BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Good Afternoon,

I want to give a huge shout out to our DEI Committee who hosted a very thought provoking and productive evening last Wednesday. Attendees learned about and practiced active listening, difficult conversation, and calling in/calling out protocols to help us listen for understanding, share our thoughts and beliefs respectfully, and to set boundaries. We would like to thank Matthew Williams from KUA. His facilitation was so helpful and skilled! The committee plans to host more events like this so if you missed this one, be sure to watch for future opportunities.

For the better part of the year, I lamented our early April break. I kept thinking it was going to feel too long between break and the end of school. I could not have been more wrong! Somehow April is already over and the race to the end of the school year feels very much upon us. I am thankful for the extra two weeks to get it all in, including:

• Wednesday, May 1 - PTA Parent Forum - 3rd to 5th grades - 6 pm to 7:30 pm - Please consider joining us for a potluck and info session, including the following:
• Play math and reading games with your kids!
• Hear the latest about our curriculum and assessment practices.
• Understand how our MTSS process helps to address individual student needs.
• Sunday, May 5 - 7th Grade Auction - 4 to 6 pm - Don't miss out on the 50/50 raffle or the chance to bid on Red Sox tickets, a trip to a resort on the gulf coast of Mexico, auto detailing, and so much more!
• Week of May 6 - Teacher Appreciation Week - See the PTA section below to learn how you can support their efforts to honor our teachers throughout the week of May 6 to 10.
• Tuesday, May 7 - Kindergarten Orientation - Parents only.
• May 8 to 10 - Mother's Day Plant sale - Students can purchase pants to thank those who have been like a mother to them. Proceeds support our student council.
• May 10 - early release, talent show, and a professional jazz band performance

And that's just the next two weeks! Be sure to review announcements/information regarding upcoming events throughout the newsletter.

Speaking of races, the Summer Skills Camp has announced its theme for this summer's program - The Amazing Race. See full details and a link to register in their update in the newsletter below. The program is open to anyone and is a FREE four-day per week, half-day program from July 8 to August 1. You can sign up for two weeks or all four. The program helps students deepen academic skills in a super fun way. The Board supported an expansion of this program last summer as we continue to support students following the pandemic.

And just to be sure you didn't miss these important updates in last week's newsletter...

• 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.

I think that's it for now. See you in the morning!

Audra Bucklin, Principal

603.469.3250, ext 223

abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

“Families of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders please join us Wednesday May 1st for a potluck and family forum. This is a great opportunity to meet other families and talk with educators about what our children are doing, with a particular focus on Math and literacy. We are excited about this event and can’t wait to see you!”

Here is a link to the sign up genius for the potluck.

For over two decades, the PTA has hosted a teacher luncheon during Teacher Appreciation Week. Sign up to prepare foods or volunteer. SIGN-UP LINK HERE.

The PTA has a long and rich history of supporting quality education and a positive school culture here at PES but its future is at risk due to low participation and Board vacancies. There will be a meeting in May (Date TBD) to discuss the future of the PTA. The PTA and Principal Bucklin invite parents and teachers to discuss solutions that ensure the sustainability of this important organization. Watch this space for more information in next week's newsletter.

APRIL

30- K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome

MAY

1st- PTA parent forum 6-7:30 (babysitting provided)

5th - Class of 2025 Silent Auction - 4 to 6 pm - Plainfield Town Hall (12A)

LOOKING AHEAD:

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

MONDAY- Meatball sub- beef and chicken meatballs, hand cut french fries, and maple baked beans.

TUESDAY- Cheese Quesadilla, garden salsa, cabot sour cream and confetti corn salsa

WEDNESDAY- Alaska Pollock fish sticks, tartar sauce, with hand cut french fries.

THURSDAY- Swedish meatballs with pasta with strawberry spinach salad.

FRIDAY- Cheesy breadsticks, marinara sauce, hearty country vegetable soup

"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.

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.

LINQ Connect

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

office@plainfieldschool.org

Spring is upon us and that means seasonal allergies are on the rise. 50 million Americans suffer from allergies with symptoms that bloom as the seasons change. Symptoms can include itchy, watery eyes, a scratchy throat, and a stuffy, runny nose. Seasonal allergies can also cause fatigue and can really wipe you out. When you come into contact with a substance that you’re allergic to, your immune system treats it as an intruder and you release histamines which cause the cluster of symptoms described above. Seasonal allergies can be treated in a variety of ways, but most often with over-the-counter antihistamines which help to suppress the body’s immune response and thereby providing relief of symptoms. Sometimes, in the case of severe seasonal allergies, your physician can prescribe antihistamine or steroid nose sprays to help calm the body’s immune response to seasonal airborne allergens.

The nurse’s office at Plainfield School only stocks one antihistamine: Benadryl. This medication is stocked for cases of anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Administration of Benadryl during the school day for seasonal allergies is contraindicated. Benadryl’s most common side effect is drowsiness, which is counterproductive to school success. In fact, many antihistamines can cause drowsiness and determining which antihistamine works for you is a matter of trial and error. Remember that an antihistamine which works for you doesn’t mean it will work for your student. One day my father gave me one of his favorite over-the-counter antihistamines that works for him, but I ended up sleeping all afternoon because of it!

If your student is susceptible to seasonal allergies, please consider administering an over-the-counter antihistamine on a daily basis to help them manage the symptoms as I cannot medicate for seasonal allergies during the school day.

Conjunctivitis

We have several cases of conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, in school at this time. Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious infection that can be either bacterial or viral and needs to be evaluated by a physician to determine the proper course of treatment. It spreads through close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands, through the air from coughing or sneezing, or touching a surface with germs on it then touching your eyes before washing your hands

Symptoms of conjunctivitis can include:

• Pink or red color in the white of the eye(s)

• Swelling of the conjunctiva (the thin layer that lines the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid) and/or eyelids

• Increased tear production

• Feeling like a foreign body is in the eye(s) or an urge to rub the eye(s)

• Itching, irritation, and/or burning

• Discharge (pus or mucus)

• Crusting of eyelids or lashes, especially in the morning

• Contact lenses that feel uncomfortable and/or do not stay in place on the eye

You should see your physician if you have conjunctivitis along with pain in the eyes, intense redness in the eyes, and sensitivity to light or blurred vision that doesn’t improve when discharge is wiped from the eye. You should also seek physician advice if symptoms get worse or don’t improve, including pink eye thought to be caused by bacteria which is not improving after 24 hours of antibiotic use.

If you have conjunctivitis but do not have fever or other symptoms, you may return to school with your doctor’s approval. However, if you still have symptoms, and your activities at school include close contact with other people, you should not attend.

In health,

Nurse Beth

schoolnurse@plainfieldschool.org

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Center for Cartoon Studies offers summer workshops for kids: https://www.cartoonstudies.org/workshops/summer-cartoon-club-2/