Kport News

This week we celebrated Teacher appreciation week, sponsored by our wonderful KCPTA, and it has been another great experience! We began the week with a terrific brunch…had many wonderful surprises each day: beautiful flowers, recycled shopping bags, those much needed tissues!, snacks, and we loved the wonderful signs all along School St.…and ended with a delicious lunch on Friday. Our Friday “Dress Up as Your Teacher Day” was very successful! We had some very creative… and accurate!...depictions of the teachers, right down to wigs, shoes, tissue boxes, shirts and ties, and more! Thanks to all who participated …it was great! Finally, thanks to all of you for making us feel so appreciated always, but especially this week! And a special thank you to Amy Johnson for coordinating all the surprises that made this week special for all of us. As we hope you know: WE LOVE THE KCPTA!!!

We want to thank Mrs. MacGannon, Mrs. Johnson and Brownie Troop 850 for their very generous donation to thank the school for using the art room. This money will be used for art supplies. We also want to thank them for the respectful and careful manner in which they used the room.

The KCPTA is still collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry. There is a box in the lobby if you are able to help with this project.

Remember that on May 30^th author Lynn Plourde will be visiting Kennebunkport Consolidated School as part of our literacy month, which is sponsored by Kennebunk Saving Bank. Lynn will spend the day here in all classes, K though grade five. Because Lynn is on a very tight schedule, there will be no FMM that day. We want to thank Kennebunk Savings Bank for making this author visit possible. They are strong supporters of the schools in MSAD 71 and we appreciate them!

Thanks to all who supported the school budget at the town meeting and at the ballot box! We are especially grateful to our “phone tree parents” who helped remind everyone to vote. We appreciate the support!!

The fourth and fifth graders have had an exceptional time at Heartwood College of Art this past week or so. All students…and the teachers as well… have had an opportunity to participate in some form of art work, being guided by the Heartwood staff. It has been a wonderful experience! We want to thank Sea Road School for including our students in this grant from the Education Foundation of the Kennebunks, and for all the preparation and scheduling that made this a successful and positive event!

Next Thursday, from 10:00-10:45 there will be a special jazz band concert sponsored by the KCPTA and organized by Mr. Saunders. Because of his great connections, Mr. Saunders has been able to bring great bands to our school and to SRS as well. Parents are welcome to join us for this event. Thanks to Mr. Saunders and the KCPTA for making this possible!

Plan Ahead! Especially at this busy time of year!

May 26: NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day

May 29: 8:30-4:00 grade 4 to Augusta…10:00-10:45 Jazz band concert for the    school…4:30-6:30 Kindergarten Art Show at the Wright Gallery

May 30: NO FRIDAY MORNING MEETING TODAY…Lynn Plourde in K-5       classrooms

Posted by Principal Pence at 01:43 PM | Permalink

Many thanks for your support and assistance in passing the budget again this year. In these difficult economic times, we all appreciate  your understanding of the importance of education! A special thank you to our "phone tree parents" who, I am sure, jogged many memories and increased voter participation. All of us at KCS thank all of you for everything that you do every day to support our school!

Posted by Principal Pence at 06:35 AM | Permalink

http://staff.msad71.net/kpt_lab/movies/MWingfield.wmv

Hi! The above link is a slide show of Michael Wingfield's evening performance. Thanks to John Whelan and Eileen Blokland! Enjoy! 

Posted by Principal Pence at 07:10 AM | Permalink

The emerging partnership between the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and Kennebunkport Consolidated School, entitled Trust In Our Children, moved to an even more exciting level on Wednesday as the staff toured the six KCT properties that will be incorporated into our curriculum...science, social studies, and more…next year. A small group of volunteers, including parents Lou Miller, Joy Mahoney and Pam Morgan and multiage teacher Nancy Naimey along with Eleanor Saboski and Tom Bradbury, have been working non-stop to look at the Maine Learning Results, the areas of our curricula and the many possibilities the Trust properties have to offer which will expand and enrich our Kindergarten through five students learning experiences. We have been seeing all this work on paper, but now it is becoming real, and it’s very exhilarating!! Each grade level will have a connection with a specific property, chosen because it lends itself to the activities which support that grade level curriculum. On the June ERW, teachers will actually spend time at their sites to consider specific activities to develop there. One June 19^th and 20^th there will be two all day workshops to provide staff time and support as they begin collecting information which will be used to create teacher/student workbooks which will accompany the teaching units. This is the most exciting project we have been involved with as long as I have been principal here. We all love the fact that it is so community based, which fits well with our mission statement, and we are learning so much in the process. You will be hearing more as time goes on, but for right now, a huge thank you to Tom Bradbury and the members of the KCT Trust In Our Children committee…we are so grateful for all that you have done and the possibilities that you are providing for Kennebunkport Consolidated School.

 The last week in May author Lynn Plourde will be visiting the district as part of our literacy month, which is sponsored by Kennebunk Saving Bank. Lynn will spend the day here on May 30^th. Her books (Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud, and more) will be available for purchase…an order form has been sent home and needs to be returned to the classroom teachers by May 13^th if you wish to purchase one of Lynn’s books. Because Lynn is on a very tight schedule, there will be no FMM on May 30^th.

 
This year, because of legislative changes, our budget will be passed in two phases. It is critically important that all citizens be aware of the changes and be involved in both aspects. The first was a public meeting, which was held Thursday, May 15^th, and which passed the proposed budget. The second phase is a “yes or no” vote, done by ballot, on Tuesday, May 20^th, which essentially asks if you support the budget passed at the town meeting. Polls will be open 8 to 8, at the North St. Fire Station. It is extremely important that everyone make every effort to be involved in the budget process.

Congratulations to grades 1, 1/2 multiage, two, and three for a spectacular concert!! The children were wonderful…not only vocally but also using the instruments! Many thanks to Mrs. Cherry for her all her hard work, time and patience with the students, our wonderful Ann Doe for accompanying them, and Mrs. Tushin, Mrs. Barrett, Mrs. Naimey, Mrs. Morse, and Mrs. Boyd for their assistance. It was a very entertaining experience!

 
Congratulations to Jack Graydon, who won first place in the regional fifth grade speech contest and represented KCS at the States in Augusta on Thursday! The topic was Great American Landmarks, and Jack spoke about the Lincoln Memorial. He did a terrific job competing with fifth through eighth graders! Quite an accomplishment! We are very proud of Jack!

Thanks to all who attended and participated!! in the rescheduled performance featuring Michael Wingfield and our fourth and fifth grade students…and a special thank you to Michael for his flexibility! It was a great evening and the kids did a terrific job after a week long time lag and reduced numbers due to other activities. The parents were great…what dancers! and everyone had a wonderful time! My prediction is that Michael Wingfield will return to KCS…

We want to thank Sea Road School for their invitation to have our fourth and fifth graders join them for the upcoming art experience at Heartwood College of Art. Last year students from Sea Road spent time at Heartwood College of Art as part of a grant that they received from the Education Foundation of the Kennebunks. This year our fourth and fifth grade students will be joining them for what promises to be an exciting experience! All students went on May 15^th, and this coming week grade 4 classes will go on the 20^th and grades 4/5 and 5 on the 22^nd. Mrs. Wendle is attending with them along with the classroom teachers. A special thank you to SRS art teacher, Darlene Nein, Vickie Cherry and Kevin Crowley for their organization of this event!

Plan Ahead! Especially at this busy time of year!

Week of May 19^th: Teacher Appreciation Week, sponsored by the (wonderful)    KCPTA

May 19: Bike Safety in grades 4 and 5…7:00 Board Meeting

May 20: 11:15-2:30 grade 4 to Heartwood…BUDGET VOTE, 8-8, North Street    Fire Station

May 21: 1:00-2:00 Dr. Burgess and friends here for fifth grade presentation

My 22: 11:15-2:30 grades 4/5 and 5 to Heartwood

May 23 8:30 FMM…“Dress Up As Your Teacher Day”…12:45 MSK visitors for fifth grade presentation

May 26: NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day

May 29: 8:30-4:00 grade 4 to Augusta…10:00-10:45 Jazz band concert for the    school (Thanks, Mr. Saunders and the KCPTA!!)

May 30: NO FRIDAY MORNING MEETING TODAY…Lynn Plourde in K-5 classrooms

Posted by Principal Pence at 01:24 PM | Permalink

We have been able to reschedule Michael Wingfield for Monday, May 12, 2008, at 6:30, in the gym!! Remember that fourth and fifth graders will be participating and need to be here by 6:20. Everyone is welcome to join us for this event!

Thanks to Mrs. Blokland and Mrs. Wendle, our fourth and fifth graders were able to enter the Doodle 4 Google contest. They had to create an original doodle using the word GOOGLE around the theme of “What if…?” We had wonderful entries with a wide range of themes and ideas. Finally, we chose six, as requested…a very difficult task!...and they were all wonderful. Today we received the very exciting news that one of our fourth graders has been chosen as a state finalist, one of two in his grade level group (Grades 4-6)! This is amazing as we have been told that they had “thousands of entries”. Stewart Doe’s doodle was selected for artistic merit and creativity, along with his theme, which was “What if…everybody in the world could afford a better education?” On May 12^th all the state finalists will be recognized on the Google site, so log on and look for Stewart! From May 12^th through May 18^th , the regional winners will be featured and you can vote for your favorite! The Google site is www.Google.com. CONGRATULATIONS, STEWART! And thanks to Mrs. Blokland and Mrs. Wendle for their support and assistance!

The last week in May author Lynn Plourde will be visiting the district as part of our literacy month, which is sponsored by Kennebunk Saving Bank. Lynn will spend the day here on May 30^th. Her books (Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud, and more) will be available for purchase…an order form has been sent home and needs to be returned to the classroom teachers by May 13^th if you wish to purchase one of Lynn’s books.

This year, because of legislative changes, our budget will be passed in two phases. It is critically important that all citizens be aware of the changes and be involved in both aspects. The first is a public meeting. This will be held on Thursday, May 15^th, at 7:00 in the KHS gym. At this point the budget will be discussed and voted on, warrant by warrant. It is a “closed process”, meaning that specific items, like Instruction, can be lowered but not raised. Child care will be available in the KHS café during the meeting. The second phase is a “yes or no” vote, done by ballot, on Tuesday, May 20^th. Polls will be open 8 to 8, at the North St. Fire Station. It is extremely important that everyone make every effort to be involved in the budget process.

We want to thank Sea Road School for their invitation to have our fourth and fifth graders join them for the upcoming art experience at Heartwood College of Art. Last year students from Sea Road spent time at Heartwood College of Art as part of a grant that they received. This year our fourth and fifth grade students will be joining them for what promises to be an exciting experience! All students will go on the 15^th, followed by grade 4 classes on the 20^th and grades 4/5 and 5 on the 22^nd. Mrs. Wendle will be going with them along with the classroom teachers. A special thank you to SRS art teacher, Darlene Nein, Vickie Cherry and Kevin Crowley for their organization of this event!

Congratulations to our bands for a wonderful All Band Night!! Thanks to Mr. Saunders for his patience and sense of humor…he makes instrumental music a great experience!!

Plan Ahead! Especially at this busy time of year!

May 12 and 13: Kindergarten Screening

May 13: 12:15-1:00 Baby Day in Mrs. Barrett’s room…7:00 concert, grades 1-3

May 14: ERW: noon dismissal

May 15: 11:15-2:30 grades 4 and 5 to Heartwood…7:00 SCHOOL BUDGET         MEETING at KHS gym

May 16: 8:30 FMM…8:30-2:00 grade 3 to PMA/Observatory

Week of May 19^th: Teacher Appreciation Week, sponsored by the (wonderful)    KCPTA

May 19: Bike Safety in grades 4 and 5…7:00 Board Meeting

May 20: 11:15-2:30 grade 4 to Heartwood…BUDGET VOTE, 8-8, North Street    Fire Station

May 21: 1:00-2:00 Br Burgess and friends here for fifth grade presentation

My 22: 11:15-2:30 grade 4/5 and 5 to Heartwood

May 23 8:30 FMM…“Dress Up As Your Teacher Day”…12:45 MSK visitors for fifth grade presentation

May 26: NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day

May 29: 8:30-4:00 grade 4 to Augusta…10:00-10:45 Jazz band concert for the    school (Thanks Mr. Saunders and the KCPTA!!)

May 30: Lynn Plourde in K-5 classrooms

Posted by Principal Pence at 07:10 AM | Permalink

This year, the school budget approval process will be different due to changes in state law. The budget validation process will now be a two step process.

The first step is on Thursday, May 15, 2008. There will be a MSAD71 Budget Meeting held in the high school gym at 7:00 p.m. During this meeting, 12 Budget Warrants will be decided. Those registered voters of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport in attendance will have the opportunity to discuss and ultimately vote on each of these budget warrants. Babysitting will be available in the high school cafeteria.

The second step, on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, will be the Budget Validation Referendum. Registered voters of each community will have the opportunity to vote at their respective polling locations on ONE QUESTION. That one question is "SHALL THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL BUDGET ADOPTED AT THE DISTRICT BUDGET MEETING ON MAY 15, 2008 BE APPROVED?"

Each of these dates are important.

During the budget meeting on May 15, changes could be made to the budget. At the end of the meeting, the final amounts will be set. The Budget Validation Referendum on May 20 will decide if the final numbers will be approved.

Please take the time to attend your town Budget Meeting and to vote on your school budget.

Posted by Principal Pence at 12:39 PM | Permalink

Many, many, many thanks to everyone who helped make our accreditation team visit so positive and successful! We expect to receive the draft of our report in a few weeks, although the actual decision regarding re-accreditation will not be made until the November, which is when the Commission on Public Elementary and Middle Schools will meet…but we think we will have a pretty good idea once we see the report. Because the staff did such a great job producing a comprehensive…and honest!!…self-study, we don’t expect any surprises. Everyone, working together, made this a great experience for both the team and the school. We appreciate your support!

Congratulations to Jack Graydon and Sienna Roberge who represented KCS at the regional fifth grade speech contest Wednesday evening. We are thrilled…but not astonished (as the King and Queen were in Do Wop Wed Widing Hood)…to announce that Jack placed first!!! and will go on to represent us in the State competition on May 15^th in Augusta! We know that Jack will do a terrific job! Congratulations to both Jack and Sienna!!

The second issue of the Kennebunkport Consolidated School ezine is now on the website! This issue was put together after school by four students: Ben Bloss, Ben Walker-Dubay, Cameron Mahoney and Joseph Quigley. The boys began back in February, meeting once a week after school until March 11^th, and then they finished up their work during any "free time" during the school day. One more article from 5th graders Samantha Sessler & Caroline Thompson, was added before the ezine was complete! The ezine staff was assisted by Mrs. Vennell, Miss Miller, and Mrs. Blokland…many thanks to all! Enjoy the KCS ezine!

Stuff The Bus was a huge success! Two thousand five hundred twenty-five items were collected and over eight hundred came from our school! Thanks to all who participated and a special thank you to Amy Johnson for organizing this for all of us!

Congratulations to our Kindergarten classes and Mrs. Cherry for a wonderful Kindergarten Showcase! We hope that parents got an idea of what sort of activities are helpful for young children as they begin exploring musical concepts. They were very entertaining as well!

Our fourth and fifth graders participated in the Google Doodle contest and did a terrific job. As one of the judges, I can tell you that choosing six was no easy task! The finalists, whose entries have been sent on for the next phase include: Joey Quigley, Donny Bryant, Natasha Wynn-Nolet, Jimmy Kennedy, Stewart Doe, and Kaitlyn Tibeau. On May 22^nd, 40 finalists will be named and featured on the Google homepage. We are keeping our fingers crossed for our six…they were all exceptional! All the entries are hanging outside the lab, and the winning six are across from the Teachers’ Room. Come in and take a look…you will be impressed!

Thanks to the KCPTA, Michael Wingfield has spent this week with us at KCS. As always, he has been outstanding! He met with all classes, K through three, and spent additional time with grades four and five in preparation for the performances today. Mrs. Boyd’s third grade said her class was hoping he would come back next year so they could do what the fourth and fifth graders did this week. High praise from the most important critics! Thanks to Michael for all of his hard work with the students and to the KCPTA for sponsoring our Artist-In-Residence program!

We are trying to reschedule last evening’s performance…stay tuned!

The last week in May author Lynn Plourde will be visiting the district as part of our literacy month, which is sponsored by Kennebunk Saving Bank. Lynn will spend the day here on May 30^th. Her books (Pigs in the Mud in the Middle of the Rud, and more) will be available for purchase…an order form will be coming home next week! Stay tuned!

Plan Ahead! Especially at this busy time of year!

May 6: 8:30-1:30 Math Team to competition…Lynn Plourde in grades ½ and 2

May 9: 8:30 FMM…8:30-2:45 Grade 4 to Willowbrook

May 11 and 12: Kindergarten Screening

May 14: ERW: noon dismissal

May 16: 8:30 FMM…8:30-2:00 Grade3 to PMA/Observatory

Posted by Principal Pence at 09:35 AM | Permalink

Due to the electrical accident just below Consolidated where a dump truck hit a pole, the road is blocked and the power will likely be cut to restore the pole. We will try to reschedule the performance with Michael Wingfield. We are so sorry!

Posted by Principal Pence at 05:25 PM | Permalink