Hopkinton News : Kids & Family

Hopkinton's Columbia Hall closes because of safety risk

Bow Editor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:40:00 GMT

Hopkinton’s Columbia Hall will be closing Oct. 1, leaving the Recreation Department scrambling to find somewhere to hold multiple programs.

Two outside firms checked on the safety of the building, finding concern over the trusses supporting the roof.

Selectman George Langwasser said the decision came down to the safety of residents inside the building.

“Safety is first and foremost,” Langwasser said. “No one can predict if the roof will fall in, but it’s very weak and cracked in certain places. Perhaps a heavy snowload or wind could cause it to come in. We decided it was of the best safety interest to shut down Columbia Hall.”

Langwasser said the board will need to decide what direction to go in, whether it will fix the roof and reopen the building or ask the Recreation Department to continue looking for other places to hold its programs.

“It’s going to create some problems for the Recreation Department,” said Langwasser. Recreation Director Justin La Vigne said he is already feeling the crunch of finding a replacement venue for his programs, which include a stained-glass program, scrapbooking workshop and Tumbling Tots class.

“I’m working to find new locations to move programs to, but it’s a short amount of time,” said La Vigne. “I have some good leads. The community is really being supportive. We’re looking into the schools, but those are heavily used.”

In addition to the programs, La Vigne said groups in town often rent out the upper floor of Columbia Hall.

“The building is for the community. We’re trying to help out as many people as I can,” La Vigne said.

One potential solution could come in a building that doesn’t yet exist, he said.

“Shutting it down is totally understandable if it isn’t safe. I don’t want anyone hurt,” said La Vigne. “As for a place to have the programs, ideally I think this town needs a community center. Columbia Hall would be nice if it’s feasible, but if not I think it’d be great to build one, and that’s something that could be talked about at Town Meeting.”

Hopkinton's Harold Martin School celebrates 50 years

Bow Editor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:29:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Harold Martin School teachers, students and faculty admittedly like to celebrate, and they recently had 50 reasons.

To kick off the Hopkinton school’s 50th anniversary, school officials held festivities on Monday, Sept. 15, giving students a chance to meet some special guests. Among them were former faculty members.

“I love Harold Martin School,” said Gov. John Lynch, a resident in town and whose children attended the school. “This is a school that not only teaches you the skills in (class), but also a love for learning that will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

Students played an important part in the ceremonies as students performed a song and the Hopkinton High School jazz band played a tune.

Two school employees whose faces can be seen on a daily basis are Patty Raymond and Peg Hill, who work in the cafeteria.

Raymond has worked at the school for 25 years and Hill for 15, but the pair first got to know each other years before they became co-workers. Both Hill and Raymond were first-grade students during the opening year of Harold Martin in 1958.

“Until they started getting the celebration ready, it never really hit you,” said Hill. “It’s been a long time, and to think we really have come full circle is exciting.”

Knowing each other so well helps keep work entertaining, and Raymond said they found the ideal spot to work.

“We have a good time and there’s a lot of laughing. It’s a wonderful atmosphere,” said Raymond. “We couldn’t ask for a better building to work in, and we really are all a family around here.”

Harold Martin School Principal Bill Carozza is entering his ninth year at the helm, and one of his biggest wishes heading into the event came true.

“I’m just glad there’s good weather,” he said. “It’s great to have past teachers and administrators here to give the kids the chance to see how important history is.”

Carozza also said the school plays an integral part in the Hopkinton community.

“In a small community, schools tend to be the center of things,” he said. “Schools truly run much better when the community is involved, and that is certainly the case here.”

Malcom Merrill, former principal of Harold Martin, spoke about how much things have changed since he was in the school when it had only six classrooms and one telephone.

“We had no computer lab. I saw your computers, and wow,” he joked.

Merrill also talked about the pride he holds for his former school, and said he knows current students at Harold Martin will feel the same way as they grow older.

“I know how proud you are of this school; you’d have to be crazy not to be,” he said. “We were just as proud of our little school when I was here.”

Gov. Lynch also told students of the memories they will have.

“Harold Martin is a family, and I was proud to be a part of it. You’ll look back as you grow up and have the same love for this school one day,” said Lynch. “I think this school reflects all that is so good about the education system in New Hampshire.”

Bow's Dorothy Frost turns 100

Bow Editor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:23:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

For her birthday, the thing Dorothy Stickney Frost wanted most was a big bash.

At 100 years old, she deserved it, and a bash was what she got.

The Bow resident, who has lived in town for more than 40 years, celebrated her birthday with about 60 friends and family on Aug. 31 in anticipation of her birthday, which was Sept. 11.

Frost’s daughters Polly Frost Gilson and Gail Loomis, who works as the administrative assistant for the Board of Selectmen’s office, and her husband, Jim Loomis, hosted the party.

“Jim and Gail had that party and it wasn’t a surprise, but a lot of people that were there were a surprise,” Frost said. “I had a beautiful time.”

Both of Frost’s daughters attended the party as well as several of her grandchildren and many great grandchildren, who range in age from 1 to 21 years old.

Frost’s family came from near and far: daughter-in-law Colleen Frost of Utah, grandchildren Sarah Loomis McEntee and husband Tom of California, Mark Loomis and wife, Val, of Pembroke, and Heather Gilson McClintock and husband, Greg, of Lancaster, Mass. Scott Gilson and family from California were not able to attend as well as Jeff Frost from Illinois and Tim Frost from Utah.

Since the age of 98, Frost has held a special honor in Bow as the holder of the Boston Post Cane, which is given to the oldest resident in town. The award was designed in the 1800s and a cane was given out to every town in New Hampshire for its oldest resident, but many towns have since lost track of their cane.

“I have that right in my bedroom,” said Frost. “I don’t use it, because I have my own cane, but that was quite a nice thing as well. I am very proud of it.”

Gail Loomis was proud to see her mother reach such a milestone birthday.

“I think it’s exceptional that someone can reach that age in the first place, but to be able to still do things and get around is pretty exceptional,” she said.

Jim Loomis has developed a special relationship with his mother-in-law.

“She has been more than a mother-in-law, I call her a mother- in-love,” said Jim Loomis. “I would describe her as a very thoughtful person who, at 100, still at times has a great sense of humor. She is sharp as a tack.”

Seeing her mother reach the century mark gives Gail Loomis a reason to smile for more than one reason.

“I love her a lot and I hope she’s got many more,” she said. “I feel pretty optimistic. They talk about good genes. She had other relatives who were right up there, including an uncle who was 105. There are definitely good genes on her side of the family, and hopfully I got some of them.”

220 kids participate in Hopkinton day camp program

Bow Editor — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:27:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Within a small area near Kimball Pond in Hopkinton, children kayak, color, fish, and play hide and seek. Hopkinton’s summer day camp wrapped up another successful season after providing about 220 children the chance to take part in a variety of trips and activities over a seven-week span.

“I would guess that kids definitely like being here better than being at home doing nothing,” said camper Aimee Echelberger, 11. “I like going on field trips and hanging out with my friends the most.”

Hopkinton Recreation Director Justin La Vigne said he can tell the camp is a success just by standing nearby and watching.

“The best part is just seeing the kids enjoying the camp,” he said. “I really love to see when the parents come to pick them up and they are just so excited to tell them all of the things they did during the day.”

During Hopkinton’s annual Town Meeting, the camp came under some scrutiny, with some residents believing the program should not be funded by the taxpayers. After lengthy discussion during the March 15 meeting, voters decided to support the budget and pay for the camp.

La Vigne said he remains cognizant of how some voters feel, and has a plan to eventually get the camp to be self-supported.

“Getting the funding allowed to us to keep the camp the same as before,” said La Vigne. “I’m working toward getting to phase three of my plan, which is to pay for more counselors out of the profits from the camp, which would reduce the line-item budget for the camp.”

Each week of camp consists of a variety of activities for the children ages 6 to 12. Every Tuesday the group of children, which has ranged from 30 to 42 campers, goes to the Kimball Cabins to take part in a variety of activities. Twice a week, the children go to swim at the pond and Fridays they go to state parks.

One of the more popular aspects of the camp has been the field trips, which are to places such as Funspot in Weirs Beach and the Boston Children’s Museum.

Rachel Dabuliewicz, 22, of Warner just finished her first summer as a counselor. She recently graduated from Keene State, where she studied education.

“I got to do a lot of the things that’ll work when I am in a classroom, and also got to see some of the things that I probably won’t do in the future,” she said.

La Vigne said the children get an experience at the camp that helps keep them from sitting at home during the normally bright summer weather.

“It’s great. It opens up lots of different things for the kids, and it gives them the experience to do things they haven’t done before,” said La Vigne.

Parades and races highlight Hopkinton's July 4th festivities

Bow Editor — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:40:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Hopkinton residents will get the chance to make the Fourth of July an all-day festivity, as the town’s Recreation Department will sponsor events throughout the holiday, beginning at 9 a.m.

The day will kick off with a 5K run and walk, which begins in front of the Contoocook Village Fire Station at 9 a.m. Runners, who are asked to wear red, white and blue, can register beginning at 8 a.m.

Also in the morning will be the canoe and kayak race, which begins at 11 a.m. at Multi Weld on Riverside Road. There is a $15 fee for the event, and racers can register beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Hopkinton youths will have their chance to parade around town, at the Kids’ Parade at 11:30 a.m., after assembling near the gazebo at 11 a.m. Preschoolers through third-graders are invited to dress up and decorate their bikes for the event.

Soon after the Kids’ Parade will be the annual Fire Department- sponsored Independence Day Parade, which will start at Hopkinton High School and end at the Contoocook Village Cemetery. The parade will kick off at noon, moving down Park Avenue through the village and toward Penacook Road.

Hopkinton’s celebration will culminate at Houston Park for a second consecutive year during the Fourth of July Family Fun Day, including food, a variety of games, music and other activities.

“The whole day is going to be great,” said Justin La Vigne, Hopkinton Recreation director. “From the start, with the road race and canoe race to then end it at Houston Field with food, festivities and music, it’s going to be a blast for everyone.”

According to La Vigne, the event should receive a large turnout, despite the holiday landing on a Friday.

“Last year, I was here for the event and saw it. It blew me away to see the community come out,” he said. “We’re expecting hopefully 1,000 people again, like we did last year. It’s a great thing, and a great thing for the community while trying to keep it at a low cost.”

Hopkinton teen among Youth of the Year

Bow Editor — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:42:00 GMT

Seven New Hampshire young men and women were recognized for their contributions to their families, schools and communities in ceremonies at the State House on May 14.

The seven youth were chosen by each of their local Boys and Girls Clubs as Youth of the Year for their club, based on their exemplary leadership skills, academic performance and contributions to society. The seven individuals underwent a vigorous screening process that included an essay contest and interviews with community volunteer judges. They are recipients of the highest award given to club members.

“The Youth of the Year program, for youth ages 14 to 18, has been an integral part of Boys and Girls Clubs of America for over 60 years,” said Rich Lowney, president of the New Hampshire Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. Nationally, this program is supported by the Reader’s Digest Foundation. In New Hampshire, the statewide Youth of the Year program has received support from Comcast and the Ninety- Nine Restaurants, said Lowney.

The winners were each recognized by Speaker of the House Terie Norelli and the 400 member House of Representatives at the beginning of their session and then met with Gov. John Lynch in his office. The winners were also individually recognized by Senate President Sylvia Larsen and received proclamations from the Senate.

The seven Youth of the Year are Sean Pirttiaho of Hopkinton, Joe Aberle of Derry, James LaBrie of Laconia, Joe Calderon of Manchester, Jessica Hatch of Milford, Kaitlyn Beal of Salem and Rocio Camacho of Nashua. Rocio Camacho has also been chosen as the New Hampshire Boys and Girls Club Alliance statewide Youth of the Year and will represent New Hampshire in the regional competition in New York this summer.

Boys and Girls Clubs in New Hampshire served more than 19,000 registered members and reached more than 45,000 young people last year, through programs and activities run by seven clubs at 28 program and 16 school-based sites, reaching 82 communities in the state.

New Hampshire clubs are headquartered in Concord, Derry, Lakes Region/Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, Salem, Souhegan Valley/Milford. Thet are proud to be part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, a national network of more than 4,000 community and neighborhood- based facilities annually serving some 4.8 million young people in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide.

As “The Positive Place for Kids,” clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis for children 6 to 18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys and Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

Science museum opens

Bow Editor — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:46:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It may not yet be apple season, but visitors will soon be returning to Contoocook’s Gould Hill Orchard as the Little Nature Museum will be opening for the season.

The museum, run completely by volunteers, gives visitors a chance to learn about science with a hands-on focus.

“We started with a bunch of collections, and that can be pretty boring,” said Little Nature Museum Director Sandra Martin. “I like to remove things from the collections and have something to engage the visitor, instead of just reading the label.”

Although the museum is closed from the end of fall to the beginning of spring, Martin keeps busy planning the season’s programs.

One thing Martin hopes to improve for this season is to get more visitors to visit the museum before late summer.

“What I’d love to have is more visitors come earlier in the season. They all come during the apple-picking season, and they don’t get the most out of their visit,” Martin said. “That type of individual one-on-one experience is more likely to happen earlier in the season.”

Martin became interested in science while at the Museum of Science in Boston, where she learned to convey her passion for the subject.

“The Museum of Science is what got me inspired, and it was a hands-on experience. It got me to want to go into the field of science, and to start my own nature center,” she said. “The hands-on experience that I’ve had stayed with me all my life.”

Hopkinton’s Little Nature Museum may be smaller than some of the other area museums, but Martin said she would put the experience at her venue up against any other in the state.

“There aren’t too many places where you can get the experience that you can get here,” she said. “I don’t like the idea of having a one-size-fits-all museum.”

The status of Gould Hill Orchard is somewhat up in the air, Martin said she hopes the Rotary’s plan to sell shares could lead to one of the busiest summers the museum has seen.

“This year is going to be different. We’re trying to get a number of organizations to have different set ups for our Naturefest (in the fall). I hope by that time, the Rotary will be in the process of selling shares,” said Martin. “The number of visitors may surpass anything we’ve had in the past, maybe just out of curiosity.”

Until new programs begin, children can learn all about archeology on Saturday, April 19, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., when the Hopkinton Library hosts “Dig into the Past: The Mystery of the Sites.”

Sheila Charles, historic and archaeological research consultant and Strawbery Banke archeologist, will present a hands-on children’s program.

In addition, the museum is taking part in “Discover Wild New Hampshire,” at Fish and Game on Hazen Drive, Concord, on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.littlenaturemuseum.org or call 746-6121.

Hopkinton High School joins robotics team

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:46:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Competition can bring out the worst in those involved. In FIRST robotics competitions, the opposite is often true.

Though members of the Hopkinton and John Stark high schools’ robotics team would like to come out victorious, they also realize there are other lessons to learn throughout the process.

“There’s no negative competition. In sports, you form rivalries and can be sour. In robotics you don’t walk away upset. You feel like you accomplished something,” said Hopkinton High School senior Mike Flynn.

The two schools combined forces to create the Oz-Ram team for the competition, which gives students across the globe the chance to build a robot and compete in the same game.

This year’s competition involves using the robot to pick up inflated balls as it walks around the designated area, getting points for performing a variety of tasks.

Although Oz-Ram competes against other schools, coach Will Renauld said there have been many occasions when his team has lost due to good sportsmanship.

“We’ve been at events where people gave us timeouts and we’ve beaten them, and the same thing has happened to us. They’re grateful we got the chance to compete at an even level,” he said. “It’s a tremendous air of competition with teams helping each other. We know it’s going to come back to us and someone will help us.”

Hopkinton senior Aric Brandt said the competition is different than that of a sporting event.

“It’s an interesting competition because you don’t have time to form heated rivalries. It’s more about having fun than the competition,” said Brandt, who will be dressed in costume to go with his team’s Wizard of Oz theme. “Competitions can be very intense. I just go around and talk to people. I’m going to be a flying monkey so it’s even better. How can I be self conscious?”

Alexandra Winzeler doesn’t have an interest in becoming an engineer in the future, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t learned anything from the team.

“The teamwork within the team and between the teams is great. You’re competing, but you demonstrate maturity,” said Winzeler, who does PR and writing tasks for the team. “Being on the team has given me a new perspective on what these people feel about science, and on life how people work together. It’s helped me see the world in a different light.”

Robotics skills have already helped senior Evan Morse in every day situations.

“I noticed a few months ago that I’ve been applying what I’ve learned. I was redesigning my room and wanted a specifically sized desk,” he said. “So I went through the same process we use in robotics to design it and build it.”

Renauld said he has calculated that when all is said and done, he commits to about 600 hours per year to the team, which meets six days a week. As the process gets closer to the competition date, teams need to ship their robot and the nights prior to deadline get later for the team.

“The night before we are working until 3 o’clock in the morning. All of the robots have to be shipped at a certain date,” said Renauld. “If we can finish it at 2 a.m. this year, we’ll be ahead of the game. It’s a hectic but rewarding time.”

This will be Hopkinton’s third year involved in the robotics program, and the team has already won multiple awards. In 2006, Oz-Ram won the Granite State Regional Rookie All-Star Award, which comes with a spot in the FIRST Robotics Competition in Atlanta, Ga.

“I think it’s great to be continuing to do this,” said Winzeler, in her second year with the team. “We’re more relaxed on the process this year, and have more time for creative thinking.”

Although winning isn't necessarily a top goal of the team, those involved in the competition are still passionate while cheering on Oz-Ram.

Following a competition two years ago, Renauld noticed that no one in the area of the robotics floor had much of a voice left. He turned to an engineer next to him and asked, “Have you ever cheered for anything so hard in your life?”

Sidewalk planned for safety at Hopkinton's Harold Martin Elementary School

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:41:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Walking to school will soon be a safer option for children attending Hopkinton’s Harold Martin Elementary School.

The school has been awarded a $31,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation that the Hopkinton School District will be able to put toward improvements for student safety.

School officials worked with community members to apply for the “Safe Routes to School” grant before finding out in December they had been awarded the money.

Although much of the grant includes lessons and studies on safety, the biggest aspect of it includes a sidewalk that will be built from Main Street to Harold Martin School.

“The driveway in and out of Harold Martin has long been a safety concern. Last year, we began looking at ways to correct that, but we pulled it out of the budget because it wasn’t necessarily supported by the community,” said Hopkinton Superintendent of Schools Brian Blake.

Blake also said the sidewalk will be help after school hours as well.

“When we have large activities at night and cars are on Main Street, pedestrians will have a safe way to walk into the school,” he said. “Having a safe way in and out will encourage parents to walk or ride bikes to school with their children.”

In addition to building the blacktop sidewalk, the grant will also fund bicycle safety courses at all three schools in town. Also, the school will be able to do safe route studies at each level as well.

“The studies involve analysis of travel patterns and safety concerns,” said Blake. “By doing the things involved in this phase of the grant, we’ll have the opportunity to apply for additional grant money based on the studies we’ll be doing.”

Selectman Don Lane said he is in full support of the grant and the projects involved.

“I think it’s a no-brainer. I don’t see any opposition. It’ll help, especially with those kids walking to school, and there are certainly some,” he said. “They’ll be able to do it more safely, and maybe the parents can drop them off at the end of the road so the kids can get out and walk.”

Lane also said there are more benefits than just safety.

“Anything you can do to get the kids up and walking makes sense,” he said.

Hopkinton High School receives national recognition

Bow Editor — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:19:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Hopkinton High School was nationally recognized for its outstanding academic performance, given a silver ranking by U.S. News and World Report magazine.

Although no schools in the state were ranked in the nation’s top 100, Hopkinton was one of 405 schools to receive the honor out of 40 states. State test scores, level of preparation for college entrance and performance of disadvantaged students were the three factors when ranking the schools.

Of the 40 states, 18,790 schools were analyzed, leaving Hopkinton in select company.

Steve Chamberlin, principal of Hopkinton Middle/High School, passed the word around to his staff recently after hearing the news from a colleague.

“I hope we all appreciate the recognition. It’s wonderful to get recognized, and it’s an affirmation of our supportive staff and community. There’s no question that in the Hopkinton community education matters,” he said.

The school staff works hard to meet the needs of students, he said.

“It’s nice, because in day-today work you don’t reflect on good things. You look at the things to work on. There’s a lot of good stuff going on, and it’s not a bad way to be told that,” said Chamberlin.

He said he is privileged to be working with a great staff and live in a community that cares about education. There is also another group that contributed to the award.

“There is a culture of achievement where the kids want to succeed and do well in school.

When you have that and teachers who work hard to make things creative, it pays off,” said Chamberlin. “There are students who want to learn, talented faculty and a supportive community.

That’s the recipe for success in Hopkinton.”

Keep the taxes low - Hopkinton school budget proposal less than expected

Bow Editor — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 20:16:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

The Hopkinton Budget Committee requested the school board form a budget, including warrant articles, with a 3.8 percent tax increase or less.

The school board’s response: “How’s 3.05?”

The proposed budget of $15,818,942, as approved by the board at its Dec. 19 meeting, represents a 1.47 percent tax increase and, if all warrant articles are approved by voters in March, would be about 3 percent, or $1,196,394, over last year’s budget of $14,622,548. The tax would be 46 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, or $138 on a $300,000 home.

“The school board and the leadership team have worked very diligently on minimizing increases in the budget for the 2007-08 school year,” said school board Chairman Marshall Rowe. “We are sensitive to the tax impact in the community and have put forth what we believe to be a conservative, but responsible, budget to the town. I hope the community looks at the whole package, because we worked very hard to get to this conservative and responsible number.”

School needs

To keep the annual tax burden low, Superintendent Brian Blake said the district will slowly implement recommendations from a recent facility needs report based on necessity.

This year, the district will ask residents to approve $527,000 to replace the heating air-condition and ventilation system (HVAC) and 40 single-pane windows and an additional parking lot at Harold Martin Elementary School. The proposed warrant article also covers two portable classrooms and a security system for Hopkinton Middle/High School.

Of the $527,000, $100,000 will be withdrawn from the repair and maintenance trust fund and $427,000 through taxation. According to Rowe, the facility needs committee made several other recommendations at Harold Martin, including possible expansion for nursing and core usage space. But, Rowe said, the school board will examine alternatives before investing tax dollars in an addition.

“The school board recognizes those as critical needs, but we are looking at enrollment trends and voted to delay action on those critical needs until we can determine if we can utilize current space at the school to accomplish our goals,” said Rowe. “I think that’s an example of the school board taking a conservative view, which takes into consideration the potential impact on taxes that would come with additional renovation work. We want to make sure we have all the data and possibilities before making those decisions.”

Operating budget

The largest increases in the operating budget are $183,967 for education costs such as salaries, benefits and materials, $205,502 for special education and $114,190 for media and technology. Salaries make up 56.87 percent of next year’s increase.

The district also applied for a $100,000 energy improvement grant from PSNH for facility needs, to most likely go toward HVAC improvements at Harold Martin School. The grant is incorporated into a $750,000 additional revenue allocation in the budget.

To alleviate a large tax increase next year, Rowe said the district will refinance a bond issued in 1997 for renovations at Maple Street Elementary and the high school. Rowe said the district is allowed one opportunity to refinance the bond.

“In effect, we would be paying off the initial bond with cheaper interest rates of today,” he said.

The savings will be realized in the upcoming fiscal year at roughly 90 percent, but Rowe said the district will save money through 2017.

Although the current budget recognizes a $50,000 savings, Rowe said the estimate is conservative and the district could save up to $90,000.

More cuts?

Hopkinton budget committee member David Lancaster, who co-founded the Hopkinton/Contoocook Taxpayers Association, said more cuts could be made. During public comment at the Dec. 19 meeting, Lancaster said he is concerned about the number of teachers at Harold Martin School after hearing that grade 1 has four teachers for 47 students.

“I think there are a lot of potential positions that can be cut,” he said. “We can always add a teacher if there is a substantial increase in students, but in the meantime I think we can save a lot by cutting some positions.”

Some principals said cuts have already been made at district schools, however.

Hopkinton Middle/High School Principal Steve Chamberlin said the high school has decreased its civics programs, while Maple Street School Principal Michael Bessette said his school will not offer an extra keyboarding class, a savings of nearly $8,000.

Bessette’s school is moving away from textbooks and toward a more hands-on approach to education.

While the cost would be slightly greater in the short term, in the long run the district will see increased savings with less program maintenance costs, he said.

Maple Street school officials have also explored charging for band lessons as a source of additional revenue, but music instructor Michael Alberici said there isn’t another school in the state that charges for such services. He noted the Exeter School District used contracted service to charge for music lessons, but has since abandoned the venture.

The district’s elementary schools have high participation numbers in band programs, including 120 students at Maple Street, said Alberici, but, as with national averages, the numbers often go down substantially in middle and high school because of academic and time requirements.

“If a kid wants to take band, they have to give up study hall. If they want jazz band, they have to give up both study halls,” he said. “If we want to keep the number of kids in our programs, putting up a fee could be problematic.”

Alberici said he is paid by taxpayers and he thinks many students will pass on band if a fee is assessed, especially those already paying to rent instruments.

“I’m just afraid if we put a fee in front of people, parents will pull their kids early, even though it may take them two or three years to get it all together,” he said. “The middle school and high school numbers may go way down, which we can’t afford to do.

Though charging students for regular band lessons didn’t receive much support, Alberici suggested the district could charge for additional private lessons.

“We’re losing focused instrumental programs because my classes are whole band classes,” he said. “It may be possible to hire an outside teacher to provide personalized instruction for a low additional cost.”

2007 Rotary calendar features students’ art

Bow Editor — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:47:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Once a month in 2007, Hopkinton and Contoocook residents can turn to the featured Artist of the Month in the Rotary’s new calendar.

The 2007 calendar featuring the artwork of 60 Hopkinton students in grades 1 through 12, was first offered to residents who turned out to vote on Nov. 7.

One of the students came up to Rotarian Bruce Salsbury on Election Day and showed him his picture in the calendar.

“You could see the pride and the joy in his face, just, ‘Wow my picture is really there.’ That made it all worth it, all the effort. It was great,” Salsbury said.
The Rotary has been offering the calendars for several years, and sales are used to support the community.

“It started as a historic calendar and then we had one year with current pictures, then the next year, local artists submitted their art work,” he said. “I like to do something a little different every year. So through the art teachers, my vision was to get art work submitted by kids, judge it and put them in the calendar, and that’s what we did.”

While all submissions were included in the calendar, an independent jury decided which pictures would take up the 13 individual month pages.

“I managed, one way or another, to get all the artwork submitted into the calendar, including a montage in the back, which is very colorful,” said Salsbury.

The pictures in the calendar were submitted by art teachers Sue Batchelder, Jim Kociuba and Jane List.

About half of the calendars sold on Election Day.

“It’s been very successful this year,” he said. “If people don’t get their calendars in the next couple of weeks, then we’ll probably just run out.”

The calendars are currently available for purchase at the town clerk’s office, The Contoocook Needlework Gallery, The Covered Bridge Frame Shop and Gallery, The Cracker Barrel, The New Hampshire Antiquarian Society and Bellas. Calendars may also be purchased from local Rotarians.

The cost of production, said Salsbury, was primarily covered by 50 to 60 local businesses that advertise in the calendar.

“I like to give small businesses the opportunity to show they support community and Rotary events,” he said. “The small (ads) are only $25 and the ones that are on the calendar pages are $150, that’s’ pretty reasonable when you consider the cost of advertising in local newspapers and magazines.”

Proceeds from the calendars, which sell for $10 each, will benefit the Rotary Club’s senior scholarship program and other community- and school-related projects.

Last year, the Rotary donated roughly $4,000 from calendar sales to the community and another $17,500 from its annual golf tournament for scholarships to graduating seniors.

Hopkinton drops in semifinal, still surpasses expectations

Bow Editor — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:22:00 GMT

By Sapna Pathak
Staff Writer

As they listened to coach Curt Martin give his post-game speech on Tuesday, Oct. 31, following a 2-1 loss to Raymond in the Class M semifinals, the girls of the Hopkinton girls team heard a scream of pure joy and exhilaration rise up behind them.

There, the players of Epping stood with their coach prior to a semifinal game with Gilford, hyping themselves up with chants and words of encouragement.

A couple Hopkinton players peaked through teary eyes in Epping’s direction, perhaps wishing they were in the Blue Devils’ place.

Two hours earlier, they were, focused on their own Class M semifinal clash.

Yet, after taking a 1-0 lead, allowing Raymond to tie the game and then take the lead, watching three top players leave the field with injuries, ultimately beaten, the third-seeded Hawks faced the reality that their season was over.

It was a sad scene indeed. But Martin took the chance to remind them how special they were just to be there.

With many freshmen on the varsity roster and four consistently starting, Hopkinton surpassed its own and many others’ expectations in a 13-4-1 season that saw it reach the semifinals for the 10th time in 11 years.

Once there, the Hawks ran into a physical Raymond team they had defeated and tied in the regular season but couldn’t contain in the semifinal’s second half.

Hopkinton, building off the momentum from a 3-1 win over Campbell in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Oct. 29, drew first blood in the 10th minute when senior Brittney Fleury found Elise Ewing, who tucked a shot past the keeper into the left corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Raymond pressured the Hawks’ defense throughout the rest of the half, finally breaking through with a little less than nine to play until intermission when Maura McDonald punched a shot off the fingertips of goalie Ashley Brewster and in.

The real blow came seven minutes later, however, when Fleury was clipped near midfield, forcing her to the ground for several moments.

Martin later said she may have aggravated her right ACL, an injury serious enough to force her out for the most of the second half before returning for a few minutes late in the game.

But Hopkinton struggled to get much going thereafter when co-captain Jessie Jewell was forced to the sideline with a leg injury near the start of the second half.

Raymond scored the game-winner about 10 minutes later when Micajah Smith knocked in a Kaitlin Oldfield corner, and Hopkinton temporarily lost its other captain, Cassie Clough, when she went down and spent a few moments on the sideline.

Fleury returned with 10:17 to play, but even with her, Hopkinton struggled to test the Ram defense or its keeper as time ran out on its season.

“We had a couple people come out of the game that probably could’ve made a difference down the stretch, but that happens,” Martin said. “You move on, look at what you did well. I mean, we had a great season. We had five or six freshmen out there and we made the final four.”

Hopkinton graduates six seniors, including Clough, Fleury, Jewell, Brewster, Miranda MacMillan and Kate Scheffey, but returns a number of strong players, including junior Mo McAuliffe and freshmen Emma Brown, Melissa Baron, Katie Babson and Heather Scammon.

Keep it clean: Schools enforce dance rules

Bow Editor — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 17:06:00 GMT

By Ryan O’Connor
Staff Writer

Students who participated in the annual Homecoming festivities at Hopkinton Middle/High School experienced an evolution in dance the face-to-face variety.

Banning “grinding” and other types of “dirty dancing” has become a recent trend at New Hampshire middle and high schools and Hopkinton Principal Steve Chamberlin said school officials are just looking for the easiest solution to an ever-growing problem.

“Some schools have gone to no contact or slow dances only, but we didn’t want to do that,” Chamberlin said. “Our goal is to improve the climate and culture of dances and make them increasingly appropriate, while still allowing students to have fun.

“At first we didn’t really know what to do, but then decided that face-to-face is easily enforceable and easily obtainable,” he said.

Along with sending letters home to parents, Chamberlin met with students several days prior to the semester’s first dance to explain the reasons for the changes.

“We just wanted to inform parents that we are going to require students to dance face-to-face and hopefully that will eliminate the pelvis-to-backside dancing and some of that kind of stuff that’s been going on,” said Chamberlin. “Last year, it got pretty close to over-the-top, but we’ve found it’s difficult to change regulations during the school year. So, we are just getting the kids and parents on board before there are any issues this year.”

Following the Sept. 30 dance, students from Hopkinton gave the rule change mixed reviews.

“I’m pretty neutral toward it,” said Will Merrow, Hopkinton Student Council president. “I don’t really care a whole lot either way, but I think it’s unfortunate that there wasn’t any student input involved in the decision.”

Kate Scheffey, student representative to the school board, said there has been a lot of griping among students, but no challenge to authority. In fact, she said, students have encouraged her to talk to the board about student reaction.

“I think it has kind of been blown out of proportion, but I agree with the notion that 50 years ago, people didn’t agree with the dancing either,” she said. “It’s just kids having fun. It’s not leading to anything and it’s nothing that inappropriate.”

Goffstown High School Principal Frank McBride said his school has not had to adjust its dance rules because no major issues with inappropriate dancing have surfaced.

“It hasn’t happened to the extent that other principals around the area are reporting,” he said. “Whenever you put three, four, five hundred kids together in one place isssues are going to come up every once in awhile, but overall our students have been very well behaved.”

McBride said there were no noteworthy problems at Goffstown’s Homecoming dance on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Salem Superintendent Michael Delahanty disagrees.

“When you talk about this conflict of ‘grinding,’ it’s not the same as Elvis gyrating his hips,” he said. “This is the actual physical demonstration of a sexual act, which isn’t appropriate of any public setting.”

Some students say the rules go beyond “grinding” though.

Senior Sarah Warner, who said she was one of the few kicked out of the Hopkinton Homecoming dance, claimed a friend picked her up so she could see over the crowd and she was asked to leave because chaperones thought it was inappropriate.

“It wasn’t a hard rule to enforce, but I don’t think it was really necessary,” said Warner. “We all know it’s school grounds and we know what people want to see and what they don’t.”

Still, Hopkinton officials aren’t the only ones who are making changes.

Concord, for instance, had more than 150 students walk out of a Sept. 18 dance after officials repeatedly asked several to improve their behavior.

Now, the school is threatening to cancel the rest of its dances unless students comply with rules of proper conduct.

Not all schools have to make drastic changes, however.

According to headmaster Michael Reardon of Pembroke Academy, which educates students from Allenstown, Chichester, Deerfield, Epsom and Pembroke, the institution does not have a written policy about dances, but rather an institutional framework and attitude about what is appropriate in school.

“The whole issue here is a failure of kids or sometimes community members and even faculty members, to discern what we’re talking about here is school,” Reardon said. “It’s not the beach. It’s not the mall and it’s not their bedroom. It’s school and part of what we need to make kids aware of is there are different expectations and norms depending on where you are. At the very least, we want to make sure we counteract negative stuff they are exposed to elsewhere in the community.”

Reardon said Pembroke hosted its Homecoming dance Friday, Sept. 29, and only three students had to be spoken to about appropriate attire or behavior.

“It’s just kids being kids. They are always going to push the envelope and try to see what they can get away with,” he said. “It’s really our obligation and duty to make sure when they are within these four walls students understand what is appropriate and what isn’t.”

Senior center costs curbed

Bow Editor — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:28:00 GMT

By Ryan O’Connor
Staff Writer

A $1 million donation Eugene and Anne Slusser to build a new senior center in Hopkinton may not be enough after the initial bid on the project came in nearly 50 percent higher than expected.

Milstone Engineering and Construction of Concord, the company handpicked by the town for the project, submitted a $1.45 million estimate to build the center, which will be placed at Houston Fields next to the Hopkinton Library.

Don Lane, the selectmen’s representative and chairman of the Slusser Center Committee, said the estimate is not reasonable from his and other officials’ perspectives, but the two sides are re-evaluating the cost of the project.

“We’ve been working on it and we’ve chopped about $250,000 so far. We’re not finished yet,” Lane said. “We’re bringing it more and more into line every day.”

Among the items the town may be looking to cut are some energy-efficient options discussed at two public hearings during the summer, including spray-in insulation, a modern heating and air-conditioning system, low-energy glass, light sensors and a dimming feature to automatically adjust indoor lighting with natural light from outside.

According to Town Administrator Ed Wojnowski, those items will cost 3 percent more up front, but may save the town a one-third of the building’s energy costs down the road.

Still, Lane said, the town will make cuts where appropriate to make the cost reasonable.

“We’ll still look at those types of (energy-efficient) things, but we have to be responsible about it. If it’s going to cost considerably more than we have to spend, then we won’t,” Lane said. “We may pick and choose between some of those things and we certainly want to build as green a building as we can, but still use common sense because we don’t have the money to experiment.”

Should the cost still exceed $1 million, officials will not ask the town for extra money, said Lane.

“We’re going to start fundraising in November to try to make up the difference and also encourage people to donate various items that can be used at the center,” Lane said. “I’m pretty confident we will be able to get it done. This town has been very supportive of practically everything like this in the past.”

The only cost to Hopkinton, once the senior center is open, will be for maintenance and operations, which will run about $28,000 to $35,000 per year, Lane said.

“We aren’t adding any key personnel, which would impact that cost considerably,” he said. “We’re moving people around, like the social services director and recreation director, who will both be operating out of that building, which eliminates the need to add another person.”

Robert Mattes, the town recreation director, has been in charge of the facility since Columbia Hall was closed as a community center last month.

In addition, the two-story Slusser Center will house the town’s human services office, food pantry and Dial-a-Ride desk, among other services.

The town recreation offices will remain at Columbia Hall.

Construction on the new 7,344-sqaure-foot building is set to begin this month and, although slightly delayed, Lane expects the timetable will be close to the original plan.

“We’re still moving ahead and still planning on an April opening for it,” he said. “That’s our target and were not going to miss it by much.”