Feature
PMHS Students Active in the Community
Student Council takes leading role
May 1, 2012
As students, staff and community members walk into the main entrance at Pittsfield Middle High School, they all likely walk over the large entry mat with a fading image of a panther, a gift of the 1977 Student Council. The Pittsfield School District is undergoing a comprehensive redesign which includes the formation of a Site Council, the new governing body of the school, but its traditional Student Council remains with a renewed sense of purpose aimed at community involvement.
The Student Council is made up of 12 students, two student representatives from each grade level, and is advised by a middle and high school teacher. The students elected senior Kelsey Wrye and junior Rebekah Adams as its co-chairs this year, both of whom have been serving as Student Council members since their freshman year. They have taken the lead on fundraising, event planning and community service.
This past year the Student Council has initiated several successful school-wide and community events including Spirit Week, a Cancer Benefit and an Earth Day Beautification. Spirit Week is a school tradition that builds class camaraderie and fosters school spirit through school dress days, hallway decorating and gym activities prior to Holiday Break. The week was highlighted by a Can Drive which collected over 600 non-perishable goods that were donated to the Pittsfield Food Pantry.
In February the Student Council coordinated a Cancer Benefit in remembrance of Marion Gordon, the mother of a PMHS graduate and current student, who plays on the boys’ basketball team. The students hosted a mid-year Academic Awards Assembly and pep rally during the school day, prior to a boys’ basketball game in the evening. Those who made a donation to cancer research received a pink ribbon and players wore pink socks and head bands during the game. Several groups made generous contributions including the Pittsfield Police Association, the PMHS Boosters Club and the Varsity Club. Jillian Towle, a member of the Student Council, raffled off a hand-made blanket and donated the proceeds. All together, more than $1,000 dollars were raised and donated on behalf of Marion Gordon to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
To celebrate Earth Day this past April, the Student Council organized its second annual beautification and clean-up of the PES and PMHS campuses, and downtown Pittsfield. The group worked with several local organizations to help clean-up Drake Field, Frank Lyman Park, Centennial Park, Forest B. Argue Pool, Pittsfield Police Station and the Carpenter Library. More than 200 students and staff were active in the clean-up and each student who participated earned two hours of community service.
The Student Council will conclude the school year by hosting an end of year Academic Awards Assembly and Field Day to celebrate the work and achievements of the student body throughout the year. Honor Roll students will be recognized along with others for academic excellence and exemplary citizenship. One notable award will be the Bryce Paradise Award, named after its first recipient, and awarded by the Student Council to a graduating senior who represents the pillars of safety, respect, responsibility and community.
Student Council members Jen Tyrell (left) and Maxwell Tuttle (middle) present the donations for cancer research to the Gordon family.
Sisters Sarah (left) and Rebekah Adams plant flowers at the main entrance of Pittsfield Middle High School during Earth Day.
Principal
Principal’s Message
News from PMHS
Goal #1: Curriculum / Instruction / Assessment. By October 2013, 85% or more of all Pittsfield School District students will be proficient in reading and math as measured by the state’s annual administration of the NECAP assessment measures.
Middle High School Calendar
Current Events
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
POSITION ANALYSIS WORKSHOPS
We will be continuing our Position Analysis Workshops to insure that everyone in a key position in the Pittsfield schools is very clear on what they are required to do to insure our students receive the best education possible and are well-prepared for work or further education after graduation.
Our upcoming Position Analysis Workshops are:
- Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator and On-line/Dual Enrollment Coordinator
May 23rd: 5:30-8:30 in room 113 at Pittsfield Middle High School. We will have light refreshments at 5:00
- Guidance Counselor and Social Worker
May 24th: 2:00-5:00 in room 113 at Pittsfield Middle High School. We will have light refreshments during the workshop.
Many of you have participated in previous Position Analysis Workshops, and it is our hope that you will join us again. Your involvement has been invaluable and very much appreciated. If you have not previously participated, we hope that you will be able to attend and provide the process with your input.
Please contact Tobi Chassie (tchassie@pittsfield.k12.nh.us, 435-6701) or Susan Bradley (sebradley1@comcast.net, 494-1015) if you will be attending either or both Position Analysis Workshops.
Thank you,
Susan and Tobi
Pittsfield DLSC
Co-Project Managers
ABOUT THE POSITION ANALYSIS WORKSHOPS
These sessions are just a few of the analyses that are being conducted to insure that everyone in a key position in the Pittsfield schools is very clear on what they are required to do to insure our students receive the best education possible and are well-prepared for work or further education after graduation. The need to do this is driven by the desire to improve educational practices reflected in the changes introduced by the School Improvement Grant, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation Grant, the Innovation Grant, NEASC accreditation requirements, and the increased engagement with the Pittsfield community, to include the Pittsfield Youth Workshop.
There is no homework required prior to any of the workshops – your community membership and interest in the success of our students and schools is all that is required for you to participate and enjoy the process. A mix of students, school staff, parents, and community members will participate in each session. Further details on the location will be provided closer to the date. Please let Bickford know which session(s) you plan on attending at 435-6701 or bbickford@pittsfield.k12.nh.us , or if you have any questions. Please RSVP at least four days prior to each workshop you are interested in. Hope you can make it!
Please send back a reply to let us know you will be able to join us so that we can plan for refreshments. We hope you will find the time to attend and help us with this important work.
Susan Bradley and Tobi Chassie
Co-Project Managers
District Level Systems Change – NMEF
—————————————————————
Mission & Vision
MissionThe mission of the Pittsfield Schools is to develop, maintain, and continually improve a coehsive educational program so that our children and youth reach the academic, civic, and social standards established by the State of New Hampshire and adopted by our school board.
To this end, our faculty and staff resolve to engage our children and youth in dynamic learning that is personalized, monitored, and adjusted to promote growth in each and every learner.
We, students, parents, educators and community members, commit to a comprehensive system of support that ensures that our graduates possess direction in life, sound academic skills, commitment to hard work, an ethic of involved citizenship, and thoughtful plans for the next phase of their lives.
Community
Pittsfield Parent Connection (PPC)/ Free Tax PreparationThe Pittsfield Parent Connection’s mission is to improve the education of our children through collabortive actions by organzing conversation and communication between home and school.
Our scheduled meeting dates are as follows: February 20, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18 in the Pittsfield Middle High School Media Center. We meet from 6PM-7PM. If you have any questions please contact Stephanie Lemere stephanie@davistowle.com or Katie Freeman kfreeman@pittsifeld.k12.nh.us.
———————————————————