New Hampshire Scholars Program at Winnisquam Regional School District
Last year New Hampshire’s business-education partnership (New Hampshire College & University Council, The New Hampshire Forum on the Future, and the New Hampshire Department of Education) was invited to participate in the national State Scholars Initiative network. Out of this two-year grant award came the New Hampshire Scholars Program, which will be piloted, by Winnisquam Regional High School and five other school districts (Belmont, Kingswood, Gilford, Newport, & Stevens). Some of the overall goals of the program are to prepare students for college and the workforce by partnering with business and community representatives. Students will be encouraged in middle school to start planning on taking classes in high school, with the support of business and community representatives, that will meet the national baseline for the scholars program. This includes:
- English – 4 years;
- Math – 3 years, to include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II;
- Laboratory Science – 3 years of basic laboratory science, to include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics;
- Social Studies – 3.5 years, (chosen from U.S. History and World History, Geography, Economics, and Government); and
- Foreign Language – 2 years of the same foreign language and other than English
Winnisquam Regional School District currently has over 20 business & community representatives as partners who are beginning to meet with the over 60 students (grades 8 to 12) who have signed 4 year academic plans as commitments to complete the requirements of the New Hampshire Scholars Core Course of Study. This partnership committee will meet with students on a monthly basis to answer questions and support the tenants of the program.
On Friday, November 2nd AUTOSERV of Tilton sponsored a pizza question and answer session/party for over 50 students who are either part of Winnisquam’s NH Scholars Program or are interested in becoming part of this group. Tom Cavanaugh (and his wife) of AUTOSERV organized and presented information to the students regarding the benefits of taking rigorous courses through this initiative. Prizes were given to students who answered educational trivia questions related to program and educational requirements. Gary Steinbach, School to Career/NH Scholars Coordinator discussed grant benefits (over $10,000 in 4 years) for students who complete the program requirements. David Wood, Human Resource Director from the Department of Transportation was present to discuss opportunities for jobs with the state. Deb Tessier from Franklin Savings Bank was another business partner present to support the program and meet with students. SGT. Allan Baros was also present to support this activity and the New Hampshire National Guard will be sponsoring the December business partnership meeting. At the core of a successful New Hampshire Scholars Program are business and community representatives. We invite our whole community to get involved at any level that is comfortable for them.
For more information everyone is encouraged to visit the nhscholars.org website or contact Gary Steinbach at Winnisquam Regional High School (gsteinbach@wrsdsau59.org) 286-4531 (ext.228). Businesses are encouraged to participate.