Happenings @ SAU 70 - March 30, 2026
Happenings @ SAU 70 - March 30, 2026
Important Dates
Wednesday, April 1- Norwich School Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, Marion Cross School
Wednesday, April 8 - Hanover School Board Meeting, 7 PM, Bernice A. Ray School
Wednesday, April 15 - SAU 70 Band Concert - 6:30 PM, Hanover High School Gymnasium
Monday, April 20 - Friday, April 24 - April Break - No Schools all SAU 70 schools
Tuesday, April 28 - Dresden School Board 7 PM, Hanover High School
From the Superintendent’s Desk: A Peek Behind the Scenes of Early Release Wednesdays
One of the most frequent questions I receive from parents and community members is: "What actually happens when the students head home early on Wednesdays?"
While the hallways may get quiet at midday, the classrooms and meeting rooms across our district—from the Marion Cross School (MCS) to Frances C. Richmond Middle School (RMS), Bernice A. Ray School (Ray) and Hanover High School (HHS)—are buzzing with intentional, high-level professional work. These afternoons are the engine room of our school district, allowing our educators to collaborate, train, and refine the strategies that support your child’s growth.
Here is a look at how our dedicated staff across the district utilizes this time to build a stronger, safer, and more connected learning environment.
1. Strengthening Our Culture & Well-Being
At MCS, Wednesdays are used to deepen PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and restorative practices. This includes refining morning meetings and ensuring consistent behavior systems across all grades. At RMS, this manifests through the SPIRIT initiative, where teams use "Standing Circles" and specialized rubrics to celebrate student success.
Importantly, this year at Hanover High School, we have focused heavily on UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and dedicated time to staff and student well-being, ensuring our academic environment is both rigorous and supportive.
2. Instructional Improvement & Data Use
We don't just "teach"—we constantly analyze how our teaching is working. Our staff uses this structured time for:
- Data Analysis: Using protocols to look at student work and training on assessments like i-Ready to adjust instruction in real-time at both the Marion Cross and Ray Schools.
- Curriculum Pacing: Collaborative work in all subject areas occurs to ensure students are meeting milestones during K-12 meetings on these Wednesdays.
- MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support): At RMS, "Learning Groups" are already drafting proposals for the 2026-2027 school year to ensure every student—whether they need extra help or an extra challenge—gets exactly what they need. Ray, HHS and MCS continue to refine their MTSS practices.
- Arts & Letters Professional Development: Training in our new ELA program at the elementary schools began at our last full release day.
3. Safety, Compliance, and Professional Learning
Safety is a non-negotiable priority, and these afternoons allow for training that simply cannot happen while school is in session:
- Emergency Preparedness: Staff have engaged in CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) training with local police, as well as CPR/First Aid and reunification planning.
- Mandated Training: Our educators and Educational Assistants (EAs) complete essential modules on bullying prevention, suicide awareness, and ethics.
- EA Focus: We provide our Educational Assistants with targeted professional development, so they are fully equipped to support students in the classroom.
4. Committee & Collaborative Work
Our schools are run through shared decision-making. Standing committees meet on Wednesdays to solve problems regarding scheduling, climate, and budget priorities. By using this time for "the nitty-gritty"—from writing thoughtful report card comments to planning for March Intensive—we ensure that the school day runs smoothly for your children.
A Note of Appreciation
Professional growth requires time and focus. By providing these Wednesday afternoons, you are allowing our teachers to move from being "instructors" to being "architects" of a better educational system. This time is an investment in your child’s future and the overall health of our school community.
We are proud of the work being done "behind the curtain," and we thank you for your continued support of our staff and their professional development.
Best regards,
Robin Steiner
Superintendent of Schools
Welcoming Two New Principals to Our School Communities
We are pleased to share exciting news for our school communities as we welcome two new principals who will help lead our schools into the future. Their experience, dedication to students, and commitment to educational excellence make them outstanding additions to our leadership team. We are proud to welcome Kelly Moses Pease to the Bernice A. Ray School and Timothy O’Leary to the Frances C. Richmond Middle School.
Both principals bring a strong background in fostering positive school climates, supporting high-quality instruction, and building meaningful connections with students, staff, and families. They are passionate about creating inclusive learning environments where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.
As instructional leaders, they are committed to collaborating with teachers and staff to ensure that all students have access to engaging and rigorous learning opportunities. They also recognize the importance of communication and partnership with families, and look forward to building strong relationships within our school communities.
Please join us in welcoming our new principals - we are excited for the leadership, energy, and fresh perspectives they will bring to our district.
From Our Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Dear SAU 70 Community,
Here are a few highlights from the world of curriculum, instruction, and assessment!
Arts and Letters for Elementary Schools
- We are excited to announce that Marion Cross Elementary School (Norwich) and the Bernice A. Ray School (Hanover) have adopted a universal curriculum program for English Language Arts (ELA) that will be implemented beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. (Please see this presentation for more information.)
- Our ELA Committee, including representatives from both schools, has been active for over 2 years, learning about the Science of Reading, examining our current curriculum, and making recommendations about next steps. After a lengthy and thorough process that involved ELA coordinators from MCS/Ray, administrators, SAU leaders, ELA Committee members, and voluntary participation offered to all staff at both schools, the recommendation to adopt Arts & Letters was finalized. This recommendation was presented to the Norwich and Hanover School Boards for approval this spring. Our next steps include providing intensive PD and support to all staff that will be using Arts and Letters. This support is provided through Arts and Letters designated coaches in conjunction with our ELA coordinators, administrators, and me. Professional development will occur on Wednesday afternoons and during inservice time. Additionally, stipend work time will be made available during the summer.
- On our March inservice day, our K-5 educators from Marion Cross and the Ray School gathered together for a “Launch” professional development session that included an overview of the program and materials, time to engage with those materials, and some time for collaborative planning. Following the teacher launch, the coordinators and I had a custom coaching session to plan our supports and successful implementation that is specifically tailored to our teachers and students.
Strengthening our K-8 Math Pathways
- I have been collaborating with RMS administrators and RMS/MCS teachers to refine the transition process from 6th to 7th-grade math and how it is communicated to families. No substantial curricular changes are being implemented at this time, and our rising 6th grade students will take 6th grade math that uses Illustrative Math as their curriculum program. Discussions with RMS and MCS centered on several key themes:
- Transparency in Placement: Establishing clear, documented criteria for course recommendations and identifying the specific decision-makers involved.
- Long-term Pathways: Providing families with clarity on how middle school placements impact high school opportunities.
- Curricular Integrity: Emphasizing that both 7th Grade and 7th Grade Advanced tracks prioritize a rigorous, foundational mastery of mathematics.
- Access: Removing the "Art of Problem Solving" prerequisite and ensuring that student placement is determined by demonstrated proficiency and readiness rather than access to outside private resources.
- Commitment to Success: Placement is the beginning, not the end, of the process. RMS is prioritizing consistent family communication and targeted academic supports to ensure every student, regardless of their starting point, experiences success in their 7th-grade math placement.
- This work represents a deeper commitment to instructional alignment between our schools.
Curriculum Documentation
- I am making strides in publishing our curriculum to the SAU 70 website for public viewing. World Languages curriculum has been the focus for this month, with additions for both elementary schools and continued work on existing documentation for Richmond Middle School and Hanover High School. In the month of April, I will be shifting my focus to math, science, and specials/electives.
- This work will continue into the summer, and we are shifting our focus from documentation to revision.
As we move into the final months of the school year, I am energized by the collaborative spirit of our educators and the shared commitment to excellence within SAU 70. We look forward to keeping you updated as we continue to enhance the learning experience for all our students.
Another role I currently hold here at SAU70 includes coordinating our safety responses, protocols, and trainings across the district in collaboration with Superintendent Robin Steiner, Communications Coordinator Karen Wright, and our liaison at the Hanover Police Department, Lieutenant Matt Ufford. In light of last week’s events, here is a recap and some additional reflections.
Lockdown Follow-up
Out of an abundance of caution, Hanover High School was placed in Lockdown from 2:18pm to 3:10pm due to a threat made by phone call to the school. Hanover Police Department was able to determine that there was no active threat. Thank you for your patience while we worked with first responders to respond to the situation. We are grateful for the quick, calm response by the Hanover Police Department, HHS/SAU administrators, staff, and students.
What is a Lockdown?
Lockdown is called when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building. The Lockdown Action advises making rooms look unoccupied by locking individual classroom doors, offices, and other securable areas, moving occupants out of the line of sight of corridor windows, turning off lights, and having occupants maintain silence. Learn more about the Standard Response Protocol at https://www.sau70.org/our-districts/safety.
We are grateful for the feedback offered to us by our parent community. After incidents like this, we always take the time to debrief as an SAU and leadership team. Offering insight about your family’s experience or the experience of your student helps us to reflect on ways we can be more proactive, transparent, and responsive to the variety of needs that may emerge.
One request from the community was about how to follow up at home after incidents like this. Please see the suggestions below.
- Listen Without Pressure: Let your student lead the conversation. Some may want to talk through every detail, while others may need time before they are ready to share.
- Validate Their Feelings: It is normal to feel anxious, tired, or even frustrated after a high-stress event. Acknowledge that their physical and emotional reactions are valid responses to a disruption in their safety.
- Focus on the Facts: Remind them that the safety protocols worked exactly as practiced. Point out the quick response of the Hanover Police and the calm leadership of their teachers and announcements from Principal Stevenson to reinforce a sense of security.
- Observe Changes in Behavior: Keep an eye out for changes in sleep, appetite, or mood over the next few days. If you feel your student needs extra support, our school counseling team is available to help. Do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Lauren Amrhein
SAU 70 Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Behind the Scenes: Professional Development Day in Action
Bernice A. Ray School and Marion Cross School staff members participate in the program launch of Arts & Letters by Great Minds, the newly adopted K–5 English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum.
Candids at Arts & Letters training
Bernice A. Ray School Inclusion Educational Assistant Professional Development
Presentation from Dave Melnick at RMS during Professional Development Day
Bernice A. Ray School staff participating in CRASE training with our Hanover Police Department partners, reinforcing our shared commitment to school safety.
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 April and associated Zoom links:
Norwich Board Meeting - April 1, 2026 - 6:30 PM Marion Cross School
Hanover Board Meeting - April 8, 2026 - 7 PM Bernice A. Ray Elementary School
Dresden Board Meeting - April 28, 2026 - 6 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
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:
There was no policy discussion at the March 10th meeting.
Dresden Updates:
There was no policy discussion at the March 10th meeting.
Hanover Updates:
Simbli link to March 11, 2026, meeting.
The board will conduct a second reading of the following policies.
JLP - Parental Notification of and Involvement in Student Welfare
IMAH - Daily Physical Activity
Norwich Updates:
There was no policy discussion at the March 4th meeting.
Religious & Federal Holidays as identified by the Calendar Committee
Passover (Judaism), April 1-9
Good Friday (Christian), April 3, 2026
Easter (Christian), April 5, 2026
Orthodox Good Friday (Orthodox Christians), April 10, 2026
Orthodox Easter (Orthodox Christians), April 12, 2026