BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN
Week of February 4, 2024
Good afternoon!
Tomorrow is the last day for the Quaglia Parent Survey. Your input is very important and informs future decisions. Faculty will be looking at data (student, parent and teacher surveys) throughout the spring. In addition, we plan to share the results with the wider community. We still have only 50 responses and are concerned not all viewpoints are represented. It takes 10 minutes or less to complete. Students who have permission have already taken the student version in school.
Simply Click here: SURVEY LINK
The access code is: 496944
If you are interested to learn more about the Quaglia Institute's work, please click HERE.
It's hard to believe we have only two weeks until February vacation. Not quite sure what happened to January?! Over the next couple of weeks, we will be wrapping up NWEAs, hosting a middle school dance, and celebrating "Spirit Week."
- Monday, February 12 - Decades Day - 80s!
- Tuesday, February 13 - Teachers as Students, Students as Teachers Day
- Wednesday, February 14 - Color Wars (Student Council will be assigning Valentines Colors to each Grade Level)
- Thursday, February 15 - Anything But a Backpack Day
- Friday, February 16 - Pajama Day
Parents of students in grades 5 to 8: In years past, we sent Progress Reports home at this time of year. Now that the Alma Gradebook is open to parents throughout the year, we will no longer do an official "Progress Report." Watch for an email from your child's teacher reminding you to log in and check on your child's performance which is updated at least weekly in all classes. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to your child's teachers.
Finally, February is Black History Month. Last summer I attended the NH Association of School Principals conference in Portsmouth and was interested to see the work happening on their Black Heritage Trail. It could make a great February vacation excursion if you're sticking around!
Have a great day!
Audra
Audra Bucklin, Principal
603.469.3250, ext 223
WHALEBACK LOGISTICS
What a great day at the mountain last Friday! The Friday Afterschool Ski Time (FAST) at Whaleback continues as follows:
Friday, 2/9
Friday, 2/16
Friday, 3/1 (NEW)
Additional Make-up Day (TBD)
ALL LESSONS BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 4:15 PM. Link here to review the protocols and procedures in our chaperone handbook. Chaperones should plan to meet us at the mountain between 3:15 and 3:30 and will get your updated roster at that time. Plainfield students have the first floor of the lodge as our "base camp." The tables in the middle will be for free skiers (grades 5 and up who can ski and ride the chairlift without a chaperone.) The tables around the edges of the room are for our lesson groups. We will have signage for each group that includes the names of the chaperones so you can easily connect with your skiers to get organized and ready for their lesson.
PICK UP IS NO LATER THAN 5:30. AN AUTHORIZED ADULT MUST BRING THE CHILD'S ARMBAND TO THE CHECK OUT COUNTER ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE LODGE AND PHYSICALLY SIGN THEIR CHILD OUT ON THE ATTENDANCE SHEET.
NOTE: Students returning from lessons will check in outside by the picnic tables while free skiers can sign out inside at the table.
Things went very smoothly with the busing and we really appreciate your attention to the instructions below.
Students who plan to take the bus to Whaleback:
- Please be sure to send a note indicating your child is riding the bus to Whaleback
- No skis or poles are allowed on buses. They may be dropped off at drop off by the front corner of the school and MUST BE LABELED with the student's name and grade. (Please label both poles and both skis.) We will deliver the skis, boards and poles to the mountain and we try to organize them by grade level so students can find them a bit more easily.
- All other gear (incl helmets, boots, gloves, goggles, etc.) should be packed neatly in a bag the students can carry onto the bus.
- Students will board P7 at the usual time. They arrive at Whaleback before 3:30 and have plenty of time to grab a quick snack (if you are not signing up via Whaleback or sending cash, you will want to pack one), get suited up, and retrieve their equipment.
Students who plan to get a ride with a parent/friend:
- All Plainfield students should register via Whaleback's site (even if you have a season pass and don't plan to take the bus) - https://whaleback.theonlysky.com/ecomm3/products/view/?flow=Plainfield%20Elementary
- The adult you ride with is responsible for your supervision at Whaleback until PES chaperone/staff arrive. The adult should speak with Ms. Bucklin to ensure the student is checked in and on our list. If the students does not get signed in on our attendance list at the PES counter, they will remain the responsibility of the person who picked them up at school.
- All PES students are representing PES since it is "our day" at the mountain. As such, all PES skiers are responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with school rules.
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Events
6 - K to 4 School Sing – 8:00 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
7 - XC Skiing- 3:00 to 4:15 pm
8 - Hood Museum Trip - 9:00 am (Hier)
8 - Math Team Practice - 2:50 to 4:00 pm
9 - FAST- Whaleback - 3:30 to 5:30 pm
9 - Winter Dance (7th gr. sponsor) – 7 to 9 pm - "I LOVE WINTER!" - $8 Admission, Flowers for Sale at the dance.
Parents of Drama students- please refer to the email from the Drama Club advisors as to when there is practice for your student (some are all cast, and some are specific groups only)
LOOKING AHEAD:
FEBRUARY
12 - 4 Winds Training - 10:30 to 12:30 - Cornish (Calling all Owls)
13 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
16 - FAST- Whaleback - 3:30 to 5:30 pm
19-23 - WINTER BREAK- NO SCHOOL
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.
LUNCH MENU
HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)
MONDAY- Dress your own burger on a bun and oven baked crinkle cut french fries
TUESDAY- Beef Nachos Supreme, garden salsa, rice pilaf, cabot sour cream and mexicali corn
WEDNESDAY- BBQ pulled pork sandwich, hand cut french fries
THURSDAY- Cheesy ravioli bake, vampire breadsticks, and maple glazed carrots
FRIDAY- Cheese, pepperoni, and veggie pizza with garlic roasted garbanzo beans
"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.
OFFICE NOTES
Important Reminders from the Plainfield School Office
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.
LOST & FOUND
Are you missing a sweatshirt, water bottle, hat? Please check the lost and found site for any items that may belong to your student(s). We are gathering more and more items!
Amanda & Katie
603.469.3250
FROM THE NURSE
Important Reminders from the Plainfield School Nurse
This past week there have been some infections circulating in the younger grades. Please monitor your students for any signs of sore throat, crusty eyes, fever, and rashes of any kind. A course of antibiotics usually clears these infections up easily but they are highly contagious and easily passed among small students. Classrooms have been doing an excellent job of cleaning surfaces and supporting handwashing efforts. I observed end-of-day procedures in one classroom and students were spraying their desks with disinfectant and wiping them all down. I was very pleased to see students actively participating in keeping their classrooms, and all the people in the classrooms, safe with a clean environment.
We also continue to have a supply of covid tests in the office.
Lastly, please remember that sick notices/absences need to be sent to schoolnurse@plainfielschool.org as well as to office@plainfieldschool.org.
Thanks,
Nurse Beth
CO-CURRICULAR UPDATES
MATH TEAM UPDATE
The Math Team competed in Bellows Falls last week and came in 3rd overall in a very competitive contest! John Mathers (Gr 8) took 2nd Place for individual points and John Rendahl (Gr 8) took 3rd place. Keep up the great work Plainfield!
LEGO LEAGUE RETURNS!!
After a brief hiatus last fall, the Plainfield FIRST Lego League is pleased to announce they are returning! Beginning on Sunday, February 25th, the team will host meetings on Sunday nights from 6 to 8 pm in their new "Lego League" room (in the 3/4 Pod.) All are welcome to come and check it out. The spring competition season is a "scrimmage" and is a great way to see what it is all about before the more competitive fall season.
ATHLETICS
Don’t forget to check the website under Athletics for the most up-to-date practice and game schedules!
CLASS UPDATE - LIBRARY
CLASS UPDATE - 6th Grade
From Joshua Hunnewell & Erin Mellow
The sixth grade has been busy this year learning all about taking care of themselves and each other. In their first year of middle school, the sixth graders are taking a big step in personal organization, time management and self-advocacy. During Advisory, the students check their assignments and completion of assignments in their online gradebooks and make a plan to check in with individual teachers. They also have periodic check-ins with their Advisory teachers to discuss their organization method and how well it is working.
In addition, we continue to have regular Circle discussions during this Advisory block. Topics covered during these Circles range from interpersonal dynamics and skills to check-ins about how students are doing in school and in life. For example, to begin the month of January, we reviewed Harvard University's "Calling In and Calling Out" Guide and had conversations about how to engage in difficult discussions when hearing inappropriate language and observing inappropriate behavior. This work helped prepare us for a workshop by Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez, Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion at Phillips Exeter Academy. During this session, which was entitled "Words Mean Things: The Power of our Words" and included middle school students from both Plainfield School and Cornish Elementary School, Mr. Pajaro-Marinez challenged students to define what language is and consider the power and impact that words can have. His workshop involved lots of participation, discussion and movement and students found it quite rewarding. We spent additional time in Advisory to unpack the workshop. Through Circles and other conversations, we shared how we feel about words, phrases and behavior. We also revisited “calling out” behavior and “calling in” our peers so that they can be part of the conversation.
We feel fortunate to work with such a fun, energetic and close group of 6th graders this year. We will continue to have these conversations and more as the year progresses.
WELLNESS TIPS
Fire Safety
Home fires can start and spread quickly, so just a little bit of planning can make a big difference. Make sure to create a home fire escape plan and practice it regularly with your family.
Hard Facts About Fire Safety
- In 2017, 268 children died in home fires.
- Nearly eighty-seven percent of all fire-related deaths are due to home fires, which spread rapidly and can leave families as little as two minutes to escape once an alarm sounds.
- Fires are not just a problem in the United States. In 2017, more than 27,000 children around the world died due to a fire or burn.
- Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying in a reported home fire by fifty percent.
Top Tips for Fire Safety
- Check smoke alarms: Make sure there is a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and near sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms every month and replace them every 10 years. Replace your fire alarm batteries at least twice a year to ensure they are fresh and ready.
- Create and practice a fire escape plan: Create a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room. Choose a place to meet outside that is a safe distance away from your home. Practice a home fire drill at least twice a year.
- Practice a home fire drill with your family during the day and at night: Practice escaping in under two minutes. Sometimes that is all the time you will have to get out of the house safely. If there is a fire, leave home immediately. If there is a lot of smoke, get low and crawl out of the house as quickly as possible. Call 911 after you are a safe distance away from your home.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Start a PreK Program in Plainfield
What: If you are interested in supporting the creation of a PreK in Plainfield, please plan to join our monthly meetings. Our long-term goal is to start a town funded PreK Program at the Plainfield Elementary School (similar to Cornish and other surrounding towns). Our short-term solution is to start a private PreK located within 5 minutes of Plainfield Elementary School.
Who: Anyone with interest in supporting this cause, parents of kids preschool age and younger, current or retired elementary teachers, anyone with experience starting a new program at a public school.
Where: Meriden Congregational Church Parish House (white building to the left of the stone church that sits at the top of the hill of KUA campus). 5 Mitchell Drive, Meriden NH 03770
When: Saturday, Feb 3 at 10am, with plans to repeat the first Saturday of every month
Why: Preschool is a valuable tool to help children grow and develop educationally, socially and
emotionally. It creates a culture of community among children and parents.
Children are welcome and there will also be childcare at the meeting!
We are actively looking for a PreK director to run the program. This is an opportunity to help create and build a program from the ground up. Please visit our website for more information at: https://www.plainfieldnhprek.com/
Or email at Plainfieldnhprek@gmail.com
We are also interested to know if you plan to have the youngest members of your family to attend.
Please take a moment to answer a few questions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/69WJRBG
I Platform
iPlatform for the General Public
Free Webinar
Wednesday, February 7
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Platform is the primary NHED tool to publicly share school performance data. Now with the release of 2022-23 assessment and related data, please join us to explore the NHED iPlatform system, including iReport and iExplore, and iAchieve, an extension to iPlatform that was released last year to provide a more in-depth exploration of state assessment data. We will review the accountability data in iPlatform, learn more about what this data represents, and look for trends within schools. This is an opportunity to learn what data is available, so you can explore on your own!
Intended audience: All are welcome, especially parents/guardians!
Presenters: Mike Schwartz & Heather Jenkins, Demonstrated Success
PES night at KUA- February 7th
KUA invites PES students and families to cheer on the Wildcats!
When: Friday February 7th- pregame snack Barnes Admissions office
5pm: Boys Hockey vs. Andover at Akerstom Arena- 7 Campus Drive
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB - VACATION CAMP - Right here at PES!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get started today with your registration!
Q: Does a child have to attend a program at their school, or in their town?
A: No! Members are welcome to register for any age-appropriate camp in any town. Members who attend the clubhouses are welcome to register for the school sites, or vice versa. Feel free to register for the program that works for you!
Q: Is there assistance available?
A: We offer a reduced fee based on household income. You will be asked to upload documentation along with the application. Documentation may include three most recent pay stubs, Social Security benefits, food stamps explanation of benefits, etc. Members will be responsible for the full fee until proof of income or State enrollment is confirmed.
The state of New Hampshire also provides assistance! They have recently revamped their requirements, and more NH families will qualify. Use this link to quickly find your eligibility!
Q: What do I need in order to register my child?
A: When completing the application, you will need a credit card for the $40.00 non-refundable registration fee. For new members, you will also need to upload a physical or child health form, as well as an immunization record.
Town of Plainfield Community Services
Any Plainfield or Meriden resident requiring assistance for housing, heating fuel assistance, electricity assistance, medication assistance and or nutritional support from the Town should contact the Community Resource Director, Stephanie Schell. Contact information: 603-469-3201 or email sschell@plainfieldschool.org. All information is confidential.
Food Pantry
Residents of the Town of Plainfield can access the following local services.
Note: The food pantry and clothing swap rooms are located in the Christ Community Church on Route 12A (across from the Plainfield Fire Department). The Food Pantry is open the 1st Thursday and the 3rd Friday and Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and warmly welcomes all Town residents.
Free Clothing Rooms
The Christ Community Church has (2) very well-organized rooms that contain FREE clothing for adults and children. All clothing is donated and in great condition. In addition to clothing there are also Free household items, toys & books as well. These rooms are open to the Public each Tuesday morning from 9-11 a.m.
Free Fresh Veggies & Fruit
Free fresh produce provided by Willing Hands: please check the Town calendar for dates and times.
