The Walpolean

The Walpole Seniors will meet for potluck lunch at the Congregational Church on the Walpole Common at noon on Monday, November 18 2013. This will be a celebration of 40 years of gathering Seniors for lunch and social activity!! There will be dessert and music and remembrance. All Walpole Seniors are welcome. Come for fun and good socialization. Everyone is asked to bring a contribution for the Fall Mountain Food Shelf. Bring a dish to share.

The Walpole Historical Society will sponsor another free Genealogy
Workshop on Thursday November 14, 2013 from 10-12 noon. Jeanne & Peter
Jeffries have pursued Genealogy for over 30 years and welcome
beginners as well as experienced persons. Hints regarding research
sources as well as stone walls will be shared. Call for reservation
at 603 756 2933. More information can be found on the Walpole
Historical Society website: walpolehistory.org.

Keene has its Pumpkin Festival this weekend and Walpole follows up with a festive weekend as well.  Enjoy the fun and plan ahead for the winter by attending the Freinds of the Library Book Sale. – Lil

The decision has been made to cancel the 5K Walk/Run that was scheduled for this Saurday.  If you were planning to give it a try, you are “off the hook”!

FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Fall Mountain Regional High School Library

School Board Meeting

Monday, September 23, 2013

Chair Henry called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. In attendance were Mary Henry, Linda Christie, John Streeter, Andy Collins, Lil DeCoste, Gabe St. Pierre and Jim Elsesser. Also in attendance were Lori Landry and Jamie Teague.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve the minutes from the Monday, September 9, 2013 Public Session Meeting. Passed unanimously

Gabe St. Pierre requested that the requested involvement of the guidance department at the River Valley Tech Center’s satellite meeting be added to the minutes.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Streeter) to approve the minutes from the Monday, September 9, 2013 Non-Public Session Meeting. Passed unanimously

REPORT OF ADMINISTRATORS
Chair Henry recognized Superintendent, Lori Landry who provided the board with an update. She explained that it had been a busy last couple of weeks, with preparation for NECAPS that are just around the corner, she has been meeting with the guidance councilors throughout the district. Ms. Landry stated that Sam Jacobs is in the process of forming an assessment committee and those recommendations will be coming forward in the future.

Superintendent Landry presented the District’s NECAP Science scores from 2012-2013. The 4^th grade scores were slightly below the state standards, however the 8^th grade and 11^th grade scores were above the states average.

A brief discussion ensued regarding curriculum and Common Core.

Superintendent Landry introduced Donna Jones, Special Education Director and Amy Sevell-Nelson, Educational Consultant would gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Fall Mountain Special Education Strategic Plan and Philosophy.

The PowerPoint presentation is available on the district’s website at http://www.sau60.org.

Amy commended the tremendous work of the administrators of the Fall Mountain district.

A conversation ensued regarding increasing parent involvement. PK will be hosting a series of events for parents including an upcoming parent/child Zumba class. These workshops are designed to create social and education opportunities for the children and parents.

OLD BUSINESS

Chair Henry recognized Simon Pierpont, Student Representative who reported that TEAM is working out better now that everyone has grown accustomed to it. He also reported that homecoming is next weekend and that they will be Spirit week the following week due to the NECAP schedule.

Mr. St. Pierre asked Tom Ronning, Principal how the 1:1 initiative is going. Mr. Ronning stated that overall things are going well. Thus far there have been two broken units, but they have been covered under the warranty. Some students are still working to pay off the 40.00 insurance fee.

NEW BUSINESS

Paula Southard-Stevens explained to the board that a proposal for an Eagle Scout project has been received. The project includes the building and set up of a balance beam, pull-up bars and parallel bars to the CMS yard.

Mr. Collins asked what type of materials would be used in the construction.

Ms. Southard-Stevens explained that Bill Botting would be looking over the proposal and reviewing the materials for safety.

Motion: (Elsesser/Streeter) to approve unpaid leaves of absence for Susan Gay, Paraprofessional, Walpole Elementary School and Caryl McPherson, Paraprofessional, FMRHS. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Elsesser/Streeter) to approve a leave of absence for Jewel Lufkin, District Bus Driver. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/Elsesser) to accept the resignation of Roberta Nelson, Paraprofessional, NCCS effective September 27, 2013. Passed unanimously

Motion: (DeCoste/Christie) to approve the following conditional contracts:

Catherine St. Pierre-Inclusionary Paraprofessional, NCCS

Christine Bardis-Secretary, CPS (One Year)

Lisa Buswell-Paraprofessional, APS Skills Center

Passed unanimously

Motion: (DeCoste/Streeter) to approve a transfer for Joanne Thomas, Paraprofessional from FMRHS to CMS. Passed unanimously

Motion: (DeCoste/Elsesser) to approve the following co-curricular contracts:

Patty Batchelder, Freshman Advisor, FMRHS

Cathy Stephens, PD Vice Chairperson

Claudia Istel, PD Treasurer

Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve a Sunday event, Quiz Bowl, November 17, 2013 at Plymouth State. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Elsesser/DeCoste) to approve an overnight for FMRHS Ski Club, March 7-8^th at Stowe, VT. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/Collins)to accept the Treasurers Report for period ending September 23, 2013.

Payroll:                  $660,770.96

Accounts Payable:           $262,844.93

Motion: (Elsesser/Streeter) to enter into non-public session to discuss a personnel issue.

After an affirmative roll call vote, the board entered into non-public session at 7:42 PM.

The board entered back into pubic session at 8:32 PM and immediately adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Misty D. Bushee

School Board Clerk

Jim Skofield has provided us with plenty of notice to purchase tickets as well as time to make arrangements to donate to the annual Dinner/Auction for the FMEEA.  It’s a fun way to contribute to a worthy endeavor. – Lil

On Saturday, November 16, 2013, the Fall Mountain Educational Endowment Association will once again be hosting its annual fundraising dinner/auction, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Walpole Town Hall.

With “Word of Mouth” Catering of Charlestown, NH offering both prime rib and vegetarian gourment dinners, and professional auctioneer Phil Warren keeping the action lively, the evening promises to be both enjoyable and festive, and the money raised will go towards expanding educational opportunities for the students of our school district.

If you have an auction item you’d like to contribute, or wish to purchase tickets (at $30.00 a person) please contact Patricia Royce at 603-826-4831 or email the Association directly at: fmeeassoc@gmail.com

Great way to prepare for those cold winter days and nights in front of the fire.  I’ve heard rumors that there are people who buy a large supply one year and donate them back the following year!  Why not, it’s for a worthy cause  – – –  new books and equipment for our great libraries. – Lil

Come to the Friends of the Walpole Library book sale at the Walpole Middle School on Oct 25 – 27. The sale will include hard cover and paperback books ranging in topics from animals and autobiographies to technology.  Also offered are children’s books, coffee table books, videos, CDs, DVDs and records. There will also be bookcases for sale.

Friday night dealer preview has a $15 admission   Saturday 9-2 and Sunday 11-2 there is no admission charged.  All books sell for $5 box on Sunday!  All proceeds go to the Walpole and North Walpole Town Libraries. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Call the library at 603-756-9806 or Cheryl Hoffman at 603-756-4066.

According to Fran Imhoff, “We have had a great season at Alyson’s Orchard so we are having a ”Customer Appreciation Day” next Sunday, the 20^th and hope that all of our friends in Walpole will come out to visit us!”  (The following details were attached to the email, making this good news to hear – both for them and for us.) – Lil

Join us for “Customer Appreciation Day” at Alyson’s Orchard

Sunday, October 20, 2014 (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

• Complimentary hot dogs, chips & soda (12:00 – 2:00 PM)
• Come dressed in costume!!  Parade, Judging & Prizes (2:00 PM) (This is for kids of ALL ages, even Mom & Dad!)
• Free Bouncy House!
• Wagon rides and Apple Picking
• Music and lots of Family FUN!

We have had a great year!  Let us show YOU how much we appreciate your business!

This message is from Ronna Gendron on behalf of Tom Ronning. – Lil

FMRHS has plans to compete @ New England Robotics Competitions in March. If you are interested in helping with the new club please contact Principal, T. Ronning, ASAP.

Do you have 1 hour a month (9 hours a year) to help with the future of our high school?  If yes, the Site-Based Committee meets the second Tuesday of the Month from 7 to 8 PM.  Please contact Jackie Walker – jwalker@sau60.org if you are interested or have questions.

Parent / Teacher Conferences are November 6 & 7. Please call Ronna Gendron to schedule a time to meet with your child’s teacher(s). 835-6318

The question was asked. “Should donations be dropped off at the restaurant?”  The answer from Jennifer Doyle is:

“I think anyone wanting to make a food donation should give us a call to find out when and where to drop it off (800-229-2419).  Large-scale donations (i.e. palettes) we will be housing in our production facility in advance of the holiday, but our ability to store perishables is extremely limited.  We are currently setting up collection/donation boxes at the Walpole Grocery and also enabling functions in our register systems to allow for cash donations by retail and restaurant customers.  So, there are multiple ways to donate at this point.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  We really appreciate your help with this.”

Thanks for the question and the answer.  Both are helpful if this endeavor is to be successful. – Lil