implement this policy will make concerns about staff confiscating phones a non-issue as we are giving students the same message to have phones away during class times. Again, this policy is to help with learning, maintain better safety, and protect the dignity of students in moments that may be out of their control.

Additionally, Haverhill High School staff is expected to model this policy as well and will not have cell phones out during instructional times in class. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work together to create the best possible learning environment.