BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN
PRINCIPAL PONDERINGS
Week of April 14, 2024
Good Afternoon and Welcome Back!
I hope you all enjoyed your break. It certainly was quiet here at school. While it's always nice to have time and space to think and get caught up on some paperwork, I am looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! There are some important events/dates as we head back from break as follows:
- Thursday, April 18 - Community Luncheon & Cory Taber Hat & Kite Day (Partner Up Classes will get together to fly kites.) Students are invited to bring a small to mid-size (less than 3' span) kite. We also have some here. Families are welcome to join at 2:15 pm...it's quite a sight!
- Wednesday, April 24 - DEI Community Forum - "Stop Being so Nice: How we can disagree with civility. (Dinner and Babysitting Provided)
- 5:30 - meet & greet with light refreshments
- 6:00 pm - How to disagree with civility workshop
- Wednesday, May 1 - (6 to 7:30) PTA Parent Forum and Game Night - see more information below.
In addition, I have a couple of timely updates/reminders:
- 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 or Fridays until further notice.
- Finally, please note that the Bridge Up Program in 5th grade has the culminating performance on Wednesday, May 8th. The last newsletter incorrectly stated "March 8th."" We apologize for the confusion.
That's all for now. I'm doing my best to keep this newsletter short and sweet as you prepare for return to routine!
Audra
Audra Bucklin, Principal
603.469.3250, ext 223
PTA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Upcoming Event: Wednesday, May 1 Grades 3/4/5 Parent Forum and Game Night
6:30-7:30 Parent Forum: Bring your questions, bring your ideas, and let's talk math & literacy! If you are interested in childcare for the forum portion of this event, please reach out to plainfieldnh.pta@gmail.com
HANNAFORD HELPS SCHOOLS
Do you shop at Hannaford's? Please consider participating in the Hannaford Helps Schools program from today through June 1st. For every dollar spent on designated items, they will donate money to PES that can be used for student programming that extends beyond the budget. In the past we have tapped funds like these for guest speakers, artists in residence, and supplies for things like Winter Wonders Day. To learn everything you need to know and how to participate, please go to: Hannaford Helps Schools | Hannaford Supermarket.
We sent flyers home last week and have more available here in the office if you'd like to access the information via print.
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Events
15- Four Winds Training, 10-12 Plainfield School
16- K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
17- HACTC visit- 8th grade, 8-11:45
18-Community Luncheon- 11:30-1:00
18- Hat and Kite Day - 2pm
LOOKING AHEAD:
23 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
24 - DEI Community Forum - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm (See more info below)
30 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
MAY
1st- PTA parent forum 6-7:30 (babysitting provided)
6-10 - Teacher appreciation week
8-10 - Mother's Day Plant Sale
10 - Talent Show - Hosted during the school day by Student Council
14 - Plainfield School Board Meeting - 5:30 pm - Music Room
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.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION UPDATE
K-4
Recently we have been working on various volley skills. Students have also enjoyed climbing the rock wall and exploring the trails. We watched a fun “Egg Hunt” movement video the week of Easter. Hoping to spend more time outdoors this spring!
5-8
We are currently finishing our floor hockey unit. We have many ice hockey players at PES so it has been fun to watch their skills in the gym. We also spent time during our net sports unit on Pickleball. Students worked hard on serving and application of strategies/tactics.
Below are pictures of the Kindergarten and 2nd grade groups exploring our beautiful campus and a team of 8th graders getting ready to face off in a floor hockey game.
STUDENT COUNCIL UPDATE
Student Council is an active member of our school community. This past week they hosted Spirit Week, despite the craziness of schedule this week, students remembered it was spirit week and really showed up for pajama day!
As we look towards the end of the year, April will be a busy month of planning and May will be a busy month of events. Council is hosting a Talent Show for middle school students (5/10), the Mother's Day Plant sale (5/8-5/10), a brand new event for middle school advisories (date TBD), and the Memorial Day Celebration (5/28). Continue to look in the Blackhawk Bulletin for information on these events as they get closer!
CHARACTER STRONG - APRIL
This month our character trait is Courage. Courage means choosing what is helpful, right, and kind - even when it’s hard or scary. Can you think of a time when you did something that you knew was right even if you were scared to do it?
“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” - Simone Biles, a 32x Olympic and World Championship American Gymnast.
Reading list:
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
The Girl With A Mind For Math by Julia Finely Mosca
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
LUNCH MENU
HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)
MONDAY- Chicken patty sandwich with lettuce/tomato with roasted sweet potato wedges
TUESDAY- Chicken and Cheese Fajita with garden salsa, cabot sour cream, mexicali corn and rice pilaf
WEDNESDAY- Fluffy pancakes with real maple syrup, sweet/white home fries with sausage links
THURSDAY- Spaghetti with meat sauce, maple glazed carrots with vampire garlic sticks.
FRIDAY- Cheese, pepperoni, veggie pizza and 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.
OFFICE NOTES
Important Reminders from the Plainfield School Office
Unfortunately, we need to cancel study hall on Tuesday’s and Friday’s until we are able to staff it. We will update parents and students as soon as we are able to.
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
FROM THE NURSE
Important Reminders from the Plainfield School Nurse
In an effort to adhere to our school’s Wellness Policy, we’d like to share the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s guide to healthy snacking. Almost a quarter of a student’s caloric intake comes from the snacks they consume throughout the day. Snacks with dense nutrient content will support a student’s academic performance and overall well-being.
https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/smartsnacks.pdf
All students should come to school with a selection of snacks from home to support their growing bodies as the day progresses. In the Nurse’s Office I try to keep a selection of smart snacks to include fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, granola bars, and applesauce. These snacks are provided by the Town of Plainfield to support healthy eating and to help students whose supply of snacks has run out in the course of the day.
In health,
Nurse Beth
CO-CURRICULAR UPDATES
KNITTING CLUB - Rescheduled to Wednesday this week.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Knitting Club will meet after school on Wednesday this week. We look forward to seeing you there!
Email trd.1391@gmail.com
ATHLETICS
Attention Basketball families-5th-8th grade. We are still missing several basketball jerseys. Please have your child return their washed jersey to Katie in the office. Thank you!
PES track practice beings April 1st, 2024. For the most up to date schedule, please visit the co-curricular calendar.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Arts Contest for Mental Health Awareness
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.
Start a PreK Program in Plainfield
What: If you are interested in supporting the creation of a PreK in Plainfield, please plan to join our monthly meetings. Our long-term goal is to start a town funded PreK Program at the Plainfield Elementary School (similar to Cornish and other surrounding towns). Our short-term solution is to start a private PreK located within 5 minutes of Plainfield Elementary School.
Who: Anyone with interest in supporting this cause, parents of kids preschool age and younger, current or retired elementary teachers, anyone with experience starting a new program at a public school.
Where: Meriden Congregational Church Parish House (white building to the left of the stone church that sits at the top of the hill of KUA campus). 5 Mitchell Drive, Meriden NH 03770
When: Saturday, Feb 3 at 10am, with plans to repeat the first Saturday of every month
Why: Preschool is a valuable tool to help children grow and develop educationally, socially and
emotionally. It creates a culture of community among children and parents.
Children are welcome and there will also be childcare at the meeting!
We are actively looking for a PreK director to run the program. This is an opportunity to help create and build a program from the ground up. Please visit our website for more information at: https://www.plainfieldnhprek.com/
Or email at Plainfieldnhprek@gmail.com
We are also interested to know if you plan to have the youngest members of your family to attend.
Please take a moment to answer a few questions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/69WJRBG
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.