Oct. 3, 2024
Dear North Hampton Families,
Fire Prevention Week: Oct. 6-12th
This week is Fire Prevention Week! At NHS, we have regular Fire Drills with the North Hampton Fire Dept. NHFD will visit our K-1 classrooms next week to teach about fire safety. This year, fire departments remind us of the importance of smoke alarms.
Fire Prevention Week’s Theme in 2024: Smoke Alarm Safety
The theme of Fire Prevention Week 2024, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”, emphasizes the critical role of smoke alarms in fire safety. In particular, it highlights three essential actions in fire safety: Install, Test, and Replace.
Install
Choosing the Right Smoke Alarm and Sensors: Select from various types, including battery-operated, hardwired, and combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Consider features like a 10-year sealed battery for hassle-free maintenance.
Placement Guidelines: Install smoke alarms on every level and room of your home and workplace, ideally at least 10 feet away from any cooking equipment to reduce the chances of false alarms. . For optimal performance, mount alarms on ceilings or high on walls (within 12 inches of the ceiling) since smoke rises.
Installation Steps: Use a drill and mounting hardware to secure the smoke alarm. Mark drilling points at least 8 inches from walls and follow manufacturer instructions for proper installation.
Test
Regular Testing: Test and inspect smoke alarms monthly. This ensures that they are functioning correctly and can alert you in case of a fire.
Cleaning: Clean smoke alarms at least once a year using a vacuum to remove dust and debris that could interfere with their operation.
Replace
Battery Maintenance: Change batteries twice a year, even if alarms are not beeping. This proactive approach ensures that alarms remain operational.
Replacement of Units: Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years or sooner if they fail to operate during testing. Upgrading to newer models with enhanced features can significantly improve safety
Additional Fire Safety Tips
While smoke alarms and fire escape plans are the primary focus of this year’s fire prevention week, there are more fire safety practices that can help you keep your home safe.
Fire Escape Planning: Develop and practice an escape plan with all household members, ensuring everyone knows multiple exit routes.
Fire Safety in the Kitchen: Stay vigilant while cooking; avoid leaving food unattended and keep flammable materials away from heat sources.
Fire Extinguishers: Keep accessible fire extinguishers on each level of your home, particularly in kitchens and garages, and ensure everyone knows how to use them properly.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
You should have received sign up links for parent-teacher conferences. If you have not, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Late afternoon conferences will be available until 6 PM on Oct. 10th. Mid-day conferences will be available from 12:30-3:00 PM on Oct. 11th. Teachers will offer additional options if these do not work for your family. Teachers will offer either in-person conferences or virtual via Google Meet.
Pick Up Patrol and Attendance
We use Pick Up Patrol for both dismissal plans and for daily attendance communication. Please be sure you have set a default dismissal plan for your child (ie. Bus 1 or parent pick up). Parents should log into Pick Up Patrol to make any changes to their child’s dismissal plans AND to communicate when a child will be absent from school, including the reason for the absence. As a reminder, excused absences are for illness, recovery from illness or injury, or essential family obligation or emergency. Absences for vacations or vacation travel are considered unexcused absences. Regular school attendance ensures students receive important daily instruction and leads to increased school success.
Field Trips
Most classes take field trips during the school year. Your child’s teacher will communicate with you about these trips. Often, they need parent chaperones to assist on field trips. SAU 21 requires that volunteers be fingerprinted for a background check. If you think you’d like to be able to be a field trip chaperone, please set up an appointment at SAU 21 by emailing fingerprinting@sau21.org. If you have been fingerprinted in past years, you do not need to do this again. We keep a list of approved volunteers in the office. If you are unsure whether you’d be on this list, please contact Sue MacLaughlin in our office. Keep in mind that the process takes a few weeks, so please don’t wait until right before a trip to make an appointment. Thank you.
Link to Fingerprinting info
Dates to remember
Oct. 3: North Hampton School Board meeting at 6:30 PM at Town Hall
Oct. 11: Early Dismissal at 12:00-Parent Conferences
Oct. 14: No school-Columbus Day
Oct. 16: PAL meeting at 6 PM at NHS
Oct. 27: Trunk or Treat–sponsored by North Hampton Rec. Dept.
Nov. 5: Election Day–NO SCHOOL (Teacher professional day)
Nov. 7: North Hampton School Board Meeting at 6:30 PM at Town Hall
Nov. 11: NO SCHOOL–Veteran’s Day