Hello Waterford Families,
I hope this post finds you cooling off in a lake, enjoying a backyard BBQ with friends, cheering on our local Little League and Babe Ruth All stars, camping with family or finding refuge in some air conditioning. Here are some updates and new staff spotlights I wanted to share with you.
Chris
Middle School Construction Project Update
Last year the school board approved the updating of the windows and siding/insulation of middle school wing. Materials are expected this week with work installing the windows beginning by the end of July and completed before the start of school. The siding work will begin this summer and will conclude the fall when the remaining materials are delivered.
Race Back to School at Kingdom Trails
Earlier this week I update the blog with some information regarding Kingdom Trails Race Back to School event on Sunday August 22. This is a fundraiser for HOPE (Helping Other People Everyday) provides important services to our region including weekly food backpacks for families in need of assistance.
Race Back to School is a friendly and fun competition for mountain bikers and runners to complete loops at Kingdom Trails. They can receive pledges from supporters that go to their schools! For more general information and an interest survey please see the blog post here: Race Back to School. It would be fun to have some Waterford bikers and runner in this event!
I will be providing more details to those who are interested in the coming weeks.
New Hire Spotlight -- Heidi Toney Kindergarten
Hello Waterford Families and Friends!
My name is Heidi Toney and I am excited and honored to be accepted as the new Kindergarten teacher at Waterford School!
I have been teaching for 24 years in a variety of positions throughout the primary grades, including classroom teaching positions in all grades Pre-K through 2nd, as a Literacy Support Teacher for Grades 1-4, and as a Reading Recovery Teacher for Grade 1. I have taught at Danville School, Whitefield School, Walden School, and The Riverside School. I have a Bachelor of Science from Keene State College (1997) in Early Childhood Education, am Reading Recovery Trained (1998), and hold a Master of Education from Southern New Hampshire University (2007). I love teaching all subjects, but my passion is Early Literacy. Witnessing children learn to read is the greatest gift of all.
In my spare time, I enjoy observing nature, kayaking, hiking, and am at peace watching the sun rise and set. I am a "Dateline" fanatic, am fascinated with "The Unexplained", and read anything involving true stories. I live in Waterford, with my husband, Paul, and our 4 dogs and 3 cats. We have soft hearts for animals. This spring I hatched chicks with my students, rescued one from its egg, and rehabilitated it with help from my husband. As a result of being handled so much, the chick has become a true pet!
I cannot wait to be with you all in the fall!
All My Best,
Heidi
New Hire Spotlight -- Kate Oswald Middle School Humanities
This is my 9th year teaching. I am coming from southern NH where I spent the past 6 years teaching primarily 8th Grade US History, but also Reading and a year of Geography at Rochester Middle School. I have always taught Middle School and love it!
I have a BA in economics and a BA in International Studies from Adelphi University in New York. I returned for my degree in Adolescent Social Studies education a few years after finishing my undergraduate studies. Fun fact about Adelphi- it was the first college for teachers in the country!
Although I grew up in suburban New York, I always dreamed of moving to the mountains and lived for family visits to the Adirondacks every summer. I am a hiker, skier, and my passion is OCR (Obstacle Course Racing-like Spartan and Tough Mudder). I race competitively and train hard. My two dogs mean the world to me and often come on training hikes.
I am incredibly excited to teach at the Waterford School and look forward to meeting students and parents soon!
