The Spartan (K-4) - 08/22/2025

This year, newsletters will be going out on Friday afternoons!

Hello families!

'Twas the weekend before school starts

and all through the house

not a child was stirring

they sleep quiet as a mouse

The backpacks are hung in the entry with care

in hopes that school bells' sounds will soon be there

the parents are nestled all warm in their beds

with visions of silence dancing in their heads...

Yes, this is my somewhat original writing to share that I am SO EXCITED FOR SCHOOL TO START MONDAY!!!!!! Another school year is upon us - I feel so grateful for this. The staff have worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks to prepare their classrooms. We are certain that next week is going to be a great - see you soon! 😍

In partnership,

Ms. Blackington

We are so excited to see everyone on Monday! Please remember that if you need help with anything at any time we are always available to assist you. Our emails are located below and can also be reached at office@strafford.k12.nh.us. The schools phone number is 603-664-2842! We are looking forward to a wonderful 2025-2026 school year!

• Jess Clark: jclark@strafford.k12.nh.us
• April Silva: april.silva@strafford.k12.nh.us

For all returning students, please make sure that the Returning Student Information is completed in Alma. You will easily click on "Alma Start Forms and Tasks" below your student's name, choose Begin New Process and follow prompts.

Bus routes have not changed and can be found under Arrival and Dismissal on the school website.

Here are help guides for both Alma and Pick Up Patrol. Please look those over to help you with common questions. If you are having trouble logging on to either site, please reach out to April Silva april.silva@strafford.k12.nh.us

Please take a look at the 2025-2026 updated student/family handbook HERE. There are updates including code of conduct, cell phones and more!

New Hampshire has recently passed legislation (RSA 189:1-a, V) that requires all schools to create policies restricting student cell phone and personal device use. The law requires schools to limit these devices during learning time to help students focus and engage more fully in their education.

Starting this fall, we'll be implementing our new cell phone policy at Strafford School. Students will need to keep their phones and personal devices put away from our morning bell until dismissal each day.

We understand this is a big adjustment! If a student forgets and uses their device, they'll receive a reminder the first time. After that, we'll need to hold onto the device in the main office until a parent or guardian can come by to pick it up.

We want to be sure that students with 504 plans or IEPs who may need their personal devices as part of their accommodations are fully supported. If your child falls into this category, please reach out to their case manager, counselor, or Dean so we can work together to make the right arrangements for their individual needs.

This policy comes from state requirements that we're required to follow, and we're committed to implementing it in a way that's fair and supportive for all our students.

August 25: 1st Day of School for 2025-26 (Kindergarten from 9-12, no K students on buses)

September 16: Open House & Scholastic Book Fair, 5 PM - 7 PM (Last names A-L at 5, M-Z at 6)

September 18: Picture Day

The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office is hosting another “I Voted” sticker contest, this time for fourth- and fifth-grade students. A panel of local election officials will choose four winning designs, which will be distributed as stickers to all voters during the 2026 state elections.

Rules
• All contestants must be 4th and 5th grade New Hampshire students in a New Hampshire school/homeschool program;
• All contestants must submit a Permission and Authorization form signed by their parent or guardian.
• Designs must be hand-drawn on the template provided by our office and include the phrase “I Voted”;
• No offensive or inappropriate designs;
• Design cannot favor a particular political party/candidate;
• Only one entry per contestant;
• Designs will be judged on their creativity, inclusivity of all voters, and New Hampshire focus;
• Have fun!

Theme
This year's theme is "Celebrating 250 Years of New Hampshire History!" Topics you might want to consider:

• New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary;
• Honoring places that have shaped our identity;
• Recognizing events that are important to our story;
• Anything that makes New Hampshire unique!

Deadline: To enter the contest, the participant’s parent, guardian, or teacher must submit the following as a .pdf or .jpeg file on our website at www.sos.nh.gov by 11:55 p.m. on

You can make payments towards cafeteria accounts on the Fresh Picks portal HERE or send cash or check into the main office. Please make checks payable to Strafford School. Menus can also be found on the website. If you need to know your child's lunch number, it is located under their bio on Alma.

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Due to a lack of participation in the spring, we have extended this survey through August! Please complete if you haven't already!

I am thrilled to announce that we are seeking 1-2 family volunteers to serve on our Literacy Leadership Team at Strafford School. These partners will serve with our K-4 literacy team, and help us shape high quality literacy experiences for all Strafford Students, now and in the future.

Please see the attached role description. Applications are being accepted now! Please apply!

Should you have ANY questions about the role, description or inquiries in general, please reach out to me ASAP by emailing me or calling the school to chat! Please note - this role is intended to be inclusive of families: if you're a parent, aunt/uncle, grandparent or caregiver, your application is welcome!

• Role Description: https://tinyurl.com/ssflp
• Apply here: https://forms.gle/A2YeJHU3uAPBueR3A

Did you know that our school's playground has almost reached its end of life? The current structure was built in 1998 and has been a treasured place to play for many decades. Strafford unfortunately does not have its own community playground. The school's has become a place for all in the community to use.

A group of community members has come together to raise funds for a new structure! The Strafford Playground Project has a goal of $200,000 in two short years. We will be organizing fundraisers and also accepting donations. Donations are tax deductible and all funds are held by the school until the time of purchase.

Our next meeting is September 8th in the school library at 6 PM. Virtual meeting options are available. We welcome all Strafford community members, parents, families, businesses, and school staff to join us!

For more information please visit our Facebook page @Strafford Playground Project or email straffordplayground@gmail.com

For a detailed description of all open positions please visit HERE. Please feel free to share this- we know our community is so helpful finding the best candidates!

End 68 Hours of Hunger is non-profit who provides food each weekend to bridge the gap between school lunch on Friday and breakfast on Monday for many students in the Strafford area. They are in need of donations. If you are able, please check out their Amazon wish list HERE.

If your family could benefit from weekend food support through the End 68 Hours of Hunger program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Laura Milner at laura.milner@strafford.k12.nh.us

We’re here to help ensure every child has the nourishment they need to thrive.

Now accepting registrations for the 2025 Season of NH Thunder Cross Country. The program this year will again be held at Coe Brown Northwood Academy. Kids will participate in running games such as scavenger hunts, relay races, and obstacle courses while they learn the fun of running on the trails, being active, and making healthy choices.

Participants will also receive a t-shirt to keep. We will be having a small XC race in conjunction with the Div. II JV State meet held at Coe Brown at the end of the season.

For more information, please contact:

Karyn Fisher at 5fishers@metrocast.net.

You can register on-line at:

https://www.nhthunder.com/registration

Cost: $40.00

Grades: Age 5 yr. - 4th Grade

When: Wednesdays beginning September 10th through October 15th

Time: 5:30-6:30 pm

Location: Coe Brown Northwood Academy, up near the track

In collaboration with the YMCA, we will be hosting a family moving night, screening “Inside Out” at Camp Coney Pine in Rochester on Friday, September 19th, for Suicide Prevention month.

It’s completely free!

Kids are back to school, which means that after school programs are back too! Library Club starts the week of September 15th. This year grades 1 and 2 will meet on Mondays, and grades 3 and up will meet Wednesdays. There will be no Kindergarten Library Club this year. Email Claire at cbeihl.hl@gmail.com to get on the Library Club email list for the registration details. Sign-ups open Wednesday, August 27th.

Middle schoolers are also invited to walk up on Fridays after school, starting September 12th, for some fun board and card games!

We're looking forward to another great year of learning, reading, and fun!