4 - April 13, 2012 | Salem Community Patriot


The Word Around Town... Letters to our Editor


Bettencourt Urges State to Support HB 1607 Growing up with both parents being public school teachers, the


importance of education has always been clear. Having attended public schools my entire life, including my undergraduate and juris doctorate degrees, I know public schools offer an outstanding education for most students. However, while most kids flourish in their assigned school, some need a


different educational environment. Unfortunately, for many students and families who are in need financially, they lack access to educational choice, which prevents them from achieving their full potential. Few would disagree with the notion that every child holds within themselves their own particular genius. Tis potential can best be realized when students have the ability to chose what school will best engage, prepare, and educate them for the future. Te School Choice Scholarship Act (House Bill 1607) is a program that has been successful in eight states as a cost-effective way to expand educational opportunity and innovation. Tis legislation would allow


businesses to donate to nonprofit scholarship organizations who in turn grant scholarships to in-need New Hampshire students. In return the businesses are awarded a business tax credit worth 85 percent of their donation. Te size of these scholarships will vary but on average will be around


$2,500. Tese scholarships will be available to students, including those with special needs, from age 5-20 that have not yet graduated from high school and satisfy a means testing requirement set at 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Tis makes approximately half of New Hampshire residents eligible. It carries a financial impact of less than a half of one percent on local school budgets.


School choice is not an indictment on public schools or a battle of public vs. private. School choice is simply about giving every student the opportunity for an education based on individual excellence. Tis program is an investment in our future and this legislature and Governor Lynch should pass House Bill 1607.


D.J. Bettencourt, Majority Leader, New Hampshire House of Representatives, Salem


Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church Holds Easter Sunrise Service


School News Sch School News Members of Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church listen as Rev. David Yasenka shares the account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.


by Jay Hobson The early morning twilight welcomed members of Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church at the Memorial Garden behind their church as Rev. David Yasenka lead the faithful in an early morning Easter tradition. As geese flew overhead and woodpeckers tapped in the adjoining woods, Rev. Yasenka shared the story of an early morning so very long ago yet so dear to the hearts of Christians around the globe. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those present heard again the account of Jesus’ passion and death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection three days and three nights later. The Memorial Garden, which has the ashes of some of the


Rev. David Yasenka shares the biblical account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ


faithful scattered at the base of a large red cross and monuments with the names the departed in a semicircle around it, was a fitting place to hear of Christ’s resurrection and the future hope of Christians who if they trust in Him will also be resurrected. After the outdoor service, the faithful moved inside for breakfast.


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Local Organization Opens Its Doors During Annual Celebration Week


submitted by Boys & Girls Club of Salem The Boys & Girls Club of Salem is joining other Boys & Girls Clubs across the country in opening its doors to the community during the annual celebration of National Boys & Girls Club Week (April 15- 21). For more than 75 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have celebrated this week in a variety of ways to support the organization’s overarching goal of helping all children achieve a great future. On Friday, April 20, from 6 to 7 p.m., the Boys & Girls Club of Salem will open its doors to the community for visitors to learn how Clubs encourage youth to be great – all while having fun.


Information on Summer Camps for ages 3 to 18 will be available as well as information for our transportation/programs before and after school for children 1st grade and older. Our programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. These three outcome areas support the organization’s mission of preparing the next generation for success. The Club is located at 3 Geremonty Drive, Salem. If you would like additional information, visit their Website at www.salembgc.org or call 898-7709.


Rev. Kathleen Towns watches as Bernard Campbell reads scriptures with Stan Currier


by S. Aaron Shamshoyan Campbell’s Scottish Highlands golf course made for a beautiful sunrise service Easter morning as about 50 members of the Pleasant Street and Hannah Tenney United Methodist Church gathered to celebrate. Reverend Kathleen Towns lead the group in sinning hymns and spoke on the meaning of Easter.


Bernard Campbell read Luke 24:1-12 to the group as the sun began to rise behind him. The service concluded after about twenty minutes, and the group gathered in the clubhouse for pastries.


School News


North Salem


submitted by North Salem School April is here and what a busy month it is! The Read-a-thon is winding down! Students only have until April 19 to turn in their slips in order to earn that reading medal during this year’s Read-a-thon! For each 20 minutes your child reads at home, he or she can check off one symbol on the reading slip. Finish all five slips and you just earned yourself a gold medal, which will be awarded at the Spring Open House on April 19. Thank you to all the students, faculty and staff for hosting another


wonderful Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. Students in each grade performed a variety of songs and poems about volunteering! Volunteers help make our school a great place! A big thank you goes out to Kim Santo and her group of parent


volunteers who organized not one, but two nights of Pizza Bingo! Another big thank you goes out to Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Diprima for organizing the Scrabble Club after school program. The North Salem PTA will be hosting the school’s first ever Daddy (Special Friend)/ Daughter Dance on Friday, April 13, from 6:30- 8:30 p.m.. There will be dancing, games, raffles and other fun activities during the night. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend. Volunteers are needed to help out that evening, contact Sandra Galvez if you’d like to help. It’s hard to believe that our fifth graders will soon be leaving North Salem for Woodbury! Last week, the fifth graders were invited to attend a performance presented by Woodbury students at Salem High School. This year’s show was “The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White.” A wonderful time was had by all! The following students were caught showing the trait of Citizenship last week as part of the Character Counts Program: Chelsea Barrett, Lilly Colecchia, Gabriella Martiniello, Allyson Martiniello, Jack Schoenrock, Ariel Paquette, Max Nobrega, Allie Sullivan, Nathan Carter, Xiara Glickel, Adan Ayala, Rayna Mellott, Bella Buccheri, Nick Fili, Dakota Santo, Sam Maietta, Amy Murphy, Lucas Moreno, Julia St. Hilaire, John Nelson, Camryn Mustapha, Mackenzie Svenson, Caitlin McLaughlin, John Bennett, Michael Glynn, Joseph Goodhue, Megan Batchelder, Alex Karibian, Sean Roeger, Austin Callahan, Anthony Bellomo, Conor Moran, Delaney York, Drew Tremblay, Jack Maietta, Kailey Blanchette, Jocelyn LeSaux, Danielle DiPrima, Kyle Poulin, Jimmy Hagopian, Justin Choquette, Kyle Poulin, Brian Waterhouse, Sydney Scanlan, Connor Moore, Anthony Bellomo, Curtis St. Cyr, Alyssa Daniels, Nathan Martineau, Jason Ciarcia, Dustin Merrill, Samira Rochdi, David Screnci, Elin O’Neil, Ryan Callahan, Rayna Mellott, Amy Murphy, Bella Buccheri, Dakota Santo, Ashley Gee, Jimmy Glynn, Domenic Buccheri, Kelly Nolan, Camden Morgano, Jacob Bennett, Jack Glander, Caitlyn Boyle, Ryan Moeckel, Julian Quintal, Ava Donahue, Kayla Bernard, Luca Gaglione, Sneha Prasad, Riley Slosek, Conner Moore, Jamal Labossiere, Billy Richart, Kevin Conneilly, Andy Bourque, Caitlyn St. Cyr, and AlexaCurrao.


S Sch


Staff photos by S. Aaron Shamshoyan


Staff photo by Jay Hobson


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