Good Evening Plainfield Families,
I am sorry for the late hour of my update. I have spent the better part of the day fighting with a Christmas tree. Earlier today, I swung by one of the local tree farms and found the perfect 12-footer…for the first time ever, I have high enough ceilings and couldn’t resist. As I stood there wondering how I was going to get the tree on top of my car, who walked across the road but Thom and Amy Lappin. (This can only happen around here :)) Within minutes Thom had the tree strapped to my car and I felt like it was meant to be! Six hours, several trips up the latter, some engineering to get it to stand straight and be anchored safely to a nearby wall, a trip to Lebanon to buy more lights (turns out the ones I had for my previous 8’ trees don’t cut it) and thousands of pine needles later, the tree was nearly all lit. Since I had done everything by myself, with the exception of getting the tree onto the car, I was feeling pretty accomplished. Then one of the strings of lights went out. Needless to say, I decided it was time to take a break and write the weekly update :).
We have another relatively quiet week ahead. The Board will be discussing the regular ed section of the budget this week. This week they will focus on teachers, curriculum, supplies, professional development, and technology. In addition, there are a number of extracurricular activities as follows:
- Basketball games kick off this week with a home game for the 7/8 boys (vs. Indian River)
- We also have our second Middle School Math Meet - Tuesday afternoon at Lebanon.
- Finally, Ms. Chien’s piano students have a recital next Saturday at 10 am.
Since it is a busy time of year, I do want to share a couple of updates heading into next weekend and the following week as follows:
FAST
Thanks to all who have completed the FAST participant survey. If you haven’t yet done so, there’s still time. We appreciate you taking care of this sooner rather than later so our FAST Coordinator, Donelle Bucholtz, and other volunteers can get to work making appropriate groups, etc.
Please help your child(ren) make selections no later than Friday, December 16. GO TO SIGN UP FORM
VACCINES
Covid Boosters for individuals ages 6 & up are being given at the Cornish School on Saturday, December 9 from 9 am to 2 pm. No appointments necessary - strictly walk-in.
You can also still get a Flu Shot at Dartmouth. They have a drive-through flu shot clinic. More info available online at www.hitchcock.org
PTA CAREGIVER FORUM - DECEMBER 13th - 6:30 pm
This is an open forum for caregivers to speak directly with Ms. Bucklin about questions, concerns, and celebrations from the first trimester.
WINTER CONCERT: DECEMBER 14TH 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Just a reminder that there will be two winter concerts on December 14th in the school gym. Both the 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm concert is open to all.
For the 1:00 pm concert, students do not need to dress up. However for the 6:00 pm concert, please have your child wear concert attire. Here are the guidelines:
Concert attire:
- Nice shirt/blouse
- Nice pants (no holes, grass stains, etc.)
- Dresses must be at the shortest just above the knees
- Close-toed shoes
To ensure that your child performs as well as they can, and that logistics go as smoothly as possible, please have your child arrive by 5:45pm for the 6:00pm concert. All K-2 grade students will check in with their homeroom teachers. 3-8 grade performers will head straight to the gym to find their seats.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Chien through email: bchien@plainfieldschool.org.
DYNAMIC DESIGNERS LEGO TEAM PLACES AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!
The Dynamic Designers of Plainfield Elementary School competed in the FIRST Lego League New Hampshire State Championships at Windham High School on December 4th, 2022.
The team made a few modifications to their robot missions between the Regional Qualifier and the State Championships. The efforts paid off, as the team finished 7th out of 46 teams with 265 points. Impressively, the team scored 50 more points at the state level than at the regionals. Congratulations!
The top teams almost all had similar strategies this year, and the Dynamic Designers scoring was very similar in that regard. Out of a maximum of 410 points, the team completed missions totalling 265 points, right on the heels of the 4th through 6th teams. The top team scored 320 points.
The team also presented their robot design to judges, and completed an Innovation Project on their handpicked subject of improving energy efficiency at traffic lights. The solutions presented included shutting down lights at night, and using a motion sensor to determine if the traffic lights should be on based on the amount of traffic coming through the light. The team showed poise through their presentation and impressed the judges by showing how much energy could be saved.
The participants at the State Championships were Ayden BIllingham, Evan Bretton, Sam Ferri, Ellis Harrington, and Warren Ramsey. Congratulation Dynamic Designers!
DARTMOUTH ATHLETIC GAMES - FREE TICKETS!
Dartmouth College has offered us free ticket vouchers to women’s and men’s basketball and hockey games!
Sunday, Jan. 1st Men’s Basketball vs. Cornell – https://dartmouthsports.com/MBEDU
Saturday, Jan. 7th Women’s Basketball vs. Brown – https://dartmouthsports.com/WBEDU
Friday, Jan. 13th Men’s Hockey vs. St. Lawrence – https://dartmouthsports.com/MHEDU
Saturday, Jan. 21st Women’s Hockey vs. RPI – https://dartmouthsports.com/WHEDU
Finally, be sure to check out our site with Lost and Found
Thanks to Janna and Leah for so lovingly retrieving, stowing and distributing photos of items so they can get back to their owners…tis the season of lost hats and mittens :).
Have a wonderful week!
Audra
DECEMBER
6 K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
6 Math Meet at Lebanon
7 Hood Museum Trip 5H 9:00 am
7 PES School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm – Music Room
9 Clara’s Dream Field Trip - LOH - Grade 5 - 9:00 am
10 Piano Recital - Music Room 10:00 am
13 K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
13 PTA Parent Forum 6:00 PM – Music Room – Babysitting Available
14 Professional Development Committee Meeting – 3:10 to 4:30 - Library
14 Winter Band and Chorus Concert – 6:00 pm
14 Dress Rehearsal with All School Assembly (Kindness through Generosity) - 1:00 pm
15 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting – 5:30 pm - Music Room
15 Upper Grades Spelling Bee, 1:15 pm
16 Report Cards Sent Home
20 K to 4 School Sing – 8 am Lobby – Parents/Guardians Welcome
21-30 Holiday Break