Happenings @ S A U 70 - April 29, 2026
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Happenings @ S A U 70 - April 29, 2026
Important Dates
- Monday, May 4 - SAU 70 School Board Meeting, 6 PM, Hanover High School
- Wednesday, May 6 - Norwich School Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, Marion Cross School
- Wednesday, May 13 - Hanover School Board Meeting, 7 PM, Bernice A. Ray School
- Monday, May 25 - No School all SAU 70 Schools, SAU Office closed - Memorial Day
- Tuesday, May 26 - Dresden School Board 7 PM, Hanover High School
- Tuesday, June 16 - MCS last day of school
- Wednesday, June 17 - Ray, RMS, HHS last day of school
From Our Superintendent
Dear Families, Staff, and Community Members,
As I walk through the hallways of our schools each week, I am consistently struck by the dedication, passion, kindness, and compassion of our staff. While our buildings provide the space and our curriculum provides the map, it is our dedicated staff members who provide the spark. As we move into Staff Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible professionals who make our schools great places to learn and grow.
It is often the "invisible" work that makes the greatest impact. This month, we are highlighting the educators and support staff who have truly modeled our core values:
- Our Educators: Beyond lesson plans, our teachers are mentors, cheerleaders, and innovators. Whether it’s staying late to help a student master a complex concept or creating an immersive classroom transformation, their passion is the engine of student achievement. Every day, I observe students engaged in rigorous lessons. Our educators are the best in the field.
- Our Educational Assistants (EAs): Our EAs do it all! They work with students one-on-one, in small groups, cover classrooms, provide help to our teachers and other staff members, and cover a myriad of other “duties” such as recess and bus duties. Our schools could not function without these important individuals. They provide the same dedication, passion, and support as others and keep our schools running efficiently and our students well cared for.
- The Support Squad: From the bus drivers who are the first friendly faces our students see in the morning, to the custodial teams who ensure our environments are safe and sparkling, and the administrative assistants who keep our front offices running like clockwork—you are the glue that holds us together. You make our schools better each day.
- Nutritional & Health Services: Thank you to our cafeteria teams for fueling bodies and our school nurses for tending to both physical health and emotional well-being with unwavering patience and knowledge. You provide the daily support that our students and staff need.
- The SAU Staff: The SAU covers everything behind the scenes, from budgets to payroll, benefits, hiring, technology, special education, curriculum, and grants. It is amazing how many people work quietly to help our schools and employees be successful. This group is dedicated to providing our schools with professional, thoughtful, and up-to-date guidance and support.
- The School Board: These individuals, who serve on three Boards, provide incredible support and time to our schools. People have no idea the time commitment required of our Board members. They not only serve on three Boards, but they also volunteer for a variety of other Committees as well. They develop policies, oversee our budgets, and work to supervise me. They do this with grace, humility, and with a genuine love for our schools, staff, and students.
To our staff, I want you to know how greatly appreciative I am of all that you do to make our schools successful, high-performing, and welcoming. I see the early mornings, the extra prep, the emotional energy you pour into every child, and the collaborative spirit you bring to your teams. You don't just "work" here; you invest your hearts here. Our staff members are the reason our students dream bigger every day.
To our community: Thank you for your continued support of these professionals. A simple "thank you" note or an email of appreciation goes a long way in fueling the incredible work happening in our classrooms.
With deep gratitude,
Robin Steiner
Superintendent of Schools
SAU 70 Annual Survey
We value your feedback and invite all families to take a few moments to complete our survey. Your responses help us better understand your experiences and guide improvements across our schools. Thank you for sharing your perspective and supporting our continued growth.
From Our Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Dear SAU 70 Community,
It is hard to believe we are already in the final stretch of the academic year.
Our statewide assessment window is underway in Vermont and New Hampshire. We remain grounded in the belief that students are more than a single test score. While assessments offer one snapshot of learning, they do not define the whole child. We know that students are more than a number. Their growth, effort, creativity, kindness, perseverance, and the many ways they demonstrate understanding all matter and are seen in our classrooms every day.
Across all four schools, we continue to make strong progress toward publishing K–12 curriculum overviews so families have clearer insight into what students are learning and how that learning develops over time. World Languages, Science, and Math have all been updated and many new course overviews have been published. I am now shifting attention to English/Language Arts, Social Studies, and our elective and specials programs.
Another important area of focus is communication and accessibility. I am leading a cross-district team to explore how to expand translation services so that all families, regardless of home language, can engage meaningfully with our schools. This is part of a longer-term effort to improve how we connect with and support every member of our community.
April also brought many meaningful moments of student learning and celebration. At Marion Cross School, fourth graders participated in the Biography Tea, an interdisciplinary experience that blends literacy, research, and art. Students studied a chosen figure, developed note-taking and presentation skills, and created portraits that reflected key aspects of their subject. Families were invited to attend, and students shared their learning with both peers and visitors over tea. It was a powerful example of students engaging deeply with content while building confidence as learners and presenters. I found it especially meaningful to see students step into that moment, both brave and excited, as they shared their learning with an audience.
Another highlight of my month was visiting Ray School’s third graders to share about our district’s sister city relationship with Nihonmatsu, Japan. This partnership, established in 1999, honors Kan’ichi Asakawa and a shared commitment to global understanding and peace. Students were especially engaged in learning about traditions like the Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival, where thousands of lanterns light the city during a celebration that has taken place for more than 380 years. This experience also serves as a launch point for the third grade study of Japan, which culminates in a cultural showcase for the community.
As we move into May, we look forward to celebrating Staff Appreciation Week, an opportunity to recognize the dedication and care of all SAU 70 staff. The work happening across our schools each day reflects their deep commitment to students and to one another.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to finishing the year strong, together.
Warmly,
Lauren Amrhein
SAU 70 Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Through music, storytelling, and hands-on learning, students at the Ray School are exploring the rich traditions of mariachi while building an appreciation for diverse artistic expression with Veronica Robles - Female Mariachi Artist.
Board Meetings
We would love to have you join us at a meeting, however, we realize sometimes that’s hard to do. Below you will find the Zoom links and start times to the upcoming Board meetings.
Should you encounter issues, the necessary zoom links, including passcodes, can be found on the SAU 70 calendar on the pop up of the event. Meetings are also available on our YouTube channel, both live and on demand following the broadcast.
Regularly Scheduled Board Meetings for May and associated Zoom links:
SAU Board Meeting - May 4, 2026 - 6 PM Hanover High School Library
Norwich Board Meeting - May 6, 2026 - 6:30 PM Marion Cross School
Hanover Board Meeting - May 13, 2026 - 7 PM Bernice A. Ray Elementary School
Dresden Board Meeting - May 26, 2026 - 7 PM Hanover High School Library
Contact a Board Chair
Gina des Cognets - SAU 70 Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for SAU Office and Staff
ginadescognets@hnsb.org
Benjamin Keeney - Dresden Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for Hanover High School, Frances C. Richmond Middle School
benjamin.keeney@hnsb.org
Kelly McConnell - Hanover Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for Bernice A. Ray School, Hanover Transportation, Hanover Special Education
kelly.mcconnell@hnsb.org
Garrett Palm - Norwich Board Chair - Board Point of Contact for Marion Cross School, Norwich Transportation, Norwich Special Education
garrett.palm@hnsb.org
RMS students ready their balloons for launch.
Policy Updates
The Policy Committee meets monthly at the SAU. Meeting dates and times are available on the SAU 70 Calendar. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Ryanne Schoonover.
Below you will find what was presented to the Boards this month. Staff members are encouraged to review the agenda, as some topics may be relevant to your role. You can find our documentation on our board governance solution, Simbli.
SAU 70 Updates - No Board meeting was held in April.
Dresden Updates - Simbli link to April 28, 2026, meeting
The board will re-approve policies DFA and BCB.
BCB - Board Member Conflicts of Interest
DFA - Investment
Hanover Updates - No policy discussion at the April 8th meeting.
Norwich Updates - Simbli link to April 1, 2026, meeting.
As per the policy, the Board will "re-evaluate whether to continue this policy and give consideration to costs, uptake numbers, and classroom sizes, in District, per school, and per grade level."
GJFAB - Admission of District Employee’s Non-Resident Student(s)
GJFAB-R - Admission of District Employee’s Non-Resident Student(s) Regulation
MCS Kindergarten Author’s Tea where they shared their “how-to” writing pieces with their families.
Religious & Federal Holidays as identified by the Calendar Committee
Beltane (Pagan), May 1, 2026
Shavuot (Judaism), May 21-23
Eid al-Adha (Islam), May 26 sundown - May 27 sundown
Visit the Communications Department page for previous newsletters.