BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN
Week of January 14, 2024
Good afternoon!
As we celebrate MLK Jr, it seems appropriate to honor his life's work to foster a more welcoming community for all by inviting you to complete this year's Quaglia Parent Survey. This annual survey evaluates school climate and culture and is available to staff, parents, and students in grades 3 to 8. The survey will be open for two weeks after which we will share the results with the wider community. We appreciate your previous input regarding future initiatives. This survey helps track how we are doing NOW and we are hoping for as close to 100% participation as possible. It takes just a few minutes to complete. Students who have permission will be taking the survey in school. Please click on this LINK to complete the survey. The access code is: 496944 THANK YOU!!
If you are looking for some interesting reading/web browsing as this winter's weather weirdness continues in full force, check out the Smithsonian's Five Things to Know article about Martin Luther King Jr. Did you know he entered college when he was 15 years old? If thinking about his life's work inspires you to get involved in public policy work, this announcement from the SAU might be of interest:
From the Town of Plainfield and Plainfield School District:
Filing period for declaration of candidacy for the following Offices begins January 24, 2024 and ends February 2, 2024 at 5:00 pm. You must be a Plainfield resident and registered voter. You must file no earlier than Jan. 24th. No fees required. File with the Town Clerk.
Town of Plainfield Open Offices
*One Selectmen for a three (3) year term
*One Trustee of Trust Funds for a three (3) year term
*One Cemetery Trustee for a three (3) year term
*Two Library Trustees for three (3) year terms
*One Supervisor of the Checklist for a six (6) year term
*One Town Moderator for a two (2) year term
Plainfield School District Open Offices
*School Clerk for a one (1) year term
*School Moderator for a one (1) year term
*School Treasurer for a one (1) year term
*Two School Board members for three (3) year terms
*One School Board member for a two (2) year term
WEEKLY REMINDERS
We are keeping our fingers crossed for lots of great snowmaking at Whaleback for this Friday's launch of the Friday Afterschool Ski Time. If you are signed up to participate, please see logistical information below.
There is an Assembly this Friday, January 19, right after Arrival at 8:15 am. Whaleback Ski Patrol will be here to talk about skiing safety. FAST chaperones are encouraged, but not required, to attend.
The Boys & Girls Club Afterschool Program is now fully staffed and set to begin this week. I found the website a bit confusing related to cost so reached out to Tracee who clarified that families will never pay more than $100 for the week. Some families may also qualify for discounts. The program is available to students in grades K to 5. You may CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. If you have questions, you may contact the following:
- Tracee Barden, Upper Valley Area Manager, (603) 715-9366 Ext. 1186 (tbarden@nhyouth.org)
- Maura Linnehan, Plainfield School Site Director (mlinnehan@nhyouth.org)
Finally, I have included a few pictures from last week. Remember to check out our website (www.plainfieldschool.org) as well. Ms. Amanda in the office adds photos on a regular basis.
Audra
Audra Bucklin, Principal
603.469.3250, ext 223
OUR WEEK IN PICTURES
Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Winners!
Congratulations to Spelling Bee Champion Jane Mans and Runner Up Clairette Bretton. We started teh Bee with 28 participants in grades 5 to 8. Our two finalists went back and forth for many rounds before Jane was crowned champion!
Middle Schoolers Come Together to Learn About the Power of Our Words
We had a special visit from Kevin Pajaro-Marinez, DEI Coordinator in Exeter. The takeaway message? Don't shy away from the difficult conversations about harmful language. Students here at Plainfield will continue to discuss this topic in advisory moving forward.
Kevin Pajaro-Marinez
Plainfield & Cornish
Contributing Our Words
And They're Off...1st Graders "Visit" Japan!
First graders are embarking on a journey to explore Japanese culture. I was so impressed with the many things they know about Japan from the meaning of the red circle in their flag to their national tree and many of their customs and greetings!
Miss Doody greets our travelers
The flight to Japan!
Tea Ceremony with Oma!
WHALEBACK LOGISTICS
Important Clarification - NEW DATES
The Friday Afterschool Ski Time (FAST) at Whaleback begins this Friday and continues as follows:
Friday, 1/19
Friday, 1/26
Friday, 2/2
Friday, 2/9
Friday, 2/16
Friday, 3/1 (NEW)
ALL LESSONS BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 4:15 PM. Link here to review the protocols and procedures in our chaperone handbook. We will distribute information about specific lesson/chaperone groups directly to parents/students later this week.
PICK UP IS NO LATER THAN 5:30. AN AUTHORIZED ADULT MUST BRING THE CHILD'S ARMBAND TO THE CHECK OUT COUNTER ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE LODGE AND PHYSICALLY SIGN THEIR CHILD OUT ON THE ATTENDANCE SHEET.
Whaleback Ski Patrol plans to join us at this Friday's assembly to review mountain safety. Chaperones are encouraged (but not required) to attend.
Here's what you need to know in the meantime.
Students who plan to take the bus to Whaleback:
- Please be sure to send a note indicating your child is riding the bus to Whaleback
- No skis or poles are allowed on buses. They may be dropped off at drop off by the front corner of the school and MUST BE LABELED with the student's name and grade. (Please label both poles and both skis.) We will deliver the skis, boards and poles to the mountain and we try to organize them by grade level so students can find them a bit more easily.
- All other gear (incl helmets, boots, gloves, goggles, etc.) should be packed neatly in a bag the students can carry onto the bus.
- Students will board P7 at the usual time. We estimate they will arrive at Whaleback by 3:45 and have plenty of time to grab a quick snack (if you are not signing up via Whaleback or sending cash, you will want to pack one), get suited up, and retrieve their equipment.
Students who plan to get a ride with a parent/friend:
- All Plainfield students should register via Whaleback's site (even if you have a season pass and don't plan to take the bus) - https://whaleback.theonlysky.com/ecomm3/products/view/?flow=Plainfield%20Elementary
- The adult you ride with is responsible for your supervision at Whaleback until PES chaperone/staff arrive. The adult should speak with Ms. Bucklin to ensure the student is checked in and on our list. If the students does not get signed in on our attendance list at the PES counter, they will remain the responsibility of the person who picked them up at school.
- All PES students are representing PES since it is "our day" at the mountain. As such, all PES skiers are responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with school rules.
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Events
15 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Day
16 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
16 - MLK Recognition during Advisory/Morning Meeting
16 - PES School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm – Music Room (postponed from 1/9)
18 - Math Team Practice - 2:50 - 4:00pm
19 - Assembly - 8:15 am
19 - Whaleback- FAST - 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
LOOKING AHEAD:
23 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
23 - PES School Board Public Hearing (Budget), 5:30 pm – Music Room
25 - 8th Grade to HACTC 8:45 am (Felecia Foley)
25 - Math Team Practice - 2:50-4:00pm
30 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
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.
LUNCH MENU
HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)
MONDAY- NO SCHOOL
TUESDAY- Tater tot Nachos, ric pilaf, black bean and corn salsa
WEDNESDAY- Homemade shepherd's pie, homemade dinner roll, and maple seasoned parsnips
THURSDAY- WINTER BEACH PARTY DAY Dress your own burger , three herb potato salad, vegetarian baked beans, and fresh watermelon
FRIDAY- Cheese Pizza Pepperoni Pizza Veggie Pizza 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
It’s that time of year when students are wearing snow gear to school. Please remember to send sneakers with your child, or have them leave a pair at school. Also, please remind all students to bring sneakers for P.E. days. Crocs and boots are not allowed in the gym.
Reminder: Students in grades K-4 are required to wear winter boots, hats, and mittens when the weather turns cold. Students in K-4 are required to wear snow pants to play in the snow.
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!
Amanda & Katie
603.469.3250
FROM THE NURSE
Important Reminders from the Plainfield School Nurse
With a major uptick in respiratory viruses, to include COVID, it was a long and difficult three and a half weeks in the nurse’s office between Thanksgiving and Christmas. At the end of it all we had 34 confirmed cases of COVID in our population (students and staff) and 62 cases of other illnesses. Of note, some of these other cases may have been COVID that was not reported to the school. This resulted in lost educational and work hours, delayed holiday travel, and delayed family plans.
Plainfield School will continue to follow the CDC COVID Protocols as advised by the NH Department of Health and Human Services guidance. When symptoms are present you must test and a positive COVID test requires 5 days of isolation and an additional 5 days of masking in public. These 10 days are counted with Day 0 being the first day of symptoms, not the day of testing. If a student is exposed to a family member with COVID they must be masked in public for 10 days starting from the first day of symptoms in the positive family member. If a masking student develops symptoms, then their 10 days of masking begins again starting with 5 days of isolation.
Over the holiday break our school population has recovered from COVID. By working together, we can keep our numbers low, our absences (both students and staff) minimal, and we can prevent bringing COVID home to our elderly and/or immunocompromised family members who may not have the ability to fight off this infection.
Lastly, please remember that sick notices/absences need to be sent to schoolnurse@plainfielschool.org as well as to office@plainfieldschool.org.
Thanks,
Nurse Beth
CO-CURRICULAR UPDATES
ATHLETICS
Don’t forget to check the website under Athletics for the most up-to-date practice and game schedules!
Parents -
WELLNESS TIPS
The Plainfield School District Wellness Committee is committed to supporting student and educator wellness. We will be researching and sharing useful tips to maintain a healthy school community. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Nurse Beth who chairs this committee: schoolnurse@plainfieldschool.org
The image below is linkable.
CHARACTER STRONG
PERSEVERANCE
This month we’re talking about the trait of Perseverance. The dictionary defines it as: “Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” The definition we are using in class is:
Perseverance: the ability to work through situations even when there are obstacles or challenges in the way.
A lot of research today is telling us that the highest indicators of success in our kids isn’t just about their grades or their IQ. The number one skill that helps people of all walks of life be successful is GRIT! The ability to persevere in the face of adversity or even failure. Over the course of the month, we will talk about inspiring people who faced many failures before they found success. We will talk about what it means to navigate tough stuff, even when it feels overwhelming or really hard. We will talk about having a Growth Mindset - to see challenges and failure as an opportunity to grow instead of a brick wall. Take a moment to review the newsletter below for a few ways you can bring these lessons home!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Our Whole Lives (“OWL”) Programs at the Meriden Congregational Church
for Grades Kindergarten-First Grade, Grades Four through Six & Grades Seven through Nine
We warmly invite you and your family to participate in our upcoming OWL Program, a developmentally appropriate and inclusive sexuality education program that focuses on values such as self-respect, compassion, diversity, and justice. With the guidance of trained and experienced OWL facilitators, children and youth are offered the knowledge and skills to feel good about themselves and their bodies, remain healthy, and build positive, equitable loving relationships. OWL is not a religious program and all families interested in progressive sexuality education for their children or youth are warmly welcome to participate. We are holding a Parent/Caregiver and Child/Youth Orientation on Sunday, January 21 st from 10:30-noon in preparation for the OWL classes to be held February through April. If you are interested in attending the Orientation or wish more information about the OWL program, please contact Rev. Susan Gregory-Davis at 603-359-2940 by Wednesday, January 17.
Additional information about OWL can be found at www.ucc.org/OWL.
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
4-H Youth Babysitting Class
This 2-day class helps middle school and teenage youth learn what it takes to be a responsible, caring, trustworthy, competent, capable, and safe babysitter. Youth will learn about child development stages, safety, nutrition, emergencies, first-aid, and the business of babysitting through discussion, role-play, and hands-on activities.
- Open to 4-H members and non-4-H members. Ages 11-18
- More information and registration at: https://go.uvm.edu/babysitting
- All applications are accepted on a first-come/first-served basis until a quota of 15 participants has been filled.
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.