Important Dates

• November 27th - 29th - School Closed
• December 5th - Fall Book Fair

Message from Our Principal

Dear Families, 

On November 7th and 8th, Hanover School Board Chair Benjamin Keeney and I had the honor and privilege of attending the National Blue Ribbon Schools award ceremony in Washington, DC. Over the course of two days, Mr. Keeney and I followed a packed and exciting agenda that culminated with a luncheon and the Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony. During the luncheon and awards ceremony, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona spoke to us about the importance of education for the future of our nation.

 

 

Some key lines from his talk: 

• “In this moment of uncertainty, I know what you know. That no matter who is sitting in my chair, when that door closes, you in this room are responsible for helping students spread their wings and exceed their expectations.”
• “You see, the power of education lies not in Washington, DC, but in the hallways of our schools across the country.
• “Never bet against our nation’s teachers.” 
• “You provide the promise of potential for our country.”
• Sharing a quote from President Biden from the previous day: “Setbacks are inevitable. Giving up is unforgivable.” 

The awards ceremony was high energy and fast paced, full of celebration and cheering, as each school was recognized and given the award that now lives at our school. 

 

Aba Kumi, Director, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, with Principal Amrhein and Hanover Board Chair Keeney

 

Additionally, we received a flag that commemorates our hard work and serves as a reminder that there is always more to do as we learn, grow, and press forward on behalf of our students. We are deciding on the best place to display both of these items and when to have a community celebration! 

 

 

You can see Day 2 in its entirety by accessing this YouTube link. It’s over 4 hours long, but here are two key moments for us: 

NH Commissioner of Education

NH Schools

If you watch other parts of the video, you’ll notice a variety of great dance moves and enthusiastic acceptance of awards. Sadly, you weren’t able to see our fantastic walk up, but rest assured, we impressed everyone with our antics. 

As stated in the October Hanover School Board Principal’s Report, but worth stating again: 

We know that no single person or group alone can be successful in educating our students. So many individuals, groups, and stakeholders are responsible for the success of our students. Our teachers and staff members build students’ academic and social emotional foundations for their academic journey. With your support, they lay the foundation for students’ educational journeys and a lifetime of learning. We are grateful for our bus drivers, custodial staff, Ray Cafe staff, volunteers, PTO, community helpers like the Hanover Police and Fire Departments, our SAU, the Hanover School Board, and community as a whole for the support it takes to educate and grow our students. It takes a village, and the National Blue Ribbon School status is recognition of the valuable contributions of so many. 

 

From our press release in the Valley News: 

“From start to finish, each and every day, our community comes together to educate our students, empowering them to dream, create, think critically and contribute to the greater good,” Ray School Principal Lauren Amrhein said in a press release.

The Ray School in Hanover serves roughly 450 students in grades K-5. 

“We are proud and honored to receive recognition of the tireless efforts of our incredible faculty, staff, SAU, Hanover School Board and community on behalf of our students,” Amrhein said. 

Congratulations, Bernice A. Ray School and our Hanover School District community! We will see you next week on Monday and Tuesday, and we hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving break.

Sincerely,

Lauren Amrhein
Principal