Gilford High School lists a year of achievements

By Anthony Sperazzo, principal, Gilford High School

GILFORD — The Oct. 1, 2016, enrollment (official count for the Department of Education) at Gilford High School (GHS) was 493. GHS bid farewell to David Pinkham as he retired. He was a longtime physical education teacher, coach, director of athletics, and role model to many students since 1977. Pinkham and his teams hold numerous state and national records. We welcomed four new faculty members to our staff: Wyman Eckhardt (Math), Dan Caron (Technology Education), Emily Wolpin (English) and Rick Acquilano (Director of Athletics).

We are excited to announce that 83 percent of the Class of 2016 attended a two- or four-year college, 11 percent went into the workforce, while 4 percent enlisted into a branch of the military. Our students are prepared for their next career path based on the course offerings we provide to our students through a rigorous curriculum. Our goal is one that personalizes education for each child so we meet the needs for their future career. Our Advanced Placement program continues to challenge our most motivated, academically-prepared students who are likely to benefit most from AP coursework. We had the highest number of AP exams taken this year compared to past years (see graph below). By providing this level of academic rigor, we better prepare students for the challenges of college as well as developing the skills and academic background necessary to succeed in the 21st century. We are proud to report that 82 percent of GHS students that took the AP exam in 2016 scored a 3 or better (3 or better means the student has proven himself/herself capable of doing the work of an introductory-level course in a particular subject at college).

GHS students continue to exceed state and national Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) results. Students that took the SAT in 2016 scored an average of 526 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 516 in mathematics. GHS students out-performed their peers across the state on the EBRW section of the assessment. 71 percent of GHS students were proficient on this section compared to the New Hampshire proficiency rate of 66 percent. Proficiency rates on the math assessment is trending upwards for GHS students in 2016 compared to 2015.

49 students took the Accuplacer this past year to qualify for Dual Enrollment/Running Start courses. This program has expanded this year at GHS, where we now offer 10 courses (eight last year) in which students can earn college credit at a deep discounted rate of only $150 per course. GHS offers courses that have transferable credits in AP Biology, Drawing I, Finite Math, Statistics, Topics in Applied College Math, Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, French III, and Spanish III and IV.

The Performing Arts Program continues to bring great pride to our school and community. The cast members in "Epic Proportions" advanced onto the New England Drama Festival last spring. In the fall, the students showed off their talents to the musical, "The Secret Garden." The show was well attended by the community as well as by senior citizens who were treated to dinner and a show put on by the Interact Club in partnership with Gilford Rotary.

GHS hosted the New England Music Festival in March. Four hundred and fifty exceptional music and chorus students from New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island all came to Gilford for a three-day event that involved classes with master teachers, collaboration on musical numbers, and performed. What's just as exciting is that Gilford and Gilmanton families opened up their homes to accommodate all these students.

Congratulations to the editors and contributors of Gilford's Literary and Artistic magazine "Obsessive Image." Our school's edition of the magazine scored a First Place with Special Merit award from the American Scholastic Press Association in the national competition. GHS has been named First Place three times before during the last five years.

There were also four state titles won at GHS in five state championship appearances in 2016. The following teams were crowned state champions: boys tennis, boys cross-country skiing, girls basketball, and field hockey.

This fall, GHS ushered in a Freshmen Community Service Day. In the past, seniors and juniors were provided this opportunity in May; however, we wanted this day to be an opportunity to continue to bring the new Gilford and Gilmanton students together to have them understand the importance of giving back to the communities they are growing up in. All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are required to obtain 24 hours of community service before they graduate (next year, all classes). The day ended with a barbecue lunch and cooperative games.

GHS freshmen do some raking at the Gilmanton Year-Round Library this past fall. (Courtesy photo)

To continue with giving back, our students collected 1,450 cans for the annual food drive for the Gilmanton Food Pantry and Gilford Got Lunch in November.

The National Honor Society organized a 5K called "Run to Remember." This event was held on Memorial Day so people could run in honor of the men and women who serve/served in our military.

According to National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire, suicide rates are down in 2015 compared to 2014 (NAMI NH) in New Hampshire. Some of our students created a video talking about suicide prevention and what students can do if they notice signs. This video was shown at the annual New Hampshire Alliance on Mental Illness conference. This same group of students now speaks with classes within our school as they present information on this important topic. This was so successful that now they present at the middle school.

JoJo Morris, Joe Sawyer, and Carly White presented about youth suicide prevention at the annual Partnership for Public Health meeting in September

In 2016, our students traveled to Granada, Spain, to immerse themselves in that culture. This was an enriching experience for them. In speaking with the students when they returned, one boy said, "I learned so much about their culture that I would not have understood through a book."

Students collaborated in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activity which tasked students to complete a puzzle with their advisor. (Courtesy photo)

The robotics team competed well during their season. Students competed each hour at the UNH District event and then made quick adjustments in between matches (see picture below). The students qualified for the New England Championships in Hartford, Connecticut, in April. At the end of the season, GHS was ranked 42nd out of 181 teams in New England.

Throughout the year, GHS staff focused their professional development in the following areas: analyzed student data using recent and longitudinal evidence, completed a New England Association for Schools and Colleges self-assessment addressing what an exemplar school consists of and our evidence in each of the seven standards, and continued to effectively use formative assessments and how to better assess teaching and learning in the academic program. They also implemented new programs such as Google Classroom to assist our students with lessons, designed and implemented a freshmen summer reading program, and focused on writing in all content areas using Understanding by Design.

The towns of Gilford and Gilmanton have much to be proud of with the achievements your children make in a variety of areas. We are confident that with your continued support and with our teachers' dedication in providing them the individualized attention they need, our students will continue to be prepared for the world. Please check the GHS website and click, "GHS Happenings" for an inside look at the latest learning in our school. Thank you for your support!

Several New Hampshire veterans met with GHS students in December to discuss how the events in their lives shaped who they are today. Our students had a wonderful time connecting and listening to the stories that these veterans shared with them. (Courtesy photo)