Please note: 2^nd Quarter report cards are included with this newsletter.

Beginning next week, if your child will be absent from school, please contact Kathy Bourdeau in the main office at 875-3800 ext. 3148. Thank you for your cooperation.

We’ve officially made it half way through the school year! Our students finished up mid-year exams last week and I am happy to report that the change in the exam schedule worked very well for students and faculty. We received many compliments from students and faculty alike and I would like to thank you for your support in making sure that your child followed the necessary procedures.

Now that February is upon us, so is the start of the second semester. Most students have entirely new courses with entirely new teachers. I like to think of second semester as a fresh new start. Of course, the month of February is shortened due to February vacation, which takes place from the 25^th to the 29^th; however, even though it is shortened, there is still plenty to accomplish. For instance, we begin the scheduling process for next year. The week before vacation, we will host our annual Arena Scheduling event where students choose their potential courses for the 2008-09 school year. We feel this is an essential component to promote personalization as it allows students to play an active role in deciding which courses to take. Within the next week or so, all students will receive a Program of Studies, which will outline available courses for next year. I recommend sitting down with your child and having a conversation about courses he or she may be interested in pursuing. If you have any questions about scheduling and/or courses, please do not hesitate to call me or the guidance office.

On the topic of February vacation, our Student Council is once again preparing for part two of Winter Carnival. As I described back in the December newsletter, Winter Carnival is an all-day, school-wide event that provides an opportunity for our students to meet the civic and social expectations for student learning as it relates to our Mission. It is important to PMHS to have as many students involved in this event as possible; therefore, all students are required to attend school that day as any other. If you choose to dismiss your child before the end of school on that day, he or she will need to present a signed note from you to the Main Office before the school day begins.

I hope the month of January treated you well and that you receive as much candy and flowers as you hope for Valentine’s Day. As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments, concerns, or questions you may have. I can be reached at 875-8800 or at jfitzpatrick@pmhschool.com. Don’t forget to check out the school’s Website at www.pmhschool.com.

Student Recognition

Scholastic Arts competition winners were announced last week and the following Prospect Mountain High School students were honored:

Chris Loprete Gold Key

Nick Bugieda Gold Key

Danielle Sheehan Gold Key

Tyler Houghton Silver Key

Aaron Wilkinson Silver Key

Stephanie Roy Honorable Mention

Chris Loprete Honorable Mention

Daniell Mousseau Honorable Mention

Josh Moon Honorable Mention

Stephanie Roy Honorable Mention

Athletics

Congratulations to the Boys Varsity Basketball team which is 9 – 0 so far this season! Their next game is Friday February 1 against Belmont.

The boys and girls Indoor Track teams have qualified many runners for the class IMS State Meet at Dartmouth. This is a very difficult meet to qualify for – there are only 12 participants in each event from the entire state!

For the boys Isaac Fithian qualified 3^rd inthe 1000 meter. Chris Apkarian qualified 5^th in the 3000 meter – a school record. For the girls Amanda Pellowe qualified 7^th in the 600 meter with a 145.3 school record in the 600 meter. Megan Farrell qualified9th in the 600 meter.

The girls 4x800 meter Team qualified 6^th with Meagan DiVito, Amanda Pellowe, Brianna Tidd and Megan Farrell. The girls 4x400 meter team of Amanda Pellowe, Stephanie Storey, Megan Farrell and Brianna Tidd qualified 8^th with a new indoor school record of 4:32.1

Last, but not least, Brianna Tidd jumped 4’10” to qualify 4^th in the high jump. The meet is February 3, 2008 at Dartmouth College. Good Luck Team!

Guidance News

SAT & ACT Test Dates

SAT Registration Late

Test Date Deadline Registration

Mar. 1, 2008 Jan. 29, 2008 Feb. 7, 2008

May 3, 2008 Apr. 1, 2008 Apr. 10, 2008

Jun. 7, 2008 May 6, 2008 May 15, 2008

ACT Registration Late

Test Date Deadline Registration

Feb. 9, 2008 Jan. 4, 2008 Jan. 5-18, 2008

Apr. 12, 2008 Mar. 7, 2008 Mar. 8-21, 2008

Jun. 14, 2008 May 9, 2008 May 10-23, 2008

Alumni Day

PMHS hosted some 2007 graduates on January 10, 2008. Jeff and Bryce St Cyr, Caila Kantar, Ben Wood, Melanie Russell, Elaine Bothwick, Leon Kenniston and David Kalloch were on hand to describe their experiences after high school. They spoke to the entire senior class and several juniors too.

FIRST Robotics

PMHS is sending a team to the annual FIRST Robotics competition again this year. Fueled by a grant from BAE Systems, Inc., the team will be assembling its robot and competing at the Verizon Center February 28 – March 1, 2008. Come on down and see them take on the robots from other New Hampshire schools!

Accessing Web2School

PMHS made a change to Web2School on December 1, 2007. This change will have a small impact on your Web2School connection. Your new IP address in the advanced settings of Web2School is now 74.220.232.41.

Please refer to the instructions provided to you when you signed up for Web2School or you can visit www.pmhschool.com/w2s for detailed instructions. If you need assistance or have not signed up for Web2School and would like to, please contact w2stech@pmhschool.com.

Winter Jam '08 Concert

On Friday, February 22, 2008 there will be a Winter Fest Concert from 7:00-10:00 pm in the PMHS Auditorium. Tickets are $5.00 in advance, $6.00 at the door and may be purchased from Mr. Long or Mr. MacStravic.

The concert will feature the following bands:

Theory of Regret Ghosts of the Machine

Cavender Disclaimer

Equidis

The PTSA received a donation of a pair of prime tickets to a New England Patriots football game during the 2008-09 Season. The seats are 11^th row and are valued at $250.00. We are holding a raffle for these tickets throughout this year. Raffle tickets are $20.00 each. If you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket, please contact Cathy Fraser at 875-3800 ext. 3087 or at cfraser@pmhschool.com.

PTSA Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the library. The next meeting will be held on February 12, 2008. Please join us!

Yearbook

If you would like to place an ad in the yearbook please contact Kim Kelliher at 875-3800 ext. 2115. Advertisement prices are below:

1/8 page - $45.00 ¼ page - $75.00

½ page - $165.00 Full page - $260.00

School Play

Under the direction of John Anderson, PMHS students will perform Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet on May 15-17, 2008. Nick Iannotti will play Mercutio and Jacob Browning has been cast as Capulet. More information on the play will be forthcoming.

Indoor Skating Event

Alton Community Youth Activities (CYA) will host an ice skating event at Laconia Ice Arena for Alton’s youth and families on March 22, 2008 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm. (Barnstead youth who attend PMHS and their families are also invited to attend this event.) There will be music and drawings for door prizes. (No hockey activity please.)

The Laconia Ice Arena is located at 468 Province Road on Rt. 107 in Laconia. Tickets are $1.00 each (children under 5 years skate free) and may be purchased at Profile Bank on Main Street, Alton, or from Debby Lane at Alton Central School.

Performing Arts Events

The Band and Chorus Spring Concert Date will be held on April 16th at 6:00 pm in the auditorium.

Friends of Performing Arts next meeting is February 20th in the band room at 5:00 pm

Tri-M music honor society's next meeting is February 12th at 7:30 am in the Band Room.

Junior Class Fundraiser

Class of 2009 is selling Flower Grams during lunch times until Valentines Day. Send your sweetheart chocolate roses, $1 for 1 and $5 for 6.

Sophomore Class Fundraiser

Sophomore Class will host a Ski Night featuring the showing of a Ski Movie (Higher Ground), raffles of ski tickets and other ski items. Food and beverages will also be available. The event will be held on Thursday, February 21 from 5:00 – 10:00 pm in the cafeteria and auditorium. Please come and support the sophomore class.

PMHS Calendar of Events February, 2008

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Alton School Deliberative Session 1:00 pm Auditorium

PMHS School Board Meeting 6:30 pm

Town of Alton Deliberative Session 7:00 pm Auditorium

PTSA Meeting 6:30 pm Library

Valentines Dance

6:00 – 10:00 pm Cafeteria

Sophomore Ski Package Fundraiser Night 5-10 pm Auditorium

Winter Fest ‘08

7:00 – 10:00 pm Auditorium

Winter Carnival Day

Winter Break