RFS Ray Report
August 6, 2026
9/7 - No school for students and staff
9/8 - No school for students, staff professional development day.
Lindsay Townsend, Literacy Coordinator
We are excited to welcome Lindsay Townsend to her new role as Literacy Coordinator at Reeds Ferry School! Lindsay has been a valued member of the Reeds Ferry community for the past 18 years, serving as both a first and second grade teacher before spending the last three years as our reading interventionist. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to helping students become confident, capable readers and writers.
Lindsay brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in early literacy intervention, foundational reading skills, writing instruction, and supporting teachers through collaboration and mentoring. Her passion for literacy, combined with her strong instructional expertise, will be a tremendous asset as she partners with staff to support high-quality teaching and learning across the school and district.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Lindsay has built strong relationships with families through her involvement with the PFA, giving her valuable experience connecting school and community.
Please join us in congratulating Lindsay on her new role. We are excited to see the positive impact she will continue to make for our students, staff, and families!
Ms. Kamenos, Kindergarten teacher
We are excited to welcome Ms. Kamenos to the kindergarten team! She brings 12 years of experience in early childhood education and a deep passion for helping young learners grow. She believes kindergarten is a special year filled with discovery, growth, and joy, and she is committed to helping students build confidence, independence, kindness, and a lifelong love of learning.
Ms. Kamenos lives in Merrimack with her husband, their three children, and their dog. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys cheering on her children at their sporting events, teaching dance, and relaxing with a good cup of coffee.
We are thrilled to have Ms. Kamenos join our kindergarten team and look forward to the positive energy, care, and enthusiasm she will bring to our students and school community.
Ms. Gendron, First Grade Teacher
We are excited to welcome Miss G to the first-grade team! Miss Gendron graduated from Colby-Sawyer College with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has always been passionate about working with children and helping them discover a love of learning.
Miss Gendron is committed to creating a classroom where every student feels welcomed, supported, valued, and excited to learn each day. She looks forward to partnering with families to support each child's academic, social, and emotional growth. We are confident that her enthusiasm, dedication, and caring nature will make her a wonderful addition to our school community.
Ms. Aiello, Second Grade teacher
We are excited to welcome Miss Aiello to the second-grade team ! This will be Miss A’s second year teaching second grade. She began her teaching career in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is thrilled to return to New Hampshire, where she grew up in Mont Vernon.
Miss Aiello earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of New Hampshire, including a master's degree in Elementary Education. She brings a passion for learning and a commitment to creating a classroom where students feel supported, encouraged, and excited to grow.
Outside of school, Miss Aiello enjoys spending time outdoors, including camping, visiting the beach, and exploring new places. We are excited to have her join our team and know her enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication will make a wonderful impact on our students and school community.
Ms. Szela, Art Teacher
We would like to warmly welcome Jennifer Szela (pronounced Shell-a) to the Reeds Ferry School community! Ms. Szela is entering her third year teaching art and previously served at Reeds Ferry as both a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant and a Title I teacher. She earned her bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education and Elementary Art Education from The College of New Jersey.
She is passionate about creating a warm, inclusive classroom where every child feels safe to explore, make mistakes, and grow as an artist. Outside of school, she enjoys working in her flower gardens, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her husband and their two sons, who are proud Reeds Ferry School alumni.
We are excited for Ms. Szela to inspire our students' imagination and creativity and know she will be a wonderful addition to our school community.
Ms. Jankauskas, Special Educator
We are delighted to introduce our newest staff member to the Reeds Ferry School community! She is entering her seventh year in education and brings a strong background in both music and special education. She earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Maine–Orono and later completed her master's degree in Special Education at the University of Maine before beginning her teaching career.
Prior to becoming a classroom teacher, she worked as a paraprofessional and served as a school-age site director for the Southern District YMCA. These experiences helped shape her commitment to supporting children and fostering positive relationships with families.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, and their one-year-old son, Teddy. We are excited to have her join the Reeds Ferry School community and know her enthusiasm, creativity, compassion, and dedication will make a positive impact on our students and families.
What have you done this summer?
We’d love to see how you and your family have spent your summer! Whether you’ve traveled somewhere new, explored your backyard, or simply relaxed at home — we want to see it!
Please send us 2–3 photos showing:
Where you've been
What you've seen
How you've relaxed
These photos will be featured on the school’s front monitor to celebrate our community and kick off the new year together.
📥 You can either use the QR code provided or upload directly to RFS Pictures from your phone.
Thank you for sharing — and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Mrs. Painchaud with her daughters at the Sunflower Festival in DC.
Mrs. Cote with her family off roading in Aruba.
School supply lists for each grade and classroom can be found on the RFS website: https://rfs.sau26.org/
As we prepare for another exciting school year, we know that returning to school brings a mix of emotions. For some children, it's an exciting time filled with anticipation and new opportunities. For others, it may bring feelings of uncertainty or nervousness—and that's completely normal.
Over the next few editions of the Ray Report, we'll be sharing helpful articles, tips, and resources designed to support students and families as they transition into the new school year. Our goal is to provide practical strategies to help every child feel confident, connected, and ready for a successful start.
We look forward to partnering with you to make this school year a positive experience for every student!
We are encouraging every family to complete a free/reduced-price meal application.
Did you know filling out the school meal application may help provide:
• After School Academic & Enrichment Programs.
• Free/Reduces meal 30-day rollover for the next school year.
• State and Federal funding for school budgets.
• Fund computers and technology at home and for your school.
• Fee waivers for college applications and admission tests.
If you need an help with the application, please call the RFS Office at 603-424-6215. More information can be found on the District's website: https://www.sau26.org/Page/5047