BLACKHAWKS BULLETIN
Week of March 29th
PRINCIPAL PONDERINGS
Good afternoon,
My ponderings are lengthy today so grab a second cup of coffee!
I’ve been reflecting on some early career experiences. While I was in college, I had the opportunity to work part-time in a residential school north of Worcester. I worked with the youngest kids on the campus. All of the students had developmental disabilities requiring the highest levels of support for daily living and learning. After I graduated, I worked for an organization called Toward Independent Living and Learning (T.I.L.L.) in their children’s intensive services division in the greater Boston area.
Many of the children I worked with in both of these positions were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In my role at T.I.L.L., I went into the students’ homes and worked with the families to help implement routines, create behavior rewards programs, and teach specific living skills to the children. I also helped connect the families to supports like skilled respite care, counseling, and parent support groups. And I served as a liaison to the school, sharing updates and generally helping the family and the school work together to determine the most appropriate level of support for the students with whom I worked.
I remember during these years, talking about both jobs with my grandparents. They marveled at the programs and services I described. They shared their own experience in their rural community in northern New Hampshire, where these services never existed but somehow individuals with disabilities were able to not only function but to thrive. For example, the local grocery store employed a neighbor’s son with developmental delays - not because an agency placed him there, but - because he could offer a valuable service, and he was a member of their community. He rode his bike to work every day, and town members took time to stop and chat with him. I remember thinking how nice it would be to live in a place where things moved just a little bit slower and people connected on a deeper level.
Several years later, I remember feeling I had found that sense of community here in Plainfield. A lot has happened since I moved to town in February of 2001 - 9/11, the Iraq War, smartphones introduced, stock market crashes and resurgences, onset of "travel team" culture in youth sports, COVID, political division - and it can feel a bit faster and less connected some days. But I have the best job in the world, and every time I connect with people - students, staff, parents, neighbors, community members - I still experience that strong community connection. I value our willingness to lean in, to express our beliefs, share our concerns, and ultimately show up for one another.
Speaking of “leaning in”, April is World Autism Awareness month. On April 7th at 5:30 pm the Plainfield School Community Committee is hosting an informational forum on “Neurodiversity - Autism”. The event will feature Dr. Ray Chin who will share the neuroscience of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Following his 30-minute talk, Dr. Chin will be joined by PES educators, administrators, and parents who will talk about their experience supporting children with ASD. Doors open for light refreshments at 5:15.
Have you ever wondered…
How to help your child understand a classmate who is different from them?
How to help your child respond safely and respectfully to a person with ASD who is feeling overwhelmed?
How having a child with ASD in your child’s class might impact your child’s educational experience and/or outcomes?
What you can do to help make our community a more welcoming place for children with ASD and other differences?
If so, I highly encourage you to LEAN IN and attend this event. In fact, I highly encourage everyone to attend! The reality is that we live in a world where as many as 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder which means we are all likely to know children and adults with ASD. We have students here at Plainfield School and adults in the Plainfield community with ASD. The more we learn about and understand ASD, the more we can co-create a welcoming and nurturing community for all of us.
In the meantime, enjoy the informative video below and/or check out these: 30 Facts to Know about Autism Spectrum Disorder
See you in the morning,
Audra
Audra Bucklin, Principal
abucklin@sau32.nh.gov
603-469-3250, x223
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH
30 - K-2 Field Trip, Lebanon Opera House- 10-11
31- K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
31 - NO STUDY HALL
APRIL
1 - Hood Museum of Art, 5 Cook- 9:00-10:30
1 - Destination Imagination, 2:50
2 - WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
2 - Hood Museum of Art, 5 Parker- 9:00-10:30
2 - NO STUDY HALL
3 - Dress Rehearsal (9 am to 11 am) The Phantom Tollbooth - 3rd to 8th Grades will attend
3 - NO STUDY HALL
3 - Drama Play - The Phantom Tollbooth - 7 pm - Plainfield Townhall
4 - Drama Play - The Phantom Tollbooth - 2 pm - Plainfield Townhall
7 - K to 4 School Sing – 8:05 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
7 - NO STUDY HALL
8 - Destination Imagination, 2:50
9 - NO STUDY HALL
9 - PES talent show, 5:30-7:30
10 - Storytelling workshops, 1 pm to 2:30 pm - See info below
10 - NO STUDY HALL
14 - K to 4 School Sing – 8:05 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
14 - NO STUDY HALL
14 - School Board Meeting, 5:30pm
15 - Grades 3 to 5 Spelling Bee, 10 am
15 - Destination Imagination, 2:50
16 - NO STUDY HALL
16 - An Evening of Storytelling with Simon Brooks and PES Students - Plainfield Town Hall
17 - Beaupre Community Service Day - 1 pm to 2:45 pm
17 - NO STUDY HALL
20 to 24 - April Break
28 - K to 4 School Sing – 8:05 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
29 - Destination Imagination, 2:50 pm
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Thank you for attending!
SUMMER SKILLS SIGNUPS NOW AVAILABLE
All students welcome to join one week or all four. The program is a half-day, four day per week program offering as follows:
Week #1: July 6-9
Week #2: July 13-16
Week #3: July 20 - 23
Week #4: 27 - 30.
We also offer a bus to MCC. Registration for the MCC program is through them.
MCC Summer Camp in Meriden
LUNCH MENU
"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
ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT IN THE MARCH MENU
OFFICE NOTES
STUDY HALL DATES
Week Ending 4/3- No Tues 31st, No Thursday 4/2, No Friday 4/3
Week Ending 4/10- No Tuesday 4/7, No Thursday 4/9, No Friday 4/10
Week Ending 4/17- No Tuesday 4/14, No Thursday 4/16, no Friday 4/17
Yearbooks For Sale
Yearbooks are now on sale through June 1st 2026. Please print this form out (or grab a form in the foyer in the office) and give it to the office with your check.
Checks should be made out to Plainfield School.
Memo: Yearbook (students name(s)
Four Winds
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.
URGENT SUBSTITUTE TEACHER NEEDS FOR THE END OF THE YEAR
Several of our college students who typically help out as subs during the last month or so of school are unavailable this year. In addition, we have hired a couple of our current substitutes to fill long-term sub positions following the April break. Therefore, we are urgently in need of some additional subs through the end of the year. If you have any availability AND interest to help cover substitute needs in late April through early June, please contact Amanda Jewell or Audra Bucklin via office@plainfieldschool.org
2026-27 Needs
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 Katie Lowery in the office at (603) 469-3250.
LOST & FOUND
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.
COMMUNITY COMMITTEE - Come Learn About Neurodiversity
April 7th - 5:30 to 7 pm
The Community Committee - committed to fostering belonging through welcoming learning spaces for all here at PES - is hosting an evening with Dr. Chin and a panel of educators on April 7th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Doors open at 5:15 for light refreshments. Babysitting available by donation (or for free as needed.) ALL ARE WELCOME!
BEAUPRE COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY
FOOD DRIVE
One of the events for the upcoming Beaupre Community Service Day will be a Food Drive. Stephanie Schell provided us with a list of staples that are in high demand for the Plainfield Food Pantry. Students can bring in the items from Monday, March 23rd, through Friday, April 17th, before the event. There will be a collection table in the front hallway. We appreciate your help and donations for this wonderful event!
CLASS OF 2027 MUD SEASON GALA - HUGE SUCCESS!
STUDENT COUNCIL TALENT SHOW - APRIL 9
There's still time to sign up to perform!
Step into the spotlight! We invite you to the Plainfield and Cornish Talent Show on Thursday, 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
Join us to watch the show!
We hope you will join us to watch your students and others perform in the April 9th talent show. In order to make it more feasible for families to attend, y our Student Council will provide pizza to those who pre-order using the RSVP link below. Doors will open at 5:45.
FROM THE NURSE
EMTA-Emergency Management Training Associates LLC
There is an AHA CPR First Aid class forming at the Plainfield Fire Department that has room for more students on April 18. The cost is normally $80 but there is a possible donation coming that would reduce that cost to $50. Contact Jim at the email listed below to register.
Jim McCarragher RN, MSN, NREMT, emta.llc@gmail.com
NHCPR
Our healthcare training centers are conveniently located throughout New Hampshire in Bedford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Salem. All classes are taught by experienced medical professionals in a supportive, stress-free learning environment. We also offer on-site training for businesses, schools, and organizations—we can bring our
certified instructors and courses directly to your location.
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Dartmouth Health
BLS (Basic Life Support) classes for public learners, $75. Online portion and skills assessments. I would recommend the instructor-led skills assessment as opposed to the voice-assisted manikin (VIM) as and instructor will be able to answer any questions you may have.
The American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider Course is designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals with the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an automated
external defibrillator (AED), and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner. The course may be utilized by certified or non-certified, licensed or non-licensed healthcare professionals. While the images and videos in this course will show a healthcare setting, the skills are applicable to the general public as well. https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/life-support-program/bls-courses
FREE STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS
Please spread the word
We would love to have as many folks as possible from town to participate in this wonderful inter-generational opportunity. Please share this info with a neighbor, family member, or a friend.
3 to 5 SPELLING BEE
PES 8th GRADE TRANSITION DATES
From the Counselor
PES Eighth Grade High School Transition Timeline
(Timeline/Dates are subject to revisions)
April
LHS provides parent information night at LHS
May/June:
IEP/504 meetings for rising 9th graders are held (in person/virtual)
LHS counselors to visit PES with completed schedules for 8th graders attending LHS
Step up day: presentation and tour of the building (All students are welcome on the tour - even if not attending LHS).
PTA UPDATES
Huge thank you to everyone who brought in snacks and treats for parent-teacher conferences!
Upcoming events: Beaupre Community Service Day: Friday, April 17th. Come help the PTA get some garden extra projects done in the morning before the full community service event begins! Exact time TBD.
CO-CURRICULAR UPDATES
REMINDER FOR DRAMA FAMILIES
If your student is taking the bus please remember to use Pickup Patrol and select:
BUS P5, and in the notes section put: Bus to Town Hall, Drama
HERE IS THE FINAL SCHEDULE FOR DRAMA STUDENTS:
- Monday TOWN HALL March 30 Dress Rehearsal (All) 3:00-5:30
- Tuesday TOWN HALL March 31 Dress Rehearsal (All) 3:00-5:30
- Wednesday TOWN HALL April 1 Dress Rehearsal (All) 3:00-5:30
- Thursday TOWN HALL April 2 Dress Rehearsal (All) 3:00-5:30
- Friday TOWN HALL April 3 - drop your child off at by 8:15 am for final Dress Rehearsal.
K to 2 Monthly Morning Meeting
A Special Visit from Chief Gutsfeld & Officer Rob!
Each month our K to 2 classes get together for a community meeting. Classes take turns hosting these special events that have featured a variety of special events such as Stone Soup preparation, garden time, a visit from Santa, etc.
On Friday, Chief Gutsfeld and Officer Rob came to share an important message. They read "Hands are not for Hurting" by Nora Gaydos. Following the story, students took turns sharing about all the ways they use their hands for HELPING instead!
COACHES PLEASE NOTE CPR/FIRST AID REQUIREMENT
Please take note of the CPR and First Aid Offerings in the "From the Nurse" section above. It is an expectation that all contracted coaches here at PES have these certifications. Please reach out to the Athletic Director - pesathletics@plainfieldschool.org - for more information.
Current Coaches, please email both our School Nurse (schoolnurse@sau32.nh.gove) and our Athletic Director (pesathletics@plainfieldschool.org) to share a copy of your current certifications.
NOTE: Beginning in August, all contracts issued for coaching positions will require proof of up-to-date CPR and First Aid certifications at the time of signing. There are some funds available to support these training needs.
Thank you,
Audra Bucklin
Principa
SPRING TRACK
The track schedule is below. Updates can be found via the Co-Curricular Calendar below.
Please note: Students participating in track will be able to take bus P7 to the track for 3 pm practices once those begin on Monday, April 13th.
DRAMA CLUB - SPRING PLAY DETAILS
Suggested ticket donation = $10/adult, $5/child.
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 .
APRIL VACATION CAMPS
NESA APRIL BREAK CAMP
Are you looking for an April Break camp for your student? New England School of the Arts still has spots! Explore the world of everything LEGO and Robotics related! Students will work with a LEGO master to build a wide variety of models, think like engineers and produce the design, conception, and creation! Camp runs Monday April 20th-24th from 8am-4pm. Accepting campers aged 4-14 years old. Cost is $650 with financial aid available upon request. Learn more here: https://www.nesarts.org/about-springcamp [nesarts.org] and email cathyniboli@nesarts.org for more information!
FROM STEPHANIE SCHELL
Community Resources are Available!
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
IMPORTANT AREA EVENTS & RESOURCES
TOWN OF PLAINFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES
See below for a full list of upcoming events and ongoing resources in our community.
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 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
SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE
Members of the Class of 2027 worked hard (along with their families!) to make their 7th-grade Gala a rousing success. Way to go!!
