Blackhawk Bulletin
September 2nd, 2023
Principal Ponderings
Good Afternoon Blackhawks,
I hope you all enjoyed your Labor Day Weekend. It sure was a nice one! Our first couple of days started with a new "Welcome Back" tradition where the entire school gathered in a circle and our eighth grade class lined up along the walkway to greet all of the other classes as they entered. When the eighth graders entered the building on their "last first day", the students were lining the hallways to welcome and greet them! It seems like a fitting way to start our year here at Plainfield where we deeply value community and caring for one another. And we hope our eighth graders felt the respect and support from the rest of the school community.
Speaking of respect, students in all grades enjoyed plenty of team-building activities as they (re)connected with classmates and spent time acclimating to school routines and expectations. They reviewed schoolwide rules and protocols related to our three overarching expectations - Safety, Respect, and Responsibility - and spent time practicing what these expectations look like on the playground, in our hallways, and in various classes such as Library and P.E.
In grades K to 4, we are taking time to read "All are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold. (The image in the header is from the book.) If you haven't had a chance to read it, I highly recommend it. I happened upon it in a beautiful bookstore built by the author of the Diary of Whimpy Kid books when I visited my parents in Massachusetts this summer. The bookstore was beautiful (could have spent hours) and this book struck me with its beautiful illustrations and compelling title. When I read it to our first graders, we chatted afterwards about the things we can do to make sure others feel welcome. I was so impressed by the answers they shared, "just smile", "play a game", and "listen to them". We have some wise and welcoming students at PES!
As we prepare for the four-day week ahead, we are pleased to offer the latest rendition of our newsletter - "The Blackhawk Bulletin." Based on your feedback in the spring (thank you so much!) we are continuing with my Principal Ponderings but separating out some of the timely announcements which will be included as separate sections:
- Weekly Happenings - A quick list of the key events coming up this week and a handy link to the events page on the Plainfield School website.
- Lunch Menu - The weekly hot lunch menu along with a link to the Abbey Group site.
- Office Notes - Critical reminders from the office. This will include important deadlines, etc.
- Classroom Spotlights - These will rotate weekly starting next week, and continue throughout the year. We are looking forward to helping you stay informed about the wonderful learning opportunities happening across our school.
- Co-curricular Updates (as needed) Game recaps and club happenings
- Commitee Sponsored Information - Our board sponsored committees will provide periodic updates with timely information for students and families related to the following:
- Wellness - helpful hints and info related to your child's physical and mental health needs.
- DEI - our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee will offer information and resources as we continue to explore what it means to be a truly welcoming community to all.
- Safety - updates and tips related to best practices in school and personal safety
- Professional Development - the latest information on the curriculum, instruction and assessment initiatives our teachers are exploring and implementing
- Middle School Study - updates from the Middle School Study Committee as they explore the best possible options/programming to meet the needs of Plainfield students.
- Facilities Committee - This committee is charged with reviewing, revising, and prioritizing a list of facilities needs and wants. They will then make recommendations to the Board. As they do this work, they will provide intermittent updates and potentially request our input.
Best,
Audra Bucklin, Principal
603.469.3250, ext 223
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Events
- Monday, September 4th - No School - Labor Day
- Wendesday, September 6th - Class of 2024 Parent/Student Meeting, Gymnasium 6:00pm
- Friday, September 8th - School Registration/Permission Forms Due*
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.
* Log into Alma to complete the following:
- BOY (Beginning of Year) All Registration Forms 23-24
- Handbook Acknowledgement
- Health Forms (you must download them to fill them out. You may upload them to Alma or submit to the front office when completed.)
LUNCH MENU
HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)
TUESDAY: Tater Tot Nachos
WEDNESDAY: Homemade Shepherd's Pie
THURSDAY: Chicken Alfredo with Pasta
FRIDAY:Pizza (Cheese, Pepperoni, or Veggie)
"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
Drop-off reminders: If you drop your child off at school in the morning, please be reminded of these procedures/protocols to ensure the safety of our students and one another (Note: some of these are based on updated legislation/policy so please review carefully):
- As you enter the parking lot to the right of the school, please stay in a single file line and circle all the way around the back of the barn.
- Students should remain seatbelted until the car comes to a complete stop and then they should exit from the passenger side only.
- Students should only get our of their cars between the gym doors and the front walkway. If your child gets out of the car further back, please remain in line, exiting in a single file (i.e. please do not pull out around the cars ahead of you in line.)
- Please help us keep our indoor air quality safe by refraining from idling for long periods of time.
- Finally, if the line is not for you, please remember you can park and have your student(s) cross at the crosswalk. If you do so, please remember to depart heading away from the school building (i.e. do not drive towards the school building as you will then be passing cards in the drop off line.)
Important Bus Route Info: As we continue to finalize bus routes and get a sense of accurate stops and timing, it is important to arrive early to your bus stop (both in the morning and to meet your child in the afternoon.) We hope to have fully vetted and updated routes to post by the end of the month. In the meantime, please plan on 10 to 15 minutes lead time. Please reach out to us with any questions. We appreciate your cooperation and help with this!
Parents/Guardians: Please remember if your child is under 10, they need a parent or guardian at the bus stop. Per the PES handbook, page 27, 3rd paragraph, " Students ages 10 and younger are released only to an approved adult. If there is no adult to meet the student when they reach the child’s stop, the child will remain on the bus until the end of the route and will return to the school with the driver. The school will contact guardians to come pick the child up at school."
Changes to End of Day Transportation Plan?: We appreciate everyone letting us know when there are changes to your child's end of day plan. The easiest way to do this is to e-mail the office at office@plainfieldschool.org, or send a note in with your child. The office must know of any changes to your child's after school plan so we can be sure we know where everyone is going. Please be sure to CALL after 2:30 for any last minute changes.
Thank you so much for your help with all of this!
Amanda & Katie
603.469.3250
CO-CURRICULAR UPDATES
First Math Team Meeting
Thursday, Sep 7, 2023, 03:00 PM
Event will begin right after school in Mrs. Harrington's Room
Soccer Practices & Games
Girls 5/6
- Wednesday, September 6th, 3:30 pm - PRACTICE
- Friday, September 8th, 3:30 pm - PRACTICE
Boys 5/6
- Tuesday, September 5th, 5:00 pm - PRACTICE
- Wednesday, September 6th, 5:00 pm - PRACTICE
- Friday, September 8th, 5:00 pm - PRACTICE
Girls 7/8
- Tuesday, September 5th, 3:30 pm - PRACTICE
- Wednesday, September 6th, 3:00 pm - PRACTICE
- Thursday, September 7th, 4:00 pm - GAME @ Claremont
- Friday, September 8th, 3:00 pm - PRACTICE
Boys 7/8
- Tuesday, September 5th, 6:00 pm - PRACTICE
- Wednesday, September 6th, 6:00 pm - PRACTICE
- Thursday, September 7th, 5:15 pm - GAME @ Claremont
- Saturday, September 9th, 10:00 am - PRACTICE