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Dear parents, guardians, and members of the Newmarket community,
I wanted to share a few timely updates with you as we approach the final leg in our journey this year. Topics for today include mask recommendations for schools, FY22 Safe School Opening Plan, and staffing changes for next year.
School Mask Guidance - CDC and NH DHHS. There has been a lot of conflicting information out in the media about when and where masks are required for those who are vaccinated. We thought it might be helpful to share what CDC and NH Health and Human Services recommend for schools. Please take a moment to review their mask guidance for schools as these are the guidelines we are following in our school district.
FY22 Safe School Opening Plan (Taskforce). Commissioner Edelblut, informed superintendents last week that all school districts in our state must submit a safe school opening plan for next year and post it on our website by June 23rd. Though CDC has not provided any guidance for next year, Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire Epidemiologist, has advised schools to use the universal health and safety precautions they are recommending when developing our plan for the upcoming school year. His guidance can be found at this link and will be an integral part of the safety plan.
We are looking for several parent volunteers to serve on the safe school opening taskforce. This group will meet once a week on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30PM starting on June 2nd. The taskforce will develop a brief survey for staff, students, and parents and then based on this input and the health and safety recommendations from CDC and NH DHHS, develop a safety plan that will be brought to the School Board for consideration on Tuesday, June 22nd. As a reminder, we are planning to welcome all students back on campus next year. Please send an email to Patty Banfield, banfieldp@newmarket.k12.nh.us by Thursday morning if you are interested in participating as a member of this taskforce.
Staffing Changes for FY22. It is hard to believe but in a few short weeks, we will conclude this year. We have staff that will be leaving our learning community at the end of this year and others that will be joining us. Please offer well wishes to those departing in a few weeks and those joining our team next year.
Retirees:
Lisa Cole, Julie Cooper, Doug Webb, and Pat Yeager
Moving to new schools, careers or taking a break:
Eric Anderson, Louise Beal, Ali Bowen, Nate Dowst, Paul Henderson, Liz Miller, Linsey Palmer, Xixi Ran, and Delaney Rosenberg
New Mules and Mini Mules:
Margaret Foehl, Preschool Teacher
James Marsh, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 6)
Katherine Bazzell, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)
Anne Marie Metzler, JSHS Case Manager
Tiffany Brand, JSHS Computer Science Teacher
Brett Banscombe, JSHS Music Teacher
Kaitlin Shouse, JSHS English Teacher
AmyBeth Taylor, JSHS English Teacher
Last, a quick shout out to our baseball team who won last night 8-0 against Raymond and our softball team who won 12-8 at home in a late inning rally against the Rams. Playoffs begin next week. Goooo Red!
Oh, and do not forget, Friday is an early release day and Monday there is no school because it is Memorial Day.
Susan K. Givens, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools