February 2009 School Wide News

With daylight lingering just a little longer each day, it’s that time of year when everyone’s thoughts seem naturally to turn towards spring and summer and the upcoming school year.

At our Upper School PTF meeting last week we discussed class configurations for next year. A letter explaining some institutional changes as well as curricular and staffing plans went home last week with registration forms.

A Preschool PTF is scheduled for Thursday, February 5th at 4:30. We will be discussing preschool class compositions, teachers, and other possible changes for next year. Let us know if you will be attending and need childcare.

We will be running our summer programs as usual with eight weeks of Wind and Willow’s Camp, five weeks of Beech Hill Arts Camp and six weeks of Environmental Camp at Tuckernuck. Our flyer and registration forms for these programs will be coming home with your child in the next few weeks.

We are also offering an HIS Family Swim membership this summer. Members will have use of the pool Monday-Friday late afternoons/early evenings, and weekends. The pool will be staffed by a lifeguard.

Our second Open House is Saturday, February 14th from 10-12. If you would be willing to come over for any amount of time, please contact Eileen Eber. There are flyers in the foyer, please take a few on your way out to post at your workplace.

February Pizza: If you paid for 4 pizza weeks in January you will get two free pizza Wednesdays in February. If you paid for 3 pizza weeks in January you will get one free pizza Wednesday in February.

This month we will be discussing the environmental issues and sustainability in our school wide meetings. All of the classes will be reading The Story of Rachael Carson by Amy Ehrlich and will be working with their teachers to prepare installations, experiments, and presentations for our Eco Fest on February 18th from 1:30-3:00.

The school will be closed for February vacation from February 23-27. If you would like to sign up for winter vacation care please sign up in the office with Lisa by February 13th (the cost is $36 per day).

The Friendly Kitchen is having a benefit concert on February 28th. Look for the posters (designed by our very own Abenakis) for details. Tickets can be purchased from Lisa in the front office.

Plans are well underway for this year’s auction. The evening promises to be an entertaining and relaxing night out. The event will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 5-8 pm at the Audubon Center in Concord. Onsite childcare will be available, although space is limited so sign up soon! Look for a letter from the Auction Committee to be sent home next week. Our next meeting is Friday, February 6th at 8:45 am—everyone is welcome.

Our last sking day will be Monday February 9th. Thank you so much to all of our chaperones who helped make this such a positive experience for our students. We had a record number of first time skiers this year and by all accounts it was a wonderful introduction to the sport.

Wednesdays at 12:15 recess for the rest of the winter we will offer a snowshoe hike around the upper fields. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join us for these excursions, weather permitting. Your child does not need snowshoes to participate.

January School Wide News

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

I hope that you all are enjoying a relaxing and rejuvenating time with your families and friends over the holidays.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered on the Friday before vacation to help out with the holiday parties in the classrooms. I know it was a slightly rushed and chaotic day, but the energy at school was so positive and bright and I know all were relieved to get home safe and sound before the storm hit.

I know too how disappointed the children were to have Holiday Tea postponed twice, but I am happy to announce that there will be a slightly modified performance and party held here at school in the Community Room on Friday, January 9th from 2:00-3:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there to help us usher in the New Year!

A reminder that the Mt. Sunapee Winter Sports Program for the upper school students begins January 5th. Chaperones should meet at the mountain at 9:30. Please remember to send your child with appropriate outer gear.

We have several new after school programs and it is not too late to sign up. Please see Lisa in the front office for forms.

This month we will be discussing civil rights in our school wide meetings in preparation for Martin Luther King day on January 19th. A reminder that there will be no school on that Monday. We will have a special school wide assembly on the Friday before to celebrate his life and work.

On the Sunday evening before MLK day, January 18th, local peace activist Bethany Reed will be showing the film “Fire Under the Snow” in the Community Room. This compelling documentary explores human rights and non-violent change from a non-western perspective as it witnesses the life of Tibetan Monk, Palden Gyatso, who was imprisoned and tortured for 33 years under the Chinese occupation. The film will begin at 6:00 pm and is free of charge although donations to our Pennies for Peace jar are appreciated. Due to the disturbing nature of Gyatso’s experience, the film is not recommended for young children. For more information go the website http://www.fireunderthesnow.com/.

This year the teachers and students will be planning an Eco-Fest in lieu of our usual science fair in February. In preparation for this week, all students are invited to participate in the EPA’s Earth Artists Program poster/poetry competition. Jane List will be working with students to help inspire their entries. Please see your child’s teacher for details or log on to the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/students.

Parents have already started asking about enrollment and class configurations for the fall. The board will be meeting on January 14th to finalize the budget. We will communicate to you our plans for next year at our next Upper School Parent Teacher Forum meeting on January 22nd at 3:15. As always childcare will be available.

Some parents have expressed an interest in having a toddler program here at HIS and a feasibility study for next year is presently underway. If you would be interested in sending your toddler here, or if you have thoughts about this idea please stop by to chat or speak to your child’s class ambassador.

December 2008 School Wide News

Last month in school wide meeting we took time to discuss the concept of gratitude. The children’s “grateful hearts’’ are displayed on the bulletin board in the front hall along with the poem we recite each day at lunchtime. This month, as we enter the season of giving, we will be exploring the idea of generosity and celebrating the joys of giving by making “giving hands” to add to the hearts. As a tangible sign of our understanding of these abstract ideas, each class will be collecting contributions for a holiday food basket that will be donated to the Hopkinton Food Bank. See your child’s teacher for details.

Our annual Holiday Tea (grades K-7) celebration is just around the corner. This evening of Holiday songs and skits will take place at St. Andrew’s Parish Hall starting a 6:00 pm on Friday, December 12th. A reminder that this year the event will not be an extended day, so all students will be dismissed or go to after-school care at 1:30, as on a regular Friday. If you are in need of after-school care just for that day, please speak to Lisa in the office.

Preschool Holiday Tea will take place on Tuesday, December 16th from 10:30—12:00. After the concert children will return to their classrooms for lunch. Monday, Wednesday, Friday preschoolers are welcome to come with their families to join in the celebration

The few flurries we’ve had recently are a timely reminder that snow season is soon upon us. Please be sure to check the Snow Day Cancellation and delay policy on our website.

The Mt. Sunapee Winter Sports Program for the upper school students (grades 1-7) is scheduled to begin January 5th. Information went home last week. Please let us know whether your child will be renting skis this year. Forms and payment are due back to the office December 2nd fittings for those needing rentals will take place here at school on Thursday, December 4th.

Given the response to our Nordic Ski survey, we will not be offering Nordic skiing this year. We will, however, be offering a Winter Sports Program here at school as part of our after school program. In addition to a winter sports program, we have a number of new after school offerings for our winter/spring semester. More information on our after school program will be sent home later this week.

Our first Preschool Parent Teacher Forum met on November 18th. We had a great turn-out and discussed ideas for adjusting class configurations and classrooms for next year. Minutes from this meeting are attached.

The Safety Committee met on November14th. Sara Duval, Jodi Burnham, and Laura Brancato attended. We have plans to install a lock and buzzer system in the front entrance. This will provide even more security for the building during the school day. We will inform you soon with details about times and procedures for before and after school drop off and pick up.

A big thank you to Kate Vattes for hosting the Lia Sophia Jewelry sale for our annual fund drive. If you wanted to purchase something but were unable to make the sale, catalogues are still available in the front office.

Barefoot Books are back! Lisa Whipps is sponsoring a Barefoot Book sale for the month of December. This is a great way to make a dent on some holiday shopping and support our school. Information and catalogues came home last week. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of books for the school’s library.

You should have received a copy of our new strategic plan and annual fund letter. As you may know, annual giving comprises over twenty percent of the school’s operating budget each year. If you would like to donate online, we are now set up to receive contributions electronically on our website at http://www.hopkinind.org/.

Michelle Leuci (our school photographer this year) has reopened the school’s online photo gallery for those wishing to order more photos for the holidays. It will be available online (http://www.blogger.com/www.michelleleuci.com) from Friday, December 5th to Friday, December 12th. The password will remain the same.

SAVE THE DATE! Our annual auction will be held on March 21st at the Concord Audubon Society. Plans are already underway for this fun(d) raising evening! If you would like to be involved in the planning please see Kate Vattes, Jennifer Frizzell, or Christine Haydinger.

A reminder that school will be closed for winter vacation from Monday, December 22nd through Friday January 2nd.

October Schoolwide News

Fall is finally here in all its splendor! We are off to a wonderful start, helped in no small measure by the string of beautiful fall days we enjoyed in September. Preparations are well underway for our annual Harvest Fest on October 24th. We have some fun activities planned for the students and invite you all to come and join us for this first community gathering of the year. You will be receiving a letter in the mail with your tickets and a schedule of events. Look for sign up sheets for volunteers on the bulletin board in the main entrance to the school soon.

Environmental Day at Tuckernuck is this Thursday October 2nd. Be sure your child comes dressed for a day of outdoor activities. The Preschool will be celebrating the beginning of fall with an Apple Fest on Friday October 3rd. Look on your child’s class page for more information on both of these special events.

On October 10th the Preschool teachers will participate in the first of three professional development workshops that will introduce them to the early education philosophy and practices of Reggio Emilia. RE is very similar to the Multiple Intelligence pedagogy used in the upper grades. We hope that this will provide an even more fluid transition for students between our preschool and upper school programs. A special Preschool Parent Teacher Forum has been planned for October 14th at 3:00pm. Childcare will be available. This will be a time for teachers to share some of what they have learned about the Reggio Emilia approach to early education and for parents to ask questions and become involved in this exciting learning venture. If you have questions feel free to contact one of our Parent Teacher Forum ambassadors this year:
Petra Shaw, Emily Hacker, Nicole and
Ian Hoffman, and Mary Catherine Jones.

Our first Upper School Parent Teacher Forum will meet on Thursday October 30th at 4:00pm. Parents are invited to meet with teachers to reflect on the upper school curriculum and discuss any changes or modifications that we can institute going forward. The Upper School Parent Teacher Forum ambassadors are Joe Brancato, Francoise Bishop, Jill Stagner, and
Kate Vattes. Please contact them for information, questions, or concerns.

Thank you to all of the mentor parents who reached out to our new families at Back to School Night. New families should feel free to contact their mentor families with any questions or concerns.

Over the summer we cleaned out and painted the Library in an effort to create a more student centered space for quiet reading and reflection. Lisa Whipps has started a literacy program with the Preschool, Kindergarten, and Early Elementary classes there one day a week. See attached flyer (Literacy with Ms. Lisa) and look on our website for more pictures and descriptions of what the students are doing with Lisa.

In an effort to encourage and promote reading school wide, (and to help us sort through and clean out the plethora of paper backs we have) we will also be piloting a “Ladder to the Library” program for the upper school students. Students who read to each rung of their classroom ladder, will earn a special “Library Lunches” and be given the chance to choose a book from the library to take home. Look for details in your child’s upcoming class pages.

As part of their Responsive Classroom practices, teachers spend time in the beginning of the year working with students to come up with rules that will guide their social education throughout the course of the year. These classroom rules were shared and discussed at one of our early school wide meetings. Because the students will be studying the history of New England in their classes this fall, we used stonewalls as a metaphor for our discussion about our school wide rules. Just as stonewalls were built by early farmers to define their property and to keep animals and crops safe and protected, so our school rules are human made boundaries designed to keep us safe and to allow everyone in the school community to grow and flourish in a safe and clearly defined learning environment.

In order to keep us all mindful of our rules, we are building a stonewall together in the front hallway. Anytime anyone in the upper grades is witnessed doing something that exemplifies one of our school rules—their name and their action will be added as a “stone” in our wall. By publicly affirming our social curriculum in this way, we hope to inspire students towards positive actions and choices in their interactions with each other. We welcome any positive observations you have about teachers or students as well.

The school recently joined New Hampshire’s School Recycling Club. The students have been learning about composting and helping out with recycling paper, plastic, and glass. A reminder to try to limit the amount of non-recyclable waste in your children’s lunches by using reusable containers and water bottles.

We will have a Halloween parade and festivities in the preschool and a contest this year in the upper school. Prizes will be awarded to students who use the most recycled materials. The theme for the contest is “fruits of the season.”

On display soon in the front hall you will see a collection of our students’ Visions of Peace. This artwork is part of a statewide community art project sponsored by NH Peace Action and will be on display at a to be determined location in December. Bethany Reed, the coordinator of this project came to our school in celebration of International Peace Day on September 21st and explained the purpose and importance of the initiative. The school is also participating in an international community service project called Pennies for Peace. The program, which was established by Greg Mortenston, author of Three Cups of Tea and founder of the Central Asia Institute, collects pennies from schools across America to help raise funds for school children (especially girls) in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The children have already collected many pennies! Thank you for your help.

Michelle Leuci’s lovely portraits and class photos of the children are now up on her website and will stay there through end of the month. You can order the photographs and sizes you want and she will ship them to you directly. Michelle’s website is http://www.michelleleuci.com/. Ask your child’s teacher if you need the password.

Starting on October 6th you will also need a password to access your child’s classroom page on our website. As was announced at Back to School Night, this is simply a proactive safety measure we have initiated in response to some parent’s concerns. More information will follow in your child’s class news.

Many of you have commented on Lisa Dean’s new “window on the world.” Not only does this afford her a bit of fresh air and a chance to greet students and parents as they enter and leave, it is another one of our safety initiatives this year. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Safety Committee or if you have safety ideas or concerns you would like addressed please contact Sara Duval. Our next meeting is October 17th at 3:15 and all are welcome. Childcare is available.

As the days get chillier, we ask that you remember to send your child with warmer outside clothing. The lost and found in the front office already has several items—be sure to check there for any stray hats or cover-ups.

Warmly,

Heather Harwood

September School Wide News

Greetings to all returning students and families and a special welcome to the 34 new students and families we have joining us this fall. Since their retreat in the spring, the teachers and staff have been collaborating and planning to ensure a challenging, engaging, and inspiring educational experience for your children. We are all looking forward to an exciting school year, full of change, growth, and exploration.

A copy of School Wide News will come home with your child each month. In addition you will receive weekly notices and updates from your child’s teacher. Both communications will also be posted on our website at http://www.hopkintonind.org/, enhanced with our teacher’s wonderful photo journals of each week’s events and activities.

At our faculty retreat this fall the teachers and staff used the poem Wooden Boats by Judy Brown as a springboard for reflection and discussion about how to continue to craft and polish our evolving Multiple Intelligence, place-based curriculum. Their curriculum maps, which have been in the works for over a year, will be up on our website soon and ready for you to see and discuss with your child’s teacher at our Back to School Night on September 25th. Preschool families are welcome from 4:00-5:00 and Elementary and Middle School parents from
5:00-6:00. We look forward to seeing you there!

The poem also encouraged us to consider the many unique gifts we bring to the craft of teaching; the creativity that lies at the core of our profession as educators. I know that many of you also have special talents and interests and we encourage you as always to share them with our teachers and students.

The theme of this year’s curriculum is “Norumbega: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea: the People, Places, and History of New England and New Hampshire.” This course of study lends itself well to enrichment opportunities that will expose the children to the discipline, artistry, and history of New England Arts and Crafts. We have planned a number of Craft Circles for the fall that will bring local folk artists to the school to share their skills and talents with our students. Look for details in up-coming class pages!

You will see some new faces at school this year. JoEllen McCaffrey joins us as a preschool teacher in the Quechee classroom. JoEllen will also be coordinating the science curriculum with the elementary grades and offering a nature explorers class in the after school program one day a week. Pat McCabe joins us from Sunapee and will be teaching our middle school students History, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. Rebecca Cloutier and Paula Ward will be helping out in the Amoskeag and Pemigawasset classrooms respectively. Rebecca is a seasoned kindergarten teacher, most recently at Bow Elementary. Paula was the founder and director of the after school program, Bow Kids Inc. and will lend her experience to running our after school program this year. Please join me in welcoming all of these new faculty to HIS.

Marek Bennett, Marilyn Knapp, and Lisa Whipps will be returning this year in slightly different capacities. Marek will be teaching Spanish and Music part time on Wednesdays and Fridays and providing website and technology support for the school and faculty. Marilyn will teach Middle school math and support the science and language arts curriculum for the 3rd and 4th grade students. Lisa will be assisting Sara in the Abenaki classroom in the mornings and will also be developing and supporting an early elementary literacy program in the afternoons.

This year we will have a common lunch period for grades 1-7 at 12:45 in the Multipurpose Room or outside on the picnic tables as weather permits. We hope to make this a joyful community gathering and welcome you to join us if ever you can.

We will be offering Pizza on Wednesdays again this year starting on September 17th. If you would like your child to participate, please fill out the attached form and return it to your child’s teacher.

Included here are our offerings for After School Programs. We have several new offerings this year and hope to have more variety again in the spring. We are also pleased to be able to provide extended care until 6:00 pm this year.

Before school drop off this year begins at 7:00 am. The regular drop off time is 8:15 am for the Upper School and 9:00 am for Preschool. Preschoolers with siblings in the Upper School may arrive as early as 8:15 as well. If you need to drop your child off or pick them up before or after these times, please be sure to sign them up for extended care. Teachers will dismiss students at 3:00 to the area behind the fence near the parking lot. Please wait for students to exit the building and pick them up.

We installed a beautiful new swingset over the summer. Many thanks to the Haydinger Landry family for this generous contribution to our playground.

As you may know, there have been a few cases of head lice reported in Hopkinton over the summer. Attached you will find some information about how to treat it. Please let us know if your child should present with a case. We will continue with all of our regular hygienic practices, but in order to be proactive we would ask that for the first few weeks of school students refrain from bringing personal items such as stuffed animals or pillows from home. The kindergarten and preschool teachers will give every child a special bag for their belongings and we would ask that you store all personal belongings that go back and forth between home and school in these at least for the first month or so of school. Thank you for your cooperation in this.

It has been a busy summer full of new beginnings and new adventures for me and my son. As I take on my position as Interim Head of School, I am so grateful to everyone who has helped to make this transition a smooth one. Thanks especially to Paul Dann, the Board of Directors and all the members of the Transition Team: Courtney Huff, Jodi Burnham, Eileen Eber, Deb Marcou, and Heather Staples. Their warm support and intelligent guidance have been invaluable to me. I look forward to working with them throughout the course of the year.

Feel free to call the office (226-4662) or stop by to see me if you have questions or concerns about anything. I look forward to getting to know you in the year ahead.

-- Heather Harwood

2008 June School Wide News

Greetings all. We’re down to the wire on year end activities. Here are a few quick updates:

Special thanks to all who participated in and supported our Twentieth Year Celebration events. What a wonderful week of excitement and learning we all had. Please be sure to check out our website for a recap. Thanks to all those families and friends who helped to make our week at Camp Tuckernuck such fun.

Children’s Center End of Year Celebration will be Tuesday, June 10th from 10:00-12:30. We will learn how to tie-dye shirts, have songs with Kathy Lowe, and a potluck lunch. Preschool families are invited.

Graduation and Awards Night will take place at school on Thursday, June 12th at 5:30 and is for students and families in grades K-8. Please join us for an evening of celebrating our children’s school year successes. Awards Night is a culminating event of this school year and so much more, as we recognize and honor our latest graduates. There will be a potluck dinner following the awards ceremony and there is a sign up sheet posted on the main bulletin board.

View all posts on "Awards Night" >>

Last Day of School is June 13th. We’ll have the usual 5:30 closing for the After School Program. Class field trips may be scheduled for next week. . . watch for news from classroom teachers.

Interim Care with Cynthia and Beth begins Monday, June 16th. Day Camp for ages 6-14 will begin on June 23rd and Wind n Willows begins on June 30th.

Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts: Information will be sent home this week. Daisy’s are for girls starting kindergarten in September (ages 5-6) and our new Brownie troop is for girls starting 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, grade in September (ages 6-8). If you do not receive a form but have a daughter within that age range please stop by the office to get one.

Summer Camp: If you plan on sending your child to camp and have not yet signed them up, please do so as soon as possible. For more information, visit our online listings of Beech Hill and Wind 'n' Willows Day Camps and Tuckernuck Camps.

May School Wide News

The end of the school year is upon us and once again I find myself wondering where the school year went, let alone the past twenty years! Everyday, without exception, there is something interesting, engaging, and absolutely joyful to witness. No wonder time passes so easily and so quickly at school. Here are a few notes to keep us on track as we head toward June.

Teacher Appreciation Week: To honor and thank our teachers and staff, we’d like to set up a buffet lunch for Friday, May 9th, in the library. Items can be dropped off in the library in the morning. We will keep perishables cool until lunch. If anyone would like to contribute a lunch item (green salad, fruit salad, pasta salad, sandwiches, etc.) please let Lisa Dean know.

May Day-Grandparents’ and Senior Friends’ Day: Thanks to all of you, and to your parents and friends who helped make May Day a truly special celebration! Grandparents came from as far away as Florida, Chicago, Maine, and Pennsylvania. Special thanks to Lisa Dean, Jodi Burnham, Marilyn Knapp, and Kate Vattes who supported Courtney in her organizational efforts; and to Marek for his musical support. Please check out the school’s website for some wonderful photos.

20th Year Anniversary Celebration: Thanks to the hard work of many, we have some exciting events in the works. Be sure to mark your calendars for three anniversary events:

Thursday, May 29th 3:30-6:00
Symposium for teachers and parents: The Role of Imagination in Childhood with noted children’s author David Elliott

Friday, May 30th
Stay tuned for Arts and Nature Field Day activities for students of all ages. Details of this event will be announced in an informational flyer distributed next week.

Saturday, May 31st
20th Anniversary Celebration beginning with a toast at 4pm. Chicken Dinner and Barn Dance to follow. Be sure to get your ticket orders in to reserve your place at the table! We thank Sara Duval and the many volunteers who have worked to plan and underwrite this event.

We’d love the help from a few more parents for the Arts and Nature Field Day and the Parent-Teacher Symposium. Just let Lisa Dean know if you can offer any support for these events.

Congratulations to the Madan Family on the birth of their new son, Ramsey.

The last day of school is Friday, June 13. Childcare will run until 5:30 as usual.

Interim Care Weeks: We will provide interim care through the start of day camp programs. Day camp for students ages 6-12 begins June 23. Preschool Wind n Willows program begins June 30th. Cynthia and Beth will oversee interim care programs June 16th through 27th. Sign ups for interim care are posted on the door to the front office. Sign ups will close on May 23rd.

Summer Camp Reminder: We have a wide variety of programs scheduled for the summer. Be sure to get your registrations in soon as some weeks are filling fast!

Environmental Week at Camp Tuckernuck (for grades 1-8) begins Monday, June 3rd. Details will be forthcoming from classroom teachers.

Monadnock Students Travel to D.C.: Thanks to our chaperones Donna McGuire, Deb Marcou, and Barbara Abbott our eighth graders are enjoying a wonderful hands-on week in Washington, D. C. A great way to culminate their year of American Studies.

Community Service at HIS: We thank the Hotten Somers family for their donation of a washer and dryer to a refugee family in Concord and Catherine Ayer’s parents for their offer of the same. Marilyn Knapp has indicated that the Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord is conducting a Mothers Day Diaper Drive to support area families, particularly refugees. If you would like to donate any disposable diapers, please deposit them in the baskets located in the main hallway.

Winter Gear: We have many mittens, hats, and boots that need to find their way home this week. Please be sure to check your child’s cubbies and hooks for winter clothes. After Friday all winter items will be removed to the cottage deck. After May 23rd, everything that is left will be washed and delivered to needy families in the area.

Scholarship Applications: Families wishing to apply for financial aid should have already submitted their financial information to Student and School Services and the scholarship application to the HIS office. The scholarship committee will meet the week of May 12—16 to determine awards. Only families who have completed their applications will be considered for financial aid.

I will be away from school May 13 — May 19, visiting family in Idaho. Any administrative questions can be addressed by Jodi, Lisa, or Eileen.

-- Cathy

2008 April School Wide News

Greetings Everyone:

Here’s what we’re looking forward to in the weeks ahead. Now that spring is finally here, let’s hope for a healthier season than the last!

Theatre Night for Grades K-8 is set for Thursday, April 17th, beginning at 6:30 pm. Come join us for a night of laughs and tears. Details to follow from classroom teachers. Theatre programs will be sent home later this week.

May Day and Grandparents/Senior Friends Lunch: Mark your calendars for Friday, May 2nd. More details to follow soon. Please forward to your child’s teacher the names and addresses of the grandparent or senior friend they’d like to invite. Please note: Preschoolers invite their grandparents to a year-end lunch in June.

Spring Break: No school on April 21—25; Childcare sign-ups closed on April 4th.

Last Day of School: Our last day of school will be June 13th. After School programs will run as usual. We will have interim care through June 23rd, with Summer Camp programs to follow right after. Interim Care sign-ups will be posted on the Office Door beginning May 1st.
20th Year Celebration: Be sure to hold the date! We’re looking forward to a wonderful day of celebration activities on Saturday, May 31st. Games, music, country dinner, and dancing. On May 29th, teachers and parents gather for a symposia on Childhood and the Imagination. We especially thank an anonymous donor who has offered to help underwrite this event.

Art and Writing Celebration: The Library Friends at New England College bring children’s author, Diane Edgecomb to the Simon Center on Saturday, April 12th from 10:30 — noon. She will speak on the role of fantasy in writing for children. Our middle school and upper elementary students work will be showcased. A fun and free family event.

Thank You for your tremendous support for our Monadnock Spaghetti Lunch. Eighth grade students will travel to Washington DC in May to culminate their American Studies Curriculum. Your help is so appreciated!

Monadnock Bake Sales: Fridays, starting this week, watch for the home-baked goodies on sale by our middle school students. Funds will support their trip to Washington DC in early May. We appreciate your patronage!

Used Washer and Dryer Needed: We are looking for a used-but-in-good condition washer and dryer for an African refugee family that lives in Concord. Please let us know if you or someone you know has these to offer for free.

Spring Gardeners Wanted: As our garden beds dry out, we will welcome the help of a few good souls who like to work in the dirt. If you’ve got a few hours to offer in the months ahead, please let us know.

Class Pot Luck Dinners: Van Nichols, Johanne and Nathanial’s dad has mentioned the idea of parents hosting class pot-luck dinners as a way of getting to know other parents in their child’s class. We think it’s a great idea and encourage any of you who might be inclined to host a dinner to follow up on this idea.

2008-2009 Enrollment: Our preschool and kindergarten classes are about filled and the Ossippee class (grades 2-3) is nearing capacity. If you haven’t yet re-enrolled but plan to do so, please speak to me or Eileen right away. Also, I welcome any of you who may not be returning to meet with me for a few minutes for an exit interview. If you have any questions or concerns regarding next year, please be sure to let me know.

Lunch, Snacks, and Juice Box Reminder: We ask parents to avoid sending juice boxes and other prepackaged foods. Using thermos bottles, water bottles, and other recyclable containers not only saves waste, but results in better nutrition overall. Please help us to keep our school as green and healthy as possible.

Admission Coffee: We thank Cheryl Bourassa for hosting a recent admission coffee at her home in Concord. This was a great way for incoming families to meet each other as well as for parents contemplating enrolling to learn more about our school in a smaller social circle. If you might be willing to host a future admission coffee, please contact Eileen Eber.

School Dismissal Considerations: Please review the following summary regarding end of day dismissal with spouses and child care providers. We need your help to assure that end of day dismissal is safe and considerate.

End of Day Dismissal
Closing out the school day is an important time for students and teachers. Students need to be organized and prepared for their next transition of the day and for the next school day. Jobs need to be done and it’s an easy time for students to be distracted by hall traffic. This time is also critical for teachers as they gather the class to close out the day and organize and prepare for their after school duties.

In an attempt to be safe, focused, and timely, we are now dismissing all students from the main entrance. At 3:00 all children who are to go home will be ready and waiting with their class. As you arrive on the circle, a teacher will walk your child out. Please DO NOT PARK on the circle to come into the building. We ask parents and childcare providers who must come in to the building at the end of the day to wait a few minutes until after dismissal.

We also remind parents that pickup time is 3:00. When parents arrive for pick up, it is important for children to understand that it is then time to go home. It makes it more challenging for our after school teachers to keep track of children under their supervision when other students are running about the building and grounds, even if a parent is present.

We appreciate your thoughtful consideration of these policies. Feel free to speak with me if you have any questions, concerns, or observations. We welcome your feedback.

Mid-March School Wide News

Winter has certainly tried our patience this year. Luckily we’ve had a chance to get out and enjoy the few sunny days we’ve had recently. Here’s an update on some matters pending:

Enrollment Confirmation: We have just opened enrollment up to families who have been on the waiting list. Preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-3 run the risk of over enrolling. So if you are planning on reenrolling, please send that confirmation in ASAP.

Multiple Children/Multiple Year Tuition Reductions: We are pleased to offer tuition reductions for families who have multiple children and who enroll for multiple years. The reduction matrix is attached. Please contact me if you have any questions about this plan.

Summer Camp Registration: All camp programs are actively enrolling summer campers. Program information on Wind n Willows Preschool Programs, Beech Hill Day Camp, Tuckernuck Overnight and Day Camps, Beech Hill Players, and Comics Camp is located in the main foyer or you can check out our website for more information. Please let Jodi know if you need to wrap summer camp payments into a full-year tuition.

New Head Search: The search committee has set aside a time for parents to meet the two candidates for the Interim Head of School. These are Monday, March 24th and Wednesday March 26th from 3:30-4:30. This will also be an opportunity for parents to provide some input to the search committee. The search committee hopes to make a final recommendation to the Board in April.

Twentieth Year Celebration: Our planning is well underway. Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, May 31. We’ll have outdoor activities during the day for children. The Celebration Dinner will get underway around 5 pm with live music. A barn dance will follow. Invitations will be mailed out in April. During the afternoon of Thursday,
May 29th David Elliott, award winning author and parent of an HIS alum, will be a featured speaker for a symposium for educators and parents that we will host on Art, Nature and Childhood Imagination. Details to follow in late March.

Middle School Students participate in Peru Reconstruction Project: HIS middle school students are working to support a group of volunteers who will travel to Peru in May to build a model home for families in Chincha, Peru. Chincha is located in the mountains north of Lima and suffered extensive earthquake damage in recent years. If you would like to learn more about the project, please contact Marek Bennett mbennett@hopkintonind.org or check out the group’s website at http://perureconstructionproject@blogspot.com.

After School Music Lessons Available: Justine Paul, a talented musician and seasoned piano and violin teacher will be here on Tuesdays, beginning April 1st to teach private lessons. Justine will also guide a small choral ensemble for interested students. If you have an interest in private instrumental lessons, please call Justine at 224-1307. If your child (grades K-8) is interested in an afternoon chorus, please let me know. (cchesley@hopkintonind.org).

Last Day of School: Barring any future school cancellations, we anticipate that the last day of school will be June 13th.

Thanks to Ski Chaperones: With another year of safe winter sports behind us, we thank our fantastic chaperones who were able to give their time each week so that we could have fun on the snow: Marilyn Knapp, Trish Collins, Deb and Bud Marcou, Terri and Lee Wilcox. We also thank Karen Robertson, Van Nichols, Wendy Hebert, and
Beverly Primeau for joining us.
April Vacation Child Care Sign Up: There will be a sign up sheet posted on the office door. The deadline for signing up will be Friday, April 4th.

Yoga Classes Begin this Week: Swimming Comes Soon: Students in grades K-8 will begin Yoga Class this week. Yoga will continue through April at which time we may offer classes for our preschoolers. Swimming and basketball at Colby Sawyer’s Hogan Center for grades 5-8 will begin on Tuesday, March 25th. A note for parents: The Hogan Center has just replaced the basketball court with a brand new floor. They’ve asked that students bring a clean pair of sneakers to wear on the court — not the pair of shoes that they wore in. Watch for details from your child’s classroom teacher.

Monadnock Class Fundraiser for Travel Study and the Environment: Our eighth graders will travel to Washington DC in May for a travel study in American Studies. They are trying to raise some funds to support their trip. Attached is an order form for either an “Earth Machine” backyard compost bins for $55 each or for kitchen compost pails for $15 each. If you’re not already doing so, these items are great tools for teaching kids about reducing waste in our homes. We need a minimum order of 20, so please check with friend and relatives too. These make great family gifts. Orders must be placed in the folder on the main foyer bulleting board BY MONDAY, MARCH 31. Check should be made payable to the Hopkinton Independent School. Delivery will be in time for Earth Day, April 22. Our middle school students appreciate your support!

Spring Break is Coming: We will be closed the week of April 21st.Childcare will be offered. Sign-ups for childcare will be posted on the office door. Sign-ups close on April 4th.

Theater Night: Grades K-8 will celebrate the performing arts on Thursday, April 17th beginning at 6:30 pm. Please mark you calendars. Details forthcoming from classroom teachers.

End of Day Dismissal: We’re working to smooth out the process of afternoon dismissal to assure student safety and prompt dismissal. Students who leave at 3 pm will be waiting at the front entry when you arrive. We ask parents who need to come in to the building not to park on the circle and to please wait until waiting students have been dismissed (by about 3:10). We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

School Wide News March 2008

Welcome Back Everyone! I hope you all have had a restful week off from school. As we look ahead at the next few weeks, we look forward to Spring and to a variety of fun happenings around school.

Parent Teacher Forum: Please join us on Tuesday, March 4th for a short discussion of Raising Children Who Care. We’ll also discuss class configurations for next year and share the most recent version of the strategic plan. We’ll share an update with you on the status of the Head of School search and on our Twentieth Year Celebration. Child care will be provided and we’ll have light snacks available.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Tickets are available at the office. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be loads of fun for the whole family! Come see our very own Beech Hill Players, Elizabeth and Reuben! Tickets are $7 each; Shows are 7 pm Friday and Saturday night (March 7th & 8th); 2 pm matinee on Sunday (March 9th).

Tuition Discounts: We’re finishing up a matrix that outlines proposed discounts for families with multiple children who have/will attend multiple years. It will be available by Friday, March 7th to go home with classroom newsletters. We welcome your feedback on this new discount. And we remind all families of the $750 tuition reduction when you introduce a new enrollee to our school.

School Surveys: Thank you to those who filled out and returned school surveys. The information you gave is important and helps us to assess our strengths and weaknesses. If you haven’t already done so, please pick up a survey in the front foyer, or take the survey online. And as always, please know my door is open should you have any questions or concerns.

Mount Sunapee Ski Makeup Day: We’re aiming for Monday, March 10th as a ski make up day. And we’re hoping for sunny, spring conditions! However, please be sure to dress your children for winter mountain weather. Parent chaperones should confirm their availability with Lisa in the front office. And a hearty “thank you” to our ski chaperones: Marilyn Knapp, Deb and Bud Marcou, Trish Collins, and Terry Wilcox. It’s amazing to see how far the children have come in just a few weeks.

Winter Carnival: With luck and good weather, Monadnock and Soonipi students will present a special Winter Carnival Rodeo later this month. Details will be forthcoming. Please be sure to dress your children warmly as we will be outside for much of this time. Boots, snow pants, hats, mittens, and warm jackets are a must everyday, but especially this Friday for children to be able to participate.

Yoga Classes: Students in Kindergarten through grade 8 will begin yoga classes on March 19. We’ll get more details to you soon.

NECAP Tests: Congratulations to our middle school students who had stellar performances on their NECAP tests!

School Wide News January - February 2008

I want to thank you all for your participation in our program and your donation of talent and energy that makes our school community a special one. We also appreciate all that our families have done to support various community service projects initiated by our students. I hope that you have all had a restful week off. On behalf of our faculty and staff, I wish you and your families a happy and healthy new year!

Here’s an update on what’s coming up in the weeks ahead:

20th Year Celebration
A kids’ music concert? A fairy/gnome house building day? An educational symposia for parents and teachers? A chicken-barbeque followed by a country dance? Whatever might appeal to you, we invite you to join in the 20th Year Celebration by helping out on one of these 2008 spring events. Sign ups are posted on the volunteer board. Please join our faculty, board, and alumni to help make the years end a truly memorable one!

2007—2008 Annual Appeal
By now everyone should have received a copy of our Annual Report and Annual Fund Appeal. To date we have raised $7,000 with generous gifts from the Gardner, Simon, Chesley, Schapira, Hotten-Somer, Nichols, and Rich Families. We have a match-challenge on deck—the Simon Family has pledged $600 for Science and Technology—but they’d like to see it matched! We invite you to join in on this annual tradition of giving. Collective support is what makes this school strong and keeps tuition as low as possible. All donations are tax deductible.

Parent Teacher Forum
Parents and teachers have suggested our collective reading of Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference by Susan Vogt. Copies will be available in the office soon. We invite you to read the book and join us in March for a group discussion.

New Head Search
The search is underway; if you’d like to be part of the search committee, please contact Search Chair Jayne Huxtable right away. Jayne can be reached at jhuxtable@derryfield.org.

Moving Up Information Night
We invite you to an informational session on January 31, 5—6 pm. This session is designed to give parents an opportunity to meet and hear from their child’s next-year teachers. Come listen to what our teachers have to share about class expectations, daily routines, and traditions. Bring your questions. We’ll have childcare available with signups on the office door.

Open House for Prospective Students and Families
Please pass the word on about our OPEN HOUSE for new families scheduled for February 9th. 10—noon for Preschool through grade 4; 11:00—1:00 for grades 5 through 8. Please help us promote our school by sharing our date cards (available at the office) and posting them at a local library, store, or neighborhood bulletin board.

2008-2009 Registration
Next year’s registration is soon upon us. We are in the process of finalizing next year’s budget and Jodi will have reenrollment forms ready soon. Deposits will be due in early February, once you’ve had a chance to meet next year’s teachers.

Thank You to our Ski Chaperones
We are ever thankful to our ski chaperones:
Deb Marcou, Marilyn Knapp, Trish Collins, Beverly Primeau, Karen Robertson, and Lee and Terri Wilcox. Ski chaperones make our program possible…and help us to keep everyone safe. We had a wonderful first day skiing!

School Community Survey
Keep your eyes out for our school survey coming out by the end of this month. This survey seeks important information from YOU. Please share your feedback, your concerns and your compliments on teaching effectiveness, school administration, our website, and your ideas on various pending considerations.

Science Fair 2008—February 14
This year’s focus is Science Experiments and the Scientific Method. Students have already begun to brain storm ideas and engage in various aspects of the scientific method. Details on this exciting event will be forthcoming in your classroom newsletters.

Winter Vacation—February 25—29
Be sure to mark your calendars. If you need childcare, please sign-up on the office door by February 1. Please note: We need to have a minimum of six children signed up by that date in order to offer vacation week care.

School Wide News -- December 2007

‘Tis the Season for our annual Holiday Teas, lots of singing, dancing, sledding, and excitement in the air. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and good health and fortune for 2008.

Search for a New Head of School
As many of you know, I have anticipated retiring from my role as Head of School for some time. Working as head of school for nearly twenty years has been an amazing joy for me and for my entire family. While this will be the last school year of my leadership, regardless of what the future holds for me professionally, I will continue to support the school’s growth and development into the future. -- Cathy Chesley

We have distributed a letter from Paul Dann, Chair of the Board of Directors, soliciting parent participation in the search for our next Head of School. Earlier this fall, the board surveyed families and staff and determined that they would focus the search on an Interim Head. We anticipate that the Interim Head would lead the school forward for a year or two while the next Head of School is identified. It is possible that the Interim Head could become the Head of School. This strategy has been successful in a number of non-profit leadership transitions involving the retirement of a founding director.

The search committee will be comprised of teachers, parents, board members, and staff. Membership on the committee will involve reviewing resumes, attending interviews, and participating in the final hiring decision. Obviously, this search is very important to us as we move forward to the next twenty years of growth and change. We encourage your participation. However, please be assured that even if you are not able to participate in the search process, we will keep you informed of the search process on a regular basis. If you would like to be a part of the search committee, please contact Jayne Huxtable at jhuxtable@derryfield.org.

With Special Thanks
We want to thank Jill Stagner for her outstanding volunteer effort in making student photos possible this year. Jill has put in hours of hard work taking photos and coordinating orders to see this project through to the end. In making this a fundraising effort for the school, Jill’s time has benefited all of our children beyond the obvious picture-taking efforts. And if that wasn’t enough, Jill is the energy behind our new Daisy Scouts After School Program. Heather Staples-Roy is Jill’s able-bodied assistant in this endeavor. Thank you Jill and Heather. We also thank Marilyn Knapp for her coordination efforts with our Scholastic Book Sale, with assistance from Beverly Primeau, Karen Robertson, and Jill Stagner. The book sale has been a huge success! And finally, we thank the talented parents who came out for the upper school’s Holiday Tea instrumental ensemble: Laurie Sweetbrown, Joe Brancato, Dean Spiliotes, Trish Collins, Russ Freeman, and Jay Towne.

We also thank Kate Drapeau, who has been a student teacher in the Ossippee class. She will finish up her time here this week.

Holiday Vacation
Our last day of school before the holiday vacation will be Friday, December 21. We will have a normal Friday schedule, with school closing at 1:30, followed by childcare until 5:30. Classes will resume on Thursday, January 3rd.

Mount Sunapee Ski Program
Winter skiing for students in grades 1-8 will begin on Monday, January 7th. Skiing details will be sent home with classroom teachers. Parents interested in chaperoning for all five weeks, or joining us for itinerant weeks should let their child’s teacher know as soon as possible, but no later than December 15.

Congratulations
Blessings and joy to the Bishop family on the arrival of their new little bundle, Zoe!

Community Involvement
H.I.S. students enjoy a reputation for their commitment to community involvement and to sharing their good fortune with others. There are many opportunities for you to support their work: The Ossippees will sell hand made candles, the Soonipis are busy working on their C.A.N. project, and the Monadnocks will continue their work as the Beech Hill Bakers, with their upcoming Christmas Cookie Extravaganza. Boxes for donations to area food pantries will be located in the main foyer. Also, we’re collecting warm winter clothing (coats, hats, gloves, blankets, boots) for homeless adults to support the Under the Bridges Project. We hope you’ll become part of our school’s legacy of giving back.

School Photos
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s photos, please let someone in the office know. Thank you.

Snow day information is available on-line.

Our tax ID number is 02-0390863. Some or all of your child care payments may be tax deductible. Please talk to your accountant.

School Wide News - November 2007

Welcome Fall! Right on schedule with the autumn leaves and chilly mornings, we’re all settling in for a fantastic school year. Children have become familiar with each other, their teachers, and with daily routines and practices. Please check out our website and class blogs to see all of the exciting learning that’s going on these days. You can find us at http://www.hopkintonind.org/ and http://www.hisschoolwide.blogspot.com/.

Class Photos: Attached is a flyer prepared by Jill Stagner, Mia and Megan’s mom, announcing picture-taking days next week. Jill has graciously offered her time AND talent as a photographer and organizer. Children who are absent on Wednesday can have their pictures taken the following Tuesday. Thanks to Jill’s generosity, all proceeds will return to the school.

Parent Teacher Forum Update: Attached are the minutes of our meeting on October 25th. It was heartwarming to hear what parents had to say about our school community. We thank all who were able to come out and share their wonderful ideas and thoughts for the upcoming school year. We look forward to putting many of these into action. Please check the bulletin board in the main foyer for volunteer opportunities that will be posted soon.

Important Schedule and Calendar Notes:
Saturday, November 3
Open House for prospective students and families. Please tell your friends!

Friday, November 9
No School
Parent Teacher Conferences Grades K-8

Monday, November 12
No School; Veteran’s Day; no childcare

Tuesday, November 13
No classes for grades 5-8 ONLY
Teacher workshop

Wednesday—Friday, November 21-23

Thanksgiving Recess; no childcare

Friday, December 7
Holiday Tea Grades K-8

Sunday, December 9
Old Fashioned Barn Dance with
Carolyn Parrott and Brad Dorsey
3:00 pm Hopkinton Town Library

Tuesday, December 11
Preschool Holiday Tea 10:30—12:30

December 24—January 2
Holiday Vacation

Harvest Festival 2007: Complete with storytelling, dancing, singing, and drumming in the American Indian tradition, our Harvest Festival was a special treat. We thank Todd Aubertin for his fascinating presentation on flute making and working with wood, Peter Brodeur for his entertaining stories, Jane List for guiding the story skin creations, Catherine Ayer for cooking classes, Courtney Huff for her expert organizing, and our Monadnock students for the interesting hands-on presentation on First Nation people. We thank parent volunteers and all who contributed to our beautiful Harvest Baskets. What a fun evening it was!

Holiday Tea is coming: Mark your calendars for this festive event, a special holiday tradition for our school. More details forthcoming from classroom teachers.

Mt. Sunapee Ski Program—Grades 1-8: Our ski program this year will be on the following Monday’s; January 7; 14; 28 and February 4; and 11. Pricing is as follows (per week):
1 hour lesson and lift ticket $12
Rental $10
Helmet rental $20
We will need volunteers (especially those that can commit to all five weeks) and will have a day at the school set aside for fittings for everyone that will need rental equipment. More information will be sent home as soon as we receive it.

Snow Day Cancellations: Last call for childcare signups. Signups close this Friday, November 2; Please see our cancellation policy attached and on the web at http://www.hisschoolwide.blogspot.com/. Snow day cancellations are announced on WZID 95.7; WJYY 105.5; and WMUR Channel 9.

A Safety Reminder: With colder weather coming, it’s tempting to leave the car running while you drop children inside. However, for everyone’s safety, please be sure to shut your car off when you come inside the building.

Ossipee’s are collecting box tops: The Ossippee class will be counting Box Tops for Education for the school once again this year! You can find Box Tops on all General Mills packaging. Each Box Top is worth $0.10 when we mail them in to General Mills. You can put your Box Tops in the Ossippee’s collection box just inside their classroom door. Then we’ll take care of counting them, adding them, and graphing how much money we collect over the course of the year.

Class Donations and the Giving Tree: Thank you to all for your generous donations, from Legos to books to classroom supplies. Your donations are tax-deductible and allow us to keep tuition costs as low as possible.

School Wide News: September 2007

Welcome to all of our new and returning students and families. We are so thrilled to have your children with us this year. We thank you for entrusting us with their education. We are off to a fantastic start. Your children are eager learners. With such talented teachers in place, you can be sure that some magical things are going to happen this year.

This is your first of our monthly School Wide News publications. It is a critical link to good school-home communication. We try to include important, up to date information on school goings-on, meetings, board initiatives and a host of other topics. Hard copies will be available, and we will also email it to you. We will also put School Wide News up on the website http://www.hopkintonind.org/. You will also receive weekly notices from classroom teachers, either by hard copy or email.

Thanks to all of our summer campers and our energetic staff for making summer fun and memorable. It is always amazing to see the growth and learning that continue at all ages throughout the summer season. From Comics to Inventions, Peter Rabbit’s Garden to going on a Safari, Camp Tuckernuck and the Beech Hill Players, there was something enriching for all ages.

Again this year we will be offering pizza for lunch on Wednesdays, starting September 19. If you are interested in having your child participate, please fill out the attached form and return to your child’s teacher before Wednesday, September 19. If you have any questions, please call the office at 226-4662.

Please join us for a Back to School Night on Thursday, September 27. Preschool families are welcome to join us from 5:00 to 6:00. Parents of students in Kindergarten through grade 8 are welcome to join us from 6:00 to 7:00. We are hoping to limit the number of children in the classrooms during Back to School Night so we will offer childcare in the cottage with advance signup by September 21. Back to School Night is a great opportunity for teachers and parent to discuss the details and routines of the class day, special calendar items, and school year expectations. It’s a time for parents and teachers to share their collective hopes and dreams for year. We’re looking forward to seeing you on the 27th.

Please join in welcoming many new and talented staff members: Catherine Ayer, as our new Kindergarten Teacher in the Amoskeag class, Genna Lencsak, our new Preschool Teacher in the Pemigiawasset Class, and Eileen Eber who will work with Lisa Whipps in the Quechee class; Eileen will also serve as admissions coordinator for the school and Lisa Dean who will take over for Lynn Brofos soon as our new Administrative Assistant. Noah Meister and Trevor Grant join the After School Program along with Amy Huff. We thank Kate Drapeau who joins us from Colby Sawyer College as student teacher in the Ossippee class for dedicating her time and Mike Collins, dad of HIS student Mikey Collins who’s been instrumental in helping us with site logistics at both camp and school over the past few months.

We thank Deb Marcou for serving as Parent Liaison to the Board of Directors. As many may know this year, we celebrate our 20th Anniversary. A celebration committee has been established and we welcome your ideas for some unique ways to mark this significant milestone. If you’d like to participate on this committee, please let us know. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon on a date and time for our next Parent Teacher Forum meeting.

Parents should check out the fantastic array of after school programs offered this fall, from Chess and Board Games to Art, Lego Club and Archery; French and Mandarin classes too; class schedules are located in the main foyer. Our thanks to Donna Maguire for coordinating the After School Program and to Beverly Primeau, Karina’s mom, who has graciously offered her time teaching French again this year.

Check out our exciting new class web pages, brought to you by Marek and our classroom teachers:

• Preschool classrooms
• Kindergarten classrooms
• The Elementary (1-4) classroom
• Upper Grades (5-8) classrooms
  

Be sure to review the 2007-2008 School-Year Calendar.

Following are the email addresses for our teachers and staff. If questions or concerns come up please do not hesitate to contact us. Please remember that we are always willing to meet with you to discuss any aspect of your child’s education.

Cathy Chesley Head of School cchesley@hopkintonind.org
Jo D Burnham Business Manager jburnham@hopkintonind.org
Lisa Dean Office his@hopkintonind.org
Cynthia Nelson Merrimack Teacher cnelson@hopkintonind.org
Genna Lencsak Pemi Teacher mailto:glenscak@hopkintonind.org
Lisa Whipps Quechee Teacher lwhipps@hopkintonind.org
Sara Duval Abenaki Teacher sduval@hopkintonind.org
Catherine Ayer Amoskeag Teacher cayer@hopkintonind.org
Courtney Huff Ossippee Teacher chuff@hopkintonind.org
Marek Bennett Soonipi Teacher mbennett@hopkintonind.org
Donna Maguire Monadnock Teacher dmaguire@hopkintonind.org