The Principal's ROAR
Friday, November 13th, 2026
Principal's Corner
There is nothing quite like the excitement of the first snowfall, even when it doesn’t amount to anything. It is also a great reminder that to play in the snow, when we have it, requires; snow pants, boots, and mittens/gloves. Without these things children will play on the hardtop.
We had a very moving time writing letters to Veterans in our families. Kindergarten colored cards and the third and fourth graders wrote the letters attached. The first and second graders were able to do both, coloring and writing. All letters were mailed last week. We always look forward to a response if anyone is so inclined.
We have completed our food drive and will find a time to have it delivered or picked up. Many thanks for those that supported the cause.
Please note the PTO information below as they have many events coming up. Most importantly is a new Turkey Trot. This road race will be held on Thanksgiving morning. All information is attached below. There are opportunities for running as well as helping.
Math night was a success! I got to meet with parents to share what math looks like in our classrooms. There was some great discussion and even some math problems to solve. The children played math games in the gym and everyone had a game that they could bring home.
This week we will map out details on some upcoming FES specific events. Some fun ideas are brewing as we move into the holiday and winter season.
Kindergarten Happenings!
Here is the Kindergarten snapshot for the week! :)
We started the week by reviewing all of the letters and sounds we have learned so far: m, t, d, c, g, a, o, i, n, h, s, and f. We then learned about three new letters and sounds: v, z, and p. We practiced how to write our new letters and built cvc words with them and our previously learned letters. We spent time focusing on our tricky words also: one, two, and three. These are words that we need to know by heart or sight as they aren’t always able to be sounded out. We rounded out our knowledge unit on Underdogs and heroes with Goldilocks & the Three Bears, Tug of War and reviewed all the stories that we learned in this unit.
This week we started on our new unit: Unit 3- Flat shapes all around us! Students shared what they knew about shapes. They also started exploring, matching, describing and comparing shapes. In social studies we continued learning about American symbols focusing on Veteran’s Day (THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO HAVE SERVED!) and the different military branches. Students learned about: the White House, Bald Eagles, and the Statue of Liberty. They learned why they are important to us and what they symbolize. We even snuck in some crafts on some of these items! :)
1st & 2nd Grade News!
We have had a fantastic, hands-on week of learning in First and Second grade! Here is a peek at what we have been exploring in the classroom:
Science: Exploring the Human Body
This week, we wrapped up our review of the skeletal and muscular systems with a life-sized project! Students worked together to trace each other onto large sheets of butcher paper and drew in the bones and muscles to see how they work together inside our bodies. After finishing our body maps, we began our next exciting unit: the digestive system!
Literacy: Tricky Words & Spelling Patterns
In Literacy, our readers and writers have been hard at work building their decoding skills. We continued practicing new "tricky words"—high-frequency words that don't follow the usual phonics rules—alongside learning new spelling patterns to help us read and write with greater confidence.
3rd & 4th Grade Bulletin!
We have entered into Opinion Writing. A new twist from what they had done in the past, is that our opinions are connected to characters and themes in our reading. A bit higher level than simply our opinion to a teacher provided prompt.
In math we continue with our work on fractions and multiplication facts. Neither are easy so we are taking our time to make sure we are solid.
I now have 2 students being my lunch room helpers. Their job is to help open milks, ketchup packets etc. So far they like the job. We don’t have a schedule or plan for who goes when. It started as something earned. On day 1 we did have some students thinking that the helpers were there to serve them and there were some unexpected behaviors happening. I have rectified that.
Kindness and respectful behavior is still at the forefront of our day. We talk about how the rules apply whether I am in the room or they are with any other grown up. That piece is still tricky for some.
Weekly Lunch Menu!
News from the Office!
Winter Weather Test Message
Only A couple more weeks to order your School Swag!!!
Our online school swag store is officially open! Check out the link below to grab your fresh gear.
The shop closes on November 30th, 2026. Once it closes, all items will be custom-made and shipped out together.
There is now a discount of 15% for the month of November.
Promo Code: SHOPLOCAL2026
Got questions? Reach out to Nicole at (603) 547-2976 or nbrouillet@conval.edu.
PTO Corner
FES families, we are doing great with our fundraising efforts for the Turkey Trot. We currently have $335 in donations on our sign up website, in addition to the generous donations from our sponsors. Did you know that five of our local sponsors are also FES parents? Champagne Farms, Conscious Craft LLC, Francestown Village Store, Frogton Pond Horse Farm, Juneau the Barber and Slade Excavation.
Keep spreading the word and getting those pledges/donations!
Did you know the PTO supports or funds things like the following:
-field trips
-guest speakers and artists
-teacher appreciation breakfasts and lunches
-pumpkin carving
-holiday spirit week
-afterschool programs
-school dances
-Harris Center programs
-classroom supplies
Questions? Interested in volunteering at the Turkey Trot? Interested in joining the PTO?
Email maureenctroy@gmail.com
PTO meetings are the second Tuesday @5:15, childcare available
📆 Upcoming Events
November 16th-20th Special is Library!
November 21st~Holiday Craft Fair @ ConVal High School 9am-2pm
November 25th-27th~ Thanksgiving Break
November 24th~ End of First Trimester
November 26th~ PTO Turkey Trot @ 8:30am
December 4th~Report Cards will be going home
December 5th~Holiday Craft Fair @ GBS 9am-2pm
December 23rd - January 1st, 2027~Christmas Break
Community Flyers
Veterans Day Project!
Contact Information
Lauren Mann, Principal, Teacher
Grades 3 and 4
Email: Lmann@conval.edu
Phone: 603-547-2976
Website: https://fes.conval.edu
Francestown Elementary School
325 2ND NH Turnpike South
Francestown NH 03043