The Walpolean

While the invitatuon states that this for parents, anyone who wishes to learn more about the Common Core Standards is welcome to attend. It’s a great opportunity top learn more. –  Lil

Community Forum for Parents

What Parents Need to Know About

Common Core Standards!

Guest Speaker, Dr. David Pook

Wednesday, November 19, 6:00 PM

Walpole Elementary School Cafeteria

Childcare and Refreshments Provided

HOW DO THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS AFFECT MY CHILD?

Dr. David Pook is a high school and college classroom teacher and educational consultant who worked with the Council of Chief State Officers on developing Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and the Framework for English Language Proficiency Standards. In partnership with numerous consulting organization like student Achievement Partners, Achieve, The Aspen Institute, StandardsWork, EdFirst, and WETA, he has helped evaluate and design English, History,and Science standards curriculum, and professional development for numerous states, districts, and schools. He currently has several projects underway on work aligned with the CCSS, including close reading best practices and assessment design.

Hosted by the Walpole School Site-Based Committee

November 5, 2014

The staff at FMRHS will be available Thursday, November 6^th from 12PM to 8PM (staff dinner 5 to 5:30) to discuss information about our school and share with parents/guardians information specific to the progress of their child(ren). Quarter 1 report cards will be available at this time.

On Wednesday, October 28^th many individuals wore pink and made donations at FMRHS to bring awareness to breast cancer. Our student Congress is sending a check in the amount of $60 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

On Thursday, October 30^th, four parents took the opportunity to visit our school and talk about ways to help our youth become better prepared for their future with regard to mathematics.

Mark Kostin from the New England Secondary School Consortium visited FMRHS on Friday, October 31^st. During his visit he helped us with the final steps of a self-assessment of best practices in education.

Are you interested in being a member of the FMRHS Site-Based Committee? The next meeting is November 12^th at 6:00 PM. As a member your total commitment would be approximately 1 hour per month. Topics for November 12^th are: the high school budget and personalized learning.

The Next Market

Walpole Planning Board

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Workshop Meeting in Basement Conference Room

Presiding: Jeffrey Miller (Chair), Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich, (Secretary),  Jason Perron,  Chas Street (Selectboard Representative). Ed Potter, Alternate.

Absent: Board Members Kelley Hicks and Dennis Marcom. Jeff White, Alternate

Recording: Marilou Blaine. These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the next workshop meeting November 25, 2014, for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Meeting Opened: Mr. J. Miller, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. He asked if there were any questions or concerns about the Draft of Recommended Changes to Wellhead Protection Overlay District Ordinance prepared by the Walpole Drinking Water Protection Committee.

The committee has spent about eight months looking at the previous water ordinance written in 2008. They concentrated their efforts on the two wellheads that serve the village. One is located directly west of Shaw’s supermarket near the Connecticut River. The other is on Watkins Hill, past Hooper Golf Course.

Mr. J. Miller asked Mr. R. Miller, who was on the committee, if this would have changed the Jiffy Mart decision. Mr. R. Miller said that Jiffy Mart was over an aquifer and the protection was for the wellhead and 400 feet around the wellhead.  Mr. J. Miller said that then the wellhead by the Connecticut River is mostly impacted by farmland and really doesn’t affect the commercial district along Route 12.

Mr. Street said that there were two farmers on the committee and this was addressed. The result was that agricultural waste must be disposed of according to best management practices.

Ms. Peggy Pschirrer, Vice-Chair of the Walpole Zoning Board, mentioned that on page 14, Section XVII Saving Clause, the word should be considered not considerable. Shortly after that, she also pointed out that on page 4 in Section IV there were two spots where the article said dated _____, but there were no dates given. Mr. Miller said that it was necessary to find out these dates either at the Public Hearing next month or prior to when it is placed on the ballot to be voted on in March.

For the amendment to be put on the ballot, all of it must be written out completely and maps must show the exact location of the wellhead protection area that falls around it. The maps should be colored because when they are changed to black and white the delineation of the wellhead protection area, as well as the exact location of the well,  is difficult to see. All must be available to the public. And since the wellhead around Watkins Hill has been redefined, it will be necessary to find out if the new delineation has been approved.

Ms. Mansouri, Chair of Walpole Zoning Board, asked how it would be worded. Mr. J. Miller said that the wording would say “replace” and then cite the old and new ordinances.

Ms. Pschirrer praised the work of the committee and said that it will replace the current Zoning Ordinance and it will be put in the zoning ordinances in its entirety.  Both Mr. Millers agreed that the work was well done and that it made many things much clearer.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. A Public Hearing on the Revisions to the Wellhead Protection Area Ordinance will be held on Tuesday, November 11, at 7 p.m. at the Walpole Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine

Becky Spaulding posted this comment under the school board minutes.  I did approve the comment so it can be found there but I know that often readers don’t notice and therefore, do not read, Comments.  I wanted to be sure this was read and received as much publicity as possible. – Lil

FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Fall Mountain Regional High School Library

Monday, October 13, 2014

Public Session

Board Vice Chairperson, John Streeter called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. In attendance were, Andy Collins, Lil DeCoste, Gabe St. Pierre, David Hogan and Linda Christie. Also in attendance were Lori Landry and Jamie Teague.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: (St. Pierre/Christie) to approve the minutes from Monday, September 22, 2014 Public Session. Passed unanimously.

Minutes: (DeCoste/St. Pierre) to approve the minutes from Monday, September 22, 2014 Non-Public Session. Passed unanimously.

REPORTS OF ADMINISTRATORS

Superintendent Landry reported that Dr. David Pook led today’s Professional Development Day for PK-8th grade educators, with a focus on Writing and ELA for Common Core. Teachers from the HS works worked with Paul Ezen on the Leadership Initiative. Best practices and SLO’s were discussed.

Superintendent Landry also reported that the tech committee is working out details of the community forums to be held in each attendance area.

Ms. Landry mentioned that the Commissioner of Education, as part of the League of Innovative Schools would honor the HS Leadership Team in Concord Tuesday afternoon.

Superintendent Landry briefly discussed CTE programming, the Homeland Security audit, the recycling event and National Board Certification.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Tom Ronning reported that Emily Phillips has been selected as the school board student representative. She will attend the October 27^th meeting.

Lil DeCoste reported that eight teachers completed the requirements for National Board Certification and approximately six are on the horizon for this year. The committee has requested that before the calendar gets set for next year, that consideration be made for the presenter to come in during the October PD day or 4 days before school starts.

Lil DeCoaste also reported that on October 1^st, the Fall Mountain Regional School District Preschool Team was recognized by the Parent Information Center of NH for Parent Involvement in Education.

The board discussed the food service proposal and a recommendation was made to sign with the Abbey Group.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Christie) to accept the proposal from the Abbey Group to manage food service for the Fall Mountain Regional School District. Motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion: (Christie/DeCoste) to approve a conditional contract for Hillary Robinson, Grade 5 Teacher, Vilas effective October 14, 2014. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (DeCoste/St. Pierre) to approve a conditional contract for Gordon Dansereau, Athletic Director, FMRHS effective October 14, 2014. Motion passed unanimously.

Lil DeCoste expressed how pleased she was with the selection process and how much she is looking forward to having an experienced person in the role as Athletic Director.

Mr. Dansereau stated that it is an honor to come to Fall Mountain and that we need to work together as a whole. He further stated that he is look forward to working with everyone and is ready to go.

Motion: (DeCoste/Hogan) to approve the transfer of Joanne Thomas from inclusionary paraprofessional position S232 to S33 at Charlestown Middle School. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Collins/Christie) to approve the following co-curricular contracts:

Chris Fecteau-Winter Spirit Coach (FMRHS)

Larry Sayers-Boys Cross Country Skiing Coach (FMRHS)

Kate Northcott-Girls Cross Country Skiing Coach (FMRHS)

Rick Elliot-Varsity Winter Track Coach (FMRHS)

Jason Bardis-Varsity Boys Basketball Coach (FMRHS)

Pat Allen-JV Boys Basketball Coach (FMRHS)

Jon “Boomer” Aumand-Varsity Girls Basketball Coach (FMRHS)

Russ Pickering-JV Girls Basketball Coach (FMRHS)

Meghan Hannson-JH Cross Country Running Coach (FMRHS)

Rich Senerchia-Boys Soccer Coach (WES)

Jeff Faulkner-Co-Boys Basketball Coach  (WES)

Allen Parker-Co-Boys Basketball Coach (WES)

Michelle O’Brien-Girls Basketball Coach (WES)

Heidi Plummer-Spirit Team Coach (Vilas)

Jared Bobbin-Boys Basketball Coach (Vilas)

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Collins) to accept the retirement of Amy Jenkins, Nurse, FMRHS effective June 30, 2014. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Christie/Hogan) to accept the resignation of Mindy Markwell, District SLPA effective October 24, 2014. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Collins/DeCoste to approve the transfer of Judy Kinrade, Bus Driver from S173 to S176 effective October 14, 2014. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Collins) to grant permission for Teri Finando-Zelenetz to lead a trip to Spain, April 2016. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Hogan/Christie) to approve the following overnight trips for the FMRHS Ski Club:

Wednesday, February 18, 2015-Jay Peak Resort in Jay, VT

Friday, March 6, 2015-Roundhearth at Stowe in Stowe, VT.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Hogan) to approve the request form the following Sunday events:

FMRHS Girls Basketball: Sunday, December 21, 2014-Keene State Basketball Tournament

FMRHS Boys Basketball: Sunday, December 28, 2014-Keene State Basketball Tournament

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Hogan/Christie to accept amended policy JICK-Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention-Bullying for first reading.

Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (DeCoste/Christie) to accept amended policy IFA-Instructional Needs of Each Individual Student for first reading. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Chrisite/DeCoste) to accept amended policy IK-Earning of Credit for first reading. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Chrisite/Collins) to accept amended policy EB-Joint Loss Management Committee for first reading. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Hogan/Chrisite) to accept new policy GBED-Tobacco Products Ban-Use and Possession by Employees in and on school facilities and/or Grounds for first reading. Motion passed unanimously.

A brief conversation ensued regarding the restriction of an employee possessing tobacco products on school grounds.

Motion: (DeCoste/Christie) to send policy GBED-Tobacco Products Ban-Use and Possession by Employees in and on school facilities and/or Grounds back to policy committee for further review. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: (Collins/St. Pierre) to enter into non-public session. Motion passed unanimously.

After an affirmative roll call vote, the board entered non-public session at 7:29 PM under RSA 91-A:3 (a) (c) to discuss a personnel issue and a student concern.

The board exited non-public session at 9:03 PM and resumed public session.

Motion: (Christie/DeCoste) to accept the Superintendent recommendation for termination of Melissa Heavisides. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Misty D. Bushee

School Board Clerk

On Thursday, October 30^th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, the FMRHS math department will host a parent night to share ideas how to help our youth with math. We hope you can join us. Location: FMRHS library

As a member of the New England Secondary School Consortium our school has been undergoing a self-assessment pertaining to global best practices in education. After our self-assessment we will develop a plan, with your input, to further personalize learning in our school community.

Our Students Point of View about learning at FMRHS is: “I am a student at Fall Mountain who needs to understand how learning empowers me and positively affects my future because I need to be prepared to live a full and rich life as a contributing member of my community.”

Our school has a new Athletic Director, Mr. Gordon Dansereau. Please welcome him and share your ideas about how we can improve.

Looks like another busy Saturday but – talk about “One Stop Shopping”….! – Lil

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Walpole will host a Holiday Fair on Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 9 AM to 2 PM in the parish hall on Elm Street.

This year’s fair will include St John’s famous Cookie Walk, featuring dozens and dozens of home baked cookies. The Holly and the Ivy table will have wreaths, swags, and centerpiece decorations. The Harvest Home table will have with pies (perfect for Thanksgiving!), muffins, tea breads, chocolate-covered pretzels, fudge, novelty Christmas treats, and delicious jams and pickles made from produce harvested from local gardens. Beautiful ornaments and Christmas decorations, including hand painted sled ornaments which can be personalized with names while you shop, will be for sale at the Deck the Halls table.

The lunch menu will include several choices, including hot dogs and chips, bowls of chili with tortilla chips, or slices of quiche with side salads. St John’s is located at the corner of Westminster and Elm Streets, opposite Town Hall. Come out and join in the festivities on November 22!

And while you’re out and about, be sure to visit all the other organizations that are hosting events in town on that day, including:

* The Walpole Congregational Church, next to the Walpole Common

* The Walpole Farmer’s Market, on the Walpole Common

* The Orchard School, at the Walpole Town Hall

* The Walpole Village School at the bottom of Westminster Street

* The Walpole Historical Society Museum and Gift Shop in the Academy Building on Main Street

Each event will hold a door prize raffle. Pick up a door prize flyer at any event, and be sure to enter each raffle!

For more information about the Holiday Fair, our Art After School programs, or about St. John’s Church, please call the church office at 603-756-4533 or send email to rector@stjohnswalpole.org.

The headline assumes that you already have the 5K race at 9:00 AM, The Freinds of the Library Book Sale from 10:00-2:00.  Spooktacula for Kids from 11:00-3:00 as well as for adults at 8:00 PM. – Lil

From Tom Ronning, Pricipal FMRHS – Lil

1) The New Hampshire grade level summary report has been released for the science NECAP test taken in May 2014. Our results:

Level 4 Proficient with Distinction FMRHS 1%; NH 1%

Level 3 Proficient FMRHS 33%; NH 28%

Level 2 Partially Proficient FMRHS 41%; NH 47%

Level 1 Substantially below Proficient FMRHS 25%; NH 24%

Last year the average SAT scores for FM students increased.

Reading: from 497 to 516

Math: from 488 to 498

Writing: from 484 to 502

2) FMRHS recently had two guests to speak at staff meetings:

• Mark Kostin shared information about Global Best Practices in education on October 6
• Rose Colby shared information on competency based learning for our students on October 9

3) The FMRHS teachers used Monday, October 13 for professional development in:

• The Vision, Mission, and Action Plan for Personalized Learning
• Personalization and Relevance
• Competency Based Education
• Assessment Practices
• Writing across the curriculum
• Math across the curriculum