Best Day of My Life

This is the title of my (current) favorite song: "Best Day of My Life" and when I hear it, I am reminded of some of my best, happiest days.  Of course, we all have those horrible days when nothing goes well or when we have to deal with bad news.  In spite of those bad days, I have many "best days" for which to be thankful. As we go into a new year, I want to share just a few of my "best days of my life" with you.  Most of my these happy days revolve around family but I have lots of best days at school, too.

Best Day of My Life:  when my son Nick came home from Iraq after 3 tours of duty; when my son Nathan (on his 3rd tour) came home from Afghanistan; a phone call from any of my sons; our newborn grandson coming home from the hospital after a month-long stay; finding a great bike trail and spending the day riding with my husband; family coming to visit from out of town; when my 15 year old granddaughter hugs me- and doesn't think she's too cool for hugs; playing basketball in the driveway with my grandkids; when my oldest son, Chris, became a teacher; having a good laugh; planning and sewing a quilt; helping a first grader learn a new word; monopoly games that last for days; working in my garden; listening to a child learning to play an instrument; sharing a meal with friends; playing a number game with an elementary student; going to the beach any time of year; receiving a "thank you" from a former student; watching kids play soccer or basketball; geocaching; watching a master teacher really connecting with and reaching a student; remembering all the card games I played with my dad while he repeated stories I'd heard many times before; going to a friend's long, long awaited wedding; taking part in any science class; reading a good book long into the night; being proud that my three sons have become caring, compassionate adults; having my cat jump up on my lap to take a nap; looking at old family photos with my mom; talking with teachers; watching kids cheer for each others' successes; and so much more.

For this New Year, my hope is that 2016 and all the years going forward bring you "best days" of your life to enjoy and remember with family, friends and loved ones.  Responsibilities and work often get in the way of what we need to make time for:  holding our families close and being grateful for all the wonderful experiences we share with each other.

Have a wonderful, happy, New Year!

Happy Holidays

Enjoy the holidays and all the fun these days bring with family.  I am looking forward to visiting with family, sharing meals, and some relaxing times- I wish the same for all of you!

Just the Facts on the Elementary School Building Proposal

The School Board recently voted to put a bond on the ballot for the March vote for the purpose of adding an addition to the Lamprey River Elementary School along with a gymnasium.  The tentative date for a Public Hearing on the bond will be Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 as part of a School Board meeting.  Over the next several weeks there will be a presentation to the Budget Committee, a public forum, and a presentation with voting at the Deliberative Session at 10:00 AM on February 6, 2016.  The purpose of this building proposal is to eliminate the portables at the elementary school by building an addition.  I have listed below some facts on our current elementary school and on the proposed plans for an addition and gym.

Facts about Current Building

• Detached portables are rented at $36,000 per year
• Detached portables have been in the District 14 years (they were used when we received them); the attached portables are 32 years old and need new windows ($10,000) and doors ($15,000). 
• Special education teachers are sharing 4 teachers to a room
•  5 out of 7 second grade classes have physical education in their classroom
• Students having physical education in the cafeteria often have to “take turns” during activities because of the lack of space
• We continue to put money into repairs for the portables (examples:  roof top units and bathrooms in attached portables, ramp for outside portables)
•  Students in detached portables have to walk outside to enter the main building
•  No water, bathrooms or sinks in the detached portables
•  There is very little storage throughout the building 
• Guidance counselors are working out of closet areas
•  Nurse’s office is inadequate and lacks privacy, a shower, and handicapped facilities
• Current staff bathroom by office has no sink
• Both attached and detached portables are not energy efficient
• Current building is completely in the flood plain

Facts about Proposed Addition and Gym

• The addition will eliminate all portables
• The addition will be 28,300 sq ft with 5,100 sq ft of renovations for a total of 33,400 sq ft
• The total cost of the project with soft costs is estimated to be $8,250,000
•  There are 12 classrooms- 6 classrooms for Grade 3 and 6 for Grade 4 along with a gym
•  Storage space will be included in the addition
• A new gym will allow all students access to physical education with enough space for the entire class to take part in an activity at one time
•  Gym has its own entrance for community use after 4:00 PM (along with its own bathrooms)
• The cost of the addition will be comparable to the cost we would have paid for an entirely new building with building aid (there will not be any state building aid for the foreseeable future)
• Guidance offices will be included in the renovations to the existing front of the building
• Addition and gym will be built out of the flood plain and in compliance with the town building ordinance
• The proposed heating system is more energy efficient than traditional boiler systems
• An improved nurse’s office with a shower and space for handicapped students will be included
• Adequate space for special education teachers
• Common areas for students and teachers in 3^rd and 4^th grade
• Staff and student bathrooms will be part of the renovations
• Current building will have dry flood proofing applied – this is FEMA approved
•  The proposal includes a new 10,000 gallon oil tank and replacement of 1976 leach field

I hope these facts provide everyone with accurate information on the proposal and will help each person determine how they will vote in March.  Additional information and plans will be presented at the public hearing and the Deliberative Session.

Just what does a Superintendent of Schools do?

I don't know what keeps other Superintendents up at night, but I do know the things are always on my mind- and, I suspect, most school superintendents have the same worries and concerns.  Of course, every one of us have things we worry about in our daily lives- whether it be our kids, a family member's health, money, the need for a new car and so many other things!  Please don't think I am minimizing these real concerns faced by our families on a day to day basis. I am writing this because of a question I always hear (even from my own family!),  "Just what does a Superintendent do?"

So, in no particular order (except for the first item!), here's a list of some of the things I might handle on a daily basis, some of which also keep me up at night:

• Student and staff safety
•  Assuring a high quality education for students
• Our homeless families
• Students without warm clothing or food
• Weather issues (snow, ice, floods!)
• Building maintenance
• Finances and unexpected expenses
• Maintaining a culture of respect and acceptance at all three schools
• Providing students with skills applicable to a successful future
• Assessment results
• Maintaining communication with all stakeholders
• Keeping our quality teachers 
• Staff morale
• Student morale
• Improving reading scores 
• Scheduling issues
• Student use of drugs and alcohol
• Transportation routes and issues
• Legal issues
• Professional Development opportunities for staff
• Injuries to staff or students
• Contract negotiations
• Insurance
• Teacher certification
• Parent concerns
• Working with the town and other agencies
• Analyzing data
• Union matters
• Student progress towards graduation
• Bullying complaints
• Keeping track of all the federal and state education requirements and laws
• Writing competencies
• Report Cards
• Substitutes
• Hiring
• Finding creative ways to preserve all the wonderful things that make our schools special
• Discipline issues
• Students with special needs 
• Portables at the elementary school
• Supplies for our teachers and students
• Internet use by staff and students
• Evaluations
• Teacher concerns

OK, that's enough. This is a full time job and, like any job, there's no one definitive list of what needs to be done.   Please don't take this as a list of complaints- I love my job!  Everyday is another opportunity to solve a puzzle or problem- it's in my nature (and my science background, I think) to create solutions and make things "right" for our students, staff, and district.  That is why I enjoy being your superintendent so much.  I hope I have at least partially answered the question:  Just what does a Superintendent do!

Community Forum

It has been 9 months since Raymond held its last drug abuse forum on heroin.  This issue has not gone away.  For those families affected, this is an overriding concern and fear:  fear that a loved one is addicted; fear that there is no help; and the worst fear of all, the fear that there is no hope.

This Thursday evening, December 3, there is another chance for our families to have their questions answered and find resources.  This event is free and is being held at the Raymond Baptist Church from 6:30-8:30.  Narcan kits and training will also be available.  Please read the following announcement for more information.