BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN

Good Afternoon,

Happy Daylight Savings, a sure sign that spring is around the corner! Actually, my walks with Jay as the snow recedes have been a pretty good reminder of that. He is a funny little dog when it comes to the change of seasons. After the first snowfall he is quite skeptical about going out. He will avoid stepping on the snow at all costs. Eventually, he grows accustomed to it and even likes it. And then in the spring we have to do it all over again. This morning was the first morning that he actually sought out the grassy patches instead of trying to find a strip of snow or ice to walk on. It keeps things interesting!

Another sure sign that spring is around the corner is, of course, District & Town Meeting Day. For those that are following along at home, Cornish did NOT pass the Warrant to send their middle school students to Plainfield next year. This means there is one less variable to consider next Saturday. I know there are many questions out there about the scope of the cuts in this challenging budget year. I encourage you all to read the District Reports in the Town Report booklet that was mailed to households last month. The reports detail the process and decisions that led to the proposed budget and how it will meet the needs of our projected student population for the 26/27 school year.

You will also hear about the budgeting process during District Meeting where they will share a comprehensive presentation of the proposed budget. The District Meeting provides plenty of opportunity for voters to ask questions and share constructive feedback. The rich and respectful discussion that ensues when people come with an open mind, ready to listen and learn from one another, is where the magic happens. I hope you will be there to be part of the process.

In the meantime, please consider joining me tomorrow night from 6 to 7:30 for the Portrait of a Learner Forum. This is an interactive opportunity to co-construct community priorities for a PES education.

See you tomorrow,

Audra

Audra Bucklin, Principal

abucklin@sau32.nh.gov

603-469-3250, x223

Quaglia Survey

Thank you to all who took the time to complete this year's Quaglia Survey. We ended up with record participation. I look forward to sharing results very soon.

Movie Night

HUGE Thanks to the PTA, Student Council, Poor Thom's Tavern and Amanda Jewell for all of the behind the scenes preparation, pizza, and support during the event. The Service Club also deserves some accolades for their very popular bake sale. It was a great partnership and a good time had by all!

MARCH

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.

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.

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.

Step into the spotlight! We invite you to the Plainfield and Cornish Talent Show on April 9th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the PES Gym.

Whether you’re a student or a teacher, we want to see your skills! Grab the mic for a solo performance or gather your crew for a group act. Acts should ideally run 4–6 minutes (8-minute maximum), and to ensure everyone is stage-ready, all acts must be reviewed by an adult before the show. Talent Show Sign Up Link

PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS & NEIGHBORS:

Almost everyone living in North America comes from a family of immigrants. How did your family come to America, and to Plainfield, New Hampshire? Did they arrive recently, or come over on the Mayflower? Did they cross the Bering Straits, or maybe they arrived somewhere in between then and now?

As part of our Storytelling Artist in Residency, Simon Brooks, writer, storyteller and immigrant will be teaching two workshops for the Plainfield community members. Both Simon (in the mid 1990’s), and his grandfather (in the 1920’s) emigrated from the UK to North America. Simon has lived on the West Coast of the States but having lived in New Hampshire for the last 25 years calls the East Coast his much-loved home.

Folks who have had their own personal immigration story or know of one from a family member (living or deceased) who would like to craft their story to present, are welcome to join Simon in the Plainfield Elementary School Library from 10:30am to 12pm on Friday, March 20th. We will look at what parts of a story make for good highlights, what positive experiences were had, what issues may have been overcome, and how to make all this into a strong ten-minute story to share.

If you cannot make this workshop, or want to do more work with Simon, a second workshop will be held in the Art room at Plainfield Elementary School from 1pm to 2:30pm on Friday April 10th. The focus of this second workshop will be stories about life in Plainfield and anyone who wants to work on a story to share about growing up or living in Plainfield are welcome to join. Community members that attend either workshop will be invited to share their ten-minute stories at the Plainfield Community Storytelling Celebration that will be held at the Town Hall on the evening of Thursday, April 16th. Stay tuned for some more exciting information about how the NH PBS Our Hometown program plans to feature this event on the 16th!

Our monthly theme in guidance is Courage

We meet in person (with a virtual option) only 5 times each school year, always in the evenings to accommodate participation by working parents. This year we have had 8-10 people show up with regularity to our meetings which is amazing! Many hands make light work! We want to continue to build on this momentum as we look toward next school year.

We are led by a team of 4 PTA officers. In their current state, these roles take varying amounts of volunteer time: President (2-8 hours/month), Vice President (1-2 hours/month), Secretary (1-2 hours/month) and Treasurer (2-4 hours/month. We are looking for people to step into each of these roles for a 2-year term starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It is an incredibly rewarding volunteer opportunity that connects you to other families and lets you have your finger "on the pulse" of happenings at PES.

Our next meeting is this Wednesday, March 11th from 7-8PM at the Meriden Library. Social hour at Poor Thom's to follow. Please consider joining us! Draft agenda for our upcoming meeting is attached.

See the flyers below for all of the details including:

• Volunteer opportunities
• Setting up an online account for your child(ren)
• Coin Drive
• Online shopping

Come see the PES Middle School play, The Phantom Tollbooth by Susan Namus based on the book by Norton Juster! It is a wild adventure full of wacky characters at every turn and revels in wordplay and delights in the magic of the imagination. Our performances will be on Friday April 3rd at 7pm and Saturday April 4th at 2pm at the Plainfield Village Town Hall (1079 Route 12A). Reserve your tickets using the QR Code to the right, the form below, or by emailing dramaclubadvisor@plainfieldschool.org .

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

Calling all kids to decorate Valentine's cookies! Please join Hannah Darling and Ilsa Pinkson-Burke at the Philip Read Library in Plainfield on February 14, 11 -12. Everyone is welcome!

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

Afterschool Programs at Ava Gallery in Lebanon. See attached course descriptions and flyer below.

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

At a very competitive "qualifying swimmers only" New England swim meet, Jacob (Grade 7) cut time in all 4 of his races. He cut 30 seconds off his 1650, and he’s top 20 in New England. Then at a pentathlon event the following weekend, Jacob took second overall and his younger brother Jonathan followed suit, winning his age group! Way to go Jacob and Jonathan!