BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Good Afternoon,

Getting this out a bit early to remind everyone to head over to the PTA sponsored Trunk or Treat today from 1 to 3 pm. Local fire and police and highway crews will be there along with several decorated cars. You may park in the main parking lot and then walk over to the Trunk or Treat festivities in front of the school.

Thank you so much for coming out for Parent Teacher conferences last week. We know it makes for some childcare maneuvering on your end and we really appreciate the time to partner with you on behalf of your child(ren). Our counselor substitute John Lacrosse, who comes from a school that dropped parent teacher conferences awhile back, shared the following, "I was pretty impressed with the level of preparation and reminded of the value of these meetings."

This year we ran our Fall Fun Day on one of the Parent Teacher Conference early release days. We included some new stations including tie dye and haunted house dodgeball. A huge thank you to Jen Lizotte and Phoebe Buckman for spearheading the event. And an even bigger shout out to all the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who prepped and ran their stations with such care and creativity! You will find pictures of Fall Fun Day along with a very successful inaugural Unity Day throughout the newsletter. I hope you had a chance to read some of the leaves on the tree (wall by the library.) They are full of the ways our students are committed to reducing bullying behavior in our school, community, and world.

The newsletter has many important updates this week including a new lunch menu, official registration info for basketball, Blackhawks Spirit Store (purchase now to receive your order in time for the holidays), Spirit Week themes for the upcoming week, and results from last week's math meet. Be sure to read thoroughly for the most up-to-date information.

Finally, we would greatly appreciate you helping to spread the word about the following:

• Spirit Week is this week with the following "themes":
• Monday - Team Jersey Day
• Tuesday - Twin (or Triplet, Quadruplet, Quintuplet, etc.) Day
• Wednesday, 10/30 - Halloween Color (Black & Orange) Day
• Thursday, 10/31 - Costume Day (no make-up, no weapons, dress code rules still apply. Students in K to 4 should come dressed in street clothes and bring costumes in a bag. Their teachers will let them know when it is appropriate to put it on.)
• Friday, 11/1 - Pajama Day

• The Community Luncheon where Plainfield students and staff work together to host area senior citizens for lunch, is scheduled for Thursday, November 21st. Our 3rd and 4th graders are making apple crisp for the occasion. We are looking for four (4) apple peelers that will help make the peeling safer and more efficient (See Link)
• The 8th Grade Class is selling wreaths (see flyer below.) This is their last big fundraiser before their class trip. Please consider supporting them by purchasing a wreath. They come plain, with a bow or decorated. Mine lasted until at least April last year!
• The Boys & Girls Club After School Program is seeking a Site Director. Maura is moving out of the area. We thank her for all that she has done to get the program back up and running. Please see the attached ad and share with anyone who might be interested.
• We are still looking for an Athletic Director for the remainder of the year. The Athletic Director will work closely with Seasonal Athletic Assistant Directors (Amanda Jewell for Basketball and Betsy Underhill for Track.) If interested, please contact me directly.
• There is a mandatory 5th through 8th basketball player meeting on Wednesday, November 6th from 6:45 to 7:30 pm in the gym.

As always, if you have any questions about anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me, Amanda or Katie here in the office!

Audra

Audra Bucklin, Principal

603.469.3250, ext 223

abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

These will make great holiday gifts. Ordering is open until November 15th.

Posting the October & November schedules as we look ahead to next month.

"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 Plainfield School District - SAU 32 is forming a Task Force to study the feasibility of adding a preschool program at Plainfield Elementary School. The goal of this task force is to deliver a report to the School Board that includes:

• Benefits and Drawbacks of Preschool Programming

• Ages of Students Served

• Considerations for IEP and 504 Students

• Proposed Class Size and Schedule

• Staffing Needs

• Space Needs (including outdoor play space)

• Equipment and Supplies (both startup and ongoing)

• Curriculum

• Connection and Transition to Kindergarten Programming

• Costs

• Any Legal Requirements under NH and/or Federal Law

This task force will meet once or twice a month through for the next 6 months and will include a limited number of school staff, parents, and community members. If you are interested in joining this task force or have any questions about it, please email Amy Dressler, Director of Student Services: adressler@plainfieldschool.org

Middle School Elective EAs are up and running. Our second session runs from October 23 through November 20th. Students recently completed a survey to share their ideas for future electives and baking/cake decorating had considerable interest.

We thought this could make a great mini-session offering in December.

If you are interested and available to share your baking knowledge with our 6th through 8th graders, please reach out directly to Audra Bucklin, abucklin@plainfieldschool.org. These classes take place on Wednesday afternoons from 1:40 to 2:45. If needed, we could offer an additional 30 minutes for this activity on the following dates:

December 4

December 11

December 18

It could be fun to bake with the students and then donate their products to local senior citizens in town. If it goes well, we would love to connect with King Arthur's "Bake for Good" program for a spring offering (https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/bakeforgood.)

Best,

Audra

Please support the 8th grade class by purchasing a wreath! Please scan the QR code to enter your information and what you would like to purchase!

**Reminder- students can NOT bring a guest to the dance unless it’s approved by Mrs. Bucklin. There is a form in the office to fill out. All forms must be turned in by Friday October 25th if students would like a guest to attend**

Dear K-2 Families!

We are happy to announce a Halloween parade will occur this year to celebrate the holiday! This parade will include all classes from kindergarten to second grade. We will parade outside around the school in the afternoon on Thursday, October 31st. We would love for families to come watch the parade! Families are welcome to enjoy some cider and donuts after the parade near the playground with the k-2 classes. Because this parade is at the end of the day, please send your child with a separate bag holding their costumes so they can change later on. While masks are a fun part of costumes we ask they stay home. Students will NOT be allowed to wear masks or face paint. Weapons that are part of costumes will also NOT be allowed at school. If it rains, we will have the parade inside and walk through the school. Let's hope for nice weather!!! Thank you in advance for supporting this fun event; we hope to see you there!

Here are some details you will need to know:

Date: Thursday, October 31st

Time: 2:00 - Join us for cider and donuts after near the playground (if you chose to take your child home be sure to update pick up patrol if it differs from the original plan)

Costumes: Send your student with costumes in a separate bag to change into later on in the day. NO masks, face paint or weapons!

Guests: Parents and families are welcome to watch in the parking lot area

Rain: We will have the parade indoors

We hope you are as excited as us for the K-2 Halloween parade!!

Sincerely,

K-2 Team

Volunteers needed! We want to plan a K-4 movie night in November/December.

Thank you,

Ella

PTA SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER - Attached Below

The Plainfield Blackhawks Math Team who handily won their first meet yesterday in Windsor. All three of the top scorers at the meet were from Plainfield! Kaleigh Ferri & Madison Surrette tied for first place with 25 points each. Jack Klocek was a very close second place with 23 points. Great job everyone!

Location: PES Gymnasium

Menu:

• Delicious chicken pot pie, and dinner rolls provided by the Abbey Group.
• Salad makings provided by Poor Thom’s Tavern and prepared by 5th grade students,
• Apple crisp made by 3/4 graders

K to 2 Students make decorations, students in grades 6 through 8 host our senior citizens.

This year, one of our visiting artists - Sage Tokach and the New London Barn Players - will be sharing a skit from Ezra Keats' "The Snowy Day."

K to 4 Recreation Basketball Sign Ups

Grades 1-4 Recreation Basketball

Deadline is October 30th 2024. Please see attached registration form- you can drop it off at PES or bring it to the town hall. Dan Cantlin is hoping for a sooner start this year.

NESA Weekend Lego Classes

New England School of the Arts in Lebanon is offering some weekend Lego sessions for grades K to 2 and 3 to 6. Please see the attached flyer.

4 Winds

4 Winds is a K-4th grade program; if you are interested or know of a family or community member who would like to volunteer, please contact Michelle Whitaker. mo.whitaker@yahoo.com or 585-690-3472

Town of Plainfield Community Services

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

Food Pantry

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

Free Clothing Rooms

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

Free Fresh Veggies & Fruit

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