raymond public schools

Raymond Public Schools Hosts Hannaford Food Pantry Kickoff Event

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Raymond School District
Tina McCoy, Superintendent
43 Harriman Hill Road
Raymond, NH 03077

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019

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

Raymond Public Schools Hosts Hannaford Food Pantry Kickoff Event

RAYMOND — Superintendent of Schools Tina McCoy is pleased to announce that Raymond Public Schools hosted representatives from Hannaford supermarkets as part of a kick off event for Hannaford’s new “Fuel Kids at School” initiative.

The kick off took place Thursday, Nov. 14 at Raymond High School.

As part of the “Fuel Kids at School” initiative, Hannaford will be donating $1 million across New England and New York toward the creation of school-based food pantries. These pantries will become self-sustaining with community support after Hannaford’s two-year structured funding and infrastructure-building program is complete.

McCoy said she was happy to host Hannaford after the successful relationship the company has had with the Raymond Public Schools. 

“Hannaford has a store located in our community and they have been a great partner and supporter for our school system over the years,” she said. “They have made many generous donations, especially through the Hannaford’s Helps Schools Program.” 

Thursday’s kick off event served to formally announce the initiative, with supporting comments by NH Hunger Solutions leaders and school representatives. The event included a volunteer activity with Hannaford Chef’s Table partners Matt Louis (a Raymond High School graduate) and Kathy Gunst leading a meal/food preparation with students.

Hannaford donated six new blenders to Raymond High School’s Family and Consumer Science Program at the event, and blenders were used in the food preparation activity.

In total, Hannaford will launch at least 90 school food pantries within the region over the next two years. A dozen pantries will be set up in New Hampshire in low-income communities, in partnership with the nonprofit organization NH Hunger Solutions.

As part of the “Fuel Kids at School” initiative, students will have access to nutritious, easy to prepare or already prepared snacks and meals to supplement the food that they receive when they’re not at school.

The event began with opening remarks from Raymond High School Principal Steve Woodward and a formal announcement of the initiative from Hannaford Vice President of Retail Operations Jim Hamilton.

Elaine Van Dyke of NH Hunger Solutions then discussed the program, followed by Superintendent McCoy, who explained the need to address hunger in local schools.

McCoy said she would be interested in the possibility of starting a pantry at Raymond High School as part of the program.

ABOUT HANNAFORD:

Last year, Hannaford donated nearly 26 million pounds of food across its market area. In New Hampshire alone, the company donated more than 4 million pounds. 

In addition to its fresh rescue program, Hannaford works with local groups such as Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) to train farmers on growing practices and to market strategies.

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Raymond School Board Welcomes New Member

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Raymond School District
Tina McCoy, Superintendent
43 Harriman Hill Road
Raymond, NH 03077

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019

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

Raymond School Board Welcomes New Member

Longtime Raymond resident Melissa Sytek, left, was recently sworn in as a member of the Raymond School Board by School District Clerk Linda Hoelzel. (Courtesy Photo Raymond Public Schools)

RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy is pleased to announce the appointment of a new member to the Raymond School Board.

Melissa Sytek was sworn in as a member of the Raymond School Board on Wednesday, Sept. 4, by School District Clerk Linda Hoelzel at the office of the superintendent of schools on Harriman Hill Road.

“I’m excited to take on this role with the School Board, and am looking forward to being a part of thoughtful discussions about education in Raymond,” Sytek said.

Sytek was appointed to the position unanimously by the Raymond School Board on Aug. 28, and replaces former School Board Member Moe Titcomb. Her term will end in March.

Three candidates applied for the open position, and were interviewed by the School Board at its Aug. 28 meeting.

“Melissa has demonstrated a vested interest in our schools and in education, and it is wonderful that she stepped up and took on this position on the Raymond School Board,” Superintendent McCoy said. “As an educator herself, I’m confident her experience and knowledge will be a valuable contribution to the board’s work this school year.”

Sytek has lived in Raymond for 21 years, and has two children, one enrolled at Raymond High School and another at Iber Holmes Gove Middle School. She also works as a teacher in Allenstown.

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Reach High Scholars Program Helps Raymond Seniors Attend College with Minimal Debt

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Raymond School District
Tina McCoy, Superintendent
43 Harriman Hill Road
Raymond, NH 03077

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 14, 2019

Media Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reach High Scholars Program Helps Raymond Seniors Attend College with Minimal Debt

Class of 2019 Raymond High School Valedictorian Carly Cole, left, and Salutatorian Tovah Duffaut were both members of the Reach High Scholars Program. (Courtesy Photo Raymond Public Schools)

RAYMOND — A group of Raymond High School seniors will attend their dream colleges and universities this fall, while also incurring little or no debt, thanks to the help of a nonprofit program founded by an alumni.

The Reach High Scholars Program was founded in 2008 by Raymond High School alumni John McDaniels. The program accepts students as early as eighth grade who are nominated by their teachers and send in an application. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves through a variety of opportunities including summer round table discussion based courses, PSAT and SAT boot camps and multi-week summer boarding enrichment programs at schools like Philips Exeter Academy.

The nonprofit also plans group trips to local colleges and pays a portion of student summer program, college admission and college admission test fees on a need-based basis. The goal is to help students achieve their academic goals and attend high quality colleges and universities without accumulating significant debt.

“Our students are so fortunate to have a program that will help them pursue opportunities to be challenged academically outside of their schoolwork, navigate the college process and identify opportunities to pursue higher education without going into an incredible amount of debt,” Superintendent McCoy said.

Nine seniors in the class of 2019 graduated from the Reach High Scholars Program this year, together acquiring more than $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to attend colleges and universities this fall. These include Wheaton College, Hobart and William Smith College, Union College, Emerson College, Colby College, St. Anselm’s College and the University of New Hampshire.

“Reach High Scholars provided me with the guidance I needed to make me the best candidate possible for the schools I wanted to apply to; as well as, a safe space to vent about the challenges and hurdles I experienced along the way,” said Savannah Cooney, who will attend Wheaton College in the fall.

The Reach High Scholar’s program has approximately 70 students in grades eight through 12.

“RHSP has exposed me to so many important aspects of the college process,” said Jenny Ferm, who will attend Emerson College in the fall. “The advisers were there to help guide me through my decision making process, and aided me in creating my college resume throughout these past four years”.

Class of 2019 Raymond High School Valedictorian Carly Cole and Salutatorian Tovah Duffaut were both members of the Reach High Scholars Program. Cole will attend Union College this fall and Tovah will attend Colby College.

Raymond High School alumni from prior graduating classes who took part in the voluntary Reach High Scholars Program have attended competitive schools including Boston College, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Holy Cross, Northeastern and Worcester Polytechnic.

Two former members of the program were the first and second Raymond Public School alumni to receive Fulbright Scholarships to study and work abroad. Several other alumni of the nonprofit program work in companies including Amazon, Athenahealth, BAE Systems and IBM Watson, and are pursuing or have obtained Ph.D. and master’s degrees.

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