SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT REPORT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD – October 3, 2019

Atkinson Academy

• Atkinson recently hosted the Plaistow Dental Clinic. About 50 students were screened for dental problems. We are grateful to have this service for the children.

• Students are beginning to spend time reading the Children’s Choice books that are being circulated around classrooms. This program was introduced by Terrilyn Cheney, Hampstead’s Assistant Principal who is the local area representatives. 1200 books will be eventually read by our students over the course of the year. So exciting to have that many books donated to our students.

• Oct 1st teacher workshop was a huge success. Science, math, technology, language arts, specialized designed instruction were just a few offered along with team time, videos on anxiety in children, and resilience were all available for staff to view. Very productive day!

Danville Elementary

• Danville School celebrated Constitution Day with a week of activities. We started by having the students begin the day with the Pledge of Allegiance at the outside flag pole and a short introduction about what Constitution Day meant to Americans. During the week, classes were visited by George and Martha Washington for a brief lesson. The students were excited about our visitors and learning about our Founding Fathers and signing the most influential document in American history. I would like to personally thank Mrs. Kisiel and Mrs. Wood for their time visiting the classrooms as our historical Americans.

• 5th graders have started the D.A.R.E program with the Danville PD that will run for 10 weeks. The students were excited to meet their D.A.R.E instructor and had many questions.

Pollard School

• Kindergarten students went on a hunt for the Gingerbread Man. They used QR codes to help with their hunt. As they found pictures of the Gingerbread Man the QR codes gave them clues as to where to find the Gingerbread Man. The clues also helped the students learn facts about people that work at Pollard School. Kindergarten students also too a walking field trip to the Plaistow Public Library.

• First graders were given the book Miss Rumphius at the end of last year and have begun to use that reading to make a difference. Students read the book If You Plant a Seed and made text-to-text connections between the stories. We have had classroom discussions about what the students know, understand, and believe about making the world a kinder place through caring and sharing. The children have decided to plant lupine seeds in late Autumn. Students will now decide where they would like to plant the seeds and then write letters asking permission. They are excited about making the world a kinder, more beautiful place.

• This year the Pollard School’s fifth grade students will be participating in the New Hampshire Kid Governor program. Mrs. Robichaud, a fifth-grade teacher, will be facilitating the program with all fifth-grade students. New Hampshire’s Kid Governor® (NHKG) is a national award-winning civics program for 5th graders. This ground-breaking approach to civics education immerses students in learning about state government, elections and voting, and civic participation through a real-life election for their state’s Kid Governor. Timed 1

to coincide with Election Day in November, NHKG is an annual program that offers schools the opportunity to enter one student candidate into a statewide election that other 5th graders vote in. Classes can vote in the election, nominate a classmate to run for office, or both! Toolkits consisting of free, custom-designed lesson plans guide classroom teachers through the program and teach students about state government in their state, the history and process of voting, and active participation in civic life. Fifth graders research community issues they care about, create three-point platforms to address those issues, and make campaign videos. Schools run primaries to select nominees and each school’s winner advances to the Statewide Election. In November, 5th graders evaluate the online campaign videos of the final 7 candidates and cast their votes for the student and platform they support. The student receiving the most votes serves a one- year term of leadership and advocacy, working to fulfill their campaign platform and mobilize students to take action and make a difference on the winning campaign issue.

• On September 23rd Pollard students and staff celebrated “So Long Summer.” Everyone dress like they were going to the beach! It was a fun way to welcome Autumn!

Sandown North

• On Wednesday, September 25th, staff members took part in a training for the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). One of the big ideas from NGSS is to think about science as a process, not simply the rote memorization of facts. The goal is to awaken students’ curiosity for exploration of WHY things happen through scientific discovery and inquiry. For staff in Grades 3-5, this was a follow-up training to their work done during the fall of 2018 and for our K-2 staff, it was an introduction to these new standards. We were excited to have the Kindergarten team from Sandown Central join our Grade 1 team as we continue to work collaboratively with our sister school. Each grade level team worked with a trainer exploring additional resources and planning out phenomena storyline units.

• Our school wide theme this year is Community Heroes. At our September 23rd Monday Morning Meeting, we recognized some of our Student Community Heroes. These students were acknowledged for their caring acts and accomplishments outside of school, including donating their cabbage plant to a food pantry, helping build a turtle pond in their backyard and helping parents during a renovation project at home. We look forward to recognizing Community Heroes of the Week throughout the school year.

• Last week, our 5th graders, their teachers, and our PE teacher Mrs. Decristofaro had their team building field day at Sandlots. It was a beautiful day. Students and their teachers had a wonderful day of games and team building. Special thanks to the parents who volunteered and to Ed and Linda Mencis for their generosity.

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TLC@ Sandown Central

• Current enrollment: Pre-K: 85 K: 70 Total= 165

• Students in Preschool have been busy with apples this week as teachers incorporated this delicious seasonal fruit into all their lessons. Students made “apple pies” at the sensory table, dissected and used the seeds for counting and planting, sang the “Apple” song, and discussed the life cycle of the apple. We are thankful that Applecrest Farms along with Mr. Matt who donated apples and pumpkins for the school.

• The Preschoolers had STEAM Challenge Week where the students had to complete tasks utilizing a variety of household items like Popsicle sticks, paper towel tubes and toothpicks. Students had to work together to balance Popsicle sticks and then try to add as many “cotton” apples as they could. Students ended up making their tree multiple times before they figured out a strategy to help their tree hold the apples! It was a perfect project to help reinforce the skill of resilience and teamwork.

• Kindergarten has been learning about what it means to have a safe body and be an active listener. Students are also learning about emotions and how they affect one’s mood and body. The week’s key word was relax. What does it mean? How can we do this in school? Students practiced relaxation using yoga, breathing techniques, coloring etc. They watched a 5-minute video podcast from Sesame Street with real life modeling of being an active listener and learner because when you are relaxed you can learn more.

• On October 5th, the Rock Church in Sandown will be working with us to beautify the front of the school and playground area. Pastor Steve Murray worked with Mrs. Marino to see what needed some TLC at TLC and we are very grateful for the partnership. We are scheduled to have new swing set seats in the next few weeks thanks to their generosity.

Middle School

• September was a great month at the middle school. We had three successful evenings where the community came out to support our students. Sixth grade Technology Night gave incoming 6th grade parents a chance to ask questions about the technology and tech support we have at TRMS. Additionally, we had a great turn out for both our 6th and 7th & 8th grade Open House nights. Parents got the chance to meet their students’ teachers, learn about the curriculum of the grade level, and they also had the opportunity to ask questions about the year ahead. Thank you to the parents and to our staff for making each of these nights very successful.

• On October 4, TRMS will be celebrating Pink & Demin Day. This fundraiser, organized by the Student Senate and its advisors, will collect funds in support of breast cancer awareness. Students and staff can donate $1 to receive a pink bracelet and all funds raised will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

High School • October 4 & 9 – Common App/College Application workshops for Seniors HS library October 4 Block 2A and October 9 Block 3B

• October 10 - AP Art Unveiling art students unveil their AP art projects 3:00pm-5:00pm HS Library

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• October 10 - Student Council proved light dinner for staff 3:00-4:00 in the teachers’ lounge

• October 10 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:00pm High School. Parents are signing up electronically to meet with their students’ teachers.

• October 15 - Senior Class Picture on the football field.

• October 15 - Financial Aid Night for Senior Parents School counseling presents a night to help families navigate through the college financial aid process.

• October 17 - School Picture Re-Take Day

• October 19 - PSAT Testing (Sophomore & Junior) Pre-registration is required $23.00 cash or check to the School Counseling Dept by October 10. Students must report to their assigned room by 7:50am – 11:00am HS Students will not be allowed to take the test or finish the test if they report late at check-in or following a break. Student should bring 2 sharpened #2 lead pencils and a scientific or graphing calculator.

• October 24 - Healthtrust Biometrics Health screening 1:00pm – 5:00 pm HS café - pre-registration is required.

Athletics

• The Timberlane Athletic Department Celebrated its 2019 Hall of Fame Ceremony on Thursday, September 26th at the Atkinson CC. The evening was a great success with over 140 people in attendance to honor the Class of 2019 Inductees:

Jessica Cegarra Tuttle, Class of 2003 Kristin Cobb Sainani, Class of 1991 Derek W. Sickel, Class of 2007 Lauren Sickel, Class of 2003 Christopher Tardif, Class of 2001 Donald H Woodworth, Coach 2005 New England Championship Wrestling Team

• Timberlane also participated in the NH Tackles Hunger Program during the September 27th home Football Game vs Salem where we collected 1,324.2lbs of non-perishable food. The food will be distributed to our food pantry, as well as other local food pantries in the area. Thank you to all who supported this important endeavor.

Performing Arts

• Football Game Friday—October 4, 2019—HOME GAME vs Concord: Come on out and support the Timberlane Marching Band at this Friday night’s home football game against Concord High School

• On October 6th, the PAC will be hosting vintage Car Show followed by a DooWop and Vintage Rock ’N Roll concert performed by The Bel Airs. The Bel Airs perform Doo Wop and Vintage Rock 'N' Roll with elegant five-part harmonies and stereophonic instrumental arrangements. Their music takes you on a romantic journey back to classic cars, sweet sixteen girls wearing saddle shoes, bobby socks and poodle skirts. The CONCERT starts at 4:00pm (tickets are $15 for Adults and $10 for Seniors & Students) and the CAR SHOW will take place before the concert from 1-3:30pm (there is no charge for the car show portion of the day). Bring your vintage car to the show and receive a free ticket to the Bel Airs Concert. For more information visit our website at www.timberlanepac.org 4