BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN
PRINCIPAL PONDERINGS
Week of April 21, 2024
Good Morning,
It may have been a little overcast, but the light breeze on Friday afternoon was perfect for kite flying. The skies around PES were filled with everything from the traditional geometric "kite" shape to butterflies and pirate ships. My favorite part of this day is watching our older and younger students work together to assemble and fly their kites. This year, many parents turned out (thank you for joining us!) and we had a special visit from our very own Blackhawk Mascot.
We were sad our senior citizen guests who attended the Community Luncheon on Thursday missed out on the festivities due to the rain delay, but they had a wonderful time chatting with our eighth graders while 7th graders provided exceptional table service. The salads and desserts prepped by 3rd through 5th graders are always a big hit. Thanks also to our 6th grade clean-up crew and to the 4H club for the beautiful centerpieces. They definitely brightened the gymnasium on a rainy day! Check out the additional details and photos further down in the newsletter.
Congratulations to our track team for the 1st place (girls) and 2nd place (boys) overall team wins and many PRs in their first meet last week (full details in the Co-Curricular section)
This week's newsletter has many updates and important reminders including more detailed information about the following upcoming events:
- Wednesday, April 24 - DEI Community Forum - "Stop Being so Nice: How we can disagree with civility. (Dinner and Babysitting Provided)
- 5:30 - meet & greet with light refreshments
- 6:00 pm - How to disagree with civility workshop
- Wednesday, May 1 - (6 to 7:30) PTA Parent Forum and Game Night
- Sunday, May 5 - (4 to 6:00 pm) Class of 2025 Silent Auction with live music and refreshments at the Plainfield Town Hall on Route 12A
- Wednesday, May 7 - Kindergarten Orientation (Parents Only) 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
- Summer Skills Camp is now accepting registrations. This camp is open to ALL and is offered in two, 2-week sessions. The sessions are mornings only, Monday through Thursday, and feature hands-on, theme-based instruction that supports learning recovery and prevents learning loss over the summer. Contact Jen Lizotte (jlizotte@plainfieldschool.org) or Phoebe Buckman (pbuckman@plainfieldschool.org) for more information.
In the meantime, please note the following:
- The week before break, the Board met and set our last day of school for students as Friday, June 14th. There will be no school for students on Monday, June 17th.
- Due to a lack of staffing, there will be no study hall on Tuesdays and only SOME Fridays until further notice. Please be sure to check Office Announcements for week-to-week info about the availability of study hall services on Fridays until further notice.
- Spring reading and math testing (SAS in grades 3 to 8 and NWEAs in grades K to 2) will take place during the last two weeks in May and the first week in June. NWEA results are mailed home with final report cards. SAS results will be available online through sometime over the summer. Please check your child's backpack tomorrow for a letter with the login information to access SAS scores.
- Last but certainly not least - the AY 25 School Calendar is posted to the www.plainfieldschool.org website (Click on the 24-25 Calendar link just below the photo slideshow on the main page.) I have linked it below as well.
Enjoy this very sunny spring day!
Audra
Audra Bucklin, Principal
603.469.3250, ext 223
PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Upcoming Event: Wednesday, May 1 Grades 3/4/5 Parent Forum and Game Night
6:30-7:30 Parent Forum: Bring your questions, bring your ideas, and let's talk math & literacy! If you are interested in childcare for the forum portion of this event, please reach out to plainfieldnh.pta@gmail.com
HANNAFORD HELPS SCHOOLS
Do you shop at Hannaford's? Please consider participating in the Hannaford Helps Schools program from today through June 1st. For every dollar spent on designated items, they will donate money to PES that can be used for student programming that extends beyond the budget. In the past we have tapped funds like these for guest speakers, artists in residence, and supplies for things like Winter Wonders Day. To learn everything you need to know and how to participate, please go to: Hannaford Helps Schools | Hannaford Supermarket.
We sent flyers home last week and have more available here in the office if you'd like to access the information via print.
FROM THE LIBRARY
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Events
23- K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
24 - DEI Community Forum - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
LOOKING AHEAD:
APRIL
30 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
MAY
1 - PTA parent forum 6-7:30 (babysitting provided)
6-10 - Teacher appreciation week
8 - 5th Grade Bridge Up Performance, 6pm at Northern Stage
8-10 - Mother's Day Plant Sale
10 - Talent Show - Hosted during the school day by Student Council
14 - Plainfield School Board Meeting - 5:30 pm - Music Room
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.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
ELA - MS. PARKER
As we return from April Break, all ELA classes immediately dove into new assignments. The 8th grade began to dig into the brainstorming and proposal portion of the Herbert Ward Essay. They've completed their Yearbook pages and started to design the headers for their Celebration of Learning tri-folds. It's a busy workshop in the ELA classroom. Seventh grade started a novel unit using The Revealers during which we will explore how authors create believable characters. I hope to take advantage of the improving weather and get us outside during reading time occasionally. Sixth grade used the notes they gathered over April Break to create Biographical Narratives of family members. As the daylight grows longer, our remaining school days grow shorter...but the lessons and projects keep coming! Don't forget to check Alma and reach out if you have any questions.
SCIENCE - MR. BILODEAU
The birds are singing, the trees are budding, flowers and blooming, and the peepers are peeping. Students have been excited to get outside and observe the property and all the changes occurring as we move from winter into spring. Here is a picture of one class searching for a male Cardinal who was singing its heart out on a maple tree in the forest. They were able to stand and observe the performer from a short distance away. Experiences like these are shared throughout the science classes each week.
EIGHTH GRADE NEWS/UPDATES
Hartford Area Career & Tech Center (HACTC) Visit
8th Grade students had the opportunity to visit the Hartford Area Career & Tech Center this past week! They were given a tour and introduced to all 13 programs that HACTC has to offer. These programs included Health Sciences, Cosmetology, Automotive, and Culinary among others. Students were also lucky enough to visit the offsite Building Trades house that is currently being built. They were also able to walk through the house that has recently been completed.
Lebanon High School (LHS) Update - Mrs. Foley
Students will have the opportunity in May to meet once again with a counselor from LHS. The counselor will bring down the students' schedules for review. Students will have the opportunity to see which classes they got, as well as make any changes if necessary. On May 17th, the 504 Coordinator from LHS will be down to visit and meet with families to transition 504 plans from PES to LHS. If your student has a 504 plan, please keep an eye out for an email from Mrs. Foley for an invitation to attend. Finally, students will get to visit LHS on June 11th for a tour and chance to ask questions. The tour will take place from 12:00 - 1:30pm, students will be dismissed from PES at the normal time. I look forward to these last exciting few weeks with the 8th grade!
CLASS OF 2025 SILENT AUCTION
COMMUNITY/SENIOR LUNCHEON
This past Thursday, students participated by making salads and desserts for our third community luncheon. The table decorations were donated by the 4-H club and beautiful arrangements of flowers were on each table. 7th and 8th grade students were there to greet, serve and dine with our senior citizens. It is always a fun event! Thank you to the Abbey Group for the wonderful shepherd's pie. Lastly, our School nurse, Beth Clifton presented our community resource director Stephanie Schell with a thank you card from our Kindergarten class for her help in arranging for dentists to visit their classroom to discuss oral hygiene! Thank you Stephanie- we appreciate all you do for our school and community!
LUNCH MENU
HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)
MONDAY- Deli chicken caesar salad wrap with hearty country vegetable soup.
TUESDAY- Tater Tot Nachos with black bean and corn salad and rice pilaf.
WEDNESDAY- Homemade shepards pie with garlic roasted carrots and homemade dinner rolls.
THURSDAY- Chicken alfredo with pasta, steamed broccoli and vampire garlic breadsticks.
FRIDAY- Cheese, pepperoni, veggie pizza and 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.
OFFICE NOTES
Important Reminders from the Plainfield School Office
KINDER REGISTRATION
Kinder registration is open and we have an Open House for (parents only) on Tuesday, May 7th at 5:30 pm. Screenings will be held on May 28th- 8:30-12:00, and Thursday May 29th 8:30-2:30.
STUDY HALL
Unfortunately, we need to cancel study hall on Tuesday’s until we are able to staff it.
We CAN have study hall on these dates for Friday’s- 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31, and 6/14 only.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!!
Week of May 6th - Check with the PTA (plainfieldnh.pta@gmail.com) or Nikki Turner for ways you can get involved to show your child(ren)’s teacher some TLC!
LUNCH ACCOUNTS
Thank you to all who have paid on their lunch accounts! We still have students who have balances. Please login into your students Linq account to upload funds. The link to the website is below.
If you have NOT created an account, please email Amanda Jewell at ajewell@plainfieldschool.org for your student number to create an account.
This is the best way to manage your students lunch account and upload funds.
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! There are many items- stop in and see if your child left anything behind.
Amanda & Katie
603.469.3250
FROM THE NURSE
Important Reminders from the Plainfield School Nurse
Spring is coming but unfortunately it comes with the year’s first ticks! With the snow melting the ticks are emerging earlier this year. After outdoor activity, be sure to check yourself, your children and your pets for these nasty carriers of infection. Additional preventative measures of long pants tucked into socks and long sleeves can help prevent the ticks from digging into your skin. The larger dog ticks generally don’t carry Lyme but the tiny little deer ticks do. If bitten, remove the tick as soon as possible by using tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and gently pull without twisting the tick. Clean the area with an alcohol wipe and monitor for signs of the bulls-eye rash, fever, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling/pain, and fatigue. If symptoms are noted, or you’re unsure, a single dose of doctor-prescribed doxycycline may lower the risk of Lyme disease.
In health,
Nurse Beth
WELLNESS UPDATE
4-H PES Food Pantry Partnership
The Sullivan County 4-H Youth Leadership Team has completed a food drive for donations of soups, stews, and mac ‘n cheese meals that kids struggling with food insecurity could take home from school in their backpacks. Their focus was on full meals in cans with flip-top lids, or “just-add-water” products that can be microwaved therefore making them as "kid friendly" as possible. The results of their food drive are in the nurse's office pantry cabinet. Students who would like to take an item or two home for their after school enjoyment are welcome to come pick out a meal.
CO-CURRICULAR UPDATES
KNITTING CLUB - Rescheduled to Wednesday this week.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Knitting Club will meet after school on Wednesday this week. We look forward to seeing you there!
Email trd.1391@gmail.com
ATHLETICS
Attention Basketball families-5th-8th grade. We are still missing several basketball jerseys. Please have your child return their washed jersey to Katie in the office. Thank you!
PES track practice beings April 1st, 2024. For the most up to date schedule, please visit the co-curricular calendar.
TRACK MEET
At the Monadnock Season Opening Track & Field meet this past Tuesday, the Plainfield Girls Track & Field team won, and the Boy's team came in 2nd place. A few highlights from the meet include:
Girls, 1st place team overall:
100 hurdles: Ellis Harrington 1st, Lyla Weinsten 2nd, Kaleigh Ferri 6th
100m: Audrey Underhill 2nd
200m: Audrey Underhill 2nd, Lyla Weinstein 6th
400m: Ellis Harrington 2nd, Emma Fellows 4th
Triple Jump: Audrey Underhill 1st
Long Jump: Ellis Harrington 4th
High Jump: Lyla Wwinstein 1st
Shot Put: Emma Fellows 4th
Discus: Kaleigh Ferri 2nd
4x100: Plainfield 1st (Audrey Underhill, Emma Fellows, Ellis Harrington, Grayson Davies)
Boys, 2nd place team overall:
110 hurdles: Gardell Wetherington 2nd
100m: Teeghan Joyner 1st, Caelan Boynton 4th
200m: Teeghan Joyner 1st, John Mathers 3rd, Caelan Boynton 4th, John Russell 5th
400m: John Mathers 2nd, James Underhill 6th
800m: Asher Alden 1st
1600m: Warren Ramsey 3rd
Long Jump: Teeghan Joyner 1st, Caelan Boynton 3rd
High Jump: Mason Darak 4th
4x100 relay: Plainfield 1st (John Russell, Gardell Wetherington, Caelan Boynton, Teeghan Joyner)
Additionally, the team had 2 CVL Conference qualifiers: Audrey Underhill in the Triple Jump, and Teeghan Joyner in the Long Jump, 100m, and 200m.
Congratulations to both teams!
For the most up to date schedule, please visit the co-cirricular calendar. ATHLETICS. Don’t forget to check the website under Athletics for the most up-to-date practice and game schedules!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Arts Contest for Mental Health Awareness
The Magnify Voices Expressive Arts Contest began in 2019 by the NH CBHC Communications Committee in honor of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month with the goal of highlighting the inadequacies in the system that serves youth and family in NH. As part of a broader national effort, Magnify Voices recognizes and celebrates the creativity of youth in order to demonstrate the vital importance of positive mental health for a child’s healthy development.
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
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.
SUMMER CAMPS
LEBANON RECREATION SUMMER CAMPS
Lebanon Recreation has several summer camps and activities offered. Please visit the website below for the most updated information and registration info.
Check out the latest Spring/Summer 2024 Program Guide by Leb. Rec. Please be patient as we work to get EVERYTHING featured in the program guide online and ready for registration.
CENTER FOR CARTOON STUDIES
The Center for Cartoon Studies offers summer workshops for kids: https://www.cartoonstudies.org/workshops/summer-cartoon-club-2/
