October 13, 2023
Dear SAU 90 Staff and Families,
This week, I had the opportunity to spend some time at Hampton Academy, visiting classrooms, students, and staff. Teachers are working with students to re-establish expectations for learning or what they call “The Academy Way.” Students are working on managing themselves, acting responsibly, and respecting themselves and others. These expectations are reminded, reinforced, and discussed throughout the day in effort to ensure our middle school students’ success. Please be sure to check out our Facebook post, which features our fantastic Academy students!
At this time, we are enrolling students in our after-school program offered by YMCA School’s Out, which will be held at Marston School. Students in kindergarten to grade five are eligible to attend. As part of the program, students will have the opportunity to complete their homework and take part in snack time, physical activities, STEM exercises, and arts and crafts. If you are interested in enrolling or need more information, please contact Anthony Panciocco, Director of Child Care Services at anthony@sdymca.org or call 603-319-5942.
Our Hampton PTA meets the third Tuesday of each month, and next Tuesday evening is their monthly PTA Meeting now at 5:00 PM at the Hampton Academy Community Room. This wonderful organization, in collaboration with the Hampton Recreation Department and Lane Memorial Library, is hosting Hampton’s Halloween Town on Marston Way, next Saturday, October 21, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. If you are interested in volunteering for this wonderful event, please see the attached link. Many hands make for light work! Additionally, the PTA is currently having its membership drive. Please consider joining the PTA at the cost of $7.00 for an individual membership.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and our schools are placing an even greater focus on this topic. Ways in which we address this in our schools include setting specific bully prevention rules, providing lessons and activities aimed at fostering prosocial behaviors while reducing bullying. At Centre School, they will be holding their Power of One assembly later this month, while at Marston School, they will be hosting an assembly where they will be discussing the bully rules and celebrating kindness. At Hampton Academy, the Browne Center from the University of New Hampshire will be visiting classrooms later this month where health and physical education lessons will be addressing bully prevention. In our efforts to partner with our families, ongoing communication is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Please be sure to reach out to our schools if we can support you in any way.
We know that the world is an unsettling place right now. We worry what our children see and hear. Our students deserve a world where love, kindness, and humility prevail. As a community, we must continue modeling these virtues with our students daily. As educators, we are in a unique position to foster change. This is a responsibility that we do not take lightly and one that we address with a sense of purpose. Let us continue to uplift and support our school community and Hampton during these complex and confusing times, remembering our mission to our children, which is to provide our students with the best possible education anchored in the values that will shape a brighter, more compassionate tomorrow.
In partnership,
Dr. Lois B. Costa
Superintendent of SAU 90