RMS helps St. Jude, ORMS cited for Excellence, 'Flying Tigers' take wing: Education news

Yahoo

01-05-2025

ROCHESTER - While waves of Boston Marathon runners were lining up over 75 miles away, over 40 enthusiastic 8th graders cued up at Rochester Middle School for a marathon of their own.
The first-ever Team Hawaii Marathon Monday charity fundraiser took place on April 21, and based on the results, it won't be the last. The event raised over $1,300 for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a charity selected by the students themselves. Students hit up parents, friends, and teachers to sponsor them per lap (or a flat donation) as they ran or walked around the field in front of the school. Students who were not logging those miles filled essential roles of counters, hydration station attendants, and course boundary directors.
Veteran math teacher Elizabeth MacMillan posed the idea for a team marathon fundraiser, and after receiving the enthusiastic support of her fellow team teachers and administration, things fell into place rapidly. Of the 85 eighth-graders on RMS's University of Hawaii, almost 100 percent of the students were eager to participate in the event. The event provides the students an opportunity to be active while learning and giving back - all traits that embody the 'Ohana' spirit that is fostered by the team teachers.
Mother Nature cooperated by providing sunny skies, but the students and teachers provided the party vibes for the event with a giant inflatable starting line, music, and bubble machine. Participants showed off their Aloha flair by sporting leis, tutus, neon clothes, and face paint.
The infectious celebratory atmosphere continued post-marathon as tired, but happy, students danced, played games, and posed for photo-ops. Students and teachers wish a hearty 'Mahalo' to all the sponsors who donated and all the Rochester Middle School staff that helped to make this fundraiser a success. Team Hawaii teachers are already looking forward to making this an annual event for not just the team, but possibly the whole school.
DURHAM – Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps and Principal Bill Sullivan are delighted to share that Oyster River Middle School (ORMS) has been named the 2025 Middle School of Excellence in New Hampshire by the New Hampshire Education Excellence in Education Awards (EDies).
Members of the EDies Board of Directors, CardMyYard, Booster, and Geskus were on-site at ORMS on Monday, April 21, to officially announce the school as the 2025 Middle School of Excellence.
The EDies recognize exemplary practices and excellence across public elementary, middle, K-8, and high schools throughout the Granite State. Winning schools at each level earn statewide acclaim as an EDies School of Excellence, along with a $2,000 prize, a school banner and a beautifully engraved school bell symbolizing their commitment to excellence in education.
Schools are assessed against the following competencies
The curriculum and instructional practices are presented in a rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning environment.
The school organizes community members, ensuring they all have a role in building the school's climate and culture.
The school's vision, mission, and goals are clearly articulated, well communicated, and guide practice.
The school has an effective system for utilizing data and information that supports personalization.
There is a culture of empowerment among students, staff, teachers, administration, and community members.
ORMS was selected for recognition for its competency-based curriculum and assessment system, intentional integration of student voice and agency, its inclusive, welcoming climate and student-centered model, and its forward-thinking design and sustainability achievements that support its academic mission by fostering a creative, wellness-focused and connection-oriented learning environment.
ORMS will be formally honored at the NH Excellence in Education Awards Celebration on June 7, where it will be recognized as a model of student-centered excellence for the state.
FARMINGTON — A local community group has made a major contribution to a planned student plane-building program at Farmington High School.
'Friends of Farmington,' a local non-profit organization, recently raised $50,538.72 in partnership with the new Lilac Club Casino in Rochester, N.H.
The funds were presented to Farmington High School's "Flying Tigers" student plane-build program at a school board meeting held Monday, April 21 at Farmington High School.
The "Flying Tigers" student plane-building program is a partnership between the Farmington School District, the non-profit Aviation Museum of N.H., and educational non-profit Tango Flight, which specializes in facilitating student plane-build projects.
The Aviation Museum is currently raising a total of $250,000 needed to establish the plane-building program, which is scheduled to start in September 2025 at Farmington High School.
The program will see Farmington High School students work alongside volunteer mentors from the community to build a kit-based two-seat all-metal RV-12iS aircraft. The process is expected to take two school years to complete.
Once certified as airworthy, the aircraft is sold on the open market, with the proceeds used to fund the next plane-build at Farmington High School. The program is designed to be financially self-sustaining.
Officials of the newly opened Lilac Club Casino said they're delighted to support the Farmington "Flying Tigers" program.
In Farmington, school officials are currently selecting students to participate in the plane-building program and also recruiting volunteer adult mentors.
For more information about the Flying Tigers plane-building program, and to donate, visit the Aviation Museum's website at www.aviationmuseumofnh.org and click on the 'Education' tab, or call Jeff Rapsis at [phone], ext. 401.
HAMPTON — SAU 21 proudly announces that Superintendent Meredith Nadeau has been elected to serve on the Executive Board of AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
AASA policy is set by a 135-member Governing Board that meets twice yearly. The 23-member Executive Board is elected by the Governing Board and meets quarterly to conduct ongoing business.
'It is an honor to be selected to represent superintendents across the Northeast,' Superintendent Nadeau said. 'These are challenging times in education, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advocate nationally for the best possible educational outcome for every child.'
Superintendent Nadeau will represent superintendents in District 7, including all New England states and New York. She is completing a term on the Governing Board, one of two educators from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association.
She was selected to participate in AASA's National Women's Leadership Cohort in 2019 and has delivered professional development at AASA conferences.
'We are excited to welcome the newly elected members of AASA's executive committee, who bring forward-thinking leadership and a strong commitment to guiding our organization,' said David R. Schuler, AASA Executive Director. 'AASA continues its proud tradition of superintendents electing peers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their districts and communities — and most importantly, an unwavering dedication to serving the children across our nation.'
Superintendent Nadeau will begin a three-year term on July 1.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: RMS helps St. Jude, ORMS cited for Excellence and more: Education news