Please note: Parent Night will be Thursday, October 8, 2009 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

I stepped outside this afternoon for bus duty and quickly realized that the season has officially changed. Fall is here! Within 15 minutes, my ears were frozen and my cheeks hurt. It seems like just last week, it was summer (pun intended).

The month of September flew by and for the most part went very well. There were several extra-curricular events that took place such as the Annual Senior Spaghetti Dinner, the UNH college fair, and Mr. Bingham’s AP U.S. History trip to Gettysburg, Virginia, to name a few. All of these events were great successes. October is sure to be a jam packed with plenty of things to keep us busy as well. To begin with, all members of the junior class will participate in the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) this week. The NECAP is a standardized test that assesses all New Hampshire schools. The NECAP is the sole indicator as to whether or not PMHS makes Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) according to the No Child Left Behind Act. Our juniors will be tested in writing, reading, and mathematics. Last year, our juniors did well; they showed tremendous improvement from the previous year’s test takers. Although we did not make AYP, I felt our students performed well: our 2008 reading scores increased by 6% from 2007; our 2008 writing scores increased 7%; and our 2008 math scores increased by 4%. Please encourage your son/daughter to take the NECAP seriously and to try their hardest. Again, it is the assessment tool by which the State of New Hampshire measures PMHS. Our goal is to make AYP.

Another October highlight is our annual Parent Night on October 8^th. Please join us at 6:00pm in the auditorium to listen to the PMHS Bands and Choruses. Then, take the opportunity to travel to all of your child’s classes and meet his or her teachers and learn about his or her courses. We will provide you with your child’s schedule when you arrive and Student Council members will be located throughout the building to help you find your way around. The Class of 2013 will be running a Potato Bar-Concession Stand incase you get hungry. I hope that you will join us as it’s a wonderful way for all of us to build some positive relationships. More significant dates and events (breakfasts, dances, etc.) are listed throughout the rest of this issue of the Wolf Tracks, so please be sure to keep reading. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 875-8800 or send me an email at jfitzpatrick@pmhschool.com and don’t forget to check out the PMHS website at www.pmhschool.com.

And lastly, first quarter progress reports have been issued. If you should have any questions regarding progress reports, please contact the respective teacher or the guidance office. 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. Main Office staff will also be available at Parent Night to assist you in this process.

I hope to see you this week. Take care.

Faculty Recognition

PMHS is pleased to welcome two new staff members this year:

Elaine Dodge, Special Education Director

Mrs. Dodge joins Prospect Mountain with 25 years of special education experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Roger Williams University and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of New Hampshire. Mrs. Dodge has previously served students at all grade levels, and has provided support to educational teams, in both public schools and private facilities, through her role as a Distinguished Educator for the state of New Hampshire. She was most recently employed at Moultonborough Academy as a Learning Disabilities Specialist. Mrs. Dodge looks forward to working with all members of the PMHS community to continue to provide quality support services to students in need.

Meghan Schmiermund, Math Teacher

Meghan Schmiermund joins us from Stamford, CT where she taught high school Math for the past five years. She graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and a minor in Music. (While in CT, Meghan began her Master's Degree in School Counseling.) She is happy to be teaching Math and working with our marching band here at Prospect Mountain.

Student Recognition

Academics

Two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Megan Farrell (’09) and Benjamin Rogers (’09). One student qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholar is Kaitlyn LaCourse (’09). Congratulations!

The following students represented PMHS at the Granite State Challenge on Tuesday, September 29, 2009: Bradley Olmstead, Heather Hooker, Sean Dinneen, Allison Cormier (Captain), and Spencer Goossens. Despite a valiant effort, our team was narrowly defeated by Coe Brown in the first round.

Vicky Sweezy’s AP Biology class will be attending the Genetic Up-Date Conference on October 7, in Nashua. They will listen to a lecture by Sam Rhine as well as several workshops about Comparative Genomics, Gene Therapy, Human Polygenes, and Human Stem Cells.

Senior John Hammond is making history as the first PMHS student to have a work study with Hannaford Supermarket in Alton. John does a variety of jobs including blocking merchandising, putting away returns and sweeping.

Athletics

Kelsey Hopper recently broke the school record for the most “kills” in volleyball. By the end of the evening on September 28, against Pittsfield, Kelsey had recorded her 606^th kill. Last year she ended the season with 501 and entered the game against Pittsfield with 596. She went on to have 10 kills that evening to surpass the school record. The record was previously held by Shannon Cornellison (‘05) who had 597 career kills.

Guidance News

SAT and ACT Test Dates

ACT Test Date Reg Deadline Late Reg Deadline

Oct. 24, 2009 Sept. 18, 2009 Sept 19-Oct 2, 2009

Dec. 12, 2009 Nov 6, 2009 Nov 7-10, 2009

Feb 6, 2010 Jan 5, 2010 Jan 6-15, 2010

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

Oct 10, 2009 Sept 9, 2009

Nov 7, 2009 Oct 1, 2009

Dec 5, 2009 Oct 30, 2009

Jan 23, 2010 Dec 15, 2009

Mar 13, 2010 Feb 4, 2010

May 1, 2010 Mar 25, 2010

June 5, 2010 Apr 29, 2010

Register online at www.collegboard.com

Seniors Seniors Seniors

Guidance is sponsoring a College Overview Night on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, and a Financial Aid Overview Night on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. Both programs will begin at 6:30 in the PMHS auditorium. These programs are designed to help you learn about the college admissions and financial aid processes from professionals with New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF). If you have questions concerning the financial aid process, it is highly recommended that you attend these workshops.

Reminder that senior write ups, senior pictures, and a baby picture are all due to Mrs. Kelliher during the month of October. If your last name begins with A-L the pictures are due by October 16th. If your last name is M-Z they are due by October 30th. They can be sent digitally to the yearbook account at yearbook@pmhschool.com or brought in to Mrs. Kelliher.

Straight from the heart and into the yearbook! Our staff is now offering the opportunity to “personalize” the yearbook in a very special way with a Parent Ad Space to tell your child how proud you are! To reserve yearbook space please respond to yearbook@pmhschool.com by 12/11/09 or mail your personal note to Kim Kelliher, Yearbook Advisor 242 Suncook Valley Rd Alton, NH 03809. You may also include photos. Prices are the following:

Please indicate in your correspondence the size of the ad requested:

· 1/8 page $55.00 _____

· 1/4 page $85.00 _____

· 1/2 page $175.00 _____

· full page $270.00 _____

Parent Night

Parent Night will be held on Thursday October 8, 2009 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at PMHS. There will be performances by the chorus and band featuring a marching band routine with a light show. Parent night is an excellent time for you to meet your child’s teachers and to see what’s going on at school.

The Class of 2012 will be hosting a baked potato bar during Parent Night.

Other co-curricular clubs will have tables set up during Parent Night as well – please stop by.

World Language Club Events

The World Language Club is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s restaurant in Concord on Friday, October 24, 2009. Tickets are $5.00 each and can be obtained from Senora Croft in room 215. Tickets will also be sold during lunches starting on October 13.

The World Language Club will be hosting the Fourth Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at PMHS. More details to follow.

Class of 2010

The Class of 2010 would like to thank all of the parents, families, community members and PMHS staff who helped make their Spaghetti Supper a huge success.

Join us for the Halloween Dance on Friday October 30, 2009!

School Play

“…when she’d seen what she had done…”

Did Lizzie Borden really murder her parents in 1899 in Fall River, Massachusetts, or was it the handyman hired to work for the Bordens? Could the plot have been thickened by the maid or Mrs. Morse? Come and find the answers to solve the mystery.

The PMHS drama department will put on the play, Lizzie Borden of Fall River on Friday November 6, at 6:30 pm and Saturday, November 7, at 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Tickets are $5.00 per person and will be available at the door. Box office opens half an hour before the curtain.

Outing Club Activities

PMHS Outing Club will sponsor a Corn Maze Fundraiser on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:45 pm at the Lake Knoll Farm, 55 Prospect Mountain Road in Alton. Cost is $8.00 to enter the maze. There will burgers, hotdogs and soft drinks for sale as well. Grab your flashlight and come get lost in the maze!

PMHS Calendar of Events October, 2009

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

NECAP Testing

School Board Meeting 6:30 pm Library

2-Hour Delayed Opening for

Teacher Workshop

NECAP Testing

Parent Night

6:00 – 8:00 pm

No School

Columbus Day

No School

PSAT Testing

Outing Club Event PMHS Night at the Lake Knoll Farm Corn Maze

6:30 – 8:45 pm

School Board Meeting 6:30 pm Library

World Language Club Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s in Concord 8:00 – 10:00 am

Halloween Dance

6:00 – 10:00 pm Cafeteria

Halloween