October 16, 2023
Dear NHS Families,
Safety
This month is Fire Safety Month. Firefighters recommend talking to your children about a fire plan at home. They also recommend identifying a meeting place in case you are separated as you exit in an emergency. This is often a neighbor’s porch or other landmark like a big tree or rock. We practice fire drills at school on a regular basis. Students know to exit with their class or if they are in the hallway or at the nurse’s office to exit the closest door and find an adult staff member. During a fire drill, students typically line up with their class and exit quickly. We have a good track record of being able to get out of the building in under 2 minutes.
At school, we also practice procedures and other safety measures. Your child’s class will be learning to meet at a designated place sometime later this month, just like public safety officers recommend you do at home. This would be in the event that students needed to exit and meet at a location nearby. Sometime in November, students will also be practicing a reverse evacuation by getting in from recess as quickly as they can. Each grade level will practice in an age appropriate manner and emphasize that the adults at school are here to keep them safe. The most important thing students can do is listen carefully and respond quickly. Teachers are not planning to discuss specific scenarios, but will answer questions in an age appropriate way. They will remind them that in any type of emergency, whether it be weather, a wild animal, an accident on Atlantic Ave, a fire alarm - no matter what the emergency may be - their teachers are trained to keep them safe. Understandably, some students may feel anxious about drills or bring worries home with them. If this is the case in your family, and you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me or to the classroom teacher.
Spirit Wear Sale
All *NEW* Spirit Wear is coming soon! The NHS Fall Spirit Wear store will be open October 27th through November 5th at NHSPAL.com. Check it out. There will be new designs!
Picture Re-take Day–Nov. 6th
Retake day is for new students and staff members, transfer students, or for anyone who may have missed the initial picture day, OR for anyone who was unhappy with their original picture and would like to give it another try. If a student would like the retake photo to replace the original photo, please have the student return the original picture package to the photographer on picture day. We will replace the original package at no additional cost.
If this is the first time being photographed, just have the student/staff go to the camera and we’ll create a proof for them that will be sent to the school (and/or to their family email if we have that information). These proofs will be delivered approx. 4 weeks after picture day. An order code will be on the proof along with ordering instructions.
Student Government Seeks Veterans to Attend School Assembly
Our Student Government is planning its annual Veteran’s Day assembly and would like to invite veterans who have a connection to our school to attend. They are also looking for one or two veterans who are interested in speaking at the assembly to share their experiences with our students, remembering we have students who range in age from 5 to 14. Please let us know if you are interested or have a family member who would like to be included either as an attendee or a speaker.
School Psychologist Newsletter
Attached is a resource published by the National Association of School Psychologists on how to support students/families affected by the violence in Israel and Gaza.
International conflict has the potential to be upsetting; it may cause some individuals to have concern for their safety. Feel free to use this resource as a guide if your child begins asking questions about what is going on in Israel and Gaza!
(Please note that our school psychologist, Haleigh Hucheson, is expecting her baby soon and will be on maternity leave in November and December. )
Dates to remember:
Oct. 18: PAL meeting at 6:00 PM at NHS
Oct. 30: Halloween Parade for Grades PK-3 at 2:10 PM outdoors on the walking track
Nov. 2: North Hampton School Board Meeting at 6:30 PM at Town Hall
Nov. 6: Picture Re-take Day
Nov. 7: No school–Election Day
Nov. 9: Veteran’s Day Assembly hosted by Student Government
Nov. 10: No school-Veteran’s Day
Nov. 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
Cook Center Resources Available to Parents
This year, we have partnered with the Cook Center to offer parenting support for any families that may wish to take advantage of online parent coaching. Please see the flyer below. All services are confidential and the Cook Center will not share any information about which families take advantage of the service.
Message from North Hampton Public Library
The North Hampton Library staff asked us to send this information out to parents. They love having your children visit the library, but also need to enforce their policies so that the library is a safe and happy place for all visitors. Please read it carefully and check out their policy on children in the library.
Children under the age of eleven (11) may not be left unattended at the library unless that child is attending a library program that specifically states that participating children do not have to have a parent in attendance with them. A child is unattended if a parent is not present with the child at all times while in the library.
At the discretion of a parent, a child aged eleven (11) to thirteen (13) may be left unattended for up to 2 hours as long as the child knows how to reach a parent in case the need arises. Children may not be left longer than two hours; the library does not provide child care services.