SAU 39 Summer News 2025

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SAU 39 NEWSLETTER

Summer, 2025

Dear sau 39 community,

As we reflect on the 2024-2025 school year, I am grateful for your continued support of our schools. This year, our faculty and staff embraced every moment, creating spaces and opportunities for our students to be engaged, challenged, and supported.

Across all four buildings, the year was filled with learning, growth, and strong community connections. There was truly something special happening in every corner of SAU 39 this year The impactful moments we have shared this year represent the pillars of our Framework for Success, our commitment to student learning, support for the whole child, professional development, community partnerships, and responsible stewardship of resources. Whether it was piloting a new curriculum, celebrating student-led initiatives, or strengthening our partnerships with families and community groups, the work in each building was aligned with these priorities.

As the year begins to draw to a close, we recognize the people who make our schools special. At the end of this school year, we will say goodbye to several of our valued employees who will be retiring. We wish them well on this next adventure, and extend our appreciation for their dedication to students over the years.

Paloma Ahgren, World Language Teacher, AMS

Robert Allwarden, Teacher, CW

J. Anna Barrett, Paraprofessional, SHS

Pattie Barker, School Nutrition

Lynn Borkowski, SLP, AMS

Lynda Conley, Administrative Assistant, SHS

John Dowd, Physical Education Teacher, SHS

Carol Hopfenspirger, Special Education Teacher, MV

Christine Loan-Kruger, School Nutrition

Steven Opre, Innovation & Design Teacher, AMS

Anna Parrill, Assistant Principal, CW

Amy Pham, English Teacher, SHS

I wish you a peaceful remainder of the school year and an enjoyable summer season ahead.

SAU 39 staff retiring at the end of this school year:

WE ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND SUPPORT ALL LEARNERS

SOUHEGAN HIGH SCHOOL

TOP MOMENTS

A Year of Purposeful Leadership: Community Council’s Impact

One of this year’s standout moments was the work of our Community Council. Throughout the year, the Council brought thoughtful dialogue, strengthened connections between stakeholders, and helped guide initiatives that reflect our school’s core values. Their dedication has helped shape a stronger, more inclusive school community.

Community Values in Action

This year, our community values came to life through a series of unforgettable events that showcased who we are and what we stand for. Claws for a Cause brought our community together, raising funds and awareness for charities while giving students a chance to lead with heart. The Exhibition of Learning was a celebration of curiosity and growth, as students presented their work and learning journeys to the community. FangFest brought the spirit! With energy, teamwork, and a whole lot of black and gold, students and staff came together in a joyful expression of school unity and tradition.

GRATITUDE

A Grateful Welcome Back to Our PTSA

This year marked the exciting revival of our PTSA, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their renewed presence and energy. Their visibility at school events, unwavering support of students and staff, and commitment to fostering a stronger school community have made a meaningful impact.

Honoring Three Decades of Dedication

As we close out the school year, we say a heartfelt farewell to two exceptional staff members, John Dowd and Lynda Conley, who have been with us since our school opened its doors in 1992. Their retirement marks the end of an era. For over 30 years, they have dedicated themselves to supporting students, uplifting colleagues, and strengthening the bond between school and families. Their compassion, commitment, and stewardship have shaped generations. We thank them for everything.

DANA CURRAN PRINCIPAL
Top Moments
Gratitude
By The Numbers

SOUHEGAN HIGH SCHOOL 2024-2025

Numbers

2024-2025 School Year Data

169 169 students registered for 248 AP Exams

1 1 National Merit Scholar Academic Excellence

15% 15%

increase in the number of 11th-grade students scoring at proficient or above on the NH SAS science assessment

COMMUNITY

IMPACT

849 849 College Applications Submitted

11,237 11,237

Total Community Service Hours logged by Class of 2025!

Post-Grad Readiness 41 41 students took Career & Technical Education courses through our CTE Partnerships

pass rate on the required Citizenship exam

3 3 team state championships in athletics

WE ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND SUPPORT ALL LEARNERS

AMHERST MIDDLE SCHOOL

TOP MOMENTS

Celebrating 50 Years

1974-2024

8th Grade Students Visit Clark Elementary School

In April, AMS students had the opportunity to visit Clark Elementary School and work alongside Preschool and Kindergarten classes, supporting literacy, math, and a variety of learning activities. It was especially heartwarming to see our students reconnect with their former teachers and form meaningful bonds with the younger learners.

Kindness Month at AMS

Throughout February, our school community embraced the spirit of kindness in meaningful ways Students and staff shared heartfelt stories of kind acts, and together, the school collected a generous number of items to donate to SHARE in Milford.

Student Presentations

Each grade-level team designs activities that give students meaningful opportunities to share their learning with others. Students bravely presented their work to peers and staff.

GRATITUDE

AMS SEL Team

We are grateful for the AMS SEL team made up of counselors, social workers, and other dedicated support staff who work tirelessly to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn each day. This year, the team has been firing on all cylinders, collaborating regularly with administrators, teachers, and families to meet the social and emotional needs of our school community.

Community Partners

Where would we be without the incredible support of the Amherst PTA and the parents, guardians, and community members who help make our school the best it can be? From fundraising and organizing special events to supporting both staff and students, the PTA goes above and beyond to enhance our learning environment every single day. There’s truly nothing they can’t do and we are so thankful!

6 3 3

AMHERST MIDDLE SCHOOL

By the Numbers

2024-2025 School Year Data

students enrolled at AMS

2 6 9

Students participating in a spring sport

2 5 3

9 2 %

9 1 %

Of students who made growth in math and reading by regularly attending our Title I Spring Forward program

Students who have participated in clubs at AMS of teachers returning for the 2025-2026 school year

SAU39

WE ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND SUPPORT ALL LEARNERS

TOP MOMENTS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Clark-Wilkins music productions were incredible this year! Students used inspiration from Dr. Seuss to perform varied works, including The Lorax and Green Eggs and Ham. Mr. Allwarden led the students to success, and Mrs. Anderson helped the students create beautiful scenery and sets for these productions. We are very proud of our students and educators!

We will bid a Farewell to a tremendous group of 4th-grade students on June 10th. 4th graders have worked hard during their careers at Clark-Wilkins with many participating in leadership programs such as Recess Rangers, Principal’s Council, or Joey’s Club.

Parents/Guardians at Clark-Wilkins modeled lifelong learning this year for our students by participating in a parent education book group on the text, The Anxious Generation. Thank you to the Amherst PTA for providing the text for this book study and to our many teacher leaders who led the six-week book group series. This experience was a great partnership between our PTA, parents, and teachers!

GRATITUDE

Ms. Anna Parrill, Mr. Robert Allwarden, and Ms. Amy Conley will be retiring from the Amherst School District at the end of this year. Their dedication to our students and commitment to our communities has been exceptional. Their work has left a lasting impact on our school community, we are grateful, and we wish them the best!

Thank you to the Amherst PTA for your strong partnership and support of our school community. Your dedication to our students and educators helps to provide our students and families with tremendous programming such as artists in residencies, enrichment experiences, parent education series, and community celebrations. We could not do the great work in our school without the support of our PTA!

CLARK-WILKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

By the Numbers

2024-2025 School Year Data

Students Served

20,137 books checked out from the Clark & Wilkins libraries!

48 15 4

Students participated in the Invention Convention, Participated in the New England regional competition, and Were invited to the National Invention Convention!

After-School Enrichment Clubs offered by Clark-Wilkins Educators

Students engaged in First Lego League Robotics and represented CW for the first time at the FLL Festival!

WE ENGAGE, CHALLENGE, AND SUPPORT ALL LEARNERS

MONT VERNON VILLAGE SCHOOL

MVVS was the International Tang Math Challenge Champion. We competed against hundreds of schools and thousands of students. This is the latest culmination of fostering a growth mindset around math problem solving. We are proud of our students and staff.

SOAR assemblies were held each quarter this year which included messages from guests in our community related to our core values (Respect, Kindness, Safety, and Responsibility) These assemblies foster pride and spirit in our school while centering on the values that we all hold in common as Falcons. Two author visits this year, Alan Gratz and Natalie Richards. It was a great day for SAU 39 when Wilkins School, AMS, and MVVS came together at SHS to celebrate literacy and hear from a best-selling author. Our MVVS community carried on the amazing tradition of Grandparents/Special Friends Day in November with a record turnout and terrific student participation.

GRATITUDE

Thank you to our PTA for supporting our school on many levels and coordinating school community events including Bingo Night, Winter Wonderland, Teacher Appreciation Week, Ice Cream Social, among many others.

Thank you to our community for their involvement and support of MVVS. This includes Miss JoAnn reading and working with Kindergarteners each week, Anna Szock coordinating our visit to the Mont Vernon History Museum, MVPD teaching the DARE program to sixth graders, MV Fire Station hosting our annual visit for Fire Safety Week, and MV Rec including our school in town events.

Thank you to Carol Hopfensperger for her work and service to the MVVS community over many years as a special education teacher and case manager She has poured out her heart to our students and cares deeply for our school. We are so thankful for Carol’s light and spirit in every facet of her work.

TOM LECKLIDER PRINCIPAL

MONT VERNON VILLAGE SCHOOL

By the Numbers

2024-2025 School Year Data

Students Served

of literacy teachers have been or are being trained in LETRs.

reading collectively as a school (as of this report).

of students involved in a co-curricular at some point during the school year.

MVVS exceeded the NH Growth Targets for our school significantly with 77% (NH growth target was 66%) and 78% (NH growth target was 51%) proficiency in reading and math respectively.

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