Select a member of the Kittery School Board who shares your value
February 12th to Editor:
Dear Kittery residents,
On March 11, a special election will be open to the school committee. The election will be held at City Hall (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Absentee ballots are now available in Town Hall. There are three candidates running for this seat and I encourage you to learn about them at 6pm on March 6 at Candidate Night hosted by Traip Academy.
As a longtime Kittery educator, I am proud of our school! What guides our work is the “Vision Statement 2030”. This vision, along with these core beliefs, forms the basis for decision-making around curriculum, teaching and assessment, teacher professional development, enrichment and support programs, and resource allocation in our schools. Before the vote is held on March 11, take some time to reflect on these core beliefs and consider how to support them by selecting strong school committee candidates. It is more important than ever to participate in local elections that focus on the values and children of our community.
Core Beliefs 1-Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice. The Kittery School District is a community that respects, values and welcomes all individuals. We strive to create a sense of belonging for all members of the community by seeking diversity, pursuing equity and celebrating the value of many of our different life experiences.
Core Beliefs 2-Relationships and Community. We believe in the importance of building strong, positive relationships in schools, communities, our country and our world. Using local and global resources, we aim to provide students with engagement and connected learning opportunities.
Core Beliefs 3-Course and Teaching. We believe in courses that are personally relevant to the students and reflect the diver’s perspectives and experiences. Through innovation and adaptability, we strive to enable students to develop identity, empathy, and thoughtful local and global citizenship.
Core Belief 4 Five Children. We believe it is our responsibility to meet the academic and social and emotional needs of all students. We cultivate and practice resilience, flexibility, growth mindset and empathy so that all students feel valuable.
Core Belief 5-Transferable Skills We believe in building an educational environment that reflects the growth mindset A for students’ success ranges beyond K-12. We involve students in the development and direction of their own education.
Katie Peternell
Maine Kittery
Letter to the editor
Peter Somssich: Candidate for Vice-Chairman of Portsmouth Democracy Commission
February 13 – To Editor:
Portsmouth Democrats will hold an election caucus on February 20 at 6:30 p.m., to be elected by Zoom for committee officials for the next two years. I am running for Vice Chairman because I want to reactivate our committee and interact with the Portsmouth community. This is especially needed after Donald Trump was elected. We need to resist policies that attack our American values, but just because he won the election, we cannot allow the new president to absorb happiness and fun from his own lives.
I have political experience in the Democratic Commissions of Republican towns and democratic cities. 25 years ago I moved from Amherst, New Hampshire to Portsmouth where I served as party chairman for 4 years. After moving to Portsmouth, I served on the Democratic Committee, which included four years as chairman and had been state representative for 6 years. Since the current committee did not organize any major events in 2024 (Election Year), I formed the Portsmouth Democratic Outreach Committee with 5 others and helped organize 4 events, in addition to the monthly Democratic Roundtable and “Coffee and Coffee and Dems” party outside. We will need this energy in the committee over the next two years.
If you are a registered Democratic voter in Portsmouth, you can register for the voting and/or campaign office by emailing: Portsmouthnhdems@gmail.com.
If you have questions, please contact me: phone number. 603-436-5382 or peter.somssich@gmail.com
Peter Somssich
Portsmouth
The world sees our hypocrisy
February 13 – To Editor:
Trump said he would “acquire” Gaza. Don’t buy Gaza, but buy it (it’s a crime anyway) because it’s a demolition site. Why is the website demolished? Because Biden destroyed all the imaginable weapons (nuclear bombs) to destroy Gaza and kill as many Palestinian children and civilians as possible without any serious provisions on the use of these weapons.
When it comes to caring about human rights, don’t deceive yourself into thinking that these presidents are different. Don’t think that most of our Congressional representatives are supporters of human rights, because the vast majority say little about preventing genocide or recognizing Israel as a segregated state. Israel’s oppression, murder, land robbery and imprisonment (hostage occupation) Palestinians occur every day in the West Bank, how many people are in Israel’s oppression, murder and imprisonment (hostage occupation)? How many of you are even paying attention? Do you care about the United States? Maybe first of all, care about the rest of the world. Maybe we should care about the dollar being used to continue oppression. The world considers our hypocrisy. Harris lost largely because people also saw her hypocrisy.
Donna Pare
Stratham
Let your voice be heard in Concord
February 17 – To Editor:
Let your voice be heard in Concord!
Are you full of national news? Local governments are also very important! Our NH lawmakers are currently on their committees and are developing many bills that affect our community. You can express the voice of these bills by attending in person or using online testimony tools to submit opposition or support. Rest assured that there are many bills you may be interested in. This is an important bill to practice now!
HB 714, the channel will ensure that the NH primary offers voters access to all candidates regardless of party affiliation. All candidates will be listed in an inclusive primary vote. The first 2 then enter the general election. The system provides more options for voters, and winners have broader support for voters, which will help reduce polarization. The bill is the result of a new citizen council think tank and a lot of research, and it is an honor for them! The NH voted first and we hope to hear our voices nationwide, which will be very important.
Can’t attend the hearing? Use this link remotely! Information you need: HB 714, House Electoral Law Committee, February 18 at 1:00 pm. I encourage you to use this tool – you will love its ease and will hear your voice accept testimony all day long. Our legislators choose to respond to what you want… Let’s go ahead!
Cheri Bach
Portsmouth
Our people are the only defense
February 13 – To Editor:
Please wake the United States! For Republicans, they vote for Trump while not believing that he will do what he said he will do- are you fooled? Do you believe all the lies? Are you intentionally ignorant as I said? Don’t you want to know the truth? For Democrats – Are you really paying attention? Did you read it on old media? Do you realize how intimidated traditional media is?
Congress bows to the dictator – waives all rights stipulated in the Constitution and no longer works. It’s an internal coup – planning and simplicity. The president has no right to cancel the institutions signed by Congress through normal administrative procedures. Time and again, the law is violated, no action or even said, and the representatives of both parties you elected are underway (with the later exception).
Now, the Ministry of Finance is controlled by Musk’s self-proclaimed “Muskra”. These kids think that code controls the world and controls the code. They have handles like “bad butts” and are camping in the Treasury, cheerfully rewrite the system that distributes your taxes. Cancer research? no. Is there any healthy research? no. FEMA helps with disaster? no longer. Free press? No – They bow to the dictator. The latest is to cancel the AP from the White House because they used the exclusive name – MECICO’s Bay. They are now following the independence of NPR and PBS. for how long?
So far, Trump and Musk have ignored every judicial order given by the court. Even American bars called this up – it was after the death of the rule of law. This is another fact that maintains the coup.
So now the Congress was destroyed on every level, justice and the rule of law, plus the “Fourth Manor” took over the Treasury, and only the army could stop them.
Add all – Please! We live in a coup – the illegal takeover of our government. This is no Business as usual. This is the most incapable government in any history.
Have you noticed who was the spokesperson at the Oval Office press conference? Not the president. Or is it still a silent president elected. Yes – you get it. The planner of the acquisition. That slave is closing everything we rely on health and economic health.
We need to speak out loud and now tell the truth. Check out everything in this letter for yourself. Everything is there, and there are more. Our people are the only defense – we need to wake up and act. Now!
Linda Cunningham
Portsmouth
Send your letter to contact@seacoastonline.com
Please keep 250 letters or less. Submissions must include the author’s first and last name, city or town, and phone numbers during the day (for verification purposes only and will not be published). Send letters or comments to contact@seacoastonline.com. Letters from writers from coastal areas will give priority to publishing local topics.
This article originally appeared in the Portsmouth Herald: Local Elections and National Opinions: Letters
