Welcome! Welcome Back!
2024-2025
For Your Calendar
- Aug. 13 (VIRTUAL-only) Board Of Trustees Meeting at 5:30pm. All are Welcome! Here is the link.... https://ccsnh.zoom.us/j/94547458789
- Aug. 17 Campus/ Classroom Clean Up (9am-1pm)... Meet at the UE/MS parking lot
- Aug. 20-22 All Staff return for "Teacher Days" (community building, classroom set up, planning and professional development)
- Aug. 24 New Families / Family Committee Day at Fox Park @ 1pm
- Aug. 26 First Day of School
- Aug. 30 Labor Day Weekend Begins- No School
- Sept. 2 No School
- Sept. 3 After School Program (ASP) Begins
- Sept. 3 FC Meeting 3:15 @ Lower El Picnic Tables
- Sept. 7 Plymouth Town-wide Yard Sale (FC Fundraiser)
- Sept. 12 MVCS Open House (evening), LE 5-5:45, UE/MS 6-6:45 (Parents and Caregivers only
- Sept. 18 Staff Meeting- No ASP
- Sept. 21 SLA Paddle 1-4 (FC event)
- Sept. 27 Staff In-Service Day- Half day Dismissal at 11:45am- NO ASP
We are Happy to be Here!
Here is our current staff roster for the year!
Saplings: Dawn Grant, Pauline McClain, Jim Napier, Para-(still hiring)
Eaglets: Krystal Elder, Assistant-(still hiring), Kenzie Ewing, Jim Napier, Para-(still hiring)
Loons: Kelsi Lessard, Gretchen Helmers, Brendan Adams
Black Bears: Jenna Lewis, Assistant-(still hiring), Brendan Adams, Para-(still hiring)
Brook Trout: Steve Terrio, Lisa Diener, Ana Brady, Michael Kim
Art: Lower El - Pauline McClain, Upper El/ Middle School Gretchen Helmers
Music: Brendan Adams and Michael Kim
ASP Lead: Brendan Adams
ASP Staff: Izzy
Special Education Coordinator/Teacher: Monica Moscillo
Special Education Teacher/ Behavior Specialist: Linda Williams
Student Support (SSP): Danielle Zecker-Hannon
Office Assistant: Angela Whitman
Sub Pool (so far): Russ Elder,....
Dean of Students and Director of Operations : Alfie Kerr
Head of School: Merrill DeGraff
*Our bios and pics will be updated on our website soon!
Our New Black Bear Lead- Welcome Jenna Lewis
We are so excited that Jenna Lewis will be the new Lead Teacher for the Black Bears this year. Jenna has been with us at MV for the past 2 years as the Black Bears Assistant and a teacher in our ASP program. She knows our school, our families and, most importantly, our students well. We are very fortuneate to have her as our new Lead. Welcome Jenna!
Here is a little bit about Jenna...
Jenna is a New Hampshire native and grew up exploring and developing a passion for the mountains. Since a young age she has cherished the therapeutic value of nature. She recently graduated early from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. She has worked with kids of all ages since she was 15, from summer camps to nannying. She has taught many nature-based lessons within her career. Working with children in nature is her calling, making MVCS a perfect fit for her. She plans to further her education in psychology and continue to work with kids outdoors. Working at MVCS as a full-time assistant teacher in an outdoor-focused classroom has set Jenna on the right path to the career that is not only perfect for her, but aligns with her core values and is rewarding as well.
Her passions include traveling, skiing, and hiking.
Jenna can be reached by email at jenna@mountainvillagecharterschool.org
MV is Hiring!
As you may have noticed from our roster above, I am still hiring. Please spread the word! I am looking for the following...
- Lower El Assistant
- Upper El Assistant
- 3 Para-professionals
- 10 Subs
If you are interested or know someone who might be, please reach out to Merrill at merrill@mountainvillagecharterschool.org. This is a fantastic place to work!
After School Program (ASP)
A Little Bit About the Program...
The MVCS After Squirrel Program provides fun and engaging opportunities for all MVCS students to learn, grow and explore nature while being mentored in a positive culture of care and respect.
Our Squirrels will develop deeper connections to nature, themselves and others through a variety of activities including environmental education, games, shelter building, nature crafts., storytelling, and lots of play and adventure. The After Squirrel Program will survey participant interest to develop engaging, age appropriate, activities and clubs throughout the school year. A simple snack, ie. Crackers and cheese, or fruit and a granola bar will be made available. All students are expected to follow the school's Student Code of Conduct.
ASP begins September 3.
ASP runs daily from 3:00-5:00pm and pick up is usually at the Upper Elementary/Middle School parking lot or inside the building. Signs will be out directing families regarding pick up.
Please email (brendan@mountainvillagecharterschool.org) with the details of your ASP needs.
MV Family Committee
Welcome everyone! Looking to get connected, help out and have some fun? Join us!
August 17 Campus/ Classroom Clean Up (9am-1pm). We meet in the Upper El parking lot. More details coming soon!
Family Committee Back to School Welcome at Fox Park at 1pm on August 24th - All are welcome! Come play together, make new friends and find out about Family Committee
The Plymouth Town-wide Yard Sale is Saturday 9/7 at Alfie’s house. Please reach out to Sarah Noel if you are interested in volunteering. pattirosko@gmail.com
The SLA Paddle is back by popular demand! Saturday 9/21 from 1p-4p. The Squam Lake Association has generously offered kayaks and canoes for families to use for a paddle out on the lake. Or meet us there and bring your own boats. Sign-up sheet to come!
Our first meeting of the year will be Wednesday, September 3rd right after school in Lower El picnic table area.
Here is to a wonderful new year!
Fall Gear Requirements
Please make sure your student(s) have an extra full set of weather appropriate clothes in their backpacks. Rain gear is a great idea right now. Undies and socks can come in handy too.
**** If you are having trouble acquiring any of these, please let me know. We can help.
Every student should have a pair of indoor shoes that is left at school each day. This helps keep our spaces cleaner and allows students to change out of dirty and potentially wet outdoor shoes.
Drop Off and Pick Up Details
Drop off- 7:45-8:15, we expect every student to be on campus and ready to start the day by 8:15
Lower Elementary— For the start of the year, the admin team will meet families halfway down the driveway, or for those who are returning families, at the usual afternoon pick up place until everyone gets used to pausing and waiting for space at the top of the driveway. The location will be marked with an orange cone. We will send you up the driveway where someone will greet your student as they exit the car and point them in the right direction. Teachers will be out to greet everyone. Adults, please do not exit your car during drop off and please try to arrange for your student to exit the right side of the car. There is a space to pull into at the bottom of the driveway if you want to get out for a goodbye hug before you get in line.
Upper Elementary— Admin will meet families at the back of the parking lot in a space marked with a cone. Students will exit the car, on the right side if possible, and teachers will be available to lead them in the right direction as they enter Fort Creek. Adults, please do not exit your car during drop off. Feel free to pull over in front of the school for a goodbye hug before you get in line.
Pick up- 2:45-3:00pm:
Lower Elementary -- Admin will meet families halfway down the driveway, or for those who are returning families, at the usual afternoon pick up place. The location will be marked with a cone. We will radio to the teachers waiting at the top, send cars up three at a time and a teacher will escort your child to the car. Please do not park and get out, this is a rolling pick up. It would be very helpful for us if families made a sign with their students' names and put it on their visor, so that we can easily identify you and your vehicle. We'll get to know cars and faces soon- promise!
Upper Elementary – A group of teachers will meet cars at the back of the parking lot in a space marked with a cone. We will radio to teachers in Fort Creek, who will send the students out to the waiting cars. Please do not park and get out, this is a rolling pick up. It would be very helpful for us if families made a sign with their students' names and put it on their visor, so that we can easily identify you and your vehicle. We'll get to know cars and faces soon- promise!
