Please note: Friday, October 10 and Monday, October 13, there is no school in observance of Columbus Day.

Progress Reports are enclosed with this newsletter.

Can you believe that we’re already half-way through the first quarter? Enclosed, you will find first quarter progress reports. If you should have any questions regarding these reports, please feel free to contact the respective teacher or the guidance office with any questions. I also recommend, if you haven’t done so already, signing up for Web2School access. Utilizing Web2School (from your home computer) allows you to view a teacher’s online gradebook so that you can see when assignments were assigned, when they were due, and of course, the grade that was earned. If you would like more information about or to sign-up for Web2School, please contact: Joyce LaDow at 875-3800, ext. 3147, or at jladow@pmhschool.com.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week, all PMHS juniors will be taking the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) test, which is the State standardized test to assess all schools. Particularly, students will be tested in writing, reading, and mathematics. This test is very important as it determines whether PMHS achieves Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) according to the No Child Left Behind Act. Please encourage your son/daughter to take this test seriously and to try their hardest. Again, it is the assessment tool by which the State of New Hampshire measures all its schools. Our goal is to achieve AYP.

In an effort to promote literacy (one of our school goals!), English teacher Diana DeNitto came up with a great idea to ask teachers what they were currently reading and why. She then took pictures of teachers with their respective book(s) and made posters to hang up throughout the school in hopes that it would inspire students, as well as other staff members, to read the recommended book. Those of you who attended Back to School Night probably saw some of these posters hanging in the hallways. I would like to thank Diana for all the hard work she has put into this project. If you are interested in reading about some of the faculty recommendations, check out the Faculty and Staff Recognition section below.

On that note, I want to thank those of you who attended last Thursday’s Back to School Night. It was great to see so many of you, and I hope you enjoyed listening to the PMHS Band and Choruses, touring the building, and meeting the teachers. As usual, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at 875-8800 or at jfitzpatrick@pmhschool.com and don’t forget to check out the school’s Website at www.pmhschool.com for other important dates and notices.

Student Recognition

Mr. Bingham’s AP US History class had a very successful (but somewhat soggy) trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania September 26-30, 2008. They immersed themselves in history as they marched on Civil War Battlegrounds. Mr. Bingham uses this experience to bring home to students the conditions soldiers faced during that turbulent time in American History.

Attention Parents

If your child will be absent from school, please inform the main office by calling Laurel Cristaldi at 875-3800 ext. 3149. Making this call will mean that the office does not have to call you to let you know that your child did not arrive at school. Thank you for your cooperation.

If your child will be dismissed early from school and you know about it ahead of time, please send a note in with your child stating the time of the dismissal. The student should give the note to Mrs. Grant. Mrs. Grant will arrange to have your child meet you at the front entrance of the school at the time of the dismissal, which will cause less disruption of classes. Thank you for your help.

Faculty and Staff Recognition

What We’re Reading 2008

As an English teacher, it is always discouraging to hear students say, “I hate to read.” Usually that comment is then followed up by, “After high school I’m never going to read.” The plain truth is we all read something every day. When the PMHS community was polled at the end of September, this is what some respondents said they were reading.

Tony Limanni - Special Education and Math

I am reading several books. For pure enjoyment I am reading The Teammates about four Red Sox baseball players (Bobby Doer, Johnny Pesky, Dom DiMaggio and Ted Williams) and what transpired in their lives while they maintained their life-long friendships. No ballplayer can put this book down. It's great.

J Fitzpatrick—principal

I feel like I need to learn something when I read. Therefore, I'm currently reading Steven Colbert's I am America and So Can You! I enjoy satirical books with historical significance. Another one of my favorites is John Stewart's America: Democracy Inaction. Both are works of genius (to people like me).

Chris Canfield—English teacher

I'm reading to my children Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan. It's set in the Arctic Circle on the fiords of Norway in 1940. The Nazis have just begun their occupation, and the Norwegians are determined to get the gold out of the country; they're not going to let Norwegian gold fund a German war against Norway. The Germans aren’t dumb though: they know the first thing Norway will do is try to get the gold out. The Norwegians finally reluctantly realize that the only way to get the gold out is to have kids ferry it, bar by bar, to a hidden ship. Remember, this is the artic circle, up on top of the fiords. The only way to the ship is sled, 12 miles...right past the Nazi soldiers...

I'm also reading Mary Pipher's Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls in the hopes that I'll gain insight into not only what might be making my female students tick but also how I might help better prepare them for their challenges now and in their futures. I'm also trying to gird myself for life with two adolescent girls three or four years from now!

Guidance News

College Overview Workshop

The Guidance office will sponsor a College Overview Night on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the Auditorium. Jay Hauser, from the Center for College Planning, will present this workshop aimed at parents of college-bound seniors and juniors. Please plan to attend this informative evening.

College Financial Aid Workshop

The Guidance Office will sponsor a College Financial Aid Night on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the Auditorium. Kerry Koziell, from the Center for College Planning, will present this workshop aimed at parents of college-bound seniors and juniors. If you have questions about how to pay for a college education for your child, here is an opportunity for you to get some answers. Please join us!

Fall College Visits to PMHS

College	Visit Date	Time
Maine Maritime Academy	10/2	10:00
University of Maine	10/3	8:00
Thomas College	10/6	8:00
Colby Sawyer College	10/8	11:30
University of New Hampshire	10/9	11:00
Suffolk University	10/14	1:00
Keene State College	10/16	11:45
Lakes Region Comm College-Laconia	10/17	10:00
Army	10/24
Rivier College	10/27	8:00
New England College	10/28	10:30
Air Force	10/29	Lunch
University of New England	10/31	9:45
Husson College	11/4	10:00
Green Mountain College – Vermont	11/5	9:30
University of Southern Maine	11/5	12:15
St. Joseph’s College – Maine	11/6	8:30
Southern New Hampshire University	11/12	8:30

SAT and ACT Test Dates

ACT Test Date Registration Late Registration

Deadline Deadline

Oct. 25, 2008 Sept. 19, 2008 Sept 20-Oct 3, 2008

Dec. 13, 2008 Nov. 7, 2008 Nov 8-20, 2008

Feb. 7, 2009 Jan 6, 2009 Jan 7-16, 2009

April 4, 2009 Feb. 27, 2009 Feb 28-Mar 13, 2009

June 13, 2009 May 8, 2009 May 9-22, 2009

Register online at www.actstudent.org

SAT Test Date Registration Late Registration

Deadline Deadline

Oct 4, 2008 Sept 9, 2008 Sept 16, 2008

Nov 1, 2008 Sept 26, 2008 Oct 10, 2008

Dec 6, 2008 Nov 5, 2008 Nov 18, 2008

Jan 24, 2009 Dec 26, 2008 Jan 6, 2009

Mar 14, 2009 Feb 10, 2009 Feb 24, 2009

May 2, 2009 Mar 31, 2009 April 9, 2009

June 6, 2009 May 5, 2009 May 15, 2009

Register online at www.collegboard.com

Friends Of the Performing Arts

Friends of Performing Arts (FOPA) would like to welcome you to another fine school year. FOPA was started three years ago for the students in band, chorus and the drama club. We would like to invite all parents, grandparents, and friends to our first meeting which will be on October 16^th at 6:15pm in the band room. Membership dues are $5.00. Hope to see new faces this year. If you want or need more information email Debbie Roberts at jeeplady@worldpath.net subject: FOPA and she will get back to you.

“OUR students need OUR support”

School Play

The PMHS Drama Club will present the play, High Spirits, October 23-25, 2008 in the Auditorium at 6:00 pm. Tickets will be available at the door and the cost is $5.00. The play features the talents of Kyle Juza, Nick Iannotti, Khristine Jordan, MaryMargaret Houghton, Lexie Phillips, Andrew Long, Jillian Stackhouse, Dack Rouleau and Carter Golden.

PMHS Concert Series

The next rock concert of the year will be held Thursday, October 9th starting at 7:00pm in the PMHS auditorium. The bands performing are Permanent Holiday, Always & Forever, Lions Lions, Forever the Fallen, The Breathing Method, and featuring Animatronic the Abolisher. Tickets are $5.00 in advance or $6.00 at the door. See Mr. MacStravic for more information or to purchase your tickets!

Parenting During Difficult Circumstances

A FREE 6 week series focusing on such topics as: finding a parenting style that fits your values, understanding children’s growth and development, dealing with stress, anger and conflict, and positive discipline strategies and effective communication will be offered at PMHS on Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30pm, October 8 - November 12. This series offers the opportunity to ask questions, talk with other parents, share ideas and support, and connect with others who are facing the same challenges.

Advance registration is required. To register, please contact Sue Cagle at 527-5475; or email sue.cagle@unh.edu. On Site child care for children ages 3 – 12 will be provided by Alton Community Youth Activities. To register for childcare, please contact CYA at 875-8221 by October 1.

ANNOUNCING

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of the LAKES REGION

TO BEGIN ACTIVITIES FOR ALTON PMHS YOUTH

The Boys & Girls Club is pleased to tell PMHS students and parents that we are planning an after school activity program beginning in October. For more information please contact Dick Wallace at 875-8221.

PMHS Calendar of Events October, 2008

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Teacher Workshop 2-hour Delay Day

Open House/Parent Night 6:00 pm

NECAP Testing

Grade 11

NECAP Testing Grade 11

Rock Concert

7:00 pm Auditorium

No School

Columbus Day

No School

PSAT Test Administered At PMHS

FOPA Meeting

6:15 pm Band Room

School Board Meeting 6:30 pm Library

Halloween Dance 6:00 pm Cafeteria