October Newsletter - Pentucket Lake

Posted Date: 09/30/26 (03:39 PM)

Pentucket Lake School October 2026 Newsletter

Updated: September 30, 2026

Fall is Here!

Summer has come to an end and cooler weather is here!

Welcome to October, Pentucket Lake families!

As autumn leaves begin to turn and the fall air sets in, our school community is buzzing with energy, curious minds, and exciting learning! September flew by! Our students settled into their classroom routines, built wonderful friendships, and embraced new challenges. We are so excited for the positive energy across all grade levels, and we look forward to the busy month ahead, packed with engaging learning experiences, a handful of field trips, and opportunities to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Pentucket Lake’s campus.

Warmly,

Mr. Brennan

THIS MONTH’S

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Thank you for your attention to Pentucket Lake’s Morning Arrival Procedures

Thank you to everyone who has followed our procedures that ensure the safety of all our students! Thank you so much to everyone who has remembered to strictly follow our school’s Arrival and Dismissal procedures every day. I think you’d agree, our parking lot has been much safer over the last few weeks!

Our videos are linked below. Please view them if you have any questions.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. When dropping off your child in the school parking lot, you must join the single line of cars along the right-hand side of the parking lot. And for your child’s safety, please have them exit the car on the passenger side of the vehicle, so they aren’t stepping into moving traffic.

2. For the safety of our children, please do not stop your car behind parked vehicles to let students out to run across our busy parking lot. Our parking lot is too busy and cars move too quickly. Please don’t put your child in unnecessary danger.

3. Do not stop behind parked cars and do not park in the parking spots to drop off your child. Those spaces are reserved for the teachers and staff who serve your children throughout the day. We have more and more staff coming to Pentucket Lake each day. Our parking lot is reserved for them.

4. These procedures are for our kindergarten parents, too. We have a lot of staff outside, assisting with students as they arrive. We will make sure your child is safe and gets to school.

We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and commitment to keeping our parking lot safe and efficient for everyone!

Blue Shirts Against Bullying - Mondays in October

This is an exciting district-wide event! Let’s turn PenLake BLUE on Mondays!

And Fridays in October, Show Your School Spirit!

This is an exciting way to build school spirit! Wear your Pentucket Lake gear or Green and White each Friday through the end of October! Lion cash will be handed out to participants!

Annual Screenings for Students at PenLake

Annual screenings will begin Monday, October 5 at Pentucket Lake and continue until all screenings are completed. Screenings for vision will be completed for grades K-4. Hearing screenings will be completed for grades K-3. BMI (body mass index) screenings will be completed in grades 1 and 4.

If you wish to opt your student out of screening at school, please email Nurse Katrina Sullivan (katrina.sullivan@haverhill-ps.org). * NOTE * If you choose to opt your child out of screenings, please provide a copy of the completed screening from their physician.

Student Arrival and Dismissal Procedures - YouTube Videos

The safety of your child is important to us. We have procedures in place that are designed to protect your child from harm - especially during morning arrival. The parking lot at Pentucket Lake School is very busy in the morning and in the afternoon. There are cars and buses moving in every direction, making it dangerous for pedestrians - especially, for smaller children.

Please view the YouTube videos that we made that demonstrate our procedures for dropping your child off in the morning and picking your child up in the afternoon.

YouTube Video - Morning Student Drop Off

YouTube Video - Drive Thru Parent Pick Up in the afternoon

Map of Pentucket Lake’s morning Student Drop Off Procedure

Map of Pentucket Lake’s Afternoon Student Pick Up Procedure

Good School Attendance = Good Outcomes!

Consistent daily attendance is critical to your child’s academic success. According to the U.S. Department of Education, missing just two days a month—only 10% of the school year—is considered chronic absenteeism.

Research shows that early chronic absence makes children significantly less likely to read proficiently by 3rd grade and directly leads to lower math and reading scores, causing students to fall up to 50% further behind their peers. Every day in class ensures your child stays on track with key instruction and learning.

Pentucket Lake is also a place where your child grows, connects, and has fun every day. Coming to school gives them fresh chances to try exciting activities, build strong, lasting friendships, and learn along with their peers. Being here daily helps children build confidence, feel included, and know that their teacher, principal, and entire school community is always cheering them on!

How to know what is Going on at Pentucket Lake - Parent Square app

Frequently throughout the school year, the Main Office and your child’s teacher will send important information about things going on at Pentucket Lake or in the classroom. Haverhill Public Schools uses an app called Parent Square as their primary communication tool. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to sign up. We have a lot of great things going on around PenLake. Being signed up for Parent Square is a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

Click here go to the Parent Square sign up webpage.

Chromebook Damage Waiver

Believe it or not, we have seen chromebook damage way worse than this! You might be surprised at the level of damage children have inflicted on their chromebook, requiring a replacement - and a bill.

This damage waiver program is a wonderful offering from the district. Accidents happen - chromebooks get broken and need to be replaced. Please consider signing up for this waiver program. Take a look at the school district’s webpage for more information:

Device Waiver Fee - Information Page

Pentucket Lake School’s Site Council

Pentucket Lake’s School Site Council is a school-based committee made up of the principal, parents, teachers, and other community members, that collaboratively influences school policies to enhance student learning. The site council reviews the school budget, identifies student needs, and approves plans for parent involvement, aiming to create a collaborative vision for the school community.

If you are interested in joining Pentucket Lake’s Site Council, our first meeting is an informational meeting in the library at Haverhill High School on October 21 from 6:00 - 7:15. Please email Mr. Brennan with any questions or to let him know you would like to take part - james.brennan@haverhill-ps.org

Green Flag means Indoor Recess in the Morning

I wanted to remind families that we post a green flag to the pillar in front of the school to show everyone that we have indoor recess that morning. When the flag is on the pillar, students should enter the building directly through the front doors. They should not go out back like they do during good weather.

Please remind your child to look for the green flag each morning.

It is also worth mentioning that we try and get the students outside as often as possible. Please dress your children appropriately for the weather. Unless it is raining or the air temperature is in the single digits, we get the students outside for fresh air and exercise. And please, put your child’s name on their belongings so misplaced items can be easily returned. Our lost and found is already full of so many items that families have spent good money on…