Children's Theater Re-Opens

-- This would be a great community event, as well: CTM Announces the opening of ODD AT SEA: A Pirate Odyssey Performances Run from Oct. 6 - Oct. 14 Portland, ME Sep 21, 2007 The Children's Theatre of Maine opens ODD AT SEA: A PIRATE ODYSSEY beginning October 6, and running through October 14. This will be CTM's first production in its collaboration with the Children's Museum of Maine. Performances will be at the museum's home at 142 Free Street in Portland. Written by Christina Klein, and directed by CTM Artistic Director Reba Short, ODD AT SEA tells the story of Captain Odd and his band of buccaneers on a quest for treasure. During their journey, they meet the familiar characters from Homer's Odyssey: a Cyclops, a hurricane, Sirens, a sea monster, and a mermaid, who all prove to be more helpful to the pirates than they were with tragic Greek heroes! ODD AT SEA is appropriate for all ages - particularly age 4 through Middle School. Performances are scheduled to be in the museum's Dress Up Theatre, but if weather permits, daytime shows will occur on the life-sized pirate ship behind the museum. The performance schedule is: Saturday, October 6, 10am, 1pm & 3pm , Sunday October 7, 12pm, 2pm , Friday, October 12, 7pm , Saturday, October 13, 10am, 1pm & 3pm, and Sunday October 14. 12pm, 2pm. Tickets are $5 and reservations can be made by calling Children's Theatre of Maine at 878-2774.

Field Trip In-Service Day?

I'm wondering if others would be interested in a field trip on October 5th - our first in-service day. I'm thinking a pumpkin / hay ride at Wolfs Neck Farm, a trip to Pineland Farms, something like that... Those parents available could come and we could help out those in need of some childcare. The cost would be about $3 - 5 per person. It would be great to collect thoughts before the Sept. 19th meeting so that we can make an informed decision!

Born to Read- Peaceable Stories Seminar starting Sept 19

There are still spaces available for the peaceable stories program in South Portland starting Wednesday, September 19. The seminar will have a Peaceable Stories theme, so the twelve children's books that participants receive include titles like The Story of Ferdinand and When Sophie Gets Angry...Really, Really Angry. Our wonderful facilitators, Vicky Smith and Janet Lyons, will lend their wit, energy, and insight to the discussions. The seminar works out to 15 hours, and 1.5 CEUs are available. There is a registration form available here: (feel free to call if you have trouble accessing the form - and please ignore the deadline). Thank you so much! Brita Brita Kate Zitin Born to Read Program Officer Maine Humanities Council 674 Brighton Avenue Portland, Maine 04102 phone / 207.773.5051 fax / 207.773.2416 brita@mainehumanities.org

Welcome

Ah, a new school year! Use this space to share concerns, appreciations, musings, etc.

Thoughts about parking

Share your suggestions for addressing /improving the parking situation!

Roots & Shoots - July 9th

Roots and Shoots New England is sponsoring an art contest -- they are asking youth to submit artwork that display a vision for peace in the world. The artwork will eventually be sent to Iraq as part of the Well Wishes and Blessings project. We invite you to come make art with us on the picnic tables at Maine Audubon. Please bring any art supplies that you are able to share. We'll make sure to have plenty, too. Also, bring a picnic lunch if you'd like! I will send out a rain location if the weather looks bad. Also, let's plan ahead for a water-project on July 31st ... Kim

Welcome Events and Other School Traditions

What kinds of events would you like to see at the Friends School? What traditions or events did you love at past schools / camps? (Are there events you'd love to never experience again?) What kinds of events help you feel most included and help to "break the ice"? What works best for kids?

Roots and Shoots

Roots and Shoots is a program developed by Jane Goodall to engage kids with nature, age appropriate service/activism and community. We thought that it might provide a nice infrastructure for mutli-age FSP gatherings this summer and if kids like it they could continue as a club next year. Our first meeting will be at Baxter Woods (meeting at the large sign on Stevens Ave) on Friday June 15th at 10:00 am (weather permitting ~ bring a picnic lunch if you'd like) ... please feel free to share your schedule with me if you have particular days/times that work well and we'll vary our meeting schedule! We will introduce ourselves, read a story, and do an insect scavenger hunt. Use comments to suggest outdoor places to meet, to volunteer to lead an activity and to share scheduling info!

June 21st Parents Meeting?

Lise suggested that we begin our fall planning on June 21st -- perhaps people could use the comments to RSVP so we know if we have a critical mass?

Beyond Bully Prevention

eyond Bully Prevention: Strategies That Work There's a lot more to creating and sustaining safe schools than many current bully-prevention programs let on. Join us November 5, 2007 in Portland, Maine for a cutting-edge conference: Beyond Bully Prevention: Strategies that Work. Designed for teachers, school counselors, school social workers, administrators, and all adults who work with youth; this conference tackles issues underpinning school-based bullying and harassment. Many of the issues we will address with you are insufficiently addressed in popular bully-prevention approaches. Workshop topics will include girlfighting/ building girl allies, relationships between stereotypical masculinity, violence and boys' academic success, bias-based harassment of GLBTQ youth, the effects of sexist and racist media messages, the impact of poverty and social class on students' school experiences, and the misuse of technology and cyber-bullying. Registrations available in September, and for more information please send an email to info@hghw.org. View Our Save The Date Note, and forward it to your friends!