Jenni Flood, from the Flood Farm, brought Fairfield Primary some Cabot cheese and our new cafeteria mascot. On Tuesday, the students cast their votes for the cow’s name. Meet Daisy!
Every so often, the high school will hold a Community Homeroom during Advisory time. Today was one of those times. The students and faculty had author and retired Maine Biologist and Waterville resident, Ron Joseph, speak to us about his new book, Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Hermit Bill, and regale us with some stories about his experiences. His specialty is ornithology (the study of birds); specifically songbirds. He shared photographs of his grandparents’ farm where he spent much of his time during his childhood as well as wildlife photos. One photo, in particular, was of a bear cub that he held during a biologist outing to bear dens during the winter to change out the radio collars of female black bears. While they tranquilize the mother bear, the others in the group have to take the cubs and cuddle them to keep them warm until they are all returned to their den. Mr. Joseph took questions from students and teachers and was very interesting to have in and speak with us. We are thankful to him for coming in and to Mrs. Pullen for reaching out to him and inviting him to our community homeroom. It was very interesting and the students were very attentive.
In other news at the high school, the Lawrence Marching Band competed over this past weekend in Sanford at the Marching Band Directors’ Association (MBDA) State Finals and earned an overall Silver Medal rating. Excellent for a band with over half new members this year. Sophomore Brock Merrill received a Gold Medal rating in the Drum Major category. Great job to all Marching Band Members!
In the spring Albion students in grades 2 - 6 entered the Maine Association of School Libraries Bookmark contest. Two of our Albion students were recognized. Joe in 6th grade was an Honorable mention and Colton in 4th grade was the Winner! MASL had their entries made into bookmarks to share with students.
On the evening of Monday, October 23 Benton Elementary Reading Recovery/Title I Literacy team hosted a family literacy night for many of our first and second-grade Title I students. Adults learned about the roles of teachers, parents, and students receiving Reading Recovery and Title I lessons. There was an emphasis on the home-school partnership to accelerate literacy learning for students. During this time, the children went with a couple of teachers to enjoy several read-alouds. Smiles and laughter filled the cafeteria when families came back together for engaging literacy activities, including building an interactive Pigeon bulletin board near our main office. Each family went home with a 20th-anniversary edition copy of Mo Willems' Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, which included a game in the back.
At Fairfield Primary the students are involved in activities associated with their readings. Paisley is using the pointer to read our October poem. Declan and Karter are acting out the story "Abiyoyo" with puppets. Killian and Aubrey are writing stories at our writing table and Declan and Nova are building a city using the book "Abuela" as their inspiration.
Check out these fun Halloween photos from Clinton Elementary School.
On October 31st students and staff got dressed after lunch, had a snack, and some holiday fun!
Lawrence Junior High School students in Miss Badamo's art class created a beautiful welcome, “wall of fame” for the entrance to her classroom! Check it out Below!
Elizabeth Holden, a Junior at Lawrence and member of the Golf Team, qualified for the New England golf tournament and played over the weekend finishing 27th overall which was in the top half of the field! She played at the Mohegan Sun Golf Course in CT. Congratulations Liz! See the Picture below. Also, a nice article in The Town Line appeared on October 25, 2023, on Nash Corson and a $1,000 scholarship he was eligible for and won for organizing a Blood Drive for the Red Cross. Congratulations Nash!
In other news, LifeTouch Picture Retakes for the High School and Jr. High will be on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
Mrs. Joler’s 12th-grade English classes went to the Colby Art Museum on Tuesday, October 31st. Students enjoyed the tour with the tour guide and lunch in one of the dining halls on campus. They did an analysis activity on a piece of art that they viewed of their choice. Feedback from students was positive along with comments of wishing to spend more time in the museum.
Football will host Gardiner for a rare Saturday game at 1 p.m. this weekend. This is a semifinal game. As a KVAC league event, there is a flat entrance fee of $5 for students and adults. The winner will advance to the regional finals. Go Dogs!
The Blood Drive scheduled for this past Friday had to be postponed. At this time, Mr. Pellerin is working on trying to set up another date.
The 1st Quarter closes on Friday with teachers’ grades due Monday morning. As such, new quarter classes will start on Monday, November 6, 2023. One quarter down and three to go!
The fifth graders of Clinton Elementary took a field trip to Boothbay Botanical Gardens.
All Fairfield Primary’s kindergarten classes went on a field trip to Lemieux’s Orchard on Friday.
At Albion Elementary the principal, Mrs. Blais, went into the first grade and read them her favorite fall book - The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin.
Benton Elementary sixth graders have been learning all about about civic duties and the branches of our government. They recently traveled to Augusta for a tour of the Maine State House, including the Senate and House chambers. They also visited Blaine House - home to Maine governors since 1920 - and picnicked in Capitol Park.
The Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute partners with 37 schools across Maine to serve more than 500 Olympia's Leaders who are supported by more than 220 caring, trained female advisors who are leaders within a broad range of businesses and communities. These students joined Juniors and Seniors from Lawrence at the annual Olympia Snowe Fall forum this year. Lawrence HS is happy to welcome 5 new sophomore girls to the program:
Jillian Boyden
Hannah Carlton
Arianna Goodwin
Addison King
Alina Rodrique-Butler
Their advisors are Victoria Abbott and Emily Theriault. Our school liaison is Mrs. Ferriter, School Counselor for students with last names beginning with letters Go-M.
First graders at Benton Elementary have been studying the four seasons. Last week they visited the L.C. Bates Museum to learn how clouds are formed and the role the Sun plays in creating our seasons. Students also visited with John Meader of Northern Stars Planetarium, joining him inside his inflatable planetarium to learn about types of clouds and how the Sun affects our weather and seasons on Earth. These young scientists also viewed some of the constellations they can find in Maine’s night sky.
At Albion Elementary Mrs. Bearce's kindergartners are engaged in a valuable activity known as "choice time" where they have the opportunity to select from various centers toward the end of the day. These centers play a pivotal role in their development by promoting decision-making, problem-solving, and social interaction.
Last week, our dedicated bus drivers, Gail and Katie, visited Fairfield Primary to impart essential lessons on bus safety to our kindergarten students. The significance of learning about bus safety cannot be overstated. It equips our young learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure their safe transportation to and from school, fostering a secure and comfortable environment for both students and their families.
Clinton and Albion Elementary students have been busy reviewing end-of-year music topics from last year and are diving into this year's curriculum! Some favorite songs and games include. The Unicorn Popper, Frog in the Meadow, Skin and Bones, Plate Balance, The Turkey Game, Closet Key, Old Raggy, Hop Old Squirrel, Oh My! Fish in the Sky!, and of course, BoomwhackersⓇ! Lower-wing students will be experimenting with auxiliary percussion, and upper-wing students will soon be playing recorders, ukuleles, xylophone, and piano. Our Chorus and Band students are also busy preparing for their winter concert on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the Williamson Center Auditorium.
Music education contributes a vast variety of benefits to your brain, physical and mental health, and general well-being, and it is fun! Learning to sing or play an instrument has a direct impact on a child or teen’s development; In fact, it is more than twice that of sports, theater, or dance.
So, whether your child is picking up a guitar for the first time or spending hours perfecting their singing or flute skills, you can rest assured it will be more than just music to your ears. It is a worthwhile investment in their future!
At Lawrence Junior High School, students are building confidence, taking positive risks and learning to trust in others while they climb the rock wall.
Lawrence just had a successful Homecoming Week capped off by a football victory on Friday night over Messalonskee and the Homecoming Dance held on Saturday night. The dance was well attended and enjoyed by the students.
JMG’s Aiden Jackson-Heath (pictured), Alex Johnson, and Jayden Burnham-Butler all received a $500 check from JMG for completion of the Maine Career Exploration Badge. All three students completed a 40-hour work experience coupled with an informational interview, career exploration, and a reflection as well as a "thank you" letter to the business where they worked. The checks were presented to Aiden, Alex, and Jayden on October 12.
The EMPOWER club and Gregory's Disposal teamed up to provide Lawrence High School hats to all our teachers for homecoming week. Picture two is Elizabeth Holden. Elizabeth Holden achieved an impressive 2nd place among the girls, and we're proud to say our team secured a commendable 7th place overall at the State Golf Meet on Friday. Last but not least, this Tuesday, Mrs. Misner and the high school orchestrated a fantastic chorus workshop with the esteemed Dr. Rebecca DeWan and Professor Isaac Bray. An enthusiastic turnout of around 160 students from six area schools made this event a resounding success! They were involved with section lessons and are working on a piece to do in the afternoon with all groups.
