BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Hello Blackhawks,

Welcome back! We hope you and your children enjoyed a restful, joyful winter break filled with time to recharge and reconnect. As we begin this new calendar year, we are excited to welcome our students back as we continue to partner with you in their learning and growth.

Returning from a nice long break always brings a mix of energy, anticipation, and renewal. My own renewal comes from some quality time with family, listening to music, and catching up on reading and podcasts. I am currently reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell for pleasure and Building Thinking Classrooms in Math by Peter Liljedahl professionally. I have also been watching/listening to a variety of podcasts and videos related to the importance of innovation in education. One of my favorites was a keynote address by Tony Wagner at the Future Focused Ed conference in Boston a couple of years ago.

I am returning from the break recommitted to the notion that this is an exciting time to be in education. It is also a time that requires us to look deeply and innovatively at what our children and our communities need to thrive in our fast-paced world. Personally, I believe we need more joy, more comfort with mistakes (and trust in the process), and most importantly, increased collaboration. As educators, we are continuously engaged in discussion of how to best prepare our students through our program, curriculum, and grading/assessment practices. One hope I have for 2026 is to engage more regularly - both formally and informally - with parents and our wider community.

Thank you for your trust, your involvement, and the many ways you contribute to making PES such a special place. We are truly looking forward to continuing our journey of learning, growth, and connection as we collectively model the importance of fun, trial & error, and collaboration for our children.

Warmly,

Audra Bucklin

P.S. I forgot to share about music. I came across a song by Let’s Grow Kids - “I Hear Something Beautiful” [youtu.be]- featuring one of my favorites, Kat Wright. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

"Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right." ~Oprah Winfrey

abucklin@sau32.nh.gov

603-469-3250, x223

JANUARY 2026

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

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

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.

Understanding and supporting healthy sexual development

Babysitting available.

If any student would like to start practicing for the Spelling Bee, there is a free app from Scripps called Word Club. Using the app, you can study the grade level lists and the Words of the Champions list. Parent word nerds will love it too!

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/word-club-spelling-vocabulary/id1479862742

Want to learn more about nature? Eager to share the joy of discovery with children? Become a Four Winds volunteer and join a group of community members who share both an interest in nature and a love of children.

Four Winds Nature Institute is a community-based organization that provides natural science education for all ages. As a Four Winds Nature Program volunteer, you will bring fun and engaging natural science lessons to the children at Cornish or Plainfield Elementary School, in Kindergarten through Grade 4.

Adult volunteers from both towns meet for five two-hour workshops throughout the school year. The site of the workshops alternates between the Cornish and Plainfield Schools. At each workshop a member of the Four Winds staff walks the volunteers through a fascinating natural science topic by demonstrating activities that will be done later with the students.

After the workshops volunteers bring these lessons to the classroom. Many of the activities involve taking the children outdoors, to the nearby fields and woods, for an up-close look at things related to the topic. This is the best way to learn about the natural world.

Our teachers are always involved when the volunteers are with their students. This is a way to support them, as it is not always easy to take a whole class outside without extra hands. It is also a great way to meet other people in our community and give the important and rewarding gift of your time to the children in our school.

For more information contact the program coordinators,

Linda Fuerst- Cornish, lm@lmfuerst.com

Kathleen Maslan, Plainfield- kathleen.maslan@comcast.net

Students in grades 6-8 who are interested in participating in Spring Theater as an actor or as part of the tech crew should fill out this google form by Wednesday Dec 17th! Rehearsals will start in January with the performance April 3rd and 4th, there will be an information session when we return--dates TBD--to learn more about the program and announce the play! No experience necessary, just a willingness to try new things, be part of a creative team, and have fun!

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

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

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