Wrap Bracelets Earn Money For School

In the past two years, St. Brigid school has generated nearly $20,000 selling handmade bracelets in a simple, yet very effective fundraiser. Barbara Jerome, longtime St. Brigid parent and volunteer, is the creator and manager of this fruitful enterprise.

“The idea was inspired by my sister, Eileen,” Mrs. Jerome relates, explaining how her sister brought a bracelet with her when visiting Maine three years ago. “Eileen researched the supplies needed and the construction technique via the internet.” Before long, she had learned how to make the bracelets and found the activity enjoyable. “It was relaxing for me—like knitting is for a lot of people.”

The idea to sell the bracelets as a fundraiser was born when she gave one of the bracelets to a St. Brigid staff member as a thank you gift. Mrs. Jerome makes each bracelet herself. “I don’t like to sit still,” she says, “so having something like this to do works great for me!”

Initially, the jewelry was offered for sale directly from the school office, but as the project built momentum Mrs. Jerome wanted to expand the base of potential customers. She began forming relationships with local shops that would not only increase the money earned but also forge valuable school-community partnerships.

“Collette Warner is the owner at Rapid River Boutique in Freeport and she bought a supply of the bracelets the day I stopped by to show them to her,” she recalls. “With that success, I then went to Bliss Boutique in the Old Port and showed the bracelets to Michelle Marchesi, who was equally enthusiastic and supportive.”

The shop owners also helped refine the design of the bracelets, working with Mrs. Jerome to improve and diversify the offerings. Even the store supplying bracelet materials helped out. “The people at Caravan Beads on Forest Avenue in Portland also played a big part in helping the project to be successful,” she adds. “They taught me about tweaks to be made to make the bracelets better.”

For Mrs. Jerome, this community connection has been a major benefit of the fundraiser.

“It’s really heartwarming to see how the people of our community—both St. Brigid, and the larger Greater Portland community—will support their own.”

St. Brigid School would like to extend our gratitude to Mrs. Jerome for this wonderful project. Thank you for your generosity and support of our school community!

To get more information about purchasing a bracelet, contact the school or visit Rapid River Boutique or Bliss Boutique.

Care Committee Offers Support For Those in Need

The Care Committee, headed by St. Brigid parent Lisa Crowley, can provide assistance and support to members of our school community. The goal of the group is to strengthen our community, support each other through simple acts of service, and contribute to our children’s education and faith.

“If you have a need due to the birth of a baby, illness, death, change in job status, or for a reason you don’t want to share, please let one of the moderators know through email or a phone call, and we will organize help,” the group’s mission says. “If you would like to remain anonymous, let us know. We will adhere to the strictest confidentiality.”

“We have helped with meals for people who have lost loved ones and for people with a new baby at home,” reports committee member Stacey Hughes. “We have visited people in the hospital and have sent sympathy cards from the St. Brigid community. We have also provided babysitting to people who have medical appointments.”

For those who wish to help, a Yahoo group is available to join. While the committee is not an official St. Brigid School group, there are already 19 members and the ranks continue to grow.

There are two ways to help the Care Committee. The first is by simply identifying a need. If you know of someone in our school community who has experienced a loss, a job status change, illness, or some other serious life event, please bring it to the attention of the committee. Again, privacy and anonymity will be honored.

You can also join this group of caring and thoughtful individuals and offer your time and assistance. “This is also such a great way to introduce or continue teaching your children about acts of community building and caring for one another,” Mrs. Hughes says.

To contact the group with a need or to help out, email Lisa Crowley (lisacrowleyslp@gmail.com) or Stacey Hughes (staceyledoux70@yahoo.com). Those interested in joining can also subscribe to the Yahoo group at stbscarecommittee-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Students Collect Gifts for Needy Children

The Metro Toy Bus visited St. Brigid School on Wednesday, December 12. Enthusiastic students from grades Pre-K through 8 filled the bus with toys to be given to needy children this holiday season.

For several years now, the Stuff a Bus toy campaign has sent a city bus to the school just before Christmas. Children bring unwrapped gifts and pile them on the bus seats. This year, students marveled at the number of toys that had been collected.

“Look at all of it!” exclaimed a pre-kindergartener as he placed his item on top of several others. Meanwhile, older children lined up outside the bus with armfuls of toys.

“Somebody’s going to have a very merry Christmas,” one of them said, hefting an Easy-Bake Oven up the bus steps.

St. Brigid Student Wins International Writing Competition

Jesse Rodrigues, 8th-grader at St. Brigid School, was one of fifteen students selected to receive the prestigious Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award for 2012. His poem “Fire Knows” had been submitted by a teacher at the school. He was the youngest person among those chosen—and one of only three American recipients. 

As a winner of the competition, Jesse attended an awards ceremony in October at the Royal Festival Hall in London. There, he met the judges and read his poem to the audience. Following the ceremony was a slam poetry presentation. “[It was] stunning,” he recalls, “and certainly inspired me to continue writing poetry.”

“My mother and I spent the rest of our week exploring and enjoying the city of London,” Jesse continues. “We saw the major attractions, of course: the British Museum, King’s Cross, and the Globe Theater. We also explored some of the lesser-known sights of London on small, guided walking tours with charismatic guides.”

Jesse describes his time overseas as being somewhat overwhelming. “In the end, both my mother and I felt that London was absolutely too huge for just a one-week visit. We hope to return soon.”

The winning poem:

Fire Knows

Fire knows the wood's secrets
as they hold their heated deliberations

Fire knows how to warm
chilled hands, chilled feet, chilled faces

Fire knows how to dance and sway
to the sounds of the night

Fire knows how to belch and cackle
exactly when you don't want it to

Last, but not least, fire knows how to die with a flourish
A flame, a spark, a winking coal

then cold, hard, black, silence