Sept. 26, 2024
Dear North Hampton Families,
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Our Parent Conferences are scheduled for the week of Oct. 8th. Some teachers are already sending sign ups to families in Parent Square. You will hear directly from your child’s teacher to schedule your individual conference time. 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.
October Menus
Please see breakfast and lunch menus below in the attachments.
North Hampton School Board News
Our first board meeting of the school year was on Thursday evening, September 5th at 6:30 in the town hall. The board enjoyed superintendent, principal, curriculum and finance reports. At this meeting the board participated in the following:
Setting (3) board goals for the school year:
Supporting the full implementation of of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (intervention, classroom instruction and enrichment) through both policy and budget
Carrying out an improved communication plan between the board the school community
Regular flyers (1 pagers) with information about the board and board business
Monthly updates regarding the board meeting, shared through the school newsletter
Support around student wellness and safety focusing on:
Technology
Safe routes to school
SRO position hire
Additionally we voted to retain just 10% of the unreserved fund balance from last year, and to return the remaining 90% to the town. This return will help to offset the tax impact.
We look forward to finalizing a monthly presentation plan and will share the monthly topics as soon as it is complete. If there are topics you would like the board to explore, please send your ideas to a member of the board. Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 3rd at 6:30pm in the town hall, and as always public comment will be open for 30 minutes, all are welcome.
Board Members:
Michael Gendre mgendre@sau21.org
Ashley Hass ahass@sau21.org
Wendy Wallus wwallus@sau21.org
Lisa Gagalis lgagalis@sau21.org
Kate Belanger kbelanger@sau21.org.
Portrait of a Learner
Please see information about SAU 21 goals related to the pillars of Portrait of a Learner in SAU 21 from our new Curriculum Director at SAU 21 Shay Cassily:
How Does the Portrait of a Learner Connect to Our Schools?
SAU 21’s Portrait of a Learner is a set of simple, public, and easily accessible documents that outlines our common vision for student success. The intent is to use this vision as a guide when making decisions related to curriculum, instruction, school operations, and resource allocation. As a start, the SAU and each school have developed specific, district and school goals to support this vision of our students.
Throughout the year, you may see the logo on posters in your student’s school and on official documents. But more than that, we hope that you hear your student talking about the five themes. The purpose of the Portrait of a Learner is to put students at the center of their learning with the portrait as a guide.
Click here for a short introductory video to Portrait of a Learner
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
Parent Coaching available at no cost
SAU 21 continues to offer free, confidential support to parents through the Cook Center. Feel free to contact our school counselor, Liz Fiore or our school psychologist, Haleigh Hutcheson if you’d like to discuss this service. It is entirely confidential and the Cook Center does not disclose any personal information to the school.
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. 11: NO SCHOOL–Veteran’s Day