Lasagna Sale this Friday

A reminder that the first lasagna fundraiser to help the eighth graders go to Washington will be this Friday, February 4th. Please pre-order (outside the office) by Wednesday so the students will know how many lasagnas to make. Each 4" x 8" pan, freezer- and oven-ready, costs $10, and is well worth the night off cooking, especially after a hard day of snow shoveling! Options are plain, spinach, and gluten-free.

Let it snow

We wished for a snowy winter and here it is... Maybe we need a winter carnival of some kind...

Portland got 29.1 inches of snow in January, exceeding the normal average of 20.5 inches. Since July, Portland has received 42.3 inches of snow, with the average for the season being 37.4 inches.

How will your family spend Wednesday?

David La Graffe - Adult improv class

David La Graffe, who did the improv workshop with the kids at school, is offering an adult class beginning this week.  He's looking for more 2 more students, if anyone is feeling in need of a creative boost this winter.  It is Wednesday nights in Portland at 7pm...


David La Graffe
dlagraf1@maine.rr.com
www.lightsuptheatreworks.com
www.portlandplayback.com

Legislative Hearings on Environmental Regulation

February brings us all the opportunity to get involved in Maine's future -- whatever our positions, attending a legislative hearing is one way to be involved in the political process... could be a good experience for some older children, too... here's the list of dates and times to address Governor LePage's ideas for changing environmental policy in Maine:

Mon., Jan. 31: Machias University of Maine at Machias, Performing Arts Center, 116 O’Brien Ave
1-4 p.m.

Wed., Feb. 2: Bangor Eastern Maine Community College, Rangeley Hall, Room 501,Sylvan Road,
3-6 p.m.

Thurs., Feb. 3: Auburn Central Maine Community College, Jalbert Hall, Room 15, 1250 Turner Street,
3-6 p.m.

Mon., Feb. 7: Sanford Sanford Town Hall, 919 Main Street, 1-3 p.m.

Wed., Feb. 9: South Portland Southern Maine Community College, Howe Hall, Room 306, 2 Fort Road, 3-6 p.m.

Life is Good: Nordic Version

Today's Nordic ski meet at Riverside was held on a beautiful, sunny afternoon atop a fresh snowfall (and thankfully not as cold as the beginning of the week). The results are not yet in, but both boys and girls skied hard. Nordic meets are always energizing for me because everyone truly is out there to cheer on everyone else, without regard to their team or how they're doing.

What stood out today was the deep team spirit exhibited by the Portland skiers. The girls skied first, and the boys' start waves came a few minutes after the last of the girl starters. The girls all stuck around to urge their teammates to finish strong and to cheer in all the boys as well. When one of the girls suffered an asthma attack mid-course during her first-ever race, one of her teammates stepped out of her own race and stayed with her until help arrived.

An extra special surprise for the middle school skiers was the appearance, as they came around to a big hill, of a cadre of wildly cheering Portland Nordic high school skiers. They had stayed after their practice ended, and they were led by FSP alumna Quinn Lavigne. When I thanked Quinn, she said she liked doing it because she remembers how much it meant to her when she was a middle school skier to have high school kids pumping her up as she gave it her all.

Is it like this everywhere? I don't see it on the lacrosse field. I didn't see it in the swimming pool or at the skating rink. Is it just our league, or is it Nordic itself? Is it being out in the cold yelling ourselves hoarse even as our toes freeze? Whatever it is, Go Nordic!!

NYT article on stress in College First Years

More data supporting the idea that we need to change our economy and educational systems...

RTN - a sold out crowd

I'm too tired to sum up the evening, but it was energizing to be with so many concerned and curious parents, teachers and administrators... definitely can't accuse us (as a larger community) of not caring!

If you missed it and want to see the film, or want to send a loved one, it is being shown again at Cape Elizabeth High School on Monday February 7th

 http://www.racetonowhere.com/screenings/cape-elizabeth-high-school

Hoping we can someday talk about pressure vs. internal motivation; overwhelming amounts of content vs. core knowledge; too much homework vs. importance of practice; the role of play in human development beyond Kindergarden; what the heck to do about High School and all the rest... at least we have Alfie coming...

Race to Nowhere - Debrief

50 tickets left -- get yours and one for a friend now!

and more importantly, we've begun to try to think about the logistics for creating a great debrief and threshing session within our own community, after the film but perhaps at least before vacation...

any brilliant ideas out there?

Cornerstones for Science

Offering a writing contest (yet another) and cool activities, in celebration of it's 10th birthday

http://www.cornerstonesofscience.org

MLK Jr day continued

As we settle in for another snowday, check out some of these interesting bits on anti-racism, reducing prejudice and changing the world!

Top 10 strategies for reducing (our own) prejudice @ greatergood

Be the Change @ Facing History and Ourselves (videos and info about activists today)

Watch some school house rock



or a Ted Talk by Zoe Weil of the Institute for Humane Education (located here in Maine)