Thank You, COVID-19 Monitoring Team!At the concluding staff event of the 2020-21 school year, the members of the COVID-19 team receive a standing ovation for their work throughout the last year. The team met daily for an hour in the morning to review the latest pandemic data and to issue recommendations.
PES Celebrates 4th GradersPeterborough Elementary School celebrates the students in its 4th grade class who are moving up to South Meadow Middle School in the fall. Congratulations!
GES Students Enjoy Lunch OutsideBlue skies and sunshine = lunch outside at Greenfield Elementary School. Third and Fourth Grade enjoy lunch outside on the last full day of school.
ConVal Class of 2021 GraduationTeachers, staff, and administrators — dressed in their academic regalia — applaud the members of the Class of 2021 as they process in toward the ConVal Stadium Field. The event was live-streamed online in order to allow faraway family members to attend virtually.
SMS Recognize ConVal High School Class of 2021South Meadow School students have prepared signs for the front of SMS to celebrate the ConVal High School Class of 2021.
GBS Nature's Classroom Wilderness GroupStudents at Great Brook Middle School spend time in the woods learning about wilderness survival skills.
It is my duty as the Chair to inform the ConVal community that Board Member Robert Short, Jr, from Peterborough, tendered his resignation from the Board, effective June 8, 2021.
I would like to take this time to thank Rob for the countless hours devoted to the students and communities of ConVal during his tenure. His professional experience has been an asset to the Board and the District and will be missed. Please join me in thanking Rob if you see him and wishing him well on his future endeavors.
Under Board policy BBBE, the three remaining Board Members from Peterborough have selected Dr. Greg Kriebel to fill the vacancy until the next District elections in March 2022. Dr. Kriebel has accepted the position and will be sworn into office ahead of the next Board meeting on July 13, 2021.
Thank you, Rob for your service, and welcome to the Board, Dr. Kriebel.
It is my duty as the Chair to inform the ConVal community that Board Member Robert Short, Jr, from Peterborough, tendered his resignation from the Board, effective June 8, 2021.
I would like to take this time to thank Rob for the countless hours devoted to the students and communities of ConVal during his tenure.
We celebrated our 4th graders with a family performance of their play "Alice's Adventures With Idioms!" and a farewell ceremony. It was a perfect evening to celebrate a successful year outdoors!
We celebrated our 4th graders with a family performance of their play “Alice’s Adventures With Idioms!” and a farewell ceremony. It was a perfect evening to celebrate a successful year outdoors!
On the last day of school, students in Carol Young's Biology Topics class released back into the wild two baby snapping turtles they had fostered since early May.
The turtles had hatched last fall and were raised over the winter with four of their siblings by John Benjamin, teacher naturalist at the Harris Center for Conservation Education. As the six turtles grew, they needed more space, so "Toothless" and "Jerry" came to ConVal.
The students constructed a habitat for them out of a kiddie pool, rocks, silk plants, and a UV light. Every day, they fed them mealworms, sardines, and live minnows.
By mid-June the turtles had grown large enough to be released back into the wild. Together with John Benjamin, the students, class aides, and Principal Heather McKillop set out to find suitable release spaces in the greater ConVal environment.
Now Toothless, Jerry, and their siblings are fulfilling their role as top predators in the ConVal wetland and helping to keep this ecosystem healthy for the many other wildlife species that rely on it.
On the last day of school, students in Carol Young’s Biology Topics class released back into the wild two baby snapping turtles they had fostered since early May.
The turtles had hatched last fall and were raised over the winter with four of their siblings by John Benjamin, teacher naturalist at the Harris Center for Conservation Education.
As part of their work with the Explore Virtual Learning Committee, several high school teachers and staff recently had the opportunity to field test demonstration units of the Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality headsets provided by Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders and District Systems Director Mark Schaub.
"The capabilities of these VR headsets have come a long way in recent years," said Schaub. "Just a few years ago, units were quite expensive, required external tracking cameras to define the VR space, and had to be hardwired to a computer. The latest units are much more capable than their predecessor models, have outward-facing tracking cameras built-in, are completely self-contained and very intuitive to use."
Mathematics teacher Lance Flamino, Social Studies teacher Greg Leonard, librarians Rachael Bowman and Ashley Jones, and technology integrator Helfried Zrzavy took turns exploring the demo units by going through the setup procedure and trying out the handheld controls in a variety of simulations.
The Oculus Quest 2 is already prepared to connect to a well-developed ecosystem of immersive educational applications in areas as diverse as:
Social Studies (MasterWorks: Journey Through History, Discover Egypt: King Tut's Tomb, Pompeii VR, The Great Wall: Mysteries of China, American Experience, Anne Frank House VR, etc.)
Science (Human Anatomy VR, Brain VR, Heart Tour, Plant Cell, Chemistry VR, Exciting Physics VR, Solar System, International Space Station Tour VR, etc.)
Environmental Studies (David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef, David Attenborough's First Life, Antarctic Ocean, Sea Level Rise Explorer, etc.)
Art (Meeting Rembrandt: Master of Reality, Mocove Arts, Museo Soumaya VR, Art Gate, Art Plunge, etc.), and
World Languages (Mondly, Dynamic Spanish Trips - Long Weekend in Spain, etc.)
There is even an app — Virtual Speech — that is designed to help students overcome public speaking hesitancy and improve their verbal communication skills through practice in realistic VR scenarios. Training rooms include public speaking, sales pitches, networking, business storytelling, and more.
Over the next several months, this new technology will be vetted more thoroughly to explore how VR could fit into existing strategies for engaging instruction, what use modalities will have to be developed, what evidence would need to be gathered to drive student outcomes, and what technical and pedagogical supports would be required to integrate VR successfully into student learning.
As part of their work with the Explore Virtual Learning Committee, several high school teachers and staff recently had the opportunity to field test demonstration units of the Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality headsets provided by Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders and District Systems Director Mark Schaub.
“The capabilities of these VR headsets have come a long way in recent years,”
Congratulations to this year’s Envirothon team for placing 2nd overall in the annual state competition which was held virtually from May 21-27.
Students competed against area schools in four subjects:
Forestry
Wildlife
Aquatics
SoilsÂ
Team members also researched and presented to a panel of judges on climate and water-related issues impacting the ConVal region.
Despite not meeting for a full year due to COVID-19, the team still managed to be a formidable opponent. Practices ramped back up in March of 2021, and the team persistently worked to learn and grow over the course of two months.
Team coach and Earth Science teacher Andria Johnson was particularly impressed with the team’s progress in such a short time. “I am so proud of the accomplishments of this team," said Johnson. "I am a new coach and this is essentially a new team, and to have come so far so fast is just amazing. 2nd place overall is fantastic, and I cannot wait to see what this team can do next season!”
This was the 29th consecutive year that ConVal has participated in the Envirothon competition. The Envirothon team is always looking for new members, and team meetings will begin again next September. Contact Andria Johnson (ajohnson@conval.edu) to learn more and join the team.
While COVID-19 pandemic provided a serious obstacle to rehearsals and the staging of the musical "Bright Star," the ConVal drama department persevered and found an innovative solution that allowed for the live-streaming of the musical's concert version in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre.
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by comedian and virtuoso banjo-player Steve Martin in cooperation with singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, "Bright Star" tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s.
When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from the war, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past — and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion.
The cast or characters (in order of appearance) were:
Older Alice (Abby Theberge)
Middle Alice (Hadi Lancaric)
Younger Alice (Alissa Cutting)
Billy Cane (Owen Hannah)
Daddy Cane (Amy Braby
Daryl (Gabe Young)
Lucy (Liasiah Torres)
Younger Jimmy Ray (Rowan Davidson)
Daddy Murphy (Beau Olesky)
Mama Murphy (Grace Phillips)
Mayor Dobbs (Caroline Stultz)
Stanford (Haley Serafine)
Margo (Abbey Shumway)
Middle Jimmy Ray (Zach Cassidy)
Older Jimmy Ray (Dan Sleeper)
Townsfolk (Esther Janis, Adeline Mackensen, and Kaitlyn Stone)
For the complete program, please click here. The performance stream went live on Sunday at 7:00 pm and was very well received by the audience.
While COVID-19 pandemic provided a serious obstacle to rehearsals and the staging of the musical “Bright Star,” the ConVal drama department persevered and found an innovative solution that allowed for the live-streaming of the musical’s concert version in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre.
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by comedian and virtuoso banjo-player Steve Martin in cooperation with singer-songwriter Edie Brickell,
These are the two winners of the Harris Center Turtle coloring contest Ava and Stella. They won a Harris Center t shirt and a signed copy of a turtle drawn by Matt Patterson a local wildlife artist.Â
These are the two winners of the Harris Center Turtle coloring contest Ava and Stella. They won a Harris Center t shirt and a signed copy of a turtle drawn by Matt Patterson a local wildlife artist.Â
Green pod students and teachers for all grades created Tie Dye shirts in Ms. McLean's Art class to represent their pod in the upcoming Spirit Week Games.
Green pod students and teachers for all grades created Tie Dye shirts in Ms. McLean’s Art class to represent their pod in the upcoming Spirit Week Games.
In the course of the last 24 hours we have become aware of 2 separate and distinct cases (students in different pods) of COVID-19 at Great Brook School.
Due to the nature of these cases the contact tracing has been quite extensive. We are in active conversations with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS). Additionally, one of the cases involves another agency who NH DHHS will be reaching out to. NH DHHS has requested we provide contact information for anyone who has been identified as having had close contact (within 3 feet for a total of 10 cumulative minutes or more, beginning 2 days prior to first illness onset or collection of positive test, whichever is earlier) with the infected person.
Anytime a student or staff member is potentially exposed they receive a phone call from the appropriate building administrator. These calls have been made. At this point there is no need to change our instructional model. However, based on contact tracing a number of students have been asked to quarantine and are presently attending school remotely.
The safety of our children, employees, and community is our top priority. Should your student show symptoms or test positive for COVID 19 it is important that you reach out and let your student’s school know, we can not begin contact tracing without confirmation of a positive case from a parent/ guardian or from NH DHHS.
To ensure your health and safety. and to be sure that we are able to finish the year in our present instructional model, we should all take the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Notify the school if your student displays symptoms, has tested positive for COVID 19, or has been in contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID 19.
Avoid close contact with others.
When outside your home, keep a distance of at least 3- 6 feet between yourself and others.
Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect yourself and others when indoors at public areas.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
If you have questions please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me at ksaunders@conval.edu.
In the course of the last 24 hours we have become aware of 2 separate and distinct cases (students in different pods) of COVID-19 at Great Brook School.
Due to the nature of these cases the contact tracing has been quite extensive.
Please click on this link to access the monthly nurses’ newsletter online and reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
Please click on this link to access the monthly nurses’ newsletter online and reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
Using safety protocols, South Meadow School was finally able to offer Baseball, Softball and Cross Country Club this spring. Though it was a shortened season, all teams were were amazing!
Using safety protocols, South Meadow School was finally able to offer Baseball, Softball and Cross Country Club this spring. Though it was a shortened season, all teams were were amazing!
This spring the Cornucopia Project has been working with AES. The students are getting a demonstration as to how seeds grow into plants. The Cornucopia Project works with students in first and second grade in the spring and fall so they can see how things change in the growing season.
This spring the Cornucopia Project has been working with AES. The students are getting a demonstration as to how seeds grow into plants. The Cornucopia Project works with students in first and second grade in the spring and fall so they can see how things change in the growing season.
As the number of school days for this year are winding down, Ms. Lescarbeau's kindergarten class are celebrating each letter in the alphabet as they countdown to the last day of school. Today they are celebrating the letter M by studying and working with Mazes.
As the number of school days for this year are winding down, Ms. Lescarbeau’s kindergarten class are celebrating each letter in the alphabet as they countdown to the last day of school. Today they are celebrating the letter M by studying and working with Mazes.
Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders announces that the ConVal School District has settled a lawsuit against a rental company that provided unusable outdoor tents last year.
During the summer of 2020, the District rented large tents from Monadnock Tent & Event to support in-person learning upon the reopening of school on Sept. 8. The District later became aware that the rented tents larger than 400 square feet would not meet the State of New Hampshire’s permitting requirements.
As a result, students at the Great Brook and South Meadow Schools as well as ConVal Regional High School, who were scheduled to attend classes in-person, were required to begin the school year under a remote learning model.
The lawsuit alleged that the permitting challenges were created by the vendor’s inability to provide the necessary data, certificates, and other documentation, per the contract and the representations made by the vendor. The vendor denied liability and brought a countersuit.
Under terms of the settlement:
Monadnock Tent & Event will pay the District $75,000.
The District will release all property belonging to the company.
The District will drop its lawsuit against the company, which in turn will drop its countersuit against the District.
As part of the settlement, John Hopkins, owner of Monadnock Tent & Event, issues the following statement:
“Last summer when I took a contract to lease event tents to the Contoocook Valley Regional School District, I was grateful for the opportunity to provide assistance to my community during these trying times. I am truly and sincerely sorry for the unfortunate events that led to the District not being able to use the tents rented and the loss that the District has sustained. I have been in the tent rental business for twenty-three years. I never expected that my tents would be denied building permits for use by the District. While this was the first time any of my tents have not received permitted approval, that does not undo the harm done to the District. I regret the harm that this situation has caused the District and the other members of my community. I am working with the District to make amends as best I am able and look forward to working with the District again in the future.”
Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders announces that the ConVal School District has settled a lawsuit against a rental company that provided unusable outdoor tents last year.
During the summer of 2020, the District rented large tents from Monadnock Tent & Event to support in-person learning upon the reopening of school on Sept. 8. The District later became aware that the rented tents larger than 400 square feet would not meet the State of New Hampshire’s permitting requirements.
A huge thank you to all who participated in the PTO Raffle and Paint Night! There are some exciting activities planned for the end of the school year...
Each spring, our friends from the Cornucopia Project bring horticulture lessons to PES with hands-on farming projects. Our students learn about where food comes from, what healthy food looks and tastes like, and how to start their own garden.
Each spring, our friends from the Cornucopia Project bring horticulture lessons to PES with hands-on farming projects. Our students learn about where food comes from, what healthy food looks and tastes like, and how to start their own garden.
Four more school districts -- Hopkinton, Lebanon, Manchester, and Nashua -- will join the ConVal School District’s lawsuit seeking equitable education funding from the state.
“The Lebanon School Board felt it was important to join with other school districts in the effort to require the State of New Hampshire to adequately fund public education,” Lebanon School Board Chair Richard Millus said. “The current financial model puts an unfair financial burden on local taxpayers and leads to inequities between districts.”
"The Hopkinton School Board is proud to join the school funding lawsuit," said Jim O'Brien, Hopkinton School Board Chair. "Hopkinton taxpayers continue to pay a high price for the state's reluctance to uphold its responsibility to provide adequate funding to support education. The current funding scheme not only harms taxpayers, but also students and families while perpetuating inequities in education."
The ConVal District filed suit against the State of New Hampshire and Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut in 2019. The suit maintains that the state does not meet its constitutional obligation to provide adequate funding for all students. Plaintiffs argue that base adequacy is not sufficient to fund an adequate education and falls far short of funding services, positions, and items that the State requires school districts to provide. In 2019 districts received $3,636 per student in base adequacy.
The Supreme Court of New Hampshire in March rejected the state’s requests to dismiss the lawsuit and returned it to Superior Court Judge David Ruoff. Ruoff will hold hearings that will allow ConVal and its co-plaintiffs to present factual evidence that the state underfunds education. An evidentiary hearing is unlikely to be held until summer 2022.
Judge Ruoff has given New Hampshire school districts until Friday, May 21, to decide whether to join the lawsuit.
Manchester, with more than 12,000 students, and Nashua, with more than 10,000 students, are the two largest school districts in the state.
The number of co-plaintiff districts now has grown to 16. Other co-plaintiffs are Claremont, Derry Co-Operative, Fall Mountain, Grantham, Hillsboro-Deering, Mascenic, Mascoma Valley, Monadnock, Newport, Oyster River, and Winchester. ConVal and the co-plaintiffs are educating almost one-quarter of New Hampshire’s public school students this year.
“The growing momentum toward requiring the state to provide equitable funding sends a message to the State,” ConVal Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders said. “School districts, from the largest to the smallest, recognize the inequities. It’s time for the state to do the same.”
Four more school districts — Hopkinton, Lebanon, Manchester, and Nashua — will join the ConVal School District’s lawsuit seeking equitable education funding from the state.
“The Lebanon School Board felt it was important to join with other school districts in the effort to require the State of New Hampshire to adequately fund public education,” Lebanon School Board Chair Richard Millus said.
The Mascoma Valley Regional School District announces that it will join the ConVal School District’s lawsuit filed seeking equitable education funding.
"As a regional school district, Mascoma Valley experiences the injustice of New Hampshire’s educational funding mechanism which pits community against community instead of uniting us in the common goal of education,” said Tim Josephson, Vice Chair of the Mascoma School Board. “The Legislature’s lack of action since the Claremont lawsuits has deepened inequities, allowing the state to continue shirking its constitutionally-mandated responsibility. We join the ConVal lawsuit so Mascoma Valley taxpayers may have recourse against the state for their abdication of educational funding."
The ConVal District filed suit against the State of New Hampshire and Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut in 2019. The suit maintains that the state does not meet its constitutional obligation to provide adequate funding for all students. Plaintiffs argue that base adequacy is not sufficient to fund an adequate education and falls far short of funding services, positions, and items that the State requires school districts to provide. In 2019 districts received $3,636 per student in base adequacy.
The Supreme Court of New Hampshire in March rejected the state’s requests to dismiss the lawsuit and returned it to Superior Court Judge David Ruoff. Ruoff will hold hearings that will allow ConVal and its co-plaintiffs to present factual evidence that the state underfunds education. An evidentiary hearing is unlikely to be held until summer 2022.
Judge Ruoff has given New Hampshire school districts until Friday, May 22, to decide whether to join the lawsuit.
Mascoma Valley is the 11th district to join the lawsuit. Other co-plaintiff districts are Claremont, Derry, Fall Mountain, Grantham, Hillsboro-Deering, Mascenic, Monadnock, Newport, Oyster River, and Winchester.
“The state and the Legislature are the only entities that can fix this funding issue, and they can fix it today if they choose to do so. By their inaction they are allowing the inequities to continue to grow,” ConVal Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders said. “We thank Mascoma Valley for joining the growing number of voices that demand the state live up to its obligations for all of New Hampshire’s schoolchildren.”
The Mascoma Valley Regional School District announces that it will join the ConVal School District’s lawsuit filed seeking equitable education funding.
“As a regional school district, Mascoma Valley experiences the injustice of New Hampshire’s educational funding mechanism which pits community against community instead of uniting us in the common goal of education,” said Tim Josephson,
To build and maintain community despite having 3 distinct pods at PES, every Friday morning Mr. Pimental hosts a virtual all-school meeting where we recognize students, celebrate birthdays, share stories, play games, sing, and share the joke of the day. It is one of the highlights of the week.
To build and maintain community despite having 3 distinct pods at PES, every Friday morning Mr. Pimental hosts a virtual all-school meeting where we recognize students, celebrate birthdays, share stories, play games, sing, and share the joke of the day. It is one of the highlights of the week.
AES Kindergarten is counting down the last few days of school. by means of the alphabet. Today was the letter B so it was Blue Bubble Day. They celebrated by learning how different types of soap create different bubbles. Yesterday was the letter A - All About Me Day. We can't wait to see what's in store as we wind down the rest of the year.
AES Kindergarten is counting down the last few days of school. by means of the alphabet. Today was the letter B so it was Blue Bubble Day. They celebrated by learning how different types of soap create different bubbles. Yesterday was the letter A – All About Me Day. We can’t wait to see what’s in store as we wind down the rest of the year.
On Monday morning, April 26, 2021, Antrim Police Chief Scott Lester was invited to AES to receive a handmade gift from staff and students in honor of his retirement at the end of this week. During a short presentation that was on Zoom for the entire school, Principal Syre-Hager honored Chief Lester with an original piece of artwork by Muzart teacher Carole Storro. Mrs. Storro invited all staff and students to contribute to the artwork prior to presenting it, so it truly is a gift from the heart from the entire AES educational community. Chief Lester was also presented with a peace lily as a thank you for keeping the peace in Antrim for the last 13 years. Chief Lester accepted the gift gratefully as cheers from across the school erupted.
On Monday morning, April 26, 2021, Antrim Police Chief Scott Lester was invited to AES to receive a handmade gift from staff and students in honor of his retirement at the end of this week. During a short presentation that was on Zoom for the entire school, Principal Syre-Hager honored Chief Lester with an original piece of artwork by Muzart teacher Carole Storro.
The students had a great time celebrating Earth Day on Thursday! They participated in fun activities including Earth Day art where they made projects for Children and the Arts...
The students had a great time celebrating Earth Day on Thursday! They participated in fun activities including Earth Day art where they made projects for Children and the Arts…
The ConVal School District has been fortunate to be involved in the viewings of 3 movies as part of a mental health trilogy. We have had community viewings for UPSTANDERS in October and LIKE in February. The final movie, ANGST will be shown to the community on May 5th from 6-8 PM. Please follow this link to register your family to view the community viewing of ANGST.
ANGST: On top of academic and social stress, the uncertainty and fears of this past pandemic year have brought all of us a lot more anxiety than before. Angst helps break this down, explaining what’s going on, and what we can do about it to help both ourselves and others. It features World Champion Swimmer Michael Phelps, experts in the field, and regular teenagers.
The ConVal School District has been fortunate to be involved in the viewings of 3 movies as part of a mental health trilogy. We have had community viewings for UPSTANDERS in October and LIKE in February. The final movie, ANGST will be shown to the community on May 5th from 6-8 PM. Please follow this link to register your family to view the community viewing of ANGST.
DCS students have been busy! Kindergarten students picked up acorns, 1st and 2nd graders helped with brush clean up, and 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have swept sand off the play areas and moved a garden bed, as well as picking up bruch. All students helped plants flowers in honor of Earth Day. It is great to be outside!
DCS students have been busy! Kindergarten students picked up acorns, 1st and 2nd graders helped with brush clean up, and 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have swept sand off the play areas and moved a garden bed, as well as picking up bruch. All students helped plants flowers in honor of Earth Day. It is great to be outside!
"Sometimes we meet teachers in the forest, or in the barn, or in the ocean- or right in our own house. Some of my teachers have had two legs while others have had four or even eight. But all have taught me something important about how to be a good creature in the world.” This is how local author Sy Montgomery starts her book How to Be A Good Creature, a children’s book that can teach us all many lessons including how to be patient, respectful and to show courage. We used this book as a guide during kindness week before vacation.
All students listened to the story and thought about an animal that they have connected with or reflected on how they are good creatures in the world. Every child created a watercolor page about their reflection. These pages were turned into a beautiful book with the help of Jeannie Connolly of the Arts Integration program. The book was then hand-delivered to Sy Montgomery and her dog Thurber in Hancock. She was so touched that she took time to answer questions from students through Zoom this week. This integrated project was a wonderful way for students to think about who their teachers might be and what they might be able to teach others. Kindness and Courage are certainly a few examples that all Pierce School students can share.
“Sometimes we meet teachers in the forest, or in the barn, or in the ocean- or right in our own house. Some of my teachers have had two legs while others have had four or even eight. But all have taught me something important about how to be a good creature in the world.” This is how local author Sy Montgomery starts her book How to Be A Good Creature,
Student at Temple Elementary School are learning about American symbols.
The students have been working very hard on this project. They have been drawing American symbols, like this beautiful Bald Eagle. They will then write some facts about their illustration. Once they have completed this process for each symbol, the students will then put the pages together to create a booklet. Their focus and enthusiasm have been exciting to watch.
Student at Temple Elementary School are learning about American symbols.
The students have been working very hard on this project. They have been drawing American symbols, like this beautiful Bald Eagle. They will then write some facts about their illustration. Once they have completed this process for each symbol, the students will then put the pages together to create a booklet.
Mrs. Bruns' third graders are enjoying "Flashlight Friday" during D.E.A.R. time.
D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. This is time in the daily schedule that is for students to do some independent, silent reading. Flashlight Friday is their reward for following the TES goals of being Caring, Respectful, Responsible and having Perseverance. The darkened room and flashlight add a little extra fun during D.E.A.R.
Way to go third graders for exhibiting the goals of TES. We are all very proud of you.
Mrs. Bruns’ third graders are enjoying “Flashlight Friday” during D.E.A.R. time.
D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. This is time in the daily schedule that is for students to do some independent, silent reading. Flashlight Friday is their reward for following the TES goals of being Caring, Respectful, Responsible and having Perseverance.
When winter gives you storm after storm...compare snowflakes.
Students in Mrs. Perreault's class have been examining snowflakes during the recent storms. How are they different? How are they the same? Does the temperature change how they look? Science is so interesting, especially outdoors.
When winter gives you storm after storm…compare snowflakes.
Students in Mrs. Perreault’s class have been examining snowflakes during the recent storms. How are they different? How are they the same? Does the temperature change how they look? Science is so interesting, especially outdoors.
The first (and most important) warrant article on your ballot determines the amount of expenses (costs) that the District can incur during the 2021-22 school year that begins July 1, 2021. Â
There are some key points to keep in mind as you read the information provided below and decide to support the budget - or not.
Regardless of the vote on this Warrant Article:
Certain costs to maintain COVID-related safety measures will still be incurred
Costs of employee health benefits and NH State retirement programs are going to increase by $1.164 million (see page 3 of the linked .pdf file below)
The total operating budget is going to increase by at least $0.715 million…see “Default”
State revenues are going to decrease
Local property taxes are going to increase
Approval of the budget will allow the District to implement three key new programs in our COVID-driven “Journey to Resiliency” plan. The total cost of these programs: $1.35 million.
The first (and most important) warrant article on your ballot determines the amount of expenses (costs) that the District can incur during the 2021-22 school year that begins July 1, 2021. Â
There are some key points to keep in mind as you read the information provided below and decide to support the budget –
The previous article in this series on District Finances discussed the three options for disposition of the remaining Fund Balance at the end of any given fiscal year:
Appropriations to Trust Funds (“Transfer”)
Retention of unassigned funds (“Retain”)
Returned to the taxpayers when they are utilized by the Department of Revenue Administration in calculating the local education tax rate (reduction of District Tax Assessment) for the following fiscal year (“Return”).
Article 3 of this series discussed NH Emergency Order 38 which allowed the District to “retain” a portion of the FY19-20 unused funds to meet the unanticipated costs associated with COVID. That was a helpful albeit temporary solution.
This article will discuss proposed Warrant Article 12 – “Fund Balance Retention” which would establish a contingency fund that could be used – indefinitely – to meet the costs of unanticipated expenses that arise during the year.
For a detailed treatment of the topic, including a flowchart, please see this .pdf file.
The previous article in this series on District Finances discussed the three options for disposition of the remaining Fund Balance at the end of any given fiscal year:
Appropriations to Trust Funds (“Transfer”)
Retention of unassigned funds (“Retain”)
Returned to the taxpayers when they are utilized by the Department of Revenue Administration in calculating the local education tax rate (reduction of District Tax Assessment) for the following fiscal year (“Return”).
As mentioned in an earlier email, we were informed today of two cases of COVID-19 at Dublin Consolidated School (DCS). We immediately contacted, worked with, and followed guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) to determine if any staff or students were in close contact with either of the infected individuals.
NH DHHS defines close contact with an infected person as being within six feet for a total of ten cumulative minutes or more, beginning two days prior to first illness onset or collection of a positive test, whichever is earlier. When close contact occurs, we contact those individuals or their parent/guardian to instruct them on how to self-quarantine at home.
After reconnecting with DHHS this evening, we retraced all potential contacts over the time period in question and have identified some individuals who might have been in close contact with those who tested positive. Out of an abundance of caution, these individuals will be advised to contact their primary care physician to discuss testing options and directed to keep themselves quarantined for 10 days after their last potential exposure.
The safety of our children, employees, and community is our top priority. To ensure the health and safety of all, we have been following CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. In addition, we should all take the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid close contact with others. When outside your home, keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
If you have questions, please contact Ann Forrest, Assistant Superintendent, at aforrest@conval.edu.
As mentioned in an earlier email, we were informed today of two cases of COVID-19 at Dublin Consolidated School (DCS). We immediately contacted, worked with, and followed guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) to determine if any staff or students were in close contact with either of the infected individuals.
We were informed today of two cases of COVID-19 at Dublin Consolidated School (DCS). We immediately contacted, worked with, and followed guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) to determine if any staff or students were in close contact with the infected individuals.
NH DHHS defines close contact with an infected person as being within six feet for a total of ten cumulative minutes or more, beginning two days prior to first illness onset or collection of a positive test, whichever is earlier. When close contact occurs, we contact those individuals or their parent/guardian to instruct them on how to self-quarantine at home.
Based on what we know about these cases, there is no reason to believe that they resulted from exposure at school. Furthermore, thanks to the vigilance of the staff, students, and families of DCS, no individuals met the above definition of close contact, and we are able to continue our present programming at DCS.
The safety of our children, employees, and community is our top priority. To ensure the health and safety of all, we have been following CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. In addition, we should all take the following precautions to prevent the spread of the disease:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid close contact with others. When outside your home, keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.
If you have questions, please contact Ann Forrest, Assistant Superintendent, at aforrest@conval.edu.
We were informed today of two cases of COVID-19 at Dublin Consolidated School (DCS). We immediately contacted, worked with, and followed guidelines from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) to determine if any staff or students were in close contact with the infected individuals.
NH DHHS defines close contact with an infected person as being within six feet for a total of ten cumulative minutes or more,
Pierce School will be having a Holiday Spirit Week Monday 12/14 through Tuesday 12/22. We hope all children are able to participate and help us celebrate the holiday season, even if we can't be all together!
Pierce School will be having a Holiday Spirit Week Monday 12/14 through Tuesday 12/22. We hope all children are able to participate and help us celebrate the holiday season, even if we can’t be all together!
As part of Temple Elementary School's Halloween festivities, the students were taken on a story walk featuring "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything", by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd.
Along the path, the students found the same items that were in the book; boot, pants, a shirt, gloves, a hat, and a pumpkin head. By the time the students arrived at the front of the building, the items had made themselves into a scarecrow that was protecting the garden.
As part of Temple Elementary School’s Halloween festivities, the students were taken on a story walk featuring “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything”, by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd.
Along the path, the students found the same items that were in the book; boot, pants, a shirt, gloves,
Pierce School Principal Beth Gibney explains the fall 2020 reopening plan in a webcast. Please click on the link below to play the 10-minute presentation.
Pierce School Principal Beth Gibney explains the fall 2020 reopening plan in a webcast. Please click on the link below to play the 10-minute presentation.
Francestown Elementary School Principal Beth Gibney explains the fall 2020 reopening plan in a webcast. Please click on the link below to play the 10-minute presentation.
Francestown Elementary School Principal Beth Gibney explains the fall 2020 reopening plan in a webcast. Please click on the link below to play the 10-minute presentation.
This page will be used to connect with the wider Pierce School community and share the exciting things that are happening at Bennington's elementary school.
Please visit and like our page and encourage others to do the same.
This page will be used to connect with the wider Pierce School community and share the exciting things that are happening at Bennington’s elementary school.
Please visit and like our page and encourage others to do the same.
On May 29th, 2020 after an unforgettable year, FES staff, students, and community members gathered (socially distant - of course!) to wish our oldest Owls the best of luck as they move onto middle school. Each of our oldest students and their family lined Main Street (6 feet apart) and the rest of us drove up and down the street with music, honks, waves, smiles, and a few tears. While it was not the way we expected this year to turn out, we are so proud of all the students and their families for the hard work and positive attitude. FES will miss these students, but we know they are destined for great things!
On May 29th, 2020 after an unforgettable year, FES staff, students, and community members gathered (socially distant – of course!) to wish our oldest Owls the best of luck as they move onto middle school. Each of our oldest students and their family lined Main Street (6 feet apart) and the rest of us drove up and down the street with music,
Please click on the video below to see FES staff recognize your contributions to making remote instruction and learning such a success at Francestown Elementary School!
Please click on the video below to see FES staff recognize your contributions to making remote instruction and learning such a success at Francestown Elementary School!
The New Hampshire Department of Education is proud to announce the 603 Bright Futures Survey, giving parents, educators, and community members* a chance to share their perspectives on the response by New Hampshire schools to the COVID-19 pandemic this past year and how the experience should influence instructional as plans are made for fall learning. Last spring,
It is my duty as the Chair to inform the ConVal community that Board Member Robert Short, Jr, from Peterborough, tendered his resignation from the Board, effective June 8, 2021.
I would like to take this time to thank Rob for the countless hours devoted to the students and communities of ConVal during his tenure.
We celebrated our 4th graders with a family performance of their play “Alice’s Adventures With Idioms!” and a farewell ceremony. It was a perfect evening to celebrate a successful year outdoors!
Thank You, COVID-19 Monitoring Team! At the concluding staff event of the 2020-21 school year, the members of the COVID-19 team receive a standing ovation for their work throughout the last year. The team met daily for an hour in the morning to review the latest pandemic data and to issue recommendations.
PES Celebrates 4th Graders Peterborough Elementary School celebrates the students in its 4th grade class who are moving up to South Meadow Middle School in the fall. Congratulations!
GES Students Enjoy Lunch Outside Blue skies and sunshine = lunch outside at Greenfield Elementary School. Third and Fourth Grade enjoy lunch outside on the last full day of school.
ConVal Class of 2021 Graduation Teachers, staff, and administrators — dressed in their academic regalia — applaud the members of the Class of 2021 as they process in toward the ConVal Stadium Field. The event was live-streamed online in order to allow faraway family members to attend virtually.
SMS Recognize ConVal High School Class of 2021 South Meadow School students have prepared signs for the front of SMS to celebrate the ConVal High School Class of 2021.
GBS Nature's Classroom Wilderness Group Students at Great Brook Middle School spend time in the woods learning about wilderness survival skills.
