May 5, 2023
Dear Parents, Staff, and Families of SAU 90:
Although Teacher Appreciation Week is officially next week, our PTA has been recognizing our staff all week long! We appreciate all the wonderful ways our PTA, community, and colleagues have reached out to our staff to thank them for all their hard work and efforts. The purpose of this week is to honor the work of teachers. So, what is the role of our teachers? Today a teacher’s responsibilities are to help students gain knowledge which we as a society deem necessary for their success in life. Teachers are the architects of the next generation. Teachers fill the roles of coaches, mentors, role models, cheerleaders, and counselors. They support students when they are down, support them in failure and praise them as they experience success. Additionally, teachers challenge their students to push their learning capacity, and provide them guidance when they lack direction. It is our combined efforts with our parents and families that make all the difference in the lives of our students. So, as we celebrate this week, we say thank you to all of our educators!
In the coming days, you will receive information regarding our summer program. In addition to our special education extended school year, we will also be offering a Title I program. This program will run from July 5-27, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8:30 -11:30 AM for students. The purpose of this summer assistance is to help close learning gaps and better prepare our students for the fall. Transportation and snacks will be provided for our students. If you have any questions about your child and their participation, please be sure to contact your child’s school.
It truly was an exciting week at our school! This week, Marston School celebrated Screen Free Week with a number of afterschool activities, including kickboxing, swing dancing, yoga, STEAM, art club – beading, sweet treats, string art, karate, slime making, crafts, library activity, Legos, and cheerleading. Centre School continues to hold after-school sports and art club. On Wednesday, we had a terrific sunny morning where students at Centre and Marston participated in Walk to School Day! Hampton Academy’s spring season is in full swing, and our French students are off to Quebec this weekend!
On Tuesday evening, the Rotary Club recognized our para educator, Wendi Lewis as the 2023 Citizen of the Year! Mrs. Lewis was recognized for her countless hours of public service to our town which includes being on the Village Preschool Board, serving on the PTA Board, and working with the Lane Library. Mrs. Lewis gives countless hours to our community selflessly. She was described as a quiet force yet with a powerful impact! We are so very proud of Mrs. Lewis! Congratulations!
Wednesday, WMUR visited the Adeline C. Marston School to recognize School Moderator Jim Workman’s donation to our food service program in memory of his belated mother, Jo-An. Broadcasting live from the school parking lot, the story was shared of this wonderful person who had worked in the Oyster River School District’s lunch program for many years. Jo-An paid for many of her students’ lunches over the years. When Jo-An passed away earlier this year, Jim Workman decided to donate the money they received from selling her car to our schools to help pay off the students’ debts. What a lovely honor, tribute, and story. Check it out here: WMUR Link
There are a couple of events coming up this month that I want to bring to your attention. Next Thursday evening, SAU 90, along with SAU 21 and in collaboration with Seacoast Mental Health, will be hosting a community screening and panel featuring the documentary Anxious Nation. The event is free; however, we are asking that parents RSVP by emailing Kelly at khartnett@smhc-nh.org. The event will begin at 5:30 PM in the Winnacunnet High School Auditorium. For more information: https://anxiousnation.com/
On Monday, May 15, SAU 90 and SAU 21 will be hosting a listening session at the Winnacunnet High School beginning at 6:30 PM to discuss the proposed changes to New Hampshire’s public education rules. Please see the attached flyer. We hope you will join us for these important events that impact our children and community.
This weekend, on Saturday at 9:30 AM, the newly refurbished field behind Centre School will be renamed Super Evan Sandlot as part of Seacoast Cal Ripken’s 2023 opening day ceremonies. Super Evan Sandlot will feature a new scoreboard with the Super Evan logo, a Super Evan plaque in both dugouts, and a Super Evan sign on the fence behind home plate. Local artist Alyssa Pine will be painting a Super Evan mural on the back of each dugout. Super Evan will forever be remembered as a Super Hero who loved baseball! We wish to thank the more than 100 volunteers who assisted with the project along with Dan Griffin, President of the Seacoast Cal Ripkin.
Wishing everyone a restful, sunny weekend ahead!
Warmly, Dr. Lois Costa
Superintendent
This week’s Shark News: Shark News 05 05 2023
Letter to Discuss Standards for Public School Approval