Principal’s Post

Dear Families,

Sincerely,

Jen Rubera

Principal

Superstar Reading at Home Resources

• https://lote4kids.com/us-haverhill-public-library/  The Haverhill Public Library offers this wonderful resource with books in multiple languages!
• https://storylineonline.net/library/  Storyline Online
• Vooks Storybooks YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@VooksStorybooks
• Digital Reading Log:   https://forms.gle/bshU4hcReq2WGJ8r5
• Paper Log Passed out to Students: Traditional Paper Reading Log

SUPERSTARS Monthly Theme:  Empathy

Empathy is the ability to truly understand and share the feelings of another person.  It means being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.  When our students practice empathy, they are learning to listen actively, notice non-verbal cues like facial expressions, imagine what another person might be feeling, and respond with kindness and care based on that understanding.  Developing this skill is fundamental to creating a supportive, inclusive, and positive school community, and we will be focusing on teaching and modeling it throughout the month.

Reading picture books is one of the most effective ways to introduce complex emotional concepts like empathy to young children.  We encourage you to explore some of these wonderful titles together this month.  These books offer beautiful ways to open discussions about kindness, perspective-taking, inclusion, and celebrating differences:

• The Paper Heart by Sally Reichert

• Empathy is Your Super Power by Cori Bussolari, PsyD

• How Wonderfully Odd! by Rory Haltimaier

• Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev

• A Friend Like Simon by Kate Gaynor

• The Conversation Train by Joel Shaul

• When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith

• Big Bear Was Not The Same by Joanna Rowland

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfield

• We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio

• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

• Hey, Little Ant by Phiullip and Hannah Hoose

• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

• Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing With Sensory Overload by Jennifer Veenendall

• Arnie and His School Tools Simple Sensory Solutions That Build Success by Jennifer Veenendall

Community Resources

We recognize that the need for support may extend to our own school families.  If you or your family could use a little extra help or support with food, clothing, or other resources, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact our School Adjustment Counselor, Cherie Rousseau, or myself, directly. We are here to help in any way we can.  Additionally, there is a wide network of support available right here in the Haverhill community.  Whether you are seeking immediate crisis support, need assistance with housing, or are looking for therapeutic services for a family member, the HPS Community Resources web page highlights essential resources designed to help.  Please click here to view the HPS Community Resources Page.  If you are still unsure of what resources you qualify for or where to go, please contact Community Action in Haverhill at 978-373-1971.  They have bilingual staff and are excellent at connecting families to the right assistance.  Your well-being and the well-being of our Superstars are what matters most.

Illness Exclusion Guidelines:  Staying Home When Sick

If a child’s needs while sick with an infectious illness would interfere with the school staff’s ability to teach and care for other students, the child should stay home.  Schools must balance the risk of infectious disease spread with educational, social and mental health needs of children when determining when students should stay home.

If someone has the following symptoms, they should stay home (or be dismissed):

• Fever, including a fever with a new rash
• Vomiting more than twice in the preceding 24 hours
• Diarrhea that causes ‘accidents,’ is bloody, or results in greater than 2 bowel movements above what the child normally experiences in a 24-hour period
• Skin sores that are draining on an uncovered part of the body and are unable to be covered with a bandage
• Respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or not improving and not better explained by another cause, such as seasonal allergies

*The CDC definition of fever: temperature 100.4 or greater, or feels warm to the touch or gives a history of feeling feverish

Return to School criteria

• No fever (and is not using fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours
• Fever with a new rash has been evaluated by a healthcare provider and fever has resolved
• Uncovered skin sores are crusting, and the child is under treatment from a provider
• Vomiting has resolved overnight and the person can hold down food/liquids in the morning
• Diarrhea has improved; the person is no longer having accidents or is having bowel movements no more than 2 above normal per 24-hours period. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by a healthcare provider prior to return
• Respiratory virus symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours.  Students and staff returning after a respiratory illness can consider additional actions to reduce spread

Guiding principles:

1. Our primary goal is to maximize school attendance and its benefits for all students, while also minimizing the spread of infectious diseases
2. School nurse assessment is guided by Standards of Practice
3. Haverhill Public Schools aligns with CDC and MA DPH/DESE guidance, including prevention strategies (such as immunization, hygiene and ventilation)
4. There may be instances when these procedures are adjusted due to community disease spread (e.g. an outbreak or pandemic or time of excessive absences)
5. School staff who are assigned responsibility for caring for sick children or who will be exposed to infectious materials have access to personal protective equipment

Illness Exclusion Guidelines

Mark Your Calendar!

Please visit https://walnutsquare.haverhill-ps.org/events/   or view the calendar on Parent Square to stay informed about important dates and events!  You also have the opportunity to subscribe to the Walnut Square calendar to get updates right on your device!

December 

Mon 12/22 Gifts from the Heart/Grinch Day

Tue 12/23 • Early Release – All Students/Staff Dismissal is at 11:35 am

• *Hibernate Friday:  Wear your pajamas to school!

 Wed 12/24 • Winter Break

 Thu 12/25 • Winter Break

 Fri 12/26 • Winter Break

 Mon 12/29 • Winter Break

 Tue 12/30 • Winter Break

 Wed 12/31 • Winter Break

January 2026

Early Release Dates:

Illness Exclusion Guidelines