North Country Representation at NH Statewide Family Engagement Summit
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 The NH Family Engagement Summit, "Bridging Families, Schools, and Communities", had strong representation from the North Country.
The event was full of rich learning and inspiring breakout sessions, including:
- Building family and schools partnerships
- Public libraries as community hubs - led by Whitefield Public Library's Director, Courtney Vashaw
- Community schools approach
- Family Villages
- Early childhood partnerships
- Unleashing student engagement and agency
(Left to right) Tina Clark, Paraeducator at Bethlehem Elementary; Bryan Smith, Principal at Bethlehem Elementary; Kelly Dussault, Executive Director at Coos Coalition for Young Children and Families; Courtney Vashaw, Director and Community Health Worker at Whitefield Public Library; Lori Langlois, Director of Programs & IT at NCES; and Jeremy Knowlton, Executive Director at White Mountain Science.
Other North Country attendees included Alyssa Antonucci, Early Childhood Development Community Health Worker at Ammonoosuc Community Health Services; Ann Auger, Northern Program Coordinator of NHSFEC; Chuck Patterson, Executive Director at North Country Education Services; Heidi Richard, Navigator at Education Alliance of NH; Jennifer Gilbert, PACE Coordinator at Education Alliance for NH; Stephanie Eastman, College & Career Navigator at Education Alliance for NH; and Wendy Conway, Program Associate at NHSFEC.
Learn more about the NH Statewide Family Engagement Center.
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See flyer for detail and registration information.
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2025-26 Job Openings at NCES
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The Colonial Theatre's "Science on Screen" Series Films
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Local science educators are welcome to connect with The Colonial Theatre's "Science on Screen" program for free! Tickets are limited, RSVP today. Use the code "TEACHER" at checkout
The Colonial is proud to be part of a nation-wide network of independent theatres bringing together cinema and science for a unique blend of learning and entertainment. The Science on Screen series features creative pairings of current, classic, cult, and documentary films with engaging discussions with notable figures from the world of science, technology, and medicine.
Educators are encouraged to connect with The Colonial at gotoshow@bethlehemcolonial.org to arrange field trips or other engagements with students for Science on Screen events.
Interstellar with Speaker Dr. Jean Quashnock
Saturday, August 2, 2025, 6:30pm
Learn More & Get Tickets
6:00pm Doors open for an informal "meet the speaker" patio reception
6:30pm: Discussion with Dr. John “Jean” Quashnock: What are black holes? How can we see them? Join Dr. Jean Quashnock, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, for an introduction of black holes and exploration of how instruments like the Event Horizon Telescope image and reveal their powerful effects. Then, settle in for a screening of the visually stunning epic Interstellar, a mind-bending journey through space and time that explores love, survival, and the fate of humanity among the stars.
7:30pm: Interstellar: In Earth’s future, a global crop blight and second Dust Bowl are slowly rendering the planet uninhabitable. Professor Brand (Michael Caine), a brilliant NASA physicist, is working on plans to save mankind by transporting Earth’s population to a new home via a wormhole. But first, Brand must send former NASA pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) and a team of researchers through the wormhole and across the galaxy to find out which of three planets could be mankind’s new home.
About the Speaker: Dr. John “Jean” Quashnock is a cosmologist and professor at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He has worked on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) “Map of the Universe” project, an effort to catalog and map hundreds of million galaxies. Prof. Quashnock’s research interests include early-universe cosmology, large-scale structure, high-energy astrophysics and gamma-ray bursts, absorption-line systems in quasar spectra, gravitational waves, and high-redshift supernovae.
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The Sting with Speaker Dr. Josh Wakeham
Friday, September 12, 7:00pm
Learn More & Get Tickets
6:30pm Doors open for an informal "meet the speaker" patio reception
7:00pm: Discussion with Dr. Josh Wakeham: Hollywood loves a good con. Join Josh Wakeham, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Plymouth State University, for a discussion on con artists, their history, their techniques, and the psychology behind why we fall for them. Then, stick around for a Q&A after the film to look into cons we see in The Sting.
7:30pm: The Sting: Following the murder of a mutual friend, aspiring con man Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams up with old pro Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to take revenge on the ruthless crime boss responsible, Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hooker and Gondorff set about implementing an elaborate scheme, one so crafty that Lonnegan won't even know he's been swindled. As their big con unfolds, however, things don't go according to plan, requiring some last-minute improvisation by the undaunted duo.
About the Speaker: Josh Wakeham is a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Plymouth State University. He received his B.A. in Sociology from Williams College and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University. He has published research on a wide variety of topics, including organizational behavior, policing, juvenile justice, gang intervention work, corruption, Somali pirates, and con artists. Josh lives in Bethlehem, NH, with his wife and three daughters.
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The Science on Screen program is created with our partners at White Mountain Science, Inc. (WMSI). The Science on Screen Series at The Colonial is sponsored by Douglas Arion, Mary Secor, and Mountains of Stars. Science on Screen is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
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Discovery Education Experience
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Learn more about the Discovery Education Experience, supplied to NH schools by NHED at Profile School on August 15, 2025.
To register or see other dates and locations, click here.
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Save-the-Date - Public Health Conference
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Call for Presenters
Proposals are due August 17th.
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Agroforestry for Educators
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UNH Cooperative Extension is offering a new professional development opportunity for educators in the field of agroforestry. Starting in September 2025, the first cohort will begin exploring the field of agroforestry through the Farm, Forests, and the Future (FFF) program.
Agroforestry is an agricultural method that pairs ecological and agricultural management practices. FFF is a comprehensive professional and personal development program for formal educators, informal educators, and youth advocates interested in bringing agroforestry principles and ideas into their educational settings.
This PD experience includes in-person workshops, field trips to New England farms, face time with industry professionals and researchers, and a community of educators excited to learn and grow together.
Stipends of $1,200 are available to educators who complete the full program.
Apply and learn more here: https://extension.unh.edu/new-hampshire-4-h/pathways/environmental-science/agroforestry
This program is made possible from a grant from the USDA (USDA-NIFA-SAS #123099601)
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The Youth Entrepreneur Fair, a collaboration
between the Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce and the folks at Bethlehem Events, creates a hands-on opportunity to foster the North Country’s next generation of entrepreneurs by equipping young people with practical skills, real-world experiences, and the confidence to turn ideas into action.
The inaugural event is on Saturday, September 13, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Bethlehem’s Gazebo Park. This event gives youth 18 and under a chance to start and run their own small businesses for a day.
Learn more
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Free books for Coos & Northern Grafton Families through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library
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The New Hampshire Statewide Family Engagement Center (NH-SFEC) is partnering with Whitefield Public Library to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library into Coös & Northern Grafton!
If you have a child from 0-5 years old, register them today to receive a free book every month until their 5th birthday! Scan the QR code or visit: https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
Learn more at https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
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Drinking Festival Save-the-Date
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This year’s festival brings together a vibrant mix of acclaimed adult authors, beloved children’s storytellers, and readers of all ages for two days of conversation, inspiration, and community. Whether you’re a lifelong bookworm, a parent raising one, or someone who simply loves a good story — you’ll find something here to spark your imagination.
Learn more
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Coos Coalition for Young Children & Families
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The Coös Coalition for Young Children and Families works to promote optimal cognitive, physical, social and emotional development for children birth - 8 in the Coös region. You can learn more about the Coalition and subscribe to their newsletter at https://www.investincooskids.org/.
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New from PBS Learning Media
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Civics Made Easy, hosted by Ben Sheehan, breaks down the complexities of American government and civic participation, empowering viewers with essential knowledge to actively participate in their democracy. Each episode transforms complicated topics into clear and relatable lessons, making civics accessible and engaging for all.
Classroom-ready support materials accompanying each episode provide engagement strategies for presenting these topics to grade 6-12 students.
Learn more
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Free Webinar on Social Determinants of Health
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NCES Employment Opportunities
For the 2025-2026 school year
- School Psychologist - full-time with primary assignment based in Gorham, NH
- BCBA - part-time, serving multiple districts
- Speech Language Pathologist (full or part-time, not remote)
- Speech Language Assistant (full or part-time, not remote)
- TESOL (part-time or full-time, not remote)
How to apply
Did you know that NCES' full-time employment opportunities include participation the NH Retirement System? That is a great benefit to becoming part of the NCES service provider team!
Every day across New Hampshire, infants and toddlers are learning new skills, but they learn and grow at their own pace. Parents or other caregivers who have concerns about an infant’s or toddler’s development can get coaching and support through the New Hampshire Birth to 3 early intervention program.
Anyone can refer a Family Centered Early Supports & Services.
Learn more at dhhs.nh.gov/BirthTo3 or call 603-271-4488.
North Country Neighbors - Stronger Together
Support the mission of NCES
Your tax deductible donation will support NCES' mission. NCES collaborates with public schools and community partners to support excellent and equitable educational opportunities throughout the North Country.
NCES seeks exceptional educational experiences and realized potential for all students.
NCES believes that thriving schools are at the heart of vibrant communities!
The core values of NCES:
Contact Information
North Country Education Services
300 Gorham Hill Road
Gorham, NH 03581
ncedservices.org
603-466-5437
nces@ncedservices.org
NCES is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
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