Halloween Gallery

Harvest Fair Gallery

In spite of a foggy start, this year's Harvest Fair drew families and community members together for a day of fun and bargains. Highlights included a 5K run, kids' run, raffles, a bungee trampoline and climbing wall, pony rides, book and craft sales, and plenty of food.

Grade 5 Science Activities

The fifth grade has been learning to identify species by examining their physical characteristics. On Tuesday, September 25, they took an unusual exam. Instead of paper and pencil tests, the students trekked down to the pond in Evergreen Cemetery. They had to identify at least six species of trees and use data from water/mud samples to rate the water quality in that ecosystem.

Searching through mud and water samples, macro invertebrates were grouped by species, the species were grouped by sensitivity to pollutants. Upon returning to the classroom students used their data to conclude that the water quality was fair. Many thanks to Deborah DuDevoir, the mother of fifth grader, Caty, who provided the equipment, lab sheets and expertise for this activity.

We also brought back with us, for a temporary visit, Sir Isaac Fig Newton, a newt who is vacationing on a lovely rock surrounded by water, plants and insects from his home. Each class also has been keeping a fish bowl with aquatic insects, larvae and fish.

Our next venture is to the Gulf of Maine Resource Institute on October 30 to complete our unit on life sciences by exploring the ecosystem and economy of Maine's Gulf.

- Jan Libby, 5th Grade Teacher

Ringing in the Year of Faith

On Thursday, October 11, students and staff of St. Brigid School gathered to literally ring in the Year of Faith.

Pope Benedict announced the special year last October, describing it as "a moment of grace and commitment to an ever fuller conversion to God." The observance begins on the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. The same date marks the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Year of Faith concludes on the Feast of Christ the King on November 24, 2012.

As passers-by looked on, St. Brigid School students and faculty rang celebratory bells at exactly noon on the opening day. Students brought bells of every kind; even the church bells rang at the appointed moment. Hundreds of schools and churches shared in this worldwide event, ushering in a year of renewed evangelization and charitable efforts.