Good Afternoon Blackhawks,

I know you are technically only halfway through your weekend but the next couple of days will be busy ones for teachers and staff and I figured it wouldn't hurt to remind everyone there is NO SCHOOL MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

We are looking forward to the opportunity to joining our colleagues from Grantham Village School and Cornish Elementary School. Teachers and staff in single-school districts rarely get opportunities to collaborate with other educators in their grade-level or specialty area and this is just one of the things that makes our shared Curriculum Instruction and Assessment (CIA) position so exciting! Christine Downing (CIA Director) is the mastermind behind our shared PD days this week. It is so important to professional growth in all three buildings.

Tomorrow, we will focus on the Science of Reading. Several educators across all three districts are enrolled in a state funded professional learning course that dives deeply into the science of reading knowledge (LETRS - Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling.) The information from that course, coupled with a close look at student performance on standardized and classroom-based instruction will inform and guide curriculum and instruction decisions. Sharing information and ideas with other educators is an important part of the process.

The remainder of the week is pretty low-key here at PES. The Middle School Math Team has their first meet in Windsor on Thursday and K to 4 students will enjoy Southern Vermont Museum of Natural History's traveling wildlife exhibit Friday morning.

In the meantime, please be reminded of the following:

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

And don't miss our winter PES apparel store - HTTPS://PESWINTER23.ITEMORDER.COM (See more info in "Community News" section below.

See you Wednesday morning!

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.

• Thursday, October 26 - 6 to 8 Math Meet - @Windsor (see info below in Co-Curricular Section)
• Sunday, October 29 - PTA Sponsored Trunk or Treat - 1 to 3 pm (PES)

• 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 - 2:50-4:00 pm
• November 10 No School - Veterans Day
• November 20 Picture Retake 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- NO SCHOOL

TUESDAY- NO SCHOOL

WEDNESDAY- Hot ham and Cheese Pinwheels with seasoned green beans and fresh fruit

THURSDAY-Beef Burrito with garden salad and confetti corn salad.

FRIDAY- Cheesy Breadsticks With marinara sauce with hearty country 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.

Plainfield School is seeking a team player to work with teachers and other paraprofessionals to help students with diverse learning needs. Applicants must be solution focused, dependable, and experienced working with elementary and/or middle school aged children. If you or someone you know are interested in applying, please complete the application via SchoolSpring or contact Katie Lowery in the office at (603) 469-3250.

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

The Lost and Found site is up and running again! Please check the site for any items that may belong to your student(s).

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.

Nurse Beth is in need of some things for the supply closet. We could use the following:

• Unused socks
• Shorts/pants in sizes 6 - 12
• Sneakers sizes 1-5 in unisex colors
• Mittens/gloves

Thanks,

Nurse Beth

schoolnurse@plainfieldschool.org

In the eighth grade, ELA students focus much of their work on the theme of Identity. We began this year by exploring our core values and writing a personal essay with the moniker "This I Believe". The project is based on a 1950s radio series, featured on NPR, and hosted by Edward R. Murrow. This I Believe is now also an international organization that supports people to write and share essays that define the beliefs and values they use daily. Today I'm sharing two essays to give families a sense of some of the wonderful values our community embraces. May tomorrow’s eighth grade continue to grow into the leaders they are showing themselves to be today.

~Ms. Parker

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

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 (See flyer below)

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.