BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Good Afternoon,

I'm not sure about all of you, but the long weekend could not have been timed better. It's been a whirlwind start to the year with so many wonderful things happening. It was just the right time to pause, reflect, and catch our breath as we head into the holiday season. And we couldn't have had a better lead in than the Veteran's Day Assembly and Community Luncheon on Thursday. I was so proud of our Upper Grades students for their leadership at both! The ceremony at the Assembly was entirely student-led and every student and staff member at PES played a part in welcoming our seniors to the first of three Community Luncheons for the 23/24 school year.

• Students in K to 2 provided artwork and centerpieces.
• Our 3/4 Students and teachers made spice cake.
• 5th Grade prepared the salad.
• Pairs of 6th grade "ambassadors" sat and conversed with our guests.
• 7th Grade provided the cleaning crew following the event.
• And as has been the tradition for many years, the 8th graders served the food and beverages.
• Last but not least, our Jazz Band led the event with a concert and continued playing background music for the first half of the meal. This was their first public performance of the year and they sound great! (I knew they would. I get to listen to them practice on Wednesday and Friday mornings while greeting students at drop-off.)

Thank you to Stephanie Schell for partnering with us to provide this opportunity to our students and school community. In honor of our Gratitude theme (See the Character Strong attachment below) we invited our guests to complete a leaf for our "Let Your Attitude be Gratitude" tree by the library. If you get the chance, please come on in to check out the responses and fill out a leaf for us to add! And thank you to Amanda Jewell for pulling the idea for the tree together and for taking some great photos for the website!

As always, there are many important updates below. Please read through and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

See you in the morning,

Audra

P.S. Don't forget to register for the Whaleback Afterschool Ski Program and let us know if your child needs transportation and/or if you are interested to volunteer. We are beginning work on logistics this week and the sooner we have participant information, the better! See complete details below.

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.

• November 20 Picture Retake Day
• November 20 Class of 2025 MANDATORY Class Meeting - 5:30 to 6:30 pm - Library
• November 21 K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
• November 22-24 Thanksgiving recess

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 - PLEASE NOTE: There is currently a chocolate milk shortage. Most students do not expect chocolate milk everyday but we wanted you to be aware.)

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

MONDAY- Dress your hot dog, sweet potato bean chili, vegetarian

TUESDAY- Chicken Burrito with southwest Rice Pilaf

WEDNESDAY- Homemade Baked Ziti with Caesar Salad Garlic Breadsticks

THURSDAY- “GIVE THANKS” oven roasted turkey with gravy, Chef’s Mashed Potato, Steamed green peas, homemade dinner rolls, hearty stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cranberry crunch bars

FRIDAY- Cheese, pepperoni, and veggie 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.

On Thursday November 16th, the Abbey Group will celebrate “Give Thanks”. There will be oven roasted turkey with gravy, Chef’s Mashed Potato, Steamed green peas, homemade dinner rolls, hearty stuffing, cranberry sauce, and cranberry crunch bars.

LAST DAY FOR THE PES WINTER STORE - closes 11/12/23!

There are a variety of great items! Items will be here in time for Christmasand there is an option to have items shipped directly to your home! Link: http://PESWINTER23.ITEMORDER.COM

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.

Paraprofessional Opening

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.

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

office@plainfieldschool.org

COVID PROTOCOLS

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

The 7th grade class prepared and served a spaghetti dinner at the Plainfield Fire Department. It was a successful event to raise money for their class trip. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the class! Thank you to all the 7th graders and families who participated.

We are looking forward to focusing on Gratitude this month during Guidance Lessons and throughout our school! One way to think about Gratitude is “choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives.” Practicing Gratitude can increase our well-being and even our happiness! Check out the infographic below for ways you can connect to our schoolwide theme during this month of Thanksgiving!

Ski Equipment Swap

Saturday November 18th at the ski shed from 9am-10am at PES. See flier 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

The Cornish Elementary School is inviting Plainfield students who are in grades 6-8 to their school dance.

• Theme: Thanksgiving/Christmas.
• When: November 17th from 7-9pm in the gym
• Cost: $7.00
• Snacks and drinks will be available for sale.

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.