Inspired by Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Benton Elementary third-grade students have been learning how to responsibly choose books that are "just right" for them. After learning the criteria for choosing books that will stretch them within their learning zone, they are applying the concept of using "just right" criteria for success in the engineering design process. This time, they are helping Goldilocks solve a problem: fixing her mistake of breaking the Three Bears' chair by building them a new chair. After defining the problem, students determined the criteria for successful chair design, brainstormed ideas, and collaborated to create prototypes of their chair designs.
At Clinton Elementary we captured moments from our 2nd Third Grade Writing Celebration! Students immersed themselves in crafting narrative stories under the guidance of Mrs. Lovley. In a collaborative spirit, pairs ventured between both classrooms, exchanging and providing feedback on each other's narratives. The importance of this shared experience goes beyond the celebration—it cultivates a supportive learning community, where students not only showcase their creativity but also engage in constructive dialogue for growth.
Fairfield Primary students are enjoying art this week. In Art class with Mrs. Bolduc, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Rackliff's preK students delved into the fascinating world of lines. This engaging exploration not only sparked their creativity but also played a crucial role in fostering early cognitive development and foundational skills. Learning about lines is an essential component of their growth, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience.
At Albion Elementary School Mrs. Quick's students demonstrated their comprehension of the book's main idea in a highly creative way by utilizing Lego bricks. This hands-on approach not only engaged them actively but also underscored the significance of tactile and visual learning experiences in fostering a deeper understanding of the material.
Meet Horton, The Junior high school's charismatic Guinea pig! Residing in the library, he spreads joy, teaches kindness and responsibility, and adds a touch of magic to our school. Check out his festive holiday hat!
The Lawrence Theatre Company will be presenting the play Once Upon a Mattress this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Times for the play are 7:00 PM on Thursday and Friday with a 3:00 PM matinee on Saturday. On Wednesday they gave a brief performance to the student body during our Community Homeroom. We hope you will make it out to one of the performances this week!
Our Lawrence EMPOWER club is practicing for their upcoming puppet shows for all Pre-K, K, 1,2, and 3rd graders later this month. The shows teach positive choices and are an evidence based program that is very popular with the elementary students. The high school students who participate in EMPOWER are students who advocate living life free of substance use/abuse and help to bring awareness of healthy choices and mentoring to their peers and the younger students across the district.
With the holidays upon us, we want to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. I’d like to remind folks that are taking a planned vacation which will impact school attendance, we have Planned Absence Forms outside of the Main Office for your child to fill out and get signed and turned back into the Main Office before they leave on a trip. Parents sign off as well as your child’s teacher. This gives them a chance to provide work and/or plan for makeup when they return to school. A final reminder that Progress Reports for Q2, marking the midway point of the quarter, will be available for viewing on Friday, December 15, 2023.
Upcoming calendar events: December 13, 2023 the Jr. High and High School Band, Marching Band, and Jazz Band will be hosting their Holiday Concert in the Williamson Center. After the break the Jr. High and High School Choral Programs will host their Winter Holiday concert on Wednesday, January 10, 2023 starting at 6:30 PM in the Williamson Center. Please come out to support our students and enjoy the music they will share with you on those evenings!
At Lawrence Junior High School students are working hard in art and shop class. Artists/Students are working on their Tim Burton Inspired Characters, while they explore the new medium of Traditional Pen and Ink. In preparation for the Craft Carrier project, the students had a demonstration on how to cut round shapes on the bandsaw. After that initial demo, they moved on to a demonstration on how to use the spindle sanders required to finish sanding concave shapes. The photo shows the students watching as it is explained to them how to change spindles to accommodate different size curves.
On Wednesday, November 21, the Clinton Elementary 6th grade class celebrated
"Friendsgiving" with their classmates. The teachers and students brought in a little something to share for their own 6th-grade Thanksgiving Celebration.
At Albion Elementary, students engaged in reading across various environments. In the library, Mrs. Fletcher captivated first graders with a reading session of "The Very Last Castle," while in the third grade, Mrs. Cloutier enthralled students with a reading of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Last week leading up to Thanksgiving at Fairfield Primary,
students painted watercolor turkeys in Mrs. Oakes's Class.
Mrs. Leary's class and Mrs. Oakes' class combined for a group party and enjoyed some mini pies.
On a crisp November day, students from Emily Hachey and Annie Jewell’s second-grade classes enjoyed reading Benton Elementary’s newest Story Walk book: Spaghetti and Meatballs for All. This deliciously enticing book, written by math-extraordinaire Marilyn Burns, is a tale that’s sure to make your mouth water and your lips smile! Our Reading Recovery team - Carol Crothers, Sarah Rogers, and Lisa Roy - regularly selects, prepares, and swaps out Story Walk books for our children to enjoy as they walk around the playground. We encourage families to stop by on the weekend to enjoy this book, and others, throughout the school year!
At Lawrence High School, Ms. Perry’s Animal Science Block 2 class prepared Thanksgiving dinner last week with the students in the Lawrence Education Alternative Program and feasted on their efforts. They learned about where the foods came from and who/what was involved in the process of getting the food to the table.
Ms. Piccard and Mrs. Beaulieu and the students in our Life Skills program also shopped and prepared a Thanksgiving meal for themselves and a few well connected staff that they invited to enjoy! Students proudly shared their bounty with folks and it was well received by those lucky enough to partake!
Clinton's third grade held their own Thanksgiving parade after reading, "Balloons on Broadway" which tells the story of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
Happy Thanksgiving from Clinton Elementary School!
Benton Elementary partnered with Colby College's Education Department to deliver a series of engaging activities with our first through sixth grade students on November 15th and 16th. Colby research students, under the supervision of the Colby Education Department Head and our school administration, developed a presentation to teach students that differences of all shapes and sizes are worth celebrating. This event was a fun experience for all, and we know our school is a safer and happier place when we celebrate our differences and include everyone.
At Fairfield Primary, students participated in Thanksgiving activities in Mrs. Salley's class: the students made placemats and had fancy napkins and tablecloths for their Thanksgiving dinner. In Mrs. Lerette's class the students made butter!
At Albion Elementary, after listening to the book, Balloons Over Broadway, Ms. Wastella's students made some balloons like the ones in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. They were able to "parade" them for the Kindergarten and first-grade classes.
On Tuesday at Lawrence Junior High School, Mrs. Easler's and Mrs. White's classes joined forces in the multipurpose room to learn how to program the Sphero bots. Two guests from the Maine Department of Education visited us to lead in the pairing and programming of the bots with the student's individual Chromebooks. The students learned how to animate the matrices of the bots and how to move them in certain directions at certain speeds. Some were even able to move them in the patterns of geometric shapes. At one point, an exciting game of zombie apocalypse broke out and they learned how quickly a virus can spread. Students were engaged, learning, and enjoying themselves all at the same time!
Congratulations to the Lawrence High School football team for their victory last Saturday over Cony to win the Northern Maine Class B Championship. They will be playing in the State Championship game on Saturday at 2:30 PM at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland against Kennebunk High School! Go Bulldogs! Please come out and support our team!
Tickets are electronic and on sale through the QR code below. This is a Maine Principals’ Association event and they manage all ticket sales and pricing. You can also purchase tickets by going online to the MPA site.
This week Fairfield Primary students took a field trip to a fire station. This is important for elementary students as it provides a hands-on, interactive learning experience that enhances their understanding of fire safety, introduces them to community helpers, and fosters a sense of civic responsibility and appreciation for emergency services.
At Clinton Elementary the third graders are busy working on art projects. Some are working on foreground, middle ground, and background while using mixed media for their Redwood trees. Other students are working on their op-art cubes. Art is crucial for elementary students as it fosters creativity, critical thinking, and emotional expression, contributing to well-rounded cognitive and socio-emotional development.
