Periodic newsletters will be issued by SAU 16.  The features in this newsletter are committed to sharing information with the communities for which SAU 16 serve.  This issue will discuss the beginning of school, articles on the Great Bay eLearning Charter School, technology initiatives, the Exeter High School Alternative School and information regarding the contract extension and retirement date of school superintendent, Arthur Hanson.  Any ideas for features that you would like to see addressed, please email the school superintendent.

 

Opening of Schools

The school year commenced with all high school students in SAU 16 entering the just completed Exeter High School, located at 315 Epping Road, Exeter.  This sparkling, new facility is winning rave reviews from staff, students and community members and will serve our students for generations.  The dedication of the high school took place on Sunday, September 24^th with approximately 500 in attendance for the tours and/or dedication ceremony.  All community members are welcomed to attend the many co-curricula events at the school.  Please visit the SAU Website (www.sau16.org) to review activities and athletic events.

-Arthur L. Hanson, Superintendent of Schools

 

Opening Enrollments (Note: figures in parenthesis are June 2006 enrollments)

The October 1, 2006 enrollment figures for schools in SAU #16 are as follows: Swasey School in Brentwood – 403 (398); East Kingston Elementary School -178 (187);  Exeter Elementary Schools - Main Street School – 469 (521), Lincoln Street School – 500 (506); Kensington Elementary School – 211 (210); Newfields Elementary School – 166 (166); Stratham Memorial School – 618 (651); Cooperative Middle School – 1332 (1324); *Exeter High School – 1635 (1496); Great Bay eLearning Charter School 77; the Seacoast School of Technology – 638 (504)** and the Exeter Alternative High School – 18 (22)*.   

*Exeter Alternative Ed students’ enrollment is included with Exeter High School enrollment numbers.

**SST enrollment is comprised of three sessions per day of students from Exeter High School, Epping High, Sanborn High, Winnacunnet, Newmarket high and Raymond High schools).

 

Note - updated enrollment figures can always be viewed from the SAU 16 website under Schools --> Enrollment Numbers.

 

GBeCS (GBECS is a project based, technology rich public charter high school. As of the fall of 2006, we have eighty 9^th, 10^th & 11^th grade students.  Each year we will add a class of 9th graders. It is anticipated that the school will never exceed 250 students and by fall of 2007 the school will have students in 9th-12th grades.)

 

The Great Bay eLearning Charter School had a terrific school opening as we “stretched our legs” with the additional space at the Annex Learning Center.   The students seemed to be glad to return to their “second family” and the staff was thrilled to have them. 

The entire staff worked hard throughout the summer to further develop our project-based learning program and clarify school-wide curriculum and assessment of student learning. In addition, many students were working with staff members over the summer on supplemental studies.  The school has added four new classrooms, two of these as computer labs, as well as gymnasium and cafeteria spaces.  Our students, staff, and parents did a great job with the new procedures that included the new bus transportation agenda (first goes to Exeter High School), lunch schedule (sharing with Exeter Alternative Ed and the Seacoast Charter School – elementary students), and building use procedures.  While we have a few wrinkles to be ironed out as we grow and adapt, the flexibility and support of the GBeCS community has ensured that the school is off to a great start.

-Peter Stackhouse & Cheryl McDonough, Co-Principals, GBeCS

 

 

SAU 16 Technology

SAU 16 schools have launched two technology initiatives that are aimed at strengthening the lines of communication between home and school.  First, students and parents can now access a listing of homework assignments by visiting the district's website at:  http://www.sau16.org.  Second, all SAU 16 schools have begun the two-year process of moving to a new student information system known as PowerSchool.  PowerSchool simplifies the collection and distribution of information by providing secure real-time access to data over the Internet. Principals and other administrators will be able to instantly access accurate information to help them make decisions. Teachers will gain timesaving administrative tools and parents and students will gain immediate access to grades and attendance data.   During this first year of implementation, all student information will be migrated to the new system and schools will begin using PowerSchool for taking attendance and for storing demographic information.  In the second year of implementation, schools will begin using PowerSchool's online grade book and report card features.  The final phase of implementation will include the opening of the student and parent portal.  Currently, we are collecting parent email address on the Student Registration Forms for the purposes of communicating with as many parents as possible on emergency information, this newsletter and other important issues.  If you have not shared your current email address with your child school, please do so as your earliest convenience to stay updated.

-Dr. Steve Kossakoski, Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Research

 

 

Exeter Alternative Education (For students who may be having difficulty in the traditional school setting, Exeter High School’s Alternative Program may be the difference between dropping out and earning a high school diploma).

 

Prior to the start of the new school year, our class roster rang with thirteen students.  However, by the opening of the first day for students, our numbers quickly climbed to seventeen.  Enrollment continues to increase as the year progresses.  Students had received their opening day packets and returned to school (on time) with their paperwork filled out.  Clearly they were excited to see old friends.  This felt like a new beginning within a calm environment.  Our schedule began with the introduction of two new teachers and then sharing the summer events.  We reviewed expectations and explained the differences in the building – a new charter school at the other end of “our” hallway that was designed for elementary age students (“little kids”) and sharing the cafeteria with all the students at the Annex Learning Center.  We reviewed classes and at 8:50 AM on August 29th, students traveled to their respective classrooms.  The day continued as it began: smoothly.  It was wonderful to see the familiar faces of former students and to become acquainted with our new students.  We are thrilled to have seven seniors working towards graduation this year.  All in all, it was a great beginning.  We look forward to each challenge and the individual and community growth that we experience here in Alternative Education. 

-Karen Pelletier, Principal, Exeter Alternative High School

 

Message from Anne Marie Chesno, Chair, SAU 16 Joint School Boards

The SAU 16 Joint School Board has extended the contract of Superintendent Dr. Arthur Hanson by one year, 2007-2008.  The superintendent's current three year contract was set to expire June 30, 2007.  Anne Marie Chesno, Chair of the SAU 16 Joint School Board, cites on-going transition activities at the new high school, anticipated renovations at the Seacoast School of Technology, the relocation of the Central Office to the former high school, and the pending implementation of a Virtual Charter School as key reasons for the contract extension.  Superintendent Hanson has informed the Joint Board that he looks forward to serving the additional year and intends to retire at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. Mrs. Chesno anticipates that the search process for a new superintendent will begin in the early part of 2007.  The search will involve members from all SAU 16 school boards, teachers, staff, and parents.