Outstanding service

The New Hampshire School Administrators Association has named Kearsarge Regional School District Assistant Superintendent Michael Bessette the recipient of NHSAA’s 2023 Outstanding Service Award. According to a press release, the award is given to an outstanding New Hampshire school system leader who is not a Superintendent of Schools, who works to improve district educational programs and services, contributes to workplace climate and high morale, anticipates and acts to resolve emerging problems and demonstrates professional growth and involvement. Bessette has served as Assistant Superintendent for seven years. Previously, he worked as a school administrator and principal in the Hopkinton, Timberlane and Derry school districts. “New Hampshire’s public schools offer students the critical skills, content, and competencies necessary to prepare them for college and career readiness,” Bessette said in the release. “There is nothing more professionally rewarding for me personally than to assist students seeking to achieve their educational goals.”

Cleaner air

The Nashua School District recently completed a nearly $800,000 project to install high-tech air purification systems in eight of its 17 schools. According to a press release, the district contracted with Sanalife of Tyngsborough, Mass., to upgrade the air purification systems, which use a new kind of technology to not only remove harmful pollutants and bacteria from the air but also release air-scrubbing molecules throughout a space to reduce airborne and surface contaminants. Nashua School District is one of the first school districts in New Hampshire to install this type of air quality technology in its schools.

Meals for kids

The New Hampshire House voted on March 22 to pass HB 572, a bill that would allow more New Hampshire families to qualify for their children to receive free school meals. According to a press release, eligibility requirements for families would be expanded from 130 percent of the federal poverty level to 300 percent. “No child should go hungry because of circumstances beyond their control,” Rep. Muriel Hall, prime sponsor of the bill, said in the release. “The importance of food in a child’s education is obvious. School meals play a critical role in a student’s attendance, well-being, and academic success. A healthy diet can give a child the energy to think, work and play.” The bill will now go to the Senate.

Food help

Limited-income New Hampshire residents have until April 9 to apply for the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s 2023 Farm Share Program, New Hampshire Bulletin reported. The program allows qualifying residents to access community-supported agriculture shares, commonly known as CSAs, for discounted prices across the state. NOFA-NH covers 50 percent of the cost of each farm share while the recipient contributes 25 percent and local farms donate the rest. The program has partnered with 15 farms and provided 167 shares to more than 550 community members since its inception in 2017. For more information and to apply, visit nofanh.org/farm-share-program.

More beds

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has received approval from the Executive Council on two new contracts that will expand acute inpatient mental health bed capacity in the state. According to a press release, an agreement with SolutionHealth will support the construction of a new facility in southern New Hampshire that will have 120 beds: 72 for adults, 24 for older individuals with gero-psychiatric issues and 24 for children and adolescents, voluntarily or involuntarily admitted for care. An agreement with Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital will support the construction of the first five beds in the Lebanon region designed to serve adult patients involuntarily admitted for care. “In 2019, the Department set an ambitious course to fundamentally rebuild New Hampshire’s behavioral health system,” DHHS Interim Commissioner Lori Weaver said in the release. “Together with our partners, we are building a more comprehensive, high-value, integrated system. As a result, we are making significant progress on the 10-Year Mental Health Plan and remain committed to full implementation.”

The second annual Evolution Expo will be held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord (70 Constitution Ave.) on Sunday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to a press release, the expo, presented by Nashua Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry and hosted by Holistic Pros, will feature 20 presentations and workshops and more than 70 exhibitors and vendors highlighting wellness, spirituality and holistic health. Admission is free with advance reservations or $10 at the door. Visit holisticnh.org/evolution-expo.

The Michael LoVerme Memorial Foundation will host its annual free computer clinic Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Merrimack Public Library (470 Daniel Webster Hwy.). According to a press release, volunteer technicians will be available to sit down with participants one-on-one to answer technology-related questions, troubleshoot a computer problem or provide training and instruction on how to use computers and technology, including Macs, PCs, tablets and mobile devices. Visit mlmf.org/events/computer-clinic to register.

The Londonderry Senior Center (535 Mammoth Road) and the Londonderry Arts Council present For the Love of Music, a new acoustic jam session featuring local musicians, with a first session Sunday, April 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. Members of the Londonderry Senior Center and Londonderry residents over age 55 are welcome to attend. “This is a great opportunity … and we hope to make this a regular event,” Ilona Arndt, Senior Affairs Director, said in a press release.