In her celebratory retirement speech, Dr. Ann Forrest recounted the many accomplishments of the outgoing Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders, including her consistent and strong engagement at the school, district, and state levels. "Through it all, Kimberly fought not only for ConVal but for school children everywhere in the state," Forrest concluded her remarks as the audience rose for a standing ovation. Forrest will serve as the interim Superintendent during the 2024-2025 school year.

At the end-of-year retirement celebration, School Board Chairman Dick Dunning honored South Meadow School gym teacher and athletic director Tod Silegy. "When you meet job candidates, you never know who you're going to get," said Dunning, recalling the moment he hired Silegy years ago. "But when Tod came through that door and after we concluded our interview, I knew that I would have in him a real gem of a teacher and a person who naturally connects with students. And he has proven me right, on both counts, all these years."

Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders was honored as the state’s Superintendent of the Year at the Annual Excellence in Education (EDies) Award ceremonies which were held in Manchester on June 8. Saunders had been nominated by 18 of her fellow superintendents in New Hampshire and ConVal School Board Chairman Dick Dunning.

ConVal Regional High School will livestream its graduation ceremonies on June 8, 2024, starting at 10:00 am. To access the event online, please go to www.youtube.com/@ConValEvents.

ConVal High School principal Heather McKillop recently announced that ConVal Regional High School has been ranked among the Best High Schools in the United States for 2024. The rankings are published annually by U.S. News and World Report and are based on a composite score derived from six key components. College readiness accounts for the biggest portion (30%) of the ranking and is based on the number of a school’s 12th graders who earned a qualifying score on an Advanced Placement exam. State Assessment proficiency and performance each make up for 20% of the score while college curriculum breadth, performance of underserved students, and overall graduation rate each account for 10%. "This accomplishment is a testament to how hard our school community works to provide our students with the best possible educational experience,” said Superintendent Rizzo Saunders. “I am so grateful for everyone who has played a part in this honor, which demonstrates the collaboration and commitment of our school community.”

The Contoocook Valley School District is conducting an equity audit among district stakeholders as part of its 2023-2028 five-year strategic plan.

The audit is a critical step in achieving ConVal’s Supportive Structures for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility goal as outlined in Priority 3 of the strategic plan. The District believes that this goal and its related action steps will lead to improved teaching and learning opportunities and outcomes for all students.

The District recognizes that historically underrepresented groups often have challenges that others may not and is committed to supporting students from all populations. This section of the strategic plan focuses on:

• Uncovering areas of growth to improve responses to inequities
• Creating environments where historically underrepresented groups have access to supportive structures
• Developing and implementing policies and practices consistent with a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment, and
• Providing professional development for staff that encompasses all facets of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

The Equity Audit will provide an opportunity for ConVal to examine its systems, practices, and policies that may impede access, opportunities, and equitable outcomes for students, teachers, and administrators in terms of academic and social-emotional well-being. The audit will also identify gaps and recognize successes. 

The audit will study the fairness of policies, programs, and practices, and data will help the district understand where gaps to access and challenges to educational equity exist. The audit involves examining who benefits from the curriculum as well as who has access to those benefits.

The audit will conclude with actionable recommendations in Procedures and Policies, Curriculum, Instructional Design and Delivery, Professional Development, Resources and Funding, and Physical Plant review. 

Students (with parent/guardian permission), staff, and families will be contacted to share their thoughts and feedback, which will be vital throughout this process. Participation may include surveys, interviews, and focus groups. 

The District is fully committed to transparency throughout the audit. Results will be presented to district staff, and to the School Board and community in an open public session. The report will also be made available online. Further, the District commits to regular updates as recommendations from the audit are implemented.

“The feedback we will receive from students, staff, and families is critical to obtaining a better understanding of ConVal’s environment and learning community,” Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders said. “Their help and support will move ConVal forward as a place where all feel welcomed for who they are. Inclusion and belonging at ConVal continue to be celebrated and practiced every day.”

To learn more please register for the upcoming virtual Town Hall, an informational session designed to share information about the equity audit taking place across the District. Once you have registered, you will receive a meeting link for the Virtual Town Hall Meeting.

Virtual Town Hall

**Registration Link: **https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gxk03rPOSjyS4YCwsVBYMw

Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024

Time: 6-7 p.m.