GVS Family Newsletter
November 17th, 2023
Grantham Village School
75 Learning Drive
Grantham, NH 03753
603-863-1681
Principal: Kristen Reed
GVS Family Newsletter
February 16, 2024
Please visit our website!
February 16, 2024
Dear Grantham Village School Parent/Guardian,
Each year, New Hampshire public and chartered public schools are required by state law (RSA 193-C) and federal accountability laws (Every Student Succeeds Act) to assess students using a standardized assessment. At Grantham Village School students in grades 3 through 6 will participate in the English Language Arts (Reading and Writing) and Mathematics assessments. Our 5th grade students will also be assessed in Science. Grantham Village School typically administers these assessments at the end of May; however, because this year the writing portion will be hand-scored by the state, we are required to administer that portion between March 4-15. It is beneficial if you try to avoid scheduling appointments during the testing dates.Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and good breakfast, prior to testing.
The rest of the assessments will be administered May 20-23 for 5th and 6th graders and May 28-31 for 3rd and 4th graders. The purpose of these assessments is to measure our students’ mastery of skills in comparison to grade-level standards. This is also a useful tool for determining if our current program of instruction is effective. Student results for the NH SAS scores are generally available immediately upon the student completing the test; however, writing scores this year due to hand-scoring, will be delayed.
Average Testing Times Grades 3-6:
English Language Arts/Reading 2 hours, 15 minutes
English Language Arts/Writing 2 hours
Mathematics 2 hours, 15 minutes
Grades 5 Science 2 hours
Parents may access NH SAS practice tests by going to the NH SAS assessment portal at: https://nh.portal.cambiumast.com/families.html
While state testing is not our only focus, it is an indicator of your child’s progress and the school’s effectiveness in general. A parent / guardian can request an exemption for the assessment, by contacting Kristen Reed to request an exemption form. The form must be completed and submitted prior to the start of the assessment dates. However, it should be noted that a parental request for exemption does result in the school receiving a zero for that student. We are required to have at least 95% of students in grades 3-6 complete the assessment. If you have any questions related to the assessment administration, you may contact our School Counselor, Kris Widmann. Thank you for supporting your student!
Sincerely,
Kristen Reed, School Principal
Kris Widmann, School Counselor
First grade celebrated 100th day by aging!
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
The Grantham School District Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, beginning at 6:30 pm in the GVS Gymnasium. The tentative snow date is Thursday, March 7th.
March 12, 2024 - Election of Officers
The election for School District Officers will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Grantham Town Hall, 300 Route 10 South, Grantham, NH. Polls open from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM. Absentee ballots are available at the SAU office. The Absentee ballot application for the school district elections can be found below or can be obtained by visiting the SAU office. Please note: completed absentee ballots must be returned according to the instructions provided with the blank ballot. This includes delivering the completed ballot in one of two ways: in-person to the SAU office between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm or via USPS mail. The absentee ballot must be received by 5:00 pm on election day, March 12, 2024. By state statute, completed absentee ballots CANNOT be dropped off in person on election day by the voter; immediate family members may do so on behalf of the voter but will need to complete a form identifying their relationship with the voter at the time of delivery. In either case, 5:00 pm on election day remains the deadline.
Update from our School Counselor, Mrs. Widmann
Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety
Learn how to help your child manage anxiety. At Grantham Village School, we have adopted Lynn Lyons' philosophy on managing anxiety. Lynn has written the books Anxious Kids Anxious Parents and The Anxiety Audit. We have both books available to check out. Email me if you would like to borrow a copy. kwidmann@gvshawks.org Listen to all of Lynn Lyons' podcasts on the 7 Anxiety Disruptors for Families:
If you would like to teach your child these same strategies, watch my video series with your child(ren)
From Mrs. Buckley (Reading Specialist)
Passport to Winter Fun Program
Passports to Winter Fun have arrived at Grantham Village School. These booklets are a great way to stay active during the winter months. The goal is to track your physical activity by recording it in the booklet. There are 30 days of tracking included. Each day you complete 60 minutes of physical activity, fill in a box (write your activities in the box).
Here are some important deadlines
February 23rd - Front Flap Deadline
March 29th - Back Flap Deadline
March 31st - Last Day to Cash in Incentive Prizes
April 5th - Grand Prize Raffle, Program Conclusion
There are 3 ways to turn in your front/back flaps.
Mail to: Passport to Winter Fun, P.O. Box 1215, Norwich, VT
Scan the QR code within the booklet to fill it out digitally (front and back flaps have different QR codes)
Turn them into Mr. Pollard and he will mail them in!
Passport Participants earn an incentive prize when they reach day(s) 10, 20 & 30 which are listed on the green sheet insert. To redeem the prizes, they present their Passport with the completed days to the business to verify they have completed those days! Learn more about cashing in prizes here.
Thanks to the generosity of Local Businesses, we have a great selection of Incentive Prizes for the 2023 season! We will be highlighting a business here and including information on their prize offering.
Want to be included in the Upper Valley Trails Alliance Newsletter. Send your photos of winter fun to passport@uvtrails.org or caption photos on social media with #uvtapassport to get featured!
Thank you to the Upper Valley Trails Alliance for sponsoring these awesome program!
Fisher Cats Reading Challenge
The Fisher Cats Reading Challenge has begun!
Looking for 100 readers to read 5 books each
The Challenge ends March 18th
Turn Your form into your teacher or Ms. Buckley
Grantham Parent Teacher Group
Hobby Horse Basketball
Grantham Recreation News
A lot is going on with Grantham Recreation this Spring! Mark your calendars for athletic registrations
and event dates so you don’t miss any of the FUN!!
Athletic Registrations:
Baseball Registration for Spring 2024 is NOW OPEN!
Challenger Soccer Camp Summer 2024 is NOW OPEN!
Taekwondo Spring Session Registration Opens on February 13 th .
Girls on the Run is coming to Grantham this Spring!!
Girls on the Run, a nationally based organization aimed to inspire girls of all abilities to embrace their
inner strength and make meaningful connections with those around them, is coming to Grantham!
This program is open to all girls in Grades 3-5.
Additional information on the season, practice schedule, and registration information can be
found HERE
Upcoming Events – Save the Date
Hearts in the Park – February 9 th -16 th
Bounce House Party – March 9 th
Easter Egg Hunt – March 30 th
Additional Information about all of the events can be found on the Grantham Activities website -
Tween Night
Real Life Clue
2/16/24 6-8PM
I accuse Ms. Sandy in the Picture Book Room with a Dictionary! Come play real life clue! And of course; Pizza and Lemonade!
SignUp: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSObnhjjMUsXp8JrNFR9ySDfUkCgF8In5zjj_Lavk7Q0c8tQ/viewform
Website: https://dunbarlibrary.org/mc-events/teen-night-real-life-clue/?mc_id=286
2/27/24 6-7 PM
Pokémon kids trading card night
Celebrate Pokémon day with a Pokémon trading card night!!!
Sign up strongly encouraged: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FayoCQY4SqIxnYEtIrlmSH3Dl42RMkBuj-VoRIjGNQM/edit
Website: https://dunbarlibrary.org/mc-events/celebrate-pokemon-day/?mc_id=284
Wednesdays
After School Library club
pick up by 5PM
Dunbar Free Library is now hosting an after school Library Club for our T(w)eens. Do your homework, find a book, use the computers, play games or join one of our clubs! Our club will meet every Wednesday. Pick up is anytime before 5 PM. You must be 10 or older to participate. You do NOT need to commit to every Wednesday. Once you sign up once, you don't have to sign up every week!
PLEASE NOTE: We follow the GVS schedule. If there is not school, a 1/2 day or early dismissal, we will not have ASC.
Sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoiWFdyu3nz84PkTrD-fuJrtNaA-v-3A_mw9LimufJwM-KsA/viewform
Website: https://dunbarlibrary.org/mc-events/afterschool-library-club/?mc_id=232
SEE ALL OF OUR EVENTS HERE: