Family Update

Posted on April 17, 2026

Dear Walnut Square Families,

As we head into our spring vacation, I want to share some important updates regarding upcoming opportunities and community highlights.  I am resharing the information for the HPS Summer 2026 Learning Opportunities in both English and Spanish to ensure all families have the chance to review these programs as you plan your summer schedules.

Additionally, I encourage you to check out Mr. DeAngelo’s  PE WIN Block Newsletter for March/April (available in English and Spanish) to see the wonderful progress our students have been making in their physical education and enrichment blocks.

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Walnut Square PTO members Belinda Cronin, Abigail Pena, and Kym Safran for their incredible work coordinating and installing the Walnut Square artwork from Art Night at the Haverhill Public Library.  This beautiful exhibit is currently on display for a month, and I hope you have a chance to visit and see our students’ creativity in person!  These dedicated volunteers also organized and ran our Title 1 Art Night on Monday, April 13th.  Another special thank you goes to PTO members Morry Korinow and Alicia Korinow for coordinating the pizza served during that event. I am so grateful for their support in making these community gatherings a success.

To keep that spirit of stewardship going, please join the Walnut Square community as we celebrate a special milestone during the City’s Annual Earth Day City-wide Cleanup, centered around this year’s theme:  “A Green and Clean 250th USA City!”  We invite you to meet us at the Walnut Square School on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to help refresh the heart of our neighborhood.  Our team will focus on tidying the school grounds, including the sidewalks and play areas, as well as the Green Pocket Park next to the school.  This cleanup is particularly meaningful because the pocket park is a place of growth; our Saturday efforts will prepare the ground for a special ceremony and tree planting to commemorate Arbor Day on Monday, April 27th.  Whether you are a student, a parent, or a neighbor, your hands make a huge difference in keeping our local spaces vibrant for the city’s 250th anniversary.  Let’s roll up our sleeves and show Walnut Square some love by clicking here to RSVP today!

Finally, I wish all of our students and families a restful, safe, and happy spring break.  I  look forward to seeing everyone ready to learn when school resumes on Monday, April 27th.

Sincerely,

Jen Rubera

Principal

You’re Invited:  Haverhill’s Annual Earth Day City-Wide Cleanup Event Invitation

Please join the Walnut Square community for the City’s Annual Earth Day City-wide Cleanup.  This year, we are celebrating a special milestone with our theme: “A Green and Clean 250th USA City!”

Event Details:

  • When: Saturday, April 25, 2026

  • Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

  • Meeting Location: Walnut Square School

Our Specific Focus:

While the city tidies up everywhere, our team is dedicated to refreshing the heart of our neighborhood. We will be focusing on:

  • Walnut Square School grounds (sidewalks and play areas).

  • The Green Pocket Park right next to the school.  The pocket park abutting our school is more than just a cleanup site; it’s a place of growth!  We are excited to announce that this park will be the location of a special tree planting to commemorate Arbor Day on Monday, April 27th.  By cleaning the park on Saturday, we are preparing the ground for this new addition to our community!

Whether you are a student, a parent, or a neighbor, your hands make a huge difference in keeping our local spaces vibrant and green for the city’s 250th year.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and show Walnut Square some love!  Please RSVP by clicking here on this link.  

HPS Update on Summer Extended Year Programming & Staffing

We are excited to announce a fresh direction for this year’s summer programs! To enhance the student experience, we are revamping our extended-year offerings for grades K-4 through a new partnership with our Discovery and Access 21 Clubs.   The Literacy Academy and the Language Institute are merging with Discovery and Access 21 to provide a more hands-on learning experience using DESE-approved curriculum.  The district will continue to identify students to invite based on data.  In addition, our community partners, The YMCA and The Boys and Girls Club, will be offering an afternoon program with limited openings.

Applications will be going out in the next few weeks – please check your email.

Attached is a summary of the Summer 2026 Learning Opportunities for our students. Please keep in mind that most of these programs are by invitation, based on specific criteria.

HPS Guiding Good Choices Program

The “Guiding Good Choices” program is an excellent workshop offered to HPS families designed to help parents of preteens and teenagers (9-14 years old) guide their children through the process of discovering their identity without losing their way. It’s a program that strengthens the bonds between parents and children, helping them build a strong connection and develop effective communication.  Please click on the flyers below for more information.

Superstar Reading at Home Resources

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!

April 2026

  • April 20th-24th:  NO SCHOOL SPRING RECESS
  • Saturday, April 25th: Haverhill’s Annual Earth Day Clean Up 9:00-1:00 pm **We will be cleaning Walnut Square School and the park abutting our school.
  • Monday, April 27th:  10:00 am Arbor Day Ceremony and Tree Planting
  • Tuesday, April 28th:  Pre-K – 8 Progress Reports Issued- Third Trimester

May 2026 

  • Monday, May 4th:  PTO/Site Council Meeting
  • Monday, May 4th- Friday, May 8th:  Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
  • Monday, May 11th:  Grade 3 MCAS Session 1
  • Tuesday, May 12th:  Grade 3 MCAS Session 2

    • Math Make-up Dates: May 14th, 15th, 18th, and 19th

  • Wednesday, May 13th:  Early Release Day- Dismissal is 11:35 am
  • Thursday, May 14th 4:00-7:00 pm:  HPS City-Wide Art Show at HHS
  • Friday, May 22nd:  K-3 Spring Music Concert 10:15 am
  • Friday, May 29th:  K-3 Spring Music Concert 10:15 am RAIN DATE
  • Monday, May 25th:  Memorial Day- NO SCHOOL

June 2026 

  • Tuesday, June 9th:  Field Day
  • Thursday, June 11th:  Field Day Rain Date
  • Friday, June 12th:  Grade 3 Walk Up Day to Pentucket Lake 9:30 am-11:30 am
  • Monday, June 15th:  Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic 9:45-10:45 am
  • Tuesday, June 16th:  Grade 3 Promotion Ceremony 11:00 am- 12:00 pm
  • Tuesday, June 16th:  Grade 3 Luau 1:30-2:30
  • Wednesday, June 17th:  Last Day of School *Early Release Day- Dismissal is 11:35 am

 

Early Release Dates:

      • Dismissal time is 11:35 am on the following dates:
        • Wed. 5/13
        • Wed. 6/17 (Last day of School