On Saturday, November 18th, the Upper School’s Creature Club activity volunteered at Graze in Peace (an animal sanctuary) in Durham, Maine. Participants included Charlotte Rhoads, Hannah Kiely, Aden Khalidi, Eliza Clark, Courtney Ford, Isabel and Claire Dubois, Stella Lynch and Lindsey Ayre. Students built fences, cleaned out the llama barn, picked apples for Henry the thousand pound pig (he is dieting). After working for several hours, volunteers celebrated Midnight the llama’s first birthday with vegan cupcakes! (And it was Charlotte’s birthday too!)
Fall Sports Slideshow
Check out the awesome slideshow put together by Shuhao Liu ’18. Congrats on a great season, Flyers!
Mary Goodrich ’20 reflects on her time at the barn
Each “What Matters Most?” interview tries to capture an aspect of a student’s pursuits or interests that might not be visible in their everyday Waynflete experience. This week, I caught up with Mary Goodrich ’20 after discovering she spends nearly 20 hours a week at a barn working with horses, something she loves and hopes to make her career someday.
Mary, how did you first discover this passion?
I heard about dressage and riding through my best friend in 4th grade and just wanted to see what it was about. I was immediately drawn in by seeing you could make friends with the horse you were riding. As I got older I began to see it as an art, but back then it was just fun and I loved animals. (more…)
Math Lunches in 2-3 and 4-5
Math Lunch is an opportunity for students who are interested in mathematics to get together with other math enthusiasts to work on math challenges. Most 2-3 and 4-5 students have participated in a math lunch over the past three weeks. Lower School Director Anne Hopkins, Math Department Chair Lisa Kramer, 2-3 Learning Specialist Heather Tanguay, and all 2-3 and 4-5 advisors have supported the Math Lunch program and participated in the numeracy fun.
Math Lunch problems are designed to be accessible to all students (i.e., it is important that everyone who is interested in participating is able to understand the problem of the day). At the same time, we choose problems that allow for extension and challenge for students who have stronger number sense and computational fluency. Pebble Math required students to place “pebbles” within five zones whereby the sum of each two adjacent zones was a given number. Pebble Math encourages students to solve the problem using actual pebbles—in our case, mini pasta shells—allowing for quick engagement with the work. Most children worked with a guess-and-check approach, placing a few pebbles in a zone and then adjusting as the numbers indicated. Students immediately started noticing patterns, developing theories, and making predictions based on experimentation. Pebble Math was a big hit in 2-3.
We recently introduced 4-5 Math Lunch students to Ken-Ken, a popular Japanese arithmetic/logic puzzle that was designed to be an instruction-free opportunity for problem solving. Ken Ken problems can be found in many newspapers alongside the Sudoku and Crossword puzzles as well as on the Ken Ken website. Ken Ken problems are leveled by size and difficulty, allowing children lots of opportunities for fun and challenge.
Fall 2017 issue of “Lit Mag” from the Waynflete Writers’ Guild
The Waynflete Writers’ Guild has been around for a number of years as a place for students to meet, have fun, and share their writings. This year’s guild has taken on the ambitious goal of publishing student written and visual work. We hope that you both enjoy and are moved by what has been put to page.
Trash Quilt
Some projects are a year in the making, including our Trash Quilt. Piecing it together was truly a community effort.
Last year’s 8th graders spent time during LEAP Week collecting trash at Crescent Beach. Then, with the support of their Science and Art teachers and advisors, they created cyanotype prints of each item of trash and researched facts about ocean pollution and the environment. A few examples include:
The majority of oil pollution in the ocean comes from stormwater runoff, not from oil spills. The largest floating garbage patch in the ocean is between Hawaii and California. Over one million seabirds are killed by ocean pollution each year.
This fall, we asked current parent Carolyn Noyes to help us back and band the quilt, which was installed two weeks ago. Every time we walk by, we are reminded of the beautiful setting in which we live and work, and the importance of taking care of our planet.
Managing technology use in the digital age
Parents across the country are entering into conversations about the role of technology in their lives and the lives of their children. Regardless of family values or family policies regarding access to technology—the digital age is here to stay and all parents are grappling with the implications, which include:
- the fact that technology both helps users connect but also can interfere with making human connections;
- the significant differences between watching a story or book unfold on a screen and reading a book;
- the impact of everything being immediate in life;
- how we are technology role models for our children; and
- the fact that ongoing conversations and considering and reconsidering our technology policies is essential given the changing nature of the digital world.
Staying connected and talking with one another has always helped parents navigate the myriad stages of their children’s development. Parents supporting one another around their children’s technology use is no different.
Below you will find links to some articles and resources that I hope you will find relevant and interesting.
How (and When) to Limit Kids’ Tech Use
Link to article
“Teach your children to use technology in a healthy way and pick up the skills and habits that will make them successful digital citizens. From 2-year-olds who seem to understand the iPad better than you to teenagers who need some (but not too much) freedom, we’ll walk you through how to make technology work for your family at each stage of the journey.” – Melanie Pinola in NYT Smart Living
Mindful Technology
Link to article
Erica Marcus, educator and wellness instructor from Wise Minds, Big Hearts, shared her blog and resource page including a”personal investigation” exercise along with her book recommendations.
The Art of Screen Time: How your Family can Balance Digital Media and Real Life
Link to book
Anya Kamenetz us all to “enjoy screens; not too much; mostly together.”
Some other articles to consider:
Why Social Media Must Be Taught
Focusing in a Tech Connected World
Why Banning Cell Phones Misses The Point
Distinguishing Addiction From Habit
Good Digital Parenting Is The Challenge Of Our Age
What Kind Of Screen Time Parent Are You?
Photo: Magnus Hagdorn
Form and function of pottery
In 4-5 studio class with art teacher Chloe Horie, the students have been talking about how form can match function in pottery: how the shape a pot takes mirrors the way the pot is used. This study happened in conjunction with the local food thematic study. Every student picked a food and created a pot specifically for serving that dish. During the study they looked at the work of local potters Kari Radasch and Ayumi Horie, both who grew up in Maine and have returned to make and sell their pots in Portland.
Among the 4-5 pieces one student created a pancake dish made in the shape of a turtle. When syrup is poured into the mouth of the turtle it travels down the neck and onto the pancake. Another student made a dish for strawberries in the shape of a strawberry. The berries sit in individual compartments at the bottom of the dish and there is a compartment for chocolate sauce or any other substance for dipping! Another student made a mug with a compartment underneath in which cookies can warm.
This art unit encouraged students to consider differently and more critically objects that they interact with every day. Like their local food unit taught them to consider closely the life of foods that they eat and enjoy every day, the pottery unit asked them to consider the artful way form supports function in dishes they use every day. Chloe hopes that students have a new appreciation for the way in which the form and function interact with pots and that students will consider creating more works with specific functions in mind.
Play in the Piney Woods
Down the hill from the Lower School classrooms in the Piney Village is the magical outdoor playspace called The Piney Woods. The Piney Woods one of the locations EC-5 children enjoy recess together. Beneath the towering pines and among the historical granite slabs, the children negotiate stumps, collect pine cones, arrange sticks, mix mud, grind rocks, jump and run and play. This is the kind of space where true imaginative play can happen and when play and learning is inextricably intertwined.
Last week I was invited for a meal or an overnight stay in the Piney Woods. A group of 2-3 students had arranged found-resources to create an avenue of options for restaurants and hotels along the bases of trees at the edge of the woods. They had created a shared vision for their city, engaged in collecting and sharing the resources for the building design, and created an inclusive activity of role playing that required negotiation and compromise.
Veterans Day at Waynflete
Josh Broder, Waynflete Class of 1997, Army Veteran, and owner of Tilson (a local telecommunications company) gave an amazing talk to the Upper School Assembly on Tuesday. You can watch the video here. Josh’s full bio is below.
Josh was also recently featured on the Huffington Post in an article titled “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became CEO: Joshua Broder, CEO of Tilson.”
Remember to honor all our veterans this coming weekend!
Josh Broder ’97, Matt Marston ’97, and US Director Lowell W. Libby
Joshua Broder ’97 serves as CEO of Tilson, a Portland-based information technical implementation company, which under his leadership, has grown from less than 10 employees to 360, earning a top spot on the Inc. 5000 list for the past consecutive seven years. Josh led several large, successful Recovery Act-funded technology infrastructure projects in for Tilson that included fiber optic broadband smart grid network deployments. Josh cut his teeth in leadership as an Army Signal Officer on missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan running the tactical communications network for U.S. Forces. Josh holds a Bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College. Josh is a graduate of AT&T’s Operation Hand Salute at JFK University with a certificate in entrepreneurial studies. Josh serves on boards at Skowhegan Savings Bank, Kleinschmidt Associates (a Pittsfield, Maine-based multi-national engineering firm), the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and software start-up NBT Solutions. Josh is is married to Eliza Ginn ’00 and his son, Clayton, is in Kindergarten in Mrs. T’s class (Josh’s K teacher).
Viewing Education Through a Lens Broadens Perspective
Junior Miles Lipton recently traveled to India to volunteer at the Siddhartha School. He wrote about his experiences for Maine Public—click here to check out the incredible story!
From the Wilds of Yosemite National Park
I am writing this letter from a cabin in Yosemite Valley, where my windows overlook – in one direction – an oak grove with four giant Sequoias shedding dark orange and brown leaves on the gravestone of Galen Clark, and in the other, impatient rainclouds haloing the tallest waterfall in the continental united states.
I am so lucky to have lived the adventures I have over the past six and a half years – And I can honestly say that I have Waynflete to thank for every one of them. My eight years with Waynflete taught me the value of community, and of asking questions. It taught me how to write, but also how to experience emotion and understand the nuances of the written word. It taught me the scientific method and the theory of tragedy of the commons; but it also planted in me the understanding of systems and the connectivity of science and ecology to the vast array of pressing problems our world is facing. It taught me about complimentary colors and photo composition, but also how to create an image or a graphic design that can move people to tears, or even to action. It taught me to dance freely, to stand up for what I believe, and to pursue my dreams and give them space to grow. (more…)
Honoring the Day of the Dead
“Una civilización que niega a la muerte, acaba por negar a la vida.”
(A civilization that denies death, ends up denying life.)
-Octavio Paz
Last week Lower School Spanish students celebrated el día de los muertos. El día de los muertos combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Soul’s Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. Celebrated throughout Latin America but primarily in Mexico (and in the United States by Mexican-Americans), this holiday honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away. To commemorate this day, families build candlelit “ofrendas”, decorated altars, in their homes and at gravesites, so that the spirits can find their way back to their loved ones. The “ofrendas” are filled with the favorite food, drinks, and items that were important to their ancestors when they were alive (such as a favorite instrument, game etc.) They also include the four main elements of nature – earth, wind, water and fire.
Spanish teacher Amanda Wood shared, “Our goal is not only to teach the Spanish language, but also to create a climate that appreciates and values Hispanic culture and sees it’s relevance in our community and our world.”
Over the course of three weeks students in 4-5 worked in small groups to design and build a traditional altar. Students made papel picado (paper cut-outs), crepe paper-cempasuchil (marigold) flowers, arcos de flores (floral arches), and enjoyed homemade pan de muerto (Bread of the Dead). Students watched videos and viewed images of real life altars as they learned more about the holiday and its importance to Latin American culture.
2-3 students participated in the making of papel picado which was displayed in the art center entrance. Students contributed photos, memorabilia and artifacts from loved ones for the shared altar. K-1 students colored and cut out brightly decorated calaveras (skulls) that were hung around the 2-3 altar and engaged in age appropriate conversation about the celebration. Students, faculty and families visited the altar display and enjoyed hearing from 4-5 students about their group projects.
Fifth Grade Tour Guides
On Sunday, a group of fifteen fifth graders worked as tour guides for Waynflete’s EC-5 Open House. Over 40 visitors were toured around the Lower School by these outstanding ambassadors. Fifth graders were responsible for following a tour schedule, talking about the program, answering questions and introducing the guests to teachers and current parents. Each group of visitors appreciated the opportunity to talk with the students and took advantage by asking many questions. There is no one better to speak honestly about our school and our program than the students. Bravo and thanks fifth graders!
Winter Show Auditions—”The Drowsy Chaperone”
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison—Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
- Director and Musical Director: Katy Cavanaugh
- Technical Director: Chris Fitze
- Producer: Tiki Fuhro
- Choreography: Susan Nelson
- Costumes: Barbara Kelly
Auditions and crew sign up days: Wednesday, Nov 8 and Thursday, Nov 9 3:30 – 5:30 – Franklin Theater
Performances: February 8, 9, 10 2018 at 7:00pm – Franklin
Click here for the full audition packet! Please be in touch with questions.
Fall Sports Update—Here Come Playoffs!
The postseason is upon us! Read on for updates from all the Waynflete teams:
Update, Saturday 10/28:
Several Flyer teams were in action today:
- Girls cross country placed 5th in the Class C state meet. Many of the girls ran PR times on the Twinbrook course.
- Boys Cross Country placed an impressive 3rd in the class C state meet. Junior Henry Spritz outkicked the runner-up from Deer isle Stonington in an amazing finish to become the Class C individual state champion. Henry qualifies for the New England meet on November 9th.
- Boys cross country was presented with the MPA Good Sportsmanship award which was voted on by their opponents this season.
- #4 Boys soccer fell to #1 Maranacook this evening 2-1 in double overtime. The boys finish the season at 10-4-2, and they are Western Maine Conference C Division Champions.
Great job by all.
Update, Wednesday 10/25:
Boys cross-country placed 3rd at the Class C South Regional and qualified for states. Junior Henry Spritz won the Class C individual title with an amazing time of 17:43.
Girls cross-country placed 4th at Class C Regionals and qualified for states.
#5 Girls soccer lost to #4 St Dom’s 3-2 in the C South Quarters. Congrats to the girls team on a successful season.
#4 Boys soccer defeated #5 Mt. Abram 1-0 in Overtime. The boys advance to the C South semis scheduled for Friday at 6:00 pm at #1 seed Maranacook in Readfield (1 hour 10 min away). Check out the story here!
Note: Since it will rain for the next two days, there is a chance the Maranacook field will not be playable on Friday. It is possible that the game might be postponed to Saturday at 6:00 pm.
Cross-country will compete in the Class C state meet at Twinbrooks on Saturday. Girls run at 11:00, boys run at 11:35. For those planning on attending leave extra time as you need to park at Greely schools and take a shuttle to Twinbrooks.
Go Flyers!
Boys and Girls Cross-Country compete at the South Regional meet on Saturday at Twinbrook Park in Cumberland. Class C girls race at 11:00 followed by Class C boys at 11:35. Arrive early as there is no parking on site. Cars will park off-site and shuttles will take spectators to the park.
Soccer quarterfinal game times are confirmed for next week:
Girls soccer will play at St. Dom’s at 3:00 on Tue. 10/24.
Boys soccer will host Mt Abram at 3:00 on Tuesday 10/24.
Field Hockey had another great season with Maine Girls’ Academy and is all done for the year.
See you at the games!
Checking in From Spain
Hi Geoff!
How are you? I hope this school year has had a great start! I’m sure you are probably very busy but I’m writing to thank you for making Waynflete what it is.
Waynflete has prepared me extremely well for college. I think the sense of independence and responsibility we receive at Waynflete is something that we make use of in college. We learn to take responsibility for our actions and to organize ourselves. It helps us mature and prepares us for everything that can be thrown in our direction. The diversity at Waynflete, in terms of people, classes, activities, guest speakers…opens our mind so incredibly much. I have never appreciated what a gift that was until I put it to use in this new environment.
The relationship with our advisors also has helped me so much in creating a similar relationship with many professors and my advisor here, making college just a bit easier and manageable. Comparing myself to other students, I see myself better equipped to handle all the difficulties that come with college and I can’t stop thinking about Waynflete and how grateful I am to have been there for my last years of high school.
Thank you so much! I hope to hear from you soon and please write if you find yourself in Spain!
Cross-Country at Regionals
A beautiful fall day and some exciting Cross-Country racing! The highlights:
- Henry Spritz wins Class C Regional title
- Boys place third and qualify for states
- Girls place fourth and qualify for states
Class C states is at Twinbrooks on Saturday Oct. 28th: Girls at 11:00, boys at 11:35
Fall Play Coming Up Soon—”As You Like It”
AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare
Join this cast and crew of forty three, as we romp through the “forest of Arden”
November 2 – 4 at 7:00pm Franklin Theater
Forest adventures, chance meetings, disguise and transformation bring this cast of delightful and diverse characters closer to discovering their true selves. Shakespeare’s comedy is filled with lovable people, animals, philosophy, humor, stunning language, and a deep reverence for nature. This play was first performed at the newly opened Globe Theater in 1599 and includes the famous quote: “All the world’s a stage.”
