Henniker Community School students thought they were in the gymnasium for the first school assembly since before the pandemic.
Then a bunch of adults ran into the gymnasium, ringing a bell and holding a banner to announce the news that the school was named a 2022 School of Excellence by the NH Excellence in Education Awards, or NH Edies. Students, who were sitting in rows on the bleachers and on the floor cross-legged, noisily applauded for their teachers, who were recognized for their work on the team that applied for the award.
“We’re so proud of all of our students and staff, it’s really such a nice honor,” said Stephanie Parzick, assistant principal at Henniker Community School. “We’ve known this is how special this place is and it’s nice to be able to share that with the community and be recognized for our hard work.”
EDies board member Ken Darsney, who is also the principal at Franklin Middle School, said Henniker Community School was selected for the award because of its community traditions and staff collaboration. In particular, the board liked the school’s “Ambassadors of Kindness” tradition where students and teachers nominate each other to be recognized for their kindness, and the school’s long-running Henniker History Walk that introduces third-graders to local landmarks.
“There is a very deep-seated sense of community,” Darsney said. “There are traditions and there are activities that are in this school district that really give the evidence that it is what it’s called: a community school. It’s a school that represents the Henniker community. That was something that really stood out to us and the team.”
Schools apply to be considered for the awards in elementary, middle, K-8, and high school categories. The EDies Board reviews the applications and invites some schools to do a presentation. Then, EDies board members visit certain schools and observe for half a day, where they meet with students, teachers and parents. Then they select the final winners.
“I am incredibly proud of the Henniker Community School,” said SAU 24 Superintendent Jacqueline Coe. “The faculty, staff and community are dedicated to taking care of students and each other. They strive for excellence each day and it is wonderful that they are being recognized.”
Windham High School, Amherst Middle School and Manchester’s Highland-Goffe’s Falls Elementary School were also named School of Excellence Tuesday.