Cougar Pride News

We have had a fun and amazing start to our school year! We have started to settle in and get acquainted with our new teachers, classrooms and friends. All of our students have been able to meet our new Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Gagnon, and look at the huge book selection in the library! Don't forget, we have a parent area as well. We have many selections that you may find helpful as a parent. Please feel free to reach out to set up a time to check out the Parent Shelf!

September 11th holds a special place in our hearts, as it marks a day of great significance in our nation's history. On this day, we pay tribute to the brave souls who exhibited exceptional courage, and we hold in our hearts the memories of those who were lost.

Please take a moment to pause and remember, to honor the heroes who showed unwavering strength, and to express our gratitude for the spirit of unity that emerged during those challenging times.

Let us all take this time to reflect on the values of compassion, kindness, and unity that continue to shape our world. Together, let us carry forward the legacy of hope and resilience that emerged from that day.

It is so important that students are here every day because every school day counts. Students are much more successful academically when they are in school on a consistent basis, but they are also more successful socially as it takes time to build strong relationships with their teacher and peers.

School hours are 9:00AM - 3:15PM. If your child is going to be absent, please be sure to call the main office, prior to 9:00AM to let us know. The number is 603-447-3369.

As long as your child is healthy, please encourage showing up to class when school is in session. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as connect to peers and their teachers.

In an effort to bring awareness to the importance of school attendance, we use multiple interventions prior to getting into the district truancy policy JH. Below are the steps we take and reasons why:

1. When a student has had more than 10 excused absences, or has had a significant change in their typical attendance, a phone call goes out to parents from our family liaison. The conversation is meant to check in on the families, the student and to see what the school can do to support getting the student back in school on a regular basis or to provide resources while the student is absent.

2. If the trend of absences continue, either excused or unexcused, and the student reaches 20 or more absences, an attendance packet is sent home. There is a letter that includes the number of absences (to have parents check for accuracy), the district policy, the NH state law, and an attendance information sheet. This is meant to bring awareness to families regarding the impact of attendance on education and to notify families of the policies and laws surrounding attendance.

3. If the trend continues, medical documentation may be required of families to continue to excuse absences. If further absences continue, without the medical documentation, absences become unexcused and the truancy process begins.

4. If these interventions have not helped improve attendance, or created a plan for education recovery, the truancy process begins with 5 unexcused absences. If this occurs, the school will send home a letter notifying families of the number of unexcused absences, with copies of the attendance resources previously mentioned.

5. If absences continue, at 10 unexcused absences, a letter will be sent home requiring a meeting with school personnel, families and the School Resource Officer.

6. If no resolution is reached, and absences continue, the school will hand over the case to the Conway Police Department as outlined in the district policy.

Ultimately, the goal is to have students in school and receiving their education. We want to work with families to ensure that students are able to get the most out of their 180 days with us each year. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding this process. We are always here to help!

Power School is the student management system used throughout SAU 9. The information provided for your student must be up to date to be sure that all communication reaches you and that in the case of an emergency, we have the best contact information for you. Power School needs to be updated for every student, every year. Please use this LINK to get instructions on how to update Power School.

Our Cougar Closet is open and waiting for you! It is fully stocked with new and gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. Parents can sign in at the main office to come see what we have. ALL ITEMS ARE FREE!

• If you are picking up your student in the afternoons, please be sure to put out the name card up on your dashboard to be seen. Also, please keep two lanes of traffic until you reach the corner of the brown building (Music Room).
• Our main form of communication with parents is through email. Please make sure that your email is updated in PowerSchool. It is extremely important that we have all of your contact information in case of an emergency with your child. Please update any home or cell phone numbers in PowerSchool. We have found that many parents voice mailboxes are full or they have not set up their voicemail. We ask that you also update your emergency contact names and phone numbers.
• If there is a change in routine for your child's afternoon plans please communicate them with your child's teacher and the main office by sending a note into school, an email, or a phone call.
• Students may bring devices (phones, ipods, smart watches etc.) to school. However, the devices will be placed in backpacks for the duration of the school day. CES is not responsible for lost or missing items.

• For any student to be able to receive free meals, families must take one of the following actions:

• Enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• This program can be applied for online at: NH EASY

• Submit a meal benefit application to our school district

• Applications can be submitted online at: EZMealApp

• Funds can be added to student accounts online at any time at: EZSchoolPay

• Funds can also be added to student accounts by check made out to Conway School District submitted to Conway Elementary.

• If you are searching for affordable internet and qualify for free/reduced lunch, check out www.GetMyInternet.org!

9/18 - Project Succeed Begins - both morning and afternoons!

9/22 - 100th Anniversary of Kennett Parade (Details coming!)

9/26 - Open House/Pasta Dinner @ 5-7
10/5-10/6 - Teacher Workshop Days
10/13 - Picture Day

Email: k_bedley@sau9.org
Website: conwaycougars.com/home
Location: 160 Main Street, Conway, NH, USA
Phone: (603)447-3369
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConwayCougars