CBNA HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

The 9th annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held at Coe Brown Academy, Route 4 in Northwood, NH from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm on November 5, 2011. There will be 50 crafters, a cookie walk and a raffle with over 50 items. There are still spaces for more crafters. Come and do your Christmas shopping early! This event will benefit the CBNA Class of 2013.

The First Baptist Church of Northwood (next to Hannaford’s) will be holding a Ham and Bean Supper on October 15th at 5:00 pm. Rolls and pies made from scratch are just part of the menu, come and join us for a truly delicious meal, the cost is just $7 for adults, $5 for kids 5-12 and under 5 are free.

Letter

Last week when we ordered some refills for my husband’s prescriptions, we crossed the line, the line into the infamous donut hole. And I thanked my former congresswoman, Carol Shea-Porter, because we paid half of what we would have paid last year! It was Carol who pushed Congress to include a fix for the Medicare D gap that left those who spend more than $2840 (2011 figures) having to pay full price for their drugs until they hit $4550, after which the insurance kicks in again.

Why did Congress write that bill in such a weird way? Well, Bush and the Republicans wanted to prove that they could do something for seniors besides suggesting privatizing their Social Security, so they devised a plan that would allow seniors to buy prescription coverage for medicines that would be mostly paid for by the government. But when they figured out the cost, it was too high, so they decided to cut out the payments in the donut hole.

Carol knew how hard this was for many senior citizens, so she proposed that every year the cost of the prescriptions in the donut hole would be reduced.

This year brand name drugs cost us half of their full price, and generic drugs cost 93% of full price. And each year our costs will go down until by 2020 the donut hole will disappear.

Unless, of course, the Republicans manage to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Re-elect Carol Shea-Porter!

Lucy Edwards

Northwood

Lyme Disease Awareness Community Event

The surrounding communities are invited to attend this Free information night at Northwood School, on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria.

By now, most of us are familiar with Lyme disease and may even be aware that NH has the highest incidence, but don’t realize how little we actually know about it. Children aged 5-14 are most at risk for contracting Lyme disease. Speaking will be David Hunter, NH resident and long-time patient educator/advocate. Mr. Hunter will attempt to correct the many myths and misunderstandings that surround Lyme Disease. Sharing the microphone will be Sherrie Juris, a biologist with Atlantic Pest Solutions. Sherrie will address proper tick identification, the tick life cycle, tick removal, and control of ticks on your property. You’ll go home with a tick ID wallet card, tick remover and lots of important information. Sherrie will also have information on bedbugs, another growing pest concern in our state. Come, educate yourself so you can learn to avoid tick-borne illness or be your own patient advocate should you ever need to. Registration is appreciated by not required. Please call the Northwood School Office at 942-5488 to register.

Principal’s Message

October 2011

By Mr. Hartford

As I am writing this, we have just begun our fall NECAP testing window, in which grades 3-8 are being assessed in both math and reading, while grades 5 and 8 will also be assessed in writing. Our school was designated a Year 2 DINI (District In Need of Improvement) for Reading and Year 1 DINI for Math in the spring of 2011. Our School Improvement Team (S.I.T.) spent many afternoons in May and June, as well as 3 days during the summer, writing our school’s Improvement Plan.

This week our students in grades 3-8 were treated to a "Flash Mob" motivational assembly by some of our most daring staff members (myself included) to instill them with some excitement about taking the NECAP assessments. In addition, students showing excellent effort on each of their test sessions will be provided with opportunities for special incentive prizes donated by area businesses and staff members. We hope the extra attention paid on our state assessments this year will help to pay off with increased scores.

Part of this year’s School In Need of Improvement plan included a parent involvement goal. Our biggest goal this year is to assist parents with the educational process at home. Students all need support outside of school in order to best achieve as a student. Each student’s individual needs will determine what type of support is most necessary at home. You may be asked to review topics discussed in class to help reinforce them. You may be asked to work with your child on specific skills to increase their level of performance. You may be asked to help enrich your child by researching different topics with them or applying skills learned in the classroom to "real world" activities. Whatever support you provide your child, it will definitely help to create an implied level of importance for learning between you, your child, and the school. Don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher(s) what you can do to assist them in the educational process.

Our Open Houses have once again come and gone and this year’s edition was widely successful with the change in format for grades 6-8 being the highlight. I was planning on putting out a survey to parents of students in those grades who came, but overwhelmingly from those in attendance I heard positive remarks on the amount of information you were able to receive from your child’s teachers. Our plan will be to follow this format again next year and we hope to continue to offer the community information tables as well. Thank you to all who attended!

With a new school year underway and the change being reflected in the colors of our countryside, take some time to enjoy the season with your family!

**Reminders**

• NECAP Testing (grades 3-8) – Tuesday Oct. 4th – Monday Oct. 17th.

• No School – Friday Oct. 7th (Teachers’ In-service day).

• No School – Monday Oct. 10th (Columbus Day).

• Middle School Dance (grades 6-8) – Friday Oct. 14th (7:00-9:00 p.m.).

• PTA Halloween Dance – Friday Oct. 21st (Grades K-5) – 6:00-8:00 p.m. (Cafeteria).

• PTA Fall Festival – Saturday Oct. 22nd (11:00-2:00 – Northwood School fields).

• NECAP Incentive Awards Assembly – Friday Oct. 28th.

Starting Saturday Oct.15th the Northwood Farmers Market moves indoors to the Masonic Hall at the intersection of Rts. 4 and 202. Our regular vendors will be there, as well as some new ones, including Catamount Valley Farm Milk. Come listen to music by Sandra Koski and check out fall produce. Our Saturday hours are 9 am to 1 pm. See you at the market!

CBNA Communicators To Participate In National FFA Event

The Coe Brown Northwood Academy FFA Chapter will be participating in the National FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) during the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, on October 19-22, 2011.

Members of the team are Samantha Emond, Kelsey Brown, Jenna Brown, Savanah Reed, and Katie Soiett. The team is coached by Mrs. Sarah Ward. CDE education specialist Melissa Dunkel describes this event as supporting "student development of sound communication principles to become strong assets to the agricultural industry in the future." The five member team is challenged in all areas of the agricultural communications field. Participants attend a press conference, utilize information gathered in a team activity and complete individual practicums in web design, broadcasting, graphic design, and writing. Students are also tested on their editing and other communications skills. The National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE is sponsored by National FFA Foundation. The event is one of 23 CDEs held annually at the National FFA Convention.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members, all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture, as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The 84th National FFA Convention will be held October 19 – 22, 2011 in Indianapolis, IN and will draw 50,000 plus FFA members, advisors and guests from across the country. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ffa.org for more information. FFA is also on Facebook, Twitter and FFA Nation.

CBNA Senior Named Semifinalist in 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program

Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced that Coe Brown senior Quinn Palmer has been named a Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Palmer joins approximately 16,000 other Semifinalists nationwide in this 57th annual program who were the highest scoring students in their states on the 2010 PSAT.

Palmer, along with these other academically talented students, has an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit scholarships worth more than $34 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements including submitting a detailed application and essay to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

About 90% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

Congratulations to Quinn Palmer on this achievement.

"Naturally Curious"

By Mary Holland

Naturally Curious, a slide and natural history collection will be presented this October.

The Chesley Memorial Library and the Blaisdell Memorial Library will co-sponsor "Naturally Curious" by Mary Holland, a visual journey through the 12 months of the year, as seen through a naturalist’s eyes. Beginning in March, when the earth awakens, and ending in February, Mary Holland guides you through a selection of each month’s most memorable natural events.

Images and informational tidbits about reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, insects and spiders, and plants of New England are presented to audiences of all ages.

This informative slide program is accompanied by a collection of natural history artifacts, including skulls, scat, feathers, horns, antlers and more.

This event will be held in Nottingham at the Blaisdell Memorial Library on Tuesday, October 18, at 6:30pm.

Bruce and Sheri DeTrude of Northwood proudly announce the engagement of their daughter, Alissa DeTrude to Matthew Keenliside, son of Paul and Lois Keenliside of Plymptom, MA. Miss DeTrude earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Endicott College in 2008. She is employed as a Registered Nurse at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester. Mr. Keenliside earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Stonehill College in 2004. He is a police officer for the town of Pelham, NH and a Captain in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. CPT Keenliside is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot and has recently returned home from a deployment in Kuwait. A November 2011 wedding is planned.

Laura M. Hampe

Laura Marie Hampe, recently known as Laura Hoffmann, 45, died of cancer on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Concord Hospital.

Laura was born in Boston, MA, on January 27, 1966, to the late Joseph Hampe and Marylinda (Newcomb) Hampe of Concord.

A 1984 graduate of Tewksbury Memorial High School in Massachusetts, Laura later earned her Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from UNH and worked in a variety of settings involving seniors and children.

In addition to her mother, Laura’s family includes her husband, Karl Hoffmann of Deerfield; four children, Amanda Spiller, Benjamin Spiller, Julia Spiller, and Karl John Hoffmann, all of Deerfield; a brother, Dr. Stephen Hampe, sister-in-law Jessica, nephew Patrick and nieces Caitlyn and Joanna, all of Rome, NY.

Laura and her husband encountered many angels along the way in her final months, and they are all sincerely thanked.

For those interested in donations, please consider a bond type gift for Laura’s children for when they are ready for college.

Friends and family gathered at the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home to celebrate Laura’s life.

Tom Petit of Still Oaks assisted with arrangements and offers an on-line guest book at stilloaks.com.