Home - Contoocook Valley School District

We Are ConVal

Our Vision

In the ConVal community, all learners will achieve academically, act thoughtfully, and contribute to the larger society.

Our Mission

To provide opportunities and inspire our learners to explore interests, pursue new knowledge and skills, learn about self and others, and give of oneself to the greater community.

Learn more

Quick Access

Articles of Agreement

Articles of Agreement (last amended November 18, 2011)

District Reports

School and District Report Card (NH DoE)

District Annual Report

Mandatory Report To Voters on School Expenses

We Are ConVal

Esser Funds Use Report

Right-to-Know Requests

RFPs and RFQs

ConVal Technology RFQ 2026-01

ConVal Voice Over IP Telephone System RFP 2026-02

Facilities Documents

Annual Asbestos Notification

Ventilation Assessment 2020

Academic Achievement Improvement/Title I

Title I

Non-Discrimination/Title IX

Non-Discrimination Notice

Title IX Notice

Free and Reduced Lunch Information

Free & Reduced Lunch Parent Letter

Free & Reduced Lunch Complete Application (follow the online prompts)

Free & Reduced Lunch Complete Application (fill in pdf forms, then print)

Free & Reduced Lunch Meal Application only (pdf, English)

Free & Reduced Lunch Meal application only (pdf, Spanish)

Energy Assistance Programs

Fuel Assistance Program (click "See Income Eligibility" to see if you qualify)

Electric Energy Assistance (click "See Eligibility" to see if you qualify)

Generative AI Policy and Use Plan

School Board Policy EHAG - Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI Use Plan

Blended Learning Handbook

Blended Learning Parent and Student Handbook

Web Accessibility Statement/ADA Compliance

Public school websites are required to be ADA compliant through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to state and local governments (Title II) as well as to all businesses that are open to the public (Title III).

Accessibility issues are categorized into four distinct principles under the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) guidelines. In order to be considered WCAG compliant, websites have to be:

perceivable, i.e., information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways that they can perceive.
operable, i.e., all user interface components and navigation must be operable.
understandable, i.e., the information and the operation of the user interface must be readily understandable.
robust, i.e., website content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

For full details, please see How to Meet WCAG. The ConVal district website, all individual school websites, and the ConVal School Board website comply with WCAG standards.

Withdrawal Reports

Dublin Minority Report (October 2024)

Francestown Minority Report (October 2024)

Francestown Withdrawal Study Committee Final Report (October 2025)

Francestown Withdrawal Study Committee Final Minority Report Response (October 2025)

Temple Withdrawal Study Committee Final Report (October 2025)

Upcoming Events

July 2026

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Loading events...

July 2026

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

District News

Jun 4, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
Director of Student Services Wins Extraordinary Woman Award
Congratulations to Cari Coates who is a recipient of one of this year’s Extraordinary Women award. This annual program is sponsored by The Keene Sentinel and recognizes female leaders who have made a difference in the Monadnock region. The awards began more than a decade ago as a way to highlight community-nominated role models for their dedication and leadership.

Director of Student Services Cari Coates was nominated by several members of the ConVal community, led by Superintendent Dr. Ann Forrest. “Cari has worked tirelessly to build an ecosystem of care and support for our students and families,” Forrest noted in her endorsement letter. “She does not just manage programs; she champions systemic shifts. Her leadership turns intent into action. She successfully led the monumental charge to implement full-day preschool for four-year-olds, ensuring early educational equity.”

“In the face of a rising youth mental health crisis,” Forrest continued, “Cari partnered with Monadnock Community Hospital and AmeriHealth to make ConVal the first school district in New Hampshire to launch Hope Squad. This evidence-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program empowers students to watch over one another, actively saving lives, one student at a time. Cari’s immeasurable impact, servant leadership, and life-changing dedication represent the absolute finest in our community.”

Longtime School Board member Janine Lesser emphasized the strong connections that Coates helped nurture with community support services over the years. “When asked to become part of a Grapevine/River Center/ConVal Collaborative, Cari joined the group and became the bridge between the school district and centers. The goal was to better integrate those Family Resource Center services that would support ConVal families in areas that the school district could not. Through Cari’s encouragement, ConVal works with the centers on professional development, referrals, and staff informational meetings to ensure ConVal families have the supports they need to be successful in both school and community.”

Noting the central role that Christian-Coates played in developing the ConVal’s multi-tiered system of supports, District legal counsel Dean Eggert wrote in his nomination letter: “Cari has been the backbone of student support for the ConVal School District, and in doing so has touched countless lives. Her support consistently goes the extra miles, helping students and families in crisis navigate the services, both inside and outside the school district. Countless tragedies have been averted, countless students have been given hope, and countless families are in a better place today because of Cari’s counsel and support.”

In addition to spearheading the significant improvement of student services, ConVal High School principal Heather McKillop emphasized the guidance and mentorship that Coates so frequently provided to colleagues, especially during trying times: “Cari is a champion for the success of others, particularly women, and leads with a steady hand that provides calm in any crisis. She doesn't just do a job; she creates a culture of care. She is exactly the type of woman of impact The Keene Sentinel seeks to honor — one who has spent nearly three decades making this region a kinder, more equitable place to live and learn.”

Extraordinary Women award recipients are celebrated with a special feature in The Keene Sentinel and at a gala event where honorees are formally recognized and celebrated for their impact.

Congratulations, Cari, and best of luck in your retirement!
Apr 23, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
ConVal Holds Job & Career Fair
On Thursday, April 23, ConVal hosted a Job & Career Fair in the Maguire Gymnasium.

Organized by the Region 14 Applied Technology Center in collaboration with the Town of Peterborough Economic Development Committee, the Peterborough Town Library, the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, and the Keene Public Library, the event attracted more than a dozen exhibitors. They included area businesses, non-profits, town and state departments as well as recruiters from the armed services.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Stevenson and Lindsay Carter from the Human Resources Department welcomed visitors and job seekers on behalf of the district.
Apr 8, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
The New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) is conducting its annual Parent Involvement survey for parents of students who receive special education services. This survey assesses how eﬀectively school districts engage families to improve services for children with disabilities.

Why should you take the survey?

Share your experience to strengthen parent-school partnerships.

Ensure your district and state hear what matters to families.

Higher participation means more accurate results.

This survey will only take a few minutes to complete.

Please complete one survey for each child you have receiving special education services. All responses are anonymous. Click here to display the survey QR code and take the survey.
Mar 31, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
Superintendent Presentation At Rotary
On March 31, Superintendent Dr. Ann Forrest gave a presentation to the members of the Grand Monadnock Rotary Club at their weekly meeting in the MAXT Makerspace at Noone Falls. The Presentation was entitled "Generative AI Through The Lens of the 4-Way Test."

The presentation began with Forrest sharing an exemplar generative AI output that she created for the occasion. Following a brief prompt to create ideas for a new Rotary service project, the chatbot, within seconds, produced three pages of low-cost, high-impact proposals, complete with a draft email to Rotary members about the prospective campaign as well as a list of potential local partners.

After a brief discussion of the chatbot's output, the presentation transitioned to two interactive activities. The first one asked Rotary members to determine whether photos projected on the screen were real photographs or AI-generated images. In the second activity, entitled "Who's the Better Writer? A.I. or Humans?", the Rotarians were asked to choose between two passages of writing in the areas of literary fiction and science, and to declare which one they preferred.

Having demonstrated that it is getting increasingly difficult to distinguish between human and generative AI-created work, Dr. Forrest introduced some AI literacy terms and outlined the efforts of the ConVal School District to work with approved AI tools in a safe, ethical, effective, and sustainable manner. Central to ConVal's approach is the core idea of the "Human in the Loop," which holds that all AI use needs to be carefully considered, conscientiously reviewed, and properly acknowledged at every level of the process.

The second portion of the presentation examined the use of generative AI through the lens of the Rotary organization's four-way test: Is it true? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? and Is it beneficial to all concerned?

The presentation concluded with recommendations for the responsible use of generative AI and a lively discussion during the question-and-answer period.
Mar 19, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
ConVal Welcomes New Director of Student Services
The Contoocook Valley School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Alisa LaSalle, MSW, to the position of Director of Student Services, 504/ADA Coordinator, and McKinney-Vento Liaison, effective July 1, 2026.

Alisa is no stranger to ConVal. A graduate of ConVal High School, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and a Master’s degree in Social Work with a Specialization in Children and Families from Salem State University in Massachusetts.

LaSalle brings a deep understanding of the district’s communities to her new leadership role. For the past six years, she has served as a ConVal school social worker with exemplary professionalism and tireless dedication, building trusted relationships with students, families, educators, and community partners.

Her previous work experience has provided her with extensive knowledge across a wide range of institutional settings. Prior to joining ConVal, she spent fourteen years as a social worker and adjustment counselor, supporting students and families through some of their most challenging moments. Earlier in her career, she served for six years as a residential coordinator, providing stability, advocacy, and care for vulnerable youth with social-emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities.

“Alisa’s appointment to district leadership is a reflection of her superb expertise and the extraordinary work she has already accomplished with our students and families,” said Superintendent Dr. Ann Forrest. “We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of her caliber stepping into this role. The district looks forward to the continued growth of our student services programs, and we know that our students and families will be very well served under Alisa’s leadership in the years to come.”

LaSalle will assume her new responsibilities at the end of the school year when Cari Coates, the current Director of Student Services, is set to retire.
Mar 19, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
Choral Concert Showcases Student Voices
On Wednesday, March 18, students participating in the middle and high school chorus ensembles presented the Annual District Choral Concert in the ConVal High School Gymnasium.

The ConVal High School Chamber Choir performed the evening's first selection, "Catch and Release" by Jocelyn Hagen. The South Meadow School 5th Grade Chorus followed with "Puttin' On The Ritz" in an arrangement by Kirby Shaw, which featured several well-applauded solos by individual singers. The Great Brook School 5th and 6th Grade Chorus presented "Prints of Peace" by Rollo Dilworth.

Jake Runestad's "Nyon Nyon," an exploration of the effects that one can produce with the human voice, allowed the members of ConVal Select Choir to showcase their musical talents. "Love Never Leaves" — a heartfelt piece about remembering a loved one, composed by Jacob Narverud — allowed the SMS Select Chorus to shine. ConVal's Trouble Clefs a cappella ensemble picked up the pace with "Happier" in an arrangement by Jacob Narverud.

Narverud also composed "Nisi Ni Moja," an upbeat number performed by the Great Brook 7th and 8th Grade Chorus. Ayrian Norman provided the next selection of the concert, "Fly," which was presented by the South Meadow 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Chorus. The ConVal Concert Choir performed the penultimate song, the technically challenging "From the Underground" by Dan Wiebe.

The heartwarming "Dance, Love, Sing, Live" by Greg Gilpin brought together all participating chorus members for the concert's inspirational finale, including elementary school singers from Antrim, Dublin Consolidated, Greenfield, Hancock, Peterborough, Pierce, and Temple Elementary School.

Congratulations to all the student performers and their chorus directors Logan Phillips (GBS), Elizabeth Fortin (SMS), and Brian Moore (ConVal High School)!
Mar 14, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
District Band Concert Delights Audience
On Friday, March 13, the middle school and high school band ensembles presented the Annual District Band Concert in the ConVal High School Gymnasium.

The GBS 5th and 6th Grade Band opened the evening with "Sparks" by Bruce Tippette. The SMS 5th Grade Band performed the "Popcorn Prelude" by Mike Hannickel, followed by the SMS 6th Grade Band, which played "Oompa Loompa" in an arrangement by Chris Bernotas. The last number before the intermission combined all 5th, 6th, and high school bands for a rendition of Bill Withers' "Lean on Me" in an arrangement by Robert Longfield.

After the intermission, the audience enjoyed the GBS 7th and 8th Grade Band playing "Fortress of Stone" by Tyler Arcari, followed by the SMS 7th and 8th Grade Band playing "Big Honkin' Robot" by Jonathan Santore. The 7th, 8th, and CVHS Concert Bands combined for a rousing rendition of John Powell's "How To Train Your Dragon" in an arrangement by Sean O'Loughlin (see photo).

The ConVal High School Jazz Band and Concert Band played the final two numbers of the evening: "My Favorite Things" by Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers and "Nevermore" by Brian Balmages.

Congratulations to all the student performers and their music directors Claire Fifield (GBS), Ed Lowy (SMS), and Jonny Trudeau (ConVal High School)!
Mar 11, 2026 · Contoocook Valley School District
School District Vote Results
The ConVal School District held a vote on March 11, 2026, regarding the proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year, several other warrant articles, and the election of school district officials.

Voters approved nine out of the ten articles presented. The following school district officials were elected or re-elected:

Elizabeth Ahearn (School Board, Peterborough, 3-Year Term)

Mary Armstrong (School Board, Dublin, 2-Year Term)

Katherine Foecking (School Board, Antrim, 3-Year Term)

James Fredrickson (School Board, Sharon, 3-Year Term)

Laura Mafera (School Board, Francestown (3-Year Term)

Robert Edwards was elected School District Moderator.

The detailed vote results are available here.

District News

Gallery

ConVal High School Graduation

GBS Botany Labs

SMS NHDI Performance

Pierce Field Trip to VINS

GES Field Day

HES Gardening with Cornucopia

PES Bird Watch

TES Outside Science

Anti-Bullying Policy & Procedures

The Contoocook Valley School District is committed to providing all pupils a safe school environment.

Conduct constituting bullying or cyberbullying will not be tolerated. It is prohibited by ConVal School Board policy JICK – Pupil Safety And Violence Prevention in accordance with New Hampshire law RSA 193-F.

Policy JICK applies to all pupils and school-aged persons on school property and participating in school functions, regardless of their status under the law.

For further details and procedures, please see here.

FIND US

106 HANCOCK RD PETERBOROUGH, NH 03458

+1 603 924 3336