BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Students in 3/4 are learning about the Revolutionary War in Social Studies.

Hello,

I recently read the outgoing U.S. Surgeon General's "Parting Prescription for America" published in early January. Dr. Vivek Murthy calls for us to strengthen community as the critical path to health, happiness, and fulfillment.

I feel so lucky to be part of a community that understands this. His words affirmed everything I believe and have found in this community. Still, it's not always easy. In fact, some days it's downright hard! As we approach one of our more formal and purpose-driven gatherings as a community (Town and District Meeting Day), I wanted to share the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' summary of Dr. Vivek Murthy's thoughts:

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy writes, “As I finish my tenure as Surgeon General, this is my parting prescription, my final wish for all of us: choose community.”

Dr. Murthy makes the case that relationships, service and purpose create an ecosystem of meaning and belonging that are essential for fulfillment. These three elements form the triad of fulfillment. By contrast, modern culture has become increasingly centered on the triad of success defined by fame, money, power. We need a cultural shift that moves us toward the triad of fulfillment.

In his Prescription, the Surgeon General details each element and how they impact our health:

• Relationships are the connections we build with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others we encounter. Healthy relationships where we feel seen and where we can be ourselves can be a powerful source of joy and support and can be buffers to stress.
  • When we lack meaningful relationships, we can experience loneliness. Currently, a third of adults and around half of young people experience loneliness. Being socially disconnected increases our risk of heart disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, and premature death.
• Service comprises the actions we take that benefit others. Even though service is defined as benefiting others, filling one’s life with service can have profound benefits to the person rendering the service.
  • Studies show that sustained service efforts can reduce the risk of hypertension, stroke, early death, depression, cognitive decline, and can make us feel more connected to others.
• Purpose is the feeling of having an overarching life aim that guides and prioritizes our decisions and actions. It’s not “what” we do. It’s “why” we do it.
  • Purpose can be good for our physical and mental health. A high sense of individual purpose may reduce the risk of early death as well as stroke, lung disease, and dementia for some. Research also shows that people with a strong sense of purpose may experience lower levels of depression and anxiety and greater resilience in the face of stress.

As he closes out his tenure as Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy is urging Americans to recenter their lives around relationships, service, and purpose – the triad of fulfillment and the core pillars of community. He calls for a shift in culture, policy, and programs that will strengthen community as the critical path to health, happiness, and fulfillment.

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Here are a few important reminders for the PES community this week. Full details can be found throughout the newsletter:

• NWEA Testing Continues this week. Most students completed the ELA test and will be moving onto Math.
• Girls & Women in Sports Day at KUA is this Wednesday, February 5th. If your student is signed up to attend, please be sure to look for information about dismissal to KUA below.
• LEGO Expo for grades 3, 4 and 5 will be held during school on Friday, February 7
• FAST: This Friday is the last week of FAST. Please pay close attention to the updates in the FAST section below. Skating is starting a little bit earlier due to an afternoon game at the Flickinger rink.
• Valentine's Dance sponsored by the Class of 2025 for students in grades 6 to 8 is this Friday from 7 to 9 pm
• Make sure to check out the Spirit Week themes for next week - February 10 to 14!

See you soon!

Audra

Audra Bucklin, Principal

603.469.3250, ext 223

abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

February

"COLD" Options: (offered daily)

Assorted Pre-made Deli Sandwiches, ham and turkey. Sunbutter/Jelly 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.

The "Orange" group lines up in preparation for their lesson with chaperones Erin Mellow and Steph Berman.

It turns out KUA's Hockey Team needs the ice a little early this week so we have decided to make some slight adjustments to our FAST Dismissal so we can make the most of our last day of the program this Friday, February 7:

• 12:50 - Skaters dismissed to KUA - Skate from 1 to 2 pm and then return (by 2:20 pm) for a snack and dismissal.
• 1 pm - Skiers dismissed to Whaleback - Arrive at the mountain by 1:20 (20 minutes earlier than usual.) They will enjoy a little bit more slope time this week. Lessons still start at 3 pm; Pick up between 4:30 and 5 as usual.
• 1:10 pm - Snowshoeing and Snow Sculpture released to their outdoor activities. They will return by 2:20 pm for snack and dismissal with the skaters.

Please be sure your student has all necessary equipment for FAST starting next Friday! All equipment will need to be packed in a bag that your student can carry. Here’s what you need by activity:

• Skating - helmet (ski/hockey or bike) and skates

• Whaleback - skis/boots, helmet, goggles, ski pants, jacket, gloves or mittens, etc OR signed up for rentals

• If you have your own skis and boots, you should bring them to school clearly labeled with your last name and grade (both skis, both poles).

• Ms. Lizotte’s truck will be outside in the morning (over by the gym) so you can put them right in the back when you get dropped off.

• NO skis or poles allowed on the buses. Skis/boards need to be dropped off at PES no later than noon the day of skiing.

• Boots, helmet and goggles should be packed in a bag and brought to the classroom.

• Snowshoeing/Winter Hiking - snowshoes (we have some here too), snow pants, jacket, hat, mittens, etc You may also choose to cross country ski and should bring your own skis and poles.

• If you are bringing your own equipment, you will need to drop it to the right of the gym upon arrival. Again, this large equipment is NOT allowed on the bus so a parent will need to drop it off before noon if you ride the bus.

• Snow Sculptures - snow pants, boots, jacket, hat, mittens, etc

• Depending on temperatures, you may want to consider the little hot packs hand and foot warmers for outside activities.

IMPORANT CANCELLATION INFO:

• If activities are cancelled for ANY reason, there is NO make up day.
• If school is cancelled, all activities are cancelled. Students signed up for skiing at Whaleback MAY opt to attend their lessons if families feel they can safely get them to their afternoon lesson/free ski.
• If Whaleback is closed due to lack of snow, extremely low temperatures, OR rain/ice conditions, all activities will be cancelled, and students will attend regular classes
• If Whaleback is open but there is little or snow on the ground here at PES, the snowshoeing and snow sculpture groups will participate in alternative outdoor activities. Skating and Skiing will take place as scheduled.

Please see below for specific reminders and updates by activity.

If your student is signed up for skiing at Whaleback during our FAST Fridays, please see these important notes below:

• Be sure to select the appropriate dismissal procedure in Pick UP Patrol
• You may reload your child's ski pass with money for snacks if you would like.
• Speaking of their ski pass, I held on to passes for most students in grades K to 4 (unless it was a season pass they will use with their family.) Upper grades students kept theirs. If your child has their card, please be sure it comes back next Friday. It will save us time distributing cards so groups can get organized and out on the slopes more quickly. Also, Whaleback charges $5 per card to replace lost cards.
• Lessons end at 4:30 which is a great time to meet your child on the back deck to help them gather their things. Thank you all for making sure to get there by 5 pm. This was the first year I had every student matched with a caregiver on time!
• CHAPERONES - Please plan to arrive closer to 1:10 if you are able. Also, if there is a parent or two that can help with sign-out, please contact Audra Bucklin at abucklin@plainfieldschool.org.

Thank you!

REMINDER: Due to the overwhelming popularity of the skating option, students enrolled in skating will attend skating at the rink two of the days and will participate in snow activities the other two days as follows:

Skaters in grades 5 to 8

• Skating on Friday, January 17 and Friday, January 24
• Snow activities on Friday, January 31 and Friday, February 7

Skaters in grades K to 4

• Snow activities on Friday, January 17 and Friday, January 24
• Skating on Friday, January 31 and Friday, February 7

Please make sure your child comes dressed appropriately for their assigned activity. They should have boots, a helmet (hockey, skiing, or bike helmets are all acceptable) snowpants, coats, hats and gloves/mittens for the outdoor snow days.

We have lots of snowshoes to share and students are also welcome to bring their own (or cross country skis if they would like to do that instead!)

Depending on size needs on any given day, students may have to take turns and we will have other activities they can participate in while they await their turn.

Please make sure your child comes dressed appropriately for their assigned activity. They should have boots, snowpants, coats, hats and gloves/mittens for the outdoor snow days.

Wed. 2/12 Colonial Potluck Meal with all of 3/4 classes. Food and parent volunteers will be arriving that day around 11:30 to set up. The luncheon is from 12- 12:30. It will not impact School Lunch b/c students can decide to order from there as usual.

Right now 100th Day is on Tuesday 2/11...stay tuned for more info!

Students in Grades K to 5 to participate in the following Spirit Days.

Students in Grades 6 to 8 to participate as follows (only Tuesday is different!)

Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that can spread easily in schools.

Wash hands: Wash hands with soap and warm water often. Hand sanitizer does not kill the norovirus!

• Restrict sharing: Limit sharing of food, utensils, and cups.

• Clean frequently touched surfaces: Use an approved disinfectant on surfaces like door handles, tables, and counters.

• Students and staff should stay home for 48 hours after symptoms have subsided.

In health,

Beth

Thank you to all who attended our January PTA meeting!

Winter Carnival, Sunday, February 9th, 12pm-2pm. Come have fun in the snow with our school community! Crockpot cook-off! Sled races! Snowbowl flag football! Sign up here:

• Crock Pot Cook-Off Signup: www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F45A4AA29A3F58-54359071-winter [signupgenius.com]
• Donations/Volunteer Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F45A4AA29A3F58-54421166-winter [signupgenius.com]

Scholastic Book Fair, March 18-20th (one of our main fundraisers for the year). Mark your calendar if you are interested in volunteering at this popular event. Signups to follow. Such a fun way to interact with kids from all grades.

Beaupre Community Service Day on April 22nd. Mark your calendars! This will be a day of community service projects at PES and is an incredible opportunity for caregivers to take some time off work if you are able and volunteer side-by-side with our kids.

Movie nights for grades K-2 and 3-5, dates TBD

The LEGO League robotics team will present their efforts to the 4th and 5th grade classes on Friday, February 7th. While the team did not compete this year, they worked hard to design a robot and complete a few of the available missions. They will showcase their work and discuss their robot to the 4th and 5th grade classes, hoping to inspire the up-and-coming classes to participate in our LEGO robotics program.

1st Thursday & 3rd Friday & Saturday of each month at the Christ Community Church; Route 12A Plainfield. Nutritious pre-packaged bags of nonperishable food items, frozen meat, bread, eggs, milk and fresh veggies & fruit. This is a drive thru pantry for Plainfield & Cornish residents. Free Cat & Dog food on the 3rd Friday & Saturday provided by the Upper Valley Humane Society. Please stop by between 9-10:30 a.m. to help stretch your grocery budget.

WHAT: FREE Clothing for all ages, Home goods, Toys etc.

WHERE: Christ Community Church; 1259 Route 12A Plainfield - 1-603-675-5673

WHEN: Tuesdays 9-11 a.m. Everyone is Welcome!

A box of nutritious food is delivered to your home each Wednesday afternoon to help fight hunger. The box contains a variety of foods for the entire family to help stretch your grocery budget.

FREE Fresh veggies, fruit, milk, eggs, bread & proteins Every Wednesday from 11:45-12:15 p.m. Cornish Town Hall is located on the fairgrounds. Everyone is welcome!

Providing Heating Fuel & Electrical Assistance. They also have Rental or Mortgage Assistance programs. Completed applications for eligibility are needed. These programs are open to all Sullivan County Residents please call 542-9528 for more information.

Providing Plainfield Residents with the following:

• Heating & Electrical Assistance
• Food Pantry resources
• Holiday Gift Baskets
• School Supplies Drive
• Community Dinners
• Housing Helper Grants
• Summer Camp Scholarships
• Thrift Store Vouchers for clothing & furniture.

Located at 60 Hanover Street, Lebanon

Call for an appointment to discuss individual needs: 1-603-448-4553

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.

Email ewessling_34@yahoo.com to be added to the email list for updates on conditions/open and close notifications

Shovels, bonfire pit, and wood are available. BYO ice skates. Partial lights overhead. THANK YOU to our local volunteer firefighters for filling our rink each year, and to the Tabers for hosting the rink at their park.

February 19 & 20

February 17th to 21st

New England School of the Arts will be offering February and April camps focused around LEGOs and Robotics. Camp will run 8am-4pm and programming will vary depending on elementary or middle school cohort (elementary will be more LEGO focused and middle school Robotics focused). NESA's summer camp registration is also open and each summer camp has a different theme. We can't wait to meet your camper in 2025! https://www.nesarts.org/about-springcamp https://www.nesarts.org/about-summercamp