An Independent Weekly Newspaper


Pelham~Windham News


Pelham~Windham News Volume 10 Number 11 September 21, 2012 16 Pages


Pre-School Remain Issues for Pelham School District


SAU and Staff photos by AJ Dickinson


by Diane Chubb Three different options were presented by the


New England School Development Counsel (NESDEC) for resolving the issues of where to house administrative offices and a pre-school in Pelham. Until now, Pelham and Windham have shared


a SAU, including the building, administrative staff and costs. In March Windham voters approved split the existing SAU. Pelham has until July 1, 2013, to find a home its


own SAU and hire its own superintendent and staff. The Pelham School Board has been exploring


several options, including housing the SAU in Sherburne Hall, in the kindergarten portable, or constructing a separate building for the administrative offices. Previously, Business Administrator Adam Steel


had reported to the Board that Sherburne Hall would require more than $500,000 in renovations for the SAU’s use. To place the offices in the kindergarten portable would require the district to purchase the unit at a cost of approximately $500,000. As part of its charge to review the current


facilities and educational program in the Pelham School District, NESDEC was also asked to consider options for administrative offices and the required pre-school. John Kennedy and Margery Clark completed


the analysis and presented the options at the September 6 community forum. The first option includes building an addition


to Pelham Elementary School to accommodate a minimum of four kindergarten classrooms. The existing kindergarten was already relocated to the main building this year. The existing pre-school program would be


moved from the portable unit to the main building. The portable at PES would then be reconfigured to house the administrative offices. This option provides specifically designated


space for kindergarten students to meet program needs, and moves all the early childhood classrooms to one site. “However, this is not a long-term fix,” warned It requires the continued rental and upkeep


Clark.


of the portable units. As Clark pointed out, “portables are not meant to last.” The District’s second option is to construct


an SAU building where the portables are now located at PES. This option involves more expense, because it is construction of a larger, detached unit. Also, placing a permanent structure at this location would necessarily preclude any future additions or expansion at Pelham Memorial School. The last and most expensive option involves


constructing the administrative offices at the district-owned property on Marsh Road, directly across from the high school. The building would also include four classrooms to house the preschool. This would also be a more expensive option, because of the construction costs.


pre-school at a site separate from the other early education programs.


those students who require special services. The School Board sought input from members


of the community regarding these options. As discussed by Board Member Megan Larson, the town will be required to approve some combination of options in order to meet the needs of the district. State law requires a school district to belong


to an SAU. NH RSA 194-C, which governs the School Administrative Units, requires that each school administrative unit or single school district provide superintendent services, including administrative services, accounting services, human resource services, and curriculum assessment. Generally, a district will accomplish this by


hiring a superintendent, a business manager, a human resource person, a special education coordinator, and secretarial staff. Federal and state law also require school


districts to provide services to all students in the least restrictive environment, which at times, can include a different setting than what the local school district can provide. Enacted in 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities


Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that governs how states and agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to special needs children from birth to age 18. In 2004, Congress clarified the intended


outcome for each special needs student, namely, students must be provided a Free Appropriate Public Education. Under IDEA 2004, 1) Special education and


related services should be designed to meet the unique learning needs of eligible children with disabilities, preschool through age 21; and 2) Students with disabilities should be prepared for further education, employment and independent living.


New Hampshire has similar laws that support IDEA and IDEA 2004.


Pelham High School students flocked to the root beer float stand run by Justin Soucy to support their cross country team.


by Lynne Ober According to Charity Landry, it never rains


on Pelham Old Home Day. “It’s not allowed to rain on Old Home Day and if it tries we all do a rain dance at home.” The rain dance must have worked at the rain moved on, none fell on the runners and walkers and by 10:30 a.m. it was a bright sunny day. Old Home Day doesn’t officially kick off


until 9 a.m., but this year a very nice treat for everyone waiting to see the runners and walkers finishing was the music from the Muldoon Park Band, which was formed in the summer of 2009. Members of the band live in the Pelham community and share a common goal to play for the love of music. The key to Muldoon Park Band’s success has been a dynamic combination of popular rock, smooth rhythm guitar, and our infectious, high-energy show. Their music certainly had toes tapping and bodies swaying in time to the music. There’s always something to do at Pelham


Old Home Day. The Women’s Fellowship Country Store, an emporium that offers homemade goodies, handmade “arts and crafts” and Old Home Day opens. Others are drawn to the White Elephant Tent, which draws bargain hunters of all ages opens. This year visitors had the option of filling a bag with treasures and paying by the bag full or purchasing individual treasures. At 9 the rules for the Victor Spaulding Memorial Auction are read, but the auction doesn’t start until 9:30.


Colin Roark, son of Kerry and Chief


Joseph Roark, gleams with delight about his auction win.


closets, attics and basements by donating items to the auction. Even if you don’t buy, it is entertaining to sit and watch the proceedings. At 9:45 a.m. the team from the Family


Marital Arts in Pelham entertained the audience with their abilities. They gave two shows and returned after noon to repeat their entertaining performance. The Penny Sale


began at 10 a.m. and sales of tickets were brisk as community members poured over the available treasures. You could take a chance on one of the crafter or vendor items at The Penny Sale table. Every crafter must provide a small sample of their wares or a gift certificate for The Penny Sale. While Stan Mikutel


Te Area News Group truck was proud to carry the Citizen’s Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the Pelham Old Home Day Parade.


marital arts. Pelham Citizen Corps Council is again


becoming active and had two booths at Old Home Day. Director Rich Hannigan said that he hoped to reach out to other communities as well as continue to build the organization in Pelham. “It’s an exciting year for us. We are glad to be participating in Old Home Day.” At noon the


Two young O’Halloran Irish Tap Dancers entertained In case you are already hungry, the food


tents open and the ever popular kids games also open. The grounds of Old Home Day are filled with a variety of tents where you can shop and browse. Organizers like


It also puts the It creates a logistical issue for


to brag about the Victor Spaulding Memorial Auction, “You won’t just find a little of everything, you’ll find a lot of everything and something for everyone. Expensive and cheap; big and small; old and new; treasures and trinkets; you name it, you’re likely to see it at the Old Home Day Auction. Yes we’ve even auctioned off the kitchen sink. We suggest you bring a big empty truck for all the ‘stuff’ you’ll want to bring home.“ Many who live in town take advantage of the opportunity to clean their


sang and played his guitar, it was a good chance to browse through the booths. The VFW Auxiliary was raffling a quilt as well as passing out poppies in memory of all veterans. The Pelham High School Swim Team was hosting a dunk booth at the fire station. School Board member Deb Ryan, always a good sport, found that those throwing the ball at the bulls eye had great arms and she was dunked a number of times. Beautiful jewelry as well as tempting treats were offered for sale. You could also get information about a variety of community organizations and businesses. Pelham ACES


Transportations of all types appeared in the Old Home Day Parade


is re-organizing. At Old Home Day they were working with the Cub Scouts to support the Pelham High


School band and were selling popcorn to the audience enjoying the entertainment. Karate International of Windham brought


their Storm Team to perform at Old Home Day. A key of their program is respect and self-confidence, which is taught by learning


the crowd with their musical steps and interpretive dance moments before the parade.


exciting and colorful show put on by the dancers from Dance Concepts always fills the audience seats. The dancers are outfitted from head to toe in colorful and beautiful costumes. This year they had hair pieces so that their hair dos matched. At 12:45 an


alternative band, Third Stone Odyssey,


performed. This band has a sound of their own and constantly looks for new inspiration whether it is in the top 40 or on an old Leadbelly record. With Chuckie Greenwood on drums and handling percussion as well as singing, Justin Spicer playing guitar and joining Greenwood on vocals and Mickayla Aboujaoude handling bass as well as singing, the band has a sound that is uniquely their own. O’Halloran Irish Step Dancers made a


popular return trip to Old Home Day. They performed at 1:45 to toe-tapping music that thrilled the audience. The parade kicked off at 2:30. This year the


parade expanded to include the bike and baby carriage parade as well as the pet parade. The Windham Community Band began playing at 3:15 p.m.


It has become one of


the largest and most active concert bands in New Hampshire, rehearsing and performing throughout the year. Under the direction of Jared Cassedy, the band now performs approximately 15 concerts year round and has concluded its seventh successful summer season. Their concert lasted until it was time to sample that delicious Chicken Bar-be-que dinner.


Before dinner Penny Sale winners were posted as well as winners of the Best in Show Pie Contest. Once dinner was over, it was time to declare this another successful celebration and go home.


Gray Skies Kick Off Pelham Old Home Day, 2012 Te Pelham High School marching band Stan Mikutel performs Isabella and Makenna Horne


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Residents Receive Reduce Rate to Canobie Park and Screeemfest


submitted by Canobie Lake Park Fear meets fun this year at Canobie Lake Park Screeemfest from September 28 through October 28. Enjoy everything from five haunted houses and your favorite Canobie rides – including Canobie’s wild roller coaster, Untamed – to live entertainment featuring Mini Kiss and a tribute to the music of Madonna. Canobie’s Oktoberfest celebration and the Park’s new Autumn Fairgrounds retail area are also going on during Screeemfest. In appreciation of its hometown area, Canobie Lake Park has designated


Sunday, September 30, as Salem/Windham Appreciation Day at the Park, weather permitting. On that day, residents of Salem and Windham can take advantage of a special, single-day, reduced Canobie Lake Park admission price of just $13. Proof of residency is required for all ages, such as driver’s


licenses or report cards/library cards for school-age children, and the special cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, priced pass or promotion.


Admission includes entry to Screeemfest, Oktoberfest and the Autumn


Fairgrounds, as well as all haunted houses, operating rides and live entertainment. Canobie Lake Park will donate a portion of the proceeds from the Salem/Windham Day Event to Salem’s Haigh Elementary School Playground Fund to assist the school and its students who have been raising funds in order to replace playground equipment that was damaged by vandals. For hours and more information about Canobie Lake Park Screeemfest, Oktoberfest and Autumn Fairgrounds events, visit canobie.com.


Staff photo by Gloria Sullivan


Staff photo by Lynne Ober


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