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Superintendent Update: Public Hearing Article 5
Dear Epping Community, I am expressing my sincere appreciation to everyone who attended and participated in the recent Deliberative Session. Your engagement and input are vital to our community's decision-making process, and we value your contributions. As the law requires, we will hold a public hearing regarding the petition warrant article tomorrow. This hearing is an essential opportunity for anyone in the community to voice their thoughts about the article. It is important to note that, unlike the deliberative session, the warrant article cannot be amended at this time and will appear as it was amended during the deliberative session. If you wish to speak on this matter, you are invited to join the School Board on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Town Hall . The Board meeting will commence immediately following the public hearing. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Your voice matters, and we look forward to hearing from you! Warm regards, Bill Furbush Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools Article 5 Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 32:5-e, and implement a budget cap whereby the school board shall not submit a recommended budget that is higher than $45,000 dollars per pupil cost times the average daily membership in residence of the school district as of October 1 of the year immediately preceding the proposed budget year plus an annual increase for inflation using CPI-U for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH area published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of January 1. Requires a 3/5ths majority of the school district. Board voted 5-0 not to recommend this article.
Wednesday, Feb 19 2025
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Superintendent Update: Remote Learning Preparation
Subject: Remote Learning Preparation Dear Epping Community, As we continue to prioritize the safety and education of our students, we want to ensure you are informed about our plans in case of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Our goal is to have students in school tomorrow or operate on a two-hour delay. However, should safety concerns prevent either of these options, we will implement a remote learning day. To prepare for this possibility, we will send students home with the materials and information they need to participate in remote learning successfully. This proactive step ensures that your child will have the resources they need to continue their education, even if we cannot meet in person. Principals will send out the remote learning day schedules and expectations to prepare for this possibility. We will communicate any changes through our usual channels, including email, phone, and social media. Most likely, this decision will not be made until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow, given the unpredictability of the weather! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to support our students' safety and education. Sincerely, Bill Furbush Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools
Wednesday, Feb 12 2025
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News From The Nest: Week of 1/13/25
Hello EES community! We hope you had a wonderful weekend. ❄️❄️ HERE is this week's newsletter. There are lots of great photos and a video of the SLIME THE PRINCIPALS from this past Friday. 😜 Enjoy! Don't forget - Friday is a NO SCHOOL for students day due to our Staff Inservice Day. Have a wonderful week ahead. Mandy and Chris
Monday, Jan 13 2025
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Superintendent Update: Invitation to Veteran's Day H...
Invitation to Veterans Day Honor Luncheon! Dear Epping Community, We are excited to share that we will again hold our Veterans Day Honor Luncheon this year! Join us on Friday, November 8th, for a special lunch at EMHS, followed by a school assembly at EES, where we will express our heartfelt gratitude to all Veterans. 🇺🇸 If you, or someone you know, is a Veteran and would like to join us for this special event, please click on the image to RSVP. You can also call the school at 603-679-8018 and ask to speak with Gwen Pham. Honoring our veterans is essential to recognize their courage and commitment to our country and instill a sense of respect and gratitude in our students. Veterans have made significant sacrifices to protect our freedoms and way of life. Educating our students about their stories and experiences fosters an understanding of the values of service, sacrifice, and patriotism. This luncheon and assembly are a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging those who served and creating a culture of appreciation and awareness in our school community. It is an opportunity for our students to learn about the history and significance of military service, ensuring that the legacy of our Veterans lives on in the hearts and minds of future generations. We look forward to honoring our heroes together! Sincerely, Bill Furbush Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools
Wednesday, Oct 23 2024
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Superintendent Update: NEASC Accreditation EMHS
October 21, 2024 Dear Epping Middle High School Families, We are excited to inform you that Epping Middle High School will undergo the NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation process this year. This important reflective journey takes place approximately every ten years and is designed to help us realign our goals and chart a strategic direction for the next decade. Our dedicated Epping Educators will be working diligently throughout this process to ensure that we remain focused on student achievement and are committed to fostering a positive school culture, providing a supportive and nurturing environment for your children, and continually improving our educational practices. The NEASC Standards for Accreditation provide a rigorous and holistic framework that invites our school community to assess its unique strengths and areas for growth. These standards ensure we have the necessary structures, policies, and systems to support a high-quality learning environment. They challenge us to define the skills, knowledge, and values essential for our students' future success while emphasizing impactful and personalized learning. As we engage in this comprehensive review, we will closely examine our practices to ensure we align with current educational research and best practices, ultimately benefiting our students and community. Part of this review includes the completion of surveys from faculty, families, and students. The faculty completed their survey during our in-service day on October 11. Students will complete their survey in their advisory on Tuesday, November 12. If you wish to opt your student out of this survey, please contact Lauren Marsden before November 10. A copy of the student survey is linked here for your convenience to preview. The family survey is linked here . We would appreciate your participation. The family survey is available from October 21 to November 12. A presentation about the NEASC process will occur at the November 7th school board meeting. It will be explained at the Parent Advisory Council on Wednesday, October 30, at 6:00 pm in the EMHS Media Center. We deeply appreciate your continued support as we embark on this important journey. Your involvement and encouragement are integral to our school community, and we are grateful for your partnership. Sincerely, Bill Furbush Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools
Monday, Oct 21 2024
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Superintendent Update: Snow Day Decision Tomorrow
Subject: Snow Day Decision Tomorrow Dear Epping Educators, Students, and Families, So, it looks like Mother Nature is up to her old tricks again, and I'm left here scratching my head, trying to figure out what to do about the potential weather. I have a better chance of guessing the winning lottery numbers! Due to the unreliability of storm predictions for the last storm, I have decided to wait until tomorrow morning to make the call about a potential snow day or delay. The best way to make the appropriate call is to wait and see what the weather does. Tomorrow morning, you will receive a message from me either canceling school, a two-hour delay, or business as usual, depending on the storm's severity and the crew's abilities to make the roads safe. Thank you for being patient and understanding as we navigate through this weather rollercoaster. Hang in there, folks! Warm regards, Bill Furbush Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools
Wednesday, Apr 03 2024
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Superintendent Update: A Huge Thank You for an Amazi...
Subject: Heartfelt Thanks for an Amazing Concert and Arts in Our School Night Dear Epping Community, I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Allison Edge, Emily Ciccarello, Erin Wentworth, Jen Ollari-Barry, Amy Lantaigne, April Carlino, Hannah Welsh, Marissa Vitolo, Sarah Kiley, Scott Lister, Dave Palange, and Courtney Mora for the incredible concert and Arts in Our School Night (I apologize if I left anyone out). It is truly wonderful that many of our dedicated educators worked so hard and coordinated this event for our community. Their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have raised our schools' bar for musical and visual arts. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a memorable event. The level of talent and commitment you have brought to our band and chorus programs, as well as the overall arts programs, is truly inspiring. This is evident in the outstanding performances and displays that we were able to experience and showcase. Your unwavering support and guidance have not only helped our students grow as musicians and artists but have also instilled in all of us a deep love and appreciation for the arts. I appreciate the countless hours of hard work, rehearsals, planning, coordination, and attention to detail that made this event a resounding success. Your dedication to excellence has left a lasting impression on all of us, and we are incredibly grateful for your impact on our students' artistic journeys. To our students, thank you for all the effort and dedication you also put into this evening! You all sounded amazing, and your artwork was impressive! You should be proud of the performance and display you put on. It showcased what you are capable of! I wish to thank our custodians for their work setting up and taking down this fantastic event. Many need to remember that this work is in addition to their normal duties! Thank you for your hard work. Everything looked amazing! Once again, thank you all for this week's fantastic concert and art exhibit. Thank you for your continuous efforts to elevate the musical and visual arts in our schools. We are truly fortunate to have such exceptional educators leading and shaping our student's artistic experiences. With sincere appreciation and warm regards, Bill Furbush Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools
Friday, Mar 22 2024
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Superintendent Update: Celebrating Success: School B...
Subject: Celebrating Success: School Budget, Paraprofessional Contract, and School of Choice Announcement! Dear Epping School Community, I am thrilled to share exciting news highlighting our incredible community's unwavering support and dedication. We are excited that we have achieved three significant milestones this evening that will undoubtedly shape the future of education in our district. Firstly, we are delighted to inform you that the school budget for the upcoming year has successfully passed! This achievement ensures our students' continued high-quality learning environment and reflects the immense trust and confidence our community has placed in our educational system. We extend our deepest gratitude to all members of our community who played a vital role in advocating for and supporting this crucial decision. Secondly, we are thrilled to share that the paraprofessional contract has been successfully ratified. This positive outcome is a testament to the collaborative efforts between our dedicated paraprofessionals, school administration, and school board, who all worked very hard to create a contract worthy of our paraprofessionals. We recognize the invaluable contributions of our paraprofessionals in supporting our students' growth and ensuring their success. We are committed to providing a contract and work environment that attracts, supports, and retains our hard-working, deserving paraprofessionals! Last but certainly not least, we proudly announce that Fremont voters have designated EMHS as a school of choice for Fremont students for the upcoming 26-27 school year. This vote was overwhelmingly supported by 646 for to 128 against. This recognition is a testament to our school's exceptional educational opportunities and enriching experiences. This designation will further strengthen our school community and allow us to welcome new students who seek an outstanding educational journey. I wish to announce and congratulate Ben Leavitt on his re-election to the School Board. I am sure he will continue to do great things for our students, educators, and schools in his next term. His hard work and dedication continue to demonstrate his commitment to his community. Thank you. We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for our community's unwavering support. Your commitment to our schools and dedication to providing the best possible education for our students is truly commendable. Together, we are building a brighter future for the next generation, and we couldn't be prouder of our collective achievements. Once again, thank you for your unwavering dedication. Let us celebrate these accomplishments together! We Are Epping! Sincerely, Bill Furbush Very Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools
Wednesday, Mar 13 2024
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Superintendent Update: Search Committee Volunteers N...
Subject: Call for Parent and Educator Volunteers: Student Services Director Search Committee Dear Educators, Parents, and Guardians, We invite you to participate in an important initiative that will impact the future of our school community. We are forming a search committee to select a new Student Services Director, and your input and involvement are crucial to this process. As a parent or educator on the search committee, you can contribute your perspectives and insights to help identify the best candidate for this vital role. Your involvement will ensure that the needs and expectations of our community are well-represented in the selection process. The role of the Student Services Director is pivotal in shaping our students' overall well-being and support systems, and your participation will significantly enhance the committee's ability to make an informed and inclusive decision. If you are interested in being part of this important endeavor, please let us know by Friday, March 15. We anticipate the first interview to be on Thursday, March 21, during the day. Your commitment and dedication to the welfare of our students are deeply appreciated, and we look forward to the valuable contributions you can bring to the search committee. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our school community. If you are interested, please let Ellen Needham know by Friday! Warm regards, Bill Furbush Proud Superintendent of Epping Schools
Tuesday, Mar 12 2024