Good Afternoon Blackhawks,

I have been thinking a lot about the importance of public education. Budget season has a way of reminding me about the investment communities make in their schools, especially here in New Hampshire! We (teachers, administrators, and the school board) spend countless hours pouring over decisions about curriculum, professional development, and programming opportunities to help our students learn. I feel so fortunate to live and work in a community that supports those investments. I felt that same appreciation at the recent PTA K to 2 Parent Forum where school professionals and parents shared ideas and information related to everything from reading instruction and assessment to helping students stick with things, even when it's difficult. I am thankful to be surrounded by educators, parents and community members that care about making sure children are well prepared for their futures.

Lately, there are also many reminders that public schools provide incredibly important opportunities that extend beyond academic skills. When our students come to school, they are surrounded by people with different skills & abilities, socio-economic status, genders, ethnic identies, interests, and beliefs. Public schools provide students with the opportunity to learn about, appreciate, and co-exist peacefully with one another, to realize that together we are stronger than the sum of our parts. This is not always easy. It's tempting sometimes to wish for quick fixes when disagreements or misunderstandings arise. It can feel like the time we spend helping students navigate conflict is a distraction from academics. But in times like the one we are in now, I remember how very important it is to lean into this work, to listen to each child's perspective and remember they are just that - children trying to understand a very complex world. With the help of educators, parents and community members, children can learn critically important life skills such as patience, empathy, communication, setting and respecting one anothers' boundaries, appreciating and honoring our differences instead of fearing them, and so much more. Thank you for all you do to support this work at home and for being a community that supports the whole child in each and every one of our students!

Speaking of the whole child, now that we are half way through October (gasp), it's time to start thinking about winter programs and activities. In the sections below, please watch for and complete sign-ups for the following upcoming events and programs:

• Parent Teacher Conferences - Wednesday, November 1 & Thursday, November 2
• Basketball - Sign-ups are open.
• Afterschool Ski Program - learn more and consider volunteering!

Also, please don't forget to submit your flu shot permission forms. The Student Flu Clinic is this Friday, October 20th.

Peace,

Audra Bucklin, Principal

603.469.3250, ext 223

abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

We are thrilled to invite you back to Whaleback for an exciting winter season! Please take a moment to review the following information before registering your student, as we've made some important changes to the program this year.

Plainfield Elementary Mountain Days: 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9

Registration Options

You can sign up your student for one or more of the following options:

• Lessons

• Free-Ride (no lessons)

• Snack

• Rental Gear

Lessons

Our lessons run for 60 minutes, starting at 4:15 PM and ending at 5:15 PM. We create lesson groups based on ability levels to ensure success on the mountain. We understand that some young snowsport enthusiasts may find it challenging to work on fundamentals on shorter trails, especially when there's a lot of mountain to explore. However, this step-by-step approach is crucial for building confident and skilled skiers or snowboarders.

The number one cause of injuries and disinterest in snowsports is when riders progress too quickly without the skills to navigate safely. So, we ask both you and your child to be patient with our program's gradual progression. Our goal is to create lifelong snowsport enthusiasts rather than overnight Olympians.

Freeride

If your student is in fifth grade or older, can confidently handle intermediate (blue) trails, stop when needed, and safely use chairlifts, they can participate in the freeride option. Please note that freeride doesn't include formal lessons, and students won't be supervised by Whaleback staff on the slopes. The freeride block begins and ends in congruence with the lesson block.

Snack

We offer a snack option for purchase. Please be aware that it's not a full meal but a mix of items that vary from week to week.

Rentals

Gear rentals are available for all students in the program, including skis/snowboard, boots, and poles (if needed). Helmets are also available at no extra charge, though we can't guarantee every student will receive one due to limited stock. While we understand snowsports can be costly, we highly recommend purchasing a mountain-sports helmet, the most important safety gear.

Rental equipment won't go home with students. They'll pick up their gear at the beginning of the mountain visit and return it by the end. This helps us maintain our rental fleet and saves you from hauling gear around.

If you want rental gear you can use on non-program days, visit our friends over at Golf and Ski who can provide a full kit for the entire winter season.

Equipment Fit Days

If you plan to rent gear from Whaleback, please attend one of our equipment fit days in December. Our rental equipment technicians will properly fit your child for skis/snowboard and boots. This ensures a smooth transition during program days and maximizes your student's time on the slopes.

Chaperones

While Whaleback Mountain supervises students during lessons, Plainfield volunteers takes over outside of lesson times. However, we believe students benefit from adult supervision. If you're a skier or snowboarder, you can volunteer your time and receive a day pass to chaperone free-ride students or provide behavioral support in our lesson groups, allowing our instructors to focus on teaching. If you don’t ski or snowboard, we would still welcome you as a chaperone to help out with transitions and lodge logistics! Please complete the Whaleback Transportation & Volunteer Form below to indicate your interest in becoming a chaperone.

Financial Aid

Our mission is to keep snowsports affordable and accessible for everyone. We understand it can be expensive, which is why we offer a financial aid program to help ease the financial burden. Please use the provided link to access our financial aid application.

Link: https://www.whaleback.com/financial-aid

Transportation to and from Whaleback Mountain

Plainfield Elementary manages transportation to Whaleback Mountain as we do not provide this service. Parents MUST sign their children out to a designated adult by 5:30 pm. Please sign up through the Whaleback Transportation & Volunteer Form below arrange transportation for your student/child. If you choose to drop off or pick up your student, please sign them in and out with the Plainfield representative. This ensures everyone's safety and accountability. Last year, we had an incident where a student was picked up without checking out, causing unnecessary concern. We appreciate your cooperation with our check-in/check-out procedures.

Contact info

Whaleback Mountain

Phone: (603) 448-5500

Email: learning@whaleback.com

Address: 160 Whaleback Mountain Rd., Enfield, NH 03748

Director of Learning Programs: Max Harrison

Plainfield Elementary

Phone: (603) 469-3250

Principal: Audra Bucklin

Email: abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

Disclaimers

• No make-ups for missed program days due to weather or illness.

• Program fees are non-refundable.

• We reserve the right to revoke any pass due to reckless behavior, foul language, participating without a pass, skiing with someone else's pass, or any form of substance abuse.

THIS WEEK IS SPIRIT WEEK!

Monday - PJ Day

Tuesday - Twin Day

Wednesday - Barbie/Pinkout/Neon

Thursday - Dress up/Halloween Day

*No masks or face paint please

Friday - School Colors Day

• October 17 K to 4 School Sing – 8am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome

• October 19 Math Team Practice - 2:50-4:00pm
• October 20
• Student Flu Clinic (see note from the School nurse-( forms are needed for students to participate- parent signature required)
• Fall Fun Day - All School Assembly
• Middle School Dance (8th Grade Sponsor) – 7 to 9 pm

• October 22 (Tentative) PTA Sponsored Trunk or Treat – 1 to 3 pm (Rain Date, Sunday, 10/29)
• October 23 Professional Development Day – No School
• October 23 Professional Development Day – No School
• October 26 Math Meet - 3:45pm, Location TBD
• October 29 PTA Sponsored Trunk or Treat - 1 to 3 pm

• November 1 Early Release Day, Parent/Teacher Conferences
• November 2 Early Release Day, Parent/Teacher Conference
• November 8 PTA Meeting - 6 to 7:30 pm
• November 9
• Veterans Day Ceremony, 8:00 am (Student Council)
• Community Luncheon - 11:30 to 1 pm
• Math Team Practice - 2:50-4:00pm
• November 10 No School - Veterans Day

For the most up-to-date information, please be sure to see the Events Section of the website which includes athletic/co-curricular practices and games. If you download the website app on your phone (bottom right corner of the website for instructions), you can update the settings to it will alert you when events or news items are added.

HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)

HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)

MONDAY- Alaska Polock Fish Sticks with tarter sauce and fresh coleslaw and dinner roll

TUESDAY- Tater Tot Nachos and black bean and corn salad and rice pilaf.

WEDNESDAY- Homemade shepards pie with butternut squash and apples with a homemade dinner roll and apple crisp.

THURSDAY- chicken alfredo with pasta, steamed broccoli and garlic breadsticks

FRIDAY- Cheese, veggie and pepperoni pizza with fresh broccoli salad.

"COLD" Options: (offered daily)

Assorted Pre-made Deli Sandwiches

Yogurt Parfait with Fruit and Granola

Fresh Fruit and Veggie Bar with Dinner Roll

See Abbey Group Website for full details and to upload funds.

Picture retake day for those needing a retake or for those who may not have been in school will be Monday November 20th.

THIS WEEK IS SPIRIT WEEK!

Monday - PJ Day

Tuesday - Twin Day

Wednesday - Barbie/Pinkout/Neon

Thursday - Dress up/Halloween Day

*No masks or face paint please

Friday - School Colors Day

Substitute Teachers Needed for 2023-2024 school year

The Plainfield School is seeking individuals who would be comfortable working with K-8th grade students in our building during the 2023-2024 school year. Applicants must be able to follow teacher substitute plans, be dependable, and enjoy working with children. If you are interested in applying, please contact Katie Lowery in the office at (603) 469-3250.

Amanda & Katie

603.469.3250

office@plainfieldschool.org

Please review this brief summary of the most up-to-date CDC Covid protocols. PES follows the NH DHHS guidance which is currently one and the same as the CDC guidance. There are a lot of viruses going around right now. While Covid numbers have been low here at PES so far, please be reminded you must still test when symptoms are present A positive Covid test requires 5 days quarantine and 5 days of additional masking. Let’s work together to keep our numbers low and our attendance (for both staff and students) strong by preventing the spread of Covid to the extent possible. We have covid tests available in the main office and nurse’s office. Please remember sick absences/notices need to be sent to schoolnurse@plainfieldschool.org as well as office@plainfieldschool.org. Nurse Beth will contact you if further information is needed.

Student Flu Clinic October 20th

Friday October 20th starting at 9AM we will be holding our annual student flu clinic at Plainfield School. Nurse Beth sent forms through Alma. Please note that the state cannot accept any electronic signatures for consent, so parents will have to physically sign consent forms. Please send forms to Beth Clifton, School Nurse. Also note that forms must be dated no more than a week prior to the clinic. So save these forms until after October 13th then feel free to sign, date, and send them to the nurse.

Nurse Beth

schoolnurse@plainfieldschool.org

The ground was wet and cold but our hearts were full and warm! The Plainfield Fire Department was here…for KINDERGARTEN. Our brave local firefighters (one being Jonathan’s dad (K!) and other parents in our community) visited us on Wednesday morning and taught us all about fire safety and the amazing world of fire engines. The kindergarten class got to climb aboard the engine and were given fire hats to bring home. Since then, children have been engaged in creative play, inside and out, pretending to fight fires and rescue one another from a myriad of disasters! One kindergartener was heard yelling from the top of the play structure later in the week at recess, “Call the fire department! The heroes and the helpers will help us solve the problem!” We are so grateful for our local department and the generosity of time and energy bestowed upon our youngest learners by the town.

~Mrs. McKittrick

Plainfield School is looking forward to the upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences. This is a wonderful opportunity for one:one conversations about your child’s performance and to learn more about the curriculum and supports available in your child’s classroom. We strive for 100% participation in conferences. Each teacher has an online sign-up form offering a variety of timeslots for meetings. Please complete the form at your earliest convenience. Appointments go quickly! If you don’t see a time that works for you to attend, please reach out to your child’s teacher directly.

Kindergarten

Lindsay McKittrick

1st Grade

Michelle Doody

2nd Grade

April Ellis

Grades 3/4

Jen Culligan

Jess Kondratowicz

Mindy Taber

5th Grade

Hannah Cook

Pam Hier

6th through 8th Grade

Larry Bilodeau

Phoebe Buckman

Joshua Hunnewell

Erin Mellow

Amanda Parker

Story Walk at Plainfield School!

The Plainfield Libraries and the Plainfield Elementary School are partnering for a nature Story Walk®. Follow the pages of Listen to the Language of the Trees along the school’s Field Loop and learn about the real connection and communication that runs underground between trees in the forest. The details about trees' own social network will help you see that the natural world's survival depends on staying connected and helping others—just like us!

People of all ages will enjoy a walk outdoors while they read and learn. The Story Walk® will run through October 22nd.

8th Grade Wreath Sale

Support the Plainfield School 8th grade class. Orders must be placed by November 1st. Variety of wreaths ranging from $20-40.00

Family Photos

Natalie Strout, paraprofessional at PES, is offering photos to local families (see flier).

4 Winds

4 Winds is a K-4th grade program; if you are interested or know of a family or community member who would like to volunteer, please contact Michelle Whitaker. mo.whitaker@yahoo.com or 585-690-3472

Attention Grades 6-8

Lebanon Middle School is offering wrestling for anyone in grades 6-8. Wrestling is for all levels of experience and it is coed. Come join one of the fastest growing sports in Lebanon. Wrestle kids your own size, all sizes are welcome. Please reach out to cwood@sau88.net or deerhead4@gmail.com.