March 15, 2024
Dear NHS Families,
Acadience Screenings for Reading in Grades K-3
At NHS, we use a reading assessment system called the Acadience Reading Assessment. We conduct the assessment at least 2 times per year in grades K-3. Acadience serves as our screener for dyslexia and other reading disorders. Teachers typically talk with parents at conference time about this assessment and student progress related to reading. Beginning this year, we will be sending the results home to parents via a letter. Parents of students in grades K-3 will receive a letter in the mail next week with the scores. Students in grades K-1 complete the sub tests for phonemic awareness (auditory manipulation of letter sounds such as: identifying letter names(letter naming fluency), identifying first sounds in words(first sound fluency), segmenting words into 3 sounds (phoneme segmentation fluency), and blending sounds together to make nonsense words (nonsense word fluency with words such as lut or fim). They use nonsense words to specifically test for blending sounds into words that students don’t know from memory (such as cat, dog, or mom). In grades 1-3, we test for oral reading fluency because reading fluency is a sort of dipstick for reading skills. When students read fluently, they typically have developed good phonological awareness, sight word vocabulary, and comprehension. If students have difficulty with this sub test or any subtest, we analyze their errors to see what additional support they may need. Be sure to read the accompanying document in the mailing that provides more detailed information about Acadience tests.
For this school year, the results will be sent home mid-year and end of year. For the 24-25 school year, we will send the Acadience results in the fall and the spring.
PAL Spirit Wear
This year, we have added athletic gear for teams to the sale.
NHS Spirit and Athletic Wear is on sale now! Purchase NHS gear along with Spring Athletic Wear for Baseball, Softball, Track and Field and Cycling Club at NHSPAL.COM/SHOP.
*Baseball and Softball stores close on March 15th
*Spirit Wear, Track and Field, and Cycling Club stores close on March 22nd.
MIddle School Production of “The LIttle Mermaid, Jr.”
The production of “The LIttle Mermaid, Jr.” will take place on April 5, 6, and 7, 2024. Information about tickets will be coming soon. In the meantime, mark your calendars for what is sure to be a stellar performance with an amazing set, great singing, acting, and dancing. Students are working hard at rehearsals.
Report Cards
Student reports cards will be available for parents to view beginning on Monday, March 18, 2024. If you need assistance accessing your Parent Portal account, please contact Sue MacLaughlin in our office. Thank you.
NHS SAS Testing Schedule
Grade 3: Writing– March 13,14; Reading–May 8, 9; Math–May 16, 17
Grade 4: Writing– March 13,14; Reading–May 8, 9; Math–May 20, 21
Grade 5: Writing– March 6,7; Reading–May 14, 15; Math–May 21, 22
Grade 6: Writing– March 13; Reading–May 7, 8; Math–May 15, 16
Grade 7: Writing– March 11; Reading–May 9, 10; Math–May 20, 21
Grade 8: Writing–March 11; Reading–May 9, 10: Math–May 20, 21
Dates to remember:
March 18: Report Cards available for parents to view in Powerschool Parent Portal
March 20: PAL meeting at 6 PM at NHS
March 21: Incoming Kindergarten Parent Information Night (adults only)
March 26: SAU 21/90 Musical Night at Winnacunnet featuring NHS 8th grade band and chorus at 5:30 PM
April 3: No school–Teacher professional development day
April 4: North Hampton School Board meeting at 6:30 at Town Hall
April 5, 6, 7: Middle School Production of “The Little Mermaid”
April 19: The Jaggy Awards at 8:45 AM (paparazzi and mom-arazzi welcome)
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.