Principal's Message - 02.16.2025

  • Posted February 16, 2025
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Hello Gilbert H. Hood Families,

Another weekend brings us another snow event.  Winter has certainly been active this month. I know some skiers who are enjoying every minute!  

Here are a couple items to share for the upcoming weeks:

Husky Hullabaloo Fundraiser

The Husky Hullabaloo Fundraiser continues through this week.  Our goal is to raise $10,000 for end-of-year student activities and eighth grade promotion. If  you have not already done so, please consider participating and helping our school reach our goal:

1. SIGN UP your student(s) on  MyBooster.com today.

2. SHARE with your family/friends using the SHARE tools on MyBooster.com.

3. GIVE a donation.

Reminder: If your child feels ill at school . . . 

Please remind your children that they should request to see the school nurse if they are not feeling well at school.   Some students are bypassing this step.  Instead, they are contacting parents directly without seeing the nurse.  When this happens, our school nurses are unable to do important parts of their job, such as help support your child’s well being at school, provide follow up care if necessary, and track illness trends in our school community.  Please encourage your child to see the school nurse if they are not feeling well.  If they should contact you directly, please call the office to request the nurse check on your child before deciding to pick them up from school.  Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us keep our school community as healthy as possible.

Special Olympics Middle School Dip - March 7

On March 7, a team of middle school students and teachers will be taking the plunge for the NH Special Olympics. GHH is participating in the NH Special Olympics Middle School Dip by diving into the cold waters of Lake Winnipausake. If your child is interested in joining us for this event, please have them sign up using the attached flyer. Each student is required to raise $100 to participate in this event. Gilbert H Hood will receive 30% of all monies raised to help support a Unified Program for our school. Unified programs provide opportunities for students to support the full social inclusion of special education students through activities and sports. We are very excited to get our programming underway. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Curren at  mcurren@sau10.org.

Marion Gerrish Community Events during February Break

The Marion Gerrish Community Center has opened registration for FREE family events during winter school vacation week.  Here is a link for additional information:  link

To register for events:

You will be notified by email, prior to the event, if you have a reserved spot for the event. You are NOT guaranteed a reservation by completing this form. Please watch your emails and spam folder for a confirmation. If you do NOT receive an email confirmation, then you do not have a spot reserved.

Derry Elementary School Art Show

The Derry Elementary School Art Show will be displayed at the Derry Public Library during the month of March. An opening night will be held on March 13, 5:30-6:30 pm.  All four elementary schools in Derry will be represented in the show.  

School Art Show

Upcoming Dates**

  • February 18: Staff vs Student basketball game

  • February 18: Derry School Board Community Forum Public Forum - Warrant Discussion, WRB, 6:30-8:00

  • February 24-28: Winter Break, no school

  • March 4: Winter Sports Award Night, 6:00 pm

  • March 7: Special Olympics Middle School Dip

  • March 11: Early Release Day, 11:45 dismissal

**To keep up to date on the daily happenings at GHH, be sure to check our daily announcements that are posted on our school website under the “Resources” tab.   The  Morning Meeting Notices spreadsheet is constantly updated and available for reference.  

ONGOING REMINDERS

DCSD 2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year will opened on Monday, January 27, at 8:00 am.  Information is been posted on the school district’s website:  link.

Tardy to School

We are noticing that some students are arriving late to school on a regular basis.  As a reminder, students may enter the building at 7:10 and the school day begins at 7:25.  Your support in encouraging students to arrive on time is greatly appreciated.

Food Deliveries

As a school community, we are asking families to refrain from having food delivered to the school or allowing students to place orders for delivery (via phone apps or restaurant delivery).  Although we understand the convenience, this practice is problematic in our school environment.  It is not only becoming a distraction for students and learning, it can be difficult to manage in an already busy office.  In addition, food deliveries often include items that are not permitted at school.  For example, students are not permitted to have soda, coffee-based drinks, or other caffeinated beverages during school hours.  Thank you in advance for helping to discourage food deliveries during school hours.  

Staff Parking Lot during morning drop off

We need your help with a growing issue.  During morning drop-off, some families are using the staff parking lot as a “waiting zone”.  In other words, they are parking temporarily and waiting for the time children are permitted to enter the building.  Although we understand the intention of this practice, some of our staff members are unable to find spaces to park when they arrive.  We ask that you DO NOT use spaces in the parking lot to wait for drop-off.  Please join the structured car drop-off process in the driveway around the building.  Although the car line may appear daunting in the morning, the process efficiently coordinates the arrival of hundreds of students in about 10 minutes.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

DCSD Community Public Forum

Families, staff, and community members are invited to join the Derry Cooperative School District School Board at one of two public forums to learn more about the school district's capital improvements bond. District administrators will present information regarding details of the bond, including proposed projects. Additional information regarding the district’s budget and teacher contract will also be provided.  Attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions and voice comments. 

  • Dates: January 21, 2025 & February 18, 2025

  • Time: 6:30 pm

  • Location: West Running Brook Intermediate School

This event will be broadcast once again on social media at:  

For more information regarding Warrant Article #2-Capital Improvements, check out our informational page at https://www.sau10.nh.gov/departments/facilities/facilities-warrant-article

Beginning String Program at Pinkerton Academy

As an extension of the Summer Arts Camps that we ran this past July at Pinkerton Academy, they are inviting any interested students in grades 5-8 to join a free beginning and intermediate strings program.  This program will be offered to any interested student on Friday afternoons from 4:00-5:30 here in the Arts building at P.A.