SAU 16 Annual Report

Annual ReportSCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT 16

SERVING BRENTWOOD, EAST K INGSTON, EXETER , KENSINGTON, NEWFIELDS & STRATHAM

2010

AUGUST 2010

Member Schools

Swasey Central SchoolBrentwood, NH

East Kingston Elementary SchoolEast Kingston, NH

Lincoln Street SchoolExeter, NH

Main Street SchoolExeter, NH

Kensington Elementary SchoolKensington, NH

Newfields Elementary SchoolNewfields, NH

Stratham Memorial SchoolStratham, NH

Cooperative Middle SchoolStratham, NH

eLearning Charter SchoolTuck Learning Campus

Exeter, NH

Seacoast School of TechnologyTuck Learning Campus

Exeter, NH

Exeter High SchoolExeter, NH

Exeter Adult EducationTuck Learning Campus

Exeter, NH

Central Office

Michael A. MorganSuperintendent

Paul FlynnAssociate Superintendent

Laura H. Nelson, JDAssistant Superintendents

Esther AskellDirector of Curriculum and

Assessment (K-8)

Nathan LunneyChief Financial Officer

Tuck Learning Campus30 Linden Street

Exeter, NH 03833603.775.8400

www.sau16.org

Exeter School BoardPatrick O’Day - Chair

Kathy McNeill - Vice Chair John Maxwell

Kate Miller Jean Tucker

Brentwood School BoardCharlie Gargaly - Chair Pete Reed - Vice Chair

Liz Bryan Dianne Vosgien

Linda Garey

East Kingston School Board Stacy Penna - Chair

Robert Nigrello Christina Cassano Pelletier

Kensington School BoardDana Donovan - Chair

Cheryl CamachoAlice Mower

Newfields School BoardCarolyn Bellisio - Chair

James McIlroy Mike Price

Stratham School BoardTravis Thompson - Chair

Wendy Poutre - Vice ChairGary Giarrusso

Claire Ellis Luke Pickett

Exeter Region Cooperative School BoardTownley Chisholm - Chair (Exeter)

Dave Miller - Vice Chair (East Kingston)Elizabeth “Liz” Faria (Brentwood)

Kate Miller (Exeter)Kate Segal (Exeter)

Joni Reynolds (Kensington)Mike Grant (Newfields)

Patricia Lovejoy (Stratham)Jennifer Maher (Stratham)

SST Board of DirectorsBarbara Munsey (Epping)Susan Kimball (Epping)Michael Morgan (Exeter)Patricia Lovejoy (Exeter)

Dr. Hames Hayes (Newmarket)Chet Jablonski (Newmarket)Dr. Jean Richards (Raymond)

John Stewart (Raymond)Dr. Brian Blake (Sanborn)

Janet Hart (Sanborn)Dr. Robert Sullivan (Winnacunnet)

Dick Goodman (Winnacunnet)Margaret Callahan (Ex Officio)

Sam Bruno (Ex Officio)

Great Bay eLearning School Board of TrusteesRoy Morrisette - Chair

Lucy Cushman - Vice ChairKim Casey

Kent ChamberlinDr. Arthur Hanson

Ben HillyardChester “Chet” Jablonski

Patty LovejoyKim MartinBill Perkins

The School Boards of SAU 16

02 • SAU 16 ANNUAL REPORT

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SAU 16 Annual Report

04 Superintendent’s Report06 Swasey Central School Report08 Kensington Elementary School Report10 Newfields Elementary School Report 11 Stratham Memorial School12 Main Street School Report 13 East Kingston Elementary School Report14 Lincoln Street School Report16 Cooperative Middle School Report17 Exeter Adult Education Report18 Exeter High School Report20 Great Bay eLearning Charter School Report22 Seacoast School of Technology Report

03

The 2009-2010 school year concluded many student and

staff recognitions that are indicative and symbolic of the

outstanding educational opportunities that are afforded

to families within the SAU 16 communities. This included

teacher and student awards, athletic and sportsmanship

accomplishments, and academic achievements on many

levels.

Perhaps the most important success of the 11 schools

that comprise the third largest school administrative unit

in New Hampshire, however, is the significant involvement

of so many individuals in community service. In an eco-

nomic climate that has brought a severe burden to many

families, the outpouring of service projects by students

of all ages speaks volumes about the “head, hearts, and

hands” of the caring and commitment to helping others.

The “Do Good Denim Project” collected over 2500 pairs

of slightly used jeans and distributed them to northern

New Hampshire schools and communities that were se-

verely impacted by the clos-

ing of mills and the resulting

loss of hundreds of jobs. The

Cooperative Middle School

“Outreach Program” and

“Builders’ Club” joined forces

to amass funds and food to

distribute to over 100 families

during two different holiday

periods. From every elemen-

tary school to the Exeter Adult Education program and

from the Seacoast School of Technology Wright Start

Pre-School to the SAU Offices, money and food were col-

lected in a wide variety of ways to stock the shelves of

local food pantries. In the fall, the fifth graders and teach-

ers at Swasey Central School in Brentwood collected 38

boxes of food that were donated to the Pilgrim Church in

their community.

Some fourth graders at East Kingston Elementary

School sent personal letters, cards and hundreds of

pounds of candy to US troops overseas this year. Some

of the students have also served as greeters at the Pease

Tradeport when troops have returned to or departed

from the states. The “Kids Who Care” program at CMS,

in partnership with Buxton Oil Company provides fuel as-

sistance for needy families. Five members of the EHS Na-

tional Honor Society joined Coach Jim Tufts for the annu-

al Penguin Plunge at Hampton Beach recently. This event

supports NH Special Olympics. Student organizations at

EHS sponsored two blood drives for the American Red

Cross. As one of its many projects, Stratham Memorial

School collected food for the local SPCA.

Space limits the full listing of the many community ser-

vice initiatives, but it is important to stress that the con-

sideration of others is a constant theme within each of

the programs and schools of SAU 16. The idea of “giving

back” to a community that is so supportive of its schools

is essential for the transmission of the ideals and prac-

tices of good citizenship—at all ages.

From an academic perspective, the 424 Exeter High

School graduates in the Class

of 2010 achieved awards and

scholarships totaling in the

hundreds of thousands of dol-

lars. College acceptances in

at least 26 states, the District

of Columbia, and one foreign

country show the wide range

of influence that SAU 16 stu-

dents will have beyond our lo-

cal communities. Seventy-one percent (71%) of the class

was accepted at four-year colleges; 12% was accepted at

two-year colleges; 10 students will join the military.

In addition to the EHS graduation, it is important to

recognize the accomplishments of the students in the

Great Bay eLearning Charter School, the Exeter Adult

Education program, and the Seacoast School of Technol-

ogy. Each of these provides amazing opportunities for

students of all ages because they are focused on meet-

ing the learning styles and interests of students from a

wide geographical area. Having hosted three high school

graduations beginning with the Class of 2008, GBeCS

Superintendent’sReportThe Year in Reviewb y M I C H A E L A . M O R G A N

In an economic climate that has brought a severe burden to many families, the outpouring of service projects by students of all ages speaks volumes about the “head, hearts, and hands” of the caring and commitment to helping others.


now boasts of having 82 graduates. SAU 16 is fully com-

mitted to doing its best to meet the various academic

and social needs of its students and it does so with its

extensive offerings of programs and services.

The Cooperative Middle School students achieved sig-

nificant recognition for their outstanding test scores in the

New England Common Assessment Program. In addition

to making “Adequate Yearly Progress” in both reading

and math this year, 92% of the eighth graders and 91%

of the seventh graders scored “proficient or better” on

the reading component of the test. (State averages were

76% and 77% respectively.) On the math portion of the

test, 86% of the eighth graders and 85% of the seventh

graders scored at the “proficient or better” level. (State

averages were 66% in each of those grades in math.)

Exeter High School was awarded the Class L Sports-

manship Award for the fourth

consecutive year, making that

the 8th time in the last 11 years

that EHS earned this distinctive

recognition.

All of this hard work and the

accolades that are bestowed

upon the students of the differ-

ent schools are made possible

by the dedication, hard work,

effort, and commitment that

are displayed regularly by the

staff, parents, and volunteers

within our six communities.

So many individuals regularly

and consistently labor behind

the scenes to help our system

run smoothly, Certainly think

of the teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, and ad-

ministrators but do not lose sight of the custodial and

maintenance crews, the food and nutrition workers, the

administrative assistants, and business office staff. Their

professionalism and their collaboration are essential for

the daily function of an $85 million operation.

After serving in various capacities throughout the Co-

operative School District and the SAU for 13 years, As-

sistant Superintendent Tony Baldasaro resigned his cur-

rent position to accept a leadership role with the Virtual

Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) as of July 1,

2010. Ms. Esther Asbell, most recently Assistant Super-

intendent of SAU 56 in Somersworth and Rollinsford, will

replace Mr. Baldasaro in the role of Director of Curriculum

and Assessment for Grades K-8.

Principal Dennis Dobe of Newfields Elementary School

for the past seven and a half years resigned his position

to accept another principal position in Laconia as of July

1, 2010. Prior to his dedicated service to Newfields, Mr.

Dobe had worked as Assistant Principal at Stratham Me-

morial School. Mr. Dobe will be replaced by Ms. Helen Rist

who has been the Principal of Newington Public School

for the past several years.

The SAU is most grateful to both Mr. Baldasaro and Mr.

Dobe for their dedicated leadership and welcomes Ms.

Asbell and Ms. Rist to their new positions.

Throughout this past year over 60 students, commu-

nity representatives, and staff members have been dili-

gently involved in a Strategic Planning process that will

lead to some major initiatives and action plans over the

next five years. Focus Area committees have worked on

issues related to governance, special education, curricu-

lum and assessment, communications, lifestyle, design

and philosophy, and community involvement. A final re-

port is schedule to be released in the fall of 2010.

During 2010 voters approved all of the proposed op-

erating budgets and teacher con-

tracts in East Kingston, Kensington,

and Newfields, a paraprofessional

contract in Exeter, and an admin-

istrator contract in the Exeter Re-

gion Cooperative. The proposed

teacher contract for the Exeter Re-

gion Cooperative School District

(Coop) was defeated for the first

time since the Coop began in 1997.

National, regional, and local fi-

nancial difficulties that have in-

cluded high unemployment, many

home mortgage foreclosures, bal-

looning health insurance costs,

and unprecedented federal debt

have prompted state and local mu-

nicipalities and school districts to

scrutinize revenues and expenses more carefully because

of the property burdens faced by many residents. SAU

officials, Board Members, and Budget Committees take

this work very seriously. Our collective goal is to work in

the best interests of our 6,000 students while remaining

vigilant about the need to do this in the most cost effec-

tive manner.

This Annual Report provides an overview of the many

accomplishments and educational programs and services

available to students in SAU 16. The quality of these op-

portunities is made possible by the 1,200 employees who

collaborate and cooperate “to provide a rigorous and

comprehensive education that will prepare our students

for diverse post-secondary educational opportunities, a

competitive workplace, and active civic participation,” as

stated in the new SAU Vision Statement. The employees

of SAU 16 are the ones who bring the words in this report

to life. I am grateful to them and to the residents of our six

communities who have joined their resources to make the

schools in SAU 16 among the best in the state.

The quality of the educational programs and services within the district is made possible by the 1,200 employees who collaborate and cooperate “to provide a rigorous and comprehensive education that will prepare our students for diverse post-secondary educational opportunities, a competitive workplace, and active civic participation,” as stated in the new SAU Vision Statement.

05

There is much to be proud of and celebrated regarding

Swasey Central School. Joan Ostrowski has been recog-

nized as New Hampshire’s Elementary School Principal

of the year! For the past ten years, Mrs. Ostrowski has

helped each student to reach his or her potential. She

has supported staff members as they explored best prac-

tices and adopted new approaches to instruction. She

has guided the staff

to fulfill its mission to

provide children with

a solid foundation for

future learning, an un-

derstanding of the

connection between

education and life ex-

periences, an eagerness to challenge themselves aca-

demically, and the emotional strength to succeed as life-

long learners and productive citizens. The building goals

include identifying essential standards for curriculum at

each grade level, enhancing the instructional program

to meet each child’s needs, embracing The Responsive

Classroom® program, and identifying ways to reduce

electrical and paper consumption to ‘green’ the school.

The curriculum at Swasey Central School focuses on

the education of the whole child with high standards

in academic, emotional and physical growth. Academic

areas are supported by Everyday Mathematics, the 4

Blocks Literacy Model, inquiry based science, and experi-

ence based social stud-

ies programs. Technolo-

gy has been embedded

across all curriculum ar-

eas helping the students

become active partici-

pants in the 21st Century

Learning Community. As

a part of the Healthy Schools initiative, various opportu-

nities for physical activity are provided. Students par-

ticipate in two 40-minute periods of physical education a

week. Before and afterschool programs are coordinated

by Swasey staff and include cross country, jump rope

club, and yoga. Our school has a strong, positive environ-

Swasey Central SchoolBrentwood

Joan Ostrowski, the principal of Swasey Central School in Brentwood, has been recognized as New Hampshire’s Elementary School Principal of the year.

by Principal Joan Ostrowski


ment based on the Responsive Classroom and Second

Step social education programs.

Swasey students continue to perform well on the state

standardized assessment, the New England Common As-

sessment Program (NECAP). This year, 87% of students

scored proficient or above in the area of Reading and

87% of students scored proficient or above in the area of

Mathematics. Our professional staff continues to review

the NECAP results along with classroom assessments to

identify and remediate any areas of concern while rein-

forcing those skills in which we already excel. With the

help of everyone in our learning community, we will con-

tinue our work toward excellence for all.

Our school community is very excited about the new

walking trails and outdoor classroom areas that resulted

from the Timberland Serv-a-Palooza volunteer day. A

former Swasey and current Great Bay eLearning Char-

ter School student, Jennifer Poggi, took on this project

last spring. Timberland volunteers, in coordination with

Swasey and GBeCS students, cleaned and marked trails,

created outdoor classrooms, and added new flower and

vegetable beds to Swasey’s beautiful courtyard. A solar

powered weather station was provided by the Parent-

Faculty Group and is used by the students to learn about

weather and support the science curriculum. These out-

door learning environments are utilized and enjoyed by

every grade level and across curriculum areas.

Serving the community has been an ongoing theme

at Swasey Central School. Each classroom or grade level

identifies a community service project as their focus for

the school year. As a result, coat, food, and pet supply

collections were organized to meet identified needs of

the community. The Brentwood Teachers’ Association

sponsored a Red Cross Blood drive and the Swasey staff

supported the Brentwood Fire Department’s annual holi-

day drive for needy families. Second graders caroled for

the Rockingham Nursing Home residents and Brentwood

senior citizens. Fourth graders sponsored a school-wide

recycling program and can be seen cleaning the scuff

marks off of the floors. By students and staff support-

ing community service projects, our students have made

strengthened connections with the building and town.

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Budget Trends (in millions)

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89B Y T H E N U M B E R S

The percent of staff members at Swasey Central School that have a Masters degree or higher (26 of 32).

07

Kensington Elementary School is one of the seven el-

ementary schools in SAU #16. It began the 2009-2010

school year with 200 students in grades K-5. Our Mission

Statement is: At Kensington Elementary School, we work

together with families and community members to pro-

vide a safe learning environment that fosters academic,

emotional, social and physical growth for all students.

The 2009-2010 school year was a very exciting and

busy one for the whole community. Once again, the PTO

and Enrichment Committee put together a calendar of

events/activities for staff, students and families. For our

fifteenth year, KES received the Blue Ribbon Award for

the outstanding volunteer program that we have at our

school. We would not be able to accomplish all that we

do without the help of our parent and community vol-

unteers. We worked with the Kensington Youth Athletic

Association, the Kensington Recreation Department and

the Kensington Public Library to sponsor events at KES

that benefited the entire Kensington community.

The KES Vision Statement is “It is the vision of the KES

families, staff and community that our students are pre-

pared to be contributing members of the ever-changing

world by becoming independent lifelong learners.” We

believe: in high academic standards; all students can

learn; children learn best in a safe and nurturing environ-

ment; learning is best when students and teachers are

passionate about education; learning can be fun; that a

partnership among community, family and school is nec-

essary for learning; in respect,

responsibility and citizenship;

in educating the whole child;

in fostering the creativity in

each child; in teaching chil-

dren to understand them-

selves as learners; in foster-

ing a strong sense of self; in

promoting a healthy child; in

making students of Kensington aware of their place in the

world; that good communication skills are necessary to

succeed; in fostering social skills among children; a suc-

cessful student will possess good study habits; and that

all KES students will leave prepared to meet the challeng-

es in their academic futures. The KES professional and

support staffs participate in ongoing professional devel-

opment initiatives within the building, within the SAU and

by attending outside offerings of workshops and/or col-

lege courses. Professional Development is important be-

cause it helps us to stay current on best practices, keeps

us fresh and energized and keeps reinforcing the need

for us to be lifelong learn-

ers. Through professional

development and our Pro-

fessional Learning Com-

munity (PLC), we are able

to successfully achieve

our annual school goals.

For the 2009-2010 school

year the KES school goals

included: continuing to use best practices while imple-

menting all the SAU Curriculum areas and NH State Stan-

dards and this year we focused on Literacy; improving

our individual technology skills and integrating technol-

ogy into our grade level curriculum; and reviewing the

KensingtonElementary

SchoolKensington

For its fifteenth year, Kensington Elementary School has received the

Blue Ribbon Award, which recognizes schools with an outstanding

volunteer program.

by Principal Barbara Switzer


results of student learning from various assessments to

improve our instruction with children.

Kensington Elementary School is the best place to work

and visit! The building is filled with smiling, happy stu-

dents who really care about one another and who are

ready to learn about anything at any time. The staff is

friendly, dedicated, creative, and knowledgeable and they

all love children. At the end of the day, you can see staff

standing in the hallways telling stories from the day and

laughing with, or seeking support from, each other. The

parents spend countless hours working along side us in

the classrooms, sponsoring school-wide activities that al-

low us to enjoy each other in a playful way, assisting us

by performing the routine tasks that must get done and

cooperating with the staff to support their children with

their daily school work. The Kensington School Board

and the Kensington community continue to support all of

our efforts and they truly value the importance of educa-

tion for all children in Kensington. Once again, thanks

to everyone mentioned above, we had a very productive

and successful 2009-2010 school year at KES.

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09

The 102 year-old front entrance provides an old-fashion

one-room schoolhouse feel to Newfields Elementary

School (NES) and although it has had four major reno-

vations since 1907, the staff and community of NES cer-

tainly continue to portray that feeling today.

Fourteen classroom and special education teachers,

seven part-time specialists, and twelve part-time educa-

tional assistants work hard to fulfill the school’s mission

to their 170 pre-k through fifth grade students. That mis-

sion is: To encourage academic excellence in a nurturing

environment where all individuals are valued intellectu-

ally, emotionally, artistically, socially and physically and

are empowered to develop to their maximum potential

so they can make contributions to the global community.

Newfields Elementary School, just like its home town,

is proud of its heritage. Initially a part of Exeter, modern

day Newfields, along with Newmarket, broke away from

Exeter in 1727 and became South Newmarket. With the

Parish of Newmarket’s decision to become it’s own town

in 1949, the village of Newfields remained, although it did

not get its current name until 1895 when Dr. John Brod-

head left funds for a new town library with the stipula-

tion that the town change it’s name to its now familiar

Newfields. With its location on the Squamscott River and

its roots in the early Great Bay manufacturing and ship-

ping community, Newfields has now grown into an 1,800

resident strong bedroom community with many of its

residents now commuting to Massachusetts.

Newfields Elementary SchoolNewfields


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by Principal Dennis Dobe (2003-2010)


In 1716 when members of the small seacoast community

first petitioned for a town charter, one of their key de-

sires was for a school. Education in the town started even

before a school was built, when a teacher was hired to

teach in private homes. Seventeen years after the town

acquired a charter, two schoolhouses were built. The

new buildings were built with minimal luxuries and ame-

nities for about $100.00. Seating within the school was

comprised of benches without backs or writing tables.

There was not even a record of having a chalkboard in the

building. They did have one writing table where students

learned to write with a goose quill pen. All of the fur-

nishings and supplies totaled about 10 dollars. Twenty-

eight years later, two more schools were built dividing the

town into four districts within walking distance for every

Stratham resident.

Today, there still exist some similarities and beliefs that

travel back to its earlier foundations. Education is the

essence of growth and the root for prosperity. The focus

of developing the whole child - socially, emotionally, and

scholastically - are incorporated into their everyday learn-

ing. All of the students, preschool through fifth grade, are

challenged in many capacities on a daily basis. The level

of excellence Stratham Memorial School seeks to achieve

has greatly influenced the core curriculum in the develop-

ment of a 21st century learner. Where chalkboards, slates,

quills and benches once stood, now finds students us-

ing ipods, ipads, and writing with wikis or blogs from the

many integrated technological advances.

Sprawling across 37 acres along the northwest corner

of Stratham, the school building holds 640 students in 37

classrooms. Recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award for the

past fourteen years, the school and community prides it-

self on a well-developed partnership. The 59 members

of the professional staff has averaged thirteen plus years

as experienced educators for students. Enhancing their

craft, 52 of the group has attained their Master’s Degree

or better. The well-maintained campus provides students

with an abundance of opportunities for physical, social,

emotional and academic development and well-being.

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StrathamMemorial

SchoolStratham

12.8B Y T H E N U M B E R S

Percent growth of Stratham’s population since 2000. Currently, the town has 7,206 residents.

by Principal Tom Fosher

11

Main Street SchoolExeter

Located within walking distance of Exeter’s historic

downtown and a neighbor to the prestigious Phillips Ex-

eter Academy, the Main Street School services families

of pre-kindergarten through second grade. As a historic

building, Main Street School provides the

foundations from which Exeter students

can grow and reach the high quality of

education the community values and ex-

pects.

Well known for its commitment to en-

sure that all students begin their experi-

ence in a facility where the entire staff

values and respects each learner, the

Main Street School is proud of its affilia-

tion with the Exeter Developmental Pre-

school which helps provide quality edu-

cation services for those who qualify.

Main Street’s mission is to provide a positive, safe learn-

ing environment that fosters a life-long love of learning

for all with respect for individual strengths and needs.

The community strives to create and maintain a positive

by Principal Steve Adler

and safe learning environment that will lead to intellec-

tual, physical, social, and emotional growth and the de-

velopment of positive self-esteem. It is the responsibility

of the staff, administrators, parents and community to

foster this environment.

We are committed to meeting the

needs of all children. We recognize

and respect individual differences and

want to help each child develop his/

her potential. We strive to develop the

whole child through a well-rounded

program, which includes challenging

and varied activities built upon the

curriculum.

We wish to promote a life-long love

of learning by encouraging curios-

ity, problem-solving, cooperation, and

individual responsibility. Maintaining a strong working

partnership with the parents and guardians of our stu-

dents is essential to achieving all of our goals at the Main

Street School.

Main Street’s mission is to

provide a positive, safe learning

environment that fosters a life-long

love of learning for all with respect for

individual strengths and needs.



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“Learning Empowers All People” is the mission statement

of the East Kingston Elementary School (EKES), a K-5

public school nestled in picturesque East Kingston, NH.

With a population of only 200+ students, EKES is proud

of its reputation as a student-centered community of

learners.

We build on this concept daily as we come to know

each of our student’s learning style, interests and person-

al needs. As educators and community members work-

ing in the best interest of our students, we all share in the

understanding that what we value, both individually and

as a community is demonstrated through our programs,

practices and affliations.

Community and a strong sense of belonging is at the

heart of our daily work; we hold regular school-wide

meetings where we greet one another, share messages

and celebrations, salute the flag, and sing songs. Stu-

dents and teachers alike are continually giving back to

the broader community. For example, last year the fifth

grade raised over $2000 to support the Pennies for Peace

East Kington

Elementary School

East Kingston

by Principal Jim Eaves

13

Program that builds schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

To further establish a sense of community, EKES has an

annual theme that brings commonality to our experienc-

es and learning, This year’s theme is, “Our Big Back yard.”

Throughout the year we will be visited by authors, illus-

trators, musicians, artists and a wide variety of experts

who will strengthen our understanding of our community,

state and country.

As a collaborative partner for the past seven years,

EKES is a host site for UNH graduate level education in-

terns. The internship program allows us to support pre-

service teachers while fostering ongoing professional de-

velopment opportunities for our teachers. This year we

are hosting eight interns at our school.

EKES is continually seeking new ways to save mon-

ey and reduce our carbon footprint, and was recently

awarded a $300,000 federal grant to install a solar power

array large enough to generate over 60% of our school’s

electrical needs. The monies will also be used to update

the heating system.

With an enrollment of 505 students in grades three

through five, Lincoln Street School has had a most pro-

ductive and successful 2009-10 school year. Our award

winning Volunteer Program, winners of the State Blue

Ribbon Achievement Award for more than 20 consecu-

tive years, continues to provide exceptional support to

our academic and extra-curricular pro-

grams. Our extremely helpful Parent

Teacher Organization has consistently

supported our school by sponsoring

outstanding cultural programs for our

students, as well as assisting with the

funding of fieldtrips and the cost of

teacher-bought classroom materials.

Additionally, our very active Student

Council has worked diligently to sup-

port several community-based service

projects this year. This included a No-

vember Food Drive to help stock our

local food banks and a “Holiday Card”

project to provide greeting cards to seniors through the

Meals on Wheels Program and to our service men and

women through the Pease Greeters Program. The Council

also sponsored fundraisers, raising several thousand dol-

lars for the Chamber of Commerce Children’s Fund and

the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Efforts to collect food

items for the Stratham SPCA, as well as our involvement

with a local Sneaker Recycling Program were also note-

worthy Student Council projects.

Further, the 2009-10 school year has allowed for sev-

eral significant celebrations. In February, we joined with

the town of Exeter to commemorate the 150th anniver-

sary of Abraham Lincoln’s historic visit to Exeter. Addi-

tionally, through a grant from the NH Council on the Arts

and PTO support, our grade 5 students participated in

a most enriching experience through their

work with visiting poet, Rick Agran. This

special program resulted in each grade

5 student combining a digital photo-

graph with a poem he/she had created,

culminating in a wonderful student book

of poetry entitled, “Echoes”. Also, as the

Grade 5 Class Gift, our fifth graders creat-

ed some beautiful posters of their digital

photography which will be permanently

displayed throughout our school. Other

major celebratory events included two

drama productions, Grade 4, “Willy Won-

ka” and Grade 5, “Aladdin”; several Music

concerts during March, “Music in our Schools” month; and

our culminating celebration of the Arts on “Integrated

Arts Night” in May.

To conclude, Lincoln Street School has enjoyed a most

successful 2009-10 school year with our continued ef-

forts to promote educational excellence and student re-

sponsibility. Our school has been very fortunate to enjoy

a terrific partnership between staff, parents and the over-

all Exeter community.

Lincoln Street School has

enjoyed a most successful 2009-10

school year with our continued

efforts to promote educational

excellence and student

responsibility.

by Principal Dick Keays


800

1000

1200

200920082007200620052004200320022001

Lincoln Street SchoolExeter

Enrollment Trends for LSS & MSS

Budget Trends (in millions) for LSS & MSS

D I D YO U K N O W ?

Robinson Female Seminary Memorial Nature Trail (behind Lincoln Street School) has been certified as a “Wildlife Habitat” (one of 10 in NH) by the National Wildlife Association.


Destination Imagination, Team Eternity, placed 22nd of 67 teams at the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee in May 2010.

S P O T L I G H T

Volunteerism

$9

$12

$15

10-1109-1008-0907-0806-0705-0604-0503-0402-0301-02

15

A desire to volunteer is a developing trend among

students in SAU 16. The number of volunteer focused

groups and clubs has grown tremendously in the last

decade and will continue to expand in the coming

school year with the implementation of new programs

such as Link Crew at Exeter High School.

If you ask advisors Mrs. Supple, Mrs. Roether or Mr.

Forbes how valuable they think Link Crew will be to stu-

dents, they’ll tell you its one of the best things to hap-

pen at Exeter High School. Based on the unprecedented

number of applicants the program received, it seems

students agree.

Link Crew is an experimental program in which stu-

dents of all grades attend team building events to de-

velop their sense of fellowship at EHS. “Link Crew allows

freshmen and upperclassmen to develop relationships

that make the overall transition from middle school to

high school much easier for freshmen,” said senior Molly

Chesterton, who will take part in Link Crew this fall.

Special Olympics is a volunteer program at EHS that

takes place each spring. During the events, special ath-

letes are teamed with student volunteers. The competi-

tion allows kids to get to know each other and often

leads to a personal connection. “I joined Special Olym-

pics because I wanted to make a difference in these kids’

lives. I’ve made a ton of friends and these connections

have had an influence in my life and theirs,” said senior

Kerin Toothaker.

Peer Outreach, which focuses on the well-being of the

student population, is a long running student to student

volunteer club. For many freshmen, Peer Outreach helps

them have a recognizable face to look up to during their

first few months at Exeter High School.

Other groups that focus on the needs of communi-

ties all over the world include Schools for Schools and

STAND. Schools for Schools is an international program

whose branch at EHS was started by students and

focuses on the re-building of schools in the war ridden

nation of northern Uganda. Students help to plan fund

raisers and each year they attend an annual rally event in

Boston that supports this cause.

STAND, which sends money and aid to support the

fight against genocide in Darfur, has become one of the

most vivacious volunteer groups at EHS. The group finds

creative ways to volunteer their time to insure that they

are capable of sending aid over to remote villages in the

African country of Darfur. Last year, students dressed

up in cow costumes and paraded around the cafeteria

in hopes of raising funds to send a cow to a village in

Darfur for food and milk.

Volunteer work within the SAU 16 community is easy

to find and hard to ignore. The doors are wide open for

student participation and these opportunities give stu-

dents a chance to use their creative energy for the good

of the community.

The Cooperative Middle School students and staff con-

tinue to embody its mission statement “to provide a chal-

lenging, safe, and healthy learning environment designed

to meet the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of

all students.”

Significant to this effort is the achievement of Adequate

Yearly Progress as part of the New England Common As-

sessment Program (NECAP). During this past year, CMS

students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 scored significantly above

the NH state average in Reading and Math.

Three CMS teachers were recognized for outstanding

educational practices. Language Arts teacher Janet Prior

received the English Teacher of the Year Award. Library

Media Specialist Deidre Whall received the Outstanding

Library Specialist Award. Language Arts teacher Sarah

Cook was selected as a finalist for the 2011 Teacher of the

Year award. Social Studies teacher, Bob Schur, was also

honored as the well-deserved recipient of the prestigious

Eustis Award for service to SAU 16 at the beginning of the

2009-2010 school year.

Community Service continues to be a focus as evi-

denced by the student, family, and staff support of pro-

grams such as the Kids Who Care initiative, Do Good Denim project, assistance for local food pantries, and the

Community Outreach program.

In an effort to better prepare students for a high school

education, CMS and the Seacoast School of Technology

(SST) began a student mentor program that encourages

Cooperative Middle School

Stratham

Enrollment Trends

1500

200920082007200620052004200320022001

1200

by Principal Tom O’Malley interested middle school students to explore learning op-

tions at SST. Through this program, students are able to

explore their interests and select intriguing high school

courses.

CMS is also constantly striving to integrate technology

in the learning environment. Teachers at CMS received

professional development to learn how to use Apple’s

iTouch technology as a 21st Century teaching/learning

tool. CMS was well represented in a year-long SAU-wide

initiative, Powerful Learning Practices. This involved over

twenty-five local educators who worked in small groups

to explore and create online, connected, technology-

based instructional practices that could be shared with

students.


Exeter Adult Education serves a wide range of people,

needs, and geographic areas. Located in the Tuck Learn-

ing Campus (former Exeter High School building) on Lin-

den Street in Exeter, individuals ranging in age from 16-89

attend either academic or enrichment classes at the TLC

or work individually in the community through the Adult

Learner Services Program. Classes and GED® (General

Education Development) testing are also available for in-

mates in the Rockingham County House of Correction in

Brentwood.

There are numerous academic programs provided

each year. Adult Basic Education classes are offered both

mornings and evenings for adults to learn or improve their

basic reading, writing, and math skills. GED preparation

classes are also offered mornings and evenings for stu-

dents who did not complete high school and who want

to earn a credential to qualify them for college or em-

ployment opportunities. Instruction focuses on grammar,

essay writing, reading comprehension and math problem

solving (including algebra and geometry).

Earning a GED certificate involves passing five timed

tests: Language Arts Writing, Science, Social Studies,

Language Arts Reading and Mathematics. Exeter Adult

Education is an official New Hampshire GED testing site.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes

meet mornings and evenings. Students take a placement

test to determine their class level: beginner, intermediate

or advanced.

Adult Basic Education and ESOL classes are free. These

classes have open enrollment throughout the school year,

and a small summer program is offered for continuing

students. Funding is through state and federal grants,

enabling students from any NH town to attend.

Adult High School Diploma Program offers tuition-

based high school credit courses in the evening, includ-

ing English, social studies, science, math, and computers.

Students may earn an Exeter Adult High School diploma

or take courses for college prerequisites or high school

credit recovery. The diploma program has two 15-week

semesters/year, a stringent attendance requirement and

small class size. Many adult diploma students work full

time and attend evening classes.

The Adult Learner Services Program of Rockingham

County offers adult learners free, confidential, one-to-

one or small group instruction in basic reading, writing,

math, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL),

and preparation for the GED.

Volunteer tutors receive training, instructional materi-

als, and on-going support as they work in partnership

with their students to achieve individual goals. Instruc-

tional time and location are individually arranged for each

tutor/student pairing, with most meeting in community

locations like the public library.

The Enrichment Program offers evening classes for

community members to learn a new skill, meet people,

and have fun! Course offerings include computers, money

matters, health & wellness, home & crafts, and personal

& professional development. Class may be a one-night

workshop or an eight-week course.

New offerings and standard class schedules are avail-

able in program brochures or at www.sau16.org/adult.

htm or call the Exeter Adult Education office at 775-8457.

Adult EducationExeter

by Director Leslie Haslam

17

When Exeter High School moved from its 93 year-old

home in downtown Exeter to its current location on the

outskirts of town, it brought its tradition of excellence

with it. With its challenging academic program, its many

co-curricular offerings, and its all-state athletic program,

Exeter High School offers the Exeter Cooperative Region

a comprehensive high school able to meet the needs of a

variety of students.

With a full complement of

courses in 12 departments,

Exeter High School has a

wide variety of offerings

for its students. Whether a

student is studying an in-

troductory course, or one

of Exeter High School’s ad-

vanced placement courses, students are able to find a

course that not only challenges them academically, but

also provides the opportunity to explore areas of interest.

Exeter High School is affiliated with the community col-

lege system of New Hampshire through which students

can enroll in specified college courses taken at the high

school during the school day. In all content areas Exeter

High School students are taught by staff members who

believe in the school’s mission: The Exeter High School

community strives to provide a rigorous and comprehen-

sive education that inspires and challenges all students to

become engaged and successful adults.

Beyond the classroom, Exeter High School provides

opportunities for stu-

dents to participate in

many co-curricular activi-

ties. Athletic support at

EHS is evidenced by the

many individual student

and team state champi-

onships awarded to the

school along with being

the recipient of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Ath-

letic Association (NHIAA) Class L Sportsmanship Award

for four of the last six years. With its tradition of excel-

lence, its state-of-the-art facility, and its commitment

to the families of the Exeter Cooperative Region, Exeter

High School is truly a cornerstone to our community.

Exeter High SchoolExeterby Principal Vic Sokul

The Exeter High School community strives to provide a rigorous and

comprehensive education that inspires and challenges all students to become

engaged and successful adults.


Budget Trends (in millions) for EHS & CMS

$20

$30

$40

$50

10-1109-1008-0907-0806-0705-0604-0503-0402-0301-02

Enrollment Trends

200920082007200620052004200320022001

1700

1500

Staff Awards & RecognitionsThe following staff members of SAU 16 received awards this past year:

Angela Lennox, Exeter High School2010 Excellent Teacher Award

NH Society of Professional Engineers

Susan Argyros, Exeter High SchoolRunner-Up for 2010 English Teacher of the Year

Amy Vandersall, Exeter High School2010 Social Studies Teacher of the Year NH Association of Social Studies Teachers

Joan Ostrowski, Swasey Central School2010 Elementary Principal of the Year

Sarah Cook, CMSFinalist for 2011 Teacher of the Year

Janet Prior, CMS2010 English Teacher of the YearNH Association of English Teachers

Deidre Whall, CMS2010 Outstanding Library Specialist

NH Educational Media Association

Laurie Eldridge, SST Administrative Assistant2010 Running Start Advocate Award Community College System of NH

Anne DeMarco, SSTConnor Award (2010 Teacher and Advisor of the Year for Future Farmers of America)

Paul Flynn, SAU2010 Outstanding Community Service AwardNH School Administrators Association

A number of factors contribute to the success of

Exeter Blue Hawks athletics. Fantastic coaching, led by

Athletic Director William Ball, has a positive influence

on player development. With great athletic programs

at the middle school level, athletes are ready for high

school sports once they are freshmen. The freshmen

and Junior-Varsity teams assist players to reach the

competitive and successful varsity levels. The values of

teamwork, enthusiasm, and dedication are effectively

ingrained into Blue Hawk players’ minds throughout

their years.

Exeter High School’s first-class athletic facilities are

representative of how seriously the school takes its

sport. The William D. Ball Stadium at Eustis Field com-

bines state-of-the-art lighting, audio technology, and a

grass-turf field to make for a truly professional feel when

one steps foot in the stadium. The stadium has capac-

ity for 3,200 fans, and there is plenty of extra standing

room. The field itself is made of turf known as FieldTurf,

which is also used in Nashua’s Stellos Stadium and on

the Phillips Exeter Academy field.

Sportsmanship is highly valued at Exeter High School.

The gymnasium holds the Sportsmanship Awards that

Exeter has won. Over the past eleven years, Exeter has

won eight NHIAA class L Sportsmanship Awards.

It is no surprise that Exeter High School’s phenomenal

athletic program produces many seniors who advance

to play their sport for a college team. This past year,

Exeter graduated 29 seniors who will continue to play

sports at the collegiate level. Of those 29 seniors, 6 will

play for a Division I college or university.

With such an extensive array of athletic talents, re-

sources, and values, the Exeter High School name will

always be associated with sports. Given the success

of the Blue Hawks in the past year, coupled with great

coaching, exceptional playing facilities, and the values

of teamwork and sportsmanship, the Blue Hawks will

continue to fly high.

S P O T L I G H T

Blue Hawk Athletics

19

Located at The Tuck Learning Campus at 30 Linden

Street in Exeter, the Great Bay eLearning Charter School

(GBeCS) serves students in grades eight through twelve.

As one of eleven approved publicly chartered schools op-

erating in New Hampshire in 2009-2010, GBeCS provides

students with a project-based education based upon

the assessment of curriculum competencies in a flexible

classroom environment. Educational technology is a part

of our program, but our success is due to the strong re-

lationships that exist between and among our students,

staff, and parents.

GBeCS was chartered in 2004 by the New Hampshire

Board of Education, as a result of its application by the

Exeter Region Cooperative School District. It is overseen

by a separate Board of Trustees, but actively engages

with both SAU 16 and the Exeter Cooperative School Dis-

trict in its operation.

The mission of GBeCS is to provide alternative ways to

serve those students who are “underserved” in some way

by the traditional educational system. Not all students

learn the same way and at the same pace and some sim-

ply need a smaller learning environment. The school

opened in January, 2005 with 35 students in grade nine

and has evolved to include grades eight through twelve

Great Bay eLearning Charter SchoolExeter

and approximately 150 students.

As a chartered public school receiving the majority of

its funding directly from the State of New Hampshire,

GBeCS is required to accept qualified students from any

NH town or city, but our student body has consistently

included 67-70% of students from SAU 16 communities.

Five districts, including the Exeter Region Cooperative

School District, provide additional financial support to

GBeCS allowing us to maintain a per pupil cost of ap-

proximately $8,000 for 2009-2010. The school also sup-

ports its programs through fund-raising activities by its

dedicated parents group and staff.

GBeCS rents program space at the Tuck Learning Cam-

pus and contracts with SAU 16 for administrative, busi-

ness, and technology services. Our school cost-shares

with Seacoast School of Technology and Exeter High

School’s Alternative Education Program for health servic-

es on campus and our classrooms, equipment and educa-

tional technology have been made available in support of

the Exeter Adult Education program which utilizes them

at night for their classes throughout the school year.

As of June, 2010, three graduating classes totaling 83

students have earned diplomas from the school. As a

requirement of our program, all 83 students have applied

and been accepted to attend at least one post-secondary

school or program after high school.

by Co-Principals Peter Stackhouse and Cheryl McDonough


SAU 16 continues to integrate technology into the cur-

riculum to provide a modern learning environment that

prepares students for today’s technology-infused work-

place. The regular use of digital tools promotes creative

thinking and allows students to work with up-to-date

software to produce high quality projects and presenta-

tions.

Moreover, technology facilitates communication be-

tween students, teachers and parents. School-to-home

communication websites such as Homeworknow.com

and Moodle are utilized by teachers to enhance some

aspects of the learning process. Students can be bet-

ter organized by checking their teacher’s page for the

week’s assignments. They have instant access to class

resources such as websites and class notes. Other uses

include online quizzes, a blog, and submitting assign-

ments electronically.

Parents also have access to student information in-

cluding progress reports, attendance and grades history

through PowerSchool. This system was used to provide

electronic scheduling for students at Exeter High School

for the 2010-2011 academic year. Beyond this, Power-

school gives parents access to their child’s attendence,

grades, and the status of assignments. Besides being

uses by teachers for state reporting and grading, Pow-

erschool links the schools of the SAU, enabling instant

communication of information such as medical alerts.

Students with disabilities are directly benefited by

specialized software programs that enable total learn-

ing. Skills Tutor guides students through multiple levels

of practice on skills and concepts from across the cur-

riculum and is used to measure student progress for

various assessments. Last year, CMS deployed two mini

mobile computer labs for targeted use by students with

special needs.

The ever-growing Web 2.0 lexicon, which includes

all interactive Internet applications such as blogs and

Facebook, means students are increasingly engag-

ing in the web as they create content and publish their

thoughts. Both in school and at home, students practice

their 21st Century Skills. Within the context of rigorous

academics, according to research commissioned by the

North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, this skill

set includes digital-age literacy, inventive thinking, high

productivity and effective communication. The SAU

fosters the growth of these skills and supports students

in becoming a part of the Web 2.0 community.

As technologies grow and improve every year, the

skills and knowledge needed to fully utilize those tech-

nologies change. SAU 16 remains committed to prepar-

ing students to fully participate, develop, communicate

and collaborate with the 21st century world.

S P O T L I G H T

Technology andthe Classroom

Enrollment Trends

60

90

120

150

20092008200720062005

A Progressive EducationIn 2008 GBeCS was awarded recognition as “A School of Promise” by the New Hampshire EDies Committee.

100% of GBeCS graduates since the first graduating class (2008) have been accepted to at least one post-secondary program.

GBeCS teachers work with students in two teams—lower school (grades 8 and 9) and upper school (grades 10-12)

Each GBeCS student has a faculty advisor with daily meeting/check-in opportunities built in to our schedule.

The cost per pupil at GBeCS for 2010-2011 is anticipated to be approximately $8,100.

Students with identified educational disabilities make up approximately 34% of our enrollment. GBeCS implements all Individualized Education Plans and works with students’ resident district for any required services support.

21

I N S I D E L O O K

Located in Exeter and a member of SAU 16, the Seacoast

School of Technology provides a unique, focused career

and technical education program for students who at-

tend Epping, Exeter, Newmarket, Raymond, Sanborn Re-

gional and Winnacunnet High Schools. By combining a

Seacoast School of Technology program with an appro-

priate sequence of courses at their sending high schools,

students prepare themselves for a variety of college and

career options after graduation.

All sending school students who are in grades 11 and 12

are eligible to attend all Seacoast School of Technology

programs. Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to enroll

in Biotechnology. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to

enroll in Pre-Engineering. Students who have completed

one year of high school are eligible to enroll in Technol-

ogy Careers. Applications are available at sending high

school guidance offices in January or from the Seacoast

School of Technology Student Services Office. Initial pro-

gram assignments are in March and students will be noti-

fied by mail of their acceptance to a program or position

Seacoast School of TechnologyExeter

by Principal Margaret E. Callahan

on a waiting list in high-demand programs. Every effort

is made to place students in their first-choice program.

After the initial round of program placements, all further

course assignments are made on a first-come, first-serve

basis.

Students attend classes at the Seacoast School of

Technology for 90 minutes per day. The remainder of the

day is spent at their sending high school taking required

and other courses for graduation. The cost of a Seacoast

School of Technology program is paid by the student’s

school district, which also provides transportation.

All programs and classes are open to both females and

males. The staff encourages all students to pursue non-

traditional careers. More and more people are discover-

ing non-traditional careers to be rewarding, fulfilling and

challenging. All students should select their Seacoast

School of Technology program based on their interests,

skills and personal goals regardless of gender.

For more information, please call 603-775-8461 or visit

our website at www.seacoasttech.com.


Enrollment Trends

400

500

600

700

200920082007200620052004200320022001

Champions for ChildrenThe following individuals have distinguished themselves by demonstrating significantinvolvement in programs and/or services that directly benefit the students and families of SAU 16:

District Name

Brentwood Kathy St. HilaireBrentwood Wayne St. HilaireBrentwood Sheila LaneCMS/Coop Martha LaPerleCMS/Coop Ed PeaseEast Kingston Laurel BlackettEast Kingston Andrea PerellaEHS/Coop Reverend Michael PikeEHS/Coop Kathy BeanExeter Arthur BaillargeonExeter Janet GuenExeter Sue BendrothKensington Bette CoxKensington Lili SpinosaNewfields Laura GowlingSST/Coop Donna BuxtonSST/Coop Paul MarcouxSST/Coop Stephen BaumSST/Coop Kathleen TottenSST/Coop Denise LandisSST/Coop Dr. Philip HatcherSST/Coop Susan MoynahanStratham Marlo RyanStratham Susan BessemerStratham Jordan AmbargisStratham Nathan MerrillStratham Bruce Scamman

NECAP Proficiency ReportGrades 3-8 & 11 in the SAU 16 District

Percentage of students scoring proficient or betterColumns in italics indicate the state average.

2007 2008 2009READING

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 11

88.0

83.0

88.0

83.0

85.0

83.0

67.0

77.0

74.0

71.0

73.0

75.0

67.0

67.0

86.0

87.0

88.0

86.0

88.0

91.0

70.0

78.0

75.0

76.0

74.0

77.0

71.0

72.0

91.3

82.2

90.1

82.4

91.0

92.0

74.2

80.0

75.0

79.0

76.0

77.0

76.0

73.0

2007 2008 2009MATH

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Grade 11

90.0

82.0

90.0

89.0

76.0

76.0

27.0

73.0

68.0

69.0

68.0

63.0

58.0

28.0

86.0

89.0

86.0

85.0

81.0

79.0

43.0

72.0

73.0

73.0

69.0

66.0

65.0

32.0

91.2

83.5

90.2

83.4

85.0

86.0

46.8

76.0

75.0

75.0

72.0

66.0

66.0

33.0

2007 2008 2009WRITING

Grade 5

Grade 8

Grade 11

71.0

64.0

34.0

52.0

43.0

33.0

79.0

78.0

54.0

60.0

51.0

39.0

NA

NA

46.0

NA

NA

50.0


Number of college-level courses that are offered at SST through the Running Start program.

SAU 16Tuck Learning Campus30 Linden StreetExeter NH 03833

SAU 16 Annual Report

Documents

Transcript of SAU 16 Annual Report