This summer, Moscow Elementary School in MSAD 13 launched a new summer program for students in grades 2-4. The program, which took place three mornings per week for four weeks, allowed participating students to work in a community garden. Through it, they learned about garden maintenance, fresh vegetables, and more.

Moscow Elementary School educators, staff, and students started the garden this spring, getting seeds planted in preparation for the growing season. When summer rolled around, Outdoor Club students painted the raised beds, participated in some additional planting, and took on the task of weeding and watering the garden every time the Club would meet. Students participated in related activities outside of the garden, too, like cooking, field trips, and even some fishing.

“Some of my favorite memories from the summer were the cooking activities we did with the students. Their faces when they tried the food and how excited they were was priceless,” said Jacqueline Abraham, Outdoor Club and Moscow Elementary School pre-K teacher. “The students made one of my favorite childhood desserts and took it to the lake for a snack during our fishing trip. We also went on a beach trip to Reid State Park, and we made the rolls for the sandwiches. The students loved every bit of it.”

With a few of the herbs and vegetables harvested from the garden over the summer, students learned how to make various Mexican foods from scratch, including guacamole and salsa. Amy Cates, Outdoor Club, and Spanish teacher brought in Tajín, a Mexican spice mix, for the students to try on fresh cucumbers and watermelon. Cates said later that she heard from families that students would see Tajín while grocery shopping and convince their parents to buy it to try at home.

“By the end of the program, parents told me their entire family now enjoys Tajín on a variety of snacks, and their children are practicing Spanish at the dinner table, using Alexa to settle disputes on how to say certain words,” said Cates.

Cates also said the students’ enthusiasm and fearlessness in trying new things was infectious and made the program that much more fun.

The Outdoor Club hosted a family picnic on the last day of the program. Students participated in much of the planning, from organizing the menu, grocery shopping for ingredients, cooking the food, and making decorations for the event.

“At the picnic, a student ran up to me, gave me a big hug, and said, ‘Thank you for making my summer so much fun,’” said Abraham.

Cates said she experienced equally enthusiastic parents, families, and community members who expressed joy in seeing kids outside and away from technology, socializing, and using their hands. One parent even remarked, “This is the best summer program!”

Upon returning to school in the fall, students brought ripened vegetables home to share with their families. Moscow Elementary School has continued the garden into the academic year and plans to do it again next summer. Abraham, Cates, and the school’s principal, Wendy Belanger, said they are collaborating with the high school outdoor program and will expand the garden using their greenhouse.

This story was submitted by MSAD 13 and Moscow Elementary School. To submit good news from your school, fill out our good news submission form.

(Pictured: Some of the early founding members of WMEC, whose leadership played a key role in shaping WMEC’s mission and vision. [L-R: Mona Baker, David Murphy, Michael Cormier, & Susan Pratt])

The Western Maine Education Collaborative recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a dinner among past and present superintendents who have participated in the collaborative.

Founded in 2005, the Western Maine Education Collaborative (WMEC) is a non-profit organization that provides a structure for cross-district collaboration and the development of shared programs, services, and resources for its members.

WMEC began as a grassroots initiative by educational leaders from 11 school systems who sought to pool resources and engage in collective problem-solving. Since then, WMEC has grown into a robust collaborative with 17-member school districts which serve over 50 schools across five counties.

“WMEC is not good because we’re old. We’re old because we are good,” said Pam Doyen, RSU 56 Superintendent and WMEC President, underscoring the collaborative spirit that has driven WMEC since its inception. “We are member-led and work to strike an important balance between having enough structure to be effective and enough flexibility to be able to tailor our work to meet the needs of our members. In our case collaboration is truly a tool, not a goal.”

The celebratory evening event featured a special video presentation. WMEC partnered with Foster Career and Technical Education Center’s Digital Media Program to develop a film to capture WMEC’s evolution from its early days to its current status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The video also honored the leadership of Mona Baker, WMEC’s first Executive Director (2005-2016), who was instrumental in guiding the development of a sustainable regional collaborative. Her efforts, along with those of the founding members, laid the groundwork for what WMEC has become today.

The evening also provided attendees the opportunity to share their own “WMEC Moments,” reflecting on the organization’s influence and legacy. WMEC’s enduring success is attributed to the unwavering commitment of its members to continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration.

As WMEC looks to the future, it remains dedicated to positively impacting students and educators throughout the region. To learn more about WMEC, visit their website.

This story was submitted by the Western Maine Education Collaborative. To share good news from your school, please fill out this form.

In a world dominated by screens, Beech Hill School took a refreshing approach this summer with their screen-free summer program, offering K-7 students a four-week immersive experience focused on hands-on learning and community building this summer. Over 30 campers attended regularly, representing 45% of the school’s student population, making it a resounding success. 

A key factor in the success of the program was the collaborative effort of Beech Hill School’s teachers and staff. From the outset, the planning and execution of the summer activities were a team effort, with educators pooling their expertise and creativity to design a program that would both engage and educate students without the use of technology. Their commitment to fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment was evident in all aspects of the program, from the lesson plans to the field trips. 

The program began each day with a morning meeting, a familiar tradition at Beech Hill School that has long been used to foster a sense of community and connection among students and staff. Organizers of the program were dedicated to providing engaging activities that built foundational math and reading skills, while also offering team-building, physical education, and STEAM-related enrichment, all without the use of technology. 

Each week of the program revolved around a different theme. Students explored “Space & Science,” where younger campers engaged in activities like skip-counting, scaling down the solar system, and a cosmic firework science activity. Another week, themed “Maine: Vacationland,” saw students diving into local culture and nature with trips to the Oceanarium and the Golf of Maine.  A special highlight was listening to a guest reader who shared stories about Robert McCloskey, the author of Blueberries for Sal.

Visual and performing arts also took center stage during one of the weeks. Activities included puppet theater, performance poetry, and theater/improv exercises led by guest instructors from Penobscot Theater, the University of Maine, and the Grand Theater. The students even visited a local theater to watch other campers rehearse for a performance of Disney’s Frozen Jr. 

This year marked the first time Beech Hill School expanded its summer program to include middle school students, creating a new initiative called “Summer Scholars.” Principal Nichole Pothier worked directly with students at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, gathering their input on interests, which led to a diverse range of activities. These included explorations in poetry, photography, crocheting, sewing, fishing, hiking, drawing, painting, wood-burning, and various sports. 

With the assistance of high school student mentors, teachers and staff worked closely with students, guiding them through projects that encouraged critical thinking and creativity.  Students were encouraged to take the lead in certain activities, which fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among the campers.  This collaborative dynamic was particularly evident in the middle school “Summer Scholars” initiative, where students had a say in the projects they pursued.  The partnership between students and educators was crucial in creating a learning environment where students felt empowered to explore new ideas and develop new skills in a meaningful and personalized way.  

The program was enriched by visits from community members who shared their skills and stories. A Beech Hill School alumna and entrepreneur stopped by to give a tour of her food truck and taught students how to make homemade strawberry shortcakes. Another parent, who is also a clinical mental health counselor, introduced campers to “breath work” techniques for managing stress. Local community members also led a “Project Pajama Pants” sewing experience while Ellsworth Eagle athletes engaged students in basketball activities. 

The K-7 program culminated in a “Water Olympics” event, where campers celebrated their four weeks of learning, growth, and strengthened connections with their school community. The event was a fun-filled finale that provided the perfect end to a summer filled with creativity, learning, and screen-free adventures. 

Beech Hill School’s commitment to providing a meaningful, technology-free summer experience, coupled with the collaborative efforts of teachers, staff, and students, has not only helped students develop new skills but also reinforced the power of community and face-to-face interaction in an increasingly digital world. The success of the program is a testament to what can be achieved when educators and students work together in a supportive and creative environment, and it promises to positively impact the school community as the new academic year begins. 

 This story was submitted by Beech Hill School. To submit a good news story from your school, please fill out this good news submission form.