2 - February 17, 2012 | Pelham - Windham News


Vice Principal Bob Dawson Works to Make WHS Students the Best They Can Be


by Kristen Hoffman After three vice principals in two years, Accolades


Connor P. Mulligan of Windham earned High Honors at Phillips Exeter Academy for the fall term. Connor is in grade 11 and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mulligan. The following Pelham residents were named to the Dean’s Honors List at Franklin Pierce University for the fall semester: Kimberly Cordeiro, a senior majoring in Social Work and; and Courtney Perry, a junior majoring in American Studies and Education. Jennifer Stanton, a resident of Pelham, has been named to the


Dean’s List for the fall semester at Mount Ida College. The following Windham residents have been named to the


Dean’s List for the fall semester at the University of Vermont: Ashraf Eassa, a junior majoring in Mathematics in the College of Engineering and Mathematic Sciences, and Katherine A. Ida, a senior majoring in English in the College of Arts and Sciences. Janelle M. Gordon of Pelham has been named to the President’s List at Western New England for the fall semester. Gordon is a Junior majoring in Integrated Liberal Studies. Courtney Smith of Windham was named to the Dean’s List at Wake Forest University.


Named to Regional Services and Education Center Academy’s first quarter Honor Roll was Windham resident Alexander DeLuca.


Nicole Raby, a resident of Pelham, was awarded Dean’s List honors for academic achievement during the fall semester at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.


Curry College is pleased to announce that Devin Lucy of


Windham has attained membership to the Dean’s List for the fall term. Windham residents Julia Elaine Filler, a Microbiology (Biomedicine) major, and Christopher Chase Lawson, Financial Management major, have been named to the President’s List at Clemson University for the fall semester.


Windham High School (WHS) may have finally found their man. Bob Dawson came to WHS in August, and has been a positive influence on students ever since he walked through the door. Dawson, 49, came to WHS from


Timberlane High School in Plaistow. The Durham native started his career over 25 years ago. Before he moved into Administration, be was a social studies teacher. It’s been a bit of a transition for Dawson.


For one, Timberlane serves four towns and has a student population of 1,400. WHS has slightly half that number. Also, being the new guy on campus posed some problems, Dawson said that it took a little while for the students to open up to him, but so far, it’s been smooth sailing. “I can’t say enough about the students we have here,” Dawson said. Dawson was at Timberlane for 18 years, but so far, it seems he has made his mark on the school. “The important thing to me is developing a relationship with the students,” he said. According to Dawson, he works with a small number of students on a fairly regular basis for different reasons, but the most important part is allowing the students to discover their potential through education and supporting them in tough times. His role in the school is to offer support, and sometimes, discipline for students who


need it. “My goal isn’t to bust them all the time,” Dawson said, instead, according to Dawson, it’s better for him to reach a point of understanding and mutual respect. Walking through the halls with Dawson,


it was apparent that many students feel comfortable talking to Dawson about their


days. “I think there is always a transitional period where they have to get used to the change,” Dawson said. There have been three Assistant Principals since WHS first opened its doors in 2009, putting the biggest strain on the juniors and seniors, who have attended the school throughout its various staff changes. According to Dawson, the students help him just as much as he helps them, “I get energy from the kids,” he said, adding that it’s important to him. Dawson said he enjoys being at WHS, and being able to watch it grow. For Dawson, it’s not only the student-faculty relationships that make WHS great; he also believes that the technology used by WHS students, faculty and staff is a move in the right direction. “We want to create a school known for its academics,” Dawson added, “We have a really outstanding faculty; the faculty is really in-tune to how the kids operate.” Technology has changed the way of the world, and conversely, the way students learn. Many high school students today have been using computers since their earliest years. Therefore, WHS has successfully adapted available technology for everyday use. All students receive MacBook computers when they enter the school and all the classrooms have wi-fi. “Technology is a real hook for the students, it changes the way they write and show presentation,” he added, “this is the world we live in.”


Pelham Public Library Hosts Daddy and Donuts


Now Open! SOLUTIONS 20%OFF


Stack Chairs New


Office Star 5500 Mesh Back task chair


only $175


855-66-IDEAL (855)664-3325


8 Rockingham Road, Rt.28 Windham, NH


idealofficeonline.com Feb. 1st thru. February 8, 2012 Visit our brand new showroom


Open Monday- Friday 9:00am- 5:30pm


Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm New • Pre-Owned • Refurbished


• idealvalue • idealservice • idealchoice


by Marc Ayotte It was time for Dads and their children to spend some quality time together at the Pelham Public Library on Saturday, February 4. According to Adult Services Librarian Corinne Chronopoulos, the reading and crafts session allowed for some dads who normally can’t make these events during the week to spend some time with their children in an educational atmosphere. The Daddy and Donuts program is held one Saturday every month and features a different theme along with donuts for the children and coffee for the dads. On this particular morning, Corinne Chronopoulos captured the attention of the children by reading from two books, My Daddy is a Giant and Buzz.


In addition to the readings, the dads helped their little ones express their individuality in the crafts department. The special theme for the day was ‘Patriots and Giants’ in honor of the Super Bowl being played on the following day. Various decals, logos, etc., were available for the children to design their favorite team’s pennant. Afterwards, the dads and kids trekked up the stairs to the children’s books section where they selected ‘Daddy theme’ books to take home and enjoy. Chronopoulos was pleased with the turnout saying there were approximately 25 children, primarily between the ages of two and five, who came out to enjoy the learning experience with their dads.


Patriots all the way - Alexis Pilcher


shows off her Patriot’s pennant while dad, David dons his Patriot’s fleece


Liana Phillips, with dad Noah, sneaks a peek at what the competition is making during crafts time


POWERED BY JEANNE D’ARC CREDIT UNION


DriveJDCU.com 1.99% RATES AS LOW AS Anthony APR* UP TO 3 YEAR TERMS ON NEW AND USED AUTOS Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Lowell | Dracut | Chelmsford | Tyngsboro | Methuen – 978-452-5001 | 877-604-5328 | JDCU.com


*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. 1.99% APR for up to 3-year term and is based on your personal credit history. Other rates and terms up to 7 years available. 1.99% APR is .50% higher without automatic payment. 1.99% APR is for the purchase of a 2010, 2011 or 2012 model automobile. Payments reflect principal and interest only. 3-year rate is payable in 36 monthly payments of $28.64 per $1,000 borrowed. Rates as of January 27, 2012 and are subject to change without notice. A $5.00 Membership Account required.


Federally insured by NCUA Shares and Deposits in excess of NCUA limits are fully insured by MSIC. Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and the phrase We Share a Common Thread are federally registered trademarks owned by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union.


Equal Opportunity Lender


DeSimone spends time with his two daughters, Ella and Gracie, designing pennants


Sitting on Scott Capsello’s lap are his twin daughters, Paige with book in hand and Brooke


Caitlin Harrington cuts out decals for her pennant while dad, Ryan, guides her along


staff photo by Kristen Hoffman


Staff photos by Marc Ayotte


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16