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.