Lancaster Elementary School

Dear White Mountains Regional School District Families,

Tomorrow morning, we have the privilege of welcoming our students back to school, and I could not be more excited to begin the 2026–2027 school year.

Last week, as our staff gathered to prepare for the year ahead, I challenged them to “see the kid,” to look beyond a test score, behavior, disability, or circumstance and recognize the potential in every student who walks through our doors. I reminded them that we may never fully know the impact of a simple act of encouragement, support, patience, or belief in a child, but those moments can stay with a student for a lifetime.

As we begin tomorrow, I also want to acknowledge that this will be a year of significant change for our school district.

We are implementing Alma, our new student information system; transitioning to a new bus company; welcoming our 7th and 8th grade students to White Mountains Regional Middle High School as part of our district reconfiguration; working with new building and district administrators; and navigating new educational rules and requirements that affect what and how we teach.

Each of these changes represents a significant undertaking, and several are happening simultaneously. While our staff has worked incredibly hard to prepare, we know there will be bumps along the way. Something may take longer than expected. A new system may not work exactly as anticipated. A transportation question may need to be worked through. A process that was familiar last year may look different this year.

We ask for your patience and partnership as we work through these changes together.

When something doesn't go as planned, please know that we will work to understand the problem, communicate as clearly as we can, and make adjustments as needed. I also encourage you to reach out to us with questions and concerns. Strong schools are built through strong partnerships between families, educators, students, and our communities.

Amid all of this change, however, the most important part of our work has not changed at all: our students. Tomorrow morning, approximately 900 young people will walk through our doors with different strengths, challenges, hopes, worries, and possibilities. Our responsibility is to make sure they are known, supported, challenged, and given every opportunity to succeed.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with us in this work. I am incredibly excited about the year ahead and grateful for the opportunity to serve this district and our communities.

Here's to a wonderful first day and a successful 2026–2027 school year.

Together for our students,

Rob Scott

2026 COÖS COUNTY SUMMER MEAL SITES

WMRHS North Country Scholars - Alexis Hicks (Valedictorian), Axcie Hamilton (Salutatorian), and Margarette Bolduc (CTE Student)

WHITE MOUNTAINS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
2026-2027 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
FOR STUDENTS NOT CURRENTLY ATTENDING PRESCHOOL IN SAU 36

If your child is going to be five years old on or before September 30, 2026, they are eligible to begin Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. Kindergarten Registration is available electronically beginning on Monday, April 13, 2026 at www.sau36.org via the New Student Registration Link on the website. Registration should be completed no later than May 15, 2026. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lancaster or Whitefield School.

FOR CARROLL, DALTON, AND WHITEFIELD RESIDENTS
Your school is Whitefield School
FOR JEFFERSON AND LANCASTER RESIDENTS
Your School is Lancaster School

*If your student is already attending the PK 4 program in SAU 36, and will turn five on or before September 30, 2026- they do NOT need to register. We will automatically enroll them into Kindergarten.

KINDERGARTEN SCREENING/CHILD FIND
FOR STUDENTS NOT CURRENTLY ATTENDING PRESCHOOL IN SAU 36

Screening of motor, speech, early academic, and social-emotional development for incoming kindergarteners will take place during the month of May. If you are registering your child for the 26-27 kindergarten class, please call LES or WES to set up an appointment for your child to attend the annual screening.

Students already attending the Pre-K 4 program will be screened during their regular day, and pre-school teachers will report those results to you.

For incoming Whitefield Kindergarteners, please set up an appointment by calling 603-837-3088 and plan to attend the screening at Whitefield Elementary School on May 11th.

For incoming Lancaster Kindergarteners, please set up an appointment by calling 603-788-4924 and plan to attend the screening at Lancaster Elementary School on May 18th.

Please allow approximately 90 minutes for the entire process to be completed.