There is an open position on the Ethics Committee and one on the Budget Committee. Anyone interested in either position, please contact the Town Moderator at 435-8022 or [email protected]

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Celebrating Birthdays are: August 25, Jeff Descoteau; August 26, Jodie Catalano, Sandy Boudreau, Shirley Genest; August 27, Kathy Bergeron, Secoya Hillsgrove; August 28, Sandra Courtemanche; August 31, Chris Plante, Chris Dunne, Andy Hubbard.

A Very Happy Birthday To One And All.

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Mike Brewster with his handy dandy screw gun after attaching a plaque to the concession stand addition at Pittsfield Youth Athletic Park. The plaque honors the Foss Family Foundation for contributing funds to erect the new restrooms and club house addition. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Foss and Mike who is helping with several other aspects of the park project as well.

 

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Letter To The Editor

We at the Pittsfield Food Pantry want to say “Thank You” to our many friends who have donated both time and money to the Food Pantry. Because of your generosity, we have been able to stay open during the lean summer months.

We had a “miracle” happen to us this past month. A member of the community celebrated a wedding anniversary. Instead of accepting gifts, each guest was asked to write out a check made payable to the Pittsfield Food Pantry. The gift was sizable and surely came in handy. What a way to celebrate - giving to the honoree’s favorite charity! To all the people who participated, a great big “thank you.”

The Food Pantry is strictly self-sustaining through your generous donations. We don’t receive any help from the Town.

As always, we are in need of specific items. At this time we need soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, juices of all kinds and any tomato products.

Again, our thanks,
Volunteers Of The Food Pantry

 

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School Lunch Menus
Aug. 30-Sept. 3

PES
Monday - Cheeseburger, salad, fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Taco salad, lettuce, tomato, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Ravioli, salad, dessert, milk.
Thursday - Chicken nuggets, veggie, fruit, milk.
Friday - No School

PMHS
Monday - No School
Tuesday - Chicken wrap, veggies, pears, milk.
Wednesday - Pasta, meatsauce, garden salad, baked dessert or fruit, milk.
Thursday - Cheeseburger, rolls, chips, pickles, fruit, milk.
Friday - No School

 

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Letter

Dear Pittsfield And Epsom Residents,
With election season right around the corner, it’s time to adequately prepare ourselves for the polls by giving careful consideration to the candidates who will best serve “we the people.” While many do not believe the Primary Election to be of significance, I could not disagree more. This is the time for voters to decide who will go to the General Election. We are without a doubt living in crucial times. Can we make a positive difference? Absolutely!  However, only if we each do our part by not only voting, but more importantly, voting responsibly.

“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate – look into his character” Noah Webster.

Jon Richardson is one such man with integrity and godly values who has my support for State Representative (Pittsfield, Epsom and Allenstown). I would urge you to take the time to familiarize yourself with him between now and heading to the election arena at www.richardsonnh.com. It won’t take long for you to see that he is not only enthusiastic and eager to serve, but he is also on the right side of some pressing issues. He believes in strengthening families, appropriate funding of education, maintaining a business friendly environment in New Hampshire and fiscal responsibility and accountability. If these matters are important to you, vote Jon Richardson in September and November.

Be sure to use discernment when exercising your right to vote. Primary Election: September 14th; General Election: November 2nd. Helpful websites: www.votesmart.org, www.sos.nh.gov. Know your candidates before voting on them.

Warmly,
Linda Small
Pittsfield

 

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Church Parsonage Dedicated
Submitted By Nella Hobson

Plaque at front door of parsonage shows dedication.

 

The Kristoferson family: John, Susan, Ralph, Elizabeth, David and Karen stand in the

forefront while Rev. Stasiak leads a litany of dedication at the parsonage’s front door.

The residence at 43 Russet Drive, Pittsfield, was officially dedicated this past Sunday by the Kristoferson family to the First Congregational Church for use as its parsonage.

It was the wish of Dorothy Freese Kristoferson that the house be purchased and given in memory of her grandfather, Rev. William Isaac Sweet (pastor of the church from 1911-1928), her mother, Elizabeth Sweet Freese, and her two aunts, Harriet Sweet Trace and Louise Sweet Cook. Dorothy passed away in August of 2009.

Stan Bailey, chairman of the church trustees, received the parsonage on behalf of the congregation for use by the pastor, Rev. David Stasiak and his wife, Linda.

The pastor led a short dedication ceremony at the home with the Ralph Kristoferson family and the congregation joining in a litany of dedication. He offered some remarks about the late Dorothy Freese Kristoferson and her love and kindness and also what a home is meant to be. 

Both Ralph and Dorothy Kristoferson grew up in Pittsfield and although they moved many times during Ralph’s Army career, retiring and residing in Texas, they both considered New Hampshire and the Pittsfield area their home, often spending summers in Gilmanton Iron Works.

Following the ceremony the attendees enjoyed refreshments and toured the home and grounds.

 

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Greater Pittsfield Chamber Of Commerce

The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce needs exhibitors for the next Business Showcase on Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 10:00-2:00 at the Pittsfield Elementary School Gymnasium. Businesses from member towns of Barnstead, Chichester, Epsom, Gilmanton, Loudon, Northwood and Pittsfield are welcome to display their business to the public. This year’s theme is “Business Showcase Goes Hawaiian!”

Concessions will be available and we will have a Grand Prize Drawing for visitors. For more information or to get an application visit our website at www.   pittsfieldchamber.org, call Lyn at 435-7170 or email: [email protected]. Applications are due by September 17, 2010.

 

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Friends Of The Suncook River Annual Meeting To Be held On Harvey Lake

Pack your kayak or canoe and join Friends of the Suncook River for a Potluck Annual Meeting on Harvey Lake. This year’s meeting will take place at 12:00 on Sunday, August 29th at members’, Paul and Claire Oman’s Blueberry Cottage.

Please register and receive directions by Saturday, August 28th for the meeting by calling Mary Fougere at 269-4264 or by emailing Friends of the Suncook River at [email protected].

 

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The 80 Year Old Orphan
By Lester Firstenberger

John is a Brit, naturalized now.
Lives ‘cross the street,
in a barn turned to house.
Orphaned at 10 when his parents were killed,
On a motorcycle ride that Left him uncared.
The War came soon after, and the Midlands did burst, with orphans of war and refugees small in girth.
As was the way of England,  for orphans back then, only one was chosen,
for school past grade 10.
And John it was not so apprenticed did he,
in Manchester with steel at the age of 16, his lot in life, was cast indeed, no change would be his, only toil and tea.
But then he availed
Himself to a gift,
to come to our country
and seek a new plow.
To Philly he came when only 19,
He signed on with Harry,
A soldier to be,
All 5 foot 8 and One hundred forty three
So to Korea he went,
2 years and a gap.
A signalman for the Air Force,
And that was all that
It got him a ride to Penn State for 4 years, a waiter and student, at 25 he did leave with forty dollars, three shirts, and his engineering degree
To the City he went
To make his life’s way,
To wed, and success.
And build great highways.
Ike was in office when his bride he had swept,
From Queens by St. Lucia,
Hunter College and High,
Marion was the picture that captured John’s eye.
After time in the Village
And life on their own,
To the Island they moved, soon, two kids and a home.

The Long Island Expressway John’s employer for life,
He was a designer of roads and bridges and pipes.
He worked for his 30 a pension he took, and headed to New Hampshire with his bride and his books.
He had been here 20 years when I came upon him, his bride, and a dog, his friends all around him.
They lived by the Pond in what is now my home,
They fixed up their barn and sold me my own.
My Sharel and I did come to know John,
And love him we do,
As the kids, they do too,
This kind, white haired Briton
who grew up an orphan.
This Briton was orphaned and fared on his own
A story of work, a virtue he knows.
His story’s unique, yet common enough.
To persevere with hope and rigor, makes luck.
The Johns of this world are fading away
I relish the moments  when we chat or spend days, a good man is John, few better or kind,
With smiles and heart as  he bids a “Good Day,” or parts our company with a “Peace in Our Time.”
I think of the course John’s life it has steered and wonder at Life of the man I know dear,
He’s lived these long days and more they will come The Johns of this world,  I’m lucky to know one.

 

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Loudon Maxfield Public Library

With a cool, refreshing theme of Make a Splash – Read! , the children’s Summer Reading Program was a big hit! Reading a total of close to 2,000 books, ninety-two kids put their library research, Internet, and word skills to work completing activity booklets and earning points to “spend” on prizes of their own choosing. Families are always encouraged to work together to finish the program. Prize Night is traditionally set up like a store where school supplies and a variety of fun items are perused and selected. Congratulations to the following participants:

Landon Abbott, Coen Albert, Aubrie Angwin, Madisen Bentzlin, Steven Bentzlin, Deanna Bourque, Sierra Bourque, Caden Brien, Dylan Brien, Gabe Corliss, Grace Corliss, Jesse Corthell, Walter Corthell, Olivia Croteau, Caroline Crouch, Thomas Crouch, Johanna Darling, Krisztian Davis, Sarah Davis, Emily Doody, Abraham Dunn, Elizabeth Dunn, Alannah Durica, Troy Durica, Katie Earle, Laura Earle, Caitlyn Fortier, Hayden Gardener, Lauren Gardener, Christopher Gelinas, Haleigh Gelinas, Darrian George, Grace George, Mason Graham, Mitchell Graham, Devin Guptill, Remus Harris, Romulus Harris, Kiana Henderson, Asher Hilton, Kathryn Ingerson, Asher Johnson, Elise Johnson, Seth Johnson, Brian Latham, Rebecca Latham, Samantha Lesmerises, Garrett Lewis, Lucy Lewis, Connor Littizzio, Elisa Lommen, Rebekah Lommen, Sophia Maslauskas, Vanessa Maslauskas, Lauryn Masse, Tyler Nichols, Harleigh Parker, Morgan Parrish, Melody Perron, Amber Radcliffe, Ashton Radcliffe, Ayden Radcliffe, Chloe Rattee, Tristan Rattee, Arden Renkert, Chloe Renkert, Noah Renkert, Julia Ricard, Isaac Roberts, Morgan Rule, Kristie Schoffield, Ryan Schoffield, Hallie Seltzer, Cole Sheppard, Ivy Sheppard, Jakob Stevens, Raechel Stevens, Ethan Stratton, Kiana Strobridge, Courtney Theberge, Emily Theberge, Kristen Therrien, Matthew Therrien, Clyde Thurber-Wells, Kora Thurber-Wells, Maizie Thurber-Wells, Andrew Tuson, Stanley Tuson, Thomas Tuson, Samantha Wills, Griffin Worster, and Sophie Worster.

A big thank you goes to our enthusiastic volunteers who baked or assisted the children with prize selections: Kathryn Bousquet, Sue Kowalski, Misty Martell, Scott Martell, Kelly Pedersen, Barbara Sullivan, and Laura Vincent.

As summer comes to a close, please remember the weekly story times will resume on September 14th   at 10:30 a.m., September 15th  at 2:00 p.m., and September 16th  at 10:30 a.m.

The library will be closed Saturday, September 4th, for Labor Day weekend. Library Hours.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

 

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Pittsfield Elementary School

First Day of School: Grades K-6 - Starts August 30, 2010.
Pre-School - Starts September 7, 2010.
Pre-School - 8:15 AM-11:00 AM
Kindergarten AM - 8:00 AM-11:00 AM
Kindergarten PM - 11:30 PM-2:30 PM
Grades - 1-6 - 8:00 AM-2:30 PM

Food Prices: Breakfast: $1.45; Lunch: $2.40; Reduced Breakfast Prices: $.30; Reduced Lunch Prices: $.40; Snack/Cold Lunch Milk or Juice: $.35.

Please make sure that you have your child’s lunch envelope clearly marked and sealed with the days and amount on the front of the envelope.

 

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Pittsfield School District Bus Routes

Listed are approximate times that students will be picked up. Students should be at the bus stop 5 minutes early.

Green Bus - Morning 
Mrs. Perlupo
6:55 AM Tilton Hill Road as far as #310 (before Wildwood Drive)
7:00 AM Stop at Wildwood Dr. - Hill Top Rd.(out Tilton Hill Rd. - do not cross street will pick up on the way back)
7:10 AM To school
7:15 AM Loudon Road, students to right side of road only
7:20 AM Targhee Road, Karacull Lane
7:25 AM Sweetfern Drive
7:30 AM Ingalls Road
7:35 AM Loudon Road, Students on left side of road
7:40 AM Back to School

Purple Bus - Morning
Mr. Marston
6:55 AM Governor’s Road to corner of route 107
7:00 AM Jenness Pond Road
7:01 AM Clough Road
7:03 AM End of Shingle Mill Brook Road
7:10 AM Tilton Hill Road as far as 310 Tilton Hill Road as far as Wildwood Drive
7:20 AM To School
7:30 AM Catamount Road
7:40 AM Berry Pond Road, Mountain Road, Sargent Road
7:45 AM White Brook Apartments
7:46 AM South Main Street
7:50 AM Back To School

Red Bus - Morning
Ms. Hill
6:50 AM Webster Mills Road
7:05 AM Dowboro Road, South Pittsfield Road
7:10 AM Turn at Tan Road
7:15 AM Quail Ridge Circle
7:25 AM To School
7:30 AM Lyford Hill Road
7:35 AM Leavitt Road out 28 to Kaime Road
7:40 AM Concord Hill Road
7:45 AM Back to School

Blue Bus - Morning
Ms. Bruedle
7:00 AM Lower Carroll Street, Barnstead Road to Lights - goes across to RT.107 up 107 townline
7:10 AM Lily Pond Road, Shaw Road, White Road
7:15 AM Route 28
7:20 AM Upper City Road, Molly Lane
7:25 AM Daroska Road, Siel Road
7:30 AM Returns to Upper City as far as Loudon Town Line
7:32 AM Eaton Road
7:35 AM Norris Road across Cameron Drive to Leavitt Road
7:50 AM To School

Orange Bus - Morning
Ms. Ramsey
6:45 AM Governor’s Road
6:50 AM Thompson Road
6:52 AM Johnson Road
6:55 AM Sanderson Road
7:05 AM To School
7:10 AM Cram Avenue
7:12 AM Dustin Park
7:14 AM Park Street
7:15 AM South Main Street - Town Hall
7:17 AM Back To School
7:20 AM Oak Street (By K2 Market)
7:21 AM Damsite
7:23 AM Bridgeview Apts.
7:24 AM Watson Street
7:26 AM Bridge Street & Chestnut Street
7:28 AM Back To School

Green Route - Afternoon Mrs. Perlupo
2:30 PM Leaves PES
2:32 PM Tilton Hill Road
2:35 PM Wildwood Drive
2:45 PM Goes To PMHS
2:50 PM Leaves PMHS
3:05 PM Loudon Road
3:15 PM Targhee Drive, Karacull Lane, Sweetfern Drive
3:25 PM Ingalls Road
3:30 PM Route Finished

 

Purple Route -  Afternoon Mr. Marston
2:30 PM Leaves PES
2:32 PM Blueberry Express
2:33 PM Cram Avenue, Carroll Street
2:35 PM 1/2 Dustin Park
2:36 PM Elm Street. Park Street
2:50 PM Goes to PMHS
2:55 PM Leaves PMHS
3:00 PM Tilton Hill Road (Past Wildwood Drive) Catamount Road
3:20 PM Johnson Road, Thompson Road
3:30 PM Governor’s Road
3:35 PM Route Finished

Red Route - Afternoon
Ms. Hill
2:30 PM Leaves PES
2:32 PM Lyford Hill Road, Leavitt Road, Out 28 to Dominicks Restaurant, Martel Road, Concord Hill Road
2:50 PM Goes to PMHS
2:55 PM Leaves PMHS
3:10 PM Lyford Hill Road, Leavitt Road, Out 28 to Dominicks Restaurant, Martel Road, Concord Hill Road
3:15 PM Quail Ridge Road
3:35 PM South Pittsfield Area Webster Mills Road
3:40 PM Route Finished
Blue Route - Afternoon Ms. Bruedle
2:30 PM LEAVES PES
2:32 PM South Main Street, Town Hall
2:35 PM White Brook Apartments
2:40 PM Goes to PMHS
2:50 PM Leaves PMHS
3:00 PM Barnstead Road
3:10 PM Shaw Road, Range Road (Only if students on road to ride)
3:15 PM 107 N to Town Line
3:20 PM Upper City Road, Molly Lane
3:25 PM Daroska Road, Siel Road
3:30 PM Upper City Road to Loudon Line, eaton Road, Norris Road, Across Cameron Drive to Leavitt Road
3:40 PM Route Finished

Orange Route - Afternoon  Mrs. Martin
2:30 PM Leaves PES
2:30 PM 1/2 Dustin Park
2:32 PM Oak Street (By K2 Market)
2:35 PM Damsite
2:40 PM Bridgeview Apts.
2:45 PM Bridge Street, Chestnut Street, Smith Street.
2:50 PM Goes to PMHS
2:55 PM Leaves PMHS
3:00 PM Route 107 South - Catamount Apartments as far as 424 Catamount Road
3:10 PM Berry Pond Road
3:15 PM Mountain Road
3:20 PM Route Finished

 

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Pittsfield Elementary School Our New School Year
Submitted By John J. Freeman, PhD., Superintendent Of Schools

Our 2010-2011 school year will see important improvements in our school district as we continue to work to provide a strong educational program that will support the success of the children and youth of Pittsfield. Highlights include:

Pittsfield Elementary School (PES) REACH:  Our Rigorous Expectations and Academic Challenges will begin in mid-October and provide daily opportunities for intervention and support for students who will benefit from additional literacy and math support as well as enriching opportunities to challenge students with strengths in these areas.

PES Responsive Classroom:  Several teachers received additional training this past summer; this year, we’re hoping to provide for stronger in-school leadership for this successful social skills program by arranging for two in-school coordinators.

PES Schedule:  Students will be dismissed daily at 2:30 p.m. (was 2:25 p.m.) to eliminate the after-school wait time for students taking second bus runs; we’ll now have just one bus run.  Also, we’ll schedule an early release day each month and dismissing at 11:30 a.m. (was 12:15 p.m.) to allow for additional staff development and planning time needed for continued school development.  (Kydstop, a program offered by our partner, the Concord YMCA, will be offering after-school care for early release days; information will be provided in the opening day packet coming home with students).

PES Science and Social Studies Blocks:  Longer blocks of time will be provided for science and social studies learning to allow for additional hands-on projects and field work for upper grade students.

PES Technology:  Technology can provide for stronger engagement of students and deeper learning; increased opportunities infuse technology into our classes will be provided (Parents and community members are invited to learn more about this during our Technology Conference to be held at PES from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 26; please call the school at 435-8432 to register.).

PES Writing: Longer blocks for student writing, an essential literacy skill and an area in which the need for improvement has been indicated by our state assessment results, will be provided to upper grade students.

Pittsfield Middle High School (PMHS) Advisories:  Student advisories will be refocused around three different program emphases, based on student needs in grades 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12; students will be assigned to advisories for two-year groupings to work with teachers within those grade level spans.  Also, advisories will be shortened and moved to the middle of the day, back-to-back with lunch periods.

PMHS College/Career Readiness: A new emphasis on post-secondary school planning will be developed over the next three years.  Elements include job shadowing, college campus visits, and individual career /interest self-assessments for students.

PMHS Course Competencies: A transition in the manner in which course credit is earned will occur over the next three years with an emphasis on student demonstration of specific course competencies rather than the traditional method that was based on seat time.

PMHS Extended Learning Opportunities: Opportunities to earn credit outside of school will support student interests and learning in areas that can not be offered within our school.  Students will be encouraged to learn by doing in out-of-school settings.

PMHS Extended Learning Time: Plans are being developed to revamp our summer school, open our library during out-of-school hours, and add a late bus to allow for increased opportunities for academic support and participation in extra-curricular activities.  We’re also planning to expand our extra-curricular offerings.

PMHS Personal Learning Plans and Student-Led Conferences: Students will be setting their own goals through the development of personal learning plans.  Students will also be taking responsibility for leading discussions when we transition from traditional parent/teacher conferences to student-led conferences.

PMHS Project-Based Learning: Students will find our development of project-based learning to be more engaging than the traditional lecture method of instruction.  Students will exercise a greater degree of choice as we make this shift over the next five years.

PMHS Schedule: Our schedule moves to a seven-period day this year (was eight periods) and also includes a late-start on Wednesdays for high school (grades 9-12 students); the late start will provide essential staff development and planning time on a weekly basis.  Middle school students (grades 7-8), reporting at the regular time on Wednesdays, will enjoy the benefit of academic support and enrichment during our Wednesday mornings.  The schedule will not include any early release days for PMHS students.

PMHS School Council:  Our new school council will allow for greater student and parent voice in decision-making.  Our student representatives have been elected, and we’re in the process of selecting our adult representatives.  Students will hold a majority of seats in our new council.

PMHS Student Leadership: Students will be engaged in identifying and addressing areas of needed improvement at PMHS. Students will be providing leadership for positive change in the climate and learning of our school.

PMHS Teaming:  Academic teams are now organized in three interdisciplinary groups: grades 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12.  The teams will more closely monitor the progress of each student and be empowered to design interventions for support and enrichment when and where needed.

District-Wide Bullying Prevention: We’ll be working with international bullying prevention expert Stan Davis over the next three years to eliminate bullying in our schools.

District-Wide Instructional Strategy Development: We’ll be working with a major educational research and support organization – WestEd – to help us develop our instructional repertoire of effective teaching and learning strategies.

These exciting developments – and more – are being supported through our district budget and a number of grant programs, including a competitive technology grant of $120,000+ awarded to the district last year and a school improvement grant of $2,000,000+ awarded to PMHS to begin this year.

The 2010-2011 school year will be an exciting one for our students, our schools, and our community.  As always, the strong support of the Pittsfield community is an essential element in our work to continuously improve the education of our children and youth.