BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Good Afternoon,

While I am still a bit tired from a whirlwind tour of NYC, I am mostly just filled with gratitude and pride. The students, class advisors, staff chaperones, and eighth grade parents contributed to a truly magical 8th grade class trip. The class advisors thought of every detail and, together with Jordy Green, made sure everything ran like clockwork. There was one narrow miss and mad dash to a boat but what would a New York experience be without that?! By the last day, we had (mostly) mastered the ticket swiping in the subways, navigated city sidewalks and street crossings with ease, and learned to use chopsticks! Together the parents and this community have raised an incredibly kind, responsible, and respectful group of young adults who care about and look out for one another. Each and every one of them has grown tremendously in the few years I've known them. They are ready for high school. Please enjoy the pictures of our trip throughout this newsletter.

With testing wrapped up and grades officially closing, we are ready for the last week which will include the following end-of-year traditions and festivities:

Tuesday, June 11

• 11:30 to 2 pm - 8th Grade Step Up Day - LHS.
• 1 pm - 1st to 4th Grade Spelling Bee - Gymnasium
• 5:30 pm - School Board Meeting - Music Room (See Principal Report Below)
• 6:30 pm - PES Co-curricular Awards Banquet - Gymnasium

Thursday, June 13 - Step Up Day!

• 8:30 to 9:30 Kinder Graduation
• 10:30 to 11:15 am - All grades invited to spend a few moments “strolling through” the exhibits and congratulating our 8th Graders
• 11:30 to 12:30 - 8th Grade Celebration of Learning
• 6 to 8 Dance - 7:00 to 9:30 pm

Friday, June 14 - Last Day - EARLY RELEASE AT 12:50

• Field Day
• Graduation practice
• 6 to 7:30 pm - Graduation

As we approach summer, I encourage all caregivers to consider ways to keep learning alive over the summer. Whether your child attends our Summer Skills Camp (see below), joins a summer reading program through our local libraries, or any number of other ways to engage our brains, it requires some planning and intention to make sure students maintain the growth they've worked so hard to achieve this year. Studies show that learning often happens at pretty much the same pace for all students during the school year. However, gaps between students can grow over the summer as some students engage in learning activities and experiences while others might not. To learn more, check out this article about summer learning loss: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/tips-for-preventing-summer-slide. And don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or to me directly for ideas to support summer learning in July and August. It can actually be really fun! :)

I will be heading out to attend my niece's wedding in Rhode Island right after graduation next week. I plan to send a final AY24 "wrap-up" newsletter early the following week (but not Sunday.) In the meantime, let's make this a great last week of school!

Audra

Audra Bucklin, Principal

603.469.3250, ext 223

abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

The PTA had a productive and well-attended meeting on Sunday 5/19. Some highlights:

• There is recognition by both teachers and parents of the value the association provides to the school community and strong interest in its continuation.
• Tentative interest was expressed in officer positions for the next academic year. It’s not too late to express interest if you missed last weekend’s meeting but want to get involved. See specific descriptions in our flyer.
• There is interest in implementing a new volunteer position starting this next academic year: a “classroom parent" for each homeroom would work to
• facilitate communication between a given teacher and parents of kids in that classroom
• assist with certain organizational tasks to make life a bit easier for teachers (i.e. being a point-person for classroom donations, etc.) and
• serve as an occasional liaison to the PTA. More details to come.

As parents, you are all "members" of the Parent Teacher Association. Thank you for the many ways you've supported the PTA Board and the PES community by supplying snacks, decorating the school for Staff Appreciation week, attending fundraisers, volunteering for a variety of school events, and simply being involved in our school and wider community.

Please click on the QR code to complete an important survey letting the PTA Board know how you might like to be involved in the coming year.

JUNE

11- 8th grade to LHS step up day-11:30-2:00

11 - School Board Meeting - 5:30 pm

11 - Co-curricular Awards Night - 6:30 pm

13- Step Up Day

13 - 8th Grade Celebration of Learning Lunch (8th Grade Families please RSVP)

13 - Spring Fling - 7 pm to 9:30 pm (6th to 8th Grades)

14- Last Day of School- early dismissal at 12:50

14- 8th grade graduation, 6pm at Plainfield Elementary School

LOOKING AHEAD

Wednesday, August 28 - First day of 2024-25 School Year (8 am PTA Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast)

January 17, 24, 31 and February 7 - FAST program on Fridays

See the 24/25 AY Calendar on the website for key dates.

For the most up-to-date information, please be sure to see the Events Section of the website which includes athletic/co-curricular practices and games. If you download the website app on your phone (bottom right corner of the website for instructions), you can update the settings to it will alert you when events or news items are added.

FAST will be a four week offering next year as follows:

• January 17
• January 24
• January 31
• February 7

Students will commit to four weeks of winter fun during the last block of the day. Choose between the following:

• Downhill Skiing - Whaleback
• Arrive at the mountain by 2:15 pm; Pickup by 5:15 pm.
• 90 minute lessons for those who want/need it - 3 to 4:30 pm

• Snowshoeing/Winter Hiking
• Cross Country Skiing
• Snow Sculptures
• Ice Skating* (dependent on availability of ice) - Location TBD

If Whaleback is closed, there is no FAST. Otherwise, we are committed to cultivating healthy winter fun on four Fridays next winter. If you would like to join us as a volunteer, please plan accordingly. Anyone who is new to volunteering or who did not volunteer at all during the current school year will need to submit a new background check, including fingerprints. Please see Katie or Amanda in the office for the forms. The prints take at least a month to come back.

HOT LUNCHES (All are served with a veggie and milk)

MONDAY- Meatball subs (beef and chicken meatballs) and maple baked beans with hand cut french fries.

TUESDAY- Cheese quesadilla with garden salsa and cabot sour cream with confetti corn salsa

WEDNESDAY- Hot ham and cheese Pinwheels with seasoned green beans.

THURSDAY- Dress your own burger on a bun lettuce and tomato. Dress your own hot dog with garden pasta salad. Fresh slices of watermelon, and a summertime dessert.

FRIDAY- Bagged lunch

"COLD" Options: (offered daily)

Assorted Pre-made Deli Sandwiches

Yogurt Parfait with Fruit and Granola

Fresh Fruit and Veggie Bar with Dinner Roll

See Abbey Group Website for full details and to upload funds.

KINDER REGISTRATION

Kinder registration is open and we have an Open House for (parents only) on Tuesday, May 7th at 5:30 pm. Screenings will be held on May 29th- 8:30-12:00, and Thursday May 30th 8:30-2:30.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

The Plainfield School is seeking individuals who would be comfortable working with K-8th grade students in our building during the 2023-2024 school year. Applicants must be able to follow teacher substitute plans, be dependable, and enjoy working with children. If you are interested in applying, please contact Katie Lowery in the office at (603) 469-3250.

LOST & FOUND

Please remind your child(ren) to check Lost & Found and to start cleaning out their lockers and desks. Teachers will be helping with this throughout the next 2 weeks. Please don’t forget you can view our Lost and Found closet online. The lost and found website is updated weekly.

ALL LOST AND FOUND ITEMS NOT TAKEN AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, FRIDAY JUNE 14TH, WILL BE OUT ON DISPLAY IN THE FRONT LOBBY UNTIL FRIDAY JUNE 21ST. AFTER THAT, IT WILL BE TAKEN TO THE LISTEN COMMUNITY CENTER FOR DONATION. PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT TAKE A LOOK AND PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO POP IN AND TAKE A LOOK AS WELL.

Amanda & Katie

603.469.3250

office@plainfieldschool.org

June is Pride Month

For the 2023-2024 school year, PES staff have engaged in a collaborative approach to sharing professional learning opportunities with Grantham Village School and Cornish Elementary School. These opportunities included two full days in October and one full day in March. During these shared opportunities, educators were provided time to share curriculum, instruction, and assessment approaches and resources with teachers at similar grade levels and across shared content areas. In addition, educators were given choices related to a variety of topics, such as Science of Reading, LETRS online training, mathematics instruction, exploration of software applications and resources, assessment training, lesson activities related to the Total Solar Eclipse, strategies to support social emotional learning, and trauma-informed instruction. For a full overview of professional learning opportunities, please visit these links: October PD Activities and March PD Activities. This was a good first year in building collegiality and collaboration among the three school districts.

Below are some pictures from October PD days, which involved close to 130 total staff across the three districts. These sessions occurred in the gym of Grantham Village School.

In addition to the shared professional learning days, PES staff also focused on school-based activities that included connections to:

• Curriculum design and articulation - staff are learning different stages of producing a public version of curriculum in all areas for all grade levels. This training includes the use of Atlas curriculum mapping platform.

• Annual safety trainings, which include review of topics such as mandatory reporting, protecting privacy, code of conduct and ethics, suicide prevention, youth mental health, and other state required topics.

• NWEA and STAR Assessment implementation training, which includes administration of tests and analysis of data reports.

• Expanded use of Branching Minds to support intervention plans and progress monitoring as part of the multi-tiered system of supports.

• Middle school focus on restorative justice practices when working with students.

See flier below for more info.

Any Plainfield or Meriden resident requiring assistance for housing, heating fuel assistance, electricity assistance, medication assistance and or nutritional support from the Town should contact the Community Resource Director, Stephanie Schell. Contact information: 603-469-3201 or email sschell@plainfieldschool.org. All information is confidential.

Food Pantry

Residents of the Town of Plainfield can access the following local services.
Note: The food pantry and clothing swap rooms are located in the Christ Community Church on Route 12A (across from the Plainfield Fire Department). The Food Pantry is open the 1st Thursday and the 3rd Friday and Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and warmly welcomes all Town residents.

Free Clothing Rooms

The Christ Community Church has (2) very well-organized rooms that contain FREE clothing for adults and children. All clothing is donated and in great condition. In addition to clothing there are also Free household items, toys & books as well. These rooms are open to the Public each Tuesday morning from 9-11 a.m.

Free Fresh Veggies & Fruit

Free fresh produce provided by Willing Hands: please check the Town calendar for dates and times.

Lebanon Recreation has several summer camps and activities offered. Please visit the website below for the most updated information and registration info.

Check out the latest Spring/Summer 2024 Program Guide by Leb. Rec. Please be patient as we work to get EVERYTHING featured in the program guide online and ready for registration.

The Center for Cartoon Studies offers summer workshops for kids: https://www.cartoonstudies.org/workshops/summer-cartoon-club-2/