Valentine's day was a very special for the students of Temple Elementary School.
The students were treated to a fancy atmosphere to show how much we care about them. Soft music was playing and the lights were low. We hope they felt very special.
Valentine’s day was a very special for the students of Temple Elementary School.
The students were treated to a fancy atmosphere to show how much we care about them. Soft music was playing and the lights were low. We hope they felt very special.
On Sunday, February 16, the Region 14 Applied Technology Center held an Open House to showcase its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The Region 14 ATC serves the school districts of ConVal, Jaffrey-Rindge, and Mascenic.
Students and their parents, members of the public — including New Hampshire's Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut —, ConVal School Board members, and district administrators visited classrooms in the areas of Business, Careers in Education, Computer Networking, Digital Photo & Video, Engineering, Firefighting & EMT training, Graphic Design, and Manufacturing.
Representatives from Keene State College and Nashua Community College were also on hand to explain the Dual Start program and the credits that a student can earn towards an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree through the existing articulation agreements with the Region 14 ATC.
On Sunday, February 16, the Region 14 Applied Technology Center held an Open House to showcase its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The Region 14 ATC serves the school districts of ConVal, Jaffrey-Rindge, and Mascenic.
Students and their parents, members of the public — including New Hampshire’s Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut —,
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, ConVal Drama performed The Wolves by Sarah de Lappe who was a MacDowell Colony Fellow in the fall of 2019 and visited ConVal in November.
The Wolves takes place in an indoor soccer facility where members of a soccer squad — "The Wolves" — go trough warmup routines and stretching exercises while discussing personal relationships, popular culture topics, politics, and the lives of some of the adults with whom they interact.
Each of the girls is identified only by their jersey number, a reflection of both their intensely cultivated team identity and the incurious anonymity of the high school life that surrounds them. Throughout the play, which takes place over several weeks in the soccer season leading up to the final game, each team member struggles to assert her individuality while also being part of a group.
The Wolves was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and the Yale Drama Series Prize, and received the American Playwriting Foundation's inaugural Relentless Award.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, ConVal Drama performed The Wolves by Sarah de Lappe who was a MacDowell Colony Fellow in the fall of 2019 and visited ConVal in November.
The Wolves takes place in an indoor soccer facility where members of a soccer squad — “The Wolves” — go trough warmup routines and stretching exercises while discussing personal relationships,
ConVal took the mat last Wednesday against John Stark and White Mountains for senior night.
Seniors Evan Shippee, Theo Cross, and manager Evan Sussman were all honored before the duals.
Evan Shippee performed solidly and racked up two pins to capstone his career at home. Theo Cross had an exciting come-from-behind victory, pinning his opponent after falling behind 13-2.
On Saturday, February 22nd, the Cougars will be in Pelham for the D3 State Tournament. ConVal will have 13 of the 14 weight classes filled and have an outside shot at bringing home some team hardware in a division that is expected to be dominated by perennial powers Bow and Plymouth Regional.
As the SAU 1 administrative team and the ConVal School Board prepare to make important school budget decisions to be voted on at the district meeting this March, a familiar struggle is taking shape. The financial demands placed on local schools to maintain high-quality education plays out as taxpayers worry about affordability.
Why are we facing increasing tax rates to fund our schools at the local level? A driving force is New Hampshire lawmakers are downshifting school costs through unfunded mandates. This issue is the same for all of the 221 towns and 13 cities in New Hampshire. In addition, Federal laws which must be followed compound these costs as Federal grants do not fully cover the requirements necessary for compliance.
An unfunded mandate occurs when a new piece of state or federal legislation requires the school district to perform functions without providing funding, or adequate funding, to facilitate the requirement. The 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution leaves the responsibility for public K-12 education with the states. Each school district is administered and financed by the local community along with that district's state government. The New Hampshire Constitution guarantees an “adequate education” for all citizens of the state. The New Hampshire Constitution does not specify who is financially responsible for this guarantee. When the state or federal legislature passes a new law without funding, any increases in cost that result from complying with the unfunded mandate becomes part of the local school budget. Standards and quality of education consequently vary widely from state to state and even district to district. The local district is either supported or limited by its budget. The budget is dictated by what local taxpayers will approve.
Because of the increased awareness in disparity, during the 1960s compelling interest in our nation’s public schools was addressed by the Federal Government through the legislative process creating laws and providing assistance to states and schools through educational grants to enact these laws. Federal Education laws that are most commonly known are the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title I, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Every Student Succeeds Act (Common Core). These laws authorize federal grants for elementary and secondary school programs for children of low-income families; school library resources, textbooks and other instructional materials; supplemental education centers and services; strengthening state education agencies; education research; and professional development for teachers. While these federal grants provide support for their mandates, they do not cover the entire cost. The remaining cost must be covered by the state and local taxes. As the local school budget is built, all federal mandates must be met.
As far as New Hampshire State Education mandates and the effect they have on the local school budget you need only to turn to the local news to become apprised of the disparity in education funding occurring in New Hampshire and the impact it has on the local tax. Many of the educational laws passed by New Hampshire legislature and changes made to standards that come from the Department of Education are well intended to promote student success, but these laws do not, in many cases, come with any additional funding. An example of a state unfunded mandate is the 2016 New Hampshire K-12 STEM curriculum requirements. The requirements proposed will produce more skilled workers, inspire innovation, increase New Hampshire business growth and affect the New Hampshire economy. There is certainly a valid return on this educational investment. However, only a fraction of the additional funding needed to meet the new State STEM standards was provided to the schools and the result: The local property tax must increase to comply with the New Hampshire K-12 STEM initiative.
The administrators in the ConVal School District work year-round to produce all of the financial data necessary to analyze a “ConVal” education. The administration carefully checks off the right boxes on accounting and compliance reports required by the State and the Federal government to assure accuracy in crafting a fiscally sound budget. Detailed financial analysis is compiled to monitor and evaluate each school building’s expenditures. The focus of the Superintendent and the School Board is the classroom where the critical work happens and where the allocation of funds and resources provides services that affect student performance.
In summary, local schools are required to comply with federal and state-mandated laws. While federal and state laws’ express purposes are to raise achievement for all students and to close the achievement gap, the additional funding needed to translate laws or requirements into a classroom reality is not provided. The looming question as to whether or not the funding is adequate to accomplish the laws’ purpose has become clear and yet the funding issue remains unanswered by Washington lawmakers and the New Hampshire legislature. The growing reality for New Hampshire residents and businesses is that the burden falls on the local tax base to make up the difference. The ConVal School District is compelled to sustain high education standards and build a budget that supports those standards and student success. Residents can be assured that every local tax dollar spent in the ConVal School District is a closely monitored resource invested in a quality education for our students and our future.
For more detailed information on Federal Policy and NEW HAMPSHIRE Policy laws enacted that impact the budget and decision making at the local level please visit:
“Laws & Guidance Overview”, U.S. Department of Education, link
“The Federal Role in Education”, U.S. Department of Education, link
Baron, Kathryn. “Finding a Balance for the Federal Role in Education Policy”, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, December, 2016, link
“2019 State Education Policy Watchlist”, Education Commission of the States, link
Austin, Donald; Christina, Barrett. “2017 Legislative Summary”, New Hampshire School Boards Association, 2017, link
Zelin, Gerald M.. Glynn, Meghan S. “New State Statutes Regulating Schools”, Drummond Woodsum. Copyright 2018, All rights are expressly reserved. These materials may not be reproduced without prior written permission. link
“How the courts have shaped education funding, and what comes next”, Reaching Higher New Hampshire, March, 2019, link
Duffort, Lola.“Bill to limit unfunded mandates could have unintended effect on special ed” Concord Monitor. March, 2017. link
Leachman, Michael, Masterson, Kathleen, Figeuroa, Eric. “A Punishing Decade for School Funding” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. November, 2019, link
As the SAU 1 administrative team and the ConVal School Board prepare to make important school budget decisions to be voted on at the district meeting this March, a familiar struggle is taking shape. The financial demands placed on local schools to maintain high-quality education plays out as taxpayers worry about affordability.
Why are we facing increasing tax rates to fund our schools at the local level?
Manufacturing Month 2019 Recap, a February 2020 publication by the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, features the field trip of CTE students to Aerospace and Defense Manufacturer TRM Microwave in Bedford last fall.
On October 17, 2019, ConVal's ATC Center took CTE Manufacturing students on a tour of TRM Microwave, an RF/Microwave design, engineering, and manufacturing company. The field trip was part of the celebration of National Manufacturing Month.
Please see the related web post on the ConVal website here. To read the entire publication, please click here.
Manufacturing Month 2019 Recap, a February 2020 publication by the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, features the field trip of CTE students to Aerospace and Defense Manufacturer TRM Microwave in Bedford last fall.
On October 17, 2019, ConVal’s ATC Center took CTE Manufacturing students on a tour of TRM Microwave,
Students at PES learned a little bit about Vincent Van Gogh in Ms. Compton's art class this week. Following a discussion about one of the world's most recognizable paintings, "The Starry Night", and a little bit about Van Gogh's work, life, and style, students in 3rd and 4th grade got the chance to create paintings using tempera paint.
Students at PES learned a little bit about Vincent Van Gogh in Ms. Compton’s art class this week. Following a discussion about one of the world’s most recognizable paintings, “The Starry Night”, and a little bit about Van Gogh’s work, life, and style, students in 3rd and 4th grade got the chance to create paintings using tempera paint.
The ConVal School Board has taken an important step in advancing the Preschool For All model for the ConVal School District. Currently associated with Antrim Elementary, Greenfield Elementary, and Peterborough Elementary School, the plan is to expand the preschool program in two phases over the next two years.
Phase 1 is planned for the 2020-2021 school year and will extend the existing First Friends programs to a full-day, five-days-a-week program for four-year-olds. During Phase 2, planned for the 2021-2022 school year, the expanded program will provide preschool education to all four-year-olds in the district.
The primary goal of the expansion of the pre-school program is to ensure that all four-year-old children will have access to high-quality early childhood education.
The district-wide focus on equity was also a strong consideration. The goal is to create learning environments and conditions in which all students can learn and succeed, regardless of their geographic location in the district, economic status, or whether or not they have a disability.
For more on the Preschool For All program, please see the handout here.
The ConVal School Board has taken an important step in advancing the Preschool For All model for the ConVal School District. Currently associated with Antrim Elementary, Greenfield Elementary, and Peterborough Elementary School, the plan is to expand the preschool program in two phases over the next two years.
Phase 1 is planned for the 2020-2021 school year and will extend the existing First Friends programs to a full-day,
The ConVal School Counseling Department will host its annual College Planning Night for all juniors and their parents on Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30 pm in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre.
Moira Valenti from the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) will deliver the presentation.
Selecting colleges and applying for admission can be overwhelming. There are applications to be completed, deadlines to meet, essays to write and policies to understand.
This session is intended to educate the student and family about the college admission process. Topics include: narrowing your list, questions to ask on a college tour, college essay pointers, the application timeline, and the basics of financial aid.
The ConVal School Counseling Department will host its annual College Planning Night for all juniors and their parents on Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30 pm in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre.
Moira Valenti from the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) will deliver the presentation.
Selecting colleges and applying for admission can be overwhelming.
Freshmen and sophomore students had an opportunity to explore elective courses for the 2020-2021 school year. The event took place during the TASC flex time block in the ConVal cafeteria.
Teachers and upper-level students, who have taken or are currently taking these elective classes, were on hand to talk about the courses and how they enhance learning.
Course registration for the upcoming school begins mid-February, so this was a well-timed event to explore many of the options offered by the following departments: Applied Technology Center, English, Health and Wellness, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages.
Among the electives for the 2020-2021 school year are: 2D Studio Art, 3D Studio Art, AP US History, AP World History, Aesthetics and Ideas, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Business, Careers in Education, Ceramics, Chamber Choir, Chemistry, College Composition, Computer Programming/Networking & Robotics, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Creative Writing, Digital Photo & Video, Engineering, Firefighting & EMT, German, Graphic Design, History of Rock and Roll, Human Nature and Storytelling, Instrumental Methods, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Guitar, Jazz Band, Manufacturing/Woodshop, Marching Band, Mass Media Communication, Music in Media, Music Theory and Keyboard Playing, Personal Fitness, Philosophy, Psychology, Select Chorus, Spanish, Studio Art Extension ELO, Theatre Arts/Workshop, Western World Heritage, World Religions, and Young Adult Fiction.
Freshmen and sophomore students had an opportunity to explore elective courses for the 2020-2021 school year. The event took place during the TASC flex time block in the ConVal cafeteria.
Teachers and upper-level students, who have taken or are currently taking these elective classes, were on hand to talk about the courses and how they enhance learning.
In a hard-fought contest, ConVal's Unified Basketball Team defeated Fall Mountain with a score of 44-29 in their home opener on Tuesday, February 3.
Scoring was spread throughout the lineup and was highlighted by multiple three-point shots by Parker Nason. "The team worked together and this, combined with the support of our enthusiastic crowd, helped secure the victory," coach Kevin Carne said after the game.
Next, the team travels to Hinsdale on February 12th, followed by a home game against Stevens on February 13th.
In a hard-fought contest, ConVal’s Unified Basketball Team defeated Fall Mountain with a score of 44-29 in their home opener on Tuesday, February 3.
Scoring was spread throughout the lineup and was highlighted by multiple three-point shots by Parker Nason. “The team worked together and this, combined with the support of our enthusiastic crowd,
You are cordially invited to an Open House of the Region 14 Applied Technology Center (ATC) at ConVal Regional High School on Sunday, February 16, 2020, from 1-3 pm.
The Region 14 ATC serves the school districts of ConVal, Jaffrey-Rindge, and Mascenic. Students have the opportunity to participate in career and technology education programs such as:
Automotive Technician
Building Trades
Business
Careers in Education
Computer Networking
Digital Photo and Video
Firefighting and EMT
Graphic Design
Manufacturing (with optional welding component)
Pre-Engineering
Parents and students, learn about the opportunities to help students become career and college-ready.
Industry and employers, connect with our instructors to help us prepare the future members of your workforce.
Community members, experience the amazing things happening in your own backyard!
For questions or to RSVP, please contact ATC Director Jen Kiley at jkiley@conval.edu or 924-3869 ext. 3010.
You are cordially invited to an Open House of the Region 14 Applied Technology Center (ATC) at ConVal Regional High School on Sunday, February 16, 2020, from 1-3 pm.
The Region 14 ATC serves the school districts of ConVal, Jaffrey-Rindge, and Mascenic. Students have the opportunity to participate in career and technology education programs such as:
Each year, staff at DCS seek activities to depict our school motto of DCS Cares. This year, Art Teacher Andy Shultz, took this project on. Using art work created by the students, this school wide project, inspired by DCS teacher Deb Lang, came to life!
Each year, staff at DCS seek activities to depict our school motto of DCS Cares. This year, Art Teacher Andy Shultz, took this project on. Using art work created by the students, this school wide project, inspired by DCS teacher Deb Lang, came to life!
Game Time Light Score Dark Score Winner 1 8:00 GREAT BROOK vs KEENE 2 8:20 MARLBOROUGH vs WINCHESTER 3 8:40 GREAT BROOK vs VILAS 4 9:00 MARLBOROUGH vs KEENE 5 9:20 VILAS vs KEENE 6 9:40 GREAT BROOK vs WINCHESTER 7 10:00 VILAS vs MARLBOROUGH 8 10:20 KEENE vs WINCHESTER 9 10:40 VILAS vs WINCHESTER
10 11:00 GREAT BROOK vs MARLBOROUGH
2020 SOUTH MEADOW BLUE WINTER SLAM GIRLS BRACKET (AFTERNOON)
Game Time Light Score Dark Score Winner 1 12:00 SMS vs CHESTERFIELD 2 12:20 JRMS vs MILFORD 3 12:40 BOYNTON vs WESTMORELAND 4 1:00 CHESTERFIELD vs MILFORD 5 1:20 SMS vs BOYNTON 6 1:40 JRMS vs WESTMORELAND 7 2:00 CHESTERFIELD vs WESTMORELAND 8 2:20 JRMS vs BOYNTON 9 2:40 SMS vs MILFORD 10 3:00 CHESTERFIELD vs BOYNTON 11 3:20 MILFORD vs WESTMORELAND 12 3:40 SMS vs JRMS 13 4:00 CHESTERFIELD vs JRMS 14 4:20 WESTMORELAND vs SMS 15 4:40 BOYNTON vs MILFORD
Tie Breakers: Head to Head, Least Points Allowed in All Games Played.
Boys - Sunday, Feb 2nd
2020 SOUTH MEADOW BLUE WINTER SLAM
BOYS BRACKET (MORNING)
Game Time Light Score Dark Score Winner 1 8:00 WESTMORELAND vs KEENE 2 8:20 BOYNTON vs WINCHESTER 3 8:40 SMS vs GREAT BROOK 4 9:00 WESTMORELAND vs WINCHESTER 5 9:20 KEENE vs GREAT BROOK 6 9:40 BOYNTON vs SMS 7 10:00 WESTMORELAND vs BOYNTON 8 10:20 SMS vs KEENE 9 10:40 GRET BROOK vs WINCHESTER
10 11:00 GREAT BROOK vs WESTMORELAND 11 11:20 WINCHESTER vs SMS 12 11:40 KEENE vs BOYNTON 13 12:00 WESTMORELAND vs SMS 14 12:20 GREAT BROOK vs BOYNTON
15 12:40 WINCHESTER vs KEENE
2020 SOUTH MEADOW BLUE WINTER SLAM BOYS BRACKET (AFTERNOON)
Game Time Light Score Dark Score Winner 1 1:30 JRMS vs SMS 2 1:50 MARLBOROUGH vs H-D 3 2:10 MILFORD vs VILAS 4 2:30 JRMS vs MILFORD 5 2:50 VILAS vs MARLBOROUGH 6 3:10 H-D vs SMS 7 3:30 JRMS vs VILAS 8 3:50 H-D vs MILFORD 9 4:10 SMS vs MARLBOROUGH 10 4:30 JRMS vs H-D 11 4:50 SMS vs VILAS 12 5:10 MARLBOROUGH VS MILFORD
13 5:30 MARLBOROUGH vs JRMS 14 5:50 MILFORD vs SMS 15 6:10 VILAS vs H-D
Tie Breakers: Head to Head, Least Points Allowed in all games played.
Game Time Light Score Dark Score Winner 1 8:00 GREAT BROOK vs KEENE 2 8:20 MARLBOROUGH vs WINCHESTER 3 8:40 GREAT BROOK vs VILAS 4 9:00 MARLBOROUGH vs KEENE 5 9:20 VILAS vs KEENE 6 9:40 GREAT BROOK vs WINCHESTER 7 10:00 VILAS vs MARLBOROUGH 8 10:20 KEENE vs WINCHESTER 9 10:40 VILAS vs WINCHESTER
10 11:00 GREAT BROOK vs MARLBOROUGH
2020 SOUTH MEADOW BLUE WINTER SLAM GIRLS BRACKET (AFTERNOON)
Game Time Light Score Dark Score Winner 1 12:00 SMS vs CHESTERFIELD 2 12:20 JRMS vs MILFORD 3 12:40 BOYNTON vs WESTMORELAND 4 1:00 CHESTERFIELD vs MILFORD 5 1:20 SMS vs BOYNTON 6 1:40 JRMS vs WESTMORELAND 7 2:00 CHESTERFIELD vs WESTMORELAND 8 2:20 JRMS vs BOYNTON 9 2:40 SMS vs MILFORD 10 3:00 CHESTERFIELD vs BOYNTON 11 3:20 MILFORD vs WESTMORELAND 12 3:40 SMS vs JRMS 13 4:00 CHESTERFIELD vs JRMS 14 4:20 WESTMORELAND vs SMS 15 4:40 BOYNTON vs MILFORD
The Library Learning Commons served as the location for ConVal’s Hour of Code TASC event on January 31.
Students scheduled themselves to this opportunity and were free to explore, with the assistance of librarians Rachael Bowman and Ashley Jones, a variety of coding-related activities. They either followed activity-related instructions or were free to experiment with coding on their own.
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science.
The coding events have since become a concerted, worldwide effort to celebrate computer science. Last year, more than 130,000 Hour of Code events were conducted in over 180 countries.
The Library Learning Commons served as the location for ConVal’s Hour of Code TASC event on January 31.
Students scheduled themselves to this opportunity and were free to explore, with the assistance of librarians Rachael Bowman and Ashley Jones, a variety of coding-related activities. They either followed activity-related instructions or were free to experiment with coding on their own.
After school on Tuesdays, 3rd and 4th graders are challenged to create, collaborate, build, and problem solve during Lego Club. This week's challenge was to build a floating vessel and see how many pennies it could hold without sinking. Last week, they worked independently first, then with a partner, then in small groups, finally as one big group to create their Lego World.
After school on Tuesdays, 3rd and 4th graders are challenged to create, collaborate, build, and problem solve during Lego Club. This week’s challenge was to build a floating vessel and see how many pennies it could hold without sinking. Last week, they worked independently first, then with a partner, then in small groups, finally as one big group to create their Lego World.
"School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans" is the theme of this year's National School Counseling Week which is being celebrated during the week of February 3-7, 2020.
National School Counseling Week is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
Each day of the week is devoted to a different theme:
Monday: Happy National School Counseling Week
Tuesday: Lend a Helping Hand
Wednesday: Offer Encouragement
Thursday: Show Appreciation
Friday: Be the Change in the World
Thank your school counselor today and take a photo of the day’s theme to share it on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram with hashtag #NSCW2020.
For more details, visit the National School Counseling Week page on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) website.
“School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans” is the theme of this year’s National School Counseling Week which is being celebrated during the week of February 3-7, 2020.
National School Counseling Week is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
On February 4, freshmen and sophomores will be attending an elective fair to learn more about the variety of courses that are offered at ConVal. There are more than 40 electives to choose from.
This fair is important for students to be able to make informed decisions about course selections. Registration begins in mid-February, so this is a great time to explore new options.
Students will come with their homeroom TASC groups to the cafeteria. Teachers and students, who are currently enrolled in the electives, will be available to share information about the courses in the following areas:
On February 4, freshmen and sophomores will be attending an elective fair to learn more about the variety of courses that are offered at ConVal. There are more than 40 electives to choose from.
This fair is important for students to be able to make informed decisions about course selections. Registration begins in mid-February,
On Tuesday, January 28, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders gave a presentation of the proposed 2020-2021 budget to members of the District staff who were gathered at ConVal High School.
Saunders began the presentation by explaining the procedural, financial, and programmatic assumptions on which the proposed budget was based and then addressed the central questions that guided the budget building process at the elementary school, middle school, and high school levels.
Another segment of the presentation was devoted to a preview of the proposed budget by object code. Saunders explained the projected levels of revenues from local, state, and federal sources and the expected expenditures in personnel costs (salaries and benefits), professional and technical services, as well as property and materials expenses.
The final portion of the presentation was devoted to a discussion of the default budget and the cuts that would be triggered if the budget does not get approved by voters at the March meeting. The cuts were grouped into five levels of priority, from those with low impact on core functions and district operations to those that would seriously affect instructional delivery, athletics programs, and co-curriculars.
Staff had the opportunity to ask questions about the proposed budget, the budget building process, and the expected consequences of the default budget.
To view the slide deck of the proposed ConVal 2020-2021 budget, please follow this link.
On Tuesday, January 28, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders gave a presentation of the proposed 2020-2021 budget to members of the District staff who were gathered at ConVal High School.
Saunders began the presentation by explaining the procedural, financial, and programmatic assumptions on which the proposed budget was based and then addressed the central questions that guided the budget building process at the elementary school,
The ConVal School District is pleased to offer after school programming (5th Block) for students interested in enrichment. The courses are Women's & Gender Studies and Yearbook.
Students may earn a half credit per successfully completed class. A successful completion is defined as active participation at 90% or more of class meetings. Please note that failure to successfully complete a class will result in a bill for $50.
Classes will run March 3-May 28. Registration formsmust be returned to the main office by Monday, February 10.
All classes must have a minimum number of students enrolled to run.
The ConVal School District is pleased to offer after school programming (5th Block) for students interested in enrichment. The courses are Women’s & Gender Studies and Yearbook.
Students may earn a half credit per successfully completed class. A successful completion is defined as active participation at 90% or more of class meetings. Please note that failure to successfully complete a class will result in a bill for $50.
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => Thank you for supporting your children over the past few weeks. It was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins at the NHDI performance.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
Thank you for supporting your children over the past few weeks. It was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins at the NHDI performance.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
This year student council will not be selling carnations!! They will be selling chocolate roses for $1 from January 21st until February 13. Students can purchase the color of their choice while supplies last. The roses will be delivered on Valentines' Day.
All flowers have been expertly assembled by the Student Council Members and are gorgeous!
This year student council will not be selling carnations!! They will be selling chocolate roses for $1 from January 21st until February 13. Students can purchase the color of their choice while supplies last. The roses will be delivered on Valentines’ Day.
All flowers have been expertly assembled by the Student Council Members and are gorgeous!
At ConVal High School, we strive to create a safe, caring, and academically engaging school climate in which all students feel valued. We will be using a nationally validated school climate survey to measure how students, families, and staff perceive the school climate at ConVal.
The student survey will be given to students on March 16 during homeroom TASC and will take approximately 5-10 minutes. All responses are anonymous and results will only be reported as group responses. Our plan is to reissue the surveys in the future and use the information to assess change.
Written parent/guardian permission is required to give the student survey. If you would like to review the survey, it is available on the school website or upon request in the main office. Please call or email the main office with any questions.
Paper copies of this permission form will be distributed during homeroom TASC on Monday, January 27. All forms, regardless of permission given, should be returned to homeroom TASC teachers by Monday, February 10.
At ConVal High School, we strive to create a safe, caring, and academically engaging school climate in which all students feel valued. We will be using a nationally validated school climate survey to measure how students, families, and staff perceive the school climate at ConVal.
The student survey will be given to students on March 16 during homeroom TASC and will take approximately 5-10 minutes.
The All Shook Up School Edition information is now live. Visit our Google site for details and make sure to visit Cast 98 to sign up for an audition!
All Shook Up is a crowd-pleasing musical that was inspired by and features the songs of Elvis Presley. It’s 1955 and into a square little town, in a square little state, rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip-swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy that will have you jumping out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
In addition to the singing and acting roles, there are opportunities for students to participate in lights, sound, costumes, props, sets, etc. While no prior experience is required, please read the ConVal Theatre Arts Expectations.
To help with the planning of student commitments to the production, the performances will be Thursday, April 16 @ 7 pm, Friday, April 17 @ 7 pm, Saturday, April 18 @ 7 pm, Sunday, April 19 @ 2 pm.
The week of January 13, 2020, the Kindergarten students at Temple Elementary School had the wonderful opportunity to learn drumming from a very talented Ms. Shephard.
The week of January 13, 2020, the Kindergarten students at Temple Elementary School had the wonderful opportunity to learn drumming from a very talented Ms. Shephard.
The Harris Center has been joining the third and fourth grade classroom twice a week for the month of January, 2020 to identify and evaluate New Hampshire Mammals.
Thankfully there has been snow so they could get out to identify the animal tracks that are near the school.
They have also been learning about how to identify carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores based on their teeth.
The Harris Center has been joining the third and fourth grade classroom twice a week for the month of January, 2020 to identify and evaluate New Hampshire Mammals.
Thankfully there has been snow so they could get out to identify the animal tracks that are near the school.
They have also been learning about how to identify carnivores,
As part of the budget planning and approval process, the ConVal School Board has created explanatory documents that are designed to inform the public.
The SAU has prepared a Powerpoint presentation which guided the budget hearing presentation on January 7th. This file is available in .pdf form by clicking here.
The ConVal Budget Overview by school board member Alan Edelkind (Dublin) details the fundamentals of school district budgeting:
funding sources (federal, state, local)
categories of expenditures (costs for personnel, professional services, property and maintenance) and
budget reserves.
The document also explains the budget formula and the components that make up the district assessment.
The School Budget Primer by school board member Jim Fredrickson (Sharon) explains the
budget-building process
budget structure
district tax assessment and
warrant articles.
The primer also lays out some of the consequences of going to the default budget.
As part of the budget planning and approval process, the ConVal School Board has created explanatory documents that are designed to inform the public.
The SAU has prepared a Powerpoint presentation which guided the budget hearing presentation on January 7th. This file is available in .pdf form by clicking here.
During the next eight weeks, there’s going to be a lot of activity as the various school boards in the area complete the process associated with getting voter approval for the 2020-21 school year budgets.
The ConVal School District Administration began the process to develop our next budget last summer. The proposed budget was approved by the School Board on January 7th. The Deliberative Session Part I is scheduled for 6:00 pm on February 4th at the ConVal High School gym. Part II (voting) will be conducted on March 10 in the respective Town Halls.
The proposed gross budget is $50,565,103 – a 1.87% increase over the current school year. The School Board website contains a lot of information.
The ongoing challenges associated with minimizing increases in our operating budget and providing a quality education show no signs of abating. These include, but are not limited to, unfunded federal and state mandates, inadequate state funding for education, aging infrastructure, and well-deserved increases in staff salaries and benefits.
Hopefully, the NH state commission looking at education funding that recently started work will come up with some equitable and innovative options to reduce the burden on property taxes.
These challenges are in addition to our slow but steady decline in enrollment – which raises the following perennial questions: why isn’t the budget going down instead of up? How long can the District maintain our current “one high school, two middle schools, and eight elementary schools” model? When is “small too small”? The answers are not easy and are beyond the scope of this article, but the questions remain valid and will continue to be discussed for the foreseeable future. No decisions have been made and no schools have been “targeted”. We’re simply doing our jobs by looking at alternatives in the event we reach the point where we’ll need to bring a proposal to the voters.
Of more immediate concern is the need to address our aging infrastructure. We’re working on a long-range plan that will likely include a proposed infrastructure bond for voter consideration next year and, hopefully, subsequent partial compensation through NH state “Building Aid” for which we recently submitted our application.
The 2020-21 Capital Improvement Plan includes $1.22M worth of projects. We’re proposing several options to fund these: the operating budget ($0.08M) and more aggressive use of our Capital and Athletic Trust Funds ($1.14M). Note: The plan did include a proposed warrant article for additional appropriations (a $0.54M “paving” Warrant Article) but the Board subsequently decided to defer until next year.
The proposed budget also includes an expansion of our current pre-K program at three schools. This will allow additional students to attend and will include an all-day program for 4-year-olds.
There will be a warrant article regarding a new long-term solar power project for installation on the high school property. While the savings expected to be achieved won’t solve the larger District issues mentioned above, voter approval of this project will allow the broader CONVAL community to demonstrate our commitment to the broader global challenge associated with climate change.
The Board and Administration will continue to work to deliver a quality education at reasonable cost. We encourage your participation in both the discussions at the Deliberative Session Part I and in voting on March 10.
Jim Fredrickson Chairman, Budget & Property Committee ConVal School Board
During the next eight weeks, there’s going to be a lot of activity as the various school boards in the area complete the process associated with getting voter approval for the 2020-21 school year budgets.
The ConVal School District Administration began the process to develop our next budget last summer. The proposed budget was approved by the School Board on January 7th.
Thirteen members of the ConVal Nordic team took a break from studying for exams and traveled to Plainfield to compete in their first classic race of the season.
Low snowfall this season prevented the skiers from having any practices in this style of cross country racing so far this season, but the veteran team members did well nevertheless.
Allison Bull led the Cougar girls by securing a place in the top 10 women. She was closely followed by co-captain Cami Hendrixson and Eva Calcutt.
Also crossing the finish line for the Conval women were Abby Hendrixson, Gwen Inglis, Eme Tyler-Wall, Grace Phillips, and Isabel Badrawy. Scoring at the top of the Cougar boy line up was Jaimini Viles, followed by Philip Pope, Avery Pope, and Lewis Carlton.
ConVal will host its home meet this Saturday at the Dublin Nordic Center.
Thirteen members of the ConVal Nordic team took a break from studying for exams and traveled to Plainfield to compete in their first classic race of the season.
Low snowfall this season prevented the skiers from having any practices in this style of cross country racing so far this season, but the veteran team members did well nevertheless.
Perfectly timed for the cold season, students in Dr. Milne's Chemistry class learn about a phenomenon that is called "freezing point depression."
Chemically speaking, freezing point depression involves the intentional decrease of the freezing point of a solvent following the addition of a non-volatile solute. Common examples include salt in water and alcohol in water.
When road crews spread a salt (calcium chloride) on icy roads to melt ice, they help transform water from its frozen, solid state into a more liquid state, rendering roads safer for driving.
Another practical application is windshield washer fluid which benefits from the addition of ethylene glycol to help prevent the dangerous re-freeze of the sprayed fluid on the cold surface of a car's windshield.
Perhaps the most widespread, daily application of the chemistry in freezing point depression is radiator fluid, where antifreeze is added to the cooling system. A solution of 60% antifreeze and 40% water will produce a freeze protection of up to -55˚ C. For best overall performance, a 50% solution is commonly used for engine protection in temperatures between -35˚C and 108˚C.
In a number of lab activities, students added different solutes to pure liquids to ascertain how these solutes would lower the freezing point. They created five test solutions in beakers and set up a "deep chill" bath using dry ice. Using USB-connected Vernier temperature sensors and the Lab Quest data collection system of their Chromebooks, students then recorded data as temperatures dropped and crystallization of the solution could be observed.
The photos below show students during different stages of the experiments.
Perfectly timed for the cold season, students in Dr. Milne’s Chemistry class learn about a phenomenon that is called “freezing point depression.”
Chemically speaking, freezing point depression involves the intentional decrease of the freezing point of a solvent following the addition of a non-volatile solute. Common examples include salt in water and alcohol in water.
An ad hoc student group has been formed at ConVal High School to get students to register to vote. With the help of some parent volunteers, the non-partisan "Get Out The Vote" team seeks to motivate first-time voters to participate in the upcoming New Hampshire primary and presidential election.
For a representative democracy to function, it is essential that government reflect the interests of all of its people, including those who are of high school age. But despite making up a large potential voting bloc in the country today, Generation Z voters are underrepresented at both the state and federal level.
In the coming weeks, the "Get Out The Vote" group will provide information on how to register in any of the nine ConVal School District towns. Look for them in the hallway in front of the cafeteria during lunches.
An ad hoc student group has been formed at ConVal High School to get students to register to vote. With the help of some parent volunteers, the non-partisan “Get Out The Vote” team seeks to motivate first-time voters to participate in the upcoming New Hampshire primary and presidential election.
Make-up exams will be held by arrangement with individual teachers.
Buses will leave school at 11:20 am on a modified late bus schedule. Students who are not part of co-curricular activities or athletics are expected to leave campus at that time.
There will be a regular bus run at 2:20 pm but late buses will not run on exam days.
In keeping with the multiple action steps outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, the Education Committee has been actively involved in guiding and monitoring the curriculum renewal cycle, program development, instructional practices, and professional development which provide our students with high-quality programs of instruction which promote their individual academic achievement and success and our staff with the professional development needed to enhance their teaching skills. Following are a sampling of some of the areas on which we have focused our attention.
At the high school level, based on a review of the math department courses and requirements, the Board recognized the need to enhance the math offerings, by requiring that all students participate in math classes until they pass both parts of Algebra as a graduation requirement. Support services to enable all students to meet this goal are being developed and implemented.
Following a review of our counseling services and current programs, our administrators and staff look to expand programming of our K-12 school counseling program with one area of focus centered on how we can better support students who have experienced trauma.
At the middle school level, following a review of the educational programs and practices at both buildings, staff and administrators reported out the results of the inquiry groups which had been investigating effective and innovative middle school teaching practices, and issues of equity in the middle school opportunities available in both buildings.
As our declining enrollment impacts our instructional programs at some of our elementary schools, multi-grade classes have been used to address under-enrolled classes; however, the use of multi-age has been investigated and is being piloted at our schools in Dublin and in Francestown. Based on the initial reporting out of their programs, the Board is continuing to explore this approach for its potential benefit to our students.
One of our Board Goals is to institute Universal Preschool in the District. Following a review of current programs and practices and the need for these services, our administrative team and teachers are proposing to expand our current half-day program to a full-time program for four-year-old students in the District. The proposed budget for 2020-21 includes funds to implement Phase I of this new program.
As we look to the future, know that the Education Committee is committed to providing our all our students and professional staff with the educational programs and resources which they need to develop their individual skills and abilities.
In keeping with the multiple action steps outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, the Education Committee has been actively involved in guiding and monitoring the curriculum renewal cycle, program development, instructional practices, and professional development which provide our students with high-quality programs of instruction which promote their individual academic achievement and success and our staff with the professional development needed to enhance their teaching skills.
Kindergarten wrapped up their weather unit by making "Teddy Bear Weather Books" with Jeannie Connolly from Arts Integration. After learning about the different types of clothing needed for different weather, the students created outfits for their teddy bears to wear on sunny, rainy, windy and snowy days.
Kindergarten wrapped up their weather unit by making “Teddy Bear Weather Books” with Jeannie Connolly from Arts Integration. After learning about the different types of clothing needed for different weather, the students created outfits for their teddy bears to wear on sunny, rainy, windy and snowy days.
A second grade student was recently a guest reader in our First Friends PreSchool class. She is pictured here with the class and the book that she read to them.
A second grade student was recently a guest reader in our First Friends PreSchool class. She is pictured here with the class and the book that she read to them.
The South Meadow School is looking to hire a Baseball Coach for the 2020 Spring Baseball Season. If you are interested contact Tod Silegy, Athletic Director, at SMS at 603-924-7105, as soon as possible. THANK YOU!
The South Meadow School is looking to hire a Baseball Coach for the 2020 Spring Baseball Season. If you are interested contact Tod Silegy, Athletic Director, at SMS at 603-924-7105, as soon as possible. THANK YOU!
ConVal's Rachel Sturges will open this year’s Jaffrey-Rindge Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration with an original poem on the theme of “Our Beloved Community.”
As a 2019-20 New Hampshire Youth Poet Laureate, Sturges acts as an ambassador to heighten the visibility and value of poetry by and for young people in New Hampshire. She received this honor from the New Hampshire State Council of the Arts in June 2019. In connection with the upcoming event, Rachel has also held a series of poetry workshops with home school and public elementary school students.
The Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration will feature JerriAnne Boggis as the keynote speaker.
Boggis is the Executive Director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, the founder and director of The Harriet Wilson Project, and the previous Director of Diversity Programs & Community Outreach at the University of New Hampshire. She was named one of 25 Extraordinary Women of Southern New Hampshire by the Nashua Telegraph in 2015, named the 2017 Freedom Fighter by Seacoast NAACP and in 2015, and cited by the New Hampshire Humanities Council as one of the 40 most influential New Hampshirites who have vastly enriched human understanding.
The event will be held at the United Church of Jaffrey located at 54 Main Street on Monday, January 20, 2020. For more details on the program, please see this announcement.
ConVal’s Rachel Sturges will open this year’s Jaffrey-Rindge Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration with an original poem on the theme of “Our Beloved Community.”
As a 2019-20 New Hampshire Youth Poet Laureate, Sturges acts as an ambassador to heighten the visibility and value of poetry by and for young people in New Hampshire.
The annual budget for the ConVal School District is subject to a two-part approval process.
The Deliberative Session, or District Meeting Part I, is dedicated to discussions and amendments to the proposed budget. The second is the Voting Session that determines whether district voters support or decline the proposed budget.
On Tuesday, February 4th, 2020, the ConVal School Board will conduct the Deliberative Session on its 2020-2021 Budget and Warrant Articles in the ConVal High School Gymnasium, beginning at 6:00 pm. The snow date for this event is Thursday, February 6th, 2020.
The Deliberative Session is conducted for the purpose of discussing, debating, and possibly amending the budget and warrant articles. This session determines the final form of the proposed budget. For example, an appropriation article can be amended from one amount of money to a different amount. Once agreement on all elements of the budget has been reached, the proposal is finalized to appear on the March ballot.
In the second or Voting Session, voters in all nine district towns either endorse or decline the proposed operating budget. Voting by ballot will take place on Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 in each town’s designated polling place.
Should the proposed budget fail in the official ballot referendum on March 10th, a "default budget" will be enacted. While the default budget is typically lower than the proposed budget, it will likely result in position cuts and loss of educational opportunities for students.
To see the annual meeting timeline, please click here. To review the proposed ConVal budget before the Deliberative Session on February 4th, please follow this link.
The annual budget for the ConVal School District is subject to a two-part approval process.
The Deliberative Session, or District Meeting Part I, is dedicated to discussions and amendments to the proposed budget. The second is the Voting Session that determines whether district voters support or decline the proposed budget.
On Tuesday,
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => Happy New Year! Boy, we have hit the ground running in 2020. Between preparing for Martin Luther King Day, NHDI and organizing for the Community Supper we are feeling the energy in the school!
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
Happy New Year! Boy, we have hit the ground running in 2020. Between preparing for Martin Luther King Day, NHDI and organizing for the Community Supper we are feeling the energy in the school!
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
The mission of the School Board Communication Committee is to:
Create positive, proactive communications that directly aid the district in achieving its strategic plan.
Celebrate the successes of ConVal students, faculty, staff, and initiatives.
Build and improve relationships with stakeholders to solicit support for programs and budget.
Enhance the district’s reputation/standing and promote our “high quality” district.
Promote ongoing, timely communications and create a means for engagement by the communities.
Keep info/conversations positive and ongoing as we look forwardto reimagine a sustainable and fiscally responsible ConVal for the future.
The Communication Committee continues to work towards improving communication among our communities and to find more effective means for meeting our goals on a daily basis. If you have a town newsletter or town/group social media account that you would like the Communication Committee to forward updates when posted on our website, please contact communicationcommittee@conval.edu and we will try to keep you better informed.
The Communication Committee meets as needed.
Agenda and notes can be found on the ConVal website listed under the school board committee archive: agendas and minutes.
Members:
Alan Edelkind Katherine Heck Janine Lesser Niki McGettigan (C) Kristen Reilly
At the January 7th ConVal School Board budget hearing, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders presented the proposed budget for the 2020-2021 school year. The administration and the School Board have been working on the budget for the last several months and have been discussing, refining, and revising it to reach this final proposed version.
The ConVal School District budget is based on a set of assumptions for the next fiscal year which fall into one of three main categories:
Procedural assumptions are those that continue to support the mission, vision, and values of the District. These assumptions include referencing ConVal class size guidelines, annual reviews of Special Education caseloads, and the potential reallocation of existing resources.
Financial assumptions primarily deal with fixed costs. They include items such as collective bargaining agreements, contractual obligations, health insurance costs, utilities, and legal obligations.
Programmatic assumptions deal with curriculum, the continuum of services for identified students, community education programs, as well as technology investments and upgrades.
To get an overview of the proposed ConVal 2020-2021 budget, please follow this link. For a more detailed view of the budget, please click here.
At the January 7th ConVal School Board budget hearing, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders presented the proposed budget for the 2020-2021 school year. The administration and the School Board have been working on the budget for the last several months and have been discussing, refining, and revising it to reach this final proposed version.
The ConVal School District budget is based on a set of assumptions for the next fiscal year which fall into one of three main categories:
Procedural assumptions are those that continue to support the mission,
In Mr. Bills' Graphic Design 1 class, students give advertising agency presentations as part of their career path unit.
The scenario had groups of four students fulfill different jobs of an ad agency: account executive, creative director, layout artist, and copywriter. The fictional company was a hair replacement company with the name of "Hair Apparent."
Each member of the group contributed work to the final presentation which covered the designs of the logo, a business card, letterhead, and stationery. In addition, a print ad had to be created that had to adhere to specific space and content requirements.
After the student presentations, the work was critiqued by fellow students and Mr. Bills provided expert feedback. An overall "account winner" was determined in each of the two Graphic Design 1 classes.
In Mr. Bills’ Graphic Design 1 class, students give advertising agency presentations as part of their career path unit.
The scenario had groups of four students fulfill different jobs of an ad agency: account executive, creative director, layout artist, and copywriter. The fictional company was a hair replacement company with the name of “Hair Apparent.”
The morning before the Winter Break was spent with students moving through crafting rotations. Staff, and PTO put together 12 activities for the students. Students choose how they want to move through the rotations and they are able to make ornaments, cards, wreaths, and many other items. Students love the opportunity to make things for others. It is so wonderful to watch the students enjoy this time and they are all fully engaged for the whole morning. A lovely tradition!
The morning before the Winter Break was spent with students moving through crafting rotations. Staff, and PTO put together 12 activities for the students. Students choose how they want to move through the rotations and they are able to make ornaments, cards, wreaths, and many other items. Students love the opportunity to make things for others.
On the last day before the winter break, ConVal students, teachers, and staff showed off their holiday spirit.
The year's last "Breakfast Before The Blocks" — ConVal's monthly, department-sponsored breakfast in the Library Learning Commons — coincided with "Ugly Sweater Day" during TASC which brought out some very imaginative sweaters this year.
"Ugly Sweater Day" was organized and promoted by the ConVal Student Council.
On the last day before the winter break, ConVal students, teachers, and staff showed off their holiday spirit.
The year’s last “Breakfast Before The Blocks” — ConVal’s monthly, department-sponsored breakfast in the Library Learning Commons — coincided with “Ugly Sweater Day” during TASC which brought out some very imaginative sweaters this year.
There is no time like the holidays to work with children. Even our oldest students get excited about the holiday. While our younger students anticipate the magic associated with the season, many of our oldest students anticipate the break and the additional time spent skiing, snowboarding, or simply spending time with family and friends and, of course, sleeping in.
As I reflect on another calendar year passing, I am able to appreciate how fortunate we are as a community. We have so many things in our District to be proud of, but recently as I was walking through our hallways here at the SAU, I was overcome by the incredible generosity of our District. There were so many donations for families in need that it was difficult to get down the hall! We easily had 500 winter coats, not to mention boots, snow pants, clothes for all ages, and toys and toys and toys and toys. Thank you to all who donated to help our local families provide a wonderful holiday for our students.
Two Super Quick Surveys
Calendar for the 2020-2021 School Year
I would like to ask you to complete this brief survey to give me direct feedback about the school calendar. Just click here to participate. This will enable me to look at some themes and come up with some specific options for the calendar. I will let you know what I learn in my next post!
Communication and Engagement
Last year, I hosted Superintendent Brown Bag Lunches. Unfortunately, attendance was low and while I appreciated and learned a lot from the people I met with, I am hoping that you will complete this quick survey regarding ways that you would like to communicate and engage with the District by clicking here.
Wishing you a peaceful, safe, and joyful holiday season!
There is no time like the holidays to work with children. Even our oldest students get excited about the holiday. While our younger students anticipate the magic associated with the season, many of our oldest students anticipate the break and the additional time spent skiing, snowboarding, or simply spending time with family and friends and,
ConVal’s annual Winter Concert will be performed on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, starting at 6:30 pm in the gymnasium.
Under the joint direction of Brian Moore and Jim Wickham, students have prepared a festive program with diverse musical selections, including “Winter Wind,” “Adam Lay yBounden,” “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Eighth Candle,” “Silent Night,” “Polar Express,” “White Christmas,” “Glow,” “Gaudete” and many more.
The following chorus ensembles will perform: Chamber Choir, The Clef Hangers (girls a cappella), The Moore in Tune (boys a cappella), Select Choir, and Concert Choir. Instrumental pieces will be performed by the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Concert Band.
As is now tradition, the concert will conclude with a Combined Ensemble rendition of a holiday song that invites audience participation.
We hope to see you at the concert! Admission is free. Please make sure to arrive in time to secure a good seat.
ConVal’s annual Winter Concert will be performed on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, starting at 6:30 pm in the gymnasium.
Under the joint direction of Brian Moore and Jim Wickham, students have prepared a festive program with diverse musical selections, including “Winter Wind,” “Adam Lay yBounden,” “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Eighth Candle,” “Silent Night,” “Polar Express,” “White Christmas,” “Glow,” “Gaudete” and many more.
On Monday, December 16, Mr. West's AP English and Ms. Moore's Drama classes had the unique opportunity to work with Hugh Macgregor on scenes from Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. By acting out scenes from the play and getting notes on the characters' motivation, students were able to get a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's writings.
McGregor, who is from Great Britain, taught theatre at St. Paul's School until earlier this year and now is the Director of the Parker School of Drama in Concord.
MacGregor is a classically-trained actor with almost two decades of experience as an actor, theatre director, and teacher. He holds a Masters in Advanced Teaching of Shakespeare, a course taught by the Royal Shakespeare Company, and is one of just three graduates with Distinction. He has directed almost 80 productions, including national and international tours, and is a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
MacGregor's theatre workshop was conducted as an in-school field trip in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre during TASC and Block 3.
On Monday, December 16, Mr. West’s AP English and Ms. Moore’s Drama classes had the unique opportunity to work with Hugh Macgregor on scenes from Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet. By acting out scenes from the play and getting notes on the characters’ motivation, students were able to get a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s writings.
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => There is so much happy energy in the school. The children are excited for the talent show, holiday celebrations and vacation. Nonetheless, they are working hard in the classrooms.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
There is so much happy energy in the school. The children are excited for the talent show, holiday celebrations and vacation. Nonetheless, they are working hard in the classrooms.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
GES students come together every Friday for a whole school Morning Meeting followed by a new challenge or game. We work on cooperation and team building.
GES students come together every Friday for a whole school Morning Meeting followed by a new challenge or game. We work on cooperation and team building.
The Library Learning Commons served as the location for ConVal's first-ever Hour of Code event on December 13.
Students, a mix of novice and more experienced coders, scheduled themselves to this special event during TASC. Librarian Ashley Jones introduced a variety of coding-related activities and online tutorials. Students were free to choose and explore any of the activities, with computer teacher Gil Morris serving as a faculty resource.
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science.
The coding events have since become a concerted, worldwide effort to celebrate computer science. This year, 132,685 Hour of Code events were registered in over 180 countries.
The Library Learning Commons served as the location for ConVal’s first-ever Hour of Code event on December 13.
Students, a mix of novice and more experienced coders, scheduled themselves to this special event during TASC. Librarian Ashley Jones introduced a variety of coding-related activities and online tutorials. Students were free to choose and explore any of the activities,
Several ConVal students were interviewed by the Keene Sentinel this week. They shared how they are personally engaged in raising mental health and suicide awareness and how they try to inspire students to show greater empathy and kindness to one other at school.
Rosie Crooker (junior), Cruz Dellasanta (senior), and Hannah Doherty (senior) organized the Yellow Tulip Project with the support of the Peterborough Garden Club. The Yellow Tulip Project addresses the stigma surrounding mental illness and seeks to build a community of people who realize that hope happens when youth and community leaders work together.
9th graders Callie Boisvert and Abbey Shumway organized the "Break The Silence" 5K race for suicide prevention. The fundraiser brought in over $1,500 that will be donated to the New Hampshire chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Senior Catrina Kipka was the driving force behind the plan to bring motivational speaker James Orrigo to ConVal in the spring of 2020. Orrigo performs under the stage name Lad in a Battle and seeks to inspire students to live purposefully through service to others.
You can read the Keene Sentinel article in its entirety here.
Several ConVal students were interviewed by the Keene Sentinel this week. They shared how they are personally engaged in raising mental health and suicide awareness and how they try to inspire students to show greater empathy and kindness to one other at school.
Rosie Crooker (junior), Cruz Dellasanta (senior), and Hannah Doherty (senior) organized the Yellow Tulip Project with the support of the Peterborough Garden Club.
How do you become a better reader? READ, READ, READ, READ, READ!! That's what second graders have been doing! We've had a "Pumpkin Reading Challenge" for the month of November where the students earned a pumpkin for each book or chapter they read. When we reached 120 pumpkins, we had a party! They earned it right before Thanksgiving break, and we played some fun relays and had yummy pumpkin whoopie pies! They are super pumped to keep it going for the month of December!
How do you become a better reader? READ, READ, READ, READ, READ!! That’s what second graders have been doing! We’ve had a “Pumpkin Reading Challenge” for the month of November where the students earned a pumpkin for each book or chapter they read. When we reached 120 pumpkins, we had a party! They earned it right before Thanksgiving break,
FES students love when the snow falls! Students spend 20 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes after lunch playing outside. In the winter, students build snow forts, roll giant snow balls, and jump around in the fresh air. Through this play, students are learning important social-emotional skills and developing their gross motor skills.
FES students love when the snow falls! Students spend 20 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes after lunch playing outside. In the winter, students build snow forts, roll giant snow balls, and jump around in the fresh air. Through this play, students are learning important social-emotional skills and developing their gross motor skills.
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => Happy Thanksgiving! I am truly grateful for the wonderful children at HES. I feel so fortunate to be a part of such a supportive and caring community.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
"A World of Books" was a huge success at Antrim Elementary on Thursday, December 5th. In collaboration with the AES PTO, the AES staff joined in the festivities by hosting a night of literary fun. Each classroom had a book theme with interesting activities. Guests were excited to make potions in the Harry Potter room, read to therapy dogs in the Elephant & Piggy room, solve puzzles in the mystery room, and exercise around New England. The book fair in the library was equally as exciting as the Italian pizza feast in the multi-purpose room. AES is an enthusiastic learning community!
“A World of Books” was a huge success at Antrim Elementary on Thursday, December 5th. In collaboration with the AES PTO, the AES staff joined in the festivities by hosting a night of literary fun. Each classroom had a book theme with interesting activities. Guests were excited to make potions in the Harry Potter room, read to therapy dogs in the Elephant &
Students participate in a whole school morning meeting every Friday, led by a different grade each month! We played charades today! Can you guess what delicious winter delight she is enjoying?
Students participate in a whole school morning meeting every Friday, led by a different grade each month! We played charades today! Can you guess what delicious winter delight she is enjoying?
ConVal teachers Deb Coyne, Sarah Grossi, Amanda Hinton, and Brock Lambert, together with CTE Director Jen Kiley and Director of School Counseling Kim Chandler, are currently attending Career Tech Vision 19.
This four-day conference in Anaheim, California, is an event for educators, industry representatives and business leaders which provides high-quality professional development and networking opportunities.
From the conference, Grossi tweeted: "Great to meet Rachel Mann, author of The Spaces You’ll Go and The Martians in Your Classroom - STEM in Every Learning Space. Looking forward to joining her on the ACTE New and Related Services Policy Committee."
ConVal teachers Deb Coyne, Sarah Grossi, Amanda Hinton, and Brock Lambert, together with CTE Director Jen Kiley and Director of School Counseling Kim Chandler, are currently attending Career Tech Vision 19.
This four-day conference in Anaheim, California, is an event for educators, industry representatives and business leaders which provides high-quality professional development and networking opportunities.
Did you know that all students in New Hampshire who are enrolled in grades 10-12 are eligible to participate in CTE programs?
This survey link asks questions about your general perception of CTE programs.
CTE courses range from accounting to agriculture, from visual and performing arts to welding, and everything in between (for full details, please see this Career and Technical Education Program grid).
In fact, CTE also supports students down to grade 5 with career exploration activities and resources!
The CTE center that serves students in the Conant, ConVal, and Mascenic school districts is the Region 14 Applied Technology Center. CTE, formerly known as voc-tech, gives students real-world, hands-on experience in a variety of employment fields and offers opportunities for dual credit courses. Industry-recognized credentials can give students an advantage after graduation.
Despite the proven indicators of CTE success – 95 percent of 2017 CTE graduates are employed, in college, or serving in the military – there is always room for enrollment growth, so we hope that you help us improve by taking this survey.
Please choose questions that are appropriate for the way you identify yourself for the survey.
Congratulations to ConVal High School Junior Sarah Hull who has been accepted as a Senate Page for Senator Jeanne Shaheen in Washington, D.C. Hull will head to Washington in late January and will stay in D.C. until June, attending school and working as a Page in the United States Senate.
The Senate Page Program is a great opportunity for high school students to get involved in government service, see the legislative process in action, and experience life in our nation's capital.
Living away from home and attending school with students from around the country allows Pages to experience a myriad of new ideas, perspectives, and issues. As students work with some of the nation's most prominent leaders and witness the political process firsthand, they learn from many interesting and challenging experiences.
There are thirty Page positions available each semester to serve the one hundred Members of the Senate. Because of the number of interested students, the selection process is very competitive.
For more on the Page program, please visit the websites for either Senator Jeanne Shaheen or Senator Maggie Hassan.
Congratulations to ConVal High School Junior Sarah Hull who has been accepted as a Senate Page for Senator Jeanne Shaheen in Washington, D.C. Hull will head to Washington in late January and will stay in D.C. until June, attending school and working as a Page in the United States Senate.
The Senate Page Program is a great opportunity for high school students to get involved in government service,
Temple Elementary School will host our annual movie night on Friday December 13th from 5:30-7:00 pm.
Playing this year is Rudolph. Pre-ordered pizza will be served at 5:30 pm and the movie will begin at 6:00 pm. Please come and enjoy the evening with other Temple families. Be sure to submit your pizza order and payment by Friday, December 6th.
Temple Elementary School will host our annual movie night on Friday December 13th from 5:30-7:00 pm.
Playing this year is Rudolph. Pre-ordered pizza will be served at 5:30 pm and the movie will begin at 6:00 pm. Please come and enjoy the evening with other Temple families. Be sure to submit your pizza order and payment by Friday,
Students returned from the extended Thanksgiving break to a winter wonderland! They enjoyed sledding, building snowmen, and trekking through knee-deep snow during recess.
Students returned from the extended Thanksgiving break to a winter wonderland! They enjoyed sledding, building snowmen, and trekking through knee-deep snow during recess.
Please join the ConVal Drama department for a workshop and audition for the winter play, The Wolves, by Sarah DeLappe.
We will be meeting in the LHT this coming Monday, December 2, from 2:30 pm to late bus, and Tuesday, December 3, from 4-6 pm. You are invited to attend both workshops and audition days, though not required. If you cannot make these times, please email Jason Lambert at jlambert@conval.edu to see if an audition time can be scheduled.
There will be callbacks, Thursday, December 5, 3:00-4:00 pm. The cast list will be posted online by 9 pm, Sunday, December 8, and on the Drama Board before Block 1, Monday, December 9.
Parts of the play are available to read. See Jason Lambert or Jason Lambert’s desk in room 216.
Please wear comfortable clothing and in layers, in case we go outside. And please come ready to have fun, move, play games, improvise, kick a soccer ball, tell a joke, sing, and read short excerpts from the play.
Please join the ConVal Drama department for a workshop and audition for the winter play, The Wolves, by Sarah DeLappe.
We will be meeting in the LHT this coming Monday, December 2, from 2:30 pm to late bus, and Tuesday, December 3, from 4-6 pm. You are invited to attend both workshops and audition days,
Families were invited to share a Harvest Feast with their students. The menu consisted of Roast turkey with turkey gravy, classic bread stuffing, warm dinner roll, peas & apple crisp.
Families were invited to share a Harvest Feast with their students. The menu consisted of Roast turkey with turkey gravy, classic bread stuffing, warm dinner roll, peas & apple crisp.
Francestown residents Kelly Marshall and Nichole DeDecker have been working with two of our classroom teachers to plan our Outdoor Lions Learning (OLL) Time. Once a month, the FES Lions spend the whole morning (from arrival until noon) learning outside. On Thursday November 21, we had our first OLL experience. We began by gathering in a clearing in the woods for all-school Morning Meeting. From there, we split into our OLL multiage teams and rotated through 5 outdoor learning stations. Students measured things in nature, built community by creating mandalas, engaged in woods play, sketched in their science journals, and studied what different NH animals do in the winter. With rosy cheeks and hearty appetites, the students headed back inside to enjoy a wonderful Harvest Feast with families.
Francestown residents Kelly Marshall and Nichole DeDecker have been working with two of our classroom teachers to plan our Outdoor Lions Learning (OLL) Time. Once a month, the FES Lions spend the whole morning (from arrival until noon) learning outside. On Thursday November 21, we had our first OLL experience. We began by gathering in a clearing in the woods for all-school Morning Meeting.
We have experienced some challenging events in our communities recently and our children are hearing things they don't understand.
Join Carol Lunan of The Grapevine and Lesley Moenter of the ConVal School District on Friday, November 22nd, from 6:30 to 8:00 at Antrim Elementary School to discuss how we support and talk to our children during tough times, while dealing with our own responses.
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We have experienced some challenging events in our communities recently and our children are hearing things they don’t understand.
Join Carol Lunan of The Grapevine and Lesley Moenter of the ConVal School District on Friday, November 22nd, from 6:30 to 8:00 at Antrim Elementary School to discuss how we support and talk to our children during tough times,
ConVal Senior Rhett Landers has won the Peterborough Lantern Parade poster design contest for The Children and the Arts organization. Rhett is a student in Mr. Bills’ Graphic Design 1 class.
This year, the Lantern Parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, as part of Peterborough’s Hometown Holiday Weekend.
The Peterborough Lantern Parade was inspired by the festival of lights tradition in England. Last year, over 800 lanterns were made in community art workshops and over 1,000 people participated in the parade, including local musicians and those who had made their own lanterns at home.
This year, the Children and the Arts committee, school art teachers and other volunteers have been working with area schools throughout the fall to create lanterns during art classes to use during the parade.
For a brief video on the lantern-making work, see this short video featuring Terry Reeves.
ConVal Senior Rhett Landers has won the Peterborough Lantern Parade poster design contest for The Children and the Arts organization. Rhett is a student in Mr. Bills’ Graphic Design 1 class.
This year, the Lantern Parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, as part of Peterborough’s Hometown Holiday Weekend.
The Peterborough Lantern Parade was inspired by the festival of lights tradition in England.
4th grade mathematicians work together to solve problems posted around the room- rounding, comparing numbers, using the addition & subtraction algorithms, solving word problems using tape diagrams, & showing our Eagle values of co-operation and grit!
4th grade mathematicians work together to solve problems posted around the room- rounding, comparing numbers, using the addition & subtraction algorithms, solving word problems using tape diagrams, & showing our Eagle values of co-operation and grit!
GES students enjoyed the annual CVES Turkey Trot last Friday. It was a beautiful day to come together for a run! Thanks to our PE teachers for organizing a wonderful event!
GES students enjoyed the annual CVES Turkey Trot last Friday. It was a beautiful day to come together for a run! Thanks to our PE teachers for organizing a wonderful event!
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => It is hard to believe that we have completed the first quarter of school. The children have settled in and are making wonderful progress in math, reading, writing, and social emotional skills.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
It is hard to believe that we have completed the first quarter of school. The children have settled in and are making wonderful progress in math, reading, writing, and social emotional skills.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
If you are interested in skiing Crotched Mountain this season, consider the Crotched Mountain Ski Club!
For as little as $129 — rentals and lessons are extra —, students can ski on five Mondays starting in January, then earn a Peak Pass for the rest of the season, which is a season pass to 14 Peak resorts. If Fridays are better, the cost is $149 since they are open later.
Note: This club was created for high school students, but any student between the ages of 5-17 may join. No transportation or chaperoning is provided at this time.
If you are interested in skiing Crotched Mountain this season, consider the Crotched Mountain Ski Club!
For as little as $129 — rentals and lessons are extra —, students can ski on five Mondays starting in January, then earn a Peak Pass for the rest of the season, which is a season pass to 14 Peak resorts.
The Late Bus arrives at GBSeveryday at approximately 4:15 pm and travels to Bennington to drop off across from Pierce at 4:25 pm, then travels to Hancock to drop off in town at 4:40 pm, then to Francestown to drop off at 4:55 pm.
AES is looking for babysitters Tuesday evening this week. See Mrs. Young if you are interested. March 3rd will be the next opportunity to volunteer.
Spirit week is this week - Wednesday is SPORTS day, Thursday is ALOHA day and Friday is THROWBACK day! Look for posters around the school for more details!
Attention 8th graders - Registration for freshman classes at ConVal will soon begin! The school counselors will be visiting on Wednesday, February 19th at 8:20 am to give you information on the exciting classes, sports and activities that await you. After that, students will get a pass from Mrs. Gourlay to register. Please bring your Chromebook and know your PowerSchool log in.
Did you know there's no butter in buttermilk?? Did you know that an egg contains every vitamin except vitamin C?? You can find out more about food on March 19th at our annual Celebration of Learning event here at Great Brook School starting at 5:30 pm!
Floor Hockey is on Tuesday and Wednesdays in the GBS gym! All participants must have written permission. See Mr. Baldwin for more details.
Boys and Girls basketball players please return your uniforms to Mr. Baldwin as soon as possible. Thanks!
SPRING SPORTS SIGN-UPS are in the cafeteria. Baseball and Softball are open to 7th and 8th graders and Track is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. See Mr. Baldwin if you have any questions.
Young Writers is offering a brand new poetry contest. It is titled, Through Your Eyes. Students choose a topic and write a poem from someone else's point of view. The deadline for entering is your poem is February 17th. Please see Mrs. Sittig for more information and entry forms.
Are you looking for community service? The Francestown PTO is looking for GBS students to help out with childcare at their meetings. Please see Mrs. Young in the office if you're interested!
After School Activities:
Scott Baldwin is our new Athletic Director and can be reached via email at sbaldwin@conval.edu
The Late Bus arrives at GBS everyday at approximately 4:15 pm and travels to Bennington to drop off across from Pierce at 4:25 pm, then travels to Hancock to drop off in town at 4:40 pm, then to Francestown to drop off at 4:55 pm.
On behalf of the entire staff, I want to thank the members of the community who have reached out to support our District. The outpouring of emails, phone calls, and personal visits has been a model of kindness and compassion for all of us. Responding to a crisis is done on a case-by-case situation, dependent on what school and community is most affected by the incident, what is most developmentally appropriate for the students involved, and what we are able to share with students, staff, and community members. Balancing this, in conjunction with the desire to both be as transparent as possible and simultaneously afford people privacy, is at the very best an extraordinary challenge.
Whenever there is a tragedy that has the potential to impact our schools we work in conjunction with our school counseling staff to determine the best course of action. At times, this may include contacting outside community and state agencies and working with emergency responders. Often times, we reallocate personnel for a period of time to be sure that resources are available for students and staff where they are most needed.
I would also like to acknowledge that asking questions and sharing ideas or concerns is an important part of the process; however, if we don’t learn of the questions or concerns, we are unable to incorporate that information when we debrief our response. Please reach out directly through email or phone to any administrator involved in managing the crisis. Please understand that if you share questions, concerns, or information on social media, it does not necessarily filter to us, instead, it has the potential to perpetuate inaccurate information, and does not help us to use the information shared to improve processes for our students, staff, and community.
Is it really going to snow?!
Yep, it looks like our first real snow event is may come this evening into tomorrow morning. With that, I just want to remind people about how snow delays and cancellations are decided.
The steps outlined below are generally the steps I take when I make a weather-related decision, but my thought process is entirely about student safety. I know that hundreds of teenage drivers are going to be driving to school and thousands of children are going to be boarding buses, and this thought is always at the center of my decision. I recognize that more notice is better, because as a parent, I understand the time needed to make childcare arrangements and the inconvenience of having routines and schedules interrupted.
Beginning in early November, I follow the weather at the National Weather Service. As a storm event develops, I watch for changes and look at the times that the storm is likely to occur and how long it might last.
As the storm grows closer, I may consult with a number of other people, including the bus company, road agents, other local school systems, and, depending on the anticipated severity of the storm, the State DOT.
At times, with the forecast and information that I have, I can make the call the night before. Sometimes, the storm pattern changes so frequently that I have to wait to see what is going to happen.
I appreciate that everyone has a different outlook on traveling in varying weather conditions. If, as a parent, you decide to keep your student home during a weather event please just give your child’s school a call to let them know.
Retirements
This time of year often brings announcements of retirements for June of 2020. This year is no exception. The following members of our school community will be retiring at the end of the school year. Jim Elder, Principal of Great Brook School, Dana Wood, Science teacher at ConVal High School, Andy Bills, Graphics teacher at ConVal High School, Marilyn Bracket, paraprofessional at Peterborough Elementary School, Lise Lemieux, ConVal School District Nurse, Marcia DeSteuben, Librarian at Peterborough Elementary School, Tim Markley, Human Resource Director, Mary Hopgood, Grade 8 teacher at South Meadow School, and Gib West, former Principal and English teacher at ConVal High School. We are grateful for the service that each provided the ConVal School District. While we are sad to see all of our colleagues leave the District, we are excited for each of them as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
Budget
We have begun the budgeting process for the 2020-2021 school year. By the end of next week, we will have budget-related documents uploaded to our website. These will be updated regularly as we move through the budget process. The 2020-2021 budget looks to advance our present Strategic Plan. Should you have questions please do not hesitate to reach out. I will work to regularly update you as part of my communications over the next several months.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, our staff, and our ConVal community.
Difficult times always give me pause. After the immediate needs have passed, I try to always remember how important kindness and compassion are. The last month has been the most difficult for our District in my 10 years, but I have watched and seen example after example of compassion and kindness. We all feel tragedy, whether we are directly connected or on the periphery, and our ability to model kindness and compassion for our communities, our students, and each other has been a reminder of what it means when someone says “We Are ConVal”.
As always please do not hesitate to reach out at any time, for any reason.
On behalf of the entire staff, I want to thank the members of the community who have reached out to support our District. The outpouring of emails, phone calls, and personal visits has been a model of kindness and compassion for all of us. Responding to a crisis is done on a case-by-case situation,
On Thursday, ConVal High School welcomed 20 sophomores from Mascenic High School who toured CTE programs with their high school principal, John Barth, and school counseling director, Brent Clanin.
The group was greeted by ATC Director Jen Kiley who explained the CTE program to the students and noted that students can earn up to 70 total credits in the running start dual credit program.
Student guides took these prospective students to Digital Photo and Graphic Communications classes, the woodshop/manufacturing area, as well as the basic engineering design and advanced engineering program centers.
Mascenic is now a part of ConVal's ATC Region 14. The school was previously aligned with Milford High School's Applied Technology Center.
On Thursday, ConVal High School welcomed 20 sophomores from Mascenic High School who toured CTE programs with their high school principal, John Barth, and school counseling director, Brent Clanin.
The group was greeted by ATC Director Jen Kiley who explained the CTE program to the students and noted that students can earn up to 70 total credits in the running start dual credit program.
We have combined the Athletic Store and the School Store into one store for the holidays!
This flash store will only be open for a short ordering period. To take advantage of these special offers, please follow this link and be sure to get your order in before the closing date of November 13, 2019.
Orders will be produced together at the end of the sale and will be ready about 3 weeks later.
We have combined the Athletic Store and the School Store into one store for the holidays!
This flash store will only be open for a short ordering period. To take advantage of these special offers, please follow this link and be sure to get your order in before the closing date of November 13,
Students in Frau Hodgdon's German class gave presentations about a treat that enjoys universal appeal — "Schokolade," or chocolate.
Students researched where and how the ingredients for commercial chocolate are grown, how chocolate is produced from roasted and ground cacao seeds, how it is flavored, how much it is sweetened, and how it is prepared in the form of a paste or solid block.
All of the student presentations were delivered in German and contained several science facts, including the moisture content and melting points of different varieties of chocolate and how the alkaloids theobromine and caffeine contained in chocolate can have stimulating effects.
Students in Frau Hodgdon’s German class gave presentations about a treat that enjoys universal appeal — “Schokolade,” or chocolate.
Students researched where and how the ingredients for commercial chocolate are grown, how chocolate is produced from roasted and ground cacao seeds, how it is flavored, how much it is sweetened, and how it is prepared in the form of a paste or solid block.
Our Town, Thornton Wilder's quintessential play about life in a small New England town, will be performed in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre at ConVal High School November 14-16.
Wilder wrote the play about "Grover's Corners" — which many believe to be Peterborough — while he was a fellow at the MacDowell Colony, so there is a special local connection.
Our Town, Thornton Wilder’s quintessential play about life in a small New England town, will be performed in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre at ConVal High School November 14-16.
Wilder wrote the play about “Grover’s Corners” — which many believe to be Peterborough — while he was a fellow at the MacDowell Colony,
On Saturday, November 2nd, the ConVal School Board met with SAU administrators and school principals at the SAU office for a day-long budget development workshop.
Budgets established by the eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and the high school were examined, as were the district’s administrative expenses and program offerings.
This first round in the district-wide budget development process began with three sets of assumptions for the 2020-2021 fiscal year — procedural, financial, and programmatic.
Procedural assumptions are those assumptions that support the mission, vision, and values of the District. “Mission critical” is a term used throughout the process when deciding items placed into the budget. These assumptions include referencing ConVal class size guidelines, annual reviews of Special Education caseloads, and the potential reallocation of existing resources.
Financial assumptions primarily deal with fixed costs. They include items such as collective bargaining agreements, contractual obligations, health insurance costs, utilities, capital improvements, and legal obligations.
Programmatic assumptions deal with curriculum, the continuum of services for identified students, community education programs, and technology investments and upgrades.
Board members looked over every line item to determine what the overall expected expenditures would look like for the 2020-2021 school year and where savings could be made.
On November 12, the Budget and Property Committee will further discuss, research, and revisit portions of the budget, and an additional meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14, if needed, to continue this process.
The budget will continue to be reviewed, revised, and refined several times before it will be presented to voters in March 2020. Minutes from these work sessions and committee meetings will be posted online.
On Saturday, November 2nd, the ConVal School Board met with SAU administrators and school principals at the SAU office for a day-long budget development workshop.
Budgets established by the eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and the high school were examined, as were the district’s administrative expenses and program offerings.
This first round in the district-wide budget development process began with three sets of assumptions for the 2020-2021 fiscal year — procedural,
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => Happy November! We are so lucky to have such an extraordinary community. It is because of your continued support and partnership that our students are growing and learning.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
Happy November! We are so lucky to have such an extraordinary community. It is because of your continued support and partnership that our students are growing and learning.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
Playwright Sarah DeLappe is the author of The Wolves, a play that chronicles the complicated lives of a girls’ high school soccer team. The Wolves had a critically acclaimed run at the Lincoln Center Theater’s Mitzi Newhouse Theater and will be performed at ConVal later in the year.
DeLappe is a current MacDowell Colony Fellow and on Monday, students had an opportunity to sit down with DeLappe in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre during TASC. The discussion session included ConVal theatre teacher Jason Lambert and Ann Hayashi, the Assistant to the Resident Director at the MacDowell Colony.
DeLappe explained what inspired her play, the process that guided her writing, and how she approaches writing in general.
"There are two types of writers," DeLappe explained. "'Hawk writers' and 'mole writers.' Hawk writers see the work from an overview perspective and then work their way down to the actual sentence level."
"Mole writers, on the other hand, start deep in the ground, work sentence by sentence, and thus work their up. In the end, they both meet at the surface." "I consider myself a mole writer," DeLappe added.
After the meeting, Mr. Lambert thanked everyone who participated and had made this unique opportunity possible: "This was a special one."
Playwright Sarah DeLappe is the author of The Wolves, a play that chronicles the complicated lives of a girls’ high school soccer team. The Wolves had a critically acclaimed run at the Lincoln Center Theater’s Mitzi Newhouse Theater and will be performed at ConVal later in the year.
DeLappe is a current MacDowell Colony Fellow and on Monday,
Basketball tryouts for all sixth,
seventh, and eighth grade boys or girls, will begin Monday, November 4th. There
is no try out Nov.5th.
Below is the tryout schedule for the
2019-20 season:
Monday, November 4th, to Friday,
November 8th.
Girls: 2:30-4:00
Boys: 4:00–5:30
* Additional days may be added at the
coaches discretion.
Boys basketball players trying out
should plan on staying after school until their practice begins at 4:00 and
will be monitored in a study hall environment until practice starts. Boy players
must be picked up at 5:30 PM at the back of the school by their parents, not
the front, or they may walk home. Girl
basketball players should plan on going home after practice ends on the late
bus, walk, or be picked up by their parents at 4:00 PM. on the their practice
days. Parents picking up their child
should do so in the Upper Back parking lot.
Try outs will last until coaches have
thoroughly evaluated the players. There
will be an A-White and B-Blue teams for both Boys and Girls. The number of players on a team will be determined
at the coaches discretion.
All students trying out must have a
parent permission form completed and in the respective coaches hands by Monday, November 4th.Please
remember to have your son’s or daughter’s physician sign the parent permission
form clearing your child to play athletics at SMS. This is a new policy.
Player
eligibility requirements. Please open to page 34-35 in the 2019 SMS Student Handbook.
The athleic eligibility requirement has changed since last year. Please look it
up BEFORE the Basketball season starts.
All
players trying out should be committed to playing on either the White or the
Blue teams!
When tryouts are over and the teams
are made a weekly practice schedule will be handed out for each team. 2:30-4:00,
4:00-5:30, 5:30-7:00 are the practice time slots.
All players trying out should wear T
shirt, basketball shorts, sneakers with socks, and a mandatory colored mouth
guard. All players should bring their
own water bottle. Please do not buy your
child new sneakers etc. until the teams are made. School colors are royal blue and white.
Coaches: Mark Bemont A girls, Scott
Buffum A boys, Kevin Morneault B boys and girls.
Every March, all voters in the district are provided with the opportunity to vote on the budget for the following school year.
In addition, there are some items that frequently appear and require voter approval, including acceptance of the auditor reports, appropriation of funds for the various district trust funds, and School Board member salaries.
The ballots may also include some additional warrant articles that require voter approval. Warrant articles can be initiated either by the School Board or by voter petition.
Since the 2020 district ballots could include all of the above, the School Board will work to keep all voters informed along the way.
The Superintendent and Administration have been working on the budget these past weeks and made a presentation to the entire school Board on November 2nd.
This daylong work session marked the formal rollout of the 2020-2021 budget.
Every March, all voters in the district are provided with the opportunity to vote on the budget for the following school year.
In addition, there are some items that frequently appear and require voter approval, including acceptance of the auditor reports, appropriation of funds for the various district trust funds, and School Board member salaries.
Under the guidance of Eric Rollnick, and with instruments on loan from the Mango Groove Steel Drum Band, ConVal band students started to learn the intricacies of steel drum music in a one-day workshop.
Without ever having played steel drums, the band members picked up three different songs within less than two hours and performed for their fellow students in the cafeteria during all three lunches.
From an instrumental point of view, a steel drum is actually not a drum but a tuned gong that is made from the bottom end and partial sidewall of a metal barrel.
The end surface is hammered into a concave shape, and several areas are outlined by acoustically important chiseled grooves. The drum is then heated and tempered. So-called "bosses," or domes, are hammered into the outlined areas.
The depth, curvature, and size of each boss determine its pitch. Drums are commonly made in four sizes, from bass to treble, called boom, cellopan, guitar pan, and ping pong. The drums are struck with rubber-tipped hammers.
Steel drums originated in the West Indies and are played in ensembles, or steel bands, of about 4 to up to 100 performers.
Mango Groove is an authentic 5-piece steel drum band in New Hampshire that specializes in the authentic Caribbean and American musical styles that encompass Soul-Calypso (Soca), reggae, Motown, jazz, pop, Afro-Cuban, and Latin genres. Rollnick and his band have been playing since 1994 and was voted "New Hampshire's Best Steel Band" by New Hampshire Magazine.
Under the guidance of Eric Rollnick, and with instruments on loan from the Mango Groove Steel Drum Band, ConVal band students started to learn the intricacies of steel drum music in a one-day workshop.
Without ever having played steel drums, the band members picked up three different songs within less than two hours and performed for their fellow students in the cafeteria during all three lunches.
ConVal High School Senior and New Hampshire Youth Poet Laureate, Rachel Sturges, was invited to read her poetry as an opening speaker to kick off the New Hampshire Governor’s Arts Awards. The event was held at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord.
The New Hampshire Governor Arts Awards are honorary awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in New Hampshire.
The 2019 Awards were given in the following categories: Arts Education, Arts in Health, Creative Communities, Distinguished Arts Leadership, Folk Heritage, Individual Arts Champion, and the Lotte Jacobi Living Treasure Award.
ConVal High School Senior and New Hampshire Youth Poet Laureate, Rachel Sturges, was invited to read her poetry as an opening speaker to kick off the New Hampshire Governor’s Arts Awards. The event was held at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord.
The New Hampshire Governor Arts Awards are honorary awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the excellence,
Could your student use a new sweatshirt or winter hat? Would you like to support your school? Well, do we have deals for you!
The Pierce School store is open for all your school swag purchasing needs. The store is open from now until Friday, Nov. 8th. Make sure to swing on over and help support your school and dress yourself or your students in the coolest stuff in school! Click here for your purchasing pleasure https://pierce-apparel-2019.itemorder.com/sale
Could your student use a new sweatshirt or winter hat? Would you like to support your school? Well, do we have deals for you!
The Pierce School store is open for all your school swag purchasing needs. The store is open from now until Friday, Nov. 8th. Make sure to swing on over and help support your school and dress yourself or your students in the coolest stuff in school!
Francestown is truly a community school. We are so grateful to all of the community members who support the experiences of the students at FES! On Monday October 28th, Francestown resident, Brad Bull, delivered enough of his home grown pumpkins so that each student at FES could carve one for Halloween. Students helped to unload the pumpkins and parents and former FES alumni hollowed them out. Working with their literacy/math buddies on Tuesday morning, students carved their pumpkins and now they are decorating the front walk up to the entrance of the school. After our Halloween parade on Oct. 31st they will get moved up to the Town Hall for trunk-or-treat!
Francestown is truly a community school. We are so grateful to all of the community members who support the experiences of the students at FES! On Monday October 28th, Francestown resident, Brad Bull, delivered enough of his home grown pumpkins so that each student at FES could carve one for Halloween. Students helped to unload the pumpkins and parents and former FES alumni hollowed them out.
Often people ask, "When did that budget item or curriculum change get presented, researched, or discussed?"
At the regular school board meeting, the full board votes on items that have been researched, discussed, compared, debated, and revised several times during the committee work. Only then are these items reported out to the Board for a Board recommendation or vote.
For someone in the audience or reading about it in the paper or on the website, it might appear that the new topic did not have much prior discussion. This is never the case. Often, the change or topic has been in committee for a long time and through many revisions.
The ConVal School Board has a series of standing committees, listed below:
From time to time, ad hoc committees may be formed to tackle a specific issue.
In our attempt to keep our communities informed, we do have all agendas and meeting minutes posted on the ConVal School Board website.
You are invited to attend any of these meetings. To find the schedule for upcoming meetings, go to ConVal School Board at schoolboard.convalsd.net and scroll to the bottom where you will find Quicklinks. Then go to School Board Calendar of Events.
Thank you for your continued support of the ConVal schools.
Often people ask, “When did that budget item or curriculum change get presented, researched, or discussed?”
At the regular school board meeting, the full board votes on items that have been researched, discussed, compared, debated, and revised several times during the committee work. Only then are these items reported out to the Board for a Board recommendation or vote.
Senior Angela Molloy proudly displays her newest works that she developed as part of her class in Digital Photography II with Mr. Levesque.
In her photographic studies, Molloy delves into the effects that various light sources have in accentuating discrete aspects of otherwise similar still life pictures. She also explores the variability of moods that can be created by the alternate use of color and black-and-white photography.
Senior Angela Molloy proudly displays her newest works that she developed as part of her class in Digital Photography II with Mr. Levesque.
In her photographic studies, Molloy delves into the effects that various light sources have in accentuating discrete aspects of otherwise similar still life pictures. She also explores the variability of moods that can be created by the alternate use of color and black-and-white photography.
The "WanderbUS" is an immersive traveling exhibit which, since its launch in March 2019, has brought German culture and technology to 48 states nationwide. On October 22, the WanderbUS visited ConVal Regional High School, its only stop in New Hampshire.
Students had the opportunity to explore feature presentations, games and virtual reality tours of German cities such as Hamburg, Nürnberg, and Frankfurt. They also received prizes and gifts of merchandise.
Under the motto "Wunderbar Together," the WanderbUS emphasizes the long-standing transatlantic friendship and close cultural connections between Germany and the United States. It is sponsored by the German Federal Foreign Office (FFO), the Goethe Institut, and the Federation of German Industry (BDI).
The “WanderbUS” is an immersive traveling exhibit which, since its launch in March 2019, has brought German culture and technology to 48 states nationwide. On October 22, the WanderbUS visited ConVal Regional High School, its only stop in New Hampshire.
Students had the opportunity to explore feature presentations, games and virtual reality tours of German cities such as Hamburg,
On Thursday, October 17th the AES 4th graders visited Fort No. 4 in Charlestown, NH. They were transported back in time to the small frontier community on New Hampshire's westernmost border. A blacksmith and a weaver demonstrated their trades to the students, and they also toured a colonial kitchen and trading post where they learned about food preparation, and also that coins would actually be cut in half by the shopkeeper when he need to give back change. The fierce wind and rain of the day helped the students appreciate the ruggedness that these people must have had to live there over 200 years ago.
On Thursday, October 17th the AES 4th graders visited Fort No. 4 in Charlestown, NH. They were transported back in time to the small frontier community on New Hampshire’s westernmost border. A blacksmith and a weaver demonstrated their trades to the students, and they also toured a colonial kitchen and trading post where they learned about food preparation,
The Harvest Supper and Open House at Dublin Consolidated School on Friday, October 18th, brought students and their families to DCS to enjoy supper together.
Each classroom contributed to this event. Kindergartners made applesauce, Grades 1 and 2 made decorations, and Grades 3 and 4 made soups and rolls.
The DCS PTO coordinated additional potluck donations. Families savored their time by eating together and engaging in conversation before going back to their classrooms.
The Harvest Supper and Open House at Dublin Consolidated School on Friday, October 18th, brought students and their families to DCS to enjoy supper together.
Each classroom contributed to this event. Kindergartners made applesauce, Grades 1 and 2 made decorations, and Grades 3 and 4 made soups and rolls.
The DCS PTO coordinated additional potluck donations.
Third Grade Teacher Jennifer Sutton along with Harris Center Naturalist Expert and Teacher, Susie Spikol have hosted a morning walking club for students at Pierce School! In a community partnership with our friends from the Harris Center, students, staff and families are welcome to join us for a brief walk in the woods to start our day in a calming way – outdoors! ‘Tis the season to smell earthy scents such as mushrooms, enjoy the sounds of a waterfall and hear the wind gently blowing falling leaves through the air – what a wonderful way to start the day! The walks have been very successful and we are even collecting data to show evidence that starting in nature helps our body and mind prepare for the learning day ahead – look for more information soon! We look forward to a few more walks before the snow flies. Come join us, the last two are on 10/25 and 11/1.
Third Grade Teacher Jennifer Sutton along with Harris Center Naturalist Expert and Teacher, Susie Spikol have hosted a morning walking club for students at Pierce School! In a community partnership with our friends from the Harris Center, students, staff and families are welcome to join us for a brief walk in the woods to start our day in a calming way – outdoors!
Pierce School started it’s after school biking club earlier this month. The biking club is run by our 4th-grade teacher, Valerie Germain, and allows 3rd and 4th-grade students to get out on the trails behind Pierce School with one of their favorite teachers and friends in the fresh fall air. The biking club is held after school on Friday’s throughout the month of October.
Pierce School started it’s after school biking club earlier this month. The biking club is run by our 4th-grade teacher, Valerie Germain, and allows 3rd and 4th-grade students to get out on the trails behind Pierce School with one of their favorite teachers and friends in the fresh fall air. The biking club is held after school on Friday’s throughout the month of October.
On a bright, crisp, autumn morning, FES students and staff walked down to the Fire Station where Kevin Holdredge and the rest of the crew at the Francestown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department took time out of their day to educate our students about how they serve and protect our community. Students had the opportunity to look at and touch equipment, see and hear about how the rescue teams help us in an emergency, and learn a little bit about why Francestown is #37. The dedication of the volunteers in this department is so important and we are thrilled to have the chance every year to visit. For more pictures head over to our Facebook site: www.facebook.com/fesnh
On a bright, crisp, autumn morning, FES students and staff walked down to the Fire Station where Kevin Holdredge and the rest of the crew at the Francestown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department took time out of their day to educate our students about how they serve and protect our community. Students had the opportunity to look at and touch equipment,
FES partners with local printing company Blueberry Hill Designs to bring you the exclusive online FES Swag Store! This year there are many cold winter additions to the store - vests, hats, and sweatpants. Check it out by clicking here.
FES partners with local printing company Blueberry Hill Designs to bring you the exclusive online FES Swag Store! This year there are many cold winter additions to the store – vests, hats, and sweatpants. Check it out by clicking here.
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => As the weather gets chilly and the leaves start to fall, students learn about tractors, trucks, and fire safety. We have had some great assemblies and even a visit from the Department of Public Works, as well as the Hancock Fire Department.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
As the weather gets chilly and the leaves start to fall, students learn about tractors, trucks, and fire safety. We have had some great assemblies and even a visit from the Department of Public Works, as well as the Hancock Fire Department.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
Students who are enrolled in Applied Technology Center (ATC) classes took a field trip to TRM Microwave in Bedford on October 17. The field trip was part of the celebration of National Manufacturing Month.
A recipient of the 2017 Dunn-Perry Award by the Department of Defense, TRM Microwave is a woman-owned small business that specializes in the custom design and manufacture of RF/Microwave components and integrated subsystem assemblies.
TRM Microwave has been serving the nation's top defense and space contractors since 1970 by providing expert engineering solutions and highly reliable, innovative products to solve complex challenges.
Students who are enrolled in Applied Technology Center (ATC) classes took a field trip to TRM Microwave in Bedford on October 17. The field trip was part of the celebration of National Manufacturing Month.
A recipient of the 2017 Dunn-Perry Award by the Department of Defense, TRM Microwave is a woman-owned small business that specializes in the custom design and manufacture of RF/Microwave components and integrated subsystem assemblies.
The ConVal School District uses Twitter as a communications platform.
Teachers at each of the eleven schools now share classroom projects, special events, and school-wide assemblies online, all in an effort to showcase the many exciting things that are happening in the district every day.
The individual tweets from the eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one regional high school are consolidated on the district Twitter account We Are ConVal.
Check out your local school and tune in to what is happening in the district today!
The ConVal School District uses Twitter as a communications platform.
Teachers at each of the eleven schools now share classroom projects, special events, and school-wide assemblies online, all in an effort to showcase the many exciting things that are happening in the district every day.
The individual tweets from the eight elementary schools,
During the one-week campaign to contribute to the New Hampshire Tackles Hunger campaign, ConVal High School and other district schools set a new benchmark for community support.
2,830 lbs of food were collected by the school and delivered to the Peterborough Food Pantry.
1,615 lbs of food collected at the Shaw's food drive on Saturday of Homecoming Weekend.
216 lbs additional from the High School were collected after the initial deadline.
$982 were contributed in cash donations and Shaw's gift cards at school.
$785 were collected at the Shaw's food drive.
The total amounted to 4,661 pounds of food and $1,766 in cash & gift cards.
A big "Thank you" to everyone who made this year's New Hampshire Tackles Hunger campaign a success!
During the one-week campaign to contribute to the New Hampshire Tackles Hunger campaign, ConVal High School and other district schools set a new benchmark for community support.
2,830 lbs of food were collected by the school and delivered to the Peterborough Food Pantry.
1,615 lbs of food collected at the Shaw’s food drive on Saturday of Homecoming Weekend.
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => Happy October! Students are learning a ton about Letterland characters, number bonds, sound waves, and seed spreaders.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
The BrightBytes survey portal is now open for parents and we invite you to participate!
The BrightBytes survey asks questions that will deepen our understanding of how technology can benefit teaching and learning. At the schools with 1:1 Chromebooks, we use this information to inform our progress in establishing a blended learning environment at ConVal Regional High School.
To participate in this survey, please follow these steps:
Below “Which school is this for?”, put your cursor in the “Type to search schools” box, then select "ConVal Regional High School" from the dropdown menu.
Click “Start Questionnaire” to begin the survey.
Thank you so much for your participation. Your answers will help us improve the technology environments that provide meaningful learning experiences for your students.
The BrightBytes survey portal is now open for parents and we invite you to participate!
The BrightBytes survey asks questions that will deepen our understanding of how technology can benefit teaching and learning. At the schools with 1:1 Chromebooks, we use this information to inform our progress in establishing a blended learning environment at ConVal Regional High School.
Our 2nd graders partner with our preschoolers to read aloud with them a few times a month. 2nd graders get to practice reading fluency and preschoolers enjoy being read to!
Our 2nd graders partner with our preschoolers to read aloud with them a few times a month. 2nd graders get to practice reading fluency and preschoolers enjoy being read to!
There are only two days left in the New Hampshire Tackles Hunger campaign!
Last year, ConVal High School was first among all New Hampshire schools in its effort to support local food banks, and we hope to repeat our success this year.
All TASC homerooms are currently competing how many items they can supply to the statewide campaign. As an incentive, the homeroom with the most items collected by Friday, October 4, will win free tickets to the Homecoming Dance and football game.
As of today, Mrs. Johnson's homeroom is in a narrow lead ahead of Mr. Wickham's and Mrs. Harris' TASC homerooms. Mr. Ewing's, Mr. Harris', and Ms. G's homerooms are narrowing the gap and catching up to the leaders.
If you are willing to donate, please consider the following items:
Peanut butter
Jelly
Tuna
Soups
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Canned fruits and vegetables
All food items must be non-perishable; please do not send in items in glass jars.
Cash donations are also accepted. Please make your check out to "New Hampshire Tackles Hunger."
Thank you so much for your contributions. Your donations will go a long way to make the upcoming months and holidays brighter for area families.
There are only two days left in the New Hampshire Tackles Hunger campaign!
Last year, ConVal High School was first among all New Hampshire schools in its effort to support local food banks, and we hope to repeat our success this year.
All TASC homerooms are currently competing how many items they can supply to the statewide campaign.
Mr. Hammett was able to get Mr. Garry Kalajain a talented blacksmith to give the 7th and 8th Grade South Meadow School students a demonstration on how to create objects from wrought iron/steel.
Students were even able to try their hand at this craft!
Mr. Hammett was able to get Mr. Garry Kalajain a talented blacksmith to give the 7th and 8th Grade South Meadow School students a demonstration on how to create objects from wrought iron/steel.
Students were even able to try their hand at this craft!
Many classrooms at PES offer flexible seating for its students. Flexible seating allows for student choice, collaborative learning, comfort options for a variety of learning styles and needs, and it helps students focus on the task at hand.
Many classrooms at PES offer flexible seating for its students. Flexible seating allows for student choice, collaborative learning, comfort options for a variety of learning styles and needs, and it helps students focus on the task at hand.
This week is the Conval District’s NH Tackles Hunger Food Drive. All donations will be kept in the Peterborough area / SMS Food bank. We have a collection box outside of the office at SMS for any non-perishable (no glass) items such peanut butter, tuna fish, soup, etc. Every can helps!!!!
Community Service Opportunity
There are community service opportunities available Saturday October 5th at Shaw's for a food drive or at the Pantry helping sort food.
This week is the Conval District’s NH Tackles Hunger Food Drive. All donations will be kept in the Peterborough area / SMS Food bank. We have a collection box outside of the office at SMS for any non-perishable (no glass) items such peanut butter, tuna fish, soup, etc. Every can helps!!!!
Community Service Opportunity
There are community service opportunities available Saturday October 5th at Shaw’s for a food drive or at the Pantry helping sort food.
The ConVal Band performed at the Eastern States Exposition on Friday, September 27th during Harvest Day. They entertained crowds on the Storrowton Green and along the parade route.
The drumline performed a number of cadences and the band played music hi-liting decades of Americana Music. Songs included were, "Boogie Down," "Build Me Up Buttercup," "Zoot Suit Riot," "My House," and "Vehicle."
The Band received a particularly rousing applause for their performance of "Big Noise from Winnetka" when their routine included brass players ducking from their neighbors' instruments purposely being swung over their heads. There were also a number of wailing brass and percussion solos.
The Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts, also known as the “Big E”, is a unique kind of state fair. Rather than serving just one state, the Big E serves Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The ConVal Band performed at the Eastern States Exposition on Friday, September 27th during Harvest Day. They entertained crowds on the Storrowton Green and along the parade route.
The drumline performed a number of cadences and the band played music hi-liting decades of Americana Music. Songs included were, “Boogie Down,” “Build Me Up Buttercup,”
Students and staff practiced patience while posed as plants in hopes of a butterfly landing on us at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservancy. The students impressed the Tour Guide with their knowledge of butterflies.
Students and staff practiced patience while posed as plants in hopes of a butterfly landing on us at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservancy. The students impressed the Tour Guide with their knowledge of butterflies.
This year, to help support the social emotional needs of our multi age classrooms, Jen Swasey, our school counselor, is integrating many of her lessons right into the academic day. This allows students to develop their social emotional skills right alongside their academic ones. Jen is currently working with Team Squirrel on how to take turns while playing a game with peers. This skill is used throughout the day when students are in literacy and math centers. Developing a sense of kindness and fairness in game play allows students to focus on building academic skills while playing a game independently with peers.
This year, to help support the social emotional needs of our multi age classrooms, Jen Swasey, our school counselor, is integrating many of her lessons right into the academic day. This allows students to develop their social emotional skills right alongside their academic ones. Jen is currently working with Team Squirrel on how to take turns while playing a game with peers.
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => Open House was a wonderful success. It was so nice to meet parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters!!
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
Open House was a wonderful success. It was so nice to meet parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters!!
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about other events at HES.
Open House
Volunteer of the month!
PTO meeting schedule
Read More: ConVal Kindergarten Registration and Screening
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[post_content] => HES staff and students are off to a wonderful start.
Check out the latest newsletter to read more about our first day assembly and much more.
ConVal Regional High School Principal Michelle Voto announced today that senior Liam McCall has been named a Commended Student in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2020 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards,
Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
McCall is the son of Eric and Christine McCall of Peterborough.
ConVal Regional High School Principal Michelle Voto announced today that senior Liam McCall has been named a Commended Student in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2020 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards,
ConVal senior and New Hampshire’s Youth Poet Laureate, Rachel Sturges, recently read from her poems at the Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough. The event was sponsored by the Peterborough Poetry Project.
Alice Fogel, the New Hampshire Poet Laureate, introduced Rachel and the other speakers saying the idea for a NH Youth Poet Laureate position came to her at the suggestion of a New Hampshire teacher. In her role as poetry advocate, she decided to initiate the position through the NH State Council on the Arts as a way of bringing poetry to more people. Rachel explained that in her role she is focused on using social media to attract young people to poetry events around the state.
Ms. Fogel described the three young poets reading as “Not trying to draw attention to themselves but to poetry” by expressing “eloquent complications” of life and drawing on the support of teachers and other writers. In introducing Rachel, Ms. Fogel described her poetry as “looking outward from herself at the world and understanding the complexities [through her] unique and creative” poems.
The NHYPL is an honorary one-year unpaid position held by NH high school students with a dedication to excellence in writing, and who have the enthusiasm to heighten the visibility and value of poetry by and for young people in New Hampshire.
The Peterborough Poetry Project is currently hosting a contest with the theme of New Hampshire (past, present, future, or fantasy). Deadline: September 30th. Details for the contest are at: peterboroughpoetryproject.org/contests.
In attendance at the reading were ConVal teachers Ben Putnam, Jason Lambert, Eric Bowman, and ConVal Librarian Rachael Bowman.
ConVal senior and New Hampshire’s Youth Poet Laureate, Rachel Sturges, recently read from her poems at the Toadstool Bookshop in Peterborough. The event was sponsored by the Peterborough Poetry Project.
Alice Fogel, the New Hampshire Poet Laureate, introduced Rachel and the other speakers saying the idea for a NH Youth Poet Laureate position came to her at the suggestion of a New Hampshire teacher.
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