BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Good afternoon,

I debated between a Valentine's theme or the Super Bowl and the hearts won out! Still, in honor of the Super Bowl, I'm getting this out early and keeping it brief!

Here are a few timely updates:

We held a lockdown practice drill last week and the students did a great job. They also had some thoughtful questions. Some asked what we would do if ICE came to our school. I wanted to let you know that our Safety Committee discusses drills and protocols regularly. While we feel the risk is minimal, we do have a plan in place that involves close coordination with local law enforcement and a schoolwide alert that signals to teachers they should have students remain in classes and carry on with "business as usual, while remaining in classrooms." The goal would be to allow the Administration and its attorneys to do our due diligence and interact with federal agents away from students' view.

We are planning to administer the Quaglia Survey to teachers as well as 3rd through 8th grade students who have permission to participate. This is the annual survey gathering important feedback about our school climate and culture. (The attached letter was the one included in the online registration.) Next week, parents will have the opportunity to respond to a parent version of the survey. This is our fourth year administering the survey and it has become a key piece of data used regularly by our leadership team and teachers to set goals and priorities for instruction and programming.

We should be wrapping up NWEA testing and will finish the week with some festivities. Friday is 100th day of school as well as 1000 days for 5th graders. Many classes will celebrate Valentine's Day, including the Middle School who has a Valentine's Dance on Friday night. A Friday afternoon bus adventure is nothing compared to a middle school Valentine's Dance on Friday the 13th! The events list below details all meetings and events for the week and there are lots of other fun updates.

See you tomorrow,

Audra

P.S. In case you missed it in the Area Events & Resources section, check this out:

"Calling all kids to decorate Valentine's cookies! Please join Hannah Darling and Ilsa Pinkson-Burke at the Philip Read Library in Plainfield on February 14, 11 -12. Everyone is welcome!"

Audra Bucklin, Principal

abucklin@sau32.nh.gov

603-469-3250, x223

7th graders telling their nature stories to kindergarteners!

FEBRUARY

9 - NWEA Testing (Final Week)

9 - Professional Development Committee, 3:15 in the library

10 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome

10 - Plainfield School Board Meeting - 5:30 pm - Music Room

12 - Math Meet @ Lebanon 4:00 - 5:30pm (bus departs 1:45)

13- FAST (3rd of 4 Fridays)

13 - NO STUDY HALL

13 - Middle School Dance (8th Grade Sponsor) – 7 to 9 pm

16 - Safety Committee Meeting, 3-4pm in the library

16 - PES Drama Rehearsal - 3 to 4:30 pm - Music & Art Rooms

17 - K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome

18 - Community Committee - 4 to 5 pm - Library

18 - Middle School Program Development Updates - 6 to 7:30 pm - Location TBD

19 - Hood Museum Field Trip (5C) 9-10:30

19 - Math Team Practice, 2:50 - 4:00pm, Erin Mellow’s room

20 - Hood Museum Field Trip (5P) 9-10:30

20 - FAST (4th of 4 Fridays)

20 - NO STUDY HALL

23-27 Winter Break

This is the first edition and we look forward to including the link to the newsletter, which will feature articles and updates by middle schoolers, in the weekly publication of the Blackhawks Bulletin. Be sure to check it out weekly to see what matters most to our students.

See Abbey Group Website for full details and to upload funds.

"COLD" Options: (offered daily)

Assorted Pre-made Deli Sandwiches, ham and turkey. Sunbutter/Jelly sandwiches

Yogurt Parfait with Fruit and Granola

Fresh Fruit and Veggie Bar with Dinner Roll

We will once again administer winter NWEA tests in all grades. This helps us to monitor individual growth and assess our curriculum, instruction, and assessment program. Results will be available for March parent teacher conferences.

K

2/12 - Math, 9:30 am

Grades 3 & 4

2/11 - Math, 8:30am

Grade 5

2/9 - Math, 10 am

Grades 6 through 8

2/10 Math, 8 am

The Plainfield School is seeking individuals who would be comfortable working with K-8th grade students in our building during the 2025-2026 school year. Applicants must be able to follow teacher substitute plans, be dependable, and enjoy working with children. If you are interested in applying, please contact Katie Lowery in the office at (603) 469-3250.

LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED SPRING 2026

Plainfield School District

92 Bonner Road

Meriden, NH 03770

(603) 469-3442

-Elementary Education Teacher - Long Term Substitute (Beginning Mid to late April 2026 to the end of the school year) (Job#: 5512639)

-Special Education Paraprofessional - Long Term Substitute (Beginning Early to Mid-April 2026 to the end of the school year) (Job#: 5512641)

Details can be found on schoolspring.com or

-Contact Audra Bucklin at abucklin@sau32.nh.gov

E.O.E

2025-2026 Lost and Found…please bookmark the link below for access to our lost and found site. We amass quite the collection over the course of the year! Items are kept in a nicely organized "display" of sorts in the lobby just past the lunch area on the right.

We have seen an increase in children returning back to school before they are symptom free. Children should not return to school until they are fever-free to prevent the spread of illness. Fever is a sign of an infection, and children are often contagious when they have a fever. Returning to school with a fever can lead to the spread of germs to other students and staff, potentially causing further illness. Schools encourage sick individuals to stay home and establish clear return-to-school policies to manage illness effectively.

In health,

Nurse Beth

The Middle School Service Club, which meets on Wednesdays, wrapped up their winter session with a visit to the Plainfield Food pantry and Clothing Swap. Plainfield Community Health Officer, Stephanie Schell and club advisor Erin Mellow provided a wonderful opportunity for student volunteers to learn about giving back to their wider community.

In K-4 Library last week, we read about how a blind astronomer hears the stars, then listened to them ourselves! Follow the link to hear the amazing sonifications!

The PES Destination Imagination team has been working hard this year solving their challenge! Their challenge is to create a performance showing the origin story of a superhero and a supervillain. In Destination Imagination, students get the opportunity to create their own story, sets, props, and costumes ALL without adult interference. Every idea the team has come up with has been their own without outside help! The team will be competing at the Northern Regional Tournament at Inter-Lakes Middle-High School in Meredith, New Hampshire on Saturday, March 14th. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the tournament!

PES Eighth Grade High School Transition Timeline

(Timeline/Dates are subject to revisions)

January/Early February

• PES teachers recommend classes for all PES students attending LHS.

• PES teachers and staff complete private school application requests.

Late February/Early March: LHS Course Selection Process

• LHS to visit Plainfield students to discuss the course selection process.

• PES School Counselor to meet with 8th grade students individually to support selection of courses

• Plainfield School Counselor delivers course selections to LHS by deadline.

April

• LHS provides parent information night at LHS

May/June:

• IEP/504 meetings for rising 9th graders are held (in person/virtual)

• LHS counselors to visit PES with completed schedules for 8th graders attending LHS

• Step up day: presentation and tour of the building (All students are welcome on the tour - even if not attending LHS).

Our monthly theme in guidance is Cooperation

Next PTA Meeting: Wednesday, March 11th 7-8pm at Meriden Library

Upcoming Events:

K-5 Movie Night: Friday, March 6th. Mark your calendars!

Next PTA Meeting: Wednesday, March 11th 7-8pm at Meriden Library

PTA Scholastic Book Fair: March 10-12th. SignUp Genius coming soon for this fun volunteer opportunity!

Basketball is in full swing! Please check the calendar for updates and schedules.

Due to the federal government shutdown and the suspension of the SNAP food benefits the town of Plainfield’s Community Resource Room & Food Pantry is ready and available to assist Plainfield, Meriden & Cornish residents during this unsettling time.

If you are without transportation or can’t physically attend these special pick-up times, please reach out and we will try our best to arrange for a drop-off at your home.

The Community Food Pantry is located at the Christ Community Church, 1259 Route 12A in Plainfield. Across the street from the Plainfield Fire Station.

The Community Food Pantry's regular hours are the 1st Thursday, 3rd Friday & 3rd Saturday of each month from 9-10:30 a.m. During these times any residents needing to stretch their grocery budget from Plainfield, Meriden & Cornish can access food.

We are here to help during these challenging times. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Plainfield’s Community Resource Director, Stephanie Schell at cr.director@plainfieldnh.org or 1-603-469-3201.

If people would like to make monetary donations to

Our local community food pantry they may do so by sending a check to:

The Town of Plainfield

P.O. Box 380

Meriden, NH 03770

In the check memo write: Food Pantry

Calling all kids to decorate Valentine's cookies! Please join Hannah Darling and Ilsa Pinkson-Burke at the Philip Read Library in Plainfield on February 14, 11 -12. Everyone is welcome!

See below for a full list of upcoming events and ongoing resources in our community.

Afterschool Programs at Ava Gallery in Lebanon. See attached course descriptions and flyer below.

Fuel Assistance

Any Plainfield or Meriden resident requiring assistance for housing, heating fuel assistance, electricity assistance, medication assistance and or nutritional support from the Town should contact the Community Resource Director, Stephanie Schell. Contact information: 603-469-3201 or email sschell@plainfieldschool.org. All information is confidential.

Food Pantry

Residents of the Town of Plainfield can access the following local services.
Note: The food pantry and clothing swap rooms are located in the Christ Community Church on Route 12A (across from the Plainfield Fire Department). The Food Pantry is open the 1st Thursday and the 3rd Friday and Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and warmly welcomes all Town residents.

Free Clothing Rooms

The Christ Community Church has (2) very well organized rooms that contain FREE clothing for adults and children. All clothing is donated and in great condition. In addition to clothing there are also Free household items, toys & books as well. These rooms are open to the Public each Tuesday morning from 9-11 a.m.

Free Fresh Veggies & Fruit

Free fresh produce provided by Willing Hands: please check the Town calendar for dates and times.

Fight 68 Hours of Hunger Care Package Program:

A box of nutritious food is delivered to your home each Wednesday afternoon to help fight hunger. The box contains a variety of foods for the entire family to help stretch your grocery budget.

Willing Hands

FREE Fresh veggies, fruit, milk, eggs, bread & proteins Every Wednesday from 11:45-12:15 p.m. Cornish Town Hall is located on the fairgrounds. Everyone is welcome!

Southwestern Community Services: Claremont, NH

Providing Heating Fuel & Electrical Assistance. They also have Rental or Mortgage Assistance programs. Completed applications for eligibility are needed. These programs are open to all Sullivan County Residents please call 542-9528 for more information.

LISTEN Community Services

Providing Plainfield Residents with the following:

• Heating & Electrical Assistance
• Food Pantry resources
• Holiday Gift Baskets
• School Supplies Drive
• Community Dinners
• Housing Helper Grants
• Summer Camp Scholarships
• Thrift Store Vouchers for clothing & furniture.

Located at 60 Hanover Street, Lebanon

Call for an appointment to discuss individual needs: 1-603-448-4553

Students enjoy some skating at KUA during Friday's FAST program.