Grade 3 Celebrations and Field Day

WOW! What a day at CWES! Friday we kicked off the day with an incredible Grade 3 presentation of the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language. Our students learned the entire pledge and proudly signed it for the whole school—a truly special way to start the day! Next came a hot but FUN-filled Field Day packed with games, laughter, teamwork, and lots of smiles.  Thanks to our fundraising, we were able to purchase a CWES hat for every student!  We wanted every student to feel connected to CWES.   We wrapped up the day with one of our favorite traditions, the Grade 3 Parade! It was a wonderful celebration of our soon-to-be fourth graders and all they have accomplished this year.    A huge THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who helped make today such a success. Your time, energy, and support made this day extra special for our students! 📸 Be sure to check out the photos, and please scroll to the bottom of this post for upcoming events and important reminders. WARMly, Jess Potter              Upcoming Events: June 16th- 6 pm Weare Board Meeting June 18th- LAST DAY of School- and EARLY RELEASE ..........AND Variety Show (We will share a link to watch the variety show)

Monday, Jun 15 2026

CWES- Carnival, Celebrations, Recognition, and END o...

Grade 3 Carnival! Our third-grade students worked incredibly hard on their SAS assessments this spring, showing perseverance, focus, and determination throughout the testing process. They practiced important test-taking strategies, encouraged one another, and gave their very best effort each day. In fact, early released data shows scores are higher than in previous years, a reflection of their hard work and dedication! An annual tradition at CWES is celebrating our third graders’ perseverance with a special carnival. Throughout testing, students earned “tickets” by demonstrating strong test-taking strategies, positive attitudes, and responsible effort. At the carnival, students were able to spend their tickets on games, activities, and prizes. Thanks to generous donations from the PTO and community members, the event was a fun and memorable celebration of our students’ success!   50 Students, 50 Stars The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s “50 Students, 50 Stars!” initiative honors outstanding K–12 students across the state who strengthen their communities through civic engagement. Created in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the program recognizes students who use civic knowledge to make a meaningful difference. The 50 selected students represent the 50 stars on an American flag graphic displayed in the Secretary of State’s office. This year, we are proud to celebrate three students from our district who were selected for this special honor — two from CWES and one from John Stark Regional High School. John Stark Junior Anna Chasse was recognized for her leadership and commitment to civic involvement within her school community. She has served as a student representative on the School Board, supported freshmen as a peer leader, and stood out in the school’s “We the People” program through her strong understanding of government and citizenship. CWES student Delaney was honored for her leadership, initiative, and dedication to improving her school community. After students raised concerns about cafeteria options, she organized a meeting with cafeteria staff, researched successful wellness programs, and helped bring healthier lunch choices to students. She also helped organize a schoolwide Kids Vote before Field Day, encouraged classmates to participate in the democratic process, and regularly supported school wellness and community service efforts. CWES student Jayne Fleck was recognized for her thoughtful leadership and active role in strengthening the school community. As a member of the newly formed student council, Jayne consistently uses her student voice to represent her classmates, gather ideas, and share suggestions to help make CWES a more welcoming and enjoyable place to learn. She listens carefully to her peers, participates actively in student council meetings, and models exceptional behavior each day. Congratulations to Anna, Delaney, Jayne, and all of the students selected for this outstanding recognition. Their leadership, kindness, and civic engagement make our schools and communities stronger every day.   CWES Traffic Circle Project Lenny, the Eagle Scout who is revamping our traffic circle, will be hosting a Car Wash Fundraiser this SUNDAY, May 31st at WMS 10 am-2 pm.  Money raised will help the traffic circle at CWES look beautiful again!    John Stark Executive Council presents a Parents Night Out!    Upcoming Events:  (Grade 3- special events below!)  June 11th @ 2:15- Grade 3 Dodge Ball against CWES staff and parent volunteers (email jess.potter@sau24.org if you would like to volunteer) June 12- ALL DAY- EVENTS (see below)                    9:00 AM Pledge Outside  "Opening Ceremonies"- Grade 3 Sign Language "I pledge..." (parents welcome)                   9:15 Grade 3 All School Meeting (parents welcome)                    9:45- 1:05- Field day activities (schedules vary. Email jess.potter@sau24.org if you want to volunteer and you have NOT signed up)                    1:45 Grade 3 Parade (parents welcome- outside) June 15th- Field day RAIN DATE June 16th- CWES Move Up Day (aka meet your new teacher/ class- NOT a ceremony) June 18th- CWES LAST DAY 1/2 day (early dismissal)

Thursday, May 28 2026

Career Day Success!

Career Day! Our first Career Day was a tremendous success! We were fortunate to welcome a group of wonderful presenters who spent the morning helping students explore a wide variety of careers. Students came prepared with thoughtful questions for each presenter and had plenty of time to visit booths and learn about different professions. The event encouraged students to strengthen their communication skills, discover new career possibilities, and begin thinking about the many opportunities their futures may hold.  This event was created in response to our 24-25 Panorama Student Data; 40% of students responded favorably when asked how often they have opportunities to explore jobs or careers they might have in the future. The 25-26 data for the same question was 45% favorable, and with continued partnerships with community members, like our exceptional Career Day, we anticipate this number continuing to rise and having a greater impact on students' ability to envision future opportunities and build early career awareness.  A huge thank you to:   * Derek Ballum- Automotive Parts Advisor  * Sarah Bolton- Business Banking * Kelsea Ranfos- Career Services- Higher Ed * Rob Berry- Lawyer for NH Department of Health and Human Services * Jillian Mason- Bookkeeping Firm * Megan Fournier- Guest Experience Manager- Restaurants and Hospitality  * Eldon Townes- Excavation and Septic Service * Eben Palazzolo- Software Engineer * Judy Surdam- Vet * Ryan Lunderville- Martial Arts Instructor * Jake Potter- Mortgage Originator  *  Joshua Hilliard-  Compliance and Enforcement Attorney                

Friday, May 22 2026

CWES Strengthened by Eagle Scouts, Service Projects,...

At Center Woods Elementary School, a new project is taking shape to redesign the traffic circle after the loss of the tree that once stood at its center. Lenny Provencher, JSRHS High School student,  recently presented to the School Board to request approval for his Eagle Scout project, which focuses on revitalizing that space. Shortly after the tree fell, Lenny reached out to Jess Potter with a plan to bring new purpose to the area while still honoring what came before. His design thoughtfully blends existing elements with new additions. The plan includes reinstalling a bird bath and placing a bench in memory of Steven H. Spadaro. Lenny will also incorporate the school’s retirement bricks into the design as a way to recognize the staff who have contributed to the school. These bricks will serve as a quiet reminder that while the space is changing, the history and people who shaped it remain part of the foundation. New features will include a student-painted rock garden, a bee hotel, a flower garden, and a small book nook where students can take or leave a book. The goal is to create a space that feels welcoming and useful, a place where students might pause, notice the bees and butterflies, or spend a few minutes reading. Student input helped guide the design. Mrs. Descoteau’s class earned the opportunity to contribute ideas after correctly guessing the age of the original tree (approximately 38 years old) during a school trivia activity. Lenny took their suggestions and shaped them into a plan that is both creative and realistic. He is working with A & J Lawncare and community member Rob Yelle to begin the physical work. The first steps will include removing the stump and preparing the space, with work potentially starting as early as this weekend. To complete the project, Lenny is aiming to raise up to $2,000 to cover material costs. He is also hoping for community volunteers to help with the hands-on work. Anyone interested in supporting the project can contact Jess Potter at  jess.potter@sau24.org . Lenny isn’t the only JSRHS student returning to his CWES roots to support our community. Kaitlin Dennis revitalized the ABC Trail, originally created by Eagle Scout Owen Payeur a decade ago, by reprinting and recreating the trail markers so students can spot items in nature that match each letter as they explore. Last weekend, Evan Payeur, along with friends, dedicated the entire weekend to raking and trimming branches, widening the trail, and making it safer for our young nature explorers. The kindness and generosity of the older students go to show the love they have for the community and the skills they have learned about leadership, collaboration, and communication in order to accomplish these tasks.  We, at CWES, are truly grateful.  

Wednesday, Apr 22 2026

It's April 1st, but not everything is a joke - Sprin...

Family Survey Our annual family survey is no joke! Family survey is open now Since 2022 we’ve surveyed students, staff, and families we serve to gather feedback from our VIPs - including you! The survey responses have been foundational to our strategic planning and school improvement efforts and resulted in selecting the following four priority areas for the 2025-2029 SAU24 Strategic Plan: Enhancing the Overall Student Experience Strengthening Instruction Fostering a Sense of Belonging Responsible Stewardship of Resources Complete the family survey now We're taking action based on survey results Student survey responses have helped us to better understand student interests and engagement in the classroom. We’ve paired the collected survey data and information from follow-up discussions with students to inform choices about activities, athletics, and clubs that engage students as contributing members of their school communities. Teachers have reviewed student data about engagement in learning as they reflect on and adjust their instructional practices to meet student needs.  Staff survey responses have helped us to better understand the interplay between internal and external factors that impact choices employees make about staying or seeking employment elsewhere. They have helped us to identify areas for improvement within our systems and process, and to identify areas for individual growth as school and systems leaders. Our family survey responses have helped us to better understand what our stakeholders are looking for in terms of information about our learners. We’ve targeted enhanced and simplified communications in 2025-2026 - through implementation of ParentSquare and transitioning to digital progress reports through the PowerSchool portal. Additionally, our principals have been working with our school board members on an Our Data Story series to better understand the picture of student achievement in our schools and we’ll add PickupPatrol at John Stark to make communicating about student attendance easier for families. About the family survey The Family-School Relationship Survey is open for you now.  The survey includes 41 questions with an estimated completion time of 14 minutes. Most questions work on a Likert scale (most to least) or similar, but there are places for you to leave descriptive feedback as well.  You can get started now, review the questions below first, or mark this email unread and come back to it later.  This survey will remain open through April 30. Complete the family survey now About the student survey The student survey will be administered to students in grades 3-12 later this month. You’ll get information from your child’s school about the exact date of the survey.  The full text of the student survey is included below. There are 19 questions on the student survey and it is estimated to take about 7 minutes to complete. You may opt your child out of the survey by informing their principal. Thank you for taking the time to contribute in this way.  We know that it’s one more thing to ask of you and that completing this survey might not be your first choice, but helping us to better understand now means we can better meet your expectations in the future. Sincerely, Matthew Colby Assistant Superintendent [Friday, Apr 10 at 11:22 AM] Thank you to the 292 respondents who have completed this survey so! We've matched our overall response rate from 2024-2025, but still want to hear from you. Take 15 minutes and do the survey today. [Thursday, Apr 23 at 4:01 PM] Thank you to the 423 respondents who have completed our annual survey! If you haven't had a chance, take some time to complete it now as the survey closes in one week!

Wednesday, Apr 01 2026

"Rooted" in a Community- Our Tree

Rooted in Community: A New Chapter for Center Woods At first glance, it may have seemed like just a tree. For nearly three decades, a tall spruce stood in the front circle of Center Woods Elementary School—planted during a school ceremony not long after the building opened. Over time, it became part of the landscape we passed each day without much thought. But recently, that tree, without warning, became uprooted and had to be taken down. Its absence revealed something powerful. Beneath its branches lies a small oval of land rich with the history of our school community. A memorial bench honors a young boy taken too soon many years ago. Daffodils, planted by students during the town’s 250th celebration, still bloom each spring. Bricks placed in the soil recognize the lasting contributions of dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals who helped shape Center Woods into what it is today. For years, the spruce quietly stood over these symbols, sheltering them. When it fell, it exposed not just the space, but the stories. And then something remarkable happened. As the tree was carefully removed, it became a moment that perfectly reflected the spirit of Center Woods. A current student and parent worked together on the ground, while a graduate of CWES climbed the tree to help secure it for safe removal. The very tree planted by this community was taken down, safely and thoughtfully, by that same community, across generations. Within hours, the response grew even stronger. Social media came alive with messages of support. Offers to help poured in. A parent who owns a landscaping company immediately volunteered services. Others reached out with ideas, materials, and time—including interest in an Eagle Scout project. What could have been a simple loss quickly became something more: an opportunity. This is about more than a tree. It is about honoring the past while coming together to create something new. It is about recognizing the deep roots of connection, care, and pride that define Center Woods. And now, it is about reimagining this special space—bringing new life to the circle while preserving the history that lives within it. If you are interested in being part of this project, we welcome your ideas, energy, and support as we work together to transform this meaningful space. If you have pictures or memories not mentioned that are related to this post, please send to Jess Potter Please reach out to Jess Potter at jess.potter@sau24.org to get involved.   Kayden Easter in 2011, planting daffodils for the 250th Weare Celebration in the circle beneath the tree Daniel helps his dad get the crane set to remove the tree. The final lift of the tree

Sunday, Mar 22 2026

Tuesday is Voting Day!

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 is VOTING DAY! Polls are open between 7am-7pm at Weare Middle School and Henniker Community School Vote on the school budgets, teachers' contracts,     John Stark support staff contract, and open enrollment.   Check out details of warrant articles at  www.sau24.org. Candidates' Night is tonight! Tonight is your opportunity to meet the folks running for school board! 6 pm at John Stark (room 144)

Monday, Mar 09 2026

Speech Contest - Cash Prizes -

Speech Contest - Cash Prizes ALL John Stark Students Eligible Calling all High Schoolers! Do you have something to say? The Rotary Club of Henniker wants to hear it —and they're putting $1,000 cash on the line for the three winners! ​The annual 4-Way Speech Contest is back for 2026, and it’s the perfect stage  to sharpen your public speaking skills while tackling the big questions. You can pick a new topic or a topic that you've worked on at school already - something from your We The People Class, from American Studies, something from when you did the Mikva Challenge in 8th grade! The Prizes ​1st Place: $500 ​2nd Place: $300 ​3rd Place: $200 (Winners also move on to the District Level Competition for even more prizes!) The Rules ​We’re looking for confidence, clarity, and connection.  Here is the breakdown: ​Eligibility: Open to all students in grades 9-12 (John Stark, Hillsboro-Deering, and home/private school students are all welcome!). ​Topic: Choose a topic you’re passionate about—personal, social, or global. Length: Your speech must be between 5–7 minutes. ​The Challenge: Apply the Rotary 4-Way Test to your topic. This means that you address 4 questions related to your speech topic: ​Is it the truth? ​Is it fair to all concerned? ​Will it build goodwill and better friendships? ​Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Key Dates ​Registration Deadline: NOW! Email Mr. Colby (matt.colby@sau24.org) or Ms. Jepson (jane.jepson@sau24.org) if you want to participate. We'll help you to get registered and ready! ​Local Competition: March 22, 2026 (12:00 PM at Henniker Community Center - in the park across from SuperScoops) ​Semi-Finals: April 12, 2026

Friday, Mar 06 2026

NH State Testing - Spring 2026

NH State Testing - Spring 2026 SAU24 - Henniker, John Stark, Stoddard, Weare March 6, 2026 Dear Families, As part of compliance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), NH students complete state testing in reading, writing, mathematics, and science each spring. Between March and May, NH will administer the following: In addition to being a federally mandated measure of student achievement, these assessments are important checkpoints in your learner’s educational journey.  The assessments help Measure mastery of core academic skills Measure learner progression toward high school competency and college and career readiness Inform local program development and curriculum design. The state assessments are part of the broader picture of your learner’s readiness for life beyond school. We’re excited to see the results of the testing this year!  As you know, we’ve dug deep into improving learner outcomes in our schools, including: Implementation of WIN/FLEX for all students, Adding 20 minutes to the school day K-8, Adopting high-quality instructional materials in math (Ready k-5, Reveal 6-12) and reading (Wit and Wisdom K-8), Aligning foundational reading instructional practices and resources to the science of reading, and Focusing on engaging instruction in science with the addition of Carolina OpenSciEd this year. We caught the first significant glimpse of these efforts in our iReady performance data this January.  Student performance on the iReady assessments put our learners solidly within national percentile ranges at all grade levels - we can’t wait to see this play out in state testing!  You can see grade level performance in the charts below: Each school will share information about testing dates and times as we get closer.  In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out about your learner’s progress and performance.   Sincerely, Matthew Colby Assistant Superintendent of Schools, SAU24

Friday, Mar 06 2026

SAU 24 School Board Candidates' Forum - Rescheduled ...

Due to the weather, tonight's SAU 24 School Board Candidates Forum is rescheduled to Monday, March 9 at 6 pm in room 144 at John Stark. 

Tuesday, Mar 03 2026