BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

And just like that, it's June!

May finished strong with our annual Memorial Day Ceremony, a spectacular spring concert, two successful field trips, and an impressive showing for our track athletes at CVLs. Please enjoy the pictures and more details throughout the newsletter.

Congratulations to Ms. Chien and all of the student performers for another impressive evening of music. As one parent wrote, "The music concerts were amazing! Brenda is running the most wonderful elementary music program I've ever seen. Fun and engaging while still rigorous, offering SO MANY individual students opportunities to shine in their different ways, and incredibly, still efficient and enjoyable for families. I truly don't know how she can manage so many kids over such an age span with everyone in the room still smiling. BRAVO!!!"

Guests enjoyed snacks from the PTA while perusing our EA Spring Showcase featuring artworks and projects students worked on in their EA classes. It was a wonderful display of self-expression and the kinds of opportunities our students have for deeper learning related to academics. For example, 1st graders explored Japanese art through flower making in art class earlier this spring. This followed an in-depth exploration of Japanese culture during social studies.

Speaking of in-depth learning experiences, students in grades 3/4 visited the Fort at #4 as part of their yearlong study of colonial America while 7th graders visited Portsmouth for a day of hands on learning in social studies and science. They enjoyed the morning at Strawberry Banke Museum and the afternoon at Odiorne State Park's Seacoast Science Center. We are so thankful for the financial and logistical support to bring learning to life!

Be sure to see the co-curricular section below to read all about last Friday's CVL Track Meet. Our 5 to 8 team had a really successful season, both individually and as a team! Congratulations to all of the athletes and a huge thanks to Head Coach Betsy and Assistant Coach Lee and Coach Smith. They helped each and every one of their 39 athletes grow exponentially this year!

We are nearing the finish line on spring testing. K to 2 students are nearly done with NWEA testing in math and ELA. Grades 3 to 8 have finished everything except SAS Math Assessments which will take place this week as we also look forward to the following annual traditions:

• Tuesday - LHS Seniors will visit their alma maters. Former Plainfield students will parade through PES at 2:15 pm as our students cheer them on and wish them well.
• Wednesday through Friday - 8th graders will visit NYC for their class trip. Highlights include a Broadway musical, dinner in Times Square, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, a visit to the Tenement Museum to see how early immigrants lived, a Yankees game, and a Circle Line boat tour of Manhattan. It should be a great trip!
• Saturday, June 8 - PTA End of the Year Celebration featuring live music and the Good Humor Ice Cream Truck. All students, families, and staff are welcome and encouraged to join!

In the meantime, we are looking forward to wrapping up academic units and taking some time to reflect on and celebrate our year of learning and strong community building across classes. 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! :)

Thanks for all you do. See you in the morning.

Audra

Audra Bucklin, Principal

603.469.3250, ext 223

abucklin@plainfieldschool.org

Join us to celebrate a wonderful year with live music and the Good Humor Ice Cream Truck!

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

8 - PTA End of Year BBQ - 5:30 pm to 7 pm - All families welcome for live music and ice cream from the Good Humor ice cream truck!

Looking ahead

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- 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

*SAS Testing to take place in grades 3 to 8 only. Students in grades K to 2 will take the NWEA. Students will test one subject at a time, one day per week. Please notify your child's teacher of any upcoming absences so we can plan accordingly.

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.

See flier below! Please make sure your check has your child(s) name in the memo line. Checks should be turned into the office.

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

MONDAY- Alaska pollock fish sticks with tartar sauce, homemade dinner rolls and fresh creamy coleslaw

TUESDAY- Tater Tot Nachos with rice pilaf, black bean and corn salsa

WEDNESDAY- Homemade shepards pie, homemade dinner rolls and garlic butter roasted carrots

THURSDAY- Chicken alfredo with pasta, vampire garlic breadsticks and steamed broccoli.

FRIDAY- Cheese, pepperoni, veggie pizza with steamed broccoli.

"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.

No study hall on Tuesday or Friday this week.

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

Hello everyone!

Next Monday, June 3rd at 1:50pm, each 3/4 class will be performing a 10-15 minute play they have been working on during their general music classes.

Any and all classes are welcome to come to the gym to watch our productions, please arrive at 1:45pm!

For 3/4 Teachers:

• Please have your students arrive at the gym at 1:30pm. They will be getting into costume and making sure their props are ready to go.

Thank you and looking forward to seeing some classes support the 3/4 students as some of them have never performed a play in front of a crowd!

Brenda

To many of us, Memorial Day is the official start of summer fun.

It’s a time to remember the people who gave so much for our country, a time to be with family and friends and a time to take a break and have some fun.

Whatever your plans are for this Memorial Day and beyond, here are a few tips to keep your adventures as safe as they are fun.

SWIMMING SAFETY TIPS

• Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted. A Water Watcher card can help designate a responsible adult to keep an eye on kids in the water at all times.

• Teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner every time.

• Swimming aids such as water wings or noodles are fun toys for kids, but are not appropriate to be used as a personal floatation device (PFD). Be sure to use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or PFD for your kids.

• Teach children that swimming in open water is NOT the same as swimming in a pool. They need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather. See more open water safety tips.

Related Posts: Water Safety and Persistent Misconceptions | 5 Tips for Safe Boating | Water and Pool Safety Tips

GRILLING SAFETY TIPS

• Position the grill well away from foot traffic and play areas. Areas along siding, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches could also be potentially dangerous.

• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a three-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.

• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately.

Related Post: 6 Grilling Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe | Fire Safety Tips

SUMMER TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS

• Buckling up on every ride is the single most important thing a family can do to stay safe in the car.

• Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat. Here’s a quick car seat checklist to help you out.

• Use a booster seat with the vehicle lap AND shoulder safety belts until your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test.

• Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute.

Related Posts: What Parents Need to Know for Safe Summer Travel | Heatstroke Safety Tips | Ultimate Car Seat Guide

STAYING SAFE OUTDOORS

• Make sure your children have the appropriate clothing and gear. Camps will often send a required packing list. Follow it. The right gear will help your campers stay safe.

• Give your children a few first aid basics such as when to use a bandage, what a tick might look like and how to spot poison ivy.

• Teach kids not to play with matches and lighters and keep a bucket of water and a shovel near your campfire. It’s important to supervise children around an open flame.

Related Post: There is a Cow in the Tent

STAY SAFE, HAVE FUN!

Please talk about these tips with your kids and ask friends and parents to do the same. Then enjoy the summer and remember to keep having fun.

Our team at DHMC has scheduled another free parent/caregiver educational webinar open to everyone, since we are continuing to get feedback that vaping education would be beneficial for our communities. We will be talking about the following topics, and wanted to share it with you in hopes that you could spread the word!

On Friday evening, the PES Track & Field team competed at the Connecticut Valley League (CVL) Championship, with the Girls team taking 3rd place overall (Lebanon 2nd, Keene 1st), led by Audrey Underhill (Triple Jump) and Ellis Harrington (400m) with individual wins in thier events, and the Boys team taking 5th Place overall, led by Gardell Wetherington, John Mathers, and Caelan Boynton placing in several events. Congratulations to all of the athletes for their outstanding performances, and the athletes that placed in the meet:

Girls (3rd Place team overall):

100m Hurdles: Lyla Weinstein 3rd

100m: Audrey Underhill 3rd, Grayson Davies 6th

400m: Ellis Harrington 1st

Triple Jump: Audrey Underhill 1st

Discus: Kaleigh Ferri 5th

4x100m relay: Plainfield 2nd (Audrey Underhill, Lyla Weinstein, Ellis Harrington, Grayson Davies)

Boys (5th Place team overall):

110m Hurdles: Gardell Wetherington 2nd, Andrew Pearse 6th

200m: John Mathers 4th

400m: John Mathers 5th

High Jump: Caelan Boynton 5th

Long Jump: Gardell Wetherington 6th

4x100m relay: Plainfield 6th (Caden Piper, John Mathers, Caelan Boynton, Gardell Wetherington)

4x200m relay: Plainfield 5th (John Mathers, Chandler Wetherington, James Underhill, Caelan Boynton)

Congrats to the teams and good luck to those going on to the NH State Meet this week!

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/