Gilford School District update

Good day all, At the Gilford School Board meeting last night the Board approved the District's new Strategic Plan 2025-2031. In the plan you will notice there are themes and priority areas to be worked on each year. The themes and priority areas came from the data the strategic planning committee gathered through surveys and listening sessions. The plan provides a road map for the next five years with a built in review each spring. During the review each spring the School Board and Leadership Team will consider new areas of priority for the future. This is a living document that will be used to guide our work in the school district. Connected to the Strategic Plan will be the School Districts yearly goals. Last night the Gilford School Board approved Gilford School District goals for 2025-2026. I have linked both documents to this update. You will be able to find each document on the school district website, SAU73.org. If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out. Respectfully, Kirk Beitler Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday, Sep 09 2025

Welcome Back to School

August 18, 2025 Dear Gilford School District families, I hope you are having a fun and relaxing summer and are starting to get ready for the new school year.  I am writing to share with you important information for the 2025-2026 school year. We are happy to welcome several new staff members to the District.  It has been a busy summer with hiring of staff, facility projects, and summer curriculum work.  At this time we are fully staffed with teachers and support staff for the upcoming school year.  The Leadership Team has worked hard to fill positions and prepare for the new school year.  Below is a summary of some of our summer’s progress.   Gilford School District’s Strategic Plan Update:   The Strategic Planning Committee has been working on updating the Gilford School District Strategic Plan.  The committee has been working on the plan for the past 8 months.  We are excited to share the plan with the School Board and then the greater community.  There are five themes (Learning Opportunities, Focus on Learners, Focus on Staff, Maintain Infrastructure, and Telling our Story) that include strategic priorities which will guide us in our work over the next several years.  I am hopeful at the September 8th School Board meeting that the plan will be approved and I can share with the community. Teaching and Learning:    Teachers across the district have worked this summer with grade level teams and vertical teams to review and revise curriculum and competency documents for the new school year.  Our new teachers have worked with their mentors on curriculum and competency scope and sequence.   GHS Freshmen Jumpstart is on August 20, 2025 and information can be found  here. GMS 5th grade Jumpstart is on August 28, 2025.  Information can be found  here. Facilities: The building and grounds team has been busy cleaning the three schools and they look fantastic. We have completed projects in all three schools, the Meadows, and the SAU office this summer.   All projects should be completed before school starts. Technology: The technology department has been working on preparing chromebooks for learner distribution.  We have installed several new interactive panels in classrooms this summer.  We are using a new web filtering system, which gives us the ability to view web traffic on our network.  Learners will have to sign off on the acceptable use policy when they return to school if that was not completed in June. Food Service: Food Service Director, Jonathan Dupuis, is looking forward to continuing to offer food variety at GHS and GMS.  He is excited to continue to create enticing, healthy menus to help our learners thrive.  Breakfast prices are $1.75 at each school and lunch prices are $2.75 at GES and $3.50 at GMS and GHS.  Breakfast and lunch are offered at each school every day that school is in session.  We encourage families to complete the confidential free/reduced price meal application, which can be found  here.   To put money on a learner’s account please access MYSchoolBuck  here. Athletics: High school football started on August 15 and all other GHS fall sports start on August 18.  Gilford middle school fall sports will be starting on August 25.  Elementary students interested in fall sports participation should contact the recreation department.  To sign up for GMS or GHS athletics please use the Final Forms portal, which can be found  here. Performing Arts: The Gilford High School Performing Arts Department is excited to present Lawrence Cohen’s musical,  Carrie: The Musical!  this fall.  Auditions will be held on September 3rd in the high school chorus room.   Extended Day Program: The Extended Day Program is for K-4 learners at Gilford Elementary School.  Recreational and academic activities are offered to learners each day.  There is a cost for the Extended Day Program.  More information can be found  here. Transportation: First Student in Belmont is our transportation provider.  The phone number for the First Student bus depot is (603) 524-1787.  Here are the Gilford (all schools) and Gilmanton (High School)   2025-2026 bus routes .     I want to thank you for your support and partnership as we prepare the Gilford and Gilmanton learners for their future.  We are feeling confident we are poised to have a fantastic school year.  I hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer and I look forward to seeing you as we welcome learners back to school on  Tuesday, September 2nd.    Wishing everyone a great school year, Kirk Beitler Superintendent of Schools

Monday, Aug 18 2025

Congratulations Gilford School Board

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Join me in Congratulating Gilford School Board 2025 School Board of Excellence Award The Gilford School Board will be recognized on June 7, 2025 at the New Hampshire Excellence in Education Awards ​ ​

Wednesday, Mar 12 2025

Invitation to Provide Input on the Gilford School D...

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Dear Parents and Community Members, ​ I am reaching out today to inform you about the Gilford School District's ongoing development of an updated Strategic Plan. As part of this process, your input is crucial. The feedback you provide—whether through the anonymous survey or by attending the upcoming listening sessions—will directly inform the creation of goals and an action plan to guide the district's future. Please take a moment to review the attached flyer and use the provided QR code to complete the community/parent survey. Additionally, we invite you to join us at one of the upcoming listening sessions, where we will discuss the Strategic Plan and gather input from parents and community members: March 8, 2025 10:00–11:30 AM at Gilford Public Library 12:30–2:00 PM at Gilmanton Year Round Library If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to me by email or phone. Thank you for your time and valuable input. We look forward to hearing from you! Respectfully, Kirk Beitler Superintendent of Schools ​ ​

Friday, Feb 21 2025

Copy of Gilford School District Strategic Planning

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Good day all, ​ I am writing today regarding the Gilford School District's development of an updated and new Strategic Plan. There is a video and a flyer attached to the Parent Square notification. Please listen to the two minute video to gain perspective on the Strategic Planning process and opportunities for input. Please review the flyer and use the QR code to take the community / parent survey. The survey is anonymous. Monday, February 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the GHS library is the first listening session for parents and community members. If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to me by email or phone. Respectfully, Kirk Beitler Superintendent of Schools ​ ​

Sunday, Feb 09 2025