TFS Hawks Happenings-25/26

🌟 Hear from Our New Superintendent! A Welcome Message from Bob Thompson

Dear Merrimack School District Community,

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as Superintendent of the Merrimack School District. Since my arrival on July 1, I have been inspired by the pride that exists throughout our schools and community. Merrimack has a long-standing tradition of educational excellence, dedicated educators, engaged families, supportive community partners, and students who continually demonstrate curiosity, resilience, and achievement. As I begin this journey with you, my first priority is simple: to listen, learn, and build relationships.

The first ninety days of my superintendency are intentionally designed to understand what makes Merrimack exceptional while identifying opportunities to strengthen our schools for the future. Before establishing long-term priorities, I believe it is essential to hear directly from those who know our district best, our students, staff, families, School Board, and community.

Over the coming months, I will spend time in every school, visiting classrooms, attending school and community events, and meeting with students, faculty, support staff, parents, municipal leaders, business partners, civic organizations, and other stakeholders. I will also conduct listening sessions and launch a districtwide stakeholder survey to ensure that every voice has an opportunity to contribute to the future direction of our district.

This process is grounded in a commitment to visible leadership, open communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the many strengths that already exist within the Merrimack School District while thoughtfully examining where we can continue to grow. Together, we will build upon the district's mission of preparing every student for success and its vision of fostering a community where all learners thrive through meaningful educational experiences and strong partnerships.

At the conclusion of this entry process, I will share a 90-Day Entry Report with the Merrimack School Board and our community. The report will summarize what I have learned, highlight common themes from stakeholder engagement, and identify emerging priorities that will help guide our work together in the months and years ahead.

I invite you to review my Superintendent Entry Plan and, more importantly, to participate in the process. Your ideas, experiences, and perspectives are invaluable as we work together to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thank you for the warm welcome you have already extended to me. I look forward to getting to know each of you and to serving the Merrimack community.

With appreciation,

Bob Thompson
Superintendent of Schools

Please click here to view the complete Superintendent Entry Plan.

Superintendent Entry Plan

Dear TFS Families,

Welcome to new and returning families. This is the first of many Hawks Happening (HH) Newsletters that you will receive as a member of our TFS community. In this HH, it is all about dates: dates to remember, dates for signup and dates to put on your calendar. We are very thankful for our Maintenance Team as they prepare our school for K-4 student's first day on 9/2/26. We welcome our preschool students starting 9/9/26.

In August, we will send another HH that will detail our arrival and dismissal procedures, goals and highlights for 2026 - 2027 and other school opening information.

Please stay connected to TFS via our facebook page, instragram, website and these Hawks Happenings.

Stay tuned for more communications in August from our school and your child's teacher. We look forward to an amazing, productive and joyful year!

Go Hawks,

Julie, Brooke and the entire Hawks Team

🚌 Bus Routes Available at the end of August on the District Website.

READY, SET, FLY - NEW FAMILIES

🦅 Welcome, Future TFS Kindergarten Hawks! - Click here for more info. on K

SAVE THE DATES FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 26-27

MORE DETAIL ON BEGINNING OF SCHOOL DATES

September

Tuesday, 9/1/26 - 2:00-3:00 - Meet and Greet: All Students in grades K through grade 4

First Day of School - Wednesday, 9/2/26

8:15 Arrival for KINDERGARTEN students only
10:15: Arrival for ALL NEW AND RETURNING GRADE ONE, GRADE TWO, GRADE THREE AND GRADE FOUR STUDENTS

Thursday, 9/3/26- 8:15 -ALL Kindergarten through Grade Four Students Arrive Regular Time

Friday, 9/4/26: Preschool Meet and Greet - A.M. Sessions - 9:00; P.M. Sessions - 10:30

Wednesday, 9/9/26 - First day of Preschool for some students (letters with preschool teacher assignments will be sent home during the week of July 27th by Colleen Blanchard, Preschool Coordinator)

🌱 Growing More Than Great Learners! See what's growing at TFS this summer.

Merrimack School District 26.27 School Calendar

TFS Volunteers - Get Fingerprinted Now

REMINDER
Per district policy, all volunteers, chaperones, and substitute teachers must complete a background check and be fingerprinted. If you intend to volunteer for any of these opportunities, please contact the district office for an appointment ASAP.

You can reach Kat Knauer to coordinate at (603)424-6200 or
Kathleen.Knauer@Sau26.org.

Applying for Free and Reduced Lunch Offers Many Benefits

It is very important to submit a free/reduced-price meal application. If you need any help with the application, please call the TFS Office at 603-889-1577.

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.

https://www.sau26.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=5047