Last week we had a mock drill that involved the middle school. The purpose of all of our drills is to practice and, also, to find out where we might have gaps in our training: students, staff and police. The scenario went like this: an "intruder" entered the building and refused to stop at the office; the office staff called a 'lock-down' and also called the police. They then called the SAU office to notify us of the situation.
Until we knew what was happening, a lock-down was called for both the high school and elementary school. The police came and "captured" the suspect, and the students and staff were evacuated to the high school. In the meantime, it was determined safe to call off the lock-down at the other two schools.
I am so proud of our students. I entered the high school gym and they were quiet and orderly while they waited for further instructions. Many had to use the restrooms and did so by quietly waiting in line. We had parents who volunteered to be a part of this so that we could practice reuniting them with their children (thank you to the parents!). We had observers in all areas to note what was happening so that we could review this information following the drill.
We found out some areas where we need to our continue training, but we also had a chance to work on our plan for reuniting students safely with their parents, practiced an evacuation, and the police were able to check their responses and training, too This entire process took just a little over two hours to complete- including evacuating the students to the high school, returning them to the middle school and accounting for every student and staff member!
We will continue to have drills in our schools for the safety of everyone and will continue our cooperation with the Raymond Police Department. Thank you to everyone who helped out or took part in our safety drill.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Sharing Resources Between the Raymond School District and Town of Raymond
Recently, the School Board and the Board of Selectmen held a joint meeting to discuss how to set priorities for the needs of our schools and our town. It was decided to put together a committee made up of Board members from each Board plus citizens and parents to discuss options and come up with a viable plan for all the townspeople. I hope some of you will consider joining this important committee. If you would like to be considered for this committee, please read the following notice:
School Board Invites Letters of Interest for the Shared Resources Committee
School Board Invites Letters of Interest for the Shared Resources Committee
The Raymond School Board and the Raymond Board of Selectmen are joining to form a Shared Resources Committee. This committee will be reviewing expenditures and possible options for combining resources of the Town and the District. It will be comprised of representatives from the School Board, the Board of Selectmen, the Town, the District, parents, and community members. The first meeting of this committee will be Thursday, April 20th at 7:00 PM.
Both the School Board and the Board of Selectmen will each be appointing two members of the public to serve on this committee. As such, the School Board invites you to submit a letter of interest to be one of their appointed members. They will be appointing one parent and one community member at their April 19th School Board meeting.
Please submit letters of interest by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, April 19th, via email, mail, or fax, to:
Raymond School Board
Jennifer Heywood
Raymond School District
43 Harriman Hill Road
Raymond, NH 03077
Fax 603-895-0147
Monday, April 3, 2017
Observations......
It occurs to me, every now and then, that, at various times, the same rules of behavior don't apply to everyone. There's the speeder who justifies this with being late for work, school, grocery shopping, whatever. There's the person who lets their dog out late at night so they won't have to pick up after their pet (but the neighbors do). There's the late-comer who comes to every meeting, dinner date, party, late (and "just can't help it"). There are those who postpone doing almost everything: calling an elderly relative, painting the living room (me), handing in work assignments, cutting out junk food, stacking wood, and so on (naturally, with good reasons). How about the person who brings 30 items to the '14 or fewer' line at the grocery store? I guess the top of the heap is the person who wriggles out of every situation with an excuse or denies responsibility: "I was sick", "my dog threw up on the carpet", "someone else lost it", "no one told me how to do it", and, of course, "it wasn't me". This person will continue their fiction even when proven wrong and will rarely admit they did something wrong. Sometimes, all of these can be one person.
The other day, my husband mispronounced a name he saw in the paper. He was telling me about an issue and showed me a picture of a politician. He drew out the name in a cartoon-like voice. Our 4 year old granddaughter immediately imitated him and kept going around the house saying the name over and over- in the same cartoonish voice. I think she thought we were making fun of the name, the person, or the situation and I had to tell her this wasn't so. (I had images of her doing this using the names of her friends at school.) Of course, she was confused.
Unconsciously, we confuse young people all the time - we tell them one thing (follow the rules, respect others, don't get in trouble, do your homework, be on time for school, be nice to others) but our actions say something entirely different.
The other day, my husband mispronounced a name he saw in the paper. He was telling me about an issue and showed me a picture of a politician. He drew out the name in a cartoon-like voice. Our 4 year old granddaughter immediately imitated him and kept going around the house saying the name over and over- in the same cartoonish voice. I think she thought we were making fun of the name, the person, or the situation and I had to tell her this wasn't so. (I had images of her doing this using the names of her friends at school.) Of course, she was confused.
Unconsciously, we confuse young people all the time - we tell them one thing (follow the rules, respect others, don't get in trouble, do your homework, be on time for school, be nice to others) but our actions say something entirely different.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Spring Resolutions
Unlike many people, I make my resolutions in the spring instead of at New Year's. I used to do them in January, but it's such a busy month (keeping the wood stove going, making big pots of soup, visiting people I didn't see over the holidays) so I always forgot. I am just as bad at keeping them as those who make their resolutions in January, but I try. This year's resolutions are for such things as: cleaning out the "junk" closet, strip the wallpaper and paint the living room (this has been on my list for 3 years), ride my bicycle more, read for fun, garden, and make 5 quilts for Christmas gifts.
Spring to me is more about renewal than January and I have a lot of fun figuring out how I will get everything done because I am a list-maker. Many, many to-do lists are made before my "final" one. My lists are arranged by priority with a number assigned to each resolution or task and the numbers (and, sometimes, lists) change regularly! If it's sunny out, I won't be cleaning a closet, if the temperature is hovering around 90, I won't be riding my bike or painting. And then there are the days when the beach is the best place to be with some of the kids, or my granddaughter wants me to help her make a skirt, or there's an impromptu barbecue at my son's house, or my grandson's baseball team is playing. Yes, spring is busy, too!
The key to making resolutions is the ability to make plans (or lists) but also to be flexible. To be organized, but also realistic (it's raining or too hot). And to always put family first.
Spring to me is more about renewal than January and I have a lot of fun figuring out how I will get everything done because I am a list-maker. Many, many to-do lists are made before my "final" one. My lists are arranged by priority with a number assigned to each resolution or task and the numbers (and, sometimes, lists) change regularly! If it's sunny out, I won't be cleaning a closet, if the temperature is hovering around 90, I won't be riding my bike or painting. And then there are the days when the beach is the best place to be with some of the kids, or my granddaughter wants me to help her make a skirt, or there's an impromptu barbecue at my son's house, or my grandson's baseball team is playing. Yes, spring is busy, too!
The key to making resolutions is the ability to make plans (or lists) but also to be flexible. To be organized, but also realistic (it's raining or too hot). And to always put family first.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
"I am worth something"
Every time I attend a concert, athletic event, visit a classroom, or talk with students and staff, I realize how fortunate we are. Not only do we have wonderful teachers and staff members, but we have talented, skillful, interesting students!
Last week, I judged a speaking contest for JAG students who had to speak about "What I Learned from JAG". If you don't know, JAG stands for Jobs for America's Graduates and is a program to help students decide what to do after high school, helps them with the interview process and filling out applications, and assists students in making goals. (More information on this program can be found at http://www.jag.org/)
As I talked to this group of seniors, I was very impressed with their confidence and skills. All of them had goals and many of them were already enrolled in community college, have plans to join the military, or are visiting trade schools. These are not the same students I knew in middle school! I was brought to tears when one student said, "I found out that I am worth something". What a great testament to this program, to our schools and our staff. I knew this student felt this way because he was truly listened to and his ideas, goals, and dreams became important to someone other than himself.
What a great lesson for all of us that we really listen to our young people.
Last week, I judged a speaking contest for JAG students who had to speak about "What I Learned from JAG". If you don't know, JAG stands for Jobs for America's Graduates and is a program to help students decide what to do after high school, helps them with the interview process and filling out applications, and assists students in making goals. (More information on this program can be found at http://www.jag.org/)
As I talked to this group of seniors, I was very impressed with their confidence and skills. All of them had goals and many of them were already enrolled in community college, have plans to join the military, or are visiting trade schools. These are not the same students I knew in middle school! I was brought to tears when one student said, "I found out that I am worth something". What a great testament to this program, to our schools and our staff. I knew this student felt this way because he was truly listened to and his ideas, goals, and dreams became important to someone other than himself.
What a great lesson for all of us that we really listen to our young people.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The "License to Carry" Law
A recent law, RSA 159-6, passed the NH Legislature and was signed by Governor Sununu concerning the "License to Carry" a gun in NH. There is some confusion about what this law does and does not allow. This is a summary of what was passed:
"On February 22, 2017, Governor Sununu signed into law Senate Bill 12 (“SB 12”). Effective immediately, RSA 159:6 has been amended to allow a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license unless such person is otherwise prohibited by New Hampshire statute."
The perception out there now is that anyone can carry a gun at any time and any place. This is not the case. There are other laws that prohibit guns in and around schools- these are federal laws. And New Hampshire's state law does not negate these federal laws concerning the Gun Free School Zones Act. This act makes it a crime to possess a firearm in a school zone. "School Zones" cover school property within 1000 feet of the school grounds. There are a few exceptions to this, such as, law enforcement officials in their official capacity, for example, our district's SRO (Student Resource Officer).
On another note, RSA 193:3 requires us to expel from school for 12 months any student who brings a gun to school. Students are not allowed to have guns on school property at any time.
"On February 22, 2017, Governor Sununu signed into law Senate Bill 12 (“SB 12”). Effective immediately, RSA 159:6 has been amended to allow a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license unless such person is otherwise prohibited by New Hampshire statute."
The perception out there now is that anyone can carry a gun at any time and any place. This is not the case. There are other laws that prohibit guns in and around schools- these are federal laws. And New Hampshire's state law does not negate these federal laws concerning the Gun Free School Zones Act. This act makes it a crime to possess a firearm in a school zone. "School Zones" cover school property within 1000 feet of the school grounds. There are a few exceptions to this, such as, law enforcement officials in their official capacity, for example, our district's SRO (Student Resource Officer).
On another note, RSA 193:3 requires us to expel from school for 12 months any student who brings a gun to school. Students are not allowed to have guns on school property at any time.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
The Places They'll Go....
A student I once had has lived the past 25 years in California and has now moved to Oregon. Another student I had spent 10 years in China and is now back in the states. Other students I have had now live in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maine, Nebraska, and London. I have students who have studied in France, England, the Bahamas, Germany, and Spain. (And these are just the ones I know about!)
And, many of my former students live in Raymond and are working to make this an even better community for their children. They enjoyed growing up in a small town that continues to have family celebrations, parades, and neighbors helping neighbors.
The point is, our Raymond students were ready for these challenges and had the skills necessary to be successful no matter where they ended up. This should always be our legacy to our students: creating problem solvers who recognize when they need help but also have the tools to succeed even when things don't go as planned. Students who readily accept responsibility for their actions and mistakes without making excuses or blaming others. Students who are kind, thoughtful, generous, and accepting. Students who, no matter where they are, remember the lessons they have learned from their families and teachers right here in Raymond.
And, many of my former students live in Raymond and are working to make this an even better community for their children. They enjoyed growing up in a small town that continues to have family celebrations, parades, and neighbors helping neighbors.
The point is, our Raymond students were ready for these challenges and had the skills necessary to be successful no matter where they ended up. This should always be our legacy to our students: creating problem solvers who recognize when they need help but also have the tools to succeed even when things don't go as planned. Students who readily accept responsibility for their actions and mistakes without making excuses or blaming others. Students who are kind, thoughtful, generous, and accepting. Students who, no matter where they are, remember the lessons they have learned from their families and teachers right here in Raymond.