Antrim Elementary School

Dublin Consolidated School

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Peterborough Elementary School

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Contoocook Valley School District

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Please see the "Points of P.R.I.D.E." newsletter from Principal Rachel Lunan-Hill by clicking [here](https://secure.smore.com/n/uf45yz).

Francestown Elementary School

May 10 "Points of P.R.I.D.E." Newsletter

##

### May 23, 2024 

### 5:30-7:00

Mark your calendars for an evening filled with excitement! Join us for a special event featuring our very own resident author and environmentalist, Susie Spikol. She'll take us on a captivating journey through her writing adventures and introduce her latest book\
Get ready for an immersive experience as we delve into the world of literacy with forest-themed games and activities inspired by Susie's book. Not only will it be a blast for the whole family, but it'll also nurture your child's reading skills in a playful and engaging way.

Save the Date!

Francestown Elementary School recently embraced a week of innovative learning during their Library Media Residency, held from May 6 to May 10 . Students of all ages enthusiastically participated in engaging STEAM projects aimed at unraveling the mysteries of the world around them.

In second grade, young scholars delved into the fascinating concept of erosion, employing unconventional teaching aids such as Skittles and chalk to vividly illustrate their understanding.

Meanwhile, students in grades 3 and 4 embarked on an exploration of light energy. Through captivating experiments, they observed firsthand how light refracts in various mediums such as water and mirrors, igniting their curiosity and expanding their scientific knowledge.

Even our youngest learners in Kindergarten and first grade were not left out, as they eagerly joined in the excitement of discovery. They are closely examining plants and their needs.

Students conduct an experiment with light

Celebrating STEAM at Francestown Elementary

Please see the "Points of P.R.I.D.E." newsletter from Principal Rachel Lunan-Hill by clicking[ here.](https://secure.smore.com/n/0c1uzk)

May 3 "Points of P.R.I.D.E." Newsletter

In a collaborative effort aimed at fostering environmental education and hands-on learning, the Cornucopia Project recently partnered with Francestown Elementary School. The focus of the project was to engage Kindergarten and Grade 1 students in preparing garden beds for spring planting.



Students enthusiastically participated in caring for garlic, which had been planted during the previous fall, and tried their hand at using protective ground cover for pea plants. An unexpected twist occurred as some students' tongues turned green after sampling the pea plants.



Undeterred by the colorful surprise, the young gardeners proceeded to plant sunflowers, adding a vibrant touch to the garden beds. Plans are underway to introduce more edible plants in the near future, ensuring a diverse and enriching gardening experience for the students.



These gardens, nurtured by the collaborative efforts of the Cornucopia Project and Francestown Elementary School, promise a bountiful harvest come fall, while simultaneously cultivating a deeper connection to nature and sustainability among the students.

Cornucopia Project Comes to Francestown Elementary

Please see the newsletter explaining testing and test dates from Principal Rachel Lunan-Hill by clicking [here](https://secure.smore.com/n/a6hs7).

NHSAS Testing for Grades 3 and 4

Our students recently embarked on another exciting Outdoor Lion's Learning day, and this time, it was all about celebrating our wonderful planet Earth! 

To kick things off, students rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty preparing the gardens for the  season ahead.  Their hard work paid off as colorful flowers began to bloom.

But the adventure didn't stop there! Equipped with compasses and a spirit of exploration, our young adventurers ventured into the woods for an exhilarating game of geocaching.  Following clues, they finally uncovered the hidden treasure!

The fun continued with Kara from the Harris Center, who brought a bundle of excitement with games celebrating the return of migrating animals for the summer. Our students learned about the incredible journeys these animals undertake.

And what's an outdoor celebration without a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt? Our playground became a bustling hub of excitement as students scoured every nook and cranny, hunting for clues and hidden treasures. 

As the day came to a close, our students returned indoors with hearts full of gratitude for the beauty of our planet and the unforgettable memories created. Until our next outdoor adventure, let's continue to cherish and protect the wonders of nature around us!

Outdoor Lion's Learning

Please see the "Points of P.R.I.D.E." newsletter from Principal Rachel Lunan-Hill by clicking [here](https://www.smore.com/n/aurkw).

April 19 "Points of P.R.I.D.E." Newsletter

Our school Read-A-Thon begins on Monday, April 29, 2024, and is sure to be a fun and exciting event

We understand that your time is valuable. We also know that providing the best education for your child is important. That's why we are encouraging everyone to activate their student's Read-A-Thon account as soon as possible. The instructions are straightforward, making it quick and hassle-free, and it should take less than 5 minutes of your time.

[Watch a short video to see how to signup your reader](https://youtu.be/12tmuXH8zCg)

This account will serve as a hub for recording and monitoring your child's progress as a Reader in the event, and for you to share their Read-A-Thon message with friends and family. Use the [link ](https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/323738343838/1)below to activate your student's Reader account.

Thank you so much for your participation and support. Together, we can make this Read-A-Thon an amazing experience for our young readers.

Thank you

Francestown Elementary School

Read-A-Thon Information

Mark your calendars for an evening filled with excitement! Join us for a special event featuring our very own resident author and environmentalist, Susie Spikol. She'll take us on a captivating journey through her writing adventures and introduce her latest book.

Get ready for an immersive experience as we delve into the world of literacy with forest-themed games and activities inspired by Susie's book. Not only will it be a blast for the whole family, but it'll also nurture your child's reading skills in a playful and engaging way.

Stay tuned for more details! 🌲📖

Save the Date: May 23 - A Night of Literacy and Fun!

The ConVal School District is excited to offer summer learning opportunities for our elementary students. 

Explore and Expand (all schools) and Title 1 (for AES, PES, Pierce and GES) will begin on July 9 and run through August 1.  The daily schedule for each program is 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Tuesday through Thursday.   

Middle school Summer Academy (for all rising 5th graders) begins on July 8 and runs through August 1. Middle school Summer Academy is four days a week from 8:00 am - 12:15 pm.  A more detailed description of summer learning opportunities can be found in the registration form.  

Please use the following [link ](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhLgkGivijGTxYdNkzOrtfawhj914rjDIkL0iry5DZ6oQZig/viewform?usp=sf_link)to sign up your **ri​sing 1st through 5th grade **child(ren).  An early registration will ensure that we have the staff and resources to host a robust summer learning program.  A separate email will be sent later in the month to register middle and high school students for Summer Academy.  

For questions, please contact Kathie Morrocco ([kmorrocco@conval.edu)](mailto:kmorrocco@conval.edu) and Amy Janoch ([ajanoch@conval.edu)](mailto:ajanoch@conval.edu).

Summer Learning Opportunities

Please see the "Points of P.R.I.D.E." newsletter from Principal Rachel Lunan-Hill by clicking [here](https://www.smore.com/n/tgwu8).

April 12 "Points of P.R.I.D.E." Newsletter

Delayed by one week because of the recent snowstorm, ConVal High School celebrated its paraprofessionals on April 10. The potluck lunch was provided by faculty and staff and included a wide variety of entree choices as well as many dessert options. Each paraeducator was recognized personally for their work and received individual thank you notes and gifts. The SAU was represented at the event by Superintendent Kimberly Saunders, Assistant Superintendent Ann Forrest, Director of Special Education Ben Moenter, and Director of Student Services Cari Coates.

Kimberly Saunders talks to paraprofessionals

Paraeducators Recognized at ConVal High School

For children living in the district towns of Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple:

Date: **Wednesday, April 17, 2024**

Time: **8:00 am — 3:00 pm**

Location: **Peterborough Elementary School**

A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child.

Pre-registration is required; call Melissa at (603) 924-7503 x2032 to register.

Student must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2024.

Kindergarten Registration April 17, 2024

Registration and Screening

For children living in the district towns of Dublin, Greenfield, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple:

Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Time: 8:00 am — 3:00 pm

Location: Peterborough Elementary School 

Snow Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024

and

For children living in the district towns of Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple:

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Time: 8:00 am — 3:00 pm 

Location: Peterborough Elementary School

A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child.

Pre-registration is required; call Melissa at (603) 924-7503 x2032 to register.

Student must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2024.

To print out a flyer, click [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CVKVvruw6OHkNiflarDGury8oJuOnPKF/view?usp=drive_link).

Photo of Kindergarten registration lawn sign

Kindergarten Registration March 19, 2024

On Thursday, February 8, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders answered an audience question about how many instructional programs, advanced placement courses, and co-curricular opportunities have had to be cut over the last ten years at the middle school and high school levels. During the community forum devoted to the anticipated consolidation and reconfiguration of the ConVal District, school board members Dick Dunning, Alan Edelkind, Dan Harper, and Mike Hoyt responded to audience concerns over a number of related issues, ranging from school bus travel times for students to anticipated teacher job losses.

Saunders and Dunning respond to questions

Community Forum Addresses Consolidation

The ConVal School District Special Education Department will be holding a Preschool Child Check Clinic for 3- and 4-year-old children living in the towns of Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple on **March 14, 2024** at Antrim Elementary School with appointments between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The snow date is March 21, 2024 (same time range).

The purpose of the clinic is to identify 3- to 4-year-old children who may need further evaluation/consideration for special education services.  Parents who have concerns about their child's development in the areas of speech, language, cognitive, motor, social, play skills, vision, or hearing should **call 924-7503 x2032 to register for the clinic**.

Pre-registration is required.  The child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

March 14, 2024: Preschool Child Checks

To read the January edition of the "ConVal School Nurse Newsletter," please click [here](https://www.smore.com/vn4ec-conval-school-nurse-newsletter). The covered topics include reminders about what to do when children experience an illness and information about the school district's policy and guidelines regarding head lice.

January School Nurse Newsletter

Registration and Screening

For children living in the district towns of Antrim, Bennington, Francestown, and Hancock:

Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Time: 8:00 am — 3:00 pm

Location: Antrim Elementary School 

Snow Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024

and

For children living in the district towns of Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple:

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Time: 8:00 am — 3:00 pm 

Location: Peterborough Elementary School

A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child.

Pre-registration is required; call Melissa @ 924-7503 ext. 2032 to register.

Student must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2024.

To print out a flyer, click [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FJWlxLXXQr5Db18KR13MiG9FFTBTsS25/view?usp=drive_link).

February 20, 2024: Kindergarten Registration

Registration and Screening

For children living in the district towns of Dublin, Greenfield, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple:

Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Time: 8:00 am — 3:00 pm

Location: Peterborough Elementary School 

Snow Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024

and

For children living in the district towns of Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple:

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Time: 8:00 am — 3:00 pm 

Location: Peterborough Elementary School

A parent or legal guardian must accompany the child.

Pre-registration is required; call Melissa @ 924-7503 ext. 2032 to register.

Student must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2024.

To print out a flyer, click [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CVKVvruw6OHkNiflarDGury8oJuOnPKF/view?usp=drive_link).

March 19, 2024: Kindergarten Registration

On January 11, four National Superintendent of the Year® finalists who had been selected by the School Superintendents Association (AASA) engaged in a panel discussion on critical issues impacting public education.

Discussion topics ranged from college, []()career, and life readiness to advocacy and educator empowerment.

The AASA finalists this year are:*   Joe Gothard, Saint Paul Public Schools, St. Paul, MN
*   Kimberly Rizzo Saunders, ConVal School District, Peterborough, NH
*   Martha Salazar-Zamora, Tomball Independent School District, Tomball, TX
*   Frederick Williams, Dublin City Schools, Dublin, GA

Caitlynn Peetz from [Education Week](https://www.facebook.com/edweek?\__cft\_\_\[0]=AZWNdLOlcW1gKAI0wAKiLFRH9zbB2iBMzxRCTV6dqmxNXnD83L1cDIMkIyIDyP_XmGpoISZensn2Nthn6918reeGp5UiErOLGnYziPm2LXonasVCFAfIS-HJCv88AsC9GcHIZi_frUomo_sxnBVFYUJ3\_IkWlLSA_PmI6ueQlFJH1NiLXu5gHq1t_wkQbr7jLqMOQzcscXnrwFyGLNOWi-LA&\__tn\_\_=-]K-y-R) moderated the discussion.

Superintendent Participates in AASA Panel Discussion

The ConVal School District and School Board proudly announce that Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders has been named a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year Award. Dr. Rizzo Saunders was one of four nominees announced by the School Superintendents Association (AASA) on Monday, December 18, 2023.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by AASA,” Dr. Rizzo Saunders said. “The work our District does every day could not be successful without a supportive School Board, a caring and compassionate community, and colleagues and peers who have dedicated themselves to excellence every day. Our children are afforded every chance to succeed in school and life because of these supports.”

The other finalists for the national honor are:

*   Joe Gothard, Saint Paul Public Schools, St. Paul, MN
*   Martha Salazar-Zamora, Tomball Independent School District, Tomball, TX
*   Frederick Williams, Dublin City Schools, Dublin, GA

The National Superintendent of the Year® program, now in its 37th year, is open to all U.S. superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The Superintendent of the Year award is co-sponsored by AASA, Corebridge Financial, and First Student. The winner will be announced during AASA’s National Conference on Education on February 15, 2024, in San Diego, CA.

Kimberly Rizzo Saunders AASA Finalist Logo

National Superintendent of the Year Finalist

The New Hampshire School Administrators' Association announced at its statewide meeting on Friday, December 8, that ConVal's Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders has been selected as the state's Superintendent of the Year. Rizzo Saunders had been nominated by 18 of her colleagues and Richard Dunning, Chair of the ConVal School Board.

"Kimberly’s selection as Superintendent of the Year, is so deserving," said Dunning. "Kimberly dealt with the Covid challenge by supporting student education online to keep students involved in learning, and was able to get our students back into the classroom as quickly as possible. When confronting inadequate educational state funding, Kimberly’s leadership and testimony led to a positive outcome, for students and taxpayers alike," Dunning concluded.   

Here are just a few quotes from the nomination letter written by her colleagues: "Dr. Rizzo Saunders' enthusiasm for public education is contagious, and it ignites a sense of purpose in those around her." "Dr. Rizzo Saunders has highlighted the urgent need for adequate and equitable resources to ensure that all children receive a quality education. Her actions have reignited the conversation about the basic rights of students and the essential role that public education plays in our society." "Dr. Rizzo Saunders consistently shows the courage to speak truth to power. She does not shy away from tackling difficult issues or advocating for necessary changes. Her work will have a lasting impact not only on ConVal, but on the entire state."

"I can't think of anyone more deserving of this recognition," said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ann Forrest.

Rizzo Saunders State Superintendent of the Year

School News

Francestown Elementary

Special: Music

Special: PE/Health

Special: Art

Blood Drive

NHSAS Testing

Memorial Day Remembrance

Literacy Night

District

All Staff PD Day

Memorial Day

Special: Library

Events

Students completing and experiment on erosion.

Studying Erosion

Cornucopia Project Visits FES

A spontaneous Drop Everything and Read Time

Geocaching on Outside Lion's Learning Day

Eclipse Viewing

Math Night

A student holds up their research about owls and penguins.

Research Project

A student copies different patterns with blocks. 

Crazy 8's Math Club

Field Day at FES

Wunderle's Circus at FES

Creative Learning Spaces

Gallery

### Our Vision

In the ConVal community, all learners will achieve academically, act thoughtfully, and contribute to the larger society.

### Our Mission

To guide children to become critical thinkers, engaged learners, and respectful, contributing citizens, fostered by a cooperative effort between school and community.


Francestown Elementary School

Francestown Elementary School

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