Please note: Quarter 3 Progress Reports and Fall 2009 NECAP scores are enclosed.

A few weeks ago I reported to the PMHS School Board the results from the Fall 2009 New England Common Assessment Program, or NECAPs. There were some highlights and some not-so highlights. Each year I go through the same internal conflict about how to feel and react to our scores regardless of how good or bad they might be. On one hand, I want to justify why scores are not where I think they should be; justifications that are plentiful: it only measures one type of intelligence, not the whole student; it doesn’t measure progress with the same student throughout high school, etc. However, I keep reminding myself that tests like the NECAPs are useful and relevant. Results can be used for improving curriculum, instruction, and assessment, which is what we have continuously used them for.

Enclosed you will find your child’s individual NECAP results. The test/scores are broken down into three categories: reading, math, and writing. There are four categories of achievement: Level 1 (below proficient). Level 2 (partially proficient), Level 3 (proficient), and Level 4 (proficient with distinction). The goal is to get as many students as possible into Levels 3 and 4 and out from Levels 1 and 2. If, after reviewing your child’s scores, you would like to discuss his or her performance, please send me an email or give me a call. I would be more than happy to discuss individual or school-wide results with you as I’ve spent a considerable amount of time processing them. The following data is a breakdown of PMHS’ school-wide results over the past three years.

In reading:

 In 2007, 67% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 67%.

 In 2008, 73% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 72%.

 In 2009, 70% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 73%.

As you can see, PMHS decreased by 3% compared to last year, but increased by 3% from two years ago.

In math:

 In 2007, 24% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 28%.

 In 2008, 28% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 32%.

 In 2009, 27% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 33%.

Prospect Mountain decreased by 1% compared to last year, but increased by 3% from two years ago.

In writing:

 In 2007, 28% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 33%.

 In 2008, 35% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 39%.

 In 2009, 58% of our students achieved Level 3 or higher versus the State’s 50%

This is the highlight of this year’s results. Prospect Mountain increased by 23% from last year and 30% from two years ago!

I would love to say that someday PMHS will have 100% proficiency in all subjects in all categories, but I think that’s unrealistic as every student is different. Prospect Mountain will continue to uphold its mission to personalize education in order to maximize individual success. At the end of the day—regardless of student NECAP scores— students are graduating PMHS as good citizens with a solid foundation ready to enter the next phase of their lives.

Web2School

Please remember you can access your student’s grades online by signing up for a Web2School account. To activate your account, please contact the main office at 875-3800.

Student Recognition

The Class of 2010 dominated Winter Carnival, again.

This year’s Winter Carnival day was awesome! The senior class once again proved why they are the dominating class in the school. For the second year in a row, the Class of 2010 will have their name forever engraved on the Winter Carnival trophy.

The sophomores had a great showing by coming in 2nd place. Their hard work and talent will definitely make next year’s Winter Carnival interesting to watch.

English teacher, Andrea Caruso, did a fantastic job organizing Winter Carnival. Thank you very much!

Athletics

The PMHS Boys Alpine Ski team finished the season in 6^th place Division III in the State with 595 total points. In the Slalom race, PMHS had the following finishes and rankings:

Tyler Finethy 19^th place 85 points

Kameron Hutchins 36^th place 71 points

Jesse Emerson 50^th place 59 points

Chris Magill 53^rd place 58 points

In the Giant Slalom race, PMHS had the following finishes and rankings:

Kyle Rondeau 12^th place 89 points

Tyler Finethy 14^th place 87 points

Zach Couch 27^th place 76 points

Kameron Hutchins 33^rd place 70 points

Jesse Emerson 47^th place

Chris Magill 57^th place

The Girls Varsity Basketball team finished their regular season 15-3 and earned themselves a home game during the playoffs. Congratulations and Go Lady T-Wolves!!!

The PMHS Boy’s 4 x 4 relay team finished first place at the Dartmouth College Indoor Track meet on February 7^th. The team will go on to the New England Championships in Boston on Friday, March 5^th. The team members are Tony Ungarelli (’10), Adam Cheney (’10), Greg Tinkham (’11), and Ben McGinnis (’11). In addition, the whole team made the NH Indoor Track League Class I, M, S All State 4 x 4 Relay Team. “Nice work boys!”

Academics

The Prospect Mountain Mock Trial Team competed at Yale University on February 13^th, in the Yale High School Invitational Tournament in Connecticut where they took 2^nd place only losing by two points. The team was coached by Laura Dwyer and attorney Sally O’Brien. The team was recognized for having prepared an excellent defense in the case, and Nicole Dwyer (’12) received an outstanding lawyer award.

Back row L to R: Nicole Ouellette (’13), Steven Beach. Middle Row L to R: Natalie Stackhouse (’13), Nicole Dwyer (’12), Shayna Sweezy (’13), Liana Tetreau (’10), Rebecca Browning (’10), Michelle LaLiberte (’12). Seated in front: Joseph Monasky (’10) and Allison Cormier (’10).

Guidance News

SAT and ACT Test Dates

ACT Test Date Reg Deadline Late Reg Deadline

Apr. 10, 2010 Mar 5, 2010 Mar 6-19, 2010

Jun 12, 2010 May 7, 2010 May 8-21, 2010

Register online at www.actstudent.org

SAT Test Date Reg Deadline

Mar 13, 2010 Feb 4, 2010

May 1, 2010 Mar 25, 2010

June 5, 2010 Apr 29, 2010

Register online at www.collegboard.com

Hey Seniors!

Scholarship information is available in the Guidance Office. Please check with your guidance counselor about application forms. Do not let these opportunities pass you by.

US FIRST Robotics Competition

The US FIRST organization announced the game for this year’s competition on Saturday, January 9, 2010. “Breakaway is a game played on the FIELD (illustrated in the figure below). Two ALLIANCES, one red and one blue, composed of three FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams each, compete in each MATCH. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by shooting BALLS into a GOAL, climbing on the ALLIANCE TOWER or PLATFORM, or by lifting an ALLIANCE ROBOT off the PLAYING SURFACE.

A MATCH is 2 minutes and 15 seconds long. An AUTONOMOUS PERIOD starts each MATCH during which the ROBOTS are controlled by pre-programmed instructions. The AUTONOMOUS PERIOD is followed by the TELEOPERATED PERIOD during which the DRIVERS assume control of the robot. The ROBOTS continue to play the game until the TELEOPERATED PERIOD is over.” Source: http://www.usfirst.org

Schematic retrieved from: http://www.usfirst.org

You can see a video of the competition here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iheq7yar5c4. The competition will take place March 4 – 6, at the Verizon Center in Manchester, NH. Admission is free. Come support the PMHS Robotics Team.

School Play

The PMHS Drama Club will present the Musical Godspell on March 18, 19, and 20. Tickets are $5.00 each and may be purchased at the PMHS Box Office on the nights of the show. This year’s production features a live orchestra comprised of several talented PMHS teachers and student musicians. Please join us for an entertaining evening.

School Newspaper Online

The school newspaper, Timber Wolf Times, is now available online. To access it you can go to the PMHS website: www.pmhschool.com and click on the Timber Wolf Times link. You can also become a fan of their Facebook page.

Registering for the Selective Service

All men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register for the Selective Service. Registration should occur within 30 days of turning 18. You can register online with the Selective Service System at www.sss.gov. This website contains information and facts about registering. If you have any questions about registering for the selective service, please see Linda Roy in the Guidance office.

Senior Spaghetti Supper

There will be a Senior Spaghetti Supper on Thursday, April 8^th, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the PMHS cafeteria. More details will follow in next month’s newsletter.

Yearbook

Order Your 2010 Yearbook Today! It's as simple as a few clicks. Go to the school's home page and check out the widget at the bottom that contains actual yearbook pictures then click the link at the top. Or see Mrs. Kelliher for an order form. (Yearbooks are currently $55.00).

Indoor Ice Skating Event

Alton Community Youth Activities (CYA) and the Alton Centennial Rotary Club will host the annual Ice Skating Event at the Laconia Ice Arena on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. All PMHS students and their families are invited to attend. This year’s event will feature skating games, music and a door prize of a pair of ice skates donated by Piche’s Ski and Sport Shop in Gilford. Tickets will be on sale starting March 5. You can purchase tickets for $1.00 each (children under age 5 skate free!) at Profile Bank in Alton or see Debby Lane at the ACS Library. Skate rental at the arena is free. Come out for an afternoon of winter fun with the community.

PMHS Calendar of Events March, 2010

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	1	2 School Board Meeting 6:30 pm Library	3	4 FIRST Robotics Competition Verizon Wireless Arena	5 FIRST Robotics Competition Verizon Wireless Arena	6 FIRST Robotics Competition Verizon Wireless Arena
7	8	9 Town Elections Get out and vote!	10	11	12	13
14	15	16 School Board Meeting 6:30 pm Library	17 Early Release for Teachers’ Workshop	18 Godspell 6:00 pm Auditorium	19 Godspell 6:00 pm Auditorium	20 Godspell 6:00 pm Auditorium Barnstead School District Meeting 9:00am
21	22 First day of pre-season for PMHS spring sports.	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31