Epping School District News
Congratulations to Epping School Students and Staff
Congratulations to Epping School Students and Staff. The New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) results are in for 2009. Reading proficiency for grades 3 to 8 increased for the fifth year in a row with 78% of students proficient in reading. Reading proficiency for grade 11 increased significantly from last school year with 74% of students proficient in reading. Students also performed above state average as shown below.
The NECAP writing test was only given to grade 11 students. Student writing proficiency increased significantly from last year with 58% writing proficiency in comparison to 50% at the state level.
The school district has placed an emphasis on reading and writing and the results of these efforts are evidenced in these results. Thank you to students and staff who have worked incredibly hard to improve learning.
Math results were mixed. The district will need to place a similar emphasis on mathematics. For more educational, demographic, and financial information (district report card) please visit the district website at www.sau14.org.
Epping School District Website
Please visit the school district website at www.sau14.org for district and school events and information. The district site includes news, calendar, staff, school closings, PowerSchool access, school board, superintendent, business, employment, staff, volunteer, and parents & community information. The school sites also include news and information for their school.
School board agenda, meeting schedule, minutes, goals, and policy may be viewed on the school board webpage. NH educational and legislative news may be viewed on the superintendent webpage. Health, transportation, student forms, and other such information may be viewed on the parents and community webpage.
Your input is valued. If you have suggestions on how to improve our site, please email pvangundy@sau14.org.
School Board Meeting Schedule
School Board meetings are televised on ETV. Summaries of the meetings are also published in The Carriage Towne News and on the District website. Regular meetings are scheduled for:
March 4 and 18
April
1 and 15
Epping Kindergarten Registration
Epping Elementary School asks parents and guardians of children eligible to attend Epping Kindergarten to join school staff for a meal and registration program that will take place from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 10th at the Epping Elementary School. The school currently offers a free half-day public kindergarten program and one full day class that charges tuition for the extra half day. All Epping children who will be five years old on or before September 30, 2010 may attend kindergarten at the school.
Parents and guardians should call 679-8018 to let the school know they intend to register a child for the 2010-11 school year and whether they will be able to attend the registration session.
At the March 10th registration parents will meet staff and other parents; complete the registration process and schedule children for screenings; and learn about the kindergarten program and take a tour of a kindergarten classroom. The school will serve pizza and healthy snacks for all who attend.
Parents and guardians are asked to bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate and immunization records to the March 10th meeting. According to New Hampshire state law, children cannot enter school without these documents. Parents are urged to schedule appointments with their physicians for a health examination if they have not done so yet.
The March 10th meeting is for parents, guardians and the school staff so that there is time to explain the kindergarten program, answer questions and schedule screening appointments. Children should not attend this meeting. They will be welcome at all other times.
Epping Sponsors Child Find Program
The Epping School District will be sponsoring an area Child Find Program. The program is designed to screen children ages three through five who are suspected of having special learning disabilities that may interfere with later school progress. The screening is FREE and available to all families living in the town of Epping.
Children will be screened in the areas of learning, speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, hearing and vision. Results of the assessments will be available to parents at the time of the screening. All information will be kept confidential and will only be released to other professionals, i.e. school system or physician with parental consent.
The screening will take place on Saturday, March 13, 2010 (snow date 3/20/10) at the Epping SAU, 213 Main Street starting at 8:00 a.m. Appointments are necessary. For more information or to make an appointment, please call Katie Buchanan at the Epping Preschool at 679-1732, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Epping Elementary School (EES)
Submitted by Cheryl A. MacLeay
March 1 - PTO meeting at 7:00 pm in the EES Library
March 5 - FoodPlay Performance at 2:00 pm in the multi-purpose Room. This Emmy Award-winning live theater combines juggling, music, magic and audience participation with motivating health messages to help children take charge of growing up healthy and fit.
March 9 - Election Day & Teacher In-Service – No School
March 10 - Kindergarten Registration & Supper 6-7:30 pm
Families First is presenting a workshop “The Teen Years are Coming” from 6 - 7:30 pm at EES
March 13 - Child Find Program from 8:00 am to 12 noon at the SAU, 213 Main Street
March 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, & 26 – Puppeteer, Andrew Periele, Artist in residence will be at EES
March 17 - Families First is presenting a workshop “The Teen Years are Coming” from 6 - 7:30 pm at EES
March 20 - Child Find Program SNOW DATE
March 26 - EES Potluck Dinner and Puppet Performance at 6:00 pm in the multi-purpose room
April 5 – PTO meeting at 7:00 pm in the EES Library
April 9 – EES will host Hampton elementary school teachers to observe classes to see how we teach reading in grades K, 1 and 2
April 28-30 - No School – Spring Vacation
PTO Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Epping Elementary School
Saturday, March 27th from 9:00 to 11:00 am.
Hop on over after the town Easter Egg Hunt which is relocating to the Epping Elementary playground. We'll have pancakes, sausage, fruit, juice, and coffee.
The hunt is free and the breakfast is economical: $3 for children 12 and under and for Seniors, $4 for adults
Photos will also be available at an additional cost.
Call 734-2851 if your business would like to advertise on the placemat for $25.
Epping Middle School (EMS)
Alex Hackett, a seventh grade student at Epping Middle School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 13 and a chance at a $25,000 scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee. Hackett outlasted fellow seventh grader Casey Sturzo to claim the prize.
This year’s Bee features thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Hackett, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state Bee held on April 9, 2010. Hackett correctly answered the following question to claim the top spot, “Which island commonwealth in the Caribbean Sea is home to a Spanish fortress called Castillo de San Felipe del Morro?” The answer: Puerto Rico.
“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek will moderate the national finals on May 26. This year’s contest is sponsored by Google.
Pride Celebration
We held the “Pride Celebration” for the Middle School Guiding Principles on January 29th.
Guiding Principle #1 is “Respect and encourage the right to teach and the right to learn at all times”. Those receiving certificates were Madeline Fowler from the Polar Cave Spelunkers Team; Tanner Crenshaw from the Hampton Beach Riptides Team; Morgan Pease from the Flume Team; Katarina Ashour from the Moosilauke Team and from the Unified Arts Team.
Guiding Principle #4 is “Be appropriate; demonstrate behavior that is considerate of the community, the school and yourself”. Those receiving the certificates were Bryce Pietrini from the Polar Cave Spelunkers Team; Danea Welch from the Hampton Beach Riptides Team; Amanda Cole from the Flume Team; Joseph Leclerc from the Moosilauke Team and Cassidy Garrow from the Unified Arts Team. Congratulations to all – you make us proud!
Nice Moves were also recognized at the Pride Celebration for those students who did “Nice Moves” for classmates, teachers or staff. Students are given tickets when they are observed doing something special and names are randomly drawn from those tickets. Those students receiving EMS pens were Kaylin Cray, Brandon DeMarais, Ryen Gallagher, Jessica Hardy, Tina Le, Dakota Martel, Logan Miner, Katie Pettis and Kristie Shaw. Congratulations for jobs well done!
Also honored during our assembly were Logan Miner, Jimmy Stanley and Jacob West for their contributions to “Friends Helping Friends”. Jacob West was also recognized for his valuable contributions to “Make-A-Wish Foundation”. Thank you all – we appreciate your kindness.
Epping Middle School Pride Honor Roll for Quarter 2, 2009-2010 School Year
Highest Honors in Learning
Those receiving Highest Honors in Learning are: Deanna McCullen, Cameron Osgood and Alexa Wells from the Polar Cave Spelunkers; Hanna Chomas and Noelle Nee from the Hampton Beach Riptides; Spencer Holt from the Flume; and Chelsey Gosselin from the Moosilauke Team.
Highest Honors in Work Habits/Effort
Those receiving Highest Honors in Work Habits/Effort are: Madeline Fowler, Ashley Krenzer, Deanna McCullen and Alexa Wells from the Polar Cave Spelunkers; Noelle Nee from the Hampton Beach Riptides; Spencer Holt and Tina Le from the Flume; Brittney Bullock, Chelsey Gosselin, Lauren Goulet, Jillian Venuti and Margaret Weaver from the Moosilauke Team.
Honors in Learning
Those receiving Honors in Learning are: Madeline Fowler, Ryen Gallaher, Dylan Koltes, Ashley Krenzer, Ashley MacLeod, Brandon Mailhot, Chloe Pelletier, Bryce Petrini, Hunter Quest and Sabrina Rivers from the Polar Cave Spelunkers; Justin Bacon, John Boomhower, Dylan Derosier, Bradley George, Jessica Gosselin, Madeline Marchisio, Breauna Munroe, Sabrina Portes, Savanna Stevens and Sage Szczechowicz from the Hampton Beach Riptides; Thomas Church, Sarah Clements, Amanda Cole, Jannet Desvira, John DiFrancesco, Alexander Hackett, Jennifer Jarosz, Rachel Kaplan, Adrianna Lamparelli, Kayla LaRoche, Morgan Pease, Tina Le, Evan Silva and Alexis Wulff from the Flume; Katarina Ashour, Taylor Barnes, Alisha Behnia, Brittney Bullock, Nathan Cameron, Minette Cantrall, Sydney Chevalier, Kortney Colson, Cassidy Garrow, Lauren Goulet, Joseph Leclerc, Shelby Martin, Marina McCartney, Emily Michaud, Logan Miner, Graydon Murray, Jared Nickerson, Christina O’Donnell, Allison O’Hare, Angus O’Leary, Kelly Seaman, Zachary Szczechowicz, Ngoc Tran, Jillian Venuti, Margaret Weaver and Nicholas Young from the Moosilauke Team.
On February 11, 2010 Epping Middle School presented the Unified Arts Learning in Motion Night. This evening showcases what the students have been learning in their Art, Drama, Media Skills, Integrated Studies and Wellness classes. Students invited their parents to come to class and act as the students. The students took charge and became the teachers. It was a successful and fun filled night with parents experiencing middle school all over again. Some of the activities included fitness, duck tape-flower making, cooking, sand art, improvisation and smart board technology.
Olympic Week was held the week of February 15-19, 2010. Events were held each day, a door decorating contest, a daily trivia question, as well as a competition to see which “country” displayed the best spirit during the Parade of Nations. Points were awarded for the various activities, and gold, silver and bronze medalists (each grade) were awarded on Friday.
On Monday we began with the Parade of Nations, did the lighting of the Olympic Torch, Opening Ceremonies, and daily trivia questions.
Wednesday the movie “Miracle” was shown, and the daily trivia questions for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday there was an Acrobats Demonstration by The African Acrobats and the winners of the door decorating contest were announced.
Friday was Jeopardy and the Parade of Nations and the medals were awarded.
Everyone had a great time and it was an interesting week learning about all the countries participating.
We are looking forward to the week of March 15-19 when we will be hosting our “Artist in Residence” program. The students will have one week working with the team and on Friday the 19th they will be performing their play.
Epping High School (EHS)
Epping and Newmarket faculty will be taking on the Raymond faculty in basketball.
On April 9, 2010 at 7:30 pm the Epping and Newmarket faculty will be taking on the Raymond faculty in basketball at Epping High School. The proceeds will go towards the Epping-Newmarket and Raymond football programs. Raffles, games, prizes and concession will all be available. It's a great opportunity for the entire family to have a night out and show your school spirit and support the kids and teachers and coaches. There will also be a registration table for Epping-Newmarket football 2010. Those who would like to sign up for football at the event will be able to at a discounted rate that night only. Call Sue at 679-1984 or Beth at 679-2733 for tickets. Adults $3 and students $2. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Hope to see everyone there for a fun evening!!
The Special Education Department is sponsoring an 11-part workshop for up to 12 students. These workshops provide opportunities for students to develop skills relative to finding employment and maintaining employment. The topics covered are: how to search for a job, how to respond to want ads, how to fill out a job application, how to keep your job, and job interview skills. Each workshop is an hour long and began on February 3, 2010.
The Life Centered Education class at EHS continues to work at the school store, The Blue Devil's Den. The Blue Devil's Den is located across from the Guidance Office. It is open during the morning break from 9:00 to 9:12 am daily. The school store sells sweatshirts, T-shirts, school supplies, knitted hats, among other items. The store will be getting a new supply of products within the next month. Please stop by and check us out!
From the Freshman Team
On behalf of all the teachers and staff who participated in the field trip to the Boston Museum of Science on the 14th I would like to say thank you for a wonderful time! The students were well behaved and we were proud to have shared in the experience with them. A brief video of our day will be available for viewing on EPTV in the near future. Also, thanks to everyone who helped out to raise funds for the trip. This was the first time we ever ventured out into the open world as a group and we look forward to doing it again someday with future groups.
In World Cultures the students are finishing their studies on South Asia and getting ready to "travel" to China. In Biology we are beginning to learn about genetics and heredity. In English the students are finishing Romeo and Juliet and the Lightning Thief.
Data Team
The Data Team made a presentation to the faculty recounting progress this year and seeking input. The NECAP testing preparation, goals and plans for Spring NWEA preparation were reviewed. Among the questions that have come up are "What will the material for the remedial classes actually look like?" The sophomore team is experimenting with a format for a "pass around" curriculum. If it proves satisfactory it will be the model for the units.
The Data team also has also been working on converting NWEA descriptive material into usable instruction and assessment elements. We plan to use these 200 sample questions as the foundation for the remedial and preparation program.
We look forward to the NECAP results and plan to have our remedial-preparation in place in time to have a meaningful impact on spring NWEAs.
Athletic Department News
The seasons are in full swing for girls/boys basketball, and Spirit team. We would like to remind all community members to please check the updated schedules posted on the high school's main home page at www.sau14.org. Here you will find schedule updates that occur because of game changes, and weather postponements.
The department would like to send a reminder out to all spring sport parents to make sure physicals are up to date for the upcoming season. All students wishing to try-out must have a current physical, within the last two years, on file in the nurse's office. Spring athletes can obtain a physical/consent agreement form in the main office or from Mr. Averill.
Awards
The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, and the New Hampshire Athletic Directors Association recognized three students for their academic excellence. These three students will be recognized with all other Class "M" recipients at an awards presentation on March 15 at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. The three athletes recognized for academic excellence, and being involved in their communities are Samantha Arsenault, Hannah Kimball, and Chris Dunleavy.
Girls Basketball Team - 2009 Farmington Christmas Tournament Sportsmanship Recipients.
The girl's basketball team has a record of 3-7 and have won three out of their last four games. The girls have beaten Raymond, Newport, and Sanborn in that stretch with their lone loss being a nail biter against Belmont losing 39-34. The girls are currently holding down 16th place and the last play-off position. The girls attended the Farmington Christmas tournament where they went 1-2, and were awarded the Sportsmanship trophy. Congratulations girls!
Boys Basketball
The boys' basketball team has mid-season record of 2-7 start with wins verse Sanborn, and Newport. The boys team is currently in nineteenth place in the Class "M" division. The boys attended the Farmington Christmas tournament where they went 2-1. The boys were snowed out verse Sanborn on the 19th of January and will be announcing a make-up date soon.
Please use the www.sau14.org web link for updated schedules throughout the winter. Do this by choosing Epping High School, and then under announcements look for Updated High School Basketball schedules. If you have any questions please contact Larry Averill, Athletic Director at 603-679-5472 ext. 253
