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School News North Salem


School News


submitted by North Salem School Forget Black Friday, the place to be this year for


all your holiday shopping needs is right here at the North Salem School. On Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the school will open up its doors to North Salem families and the general public for our second annual Holiday Gift and Craft Fair. Sponsored by the PTA, the fair will include unique gifts, one of a kind crafts and an opportunity to have pictures taken with Santa Claus. ‘Tis the season of giving and what better way


to give than to those who need it most? The North Salem School would like to thank all of our students who signed up to select an ornament from our “Giving Tree,” a program designed to help families who may feel the burden of the economy, especially during the holiday season. Students who signed up to select an ornament are asked to bring in their wrapped gifts no later than December 14. Please attach the ornament on the package so we know to whom the gift belongs. This will truly make the holiday season brighter for a North Salem family. What better present to give your child this


holiday season than the gift of reading. We hope students will take part in our annual used book sale, which will be held Friday, December 2. Each book will cost only 25 cents. All proceeds from the sale will go towards our Read-A-Thon which will take place in the new year. Mark your calendars for the annual Fifth Grade


Holiday Chorus Concert on Tuesday evening, December 6, at 7 p.m. at the school. Under the direction of Mrs. Minkle, students will perform a variety of holiday music sure to please everyone! Lights, Camera, Action! As your holiday calendar fills up, be sure to save the date for the annual PTA sponsored movie night to be held on Friday, December 9. More details will be sent home with your child. Back by popular demand, the Scrabble Club will be open once again this year to all students in grades four and five. Under the direction of Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. DiPrima, the Scrabble Club is a fun way for students to learn the game with peers in a club format and a fun setting! Beginning December 7 and continuing every Wednesday until February 22, the final two sessions will be a formal Scrabble Tournament.


Students caught “caring” this week include: Emily Kierstead, Hunter Glickel, Kaley Kornacki, Drew Trembaly, Joshua Waterhouse, Seth Dowgiert, Tyler Baron, Carly Saif, Emily DeMinico, Mackenzie Lane, Dante Pistone, Eddie Rowell, Julian Quintal, Brooke Carter, Madison McGinn, Alex Poole, Dante Fernandes, Joey Colecchia, Evelyn Hamel, Mary Parkhurst, Dylan Shine, Kayla Bernard, Emma Powers, Sean Roeger, Alex Hanna, Kelly Nolan, Elizabeth Butterworth, Brynne Kolbert, Anna Carbone, Madison Gee, Ava Donahue, Ashley Bodenrader, Will Pfeiffer, Madison Ciarcia, Sneha Prasad, Patrick Harris, Chloe Stone, Jimmy Hagopian, Jamal Labossiere, Jonah Ludwig, Olivia Bartos, Amber Mosher, Marissa Mellott, Kailey Blanchette, Preston Demmer, Will Marggraf, and Keagan Ryan.


Foundation, Learning Forward will provide coaching and technical assistance and host meetings of the seven states over the next two years of the initiative, Transforming Professional Learning to Prepare College- and Career-Ready Students: Implementing the Common Core. The resources developed through the initiative will


School News


submitted by New Hampshire Department of Education


New Hampshire has been selected as a Critical Friend in a new initiative led by Learning Forward – a national membership and advocacy organization focused on professional development – to create a statewide, comprehensive system to support educators as they implement Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and new student assessments. Kentucky will serve as the Demonstration State for the initiative, while Georgia, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington will contribute to the development of the system’s tools and strategies and learn from Kentucky’s challenges and accomplishments. With support from lead funder the Sandler


Salem Community Patriot | December 2, 2011 - 11


New Hampshire Selected by Learning Forward as ‘Critical Friend State’


be made available to all states as they implement CCSS. “The Department has already compiled an array of tools to help the school leader inform his/her staff in an ongoing manner around the CCSS. These suggested resource activities are designed to build/enrich the background knowledge for educators in the Common Core State Standards,” said Virginia M. Barry Ph.D., NH Commissioner of Education. “We look forward to sharing these with other States and learning from them.” In addition the National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) partnered with the writers of the Common Core State Standards to create grade-by-grade guides for parents that reflect the Common Core State Standards. As a Critical Friend State, NH will participate in meetings with Learning Forward, partner organizations, and Kentucky’s team; provide input in developing tools and strategies; and guide the implementation of resources, tools, and protocols locally. The state will also support new school year and daily school schedules that provide substantive time for professional learning for


educators and establish new systems for working with third-party providers and vendors who provide expertise. “Congratulations and deepest appreciation to all our partners and supporters, including the Council of Chief State School Officers, our lead Demonstration State and our Critical Friends States,” said Stephanie Hirsh, executive director of Learning Forward. “I am confident that this partnership will lead to identification of new practices that substantively advance professional learning that ensures effective Common Core instruction.” Learning Forward and the states will work in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers, National Governors Association, National Association of State Boards of Education and American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education on the initiative. NH was selected from among several states through a competitive process this fall. The Demonstration State and Critical Friends States had to show a commitment to equity, professional development and substantive change.


Comcast to Help Local Educators Dream Big with Grant Contest


Comcast is inviting teachers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts to enter to win one of three $2,500 technology grants to be used toward new classroom technology. “Comcast is committed to giving back in the communities where our customers live and work, and we are proud to support local schools as part of that commitment,” said Steve Hackley, Senior Vice President for Comcast’s Greater Boston Region. “We look forward to reviewing this year’s applications and helping three more teachers enhance the technology in their classrooms.” Comcast provides complimentary Internet service schools, libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs on the company’s advanced fiber network in New Hampshire and Massachusetts to help students


stay connected. To further contribute to local classrooms and expand digital literacy among students, Comcast is inviting teachers to express how they use Internet service in the classroom and giving them a chance to win a $2,500 technology grant to support their efforts. Teachers interested in applying for a grant can send an e-mail to NE_Community_ Investments@cable.comcast.com with the subject “Comcast in the Classroom” by November 30. Each entry should include the teacher’s name, school, subject, and answers to two questions in 100 words or less: • How do you use Comcast’s courtesy services in your classroom?


• How would a $2,500 technology grant help Barron School October Heroes


submitted by Barron School The Barron School Heroes Program is in its 11th year. Students are awarded “Herograms” for demonstrating a positive behavior or action and are acknowledged during morning announcements. The Herograms are returned to the classrooms where they will be placed in a Herograms’ container. Classroom teachers in grades one through five select their heroes from the collection of Herograms that have been “earned” by the students. Usually two to four students from each classroom are selected as “Heroes” for the five scheduled Heroes’ Luncheons to be held at the end of October, December, February, April and June with Mr. DiNardo. Photographs of the bi-monthly heroes are also displayed along with their Heroes’ ribbons that the students decorate. This year’s themes include nine


character traits that will help our students recognize, respect and celebrate the many contributions that they, as well as others, make in their daily lives. The program


also reinforces the notion that anyone can possess and put into practice the qualities and characteristics that define heroism. Heroes chosen for the month of October are: Erin Ross, Nicholas Kendall, Marlena Vo, Natalie Duffy, Adam Goetz, Jake Rizzo, Alija Mulkern, Sopia Quinlan, Hailley Caracoglia, Andrea Sperl, Kaylee Aborn, Troy DeMinico, Emily Plante, Bianca Pichardo, Camryn Mack, Lindsay Jones, Jessica Laliberte, Venesa Aiello, Alex Roy, Angelie Gulliver, Lauren Ross, Justin Watson, Brianne Mack, Sharbel Saab, Julia Whitley, Goerge Anamisis, Devin Mack, Brian English, Ally Harless, Massi Bosli, Kasey Grasso, Grace Lumley, Derek Bosworth, James Ference, Will Michaud, Alyssa Collette, Nick Boppel, Ben Laycock, Jenna Briere, Tyra Papaefthemiou, Sydney Parsons, Adrian Sperl, Emma Bailey, Liz Fallisi, and Damian Medina.


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your class dream big? Any teacher from a school receiving Comcast courtesy services is eligible to participate. One entry per teacher is allowed. Finalists will be chosen during the month of December, and will be asked to create a short video, up to five minutes in length, showing why their class is the best pick. Three grant-winning classrooms will be announced in early 2012. Earlier this year, three grant winners from


Massachusetts including: Oak Bluffs School on Martha’s Vineyard, Francis M. Leahy School in Lawrence and Abbot School in Westford – were awarded with the $2,500 grants, which were used to purchase iPads, computer equipment, video cameras and more.


Little Cyclones Constitutional Essay Contest


from the left, Gov. Lynch, Deana Missert, Brittany Missert, and Tomas Missert


submitted by Justin Missert The Constitution was ratified over 200 years


ago. For six years, New Hampshire has produced an essay contest for students about how the Constitution applies to modern life. This year’s topic was the Constitution allowing schools to completely ban or limit the possession, use or display of cell phones, smart phones, iPads or other mobile communication devices in school buildings, and should schools be allowed to confiscate those devices and punish students who bring them to school. Over 500 students across the state of New Hampshire entered the contest, but only 16 were chosen for the middle school and high school divisions. Local resident Brittany Missert has received a state finalist award for her incredible essay in the middle school division. Her essay reads: “The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches shall not be violated.” These are the first words of Amendment IV of our Constitution. However, it says nothing about taking away someone’s property, if it remains unsearched. In this case, the property is a student’s cell phone. I believe cell phones


are useful in communication, but shouldn’t be used during school hours because they are a distraction. Whatever we say through a text message could easily be said aloud; therefore it does not interrupt the freedom of speech. If a faculty member confiscates a phone, then goes through its contents without notifying the owner or presenting a warrant, it is crossing the line and violating our rights. I think the members of the school board should discuss this matter and its consequences openly, considering cell phone searches are a growing problem. If they have a disagreement, they should take the matter to the state and not continue to ignore the problem. This rule isn’t just for the benefit and better education of students, but for staff members as well. What would America be like if no one learned anything new and we didn’t know how to socialize with others without ‘text talk’? I think it would be very unpleasant because we would lose most of our educated thoughts. We also wouldn’t be able to learn, communicate, and trade with the rest of the world. So, in conclusion, cell phones, even though they are entertaining and useful, they should continue to be kept out of sight at school. If students are caught with them, confiscations can


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be tolerated as long as searches don’t occur. I strongly believe cell phone searches are in violation of our rights, as they are stated in the Constitution.


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