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Pelham~Windham News


Pelham~Windham News Volume 8 Number 30 February 18, 2011 16 Pages School


Deliberative Session


Adds Money for Kindergarten


by Lynne Ober Pelham voters will see a dozen warrant articles


when they go to the ballot in March. At the Pelham School Deliberative Session, the so-called kindergarten construction project was first up. Warrant Article 2 reads, “Passage of this article shall override the 10 percent limitation imposed on this appropriation due to the non-recommendation of the budget committee. Shall the Pelham School District raise and appropriate the sum of $3,805,000 (Three million, eight hundred and five thousand dollars) for the construction and equipping of a new kindergarten and pre-school school building and authorize the issuance of not more than $3,805,000 (Three million, eight hundred and five thousand dollars) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33) and authorize the Pelham School Board to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and to authorize the Pelham School Board to apply for, and accept and expend any federal, state, or other aid that may be available for said project and to comply with all the requirements related thereto; and further to raise and appropriate the additional sum of $64,685 (sixty-four thousand, six hundred and eighty- five dollars) for the first year’s interest payment on the bond and authorize the Pelham School Board to take any other action necessary to carry out this vote? (3/5 ballot vote required)” The School Board and administration have bundled four special education (SPED) pre-school classrooms onto the kindergarten building project. Some questioned that these two building projects should have been presented as separate warrant articles, but others agree that one combined warrant article is best. NH Department of Education Director of Building Aid, Ed Murdough, said he met with Dr. Bass about the combined warrant article and had also met with the architects and business administrator. “We do this sort of thing quite frequently, as districts often include kindergarten as part of a larger project. Basically, we take the floor plans and identify the portions that are eligible for kindergarten aid. For some costs – furniture, for example – it is relatively easy to identify what goes into the kindergarten room. For other costs, like general construction labor and materials; if we do not have a better method, we calculate proportionally based on square footage.” The School Board wants to have between 15 and 18 students per kindergarten classroom. At some point there might be an option for full day kindergarten, with a tuition for the extra half-day. Superintendent Dr. Franklyn Bass said, “There was a lot of conversation regarding the ‘flexibility’ to go to full-day K with the option of having parents ‘tuition’ in their students for the afternoon session. Two of the rooms in the plan were designated for that contingency. However, from a pure numbers approach, the six rooms at half-day would give us a range of 180-240 students, and we recognize there are approximately 200 or so K students residing in Pelham—that number may have dropped a little in the last year.”


According to Murdough, “I have told them that the state will only pay for enough space to house the estimated opening day enrollment for half-day kindergarten and that the estimate has to come from a valid third-party source.” Although the School Board recommended this warrant article, the budget committee originally tied at 5-5 in their support so they did not recommend passage. Pelham resident Bill Scanzani proposed adding $10,000 for parking to this warrant article and was able to present an argument that won the day. He told the audience that from a “prudent standpoint and planning for the future,” it would make sense for the Budget Committee to back the project before the Legislature eliminates school building aid. The state now picks up 75 percent of the cost of kindergarten classroom space. He reminded the audience that a moratorium had been placed on other school construction and he worried that this would happen with kindergarten construction aid. Gary Goudreau of Davis Goudreau Architects Inc.


of Portsmouth talked about the building details. The 10-classroom construction would consist of a total of 17,000 square feet and a 14,000 square-foot playground. Kindergarten construction aid will cover 75 percent of the classroom construction, and New Hampshire Department of Education mandates that there should be 50 square feet per student, but since only half-day kindergarten is mandated, it is assumed that each classroom will house two kindergarten classes—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Windham no longer has space to house the SPED pre-


school, so this is an opportunity for the Pelham School District to build facilities for this population. School Board member Andy Ducharme said he thought the project was the best option for the town, for students, and dollar-wise. According to data presented, the 10-classroom space with playground would add a total of about $500 cumulatively over the next five years to the tax bill of the owner of a home valued at $250,000. The Scanzani motion passed and the budget committee then had to vote again, and this time voted by a vote of 5-4 to recommend passage of this warrant article.


Article 3 proposes to raise money to fund the teachers’


contract. At the current staffing levels, assuming no change in salaries or benefits, the contract would cost:


continued to page 6- Kindergarten


A family of four and two best friends makes valentines cards for loved ones: Ryan, 6; Makayla, 8; Samuel, 6; Larissa, 7; Meghan, 3; and Max, 6


Italy is King at Family Pasta Night


by Karen Plumley The Pelham Elementary


School’s (PES) immensely popular pasta dinner for families saw an impressive turnout on Friday evening, February 11. Held in the school’s spacious dining room, the fourth annual PES Family Pasta Night played host to over 360 hungry guests in two separate dining times throughout the evening. Friendly and efficient fifth grade students volunteered to help seat and serve visitors. This year, the popular family gathering was sold out several days before Friday. “It is always a fun way for family and friends to get together and enjoy some great food and friends in the community,” noted one guest, who wished to remain anonymous. As always, in addition to the wonderful pasta, meatballs, and salad, community members were treated


to the amazing musical talents of Sebastian Faro of Methuen and his trusty accordion. According to PTA President Kristen Rodrigue, the Olive Garden of Tyngsborough, MA – in its largest charitable donation of the year – donated all of the pasta, sauce, breadsticks, and salad. Tre Monte Restaurant and Bar of Woburn, MA, donated the meatballs and Harris Pelham Inn donated the salad dressing. There were also a wide variety of desserts brought in by PTA members and parent volunteers, and coffee and drinks were available for everyone. Everyone loved the food, music, and camaraderie. Additionally, guests were able


to purchase various items from the school store operating outside the venue. Sale proceeds will be going to help cover costs of the fifth grade memory book.


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Fifth grade volunteers help out at the PES Family Pasta Night on Friday evening.


Te Giniewicz family of Pelham enjoys the delicious Italian fare at Pelham Elementary School on Friday evening: Eric, Sarah (8), Ethan (6), and Julie Giniewicz


Row one: Valerie Annal, Jamie Erikson; row two: Cathryn Scanlon, Brooke Frasier, Brittaney Ducharme, Catey Larochelle; row three: Amira Eid, Brenna Conway. In back: Blythe Vigeant


Mark Cherbonneau: Windham Teacher of the Year


by Barbara O’Brien The 2010 “Teacher of the Year” Award goes


to Windham Middle School Physical Education instructor and Athletic Director Mark Cherbonneau. The announcement was made during the annual school district deliberative session on February 11. School Board Chairman Bruce Anderson spoke of Cherbonneau’s extensive involvement across the board at Windham Middle School, both culturally and athletically. “He has an incredibly strong rapport with students,” Anderson said. “He’s there at every game, cheering on each team.” Anderson said


Cherbonneau is also responsible for initiating pep rallies at the middle school, which houses students in grades six through eight. Cherbonneau has worked in the field of education for the past 24 years, according to Anderson, starting in the Town of Derry in 1986, then relocating to Windham in 1994. “ That’s when he woke up and realized what he was missing,” Anderson quipped. Cherbonneau said he was honored to be


acknowledged for the work he has done in Windham for the past 16 years and looks forward to continuing his work in such an excellent environment.


Windham Middle School Physical


Education instructor and Athletic Director Mark Cherbonneau


Children Get Creative for Valentine’s Day at Nesmith Library


by K. Robinson The Friends of the Library of


Windham (FLOW) put on a free crafting event for kids at the Nesmith Library on Saturday, February 12. Families pre- registered their children ages five and up to attend this fun event, at which FLOW donated supplies for children to use to make their loved ones Valentine’s Day cards and to decorate cupcakes. The event was well planned and organized, as 34 ecstatic children found a seat and awaited instructions. Before they took a seat, they each got to fill out a


raffle ticket for the big bucket of goodies on the table. When the children walked into the room and saw all the decorations, they were wide-eyed with amazement and excitement. There were red tablecloths with glue sticks, markers, and all sorts of craft pieces ready to be used. The room was filled with balloons and each child got to take one home at the end of the event. The best part, however, was the table dedicated to lots of goodies for decorating cupcakes. “We’ve been trying to do a program once a month, and Valentine’s Day was


a great reason to host this event,” explaines Jane McCue, leader for the event. As Jane gave instructions to the anxious children, she made sure to point out that “there are lots of ways to make a Valentine’s Day card. The most important part is to be creative and to have fun.” Some children finished quickly, while others went up to the decorating table several times to add more jewels and stickers to their cards. Each child had a wide smile on their face and it got even bigger when they were told that once they finished


Peyton Gravell from Windham won a bucket of goodies and a balloon as the door-prize winner for the Valentine’s Day event at Nesmith Library Saturday


their cards, they could decorate a cupcake. Most children made cards to their parents, grandparents, and even their pets. However, two best friends, Larissa, 7, and Makayla, 8, made ‘best friend’ cards, leaving their mom to laugh and say, “I was hoping I’d get one, but oh well.” Children of all ages were able


to enjoy this fun-filled, creative event, at which they were able to express themselves and show a loved one how much they care. FLOW will continue to host events at Nesmith Library, and look for the upcoming Lego Day to be held in March.


staff photos by K.Robinson


staff photos by Karen Plumley


staff photo by Doug Robinson


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