Big News From the Art Room

14 students have been entered in Otto Pizza's "Drawing Outside the Box" contest. Their work is on exhibit on the wall outside the gym/cafeteria.

Their work is also on Otto Pizza's Facebook page. Until December 18th, you can "like" our St. Brigid entries. The 30 entries with the most "likes" will go on to a panel of judges who will choose the winners. First Prize: $1000 for the school, and the winner's design will be printed on thousands of pizza boxes. The winner also gets a pizza party for their class, a $50 gift certificate to Otto Pizza, and an Otto t-shirt and baseball cap.

With everyone's help, we can get our artists to the finals! Click here to see the page of entries. Ours are near the bottom. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and "like" each of our students to vote for their entries!

St. Brigid Students and Parents Send Gifts to Troops in Afghanistan

Last week, students in Ms. Smith’s first grade assembled 22 boxes of supplies to be sent to troops serving in Afghanistan. The project was inspired by a student in the class, Logan Gregor, whose father is among those troops. The children stuffed Christmas stockings and large boxes with much-needed supplies and special treats. The goal was to provide items that made the service men and women feel more comfortable and “at home” while they are so far away. These gifts included sheets, t-shirts, socks, hand warmers, chapstick, hand lotion and sought after items such as magazines, books, stationery, envelopes, pens, local newspapers and homemade goods. 

“Thanks to one parent, who this project really hit home with, we even sent whoopie pies,” says Stacey Hughes, a parent who organized the project. The seventh grade donated handmade paracord bracelets to the cause. Also included were over 350 cards and letters from all of the children at St. Brigid.

Parents who have themselves been deployed assisted with the shipping costs. One parent even hand delivered box #22 to the post office as Mrs. Hughes was there filling out the shipping forms.

“It is so rewarding to know that our students are learning at such an early age about service and that even at their young age, they are powerful and can make a difference and have an impact in this world,” said Mrs. Hughes. “This has been such a great learning experience for our children.”

A friend of the Gregor family, also in the military, later visited the first graders to talk about what it means to serve one's country and what life is like in Afghanistan. For over an hour he spoke about his experiences in the Army and answered dozens of questions. Almost all of the children in the class said they had a family member or family friend who was in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines.

Mrs. Hughes expects to repeat this project in the spring, sending another set of boxes for Easter. Stay tuned for more information.

A big thank you to everyone who participated in this important endeavor. From the teachers who spent time in the classroom helping students compose letters, to the parents whose quick response made it possible, everyone who had a part should be proud of their contributions. Mrs. Hughes said it best: “I am sure it will make the Service Men and Women have a little bit brighter Christmas knowing people at St. Brigid are thinking of them and sending their heartfelt prayers.”

All Saints' Day

This past November first, second grade students at St. Brigid School taught the school community about various saints at a special Friday Mass. Each child dressed as their selected person, and explained some of the history and miracles attributed to that saint. A variety of well-known and more obscure saints were highlighted.

A Beautiful Day at the Harvest Fair

This year's annual Harvest Fair, held on November 2nd, was busier than ever! The sight of children's attractions and the scent of fair foods attracted hundreds of people to support our school while enjoying the perfect weather.

Outside, people scaled the climbing wall, shopped for bargains, played games and even had the opportunity to ride a horse or pony.

Inside, tables of baked goods, gift items, and books attracted shoppers of all ages. It was standing room only when the raffle winners were announced.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and volunteered for making this event so successful!

Halloween Festivities

Mrs. White reads to the third graders.

Eighth grade art class

Costumed seventh graders working on a computer

Pre-K

Ms. Smith's pumpkin decorating contest

Ms. Smith's pumpkin decorating contest

Ms. Smith's pumpkin decorating contest

Ms. Smith's pumpkin decorating contest

Ms. Smith's pumpkin decorating contest

Costumed (but still hard at work!) in Mrs. Flaherty's class

Third Grade Angels

Win $500 Towards Tuition for St. Brigid, Cheverus or McAuley!

Our Lady of Hope Parish Bazaar is selling tickets for $5.00 each with a maximum of 120 tickets sold per school raffle. You do not need to be present at the drawing being held at the bazaar on November 16^th to win.

Tickets will be available after all masses at St. Pius X Church the weekend of November 2-3 and at St. Joseph Church the weekend of November 9-10. Tickets will be available Monday – Friday at the Parish Office at 673 Stevens Avenue. For more information please call 207-797-7026 and talk to Linda (x202) or Carolyn (x213).

Third Grade Studies Color and Chemistry

This week both third grades were treated to a visit by parent Luci Benedict, a professor of Chemistry at USM. Mrs. Benedict helped each class perform experiments in color and chromatography.

Welcome, Little Ones!

A warm welcome to our youngest students—the children in our new 3-Year-Old program!

Time for a project with seventh grade helpers. 

They're super!

Congratulations to St. Brigid Graduates

On June 4, 48 excited 8th-graders gathered for one last time as the St. Brigid class of 2013. It was “standing room only” at the graduation Mass, held at St. Pius X Church in Portland. During the ceremony, students honored their parents and received promotion certificates. Some received special awards and scholarships.

All of the teachers and staff of St. Brigid wish the best of luck to this outstanding group of young men and women. We know they will be successful in high school!

Third Grade Visits Tate House

Grade 3 went to the Tate House (the only pre-Revolutionary War house in Greater Portland that is open to the public) on Friday, 6/7. It was the culminating activity for her Social Studies unit on the history of Portland. The students toured the house (which was built in the 1750s for Captain George Tate, Senior Mast Agent for the British Royal Navy) and learned about daily life by studying reproductions of common items from that period including clothing, kitchen items, and toys. In this photo, Emma is comparing an 18th century toothbrush to modern toothbrushes.

- Mary Ellen White and Cindy Halpin

Third Graders Release Salmon

On Friday, May 10, Grade 3 released 293 live salmon fry into West Brook, a tributary of the Saco River,  in Biddeford. After the release, we toured the Saco River Salmon Club. Now in its 30th year, the SRSC continues its commitment to restore the population of native wild Atlantic Salmon to the Saco River. 

In addition to raising several hundred thousand fry, they also maintain about 12,000 parr, the next stage in the salmon life cycle. Our students had the opportunity to feed the parr. Later, they were delighted to find out that they would be able to release four buckets of parr into the river right outside the club! 

The salmon population had been all but extinguished from the Saco River as a result of dams and pollution. Now that the Saco is again clean, and thanks to the fish ladder and elevator system at the hydroelectric power plant, salmon can return. 

Mrs. White has been participating in the Atlantic Salmon Federations's "Fish Friends" program, raising Atlantic Salmon fry in her classroom for twelve years. She receives "eyed eggs" in February. These are eggs in which the black eye spots of the baby fish inside are clearly visible. After several weeks, the eggs hatch. The tiny, finless fish are colorless, except for the large, orange yolk sac on their bellies. 

The students watch with excitement as the fish develop their fins and coloration, and the yolk sacs are absorbed. This year, we were pleased to host a two-headed fish in our tank! By participating in this program, the students meet science learning goals in a way they will long remember.

- Mary Ellen White, 3rd grade teacher

Worms!

Our third-graders have been learning about composting and worms by doing both! They are putting the compost in the garden bed where they intend to plant pumpkins. Over 400 worms were safely returned to their bin, outfitted with fresh bedding. Before school ends, a few lucky students will win some worms so that they can start composting at home.

- Mary Ellen White, 3rd grade teacher

8th Grade Banquet and Dance

Parents and 8th grade students gathered at St. Pius X church hall this past Tuesday to celebrate the accomplishments of the soon-to-be graduates. Following dinner and a slide show, Mrs. McCuller, Mr. Healy and other teachers presented a record-breaking number of awards for academics, participation and service. 

Numerous parent volunteers and select seventh grade students provided service during the event. The school would like to particularly thank Joe and Chris Schnupp, Carolyn Johnson, Teresa Cornell, Jeanie Knight, Ellen Pirone, Kelly Kennedy, Patricia Meserve and all of our helpers for their invaluable contributions to the success of this event.

Graduation will be at St. Pius X Church on June 4.

Lincoln Peirce Visit

On Friday, May 17, the SBS gymnasium was filled to capacity with screaming fans, colorful banners, and one tall, rangy gentleman with a Powerpoint presentation. Lincoln Peirce, creator of the Big Nate comic strip and over 14 Big Nate books, spoke to the third, fourth, and fifth graders - many of whom are aspiring cartoonists. The New York Times bestselling author spoke as much about persistence and self-discipline as he did about creating the next answer to "Peanuts". The kids were truly in awe of everything Lincoln Peirce can do. He showed them images of cartooning he did when he was their age and let them see the progression that developed by challenging himself to do it well. The comic strip writer demonstrated through a drawing exercise (with special guest star, Mike Veroneau) that cartooning is as much about telling a good story or joke as it is about drawing well. The students and teachers were totally engaged and asked many interesting questions, including one from Emily Broome about what Peirce would want to be, if he hadn't been a cartoonist. His answer? A professional athlete.

All week students had engaged in different activities tied to the Lincoln Peirce author visit, including drawing their own comic strips in art class. We presented Lincoln with a beautiful "thank you" book assembled by Mrs. Winchester and consisting of original comic strips from many students from grades 3-5. A fortunate half-dozen students who wrote winning essays (or had their name pulled out of a hat) were invited to an author lunch of pizza, interesting conversation, and Add-On, a fun drawing game that kept everyone entertained. During the author lunch, Lincoln's sense of humor and ability to keep the moment totally and completely fun and memorable for the students who attended. The kids were beside themselves - some couldn't stop talking, some couldn't talk at all - but Lincoln included everybody in the conversation.

Lincoln's generosity and good nature was evident as students clamored to be near him; he was relaxed and gracious and genuinely interested in what they had to say. Lincoln Peirce has set a really high standard for future author visits.

P.S. This author visit sparked the imagination of many of our students.I would like to build upon the success of this program and do an author visit every year. I am encouraging students to ask themselves if they know any other Maine authors of children's or young adult books that might consider speaking at St. Brigid School.

- Deanna Contrino, Librarian

St. Brigid Student Offered High School Scholarships

8th-grader Grace Dexter has some tough decisions ahead of her. She has been accepted to no less than four prestigious high schools: North Yarmouth Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Portsmouth Abbey, and Kents Hill School.

Three of the schools offered her scholarships worth at least 45% of tuition costs.

Grace says that she believes St. Brigid has helped prepare her for whatever high school she ultimately selects. “I feel like the teachers invest in each student, and if you’re willing to work hard, then you’ll go places,” she says. 

Congratulations to Grace, and to all of our soon-to-be St. Brigid graduates!

State Math Meet

St. Brigid 7th grade students competed in the Maine State Middle School Math Meet at the Portland Expo.  Math meets include individual tests of algebra and geometry followed by a section of combined team problems.

Throughout the year, St. Brigid students have been participating in weekly practices in preparation for the state meet and regional meets held throughout southern Maine.  Practices included learning methods for solving challenging problems and strategies for working as a team.

This was St. Brigid's first year competing in the Southern Maine Math League.  Due to members' solid work and preparation, the team improved its standing at every meet this year.  With this success, St. Brigid is looking to expand  team membership to include 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders.  Information about the Math Team will be sent home to families at the start of next school year. 

- Mike Healy, 8th grade teacher

Boxtop Contest Earns Money for School

Congratulations to the winning class for the recent Boxtop collection contest! Mrs. Ouellette’s second grade class won - for the second time this year - with 2,096 points! 

Coming in second was Mrs. White’s third grade with 1,566 points. Third place was Mrs. Maddock’s fourth grade with 1361. The events this year have been organized by parent Karen Gordon.

Boxtops For Education is a General Mills program that provides money to schools. The company has given away millions of dollars in educational support funds since the program’s beginning in 1996.

Teachers Meet to Work on Math Curriculum

Last week, St. Brigid’s upper-grade math teachers met to discuss and refine the math curriculum. They spoke with teachers from area high schools to learn more about what is expected of incoming freshmen. 

With most states beginning to implement nationally developed standards, the teachers felt it was important to examine those learning outcomes and ensure St. Brigid students continue to receive a superior educational experience.

Fine Arts Night

Last week’s Fine Arts night amazed the St. Brigid community with the creative talents of our school’s students. The evening showcased the visual arts, with pieces by students of all grades adorning the walls of the Fr. Hayes Center. Attendees were also treated to an impressive show by the band as well as vocal and instrumental performances by individual students.

Proceeds from the event are to be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. 

First Communion Preparations

The second graders at St. Brigid have been busily preparing for their First Communion, which will take place on Saturday, April 27.

Students in Mrs. Ouellette’s class used the St. Joseph rectory kitchen to make bread this week. They mixed the ingredients, allowed the dough to rise, and formed it into delicious rolls that baked in the oven.

Students also created a map of friends and family that will be coming to Maine from around the world to attend the First Communion celebration.

St. Brigid Students Deliver Speeches at Regional Competition

Marissa (grade 6), Robert (grade 7) and Emily (grade 8) delivered
excellent speeches at the regional Civic Oration in Auburn last
Tuesday. Their stories of people who have overcome obstacles
had the audience riveted. Great job!

Holocaust Survivor Speaks at McAuley

Seventh grade students from St. Brigid attended a talk this week by a survivor of the Holocaust. Max Slabotzky, a Portland tailor who grew up in Belgium, came to McAuley on Tuesday to share his World War II experiences with high school and middle school students.

Mr. Slabotzky, 83, talked to the audience about how he was separated from his family and went into hiding when he was just 12 years old. After being caught by the Gestapo, he was taken by train to Auschwitz and forced into labor.

Upon liberation, Mr. Slabotzky learned that his mother had gone to a different camp and been a victim of medical experiments. She passed away shortly after they were reunited. His father had been sent to a mine, where he died as well. A younger brother - who had been kept safe in a convent - was the only other survivor in the family.

The talk fits well into the seventh grade’s upcoming interdisciplinary unit on World War II.

St. Brigid Students to Sing at Pirates Game

Our St. Brigid 4th graders will be singing “God Bless America” on the ice at the opening of the Portland Pirates game on Sunday, April 7th at 4:00PM.

The classes have been rehearsing for over a month and are extremely excited. They will be wearing their school uniforms.

The Pirates will be taking on the Springfield Falcons! 

- Crystal Found

St. Brigid Auction

Greg Lagerquist, anchor for WGME-13 news, will be the emcee and auctioneer for the St. Brigid auction tonight. St. Brigid students Issac and Gabe Russell had the opportunity to tour the station and meet Mr. Lagerquist.

Civic Oration

This year’s school level of the Civic Oration competition featured eight St. Brigid students in grades 5-8. These talented individuals, selected by their classroom teachers, delivered speeches about people who overcame obstacles to achieve greatness. 

Subjects of the speeches ranged from famous people such as Beethoven to personal friends and family members of the speakers. Two students will advance to the regional level. Marissa Page, grade 6, told the touching story of her older brother’s struggle with Tourette Syndrome. The overall winner was 7th-grader Robert Bossong. He wrote about a blind teenager who was the only known person to learn how to see using echolocation.

Marissa and Robert will move on to the regional level of the Civic Oration, which will be held at St. Dominic Academy after April vacation. Good luck!

Grade 8 Presents Living Stations of the Cross

The eighth-graders of St. Brigid acted out the Stations of the Cross as part of the school's observance of Lent and Easter. They did a beautiful job of portraying the stations with honesty and sensitivity.

Third Grade Special Projects

Grade three has been very busy in the past month, especially with science-related activities. 

Nursing students from the University of New England visited the classes recently to teach a lesson about germs. The future nurses gave a “hands-on” demonstration of the importance of cleanliness in avoiding the spread of illnesses. After putting a special, “germ cream” on their hands, the kids used a fluorescent light to see where the simulated bacteria and viruses collected. They then washed their hands. A second viewing under the light revealed that some students hadn’t quite rid themselves of the “germs.” 

Meanwhile, in one corner of Mrs. White’s room, an insulated tank is host to the eggs of salmon. For over a decade, Mrs. White has participated in the Fish Friends program. The program helps to restock salmon populations and teaches students about the life cycle of this important creature. Some of the eggs have already hatched into fry. When the fish are old enough, students will release them at a location to be determined. 

During past years the fish have been Atlantic salmon that had to be released into a local river; this year, for the first time, the eggs are from a landlocked subspecies that will probably have to be freed in a lake instead.

Seventh Grade Visits Boston Museum of Science

In an exhibit about shipwrecks, students could experience
hurricane-force winds in a special simulator tube.

Guided by parent chaperones, the kids performed hands-on
math and science experiments.

Two students were invited to help in a demonstration of how
the immune system deals with diseases.

Real lightning, generated by the world's largest air-insulated
Van de Graff generator.