March 31, 2023
Dear Parents, Staff, and Families of SAU 90:
I would be remiss if I did not share my sadness and despair over the school shootings in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Covenant School, killing three students and three staff members. Some of you have reached out to me regarding our school safety plans and preparedness, given this recent event. Please let me reassure you that our district continues to take safety measures that help us feel more prepared in the event of such a horrific act of violence. As part of our district and school goals, we are continually focused on the physical and mental safety of our school community. Hopefully, my weekly letters where I detail this work help you to know that this work is ongoing and will always be a top priority for SAU 90.
Our Hampton Academy teams are gearing up for their spring season. Over 170 students will be participating in softball, baseball, and track and field. Students are gearing up for the season. There is certainly a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and spirit on these spring days. Now, if only the warm weather will arrive…. Go Sharks!
It has been a very exciting week at Hampton Academy, where I have been spending some time at assemblies, events, and classrooms. Last Friday, they hosted Recycled Percussion, and members from Chaos and Kindness entertained and delighted the entire school with their drumming and skateboarding while spreading a message of positivity and acceptance. There was even a dance-off with all staff! Special thanks to our PTA for helping to fund this event. Earlier this week, on Tuesday night, Winnacunnet High School hosted the SAU 21 & 90 Band and Choral Festival Concert. This is the first time since COVID-19 that this event has taken place. Band and chorus members from Hampton Academy, Lincoln Akerman School, North Hampton School, Seabrook Middle School, and Winnacunnet High School came together in song and harmony for a wonderful evening! Finally, this afternoon was the oratorical finals! Please be sure to check out our Facebook page for more highlights!
This a reminder that the PTA meets the third Tuesday of the month at Hampton Academy Library/Media Center starting at 7:00 PM and streamed live on Facebook. These meetings typically last approximately an hour and are informative, productive opportunities for collaboration between our families and the schools. At this time, there are several open positions that will need to be filled for next year. We hope you will consider these opportunities and support this wonderful organization that benefits our students and schools. This coming Monday night on April 3, the Harlem Wizards take on the Hampton Hoopsters at Winnacunnet High School. Doors open at 5:30 PM, and the game begins at 6:30 PM.
For the third year in a row, the New Hampshire Department of Education is partnering with New Hampshire camps and school-age summer programs across the state offer students the unique opportunity to move beyond COVID-19 and be a kid again. Students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities benefit from exposure to short-term summer enrichment programs, including in the areas of challenge, friend-making, positivity, and emotional safety. These are all things that New Hampshire camps and school-age programs do best. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Additionally, the NH Department of Education is working with state officials on a state-wide campaign to raise awareness of fentanyl usage titled “No Safe Experience.” Fentanyl usage is a significant public health issue across the state and nation. In addition to being highly lethal, it is being discovered in more substances such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other illicit substances, including counterfeit pills that are branded to look identical to prescription pills. In the coming weeks, an online toolkit will be publicly available with resources that we will share with families of students across our school district on the challenges we face to deter risky actions that could lead to fentanyl use. Stay tuned for more information.
In closing, we are asking that all families, staff, and community members complete the 603 Bright Futures Survey from the Department of Education. This annual survey will help to ensure our schools are providing high-quality, rigorous learning experiences. Your input and feedback are crucial and will help to guide our efforts to improve our schools. Thank you in advance…
Kind regards,
Dr. Lois B. Costa
Superintendent
Survey Links:
Families in K-12, preschool, and private schools: bit.ly/nhedfamily
Staff in public and private schools: bit.ly/nhedstaff
Community members: bit.ly/nhedcommunity
Summer Camp, Rekindling Curiosity Flyer https://5il.co/1rowd