Pelham - Windham News 6 - January 14, 2011


Parents Want Students Taught Keyboarding by Barbara O’Brien Once upon a time, not so many


years ago, the only students who took a typing class were those who intended to enter a business career; one where knowing one’s way around the keyboard was required. Generally speaking, college-bound high school students took more academic-based courses instead. With the advent of computers,


however, and the subsequent and increasing importance they have in our daily lives, the ability to type quickly and correctly has become ever more vital. What was once referred to simply as “typing,” however, is now frequently labeled as “keyboarding.” The topic of “keyboarding” was


raised during a recent Windham School Board meeting, when a number of parents came to the podium, each emphasizing his or her belief that specific instruction in proper typing techniques is a much- needed addition to the school district curriculum. School Board Chairman Bruce Anderson said that he had also received several e-mails from concerned parents regarding the same topic.


“Our children need formal training


in touch-typing,” one parent said. Another commented, “Too many


of these kids use the hunt and peck method because they have no typing


skills,” adding that “being able to send text messages doesn’t qualify.” Several people said they feel that the Technology Curriculum in Windham is lacking in this area. “We keep buying better and faster computers,” another parent told School Board members, “but my kids aren’t taught how to type.” Other parents thought it was ridiculous to have a one-on-one computer laptop program at the new high school, when so many of the students are using the two-finger approach to typing. Parents suggested that typing instruction be started at Windham Center School with grades three to five, then become more formalized during middle and high school. “Typing needs to be taught correctly


and practiced frequently, with an


emphasis on speed and accuracy,” one mother told School Board members. “It is an essential skill that is required throughout life,” another person added. Anderson said he likened learning to type to learning how to play a musical instrument. “It’s a motor skill,” he said. “There are exercises that need to be practiced at home.” School Board member Jeff Bostic said that people should not assume that all homes have a computer on which children can practice. Another Windham resident said that he didn’t think students should have to learn typing on their own. “That is an extremely inefficient method,” he said. “It causes kids to acquire bad habits; ones that are extremely tough to unlearn.”


“Looking back at my own education,” another parent said, “if there was one class that gave me a serious advantage, it was typing!” School Superintendent Frank Bass said administrators are looking at efforts to put keyboarding instruction “into play,” possibly as early as this January. Windham Middle School Principal Dan Moulas agreed that keyboarding skills are something that needs to be worked on prior to students entering high school. Moulas said he feels that typing instruction


can be addressed through the middle school’s study skills program and be built upon from there. Center School Principal Kori Becht,


who was transferred from the middle school at the beginning of the current school year, stressed the need for consistency in technology instruction between the middle school and the upper elementary school. “We can be creative about it,” Becht assured parents. School Board Vice Chairman Ed Gallagher said that there used to be typing instruction taught at Windham Middle School. “When did it fall out?” he asked. Becht said she was not aware of such a program having previously existed. “We need a good solution,” Anderson said. “We need to work on a plan in a cohesive way, then bring it back to the [school] Board,” Assistant Superintendent Roxanne Wilson commented. “There has to be a balance between handwriting and typing.”


“Please, don’t forget the kids that will be left behind [without formal typing instruction]; those who are already headed for high school,” one parent advised.


by Barbara O’Brien As the end of the year approached, Windham selectmen spent time deciding how best to use some of the money that was left in the town’s 2010 operating budget.


At Least Two Roads to be Repaired with Leftover Money Dracut, MA;


One of the items that headlined the remaining wish list pertained to much-needed repairs on several town-owned roadways. Of the surplus money, Town Administrator David Sullivan said, “Jack [McCartney] has been stretching the available dollars by doing things on his own” rather than contracting the jobs out to others. McCartney is Windham’s Highway Agent. The two stretches which selectmen definitely decided to have McCartney tackle with 2010


money are sections of Londonderry and Pine Ridge Roads. After those two roadways are finished, if there is enough money left over, Meadow Road will be repaired. The amount left to be spent on road repairs depends, to some extent, on how much money was expended on clearing the roads, as the result of the winter season’s first snowstorm that pummeled the area on December 26 and 27.


Selectmen decided 4 to 0 to approve the


following expenditures, all of which were put out to bid earlier in the year: • Londonderry Road – low bid of $94,890 (possibly higher price tag due to escalating cost of asphalt) awarded to Brox Industries of


Pelham Daisy Troop Participates in Operation Cookie


submitted by Kristie Remeis, Daisy Troop Leader It is January and they are out there. Innocent little girls knocking on door and asking “Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?” This year, Pelham Daisy Troop 10034 is adding an


extra twist to their cookie sales by participating in Operation Cookie. And it is a great way to support the Scouts and our overseas troops without adding to your own waistline. Girl Scouts allows for the sale and donation of boxes of cookies for special projects—it is called Gift of Caring. Cookies may be purchased by customers to be given to a project of choice by the specific troop. One such program is called Operation Cookie. Customers can purchase any number of boxes to be donated to Operation Cookie. As a Girl Scout Community Service Project, this is also a great way for customers who, due to dietary or other reasons, do not wish to bring a box of cookies home, but would still like to support the Girl Scouts. Last year, troops, with the public’s help, donated more than 36,000 packages of cookies for Operation Cookie. These were shipped by the NH Air National Guard to our servicewomen and servicemen all over the world. Through Operation Cookie, the Girl Scout council determines where to send boxes of cookies, and is responsible for shipping the cookies out. However, Troop 10034 has a special connection in Iraq. One of the mothers, Diane Chubb, has a


good friend serving there, Major Crystal White. She is serving for the next six months in Iraq, working with a unit, teachers, and interpreters to assist in training the Iraqi troops so that they may better defend themselves. (The Daisies will be making Valentine’s crafts for her unit at an upcoming meeting.) Through Operation Cookie, the Daisies hope to send at least one shipment of cookies to Major White and her unit. Once received, she will be able to take pictures of her unit receiving the cookies to share with the Daisies.


“It is important for the girls to think beyond their immediate world,” says Troop Leader Kristie Remeis. “The girls are great at working to help others, even those they have never met. But this connection puts a more personal story with this service project.” Therefore, depending on how many cookies our troop is able to sell to be donated to the troops, the first 30 or so boxes will be sent to Major White in Iraq. All remaining cookies will be brought to the council to be shipped to a destination of their choice.


All Daisies that participate in this project will be eligible for a “Gift of Caring” badge. The badges will be presented by members of the VFW after the cookies have been shipped. If you have questions about the Gift of Caring/ Operation Cookie, contact Diane Chubb at 2564 or Diane@chubbiplaw.com.


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• Pine Ridge Road – guaranteed price of $45,860 (second lowest bid by $310) awarded to Tate Brothers of Hudson; • Meadow Road – low bid of $44,600 (possibly higher cost due to escalating price of asphalt) awarded to Hudson Paving of Hudson. The awarding of this bid is contingent on sufficient funds remaining in the town’s 2010 operating budget. Voting in favor of doing the road repairs out of the 2010 town budget were Chairman Charles McMahon, Vice-Chairman Bruce Breton, Roger Hohenberger, and Galen Stearns. Selectman Ross McLeod was not in attendance at the December


27 meeting.


In other highway-related business, Sullivan said that, effective January 1, the town would once again be responsible for plowing Rollston Road, Chapel Road, and Industrial Way, all of which were temporarily being maintained by the State Department of Transportation (DOT) due to construction work along the Route 111 Bypass. The Town Highway Department is also now assuming the maintenance of Delahunty Road, a new thoroughfare, located next to Delahunty Nursery. Sullivan noted that Windham has not taken on the maintenance of Range Road.


Demolition- continued from front page


“Could the house be turned into a restaurant or bed and breakfast?” asked Webber. “That could be achievable if enough money is spent,” Mason answered. “But the owner’s plan does not involve this house.” “There’s a balancing between what’s there versus what should be there,” going forward, he said. “We’re never going to come to a conclusion where everybody’s happy.” Several people in attendance conjectured that Mesiti wants the buildings removed so that he can build an access road at that specific location. Several people wanted to know who was supposed to pay the moving costs if the buildings are accepted as a donation. Becky Brown, who has lived in Windham for the past 38 years, said it isn’t rational to expect taxpayers to come up with $40,000 to $50,000 in 120 days, especially at this point in the annual budget process. “We need at least 18 months,” Brown said. “Then, this might be do- able.” Mason said that the 120 days were not set in stone; “just a window of opportunity.” Other residents wanted to know if Mesiti


635-


would pay the cost of relocating both buildings elsewhere. Mason said he had no authorization from Mesiti to pay the moving bill, but that it “could be brought up as a conversation.” Catherine Luther, who moved to Windham from Londonderry because her former town had become too commercial, said she loves the


way the town center has retained its historic character. “It would be a horrible loss to the town to demolish this beautiful setting,” she said. “This property is part of the heart of the community,” Kathleen DiFruscia said. “You just can’t replace these buildings. You move it…you detract from the entire area.” DiFruscia, a local attorney, asked Mesiti to reconsider his decision to either move or demolish the buildings. Give something back to the town where you’ve made a very good living, she urged the developer.


Referring to the recent construction of the new gas station and Dunkin’ Donuts along Route 111, just across from the town center, DiFruscia called their intrusion on the most historic section of Windham “an abomination.” She would hate to see this pattern of development continue in the Village District, she added. Windham resident Kristi St. Laurent, who


lives in a house that was built in 1777, commented on the historical importance of these buildings. “It’s amazing what that house has seen,” she said. “It’s a cornerstone of the original village center and its location is part of its significance.” St. Laurent questioned whether the house and barn could be moved to another location on the same site as they now sit. “I’m gravely concerned,” she said. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”


Coloring and Drawing Contest Winners Pelham Parks and Recreation is happy to announce the winners of annual Holiday Coloring and


Drawing Contest for 2010 for the following age groups: Age 3-4: Samantha Moyer, 4 Age 5-6: Trip Williams, 6 Age 7-8: Robbie Sauer, 7 Age 9-10: Josephine Jozokos, 10 Age 11-12: Sarah Morin, 11 Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to every participant. Winners of each age group will take home a Barnes & Noble gift card. We encourage everyone to look for our annual Easter coloring contest coming up in March.


Benefit For Ashly Chanelle Rosa


Saturday January 29, 2011 7:00P.M.— 11:30 P.M.


Kings Court, 222 Central Street (Rte. 111) Hudson, NH


Please come out to show your support for Dan and Ashly during this difficult time while Ashly is fighting cancer.


Stop by for a drink or stay the whole time and have fun dancing and enjoying raffles. Tickets: $20 in advance or $25 at the door Call Robin at 603-505-7815 or e-mail robindavid13@gmail.com


Donations can be mailed to: RE/MAX Platinum Realty c/o Ashly Rosa Benefit P.O. Box 935 Windham, NH 03087


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