Hello Gilbert H. Hood Families,

 

School resumes on Monday.  The spring is always a busy time in school, filled with lots of learning opportunities, as well as many end-of-year activities and celebrations.  We encourage our students to stay focused and finish the school year strong!

 

 

Lift-ups:

 

•Lift up to all the students, staff, and families who contributed to the End68 Hours of Hunger food drive.  Your generosity is amazing!

•Lift up to Mrs. Whitney and the other chaperones who supervised the Travel Club’s trip to Virginia over April Break. Thank you for devoting your time and energy to support our students during this amazing trip!

 

Some important information and reminders for the upcoming weeks:

 

 

Staff Appreciation Week - May 4-8 (flyer)

 

This week the GHH PTSA has organized a Staff Appreciation Week, with fun things planned for each day (see flyer linked above).  Thank you to all those who planned these events, and to the many families who contributed to help make it happen.  

 

NHSAS Assessments - continues this week

 

Students will be taking the NHSAS tests (state testing) on the following dates:

May 5 & 6 - Reading  (all grades)

May 7 - Writing  (all grades)

May 11 - Science  (grade 8 only)

We understand illness and other circumstances happen, but it is important that as many students as possible attend school on time on testing days.  If students are absent on testing days, they will be pulled from class at a later date to make-up the tests they missed.

We also ask that students have their computers charged and ready to use on testing days to make it easier for them to get started on time.

 

Spring NWEA -  begins May 20

 

Spring NWEA begins with Math on Wednesday, May 20.

May 20 & 21 - Math NWEA

May 27 & 28 - Reading NWEA

We also ask that students come to school with their computers charged and ready to use on testing days.

 

Spring Thing - May 8 (flyer)

 

The Student Council is hosting the Spring Thing on Friday, May 8, 2:00-3:00.  Tickets are $2, which will be sold at lunches May 5-7.  The event includes games, snacks, and Kona Ice.  Bring extra money for Kona and snacks.  Let’s celebrate this spring thing together!

 

GHH Class of 2026 Yard Signs (flyer)

 

Spread school spirit and celebrate your 8th grader with a yard sign. Yard signs cannot travel home on the bus and can only go home via parent pickup.  Here’s the link to order:  link

Please Note: As this is a pre-order for the signs, they are not currently available for pick-up.  Once they arrive, we will send out an email when they are ready for pick-up.

 

Last Day of School

 

The last day of school for 7th graders is Wednesday, June 17. This is an Early Release Day, with dismissal at 11:45.  (NOTE: Due to the 8th grade promotion ceremony, the last day of school for 8th graders is Tuesday, June 16.)

 

Grade 8 End-of-Year Events ( flyer)

 

For families of 8th grade students, please refer to the attached flyer.  This flyer outlines events planned to celebrate the end of the school year as our eighth graders prepare to move on to high school.  Please mark your calendars and look for updates with additional information through ParentSquare.  In addition, we will need your help.  The success of these events depends on the support and contributions from families.  In future messages we will share opportunities you can help, including volunteering or donating items.  Thank you in advance.

 

Southern NH Relay for Life - June 27 (flyer)

 

Are you and your family interested in participating in this year's Relay for Life? This year's event will be on June 27, 3:00-9:30 pm, at Pinkerton Academy.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

 

Freshman Field Day - Pinkerton Class of 2030 - August 11 (flyer)

 

Mark your calendars! Students who plan to attend Pinkerton Academy in the fall should plan to attend their Freshman Field Day on August 11.  This event will include the following:

• Meet teachers

• Pick up student Chromebook and student ID

• Enjoy ice cream in the Freshman Cafe

• Explore the campus through guided tours

• Join in team-building activities and have fun

Additional details and important information are provided on this flyer:  2026 Field Day Flyer - Class of 2030

 

2026-2027 School Calendar Approved:

 

The DCSD School Board recently approved the calendar for 2026-2027. Please see  HERE to view the calendar.

 

Upcoming Dates:

 

• May 4-8: Staff Appreciation Week  (Flyer )

• May 5-7: State Assessments: NHSAS Reading & Writing

• May 6: NJHS Induction Ceremony, 6:00

• May 7: PTA Reflections Showcase, 5:30-8:00 at GHH

• May 8: Student Council sponsored Spring Thing, 2:00-3:00

• May 11: State Assessments: NHSAS Science (grade 8 only)

• May 12: PTSA Meeting, 6:00

• May 12: Derry School Board Meeting, Derry Municipal Center, 6:30

• May 13: Grade 8 Field Trip 

• May 15: Student Council 8th Grade Leadership Day at Pinkerton

• May 18: Music Assemblies

• May 18: Chorus Concert, 6:00-7:30

• May 19: Early Release Day , 11:45 dismissal

• May 19: Band Concert, 6:00-7:30

• May 20-21: NWEA Assessments: Math

• May 25: No School  - Memorial Day

• May 25: Memorial Day Parade, featuring GHH Marching Band

• May 26: Derry School Board Meeting, Derry Municipal Center, 6:30

• May 27-28: NWEA Assessments: Reading

• May 27: Family Night for Incoming 7th Graders, 6:00-7:30

• June 4: Teams 7-1 & 7-2 Field Trip

• June 5: Grade 6 to 7 Transition Day

• June 9: Team 7-3 Field Trip

• June 9: PTSA Meeting, 6:00

• June 9: Derry School Board Meeting, Derry Municipal Center, 6:30

• June 10: Spring Sports Awards Night, 6:00-7:30

• June 11: House A Field Day (Teams 7-1 & 7-2)

• June 12: Team 7-4 Field Trip

• June 12: Grade 8 Canobie Lake Field Trip

• June 15: Grade 8 Promotion Dance, 6:00-8:00

• June 16: House B Field Day (Teams 7-3 & 7-4)

• June 16: Last day of school for Grade 8

• June 16: Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony, 4:00 at Pinkerton

• June 17: Last day of school for Grade 7 (Early Release Day )

 

**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.

 

 

 

 

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On-Going Reminders

 

 

If your child is absent

 

Reminder: It’s important for our records that you notify the office if your child is absent.  You can report absences by calling us or sending an email to this address:   ghhms-attendance@sau10.org  

 

Remote Learning Information:

 

Please see HERE for information regarding DCSD’s Remote Learning Plan.

 

Morning Car Drop Off - We need your help

 

For the safety of everyone, follow these procedures if you are driving in the morning car rider line behind the building:

• Wait to drop off your child(ren) until you are in the  drop-off zone and signaled by a staff member .  The drop-off zone is between the crosswalk near the dining hall doors (Door 16) to the corner of the building.  

• Do not proceed or bypass vehicles where students are exiting a vehicle and approaching the sidewalk.

• Throughout the process, drive slowly  and cautiously.  (Sometimes the actions of middle school students can be unpredictable!)

The safety of our students, staff, and families must remain our top priority.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Annual Information Update

 

If you have not already done so for this school year, please complete your child's Annual Information Update through PowerSchool.   This must be done every year for ALL NEW and RETURNING STUDENTS.  Here is a link to the PowerSchool Parent Portal sign in page:   https://sau10.powerschool.com/public/home.html Please call the office if you have questions or need assistance: 603-432-1224.

 

Afterschool Enrichment Program 

 

The Gilbert H. Hood Middle School Afterschool Enrichment program is a FREE program that runs September 2, 2025 to May 28, 2026 every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 2 to 5:30 pm . Students enrolled in this program are expected to attend 3 days a week. Students can ALSO attend any clubs or sports offered at the school. Further details are provided on the attached flyer.  The program is FUN, keeps students safe, provides engaging activities, and positive social interactions with a long-term goal of increased community engagement. To register:  https://bit.ly/AfterschoolEnrichment

 

Afterschool Clubs & Activities

 

Students should pay attention to the announcements during Morning Meeting to get information about clubs they may be interested in joining.  These daily announcements are also posted on our school website under the “Resources” tab.   The  Morning Meeting Notices spreadsheet is constantly updated and available for reference.

 

Derry Cooperative School District Free & Reduced Lunch Application

 

We invite you to watch this informative video regarding filling out the free and reduced lunch application:   https://youtu.be/V6Y8kMqapgc

 

Community Resources for Derry Families

 

• Derry Strong Website: https://sites.google.com/sau10.org/keep-calm-carry-online/home

• Greater Derry Food Services information: Flyers