**Exeter, New Hampshire – SAU16 Superintendent Esther Asbell wishes to announce Tonja Neve as the incoming principal of Exeter High School. “Tonja is a dedicated and student-centered educational leader with extensive experience as a principal, school administrator, and high school English teacher”, said Asbell in a letter home to EHS Families. Read the the full release** [**here**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Iq47cp_xGEb-k-QjfZGKhI0KmqwtYS36/view?usp=drive_link)**.**

SAU 16 - Exeter NH

SAU16 Announces Tonja Neve as Incoming Principal of Exeter High School

### Please click [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oSqtOVdYy2i4kF-wI67jDjgn481-49rP/view?usp=drive_link) for the January 2025 Quarterly Update!

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE

January 2025 Superintendent Quarterly Update

The Wright Start PreSchool Participated in their annual Trick or Treat with the Central Office staff on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. They ended with a "not-so-spooky song" - check it out [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NL5KUc1FzGLRmbApnRF4EblpFlLMhzPA/view?usp=drive_link). This is an annual highlight for the office and the preschoolers enjoy the fun activity! It's a great way to share their creativity and show off their singing skills. SST students from the Careers in Education program were also present to assist with this mini celebration! Thank you to all who attended!

Wright Start PreSchool Trick or Treat

The SAU16 Joint Board wishes to announce the retirement of Superintendent Esther Asbell, effective at the end of the current school year. After 14 years of dedicated service and leadership, Esther has decided to step down to embrace new personal milestones, including her recent engagement....the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher Andriski as the new Superintendent, effective July 1, 2025. The full press release can be found [here.](https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2024/10/25/sau-16-superintendent-esther-asbell-retire-christopher-andriski/75840402007/)

Please find Dr. Andriski's full [bio ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zq-Px9i7DJzF1MgELYWIH4-\_DPc5PfZo/view)which can also be found in the 'About Us' section of the SAU 16 website.

SAU 16 Announces Retirement of Superintendent Esther Asbell and Appointment of New Superintendent

### Please click [here ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/129Sss5g19KbNXN0kJU4OuGNJVUtuyepd/view?usp=drive_link)to find the first Quarterly Update of the 2024-2025 School Year.

September 2024 Superintendent Quarterly Update

In this Exeter TV Segment, Dr. Esther Asbell, SAU 16 Superintendent gives an update on back to school. Click [here ](https://youtu.be/TOjtoFUgZDI?si=UUET4FxWM_nf1-Bi)to watch the full video report.

Exeter TV Features SAU 16

**Exeter, NH** – July 9, 2024 – Dr. Esther Asbell, Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Arlynn Polletta as the new Chief Equity Officer in SAU 16. With a distinguished career in equity and inclusion, Arlynn brings a wealth of experience to this pivotal role.

![](file:///C:/Users/sgullage/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg)

Arlynn Polletta has a broad background in non-profit organizations, K-12 schools, and higher education settings. Currently, she serves as the Director of Equity, Inclusion & Outreach at The Aloha Foundation, where she leads numerous initiatives, including developing long-term strategic goals, designing staff trainings, creating inclusive programming for youth, spearheading outreach efforts, and mentoring the Equity & Inclusion Fellowship Team.

In addition to her work at The Aloha Foundation, Arlynn co-founded the Liberation Learning Collective, which provides Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice educational consulting across New England. She also serves as a Master Instructor for Northern Lights at Community College of Vermont, leading the Exploring Anti-Bias Education series.

Arlynn's educational credentials include an Ed.S. in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, an M.A. in Theatre Education & Applied Theatre from Emerson College, and a B.A. in English Literature & Theatre/Movement Studies from Manhattanville College. Her experience at UMass Amherst includes facilitating student-led initiatives for underrepresented students and supporting the Center for Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research.

Previously, Arlynn worked as the Equity & Inclusion Coordinator at Pingree School, where she collaborated with faculty to develop inclusive curricula and training programs. Her earlier roles include Associate Program Director at Charles River Creative Arts Program, where she supervised staff and managed outreach programs.

Arlynn Polletta's work focuses on advocating for youth agency, creating inclusive programming, and building coalitions to address inequitable systems. She is dedicated to centering student voice and supporting communities in reimagining educational possibilities.

“We are excited to welcome Arlynn to our team,” said Dr. Asbell. “Her extensive experience and dedication to equity and inclusion will be invaluable as we continue to strive toward our Vision of a Graduate and foster a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.”

ARLYNN POLLETTA NAMED CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER IN SAU 16

The SAU 16 communications committee, in collaboration with Isobar Public Sector, conducted a comprehensive communications audit survey during the winter of 2024. The survey, detailed in the report's appendix, attracted a substantial response rate, with 1,122 stakeholders participating across six distinct categories: students, staff, community members with or without school connections, alumni, and parents/guardians. Please [click ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/19NvkKh68I-LYFLQW8ZUk0Ge3mX26EF_Y/view?usp=drive_link)[here ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/19NvkKh68I-LYFLQW8ZUk0Ge3mX26EF_Y/view?usp=drive_link)for the full report.

SAU 16 COMMUNICATION AUDIT RESULTS

Communications from the Superintendent's Office News

Congratulations to the select CMS Jazz Choir performing at the NHSAA conference last week!

CMS Jazz Choir Performs at NHSAA Conference

**For Immediate Release**

SAU 16 was informed of an active police investigation around 1:00 pm on Tuesday April 1, 2025. As a result SAU 16 placed Exeter Developmental Preschool, Lincoln Street School, Main Street School, Seacoast School of Technology and Newfields Elementary School on secure campus status. This precautionary measure was being taken to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.

The decision to initiate the secure campus protocol came following information from local law enforcement regarding a potential threat in the surrounding area. During this time, the safety of our students and staff remained our top priority. We worked closely with local authorities and  continued to provide updates as new information became available.

While on secure campus status entry and exit were restricted. We understand the concerns this situation may have caused and want to assure families and the community that we took all necessary steps to keep everyone safe. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

SAU 16 Issues Press Release

The Stratham School District (the “Owner”) is in the process of seeking proposals from qualified Owner’s Project Manager firms or individual to function as the "Owner's Project Manager" (”OPM”) in connection with the SMS building additions and renovations project at 39 Gifford Farm Road, Stratham, NH, 03855. To assist the Stratham School Board in this effort, the Stratham School Board is issuing this RFP [(click here for RFP)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HZdkaX0q0pkZHBpg9bq8w3zBI-TiI0lM/view?usp=drive_link) to solicit responses from qualified firms who can meet the Project requirements stated herein.

Stratham School District - Request for Proposal for Owner's Project Management for SMS

New England League of Middle Schools has awarded CMS Eighth Grade Assistant Principal Melanie Faulkner with the A+ Administrator Award! NELMS seeks to honor administrators who value, understand, and support effective middle level education.

Criteria:

*   Understands how young adolescents learn

*   Champions middle level education by

    \- actively promoting middle level education

    \- building community support

    \- recognizing middle level as a distinct entity of education

*   Support and models effective middle level philosophy

*   Encourages professional development in middle level best practices

*   Provides leadership & supervision of effective instructional practices and student outcomes

Congratulations to Melanie Faulkner (CMS 8th Grade Assistant Principal) Recipient of the  NELMS A+ Administrator Award

Congratulations to Melanie Faulkner (CMS 8th Grade Assistant Principal)  - NELMS A+ Administrator Award Recipient

We are excited to bring to life the beginning of our Strategic Planning Process. Please join us on March 27 & 28 from 5pm - 8pm and March 29 from 9am-12pm to workshop common themes while collaborating as a community to share ideas that will help the process of developing our Strategic Plan.

Light meals and childcare will be provided each day. We encourage all SAU 16 families and community members to join us! Click [here](https://forms.gle/p4V8rXjujxkQhSnh7) to register by March 17, 2025.

SAU 16 Strategic Plan Summit

**ATTENTION:** Caregivers & Parents please join us for a workshop entitled: From Chaos to Calm - *"Executive Function Strategies for Families”*

By attending this workshop, we hope to provide **YOU** (families) with tangible resources and tools to help support yourlearners and students.

*This workshop is open to ALL surrounding towns. We hope to see you there!*

SAVE THE DATE: February 12, 2025 @6pm - 7:30pm at EHS

This Halloween, Exeter High School Student Senate participated in their 10th annual Trick-or-Canning event.

Instead of asking for candy, more than 60 students asked for food donations throughout over 40 neighborhoods in all six SAU-16 towns. The food was collected and brought into school, where it was sorted and organized. This year was the most successful by far in both the number of collected goods and student participation. Items collected for this service project go to End 68 Hours of Hunger, a volunteer organization that packs backpacks that students in our community can bring home to help fight food insecurity during the 68hours between school lunch on Fridays and breakfast on Mondays.

SAU 16 - Exeter NH

Parent Square Updates

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