kearsarge regional school district

Kearsarge Students Learn to Effect Change Through Advocacy With Extended Learning Opportunity

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Kearsarge Regional School District
Superintendent Winfried Feneberg
114 Cougar Court
New London, NH 03257

For Immediate Release

Friday, Dec. 6, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: [email protected]

Kearsarge Students Learn to Effect Change Through Advocacy With Extended Learning Opportunity

NEW LONDON – Students at Kearsarge Regional High are learning to advocate for causes they believe in this school year, thanks to an Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) at the school. 

For the first time, students at Kearsarge Regional High have an opportunity to take a Leaders in Advocacy ELO Course this year, through which they are learning about advocacy, the state’s legislature, bill writing and leadership. 

Each month, eight Kearsarge students participating in the ELO are visiting the New Hampshire State House in Concord to participate in workshops and guest lectures with legislators. The students are additionally engaging in advocacy workshops through New Futures, a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for the wellbeing and health of New Hampshire residents, and holding round table discussions with advocates and advocacy groups on real world issues in New Hampshire.

This spring, students will take the insight they’ve learned from the course and work with legislators on newly drafted bills addressing current issues of their choice. Students will then testify in favor of those bills in front of legislative committees at the State House.

“Students don’t always realize the power they have to effect change as young people, and this course provides the tools and firsthand experience to show them just how much is possible,” said Melinda Wilder, Coordinator of Kearsarge’s ELO program. 

Wilder co-created the course in partnership with Kearsarge Transition Coordinator Rebecca Hemingway. 

On Nov. 19, eight students in the Leaders in Advocacy ELO met and held discussions with New Hampshire Rep. Cassandra Levesque, who spearheaded a movement to increase New Hampshire’s minimum age for marriage from 13 years old to 16, and Ana Goble, a Concord High School student known for speaking up about her concerns regarding the alleged inappropriate actions of a teacher against other students.

“It inspired me to see that young people can have a voice and make a difference,” said Phoenix Chouinard, a senior, after speaking with Goble and Levesque. “They helped me realize I can be part of a government and actually do something. Now I plan to write my own bill.”

“The stories inspired me, especially with me being a Girl Scout and currently working on my Gold Award,” said Olivia Parker, a junior. “I learned that advocacy is such a powerful tool that is accessible to anyone, and can be used for great change.”

Students also visited the New Hampshire Coalition of Domestic and Sexual Violence on Nov. 19, where they toured the facility and heard from members of the coalition about their work.

Students taking the course this year include Danielle Partridge, a junior; Madison Hemingway, a senior; Kadyn Decelle, a senior; Phoenix Chouinard, a senior; Makenzie Sirek, a sophomore; Will Walker, a junior; Olivia Parker, a junior; and Abigail Peterson, a junior.

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Kearsarge Students Celebrate Veterans Day, Recognize Locals Who Served

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Kearsarge Regional School District
Superintendent Winfried Feneberg
114 Cougar Court
New London, NH 03257

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Kearsarge Students Celebrate Veterans Day, Recognize Locals Who Served

NEW LONDON – Superintendent Winfried Feneberg is pleased to share that students of all ages at Kearsarge Regional School District took part in a variety of events and ceremonies recognizing Veterans Day.

Bradford Elementary School students and faculty held a Veterans Day Ceremony in the school’s gymnasium yesterday that featured musical performances by students. Kindergarten students also presented flags to each veteran in attendance at Tuesday’s event. 

“It’s important for students, at all grade levels, to take time to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices of those who have served, and meeting local veterans is a powerful way for students to better understand the service those individuals have performed for our country,” Superintendent Feneberg said. “Our students took the events very seriously, and worked hard to host meaningful ceremonies and activities to thank them for their service.”

On Monday, Nov. 4, Sutton Elementary School Students took part in a Veterans Day Ceremony organized by Principal Christine Downing and music teacher Nicole Densmore. Local veterans attended the event as well as community members. 

The ceremony included the performance of a patriotic song by fifth grade students, and three fifth grade students also read aloud essays they’d written about veterans. Retired Air Force Reserve Col. Bill McKinley III also spoke at the event about how to interview a veteran.

Additionally, Kearsarge Regional High School held its 5th annual Veterans Day Breakfast in the school’s cafeteria Friday, which featured the presentation of colors, a ceremony, breakfast and musical performances. 

On Friday, New London Elementary School also held an assembly for students, staff and local veterans. 

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Kearsarge Students Gain Hands-On Medical Experience through Dartmouth-Hitchcock Extended Learning Opportunity

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Kearsarge Regional School District
Superintendent Winfried Feneberg
114 Cougar Court
New London, NH 03257

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Kearsarge Students Gain Hands-On Medical Experience through Dartmouth-Hitchcock Extended Learning Opportunity

NEW LONDON– Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) at Kearsarge Regional School District provide students with valuable educational experiences outside of the classroom, including a program that allows students to learn firsthand from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center professionals.

“Extended Learning Opportunities are often made possible by the generosity of our community partners, who work incredibly hard to provide rich educational experiences for our students,” Superintendent Winfried Feneberg said. “Our staff has also made an extraordinary effort to make our ELO programming a reality, and we’re fortunate to have so many people working together to organize learning opportunities outside of the classroom to benefit our students.”

Kearsarge launched its ELO program in fall 2016 , including a partnership with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center that allows high school students to visit the Lebanon facility and learn directly from medical professionals. Kearsarge was the first in the state of New Hampshire to organize a program providing students with an ELO experience at the medical center.

“The goal of this ELO is to provide a pathway for students who are interested in the  medical field that is meaningful, relevant, and a real world experience where the students can draw upon different skills and apply them in a practical way,” said Melinda Wilder, ELO coordinator at Kearsarge.

Eight students are taking the class through which the program operates, titled DHMC Experiential ELO, this fall. Students will visit Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center four times, for four and a half hour visits each, and learn directly from medical professionals about their areas of expertise. Students in the class visited the center for the first time on Sept. 26, and were given a presentation by the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Advanced Response Team (DHART).

“I liked the hands-on aspect of the day because it wasn’t like I was sitting all day listening and taking notes like I would have been at school,” said Kate Dawson, a sophomore. “For example, I was able to lift the dummy from the stretcher to the DHART Helicopter stretcher like I was already a trained medical professional. It was a fun day and I can’t wait to go back.”

“I was happy to realize that the day was very geared towards showing us the action packed nature of these fields,” said Cohl Schusler, a senior. “I liked it because it was extremely engaging. When we were in the ambulance bay, I was able to volunteer to intubate the mannequin and interact with the EMTs firsthand.”

Students have also listened to an x-ray technician explain his daily responsibilities, and learn about medical procedures through demonstrations with practice mannequins. Between visits to the medical center, students are writing reflection essays, learning medical terminology and their origins and working on a final project of interest on a medical topic.

Students in the class will also participate in two days of guest speaker presentations at Kearsarge Regional High, and will visit other local medical centers as well.

Kearsarge Regional High offers a variety of additional ELO classes and programs, which can be tailored to a student’s interests as the district identifies possible mentors and/or community partners. Students can participate in project based Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ELOs, and other topics the district has crafted ELOs for students on include culinary arts, the Japanese language and bridge engineering.

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Kearsarge Students Discuss Middle to High School Transition at Combined Girl’s Soccer Practice

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Kearsarge Regional School District
Superintendent Winfried Feneberg
114 Cougar Court
New London, NH 03257

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Kearsarge Students Discuss Middle to High School Transition at Combined Girl’s Soccer Practice

The Kearsarge High School Varsity Girl’s Soccer team practiced various drills and shared advice about the transition from middle to high school with members of the Kearsarge Middle School girl’s soccer program earlier this month. (Courtesy Photo Kearsarge Regional School District)

NEW LONDON– Superintendent Winfried Feneberg is pleased to share that members of the middle school girl’s soccer team had the chance to practice with, bond and hear advice from members of the high school varsity team at a combined practice earlier this month.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, a total of 14 members of the Kearsarge Regional High School varsity girl’s soccer team joined the Kearsarge Regional Middle School girl’s soccer program for their practice. The high school students led the younger players in groups by position, and practiced various drills before holding a series of scrimmages.

“It was an awesome practice,” said Reese Lacombe, an eighth-grade student and member of the middle school soccer program. “Working with and hearing from the varsity girls inspired me to be the best me both on and off the pitch.”

“Being able to scrimmage with the high school team was a lot of fun!” said Kylie LaBelle, an eighth-grade student and member of the middle school soccer program.

At the end of the practice, the older players imparted advice and words of encouragement to the younger students, including suggestions that they foster a “soccer family” and build close friendships with their teammates, continue training over the summer to prepare for the fall season, and to value their friendships on and off the playing field.

“Working with the middle school girls was a great opportunity to combine the current and upcoming players,” said Jordan Busch, a 12th-grade student and member of the high school varsity girl’s soccer team. “It is crucial to create strong bonds between teammates and working with the younger girls gave everyone the ability to get to know each other and have fun together.”

“I thought that this was an amazing opportunity for everyone there,” said Mary Meagher, a 12th-grade student and member of the high school varsity girl’s soccer team. “It was awesome that the younger girls were so excited to have us there. They are crucial to bettering our program in the future and I have great confidence that they will have great seasons ahead.”

Kearsarge Regional High girl’s varsity soccer team Head Coach Emily Wagman partnered with Kearsarge Athletic Director Scott Fitzgerald, middle school Athletic Coordinator Nathan Camp, middle school Athletic Coordinator John Geary and middle school girl’s soccer Coach Dave Smith to organize the practice. 

“It is extremely important for young athletes to build connections,” Coach Wagman said. “The inter-squad practice is a great opportunity for the high school players to give back to the program and to build connections with the middle school players, many of whom will soon be their teammates. It is also important for the younger players to build a connection with the older players to bridge the gap between middle school and high school, to ease the upcoming transition and continue to build the girl’s soccer program.”

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