Principal's Message - 03.02.2025

  • Posted March 2, 2025
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Hello Gilbert H. Hood Families,

 

As our Winter Break comes to a close, we look forward to seeing students return to school on Monday.  We hope our students and staff have enjoyed the break and are ready to return with renewed focus and positive energy! 

 

 

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

 

 

Special Olympics Middle School Dip - March 7

 

On March 7, a team of 25 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. Our school will receive 30% of all monies raised to help support a Unified Program for our school. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Curren at  mcurren@sau10.org.

 

Winter Spirit Week - March 10-14

 

Student Council is hosting a Winter Spirit Week, March 10-14.

  • Monday 3/10: Flannel Day

  • Tuesday 3/11: Twin Day

  • Wednesday 3/12: Decades Day (Choose a decade to dress in)

  • Thursday, 3/13: Opposite Day (Students dress like a teacher; teachers dress like a student)

  • Friday, 3/14: Pajama Day

 

Next Charter School Informational Night - March 12

 

Attention Grade 8 families! Are you considering registering your child for Next Charter School for high school? Visit their  website to apply.  Are you looking for more information? Next Charter School is hosting an Information Night on Wednesday, March 12, 5:00-6:00 pm.   

 

Derry Elementary School Art Show - March 13

 

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.  

 

American Red Cross Blood Drive - March 20

 

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive in the GHH gym on Thursday, March 20, 3:00-7:00 pm.  Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: GILBERTHOOD to schedule an appointment.  

 

Upcoming Dates**

 

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

  • March 7: Special Olympics Middle School Dip

  • March 10-14: Winter Spirit Week

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

  • March 11: Voting Day in Derry

  • March 12: Next Charter School Information Night, 5:00-6:00

  • March 12: PTSA meeting, (6:00 to plan for 8th grade, followed by regular meeting at 6:30)

  • March 13: Derry Elementary Art Show, 5:30-6:30

  • March 20: American Red Cross Blood Drive, 3:00-7:00

 

**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

 

 

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.

 

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.