Welcome to the Middle School (Grades 5-8) Newsletter!

We are excited to pilot a new intervention program aimed at improving the current math intervention time at the end of the day by offering personalized instruction and support for all subjects. Each week, students will sign up for intervention sessions based on their individual needs, with a primary focus still on math, and receive tailored instruction or assistance from teachers in small groups or one-on-one settings. The program allows flexibility, ensuring students take ownership of their learning while teachers adapt their approach to meet the needs of each student. This pilot initiative aims to provide more targeted, effective support, helping students build confidence and make progress in their academic goals.

A friendly reminder about our M.U.S.T. program.

Per our 2024-2025 Strafford School Student/Family Handbook: "In the event a student gets behind with an academic assignment or skill, a M.U.S.T can be issued to keep the student before or after school. A minimum of 24-hour notice will be given to families and a signed statement agreeing to provide transportation secured. This time will be spent working with the teacher to get caught up on an assignment or practicing the missing skills."

Please note that this it is not a discipline system, rather an academic support system.

Grades 5-6

Grades 7-8

Students have been earning "Super Spartan Tickets" for being positive members of our school community. Students who earn this ticket from a staff member can bring their ticket down to the office to be entered in a drawing for a Super Spartan Bracelet, and be celebrated over the announcements on Friday! We have a school goal to connect all our tickets at the end of the year to wrap around the school building!

Super Spartan winners this week were nominated by staff members for being helpful and kind. There were so many nominations this week, keep up the good work Spartans!

Students in grade 7 and 8 were able to see a production of "Triggered" by TIGER from Plymouth State University. Triggered is a riveting one-man show dealing with our nation’s growing drug and alcohol epidemic through the personal journey of an individual recovering from substance use disorders.

Students in National Junior Honor Society went to the Studley Home in Rochester to make crafts with residents and spread some cheer!

It's time to order your yearbook! Use this link to order TODAY!

2024-25 School Calendar

December 16-20, 2024

Winter Spirit Week

December 23, 2024-January 1, 2025

NO SCHOOL Holiday Break/New Year's Observance

We would love to help support our Strafford families with whatever they need during the holiday season. Please fill this form out if you would like to be added to our list! (Staff members, this also applies to you!)

**Please note: This information will be kept confidential and limited to need-to-know staff members who are helping to collect or distribute items**

• Nicole.alley@strafford.k12.nh.us
• Laura.milner@strafford.k12.nh.us

Below is the basketball schedule for this week!

Full athletic schedules and calendar can be found below. We are excited to start playing games this week! Please come out and support our Spartans!

NJHS is still accepting non perishable donations for their food drive. Between now and next Friday 12/20, the class that brings in the most items will win a special surprise! Bring in the non perishables to your homeroom teacher!

Every Friday is HAT DAY! Students may wear their favorite hat to school all day if they bring in $1! Thank you for supporting the 8th grade class!

Support the 8th Grade and order your blankets for holiday gift giving! Stop by the main office anytime or send money in with students!

We want to thank all the community members who came together to discuss the future of our playground here at Strafford School. We discussed important information such as fundraising, logistics, and other ways we can support play on the playground. Our next meeting will be at 6 PM on December 18th in the school library. Any and all community members are encouraged to come! More information on this and future meetings to come in future newsletters!

Hill Library Youth Programs

Registration for the January-February session of Library Club opens December 16! Email cbeihl.hl@gmail.com to get on the Library Club email list. We have some fun and festive events happening next week, make sure to check them out below!

Mark your calendars for the Winter Reading Program at Hill Library! From January 6-February 15 we'll log our reading and get a special bead to add to our keychain each week. We'll celebrate the end of the program on Wednesday, February 19 with a Hot Cocoa Party!

*Grades 5+ Cupcake Decorating

Thursday, December 19

3:30pm-4:30pm

Decorate some delicious cupcakes with friends! Please register.

Grade 5+ Games

Thursdays

After school until 4:30pm

Play fun games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Really Loud Librarians, and more!

*Please register for these programs! Email Claire at cbeihl.hl@gmail.com to sign up.

The deadline is Feb. 1.

This is the Middle School Newsletter for Grades 5-8. For the K-4 Newsletter, click here.