PHOTOS: Pentucket Regional High School Stadium Opening Celebrated, Student Athletes Recognized

pentucketporta on November 2, 2023

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.

The stadium was built as part of the $146.3 million project that also saw a new middle high school built.

“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)

Pentucket Regional School District Invites the Community to Stadium Celebration

pentucketporta on October 18, 2023

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Brenda Erhardt would like to invite the community to the official celebration of the new stadium built at the Pentucket Regional Middle High School.

WHEN:

Friday, October 27, starting at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:

PRSD Stadium, Pentucket Regional Middle High School, 24 Main St.

WHAT:

The Pentucket Regional School District invites community members to attend a celebration to recognize those involved in the planning and construction of the new stadium at the Pentucket Regional Middle High School.

The celebration will take place during the Pentucket varsity football game versus Northeast Metro Tech. Residents, community members and others are encouraged to attend to show their support and spirit at the game.

Recognitions of the Pentucket Regional School Committee, Building Committee, athletic teams and band members will take place at half-time.

“We hope to see members of the school community come out to cheer on our football team and recognize those who played a part in the creation of this beautiful stadium,” said Superintendent Bartholomew.

Pentucket Regional School District Students Participate in German American Partnership Program

pentucketporta on September 11, 2023

Superintendent Justin Bartholomew is pleased to share that Pentucket Regional High School students will participate in the German American Partnership Program (GAPP).

The German American Partnership Program (GAPP), supported by the United States State Department, allows students from the U.S. and Germany to visit a secondary school in the other country. More than 400,000 American and German students have participated in the program since its establishment nearly 50 years ago.

Pentucket’s last GAPP exchange took place in 2014. For the past two years, German Teacher Stephen Petersen and Pentucket German IV students participated in a virtual exchange program, the German American Virtual Exchange (GAVE), with students from Stadtgymnasium Emsland in Rheine, Germany.

Pentucket students will finally meet their virtual exchange partners in person this year, as they engage in the GAPP. Students from Germany will visit Pentucket from Oct. 2-15, where they will live with host families to experience American family life firsthand.

Throughout their visit, students will also have the opportunity to get a feel for the Massachusetts educational system through shadowing a Pentucket student who is learning German at the high school, and visiting a district elementary school, Whittier Tech, and Boston University. Students will also get to take a trip to Boston, Newburyport, a local farm, and the beaches on Plum Island.

“In the past, life-long connections have been made between Pentucket and German students through this program,” said Pentucket Regional Middle High School Foreign Language Department Chair Linda Hackett. “We are excited to be bringing back the GAPP to Pentucket and are confident that our students will benefit from the connections made with the students from Germany.”

The Pentucket School Committee approved the program for the 2023-24 school year last spring.

Plans are being made to take Pentucket students to Rheine in June 2024.

German GAPP Coordinator Christophe Kotte, left, and the students who will visit Pentucket this fall. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)

Pentucket Regional High School to Open New Stadium on Sept. 8 Against Hamilton-Wenham

pentucketporta on September 5, 2023

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Brenda Erhardt invite the Pentucket Regional School District community to attend the opening of the district’s new stadium on Friday.

The new stadium will host its first football game at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, when the Pentucket Regional Middle-High School Panthers host Hamilton-Wenham. It will be the first night football home game in school history.

The opening of the stadium is part of the three-phase construction project to replace the district’s middle and high schools and reimagine the school campus. The new field, built on the site of the former middle school, will host football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey games.

“We are very excited to show off one of the crown jewels of our school buildings project,” Principal Erhardt said. “Our school community has been patient for the past several years as the new campus unfolded. We’re eager to show off this new, amazing facility, and we hope parents, students and supporters will celebrate Opening Night.”

All members of the school community are welcome. Admission is free.

“This has been years in the making, and we want to make sure as many people as possible can attend,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “The new stadium is one of the last pieces of our school building project. We want our community to celebrate the progress we’ve made.”

Click here to learn more about Pentucket’s athletic teams.

Road Construction Will Limit Access to Pentucket Middle-High School Campus

pentucketporta on June 15, 2023

WEST NEWBURY – The Pentucket Regional School District announces that there will be limited access to the Middle-High School campus in the coming weeks due to planned roadwork.

Crews will begin tearing up roads on campus on Friday, June 16. Visitors will have access to only the Middle-High School building. Anyone with business at the Middle High School is asked to enter the property via Farm Lane. Entry remains through the front doors. For departure, visitors will loop around the building to reconnect to Farm Lane.

Further, the site of the former Middle School will be closed off. There will be no public access to the track or tennis courts through the campus during construction.

Crews will then resurface and line all roads on campus.

Work was scheduled to begin following the final day of classes on Thursday, June 15. Work will be completed by Aug. 1, well before the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and the District thank the Pentucket community in advance for its patience during construction.

A map of the traffic pattern may be found here: PRSD – Site Logistics after 6.15.2023

Pentucket Regional School District Announces Administrative Restructuring for 2023-2024 School Year

pentucketporta on June 6, 2023

Brenda Erhardt

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew announces that the Pentucket Regional School District will restructure administrative services to strengthen core educational operations throughout the District in the 2023-2024 school year.

The changes are:

  • Brenda Erhardt, Assistant Principal at the Bagnall Elementary School in Groveland, has been named Interim Principal of the Middle High School.

This represents an operational change, with a single building principal who will be supported by three assistant principals in the building. This change will increase coordination between the schools’ staffs on educational matters, and increase smooth transitions between the Middle and High School.

Though in one building, the Middle School and High School will remain separate entities each with their own school councils, and will develop their own identities.

Erhardt is a Groveland native and Pentucket Regional High School graduate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Lesley University, and a Master’s in Education from Salem State University.

Erhardt started her professional career as an engineer supervisor in the private sector, becoming a teacher at the Page School in West Newbury in 2004. While at Page she took on roles of increasing responsibility, and served as Interim Principal at Bagnall earlier this year.

“Brenda is an exceptional educator,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “Having grown up in the District and attended our schools, she knows the high expectations of our school community and understands the high quality of instruction every student deserves. We are fortunate to have her leading this new administrative model.”

  • High School Principal Jonathan Seymour has been named Executive Director of Operations.

“Jonathan has been High School Principal for 15 years, and we really appreciate his hard work during that time,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “He was an integral part of the new school project, and in this new role will be able use his experience and operational skills to benefit the entire District.”

  • Middle School Principal Terrence Conant has been named Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction.

Conant will succeed Robin Doherty, who left the District earlier this year.

“The Middle School has made incredible progress in student achievement due to Terry’s high level of curriculum and instructional focus,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “We are excited to see Terry in this new role supporting teaching staff at the secondary level and expanding the successes we have seen.”

West Newbury and Groveland Fire Departments Respond to Brief Evacuation at Pentucket Regional Middle High School

pentucketporta on May 18, 2023

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.

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Pentucket Regional School District Provides Update on Air Quality Testing at Middle High School Campus

pentucketporta on May 15, 2023

WEST NEWBURY – Superintendent Justin Bartholomew wishes to provide an update regarding air quality testing at Pentucket Regional Middle High School after reports of a strong odor in a science lab.

Vertex Companies of Norwood tested air quality in the building from Friday, May 5, through Monday, May 8. Test results show zero levels of any concerning substances, including hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and carbon monoxide. Tests also detected naturally occurring carbon dioxide at levels well within state and federal guidelines.

Vertex inspected the air handling unit leading to the science lab. No breeches were observed.

Some wet and dirty air filters were removed from a rooftop air handler unit after the emergency response. The district’s HVAC contractor inspected the unit and performed maintenance to seal the unit from future water penetration.

Vertex is continuing to investigate the cause of the incident. The District expects to receive a final report in the coming days.

On May 1, Pentucket Middle High School students and staff were evacuated from the building because of an unknown odor in the science labs located on the third floor. Four students received medical attention at a local hospital. The state Department of Fire Services and state hazmat team also responded to assist with the investigation. The West Newbury Fire Department and West Newbury Inspectional Services continue to support the school district.

*UPDATE* Pentucket Regional School District Provides Update on Middle High School Evacuation

pentucketporta on May 1, 2023

WEST NEWBURY – Chief Michael Dwyer and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew wish to provide the following update about this morning’s evacuation of Pentucket Regional Middle High School.

A hazardous materials response team has completed an initial investigation, and has determined that the source of a strong odor in the middle school wing was a refrigerant leak from a rooftop HVAC unit. The unit was shut off, and the District’s licensed HVAC contractor will confirm a leak occurred and provide necessary repairs.

The Middle School wing has been vented to disperse the odor.

At about 9:42 a.m. on Monday, May 1, seventh-grade students in a science lab on the third floor of the middle school complained about a strange smell. No experiments were in progress and no chemicals were in use.

The complaints triggered a series of procedures and protocols, including a building evacuation and response by mutual aid from surrounding communities. The evacuation was coordinated by the West Newbury Police School Resource Officer.

Mutual aid responders included West Newbury Police, Boxford Fire, Georgetown Fire Ambulance, Groveland Police and Fire, Haverhill Fire, Merrimac Police and Fire, Newbury Fire Ambulance, Rowley Fire, West Newbury Fire, East Kingston, N.H., Fire, and Newton, N.H., Fire, as well as Action Ambulance, Atlantic Ambulance, Cataldo Ambulance, and Trinity Ambulance.

Salisbury Fire provided station coverage.

A hazardous materials response team from the State Department of Fire Services responded, as well as Rehab Five.

Thirty-nine students were evaluated at the scene. Two students were taken by ambulance to an area hospital out of an abundance of caution. Two other students were brought to the hospital by their parents. All four students were treated for symptoms including nausea and throat irritation.

No faculty or staff member required medical attention.

Superintendent Bartholomew, High School Principal Jonathan Seymour, and Middle School Principal Terrence Conant canceled remaining classes. After-school activities scheduled for Monday night have been postponed.

Faculty and staff will be able to retrieve personal belongings once given authorization by first responders. Administration is working on a protocol to allow students access to their belongings.

The school district will continue to update parents and guardians as more information becomes available.

*UPDATE* Pentucket Regional Middle High School Evacuated Due to Reports of Odor

pentucketporta on May 1, 2023

WEST NEWBURY – Fire Chief Michael Dwyer and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew report that Pentucket Regional Middle High School has been evacuated following reports of an odor.

Superintendent Bartholomew, High School Principal Jonathan Seymour, and Middle School Principal Terrence Conant have decided to cancel remaining classes, and are working to facilitate an orderly dismissal.

Superintendent Bartholomew has sent an email to Middle School and High School parents regarding dismissal procedures. Students who drove to school and have their car keys will be allowed to drive home. Students who evacuated the building without their keys will be allowed to take the bus.

After-school activities scheduled for Monday night have been canceled.

At about 9:41 a.m. on Monday, May 1, seventh-grade students in a science lab on the third floor of the middle school complained about a strange smell. No experiments were in progress and no chemicals were being used at the time.

The complaints triggered a series of procedures and protocols, including a building evacuation and a mutual aid emergency response from surrounding communities. The evacuation was coordinated by the West Newbury Police School Resource Officer.

Mutual aid responders included West Newbury Police, Groveland Police and Fire, Merrimac Fire, West Newbury Fire, as well as Action Ambulance, Atlantic Ambulance, Cataldo Ambulance, and Georgetown Fire Ambulance.

Thirty-nine students were evaluated at the scene. One student was transported to an area hospital out of an abundance of caution, for symptoms including nausea.

The investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing. A Tier 1 hazardous materials response team is on scene. Their work is likely to take several hours.

The school district will continue to update parents and guardians as more information becomes available.