St. Michael School students distribute over 200 baskets to community members in need

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Before settling into their seats for a Thanksgiving meal with family and friends, the eighth-grade class at St. Michael School, in Augusta, wanted to ensure that less fortunate people in their community would be able to enjoy the same experience.

On November 19, the eighth graders helped distribute over 200 Thanksgiving baskets, most prepared by the students themselves, to local community members in need. The distribution took place inside the school gymnasium.

Individuals in need of assistance this Thanksgiving were asked to call the Salvation Army to reserve one of the special baskets, each containing all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Parishioners, community members, and the school community had donated boxes and boxes of food in recent weeks.

A blessing for the recipients, but an honor for St. Michael School to bring cheer to many.

“Our students learn the importance of service and caring for our neighbors on a daily basis,” said Denise Levesque, marketing director at St. Michael. “We are proud to make this Thanksgiving special by delivering baskets and smiles to many individuals and families who otherwise might not have the resources to enjoy this holiday.”

“I suggested to all of the students that they make something like this an annual tradition,” said teacher Mary Dionne. “Reaching out and helping others in our community who may not have as much as you will make a lasting impression. As crazy as things get this time of year, acts like this are what they will remember all their lives.”

The entire student body at St. Michael gathered at St. Mary Church on Tuesday, November 20, at 9 a.m., for a special Thanksgiving prayer service which was led by the fourth graders. The students brought non-perishable food items to the service for the local food bank.

Attendance matters at China Middle School

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by Mandi Favreau

Building positive relationships is a key component of the district-wide attempt to improve attendance and address chronic absenteeism. At China Middle School, fostering stronger connections with students and families has been the core component of their strategy.

For obstacles such as illness and injuries, the school nurse contacts families with the goal of keeping communication open and getting students back to school as soon as appropriate. Other attendance obstacles, however, require a more complex solution.

“We have seen a shift in the number of students with anxiety and mental health issues in the past several years,” said Principal Lois Bowden, “which has impacted attendance.”

Instead of sending them home if an issue arises, CMS staff has used weekly team meetings and 504 meetings to develop individualized plans for absent students. For example, one student who suffered from anxiety was provided access to a preferred staff member that they could check in with if they were feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

Perhaps the largest obstacle to attendance is misconceptions about the value of attendance. CMS is addressing that with a multi-pronged approach. JMG continues to be a resource to provide support for students who may be chronically absent. In addition, CMS has further developed their advisory program to focus on team building activities, guided lessons and academic support. Advisors have also been working to strengthen connections with the families of their advisees to keep everyone on the same page.

The school also has a new position that has been hugely instrumental in increasing attendance.  The Student Support Specialist, Doreen Armour, tracks attendance, calls families when students become chronically absent, and most importantly, builds relationships with students who might otherwise not be getting social and academic support. She also helps build reentry plans for students who have been chronically absent to help them return to school.

The initiative has already been a success in terms of reinforcing connections with students and their families, according to Principal Lois Bowden. “It has opened the lines of communication between school and home,” she said. “We are able to make a plan and work together to help support the child, which has resulted in positive outcomes.

Erskine presents Renaissance awards 2018

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Seniors of the Trimester, front row, from left to right, Kassidy Wade, Ellie Hodgkin, and Amber Holmes. Back, Peyton Houghton, Jack Jowett, Hagen Wallace and Cameron Falla. (Contributed photo)

On Friday, December 14, Erskine Academy students and staff attended a Renaissance Assembly to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards.

Recognition Awards were presented to the following students: Grace Kelso, Emma Hutchinson, Madyx Kennedy, Kelby (Austin) Young, Delaney Ireland, Jacob Sutter, and Ricky Winn.

In addition to recognition awards, Senior of the Trimester Awards were also presented to seven members of the senior class: Amber Holmes, daughter of Jacob Holmes and Naomi Caywood, of Palermo; Ellie Hodgkin, daughter of Helen Emonds and Dana Hodgkin, of Manchester; Cameron Falla, son of Karen and Michael Falla, of Palermo; Peyton Houghton, daughter of Heather and Shawn Houghton, of China; Kassidy Wade, daughter of Robert and Jamie Wade, of Vassalboro, and Storm and Bradley Kelso, of Vassalboro; Hagen Wallace, son of James Wallace, of Augusta, and Andrea Ando-Albert, of Manchester; and Jack Jowett, son of Tracey and Jeff Jowett, of Windsor. Seniors of the Trimester are recognized as individuals who have gone above and beyond in all aspects of their high school careers.

In appreciation of their dedication and service to Erskine Academy, Faculty of the Trimester awards were also presented to Megan Childs, Consumer and Family Education instructor; Sonia Stevenson, Foreign Language instructor; and Lars Jonassen, Athletic Department Assistant, Coach, and retired Math instructor.

Faculty of the Trimester (from left to right): Megan Childs, Lars Jonassen and Sonia Stevenson. (Contributed photo)

Winslow youth football grades 5-6

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Members of the Winslow Youth Football grades 5-6 team are, front row, from left to right, Izaiah C, Tucker P, Lucas S. Elijah O. Second row, Cameron W, Tevor T. Wynn P. Logan O, Tavis H, Dan O, Brody D. Third row, Salmon V, Nick M, Kullen S, Gage G, Khale T, Donovan P, Liem F. Back row, Coach PJ, Coach Mattson, Coach LeBlanc, Coach Davidson. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Winslow girls soccer KVAC champs

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Front row, from left to right, Paige Trask, Hailey Grenier, Sara Doughty, Desiree Veilleux and Maeghan Bernard. Back, Coach Steve Bodge, Carly Warn, Ashley Quirion, Lauren Roy, Harly Pomerleau, Jennifer Ferry, Olivia McCaslin, Grace Smith, Coach Jim Smith, Katie Doughty, Jenna Libby, Alison Stabins, Madison Jacobs, Kristin Rancourt, Juliann Lapierre, Hannah Dugal, Jenna Veilleux, Coach Joel Selwood. Absent, Jenna Rodrigue and Grace Bilodeau. (photo courtesy of Kelley Bernard)

The Winslow High School girls soccer team claimed the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship with a 2-0 win over Maranacook played at Lincoln Academy on October 18.

Local trio cited at annual soccer banquet

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Ben Danner (left), Carter Lambert (center), and Isaac Lambrecht

by Dan Cassidy

The Maine Soccer Coaches held their 45th Annual Maine Soccer All-Star Banquet Sunday in Bangor.

Presentation of Awards included the 24th Maine Soccer Coaches Senior Bowl MVPs, Northern and Southern Maine Regional All-Star teams, Northern and Southern Maine State teams, Maine Soccer “Coach of the Year” Awards, United Soccer Coaches “Coach of the Year Nominees, Class “Players of the Year” Awards, All Region Awards and All American Awards.

Over 200 high school boys soccer students attended the banquet from throughout the state of Maine.

Local awards were presented to Northern and Southern Maine Regional All-Star teams that included senior Carter Lambert, a keeper from Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, senior Ben Danner, mid-fielder from Waterville High School and senior Isaac Lambrecht, forward from Winslow High School.

Lawrence basketball teams gearing up for season

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The Lawrence High School varsity girls and boys basketball teams are getting ready for the start of the 2018-19 season. (Photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography staff)

Winslow youth football, grades 3-4

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Front, left to right, Timothy Knowles, Jaxon Lizzotte, Owen Vigue, Jonathan Kesaris, Aiden Reny, Drew Lindquist and Lucas Cormier. Back, Patrick Loubier, Bradley Tobias, Nolan Bell, Ben Thomas, Terrance Reffett, Thomas Turbousky and Bryce Whitman. Absent, Chase Burgin and Nolan Pierce. Coaches, coach Lizzotte and Coach Choate. Absent, Coach Crayton. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Winslow youth football, grades 1-2

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Front row, left to right, Frederick Ouellette, Layton Lagasse, Jason Garfield, Cooper Varney, Lucian Merrill and Maddox Lambert. Middle row, Lucas Bailey, Michael Loubier, Bryson Bouchard, Isaac Bulger, Levi Elwell, Maxwell Cornforth, Cooper Farr, Liam McKenney and Jace Poulin, Back, coaches Mike DeRoche, David McKenney and Jared Bragdon. Not pictured, Leigha Overlock. (Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff)

Erskine’s Field Service club to hold craft fair

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The American Field Service club trip to Costa Rica in 2014 (photo from Erskine Academy)

The American Field Service club, at Erskine Academy, in South China, will be hosting a first ever Christmas Craft Fair at Erskine Academy on Saturday, December 15, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. They are giving children in the community an opportunity to get their picture taken with Santa, write letters to the North Pole, buy Christmas gifts, and do their own crafts.

Admission is $3 a person, or $10 a family (3 persons.) All the proceeds will go to the AFS Club’s new humanitarian project in Guatemala: Casas Esperanzas. They are creating their very own house building organization and are building the first house in March 2019. The money raised will go towards tools, lumber, cement, and shipment fees. They are also looking for crafters who would like to sell their product at the Christmas Craft Fair. It is $10 a table, which includes a table and comes with a free breakfast.

For more information, contact Erskine Academy.