Pelham Archives - Granite Grok

$numbers digits math$

BANFIELD: Poor Math Education Explained

September 10, 2025 Ann Marie Banfield

Many districts in New Hampshire have not elevated math education in our public schools.

BANFIELD: Will Pelham Improve Public Schools or Keep the Status Quo?

August 31, 2025August 31, 2025 Ann Marie Banfield

Several parents in Pelham have reached out to me about a newly elected school board member who ran on a platform of improving public schools. Pelham students have been struggling academically for years, and teacher retention continues to be an ongoing issue. I know this personally—former teachers have contacted me directly to describe the poor … Read more

$Math ball point pen$

Pelham’s Race to the Bottom in Math (Part 2)

January 15, 2026February 7, 2025 Ann Marie Banfield

During the school deliberative session, a resident (37:00) in Pelham presented a warrant article to adopt Singapore Math. In part 1, I explained how this was not a bad idea. In fact, it’s better than continuing down the failed path set for students in the school district. What math program would Pelham be replacing ? … Read more

$Math ball point pen$

Pelham’s Race to the Bottom in Math (Part 1)

February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 Ann Marie Banfield

During the Deliberative Session in Pelham, a resident rose to support a warrant article to change the math program, and replace it with Singapore Math. Why would anyone want to support Singapore Math in their school? There’s a simple answer to that question, Singapore students finish at the top on international math and science tests, … Read more

Pelham School Budget, Child Sexual Abuse, and the Superintendent

February 11, 2024February 11, 2024 Ann Marie Banfield

Some Pelham residents attended the annual Deliberative Session this week. Residents listened to the details of the school operating budget that will be placed on the ballot in March. Residents will then decide if they want to support the budget as presented or vote it down. If they do not support the budget, the default budget will be the budget that will be used.

Three New Hampshire Towns Have Ballot Initiatives to Ban Electronic Voting Machines

March 6, 2023 Steve MacDonald

Electronic voting has been implicated in several counting errors in recent elections, resolved by hand-counting ballots. Residents in three New Hampshire towns have proposed skipping the electronic middle-man and doing away with the machines.

Another Candidate I Endorse: Kimberly Abare in Pelham 1

September 13, 2022 Skip

I’ve know Kimberly for a while now and worked with her on the “Defend Our Kids” project in which we tried to organize to get traditional American valued folks onto School Boards. For a first time effort, the results weren’t bad (let’s see what happens next time). I can’t think of a harder working, smart, … Read more

I Am Proudly Running to Represent and Serve the People of Pelham, NH

July 31, 2022 Op-Ed

I am proudly running to represent and serve the people of Pelham, New Hampshire, Hillsborough District 1. My father served during WW 2 in the US Navy at the age of 17. My son served in the US Marines at age 17 and then enlisted into the Army and to served undercover in Iraq fighting … Read more

Pelham NH Poll Worker Hands School Ballot to Voter that is Already Filled Out!

March 17, 2022 Steve MacDonald

This might be a first, at least for us. We have a report from a voter at a local election in Pelham, New Hampshire. A week ago Tuesday, he showed up to vote, was handed his ballots, and one of them was already filled out.

Animal Owners Gather to Change Pelham Animal Ban

October 20, 2019October 20, 2019

A group named “Restore Pelham Property Rights” hosted an event to boost awareness of their sponsored Citizen’s Petition at the Pelham Saddlery yesterday to protect “Family Farming” in Pelham. The group describes themselves as “a group of concerned citizens dedicated to restoring property rights and our right to family farm in Pelham. Our goal is … Read more

Wedding Attendees Helped Stop Pelham Shooter

October 12, 2019

This morning at a church in Pelham, the New England Pentecostal Ministries, a peaceful and joyous wedding turned into a nightmare when a man in a hoodie walked in and shot Bishop Choate, who was officiating the day. The Bishop is receiving treatment at Tuft’s Medical Center in Boston now, after being transported from from … Read more

UPDATED: Reports of Multiple People Shot in Pelham

October 12, 2019October 12, 2019

What we’ve learned: There was a wedding this morning, where the shooting occurred. The funeral for Minister Garcia was scheduled for after the wedding. A preliminary investigation has shown that this is not a random incident. Guests at the wedding ‘gang’ tackled the shooter. Two people are injured, one of them has been transported to … Read more

Pelham NH To Consider Ban on Driving?

September 26, 2018October 3, 2012 Steve MacDonald

After years of watching citizens and tourists of all ages fail to properly operate motor vehicles–resulting in millions of dollars in property damage, injury, and death, Pelham New Hampshire has opened a discussion about whether or not to ban driving in their town.

“Some of these accidents have scarred people for life, others have died,” said Kneejerk Reaction. “We just can’t let this continue.”

OK. I’m kidding. Sort of. Pelham is having a conversation about whether or not to ban fireworks (as predicted) after an incident this past summer in which several people were injured, and some of them were, to quote the article, scarred for life. While we wish the best for those affected, banning behaviors based on one incident like this is not wise.

Hey I slipped on a wet floor. That’s it. No more mopping!