October 11, 2024
Dear SAU 90 Staff and Families,
This month on October 5th, we recognized World Teachers’ Day! Do you remember your favorite teacher, someone who went above and beyond to encourage you because they could see your potential? The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched World Teacher’s Day in 1994 for this reason! Now, more than ever, recognizing the importance of this profession is critical. On World Teacher Day, we celebrate the work of dedicated teachers around the district, state, and world who continue to strive every day to ensure that all children receive a quality education. Thank you, teachers, for your work and service! We are grateful and appreciative of the work that you do every day!
This week, I had the opportunity to spend some time at Hampton Academy visiting classrooms, students, and staff. Teachers are working with students on re-establishing learning expectations referred to as “The Academy Way.” Students are working on managing themselves, acting responsibly, and respecting themselves and others. These expectations are reinforced and discussed throughout the day in efforts to ensure our middle school students’ success. Please be sure to check out our Facebook post which features our fantastic Academy students!
During the fall months, we focus purposefully on student safety. Students have the opportunity to practice different types of drills including bus evacuations and school evacuations. These safety drills are required by the state and ensure our preparedness to respond appropriately to unexpected situations. Our School Resource Officers (SROs) continue to help oversee these events. Additionally, they continue to monitor our school during arrival, dismissal, recess and lunch times, and in hallways. They are an invaluable resource and members of our community.
This month, Centre School students will have the opportunity to travel to the fire station in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” Students will be reminded about the importance of knowing how to safely exit their home in the event of a fire. This is a good time to have a conversation about a family plan and to be sure your child knows where your meeting spot is. Also, please remember to check your home fire alarms, their batteries, and their shelf-life. Remember to replace your fire alarms every ten years!
Our Hampton PTA meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 PM at the Hampton Academy Community Room. This wonderful organization does so much to support our students, families, and schools. They are looking for volunteers to assist with programing. For more information, email the Hampton PTA at hamptonnhpta@gmail.com. The PTA is currently holding their annual membership drive. Please consider joining the PTA at the cost of $10.00 for an individual membership.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and our schools are placing an even greater focus on
this topic. We address this in our schools by establishing specific bully prevention rules, providing lessons, and conducting activities aimed at fostering prosocial behaviors while reducing bullying. Our principals presented on this topic at our school board meeting earlier this week. You can view their presentation and our conversation on our local cable station. An attachment of their PowerPoint is included in this newsletter. Finally, we are in the process of creating a See Something, Say Something link on every school’s home page. Here you can report any safety concerns which might require administrative attention. This can be done anonymously as well. We value our parents as we partner in our efforts to keep all students safe.
There are two very important staff members who assist families in our district. Mrs. Patrice Baker oversees our youngest students, from birth to age eight. She is currently leading our Hampton Alliance for Thriving Children or HATCH, an early childhood coalition. She can be reached at pbaker@sau21.org, or at 926-8992, ext. 117. Please see the attached flyer for more information or to join our alliance. Also, our District Outreach Worker, Mrs. Emily Fixler is available to assist families with any behavioral, social-emotional, support services, and resources needed. She can be reached at efixler@sau90.org or at 603-858-9810.
Special thanks to everyone who attended the Anxious Generation discussion on October 1st. We look forward to our continued conversation on November 19th from 7-8:00 PM at Hampton Academy Café. For your advanced planning, Halloween in Hampton is on Thursday, October 31st from 5:30 – 8:00 PM.
We wish you all a wonderful long fall weekend ahead!
Warmly, Dr. Lois B. Costa
Superintendent of SAU 90
HATCH Flyer: HATCH Flyer
Bully Prevention Slideshow at School Board Meeting 10/08/2024