Hello Parents!
I sure hope you're not tired of hearing, "We had a great week at school!" What can I say? We are a great school, and we did have a great week!
One of the highlights was the K, 1, and 2 chorus concert. Talk to any family, staff, or student audience member and they will tell you it was an outstanding performance. Of course, we expect young students to be cute on stage, and ours certainly were, but I think many of us were surprised by the talent! The singing was pitch perfect, the lyrics were clear, and the energy was electric! Bravo to our music teacher, Amanda Shively! We are looking forward to the final concert of the year next week. Check the dates below for that and other events.
Another thing I say frequently is that our excellent visual and performing arts program has the potential to be the centerpiece of our curriculum. Just check out the door art video at the end of the Bobcat Sightings section. To celebrate Art Appreciation Day on Wednesday, May 15th, our Spirit Team challenged each class to choose a Maine artist, learn about the artist's history and life, and then decorate their door in the likeness of the artist's style. Art Teacher Milliken supplied us with 18 artists to choose from in a blind drawing. The doors are amazing! Seeing kindergarten students learning about one of Maine's most iconic artists and then working out the representation was a reminder that, when given a rich context for learning, children are capable of great things! Even our preK students got into the mindset of an artist, creating their self-portraits. I hope you enjoy the digital gallery walk of doors, and all the other sightings!
Finally, I want to share a fascinating news article about a surprising benefit for kids who spend time outside: Want to protect your kids' eyes from myopia [near-sightedness]? Get them to play outside . Hearing the research made me appreciate even more our outdoor learning programs and experiences at MBS, such as the field trip to Windsor Fair Grounds featured in the Bobcat Sightings.
As I am a bit late in the weekend with this issue, I will wish you a great week ahead with lots of outdoor time!
Mary
Dates and Notices
21st - Grade 4 and 5 School Concert 1:00
22nd - Frogtown Puppets (School )
23rd - Grade 4 & 5 Parent Concert 1:00
24th - PreK Field Trip to Sam’s Farm 9:00 & 12:30
24th - Grade 5 Boston Trip
27th - Memorial Day Holiday
It takes a village
Thanks to Wayne Alexander for helping to install this magnificent xylophone in our outdoor learning space. The xylophone, funded by a 2023 grant from the Maine Environmental Education Association, brings joy and melodious charm to our playground (and perhaps to nearby yards!).
Bobcat Sightings
K-2 Concert
A Friday Field Trip to Windsor Fair Grounds
Students learn about maps in the library.
Third graders learn about motion in science class.
It's a good thing corn on the cob wasn't on the menu!
Maine Artist Door Art Video!
See if you can match each door with one of these artists!
Yvonne Jacquette, Winslow Homer, Robert Indiana, Peggy Bacon, Neil Welliver, N.C. Wyeth, Marguerite Zorach, Marden Hartley, Lynn Drexler, Louise Nevelson, Lois Dodd, Jill Hoy, Jamie Wyeth. Greta Van Campen, Dahlov Ipcar, Andrew Wyeth, Alex Katz, Alan Magee, PreK student, et al.