What an EXCITING and eventful first week of school. Who would have thought we'd end up having school closed on day two? We were so proud of our community of students and staff who adjusted gracefully to this unexpected change. Students demonstrated great resilience on Wednesday when returning, and this week was surely the best opening school week ever!

As we continue to shift back into the school year, we are asking that Strafford families think about new and exciting ways to get involved! We are always looking for subs to cover - even if it's for one day per week - or volunteer at an event, drop off goodies for hard working teachers, or serve on a school team. According to the National Institute of Health, there is a direct and positive correlation between parents getting involved in small ways and student achievement. If you need support to figure out a way to get involved, reach out! Whether you spend 20-minutes putting up a bulletin board, or subbing daily, we appreciate you and your dedication to our school!

In partnership,

Mrs. Blackington and Mr. Merrill

PLEASE NOTE: The 2024-25 School Calendar below has been updated!

2024-25 School Calendar

September 18, 2024

6 - 7 PM Open House & Scholastic Book Fair (PTO selling hot dogs, chips and drinks)

September 26, 2024

Picture Day

October 15, 2024

NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workshop Day

October 26, 2024

PTO's Halloween Hoopla - Trunk or Treat 3:30-5 PM and K-4 Family Halloween Dance 5-7 PM (See flyer in PTO section)

October 31, 2024

NO SCHOOL - Parent Teacher Conferences

Pick Up Patrol is up and running for the 2024-25 school year! Please update default plans for the year and remember to update plans daily if they change. Thank you! If you have any questions please email april.silva@strafford.k12.nh.us

If your student has a standing appointment that they will be missing any school for, please send in a doctor's note that we can keep on file. This must be done every year so we can mark the student as excused. If you have any questions please email jclark@strafford.k12.nh.us

For emergency absences or late arrivals/early dismissals for appointments, please send in the doctors notes for the student to be marked excused. Doctors can fax or email the note or a physical copy can be sent in to main office with students.

Students are considered truant if they have 10 half days unexcused. Please see the policy regarding Attendance and Truancy.

Thank you for starting our year off on such a successful note with arrival and dismissal! We have a few notes to make it even more successful and safe.

Arrival:

When dropping students off please enter through the police station, go up the hill by the SAU and drop off is by the gym doors. Please do not let students out until you see adults and you are one of the first two cars in the line. Do not pass cars in the drop off line, this is a huge safety concern as students are exiting vehicles. Please do not exit your vehicle to let students out. Practice exiting your vehicle with them at home or ask our staff for assistance. This allows the line to move quickly.

Pick Up:

Pick up line is the same as drop off. In through police station, up the hill and waiting in line. Once you are close to the front of the line, a staff member will call for your student. Please do not get out of your vehicle, as it slows down the line. Also do not pass others as there are many students entering vehicles.

THANK YOU!

We are still in need of the following positions:

• Paraprofessionals (Full or Part Time)
• Substitute Teachers
• Custodian (Part Time)
• Substitute RN/School Nurse

If you are interested please take a look at job descriptions and application info HERE. Please spread the word!

Strafford School provides many after school activities and clubs for students in grades K-8. Check back soon for info about upcoming events.

If you are interested in starting a club, activity or group please reach out to us! Office@strafford.k12.nh.us

Unfortunately, due to bus and driver shortages, there will be no bus transportation available for Fall sports this school year. For away games/meets, students will be dismissed from class at 2:45PM to change for parent pick up. If you have any questions, please email Athletic Director, Jeff Merrill at jeff.merrill@strafford.k12.nh.us

The online payment portal can be found HERE. You can also send in cash and check to the main office at any time. Please make checks payable to "Strafford School".

Please note: if you received an error message when trying to put money on your students' accounts, it is fixed! Thanks for your patience!

For information regarding free and reduced meals please visit HERE. All necessary paperwork will also be coming home with students today. If you are interested, please fill out the forms and send them back to school.

Our meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the school library. Upcoming meeting dates: September 10th, October 8th and November 12th.

We will selling hot dogs, chips and drinks during the Open House on September 18th! If you are interested in purchasing hot dogs, please fill out this form so we can be prepared! We will have extra in case you forget!

🎃 Sign up forms to decorate trunks will be coming home with students in September! 🎃

Strafford Recreational Sports is a non-profit organization in Strafford, New Hampshire. Our mission is to provide recreational sports to the youth of Strafford with emphasis on fun and learning.

For more information on our offerings please take a look on the website HERE.

Join us for Library Club at Hill Library! Sessions begin September 16, with K-1 students meeting on Mondays and Grade 2+ students on Wednesdays. Students are walked over from school by library staff and parent pick-up is at 4:30pm. We have all sorts of fun activities planned! Sign up begins September 3. Email Claire at cbeihl.hl@gmail.com to get on the Library Club email list.

Library Club Grades K-1—Monday, September 16, 23, 30 and October 7 and 14

Library Club Grades 2+ —Wednesday, September 18, 25, and October 2, 9, and 16

Week 1: Garden Club

Week 2: Dino Dig

Week 3: Snack Club

Week 4: Science Station

Week 5: Board Games

Now accepting registrations for the 2024 Season of NH Thunder Cross Country. The program this year will again be held at Coe Brown Northwood Academy. Kids will participate in running games such as scavenger hunts, relay races, and obstacle courses while they learn the fun of running on the trails, being active, and making healthy choices.

Participants will also receive a t-shirt to keep.

We will be having a small xc race in conjunction with the Div. II JV State meet held at Coe Brown at the end of the season.

For more information please contact:

Karyn Fisher at 5fishers@metrocast.net.

You can register on-line at:

https://www.nhthunder.com/registration

Cost: $40.00

Grades: Age 5 yr. - 4th Grade

When: Wednesdays beginning September 11th through October 16th

Time: 5:30-6:30 pm

Location: Coe Brown Northwood Academy up near the track