The Pentucket Regional High School varsity football team takes the field at the opening game of the school’s new football stadium against Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School on Sept. 8. On Friday, Oct. 27, the school celebrated the opening of the new stadium by recognizing the School Building Committee, School Committee, and all of the school’s fall athletes and band members. (Courtesy Pentucket Regional High School)
WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Brenda Erhardt are pleased to share that Pentucket Regional High School celebrated the opening of its new football stadium during a halftime ceremony on Friday, recognizing fall athletes and those who made the new stadium possible.
The Pentucket Regional School Committee, the Building Committee, and all fall athletes and band members were recognized at halftime of the Pentucket Regional High School varsity football team’s 27 to 20 victory over Northeast Metro Tech.
Fall athletes dressed up in their uniforms or Halloween costumes as they took the field at halftime to be recognized, and community members in the stands were asked to recognize the band and committee members who made the new stadium possible.
“We are blessed to be able to enjoy a new middle high school and all new athletic complex, and that blessing is the result of the hard work of members of our School Committee and Building Committee,” said Superintendent Bartholomew. “It was also a pleasure to recognize all of our hard working fall athletes and band members in this new and wonderful stadium.”
The stands were full during the game against Northeast Metro Tech on Friday evening, when Pentucket Regional High School recognized all those involved in the construction and planning off the new football stadium. (Courtesy Pentucket Regional High School)
Members of the girls soccer team took the field in Halloween costumes as they were recognized during a ceremony celebrating the opening of Pentucket Regional High School’s new football stadium. (Courtesy Pentucket Regional High School)
Members of the girls volleyball team pose for a photo after taking the field to be recognized during a ceremony celebrating the opening of Pentucket Regional High School’s new football stadium. (Courtesy Pentucket Regional High School)
From left, School Committee Members Wayne Adams, Chris Reading, and Marie Felzani were recognized during a halftime ceremony celebrating the opening of Pentucket Regional High School’s new football stadium. (Courtesy Pentucket Regional High School)
Students attended the game wearing Halloween costumes, cheering on their fellow students as the Pentucket Regional High School varsity football team defeated Northeast Metro Tech 27 to 20. (Courtesy Pentucket Regional High School)
Senior cheerleaders take the field as student athletes are recognized during halftime of the Pentucket Regional High School football game on Friday, Oct. 27. Pentucket recognized all those involved in the stadium’s construction, as well as all fall athletes, during a ceremony at halftime of the game. (Courtesy Pentucket Regional High School)
GROVELAND — Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew report that the Uptack Road project has been delayed, which will impact the school bus commute for Pentucket Regional School District students.
Pentucket Regional Middle andHigh Schools and the Bagnall Elementary School will be affected by this delay, and school bus companies have been notified.
Click here to view the updated bus route information.
Uptack Road will be reopened for travel Sept.13.
Uptack Road was closed due to culvert demolition. To learn more about the Uptack Road project, click here.
GROVELAND 一 Chief Jeffrey Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department has identified a suspect following an investigation into an incident involving a pellet gun last weekend.
A JUVENILE MALE, AGE 16, OF DRACUT, will be charged with Assault and Battery With a Dangerous Weapon.
On Saturday, June 17, at approximately 8:19 p.m., Groveland Police responded to the area of Main Street and Elm Park for a report of someone allegedly shooting pellets at pedestrians.
Upon arrival, officers spoke to the calling party who explained that, while out walking with his wife, he observed a red Honda Civic with four occupants drive by, and that a passenger who was wearing a mask hung out the window and pointed what appeared to be a pellet gun and began shooting at him and his wife. The reporting party told responding officers his jacket was struck with a projectile and his wife’s umbrella also was struck.
No injuries were reported.
Through a subsequent investigation, Detective Adam Sanborn was able to identify the JUVENILE, whose name is not being released due to his age. Detective Sanborn collaborated with colleagues from the Haverhill Police Department to conduct the investigation.
As part of the investigation, Detective Sanborn determined that the JUVENILE used a “splatter ball gun,” which shoots gel balls, pellets or beads. Groveland Police believe the incident is related to a social media trend.
The suspect will appear at Lawrence Juvenile Court at a later date.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
GROVELAND – Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham, Police Chief Jeffery Gillen, and Pentucket Regional School District Superintendent Justin Bartholomew would like to invite residents to the sixth grade D.A.R.E Program Pay It Forward Car Wash.
WHEN
Saturday, June 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE
Front of the Bagnall Elementary School, 253 School St.
WHAT
Sixth graders from the Bagnall Elementary D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) Programwill be holding a car wash to help support and fund next year’s program.
The D.A.R.E. program is run by School Resource Officer Sgt.Josh Sindoni and is supported by the Groveland Police Department.
More than 50 sixth-grade students graduated from the D.A.R.E. program in March and will be participating in the car wash to help support next year’s program for a new group of students.
Through the program, students learn about drug and alcohol resistance, empathy, respect, responsibility, anti-bullying techniques, and the importance of making good decisions.
The car wash is free, and donations are encouraged.
WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer and Groveland Fire Chief Robert Valentine report that the Pentucket Regional Middle and High School building was briefly evacuated after an alarm was triggered by smoke drifting from a large house fire in nearby Haverhill.
West Newbury and Groveland police and fire responded to the school complex at about 9:30 a.m. for a report of an activated fire/smoke alarm. It was quickly determined on-scene that there was no active danger at Pentucket, however the building was searched and cleared by first responders out of an abundance of caution.
The building was ventilated, and students and staff were cleared to return within about 45 minutes.
A number of students were evaluated on-scene by EMS, but no serious smoke inhalation was reported.
Mutual aid was provided by Atlantic Ambulance, Action Ambulance and Seabrook NH Fire Department.
The two alarm fire, located in a multi-unit home on East Broadway in Haverhill, was reported to have extremely dense, drifting smoke.
GROVELAND – Town Administrator Rebecca Oldham announces that the Town of Groveland has launched a new page on the Town website to increase public awareness and transparency about Town Meeting, the town election, and a pending Proposition 2 1/2 override request.
Groveland voters will be asked to consider an override to fund an additional $1.25 million for the Pentucket Regional School District. Proposition 2 1/2 is a 1980 state law that requires municipalities to obtain Town Meeting and voter approval to increase its total taxation by more than 2.5 percent year over year.
Groveland’s Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at Bagnall Elementary School. Town Meeting serves as the Town’s legislative body and is open to all registered voters in Town. Voters also will consider the override as a ballot question at the May 1 Town election.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the override, town budgeting, and taxation
A budget calculator, allowing homeowners to estimate how much more they will pay in taxes should the override be approved
The ability to ask town staff questions about the process and provide valuable feedback.
“Town Meeting and the Town Election are where voters have their voices heard,” Town Administrator Oldham said. “It is vital for the Town to provide as much information as possible, so that residents can make informed decisions.”
The website will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
Residents may learn more about the specifics of the school funding request at the Pentucket budget website.
GROVELAND 一Chief Jeffrey Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department is actively investigating after a large police response was summoned by a hoax 911 call reporting an act of violence.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, at about 8:45 p.m., Groveland Police received a 911 call in which the caller told dispatchers that he harmed someone in the home on Marjorie Street, and would harm first responders.
Out of an abundance of caution, and following established policies and procedures, a police, fire, and emergency medical response ensued. This included summoning of mutual aid from all neighboring police departments and Massachusetts State Police.
Neighboring homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Police soon determined that the call was a hoax and that no one was harmed inside the home. Police made a sweep of the area and allowed residents to return home at approximately 10 p.m.
The incident is being investigated by the Groveland Police Department as an act of “swatting,” which according to Oxford Languages is “the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.”
The phrase entered the dictionary in 2015 and has been recognized as a criminal phenomenon by the FBI since at least 2008.
This incident remains under active investigation by Groveland Police Department.
Members of the Bagnall School “Kindness Crew” are modeling positivity throughout the school community. They pose here with Principal James Day, fifth-grade teacher Amy Croft, Assistant Principal Brenda Erhardt, School Adjustment Counselor Christina Ierardi, and school mascot Elmer. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
GROVELAND – School Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Bagnall School Principal James Day are pleased to share that Bagnall students are participating in a “Kindness Crew” to inspire, recognize, and commit acts of kindness in the school community.
Fifth-and sixth-grade students applied to become part of the Crew and were assigned to mentor a classroom once a week, modeling and recognizing kindness. Each student-mentor records good deeds, and awards those students a kindness token.
All students who commit an act of kindness are recognized during schoolwide announcements on Monday morning.
Each month will have a theme: Respect, Community, Gratitude, Family, Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Random Acts of Kindness, Resilience, and Self-Esteem. Crew members will reinforce these themes each month to promote a positive culture in the school community.
“We have noticed that students are so excited to be recognized for kind acts that they are trying really hard to be kind to one another, said Grade 3 teacher Ashley Tiller. “The Kindness Crew has made an impact already and students are embracing this initiative.”
A Bagnall parent also shared that her two daughters now play “Kindness Crew” at home instead of “house.”
“It’s great to see the kids spreading kindness, and the older students becoming the role models and teaching the younger kids how important kindness is in our Bagnall community,” Principal Day said.
Bagnall also has re-introduced social-emotional learning in the classrooms, proactively addressing students’ mental health. The school adjustment counselor visits individual classrooms monthly to work on issues like empathy and problem-solving among others.
“Initiatives such as the Kindness Crew are terrific teaching tools. Our students are learning that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference, which is a lesson they will carry their entire lives,” Superintendent Bartholomew said.
Julie Torrisi, center, a member of the We Are Pentucket Municipal Ballot Question Committee, cuts the ribbon on the new Pentucket Regional Junior-Senior High School. Torrisi is flanked by Jack McCarthy, left, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and School Committee Member Dena Trotta. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
Student ambassadors led tours of the new building. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
Members of the Pentucket Regional High School Choir — from left, Kyla Dolan, Keira Milliken, Paige Nottingham, Madelyn Shikes, and Leslianis Weinburg — perform the Star-Spangled Banner. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
Denise and Paul Pouliot, members of the Cowasuck clan of the Penacook-Abenaki People, perform a ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
High School Principal Jonathan Seymour, who chaired the School Building Committee. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
School Committee Chair Christopher Markuns (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
State Sen. Bruce Tarr (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
More than 200 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
More than 200 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
State Rep. Lenny Mirra, left, and state Sen. Bruce Tarr, right, presented Superintendent Justin Bartholomew with proclamations from the Legislature. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
WEST NEWBURY – The Pentucket Regional School District cut the ribbon on the new Pentucket Regional Junior-Senior High School on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in an eight-year effort to build a state-of the art building.
More than 200 people, including District, state, and local officials, community members, parents, and future students, celebrated during a ceremony in the courtyard of the new school. About 970 students and 160 staff members began classes in the new building on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew, a 1994 Pentucket graduate, explained that District leaders had proposed building a new school more than 20 years ago, but could not muster enough community support.
The idea was revived in 2014 under then-Superintendent Jeffrey Mulqueen. A School Building Committee was launched in 2016. The We Are Pentucket Municipal Ballot Question Committee formed in 2018 to generate support in the sending communities of Groveland, Merrimac, and West Newbury.
In 2019, voters in all three communities overwhelmingly approved a $146.3 million building for grades 7-12. The Massachusetts School Building Authority is providing up to $52.7 million in support of the project.
“This is the work of all the people who raised me, who raised all these students through the years,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “They taught us not to give up. When you see adversity, how do you get around it? When you see an obstacle, how do you break through? And, ensure you’re speaking the truth.”
High School Principal Jonathan Seymour, who chaired the School Building Committee, and School Committee Chair Christopher Markuns thanked the more than two dozen people who served on the Building Committee. “When we embarked on this project, we knew it was a commitment and a statement of our values,” Chair Markuns said. “You feel the weight of that commitment, and you feel urgency to meet it. That means putting the people, staff, resources and programming inside it to meet its full potential.”
MSBA Executive Director Jack McCarthy praised the Building Committee for the selection of the construction team, which has delivered the building on time and within its budget.
McCarthy quoted Salt Lake City Tribune columnist Dan Valentine, who wrote, “A school is four walls, with tomorrow inside.” McCarthy added: “We are proud to be part of Pentucket’s tomorrow.”
State Sen. Bruce Tarr, state Rep. Lenny Mirra, and Calee Merenda, representing state Sen. Diana DiZoglio, presented proclamations congratulating the District.
Rep. Mirra praised Superintendent Bartholomew for opening the former Junior High and Senior High for community tours. The former Junior High School was opened in 1967, while the former High School opened in 1958. “When we walked through and saw the infrastructure, it became apparent we couldn’t just slap another coat of paint on it,” Rep. Mirra said.
Sen. Tarr said the new building embodied the passion, persistence, and collaboration that are the hallmarks of the District.
“The doors of opportunity are about to open wide and through those doors you will find something that isn’t new to the Pentucket communities: Passionate and committed educators, who have always given it their best regardless of what the building looked like,” Sen. Tarr said. “They will get the building they deserve. The students will get the building they deserve.”
Senior Dominic Karatzas led the Pledge of Allegiance. Kyla Dolan, Paige Nottingham, Keira Milliken, Madelyn Shikes, and Leslianis Weinburg, members of the award-winning Pentucket Regional High School Choir, performed the Star-Spangled Banner. Paul and Denise Pouliot, representatives of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, opened the program with a traditional blessing. The Pentucket region is the ancestral home of the Abenaki and Wabanaki.
Members of the We Are Pentucket committee — Julie Torrisi, Julie Wisniewski, Chris Manning, Dena Trotter, and Lindsay Goff — led the ribbon-cutting. Student ambassadors conducted tours of the building.
About Pentucket Junior-Senior High School
A two-story wing houses students in Grades 7 and 8. A separate three-story wing houses students in Grades 9-12. The two wings are joined by a large foyer and dining commons.
Key features of the school include:
A state-of-the-art HVAC system and solar roof panels. It is estimated these measures will save $2 million in energy costs during the next 20 years, by reducing the building’s energy footprint and lessening carbon emissions. The new school is on path to receive the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold designation.
A 610-seat Performing Arts Center. The Center supports the District’s award-winning arts and music programs, and will serve as a gathering place for community programs and activities. The building also includes a drama studio to allow for smaller group work and performances.
Flexible spaces. Chair and table designs vary, so teachers have limitless design options to allow them to maximize educational options.
Teacher planning spaces. Each floor has dedicated space for that grade’s teachers, allowing teachers to collaborate across disciplines.
Dedicated student entrance. Students are dropped off at the rear of the building, via a bus-only access road. From there, students walk through the arts wing to their class area.
Day lockers. Each floor has a small number of lockers that students may use for the day, and program in their own passcode. This removes lockers from the main hallways, improving access and student flow.
Breakout areas. Each grade area has an open area to facilitate small-group work by students, either independently or with teacher support.
Dore and Whittier designed the new school. Vertex served as owner’s project manager, and W.T. Rich served as construction manager.
The old High School has been demolished, while the old Middle School is in the process of removal. Construction of a front courtyard and permanent parking area continue. Playing fields will be added on the site of the current temporary parking lot. A stadium will be built on the site of the former Junior High School.
The Pentucket Regional School District will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Pentucket Regional Middle-High School on Wednesday, Sept. 14. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)
WEST NEWBURY – Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and the Pentucket Regional School District would like to invite the community to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Pentucket Regional Middle-High School.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 4-6 p.m.
WHERE:
Pentucket Regional Middle-High School, 24 Main St.
WHAT:
The Pentucket Regional School District is holding a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Middle-High School.
The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in the school’s rear courtyard. Following the ceremony, student ambassadors will lead tours.
Parking is limited. Attendees may park in the lot located off Main Street, or in the lot next to the former Middle School site.
The new school officially opened on Tuesday, Sept. 6,with about 970 students. The 211,700-square-foot facility has two wings, one that houses students in Grades 7 and 8 and another that houses Grades 9-12. The wings are joined by a large foyer and dining commons.
The $146.3 million building offers advanced features designed to improve the school’s energy efficiency and learning environment.
A cutting-edge HVAC system and solar roof panels are estimated to save $2 million in energy costs during the next 20 years by reducing the building’s carbon footprint and energy emissions. Students have a dedicated entrance and access to day lockers that will improve student flow. Teachers can utilize flexible learning and planning spaces, as well as breakout areas designated to each grade area, to facilitate and maximize learning opportunities.
The new school also features a 610-seat Performing Arts Center that will support the District’s award-winning arts and music programs as well as community activities.
The new school was designed by Dore and Whittier. Vertex served as owner’s project manager, and W.T. Rich served as construction manager.
