MSAD #49

At Clinton Elementary Ms. LaBranche's Pre-K class is enjoying center time. Center time is a time for children to explore, play and choose activities independently or with classmates and teachers. Choices include art, writing, sensory table, math, science, blocks, and dramatic play. The activities are responsive to each child's strengths and needs while supporting their social emotional, cognitive and physical development

Blood Drive in the high school gym on 10/30/24. https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time Two students, Liam Poulin and Jake Begin, were recipients of MMTC’s October Students of the Month. Liam is in the Automotive Systems program and Jake is in the Guiding & Recreation program at MMTC. Congratulations to both students! On Tuesday, we have students who signed up taking the PSAT assessment. This assessment is given to Sophomores and Juniors who would like to take them in advance of the SAT’s. We are not a host site for the SAT’s but interested students can look on their College Board website to see where it is being offered in the spring. The high school is quickly approaching the end of the first quarter, which ends on November 1, 2024. This can be an illuminating moment for some students that come to the realization that grades actually mean something and that they need to be passing in order to earn credits towards graduating. If a student has had a bad quarter, it might behoove parents to reach out to their student’s teachers to see where their child is having difficulty. If it’s homework assignments that aren’t getting turned in, it might be a good idea to clamp down a bit on the student and have them report to the kitchen table when they get home from school to do their homework first thing or let them blow off steam for an hour and then have them report to a designated spot so they can be monitored that they indeed are working on school work. This is a time to give adolescents some more freedoms, but if they are demonstrating that they can’t handle the amount you’ve given them, it would be good for their development to re-establish some non-negotiables until they can demonstrate that they can earn back some of those privileges. Teachers, Guidance, and Administrators are always willing to work with you to help your student navigate schooling, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Enjoy this fine weather we’ve been having and have a good remainder of your week!

Benton Elementary sixth graders have been learning about civic duties and the branches of our government. This week each class is traveling to Augusta for a tour of the Maine State House, including the Senate and House chambers. They also visited Blaine House, home to Maine's governors since 1920.

At Albion Elementary Mrs. Bearce’s Kindergarten class is hard at work honing their writing skills! ✍️📚 Developing early writing abilities is crucial for young learners, as it enhances creativity, communication, and confidence. Every word they write lays the foundation for their future success!

In late September, the Clinton second and first graders participated in some fun and educational stations all about apples! The students in both first and second-grade classrooms were mixed into four larger groups that rotated to each classroom for stations. Students heard a story about making applesauce and tried some homemade applesauce. Then they got to vote on whether they liked it or not and shared their results. In another station, students worked to plan and design a tower using cups. Then, on the top of their structure, they needed to carefully place an apple to see if it would stay. Afterward, they drew and wrote about how they designed their tower. Students had fun while using some science, engineering, and math skills! Another station experimented to observe if apples would float or sink. Each student received an investigation book and kept track of their color apple and their hypothesis on whether it would sink or float. Students were getting creative in an Apple Art station and used sponges to create a green leafy tree and their fingerprints to create apples in the tree. Clinton first and second graders, and their teachers, definitely had some fun and learned quite a bit about apples!

🎨✨ Ms. Badamo's 8th graders transformed their favorite snacks into vibrant paper and paint sculptures! This project not only sparked their creativity but also highlighted the importance of artistic expression and the joy of personal interests in art. 🍕🍦 Let’s celebrate their imagination!

We had two of our teachers attend a national conference last week. Mr. Meneses and Mrs. Foster, both our Alternative Teachers went to the National Alternative Education Association Conference in Tucson, Arizona from October 7th through the 9th. The trip was supported by an honorarium grant provided by the Maine Department of Education and the Rethinking Remote Education Venture folks who provided the grant that jump-started our alternative education program at the high school, two years ago. Fall sports teams are winding down, if not wrapping up in the case of our Golf Team. Elizabeth Holden placed second in the State for the Individual Class B State Championships held last Saturday at Natanis Golf Course. Two others who competed in the Individual State Match were Seniors Zack Hill and Jake Frazee; both finishing just out of the top ten. Congratulations to the Seniors for their strong showing and leadership! Something to put on your calendars is the Craft Fair coming up on November 2nd at the high school. A great way to get into the holiday spirit. Senior Parents - we’ll look to schedule another Senior Parent Meeting for Monday, September 28th so watch for notices announcing it. Have a great week!

Up, up, and away! Last week our Benton Elementary fourth graders gathered to launch a giant balloon that carried many types of seeds into the skies above our community. Dr. Rick Eason - Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and head of the University of Maine's High Altitude Balloon Program - helped the students load their seeds into specialized boxes attached to the balloon. John Garesche, with Launch With Us, LLC, attached a 360 camera to the base of the balloon to record video footage of the journey. The balloon reached a peak altitude of 117,771 feet and a maximum speed of 73 mph during its 2-hour flight! Dr. Eason and his team retrieved it from a remote location northeast of Bangor and returned the seeds to our school. Our fourth graders have already planted their seeds and placed them under grow lights in our library. The students have high hopes that they'll soon be eating veggies grown from seeds that traveled to the stratosphere and back!

At Clinton Elementary Mrs. Scmidt's Kindergarten class listened to a read-aloud as part of their guidance lesson. Guidance staff Jessica Brown, our partner from Maine Behavioral Health supports our little ones as they are learning how to build friendships and work with one another in school. Also here are some pictures of kindergarten pumpkin paintings from Mrs. Schmidt's class.

Albion Elementary students in Mrs. Ryan's first-grade class made a visit to the L.C. Bates Museum. The students explored how different animals adapt to various seasons, deepening their understanding of wildlife and the natural world. This experience not only enhances their learning but also fosters a sense of curiosity and appreciation for nature, which is essential for developing lifelong environmental awareness.

🏌️The following Lawrence golfers participated Tuesday, 10/8/24 as they are participating in the KVAC Golf Championships at Natanis Golf Club: Elizabeth Holden - Qualified for the State Meet which will be held on Saturday. Zack Hill - Qualified for the State Meet which will be held on Saturday. Broden Foster Jake Frazee - Qualified for the State Meet which will be held on Saturday. Ryan Lea Trenton Paquette Good luck to those golfers who qualified for the State golf match on Saturday which will be held at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro with a tee time of 10:00 AM. Good luck Liz, Zack, and Jake! 💼On Tuesday of this week, Mrs. Ferriter and Mr. Bellner took some students up to tour the Penobscot County Job Corps campus. Job Corps is a program for 16 - 24-year-old students and young adults that provides career readiness and on-the-job training in a campus setting with adult mentors. For more information, you can visit their website at penobscot.job corps.gov. 🤝Parent Teacher conferences are resuming on Thursday evening and conferences can be scheduled by calling the school or going online to: myconferencetime.com/lhs. 🖼️Picture Retakes will be held on November 13, 2024 at 8:00 AM for students who missed the original picture day or would like a retake. This Friday is a Teacher In-Service day, so no students. Students will enjoy the first of two long weekends in a row!

Congratulations to the 16 fifth and sixth graders who have been voted to represent their classes on our Benton Elementary Student Council. The group met for the first time this week and they've hit the ground running! This year our Student Council will collect cans and bottles at school with the help of CLYNK. CLYNK is a recycling movement that started here in Maine and is now being used by some other states. It’s simple: bag it, tag it, scan it, and drop it! We're proud that our Student Council is doing the right thing for our environment, and we look forward to seeing all the great work this group will do this year!

On Tuesday, October 26, Albion Elementary students in grades 4, 5, and 6 took a field trip to the Colby Art Museum. This visit allowed them to engage with the museum’s collection and learn about Native American basket making, culminating in a hands-on experience where they created their own baskets in the studio. When reflecting on the trip, many students mentioned that the lunch in the dining hall stood out as a highlight. This experience underscores the value of field trips in enriching students’ learning and fostering a deeper connection to the subjects they study.

Teamwork in action at Clinton Elementary! Fifth graders in Mr. Hoyt's class collaborate on a project, showcasing the power of collaboration and creativity. Working together not only enhances learning but also builds essential social skills for the future!

Yearbook Club Teamwork in Action! Twenty-three students are part of the Lawrence Junior High School Yearbook Club this year. They are currently working on choosing the theme for this year’s publication. Members have expressed excitement to try something new, meet new people, invest in a long-term project, get involved, and have fun while creating. Students are working on the yearbook with the teacher librarian, Ms. Butterfield, and science teacher, Mr. Cloutier. Please see the LJHS Website for details on ordering a yearbook!

High School News: Olympia Snowe Leaders Institute group involves girls from the school who were nominated and selected by the adults in our school. It is an honor and privilege for them to serve and represent Lawrence High School. This day-long Fall Forum event was held on September 26th in Orono. The girls heard Senator Snowe speak as well and participated in sessions to build their leadership skills. Becky Anderson, our Librarian, stood in for Maureen Ferriter, our school counselor who coordinates the program at the high school. Students who attended are in the picture below: Kylie Delile, Paige Goodwin, Nadia Morrison, Taylor Pellerin, Addison King, Arianna Goodwin, Hannah Carlton, Jillian Boyden, Addison Lea, Jenna Lawe, Charlee Matthews, Marley Peaslee, Mikayla Phillips, and Amyah Vaughn. 📕The ASVAB test was administered on Friday, 9/27, to 31 students. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB) is a comprehensive exam given by all Military Service branches to determine what military service-based skills and job sets a person is qualified to perform. The ASVAB tests math and reading skills but also evaluates a person's ability to comprehend mechanical, 3D rendering, electrical systems, and other vocational skill sets. There is no obligation to join the military by taking the exam. A minimum score of 31 is required to join the services. The higher the score, the more career fields that are available. (The Army has over 120 different career fields) A score above 60 qualifies for additional enlistment bonuses and top-level security clearance for certain positions. Students who are 17 years old or older who are interested in joining any military or just interested to see if they qualify for a good military job, should take the exam to get a baseline score to see what career fields they would qualify for. 🎶This past Saturday, the Marching Band hosted their Home Show which was a marching band competition with six other schools, all from the southern part of the state, and included the UMaine Marching Black Bears at the conclusion of the show! It was a great evening and the Lawrence Marching Band performed well, as did all the bands. 🖥️Students in AP Computer Science Principles represented a computing network. The strings each student held were paths connecting devices and each individual person was a computing device. This physical representation allowed students to visualize how information is shared. It also led to discussions about creating redundancy and fault-tolerant systems. 📗On Wednesday of this week the Sophomores were involved in taking their Reading Maine Through Year test. It was given in their Advisories during Block 1 and Advisory. On Thursday, the Sophomores will take the Math Through Year Assessment during their Advisory and Block 2 periods. These are state-mandated tests and will be given in the Spring, as well. 📙Yearbooks are on sale now. Visit Walsworth Yearbooks Lawrence HS website. All students were emailed with the link on Monday evening. The cost now is $60 and will increase to $65 on November 1, 2024. ☕The high school administration: Principal, Mr. Bowers, and Assistant Principal, Mr. Cyr will be hosting a “Coffee House” from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM in the High School Library. This is an opportunity to come by and talk with Administrators. (The coffee will probably be decaffeinated). You’re welcome to stop by for the full hour or just to pop in and say hi. 🤝Next week we have Parent Teacher Conferences and parents can sign up on www.myconferencetime.com They will be held on Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10 in the evening from 3:30 - 5:00 PM and 5:30 - 7:30 PM. This is an opportunity to meet with your student’s teachers and hear what and how your student is doing in their various classes. We hope to see you there! Have a great week!

Last Friday, 9/20/24, the Senior Class attended an assembly hosted by Rebecca Casey, the Payroll Manager at KVCC, on the subject of paychecks and withholdings. The Sophomores will be taking the Maine Through Year Assessments in Reading and Math on October 2nd and 3rd. These are State-mandated assessments that are given in the fall and the spring of each year to assess student performance for Maine’s accountability standards, the Common Core State Standards. Our students will test in their Advisory Homerooms: on Wednesday the students will test during Block 1 and Advisory for their Reading portion and on Thursday the students will test during Advisory and Block 2 for the Math portion. Students should get a good night’s sleep prior to test day and eat a good breakfast either at home or at school. If a testing Sophomore misses a test date, we will pull them from a class to make it up, so it’s important we get as many to take it on the assigned testing days. We are in the midst of Homecoming Week! The parade kicks off on Friday at 5:00 PM from the high school parking. The football game is at 7 PM. On Saturday evening we are hosting the marching band competition and will have the University of Maine Marching Black Bears here to perform. The Home Show starts at 5:00 PM and runs through 8:00 PM. Please come out to support our Marching Band! Due to this event, we will be having the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 5th. We hope to see many alumni, family, and friends at the parade and game on Friday night and the Marching Band competition on Saturday! Have a great week!

At Albion Elementary we're excited to kick off our fundraising efforts to enhance our student activities account! Your support will help fund enriching experiences like guest speakers, field trips, and celebrations that make learning fun and memorable. Together, let’s create unforgettable moments for our students!

Benton Elementary fifth-grade classes have committed to a year-long recycling initiative for their Service Learning Project. Students will be collecting used paper from all classrooms and work areas throughout the school year, taking a giant step toward a greener future for our community. In the coming weeks, fifth graders will be delivering recycling bins and teaching younger students about the importance of recycling.

Unlocking the world around us! 🌟 Mr. Mercier's 4th graders at Clinton Elementary dive into the 5 senses, learning to explore and appreciate the richness of their experiences through hands on learning.