BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Congratulations to 5th grader Emme DiNapoli who is one of seven finalists for the NH Kid Governor! Classrooms across the state will vote between November 2 and 10 and the 2027 Kid Governor will be announced in mid-November. We are so proud of Emme who is campaigning on a platform of fighting childhood hunger. And thank you to Ms. Cook for bringing this program to PES for the past 6 years!

Happy 1st Day of November & "Fallback",

I hope everyone has enjoyed the long weekend! It was wonderful to see so many of you at Parent-Teacher Conferences. Thank you to the PTA for keeping us nourished throughout. And thank you all for your ongoing support of your children’s academic, social, and emotional success. We truly value the partnership we share with you.

In conversations with teachers, a common theme emerged: many parents had questions about homework and how best to support learning at home. I’m sharing a helpful resource that offers practical tips for supporting children with homework at different ages and stages:

How to Help Kids with Homework: 10 Tips for Parents (2026)

Our general guideline of approximately 10 minutes of homework per grade level each night (10 minutes in first grade, 70 minutes in seventh grade) aligns well with these recommendations. In the lower grades, we encourage students to build the habit of reading for at least that amount of time each evening.

In the upper grades, our middle school team is working hard to help students develop the organizational and time-management skills needed to manage a variety of assignments, deadlines, and preparation for upcoming assessments. Students regularly use their planners and receive support in thinking ahead and breaking larger projects into manageable steps.

If a middle school student is consistently spending more than 60 to 75 minutes on homework in a given evening, it may be a sign that they need some additional support with time management and planning how to spread larger assignments over multiple nights.

Establishing a regular homework routine can help students build independence and develop habits that will serve them well in the years ahead. When questions arise, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to your child’s teacher to clarify expectations and discuss how you can best support them at home.

Learning to manage time, navigate challenges, and occasionally make mistakes is all part of the process. With our shared guidance, encouragement, and support, these experiences become valuable opportunities for growth. That’s what productive struggle is all about!

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our students grow as learners and as individuals.

SAFETY NIGHT - We had a wonderful turnout for Safety Night. Thanks to all who attended and engaged in such an important conversation about keeping our students safe online. I would also like to extend a huge thanks to Erin Klocek for organizing the event and to the following for your contributions:

• Erin Barnett, PhD - Dartmouth College
• Center for Safer Communities Partners Jen Gallagher
• Lebanon Police Department - Cybercrimes Unit Officers
• Plainfield Police Department's Officer DePietro for providing Halloween safety tips and fingerprinting so many volunteers!

• Amanda Jewell, for notarizing background check paperwork

• The Plainfield PTA for providing pizza and beverages
• All of our babysitting volunteers for keeping our young ones well-fed and entertained while caregivers attended the panel discussion.

FAST - We are once again including the FAST student and chaperone sign up form (below.) Please be sure to complete the form by November 22nd.

See you tomorrow!

Audra

Congratulations to the Lebanon boys varsity soccer team for their sudden death overtime win in the quarterfinals. PES alum Caelan Boynton scored the winning goal, assisted by fellow-PES alum, Tucker Green! So proud of both of you. A huge thanks to your parents, teachers, and all the coaches who help cultivate teamwork, persistence, hard work, and especially a love of the game! Good luck in the semis!

Seven of the 33 LHS National Honor Society inductees are from Plainfield. We are so proud of your character, scholarship, leadership, and service:

Caelan Boynton

Paige Falcone

Tucker Green

Nolan Hewett

Calvin Ramos-Glew

John Rendahl

Isak Tell

NOVEMBER

"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

LINK TO ONLINE MENU

The Community Committee will hold its first meeting of the year on November 4 at 4:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the middle school wing.

Made up of PES faculty and staff and members of the Plainfield community, the committee aims to ensure that the voices and perspectives of all students and residents are heard and recognized.

To support this goal, the committee facilitates learning opportunities that bring the community together. Past events have included a community read and discussion of I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Mónica Guzmán last fall, as well as an autism workshop and panel discussion with Dr. Raymond Chin last spring.

Anyone interested in learning more about the committee or getting involved is encouraged to contact committee chair Joshua Hunnewell at jhunnewell@sau32.nh.gov.

No Study Hall week of 11/2 to 11/6

Do you have a pair of ice skates you no longer use? Would you like to donate them? We have boxes in the front office foyer for ice skate donations. Leave a pair! Take a pair to borrow! We need all sizes :)

Hello folks,

It's that time of year., I am attaching the annual FAST program participant & chaperone sign up form. Please complete one form on behalf of each student no later than Sunday, November 22nd.

https://forms.gle/3rMzuwsVyp2aTBR77

If you plan to chaperone, please note that you will need to get fingerprinted ASAP in order for the prints to be back in time. Please consider joining us next Wednesday at 6 pm for the Safety Night. Officer Rob will be here doing fingerprinting. This is great for anyone who might wish to volunteer for an upcoming field trip, event, etc.

Joshua Hunnewell is the contact person for FAST if you have questions- jhunnewell@sau32.nh.gov

Ice Skates- do you have a pair of ice skates you no longer use? Would you like to donate them? We have boxes in the front office foyer for ice skate donations. Leave a pair! Take a pair to borrow! We need all sizes :)

November is quickly approaching and along with that comes our Thanksgiving Food Drive to help provide a nutritious holiday meal for families in need. The Town of Plainfield donates a turkey to every basket and the food drive collects the rest. If you are able to donate, the following items are needed:

Please remember, no items in glass containers and no expired items. Please bring all items to the front lobby of the school where they will be collected by the Town Food Pantry for distribution.

Lastly, if your family could use one of the prepared baskets, please reach out to Nurse Beth and let her know. She will have the Town Food Pantry contact you to arrange for delivery.

In health,

Beth Clifton, School Nurse

Upper Valley Smiles is coming back to Plainfield School on Thursday November 5th! This program, which is part of Alice Peck Day's Community Health initiative, provides a simplified dental screening and toothbrush cleaning for each student who is signed up. Additionally they can provide a fluoride varnish, dental sealant and silver diamine fluoride as needed. This is a FREE program provided by APD to our school and is well worth the opportunity. Information and a consent form went home in backpacks last Thursday or Friday. Be sure to dig it out of the backpack and give it a review. Families that would like to participate will need to return the consent form to Nurse Beth by Monday November 2, 2026.

The PES Community Service Club has raised $363.33 for the Upper Valley Humane Society. Great job!

8th Grade

Band- Monday+Tuesday

Chorus- Wednesday+Thursday

Sectionals

Monday- Alto Sax., Tenor Sax., Clarinet, Oboe, Flute

Thursday- Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion

7th Grade

Band- Monday+Tuesday

Chorus- Wednesday+Thursday

Sectionals

Monday- Alto Sax., Tenor Sax., Clarinet, Oboe, Flute

Thursday- Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion

6th Grade

Band- Monday+Tuesday

Chorus- Wednesday+Thursday

Sectionals

Monday- Alto Sax., Tenor Sax., Clarinet, Oboe, Flute

Thursday- Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion

5th Grade

Band- Friday

Chorus- Friday

Sectionals

Monday- Trumpet, Trombone

Tuesday- Flute, Oboe, Violin

Wednesday- Percussion

Thursday- Clarinet, Alto Sax.

4th Grade

Band- Friday

Chorus- Friday

Sectionals

Monday- Flute, Clarinet

Tuesday- Percussion

Wednesday- Alto Sax., French Horn

Thursday- Trumpet, Trombone

MATH TEAM

Grades 6 to 8

No Practice This Week (Early Release)

LEGO LEAGUE - Grades 6 to 8 (some 5th)

The LEGO Club will continue to meet on Mondays from 3 to 5 pm and Fridays during school. Please contact LEGO@plainfieldschool.org if you have questions.

SOCCER - Grades 5 to 8

Soccer season is coming to a close. Please be sure to return your uniforms to your coach.

BASKETBALL - Grades 5 to 8

We are getting ready for the basketball season. As noted last week, there were some exploratory conversations about combining with Cornish. We decided to hold for now and consider for next year but after taking a look at the numbers for 5/6 Girls Basketball, we have decided to combine with Cornish for that team only. Our 5/6 girls will be joining the Cornish team. Those families should be hearing from the Cornish coaching staff very soon if you haven't already.

If your child plans to play, please complete the Basketball Survey above ASAP

Do you know a grandparent or other family member who wants to spend more time with your child? Would you like to help out in your kids' classroom and learn who their classmates are?

We are looking for volunteers for grades K-4. The Four Winds program at PES teaches about science through observing and playing in nature. Volunteers attend five training workshops and then go into the classroom to teach the kids what they learned. Examples of subjects we have learned include clouds, water, flowers, wind, insects, birds, and much more. Kids love seeing their family members in the classroom and always look forward to the fun lessons the Four Winds Institute plans.

If you are interested or know of a family member interested, please contact Kathleen Maslan at: kathleen.maslan@comcast.net OR Complete the form below.

The Plainfield School is seeking individuals who would be comfortable working with K-8th grade students in our building during the 2026-2027 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 Cindy Huett in the office at (603) 469-3250.

We are looking for a head coach and some assistant coaches for the spring drama program (grades 6 to 8). The production is usually in April with casting and rehearsals beginning in late January. If interested, please contact Audra Bucklin at (603) 469-3250.

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

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

Located at 60 Hanover Street, Lebanon

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

Plainfield School Board Statement on HB1300 | Plainfield School District

Take a look at the Plainfield Ballot before getting to the voting booth - SampleBallotnews68981385101326-024536PMa.pdf