RSU 71 to distribute free vacation meals Dec. 22 to kids in need

 By Kendra Caruso | Dec 21, 2020

Photo by: Kendra CarusoA volunteer packages holiday meals at Troy Howard Middle School for community kids in need Dec. 21.

BELFAST — Regional School Unit 71 will be handing out 200 boxes containing five holiday breakfast and lunch meals to families during pickup Dec. 22 at Troy Howard Middle School from 11 a.m. to noon and Capt. Albert W Stevens School from noon to 1 p.m.

Fifty families have already reserved boxes but they are available to any child in need under 18 in the school district, Director of Nutrition Perley Martin said. The meals all meet school food service requirements.

“Our job as food professionals is to feed the kids,” he said. “… So, what we’re doing is during the holidays we’re preparing five breakfasts and five lunches for students.”

Families should eat the pre-cooked meals within five days of receiving them, he said. It is part of the schools initiative to keep kids fed during breaks and vacations. School breakfasts and lunches have been free to all students this year.

Twelve volunteers, some of whom were school faculty donating their time, packaged the 200 boxes in less than an hour Dec. 21.

Staff cooked 190 pounds of turkey and Martin made homemade gravy that went into each meal, he said. “This isn’t Stouffer's, this is the real thing,” he said. Breakfasts consist of five packages of assorted cereals, fruit, juice and milk.

He expects not to have any boxes left over and will distribute them during CASS and THMS pickup times so families can efficiently access them, he said. Waldo County schools have always shown a greater financial need for school meals than the state average, with 54% of county students qualifying for reduced or free lunch in previous school years.

Parents have expressed gratitude toward the district for providing meals to students during breaks, Martin said. He wants to continue to provide meals for students during February and April vacations. He hopes it helps families this school year while unemployment is so high because of the coronavirus.

“It’s really rewarding to me to have the parents take the time and thank us for this,” he said.

For more information or to reserve a box contact Martin at pmartin@rsu71.org.

RSU 71 Nutrition Director Perley Martin helps box holiday meals to be distributed to families for winter vacation Dec. 22. (Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

Boxed holiday meals wait in Troy Howard Middle School's cooler Dec. 21 for distribution to families in need. (Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

A volunteer places a box of holiday meals on a dolly Dec. 21 at Troy Howard Middle School. (Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

A volunteer packs a box with holiday meals Dec. 21 at Troy Howard Middle School to be distributed to families in need. (Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

(Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

(Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

(Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

(Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

(Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

(Photo by: Kendra Caruso)

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Video Starring the BCOPE Garden Program

Click the link below to watch a video about the BCOPE Gardens and all the hard work the students are doing! 

BCOPE Garden Program

Chatting (very quietly) with the school librarian - Fifth in a series

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By Brody Ingraham and Chamberlain Coombs | Dec 17, 2020

Courtesy of: Nancy NickersonLibrarian Kristen Murphy Byrer, left, is interviewed by Chamberlain Coombs, center, and Brody Ingraham, students in Nancy Nickerson's fourth grade class at Capt. Albert Stevens School in Belfast.

BELFAST — This year has been challenging for the specialists in our school. Students stay in their classrooms for all of the specials, with the exception of gym. We always get a smile on our faces when we see Mrs. Byrer, the librarian, come into our class with her “traveling library.” We have so much fun during our library class learning about technology as we watch all the cool videos she has made for us.

We can’t imagine how frustrating it must be for her traveling from room to room with all of her equipment and books for us, so we thought we would ask her about all the changes she has had to make this year. Here is our interview with Mrs. Byrer.

Brody and Chamberlain: How has your teaching changed this year?

Mrs. Byrer: I have increased my use of technology in classes with useful and fun activities. We have access to so many different tech tools that help us communicate with each other and create new things. We actually have a whole new library resource this year for students and teachers to borrow e-books and audiobooks on their devices. I also started creating videos in the spring and have continued to learn how to do new things with technology to help my students.

B and C: Who has had to adjust more, students or you teachers?

Mrs. Byrer: I think that the kids and the teachers have all had to make really big adjustments, because this year has been so different for so many reasons.

B and C: Where does the library take place this year?

Mrs. Byrer: Library classes take place in the classrooms this year and we bring a selection of books for students to check out.

B and C: It must be hard for you to adjust to all the things that 2020 has brought to the world.

Mrs. Byrer: I keep reminding myself with every story there is a beginning, a middle and an ending. Eventually we're going to come to the end of this story, too. We are living through history right now and we are in the middle of this story. You guys are literally creating history! When I say that I mean that the articles you are writing about going to school during the COVID pandemic will live on forever. So when people, years from now, want to know what life was like during this time, they will be able to read your articles and find out what it was like going to school in 2020.

B and C: What is the hardest part about teaching in the library, not in the pandemic, but overall?

Mrs. Byrer: The hardest part about teaching library, I think, is helping kids learn how to evaluate a website, teaching kids how to recognize if a website is good to use for research. It's a challenge to help. It’s a challenge to make sure everyone gets their just-right book so that all school kids will enjoy reading as much as I do.

B and C: Can kids check out books this year? If so, how do they do that? Has the amount of books being checked out changed this year?

Mrs. Byrer: Yes, students can check out library books this year. Instead of kids coming down to find books, we bring the library books to the classrooms. I bring my computer and a barcode scanner up to the room. Everyone can check out one book per week, since we need to quarantine the returned books. Kids use technology to request specific titles or authors. Students’ access to e-books and audiobooks has increased, which provided kids with additional reading options. These are great options for students when and if we need to go remote.

B and C: Describe a day in the life of you.

Mrs. Byrer: I start my day by getting ready for classes, checking emails and organizing the library. I bring my computer and supplies into classrooms on a cart. I spend time working with students on library lessons in the classrooms for part of my day. My other time is spent cataloging, repairing, checking in and shelving books. I spend time working on projects and planning my classes.Teachers also ask for help with book requests and we have meetings sometimes, too.

B and C: Is it stressful teaching library this year?

Mrs. Byrer: Yes, this year has been a stressful school year for me. We are trying hard to follow new safety precautions and it is challenging when we cannot predict what could happen next. Things can change so quickly. We switched to remote (red) and hybrid (yellow) this year already. It’s good that everyone is working together to make school successful even though it can be unpredictable.

We are a good team and that helps to make it less stressful

B and C: What is the biggest change for the library that happened because of COVID-19?

Mrs. Byrer: Specialists are traveling into classrooms this year and not sharing as many spaces as in the past. Also, no students are searching the shelves for their own books. We are making it work. Older students are able to request books using technology. I try to bring a great selection of awesome books and pick ones that I hope kids will enjoy to each classroom when I come to do my lesson. I fill my cart full of books that kids can choose from.

B and C: When will we be able to go back to the library?

Mrs. Byrer: I hope we can use the library space next school year when you guys are in fifth grade.

We think it really is awesome that the specialists go from room to room instead of the students going to their room. That way the students stay safe.

Reprinted from The COVID Classroom, a newspaper started by students in Nancy Nickerson's fourth grade class at Capt. Albert W. Stevens School about what it is like to attend school during the pandemic.

Capt. Albert Stevens School Librarian Kristen Murphy Byrer prepares to take her traveling library into classrooms. (Courtesy of: Nancy Nickerson)

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BAHS Painting Class Reproduces Famous Artwork

Ms. Nichols Art classes have been hard at work reproducing some world famous artwork!  Click the link below to see this amazing exhibit!

 Famous Painting Reproductions By BAHS Art Students

2020 Holiday Meals for Children

The RSU 71 School Nutrition Program has partnered with WCAP, Belfast Soup Kitchen and Republican Journal to offer five days worth of breakfasts and lunches in one holiday meal box per family.

Pickup dates and times:

Troy Howard Middle School

Tuesday December 22, 2020 Pick-up time in parking lot 11:00am-Noon

Captain Albert Steven School

Tuesday December 22, 2020 Pick-up time in parking lot Noon-1:00pm 

Please RSVP by Dec 16th to: 

RSU71 Director of Nutrition Perley Martin phone 207-338-3320ex 307 or email pmartin@rsu71.org 

Click here to view the flyer for more information. 

Stick athletes take spirited whack at abbreviated campaign

 Players, coaches from Belfast, Mount View, Oceanside battle in handful of games

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By Staff | Dec 08, 2020

Photo by: Zack MillerA field hockey game between Waldo County high school athletic rivals Belfast, in blue, and Mount View always is a competitive, fun affair. Pictured are Lions Grace Hall, middle, Sarah Woods (4) and Reagan Seekins, back right, along with Mustangs Sonnie Heath, left, Sydney Bishop, right, and Macy Fowler.

The high school field hockey season, albeit abbreviated, packed plenty of excitement.

And, despite the campaign being significantly altered by COVID-19 — as were all fall sports — it was considered a success, under the circumstances, for Midcoast teams.

Belfast, Mount View of Thorndike and Oceanside of Rockland competed this season, as the Lions finished with an unblemished 6-0 record, the Mustangs 5-1 and the Mariners 2-2.

Of note, the only losses the Mariners and Mustangs endured were to the Lions.

The Lions, who outscored opponents 31-0 over six games this season and were coached by Jan Holmes-Jackson, included Kiara Doolan, Reilly Nickerson, Chelsea Gaiero, Grace Hall, Emily Woods, Sarah Woods, Kara Richards, Sadie Wheeler, Reagan Seekins, Hailee Lindelof, Madison Shorey, Audra Faulkingham, Mia Winslow and Brynne Sawyer.

Leading Belfast's offense were Sarah Woods (6 goals), Gaiero (9 goals, 2 assists), Emily Woods (goal, 3 assists), Doolan (2 goals, 7 assists), Wheeler (goal, assist), Richards (assist), Nickerson (4 goals, 2 assists), Hall (5 goals, assist), Faulkingham (3 goals, 3 assists), Seekins (2 assists) and Lindelof (assist).

“I would say this season my team played really well considering this COVID mess,” said Holmes-Jackson. “Before our 10-game season started we made a goal to win all of our games and not allow a goal. Even though we only played six games, we still met that goal and I feel like if we had played all 10 we would’ve as well. We scored 31 goals and we also obviously out cornered and outshot our opponents.”

The Mustangs, who outscored opponents 28-2 over six games and were coached by Gloria Hewett, included Dakota Jones, Mackenzie Burgess, Sophia King, Macy Fowler, Alexa Coffin, Greta Ahlefeld, Sonnie Heath, Kate Bourgeois, Jacie Nickerson, Allyee Corson, Ivory Spaulding, Ella Dudley, Bella Roberts, Sydney Bishop and Ella Sawyer.

Leading Mount View's offense were King (3 goals, 2 assists), Jones (goal), Ahlefield (2 assists), Burgess (goal), Fowler (8 goals, 3 assists), Coffin (10 goals, assist), Bourgeois (2 goals, assist), Spaulding (2 goals, 3 assists) and Nickerson (goal).

Hewett said: “The girls came together well as a team and made the most out of a changing situation.”

“When we got the word that we could actually play games against opponents my team was thrilled,” she said. “At that point we didn't know if we were going to be allowed to play and just being able to have games at all made a huge difference in the energy level of the girls. They approached each game as if it might be their last and tried to be as positive as possible. We scheduled the senior game as soon as we could so the girls could be honored as normally as possible. They were very happy to get gifts and see the field decorated and be able to present their families with a flower. We only got to play six out of our 10 possible games but each game was a gift.”

The Mariners, who outscored 14-4 over four games this season and coached by Joanna Hall, included Winter Adams, Geneva Alley, Vandrieli Barcellos, Alexa Barstow, Haley Black, Colette Black, Kaylee Chiaramonte, Sophia Clayton, Allison Colburn, Vandeslain Barcellos, Mackenzie Hobbs, Taylor Landry, Cassidy Novicka, Madolin Ripley, Erin Stevenson and Keaonna Turner.

Leading Oceanside offense's were Colette Black (2 goals), Stevenson (goal), Alley (goal) and Ripley (3 assists).

Hall said: “It was really nice seeing the girls have some normalcy.”

“They adjusted nicely and, along with the upperclassmen, made a good deal of progress during the abbreviated season,” she said. “The girls were very good about following the safety measures and took them seriously. We all felt safe. I am especially grateful that my two seniors, captains Alexa Barstow and Vandrieli Barcelos, were able to close out their high school field hockey careers on such a positive note even as we were in the middle of a pandemic.”

Courier Publications' sports staff can be reached by email at sports@villagesoup.com or by phone at 594-4401.

BAHS students learn to navigate in underwater pilot training

 Dec 07, 2020

Courtesy of: Charles LagerbomDrone in the pool during navigation practice at BAHS.

BELFAST — Belfast Area High School students in Lisa White and Chuck Lagerbom's Marine Studies class recently practiced navigating with the class's ROV drone.

Learning goals of the underwater pilot training were the operation (how-to) and maintenance of the research vehicle. A navigation course in the pool was set up and students practiced navigating by the remote control, necessary training for open water use.

While the semester-long elective will conclude in January, Lagerbom said in a press release that long-term goals include opportunities for independent study projects, more marine-related courses, and practical hands-on experiences to help students fulfill STEM and Marine Studies Program requirements and earn the endorsement.

Student Chelsea Gaiero uses the remote controller to guide her Marine Studies class's ROV drone. (Courtesy of: Charles Laberbom)

K-5 Parents and Guardians: Grades for Trimester 1 are now available in the parent portal

 Dear Parents & Guardians,

Your student's grades and comments for Trimester 1 are now available to view on our parent portal.  Please login to your account today.  If you do not have a portal account please take some time today to create one.  The portal has many benefits: you check your student's grades, you can update contact information, add money to your student's food service account, complete the free and reduced lunch app and, coming soon, the ability to sign and complete permission forms.

Login to the portal here

Please watch the video below on how to view your student's grades.

If you do not have an account be sure to read the "First Time User Login" directions on the the portal login page.

High school sports... Midcoast fall student-athletes earn KVAC recognition

 Golf, cross country name all-conference teams, football, soccer, field hockey only all-academic

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By Staff | Nov 27, 2020

AUGUSTA — As COVID-19 altered the high school fall sports landscape, student-athletes across the Midcoast took to the fields, courses and trails for seasons unlike ever before.

Golf and cross country were the only sports to have "normal" seasons, which resulted in playoff and state championship aspirations, before an uptick in cases cancelled the state cross-country championships scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11 and Saturday, Nov. 14.

Despite the schedule changes, which, in some instances happened many times per week, multiple area student-athletes were recognized by the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference for their hard work outdoors on the course, as well as in the classroom.

Golf and cross country were the only sports to have "all-conference" teams announced for on-course performances, while seniors from all fall sports who met the criteria were eligible for "all-academic" teams.

Besides golf and cross country, a handful of soccer, field hockey and football games were held, but most were with regional competition and not traditional league schedules. Football contests also was 7-on-7 play and not traditional tackle.

KVAC coaches-of-the-year awards also were not named this year.

The following are Midcoast student-athletes who earned all-conference and/or all-academic:

Golf

Class A all-conference — Camden Hills' Parker Hilchey.

Class A all-academic — Camden Hills' Sylvan Eichenlaub and Bryer Fisher.

Class B all-conference — Belfast's Thomas Walker, Thomas Parker and James Ritter; and Oceanside's Darik Johnson and Austin Chilles.

Class B all-academic — Belfast's Thomas Walker; and Medomak Valley's Sean Sebrey and Natalie Stewart.

Girls cross country

Class A first team — Camden Hills' Jenna VanRyn and Claire Wyman.

Class A all-academic — Camden Hills' Isabella Gallace, Rose O'Brien and Claire Wyman.

Class B first team — Oceanside's Maria Protheroe.

Class B all-academic — Belfast's Hannah Littlefield, Caitlin Maddocks, Jordan Kulbe, Audrey Lagerbom, Amelia Jacobson and Lillie Mitchell; and Medomak Valley's Olivia Parent and Mackenzie Emerson.

Boys cross country

Class A all-academic — Camden Hills' Jonathan McDevitt, Ian Orsmond, Elias Porter and Nathaniel Stanley.

Class B all-academic — Belfast's Sawyer Carson and Daniel Snider.

Girls soccer

Class A all-academic — Camden Hills' Anya Babb-Brott, Caroline Contento and MaryKate Pons.

Class B all-academic — Belfast's Lindsey Goughnour, Sarah Fuller and Summer Deans; Medomak Valley's Hannah Lee, Abby Lash, Emma Kunesh, Emma Simmons and Eliza Nelson; and Oceanside's Katherine Freeman and Grace Woodman. 

Class C all-academic — Mount View's Lydia Bryant, Gabby Allen, Jensen Aspinall, Gabby Hanks and Sage Pound.

Boys soccer

Class A all-academic — Camden Hills' Eric Andrews, Luke Harrach and Samuel Moody.

Class B all-academic — Belfast's Jason Bartlett and Ethan Hall; Medomak Valley's Ian Doughty, Zach Cheesman, Parker Morrison, Isaiah Staples and Coleman Swain; Oceanside's James Weinand, Aidan Bonzagni, William Eaton, Sam Vose, Andry Sermeno-Ormer and Nathan Coombs.

Class C all-academic — Mount View's Brady Moulton, Joe Grassi and Ricky Nelson.

Football

Class B all-academic — Belfast's Steven Friel, Christopher Kelley, Joshua Fairbrother and Matthew LeBlanc.

Class C all-academic — Medomak Valley's Zeke Hesseltine.

Field hockey

Class A all-academic — Camden Hills' Maggie Blemaster.

Class B all-academic — Belfast's Hailee Lindelof, Kiara Doolan, Sarah Woods, Emily Woods and Sadie Wheeler; and Oceanside's Alexa Barstow and Vandrieli Barcellos. 

Class C all-academic — Mount View's Sophia King, Macy Fowler, Kate Bourgeois and Jacie Nickerson.

Courier Publications' sports staff can be reached by email at sports@villagesoup.com or by phone at 594-4401.

Student Article - "CASS Experiences It's First COVID Case"

 By Eliot Fowler | Nov 26, 2020

Courtesy of: Nancy NickersonWith Capt. Albert W. Stevens School now in hybrid learning, half of Nancy Nickerson's class is at school, while the others join in remotely via Google Meet.

BELFAST — Fourth in a series. Reprinted from The COVID Classroom, a newspaper started by students in Nancy Nickerson's fourth-grade class at Capt. Albert W. Stevens School about what it is like to attend school during the pandemic.

Capt. Albert Stevens School has now experienced its first COVID case. The name, classroom, and position of the person who has gotten COVID must remain confidential for  safety and privacy reasons, and not even we writers know that info, but here’s the scoop on what we do know:

• The class (or staff member) must quarantine.

School procedure states that any class or staff member with a positive COVID case must quarantine for 14 days before returning to school, and so that is what the class/person is currently doing. If it is a class, the class will do remote learning on either iPads or ChromeBooks (depending on the grade) until the 14 days is up on Oct. 28.

• This is the second positive case in RSU 71.

This case is the second confirmed positive case in RSU 71. Unfortunately, this case in the school could be linked to the recent COVID outbreak in Waldo County.

• The position of this person remains unknown.

It is unknown whether the person with COVID is a student, teacher or other staff member. Since most of the info about this case must remain confidential, the position of this person and the rest of the info about the case (including, if it is a student, name, age, classroom and grade) will remain unknown.

• Students were pulled from school early Monday, Oct. 19.

The day the COVID case was identified, students were released early so cleaning crews could come in immediately and deep clean the school, so kids and adults who were not quarantining could come back to school Thursday, Oct. 22.

-------

Now, here’s the author’s personal take on the story:

When the school announced that everyone was going home early at 12:30, my class was at the Tanglewood 4-H camp about 20 minutes from the school on our weekly Monday visit. A Tanglewood worker came up to the field we were in, in a golf cart, during lunch, and he told the teacher, Mrs. Nickerson, that dismissal was three hours earlier than usual. So we quickly packed up our lunches and walked down to the bus station.

I remember that I overheard one of my classmates saying that we were doing two days of remote learning. At first, I didn’t believe them and thought they were joking or spreading a rumor. But then I asked Mrs. Nickerson, and she told us in fact yes, we were doing remote learning for a couple days. So we hopped onto the bus and drove back to school.

Once back at school, we got off the bus and we walked to our classroom. Parents were already lined up at the exit, ready to pick up their kids (now exhausted by all of the change).

First, though, we had to go back inside to wrangle all our things out of the building into the cars and buses waiting for us. So we went back inside and we collected our things including laptops, water bottles, hats, jackets, etc. When we were finally ready, we stacked up our chairs and evacuated the building.

-------

Author’s notes:

The info in this article was up to date as of Oct. 19. Info may be outdated once it reaches you. To learn more about this new COVID case on the web, you can visit: rsu71.org/superintendent.

Sources:

* https://bangordailynews.com/2020/10/18/news/midcoast/2-more-cases-of-covid

-19-detected-at-belfast-area-schools/

* https://bangordailynews.com/2020/10/16/news/midcoast/virus-confirmed-at-be

lfast-elementary-as-waldo-county-reports-11-new-daily-cases/

* rsu71.org/superintendent

 

Student reporter Eliot Fowler, one of Nancy Nickerson's fourth graders, at school. (Courtesy of: Nancy Nickerson)

Thank You Nickerson and East Belfast students!

 Kudos to the students at Kermit Nickerson and East Belfast schools for making these uplifting signs that are displayed near the Swanville Grocery! 

USDA Farm to Family food box distribution Friday, November 20th.

 There will be another USDA Farm to Family food box distribution Friday, November 20th. 

 

The locations are Mt View Complex in Thorndike AND Athena Health Parking lot, both from 9am-1pm.

 

PLEASE help spread the word.  THIS IS FOR ANY AND ALL Waldo County RESIDENTS.  No income eligibility.  Anyone.

        Click here to view the poster announcement. 

Interview with Mr. D. at CASS

 By Brody Ingraham | Nov 09, 2020

Courtesy of: Nancy NickersonBudding reporter Brody Ingraham, left, a fourth grader at Capt. Albert W. Stevens School, talks with gym teacher Bradley Deuring about how the coronavirus has affected his teaching.

BELFAST — Editor's note: This is the third in a series of articles by the fourth graders in Nancy Nickerson's class at Capt. Albert W. Stevens School to inform our readers about what it's like to attend school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since this story was written, all schools in Waldo County have been given the state's "yellow" designation, meaning they must implement hybrid learning plans, with students attending school in cohorts on alternating days of the week.

If you think it's hard being a classroom teacher during these COVID days, try being a gym teacher. With all that social distancing and running around with masks on, it is like figuring out a puzzle every day. I got a chance to interview our gym teacher, Mr. Deuring, about his take on how the year is going.

Brody: How did COVID affect gym class?

Mr. Deuring: The big thing is about the spacing and the equipment. I think it's had a pretty big effect on gym class. I have to be really creative when I am planning my lessons. I did think of games that are going to be fun and exciting for you guys, as well as being safe and spaced-out.

Brody: What is the hardest part about gym now?

Mr. Deuring: I think it's the lack of shared equipment. I feel like we've done some pretty exciting and fun things so far . Now it'll be interesting to see what it looks like when it starts snowing. During the winter I like to start a floor hockey unit, or even a volleyball unit. It will be interesting, because we cannot use shared equipment.

Brody: Where will we do gym this year in the winter?

Mr. Deuring: The winter weather is on its way, so we might look into things where if I do get to use equipment, you kids may have to wipe down everything after class, getting it all ready for the next crew. I will continue to research games and activities as well as come up with creative ways for you to move and groove.

Brody: Why can't we play with the stuff in the gym?

Mr. Deuring: I think it's that we want to err on the side of caution. Think about all the kids coming into gym class and they all use the equipment. We want to minimize the spreading of germs as much as we can. My goal is to make sure to keep everyone safe. I would much rather be able to use equipment, but I understand these are the rules. I'm looking at things differently, through a different lens. It is a challenge at times, but it is an opportunity for me to learn and be a better teacher.

Brody: How will we get through this?

Mr. Deuring: By being positive. I think we'll get through this by following these rules, because I'd like to think every day that we follow the rules we kind of get a step closer to something that's more normal. I mean, since we have been here we've been doing a pretty good job, taking care of what we do and making sure we wear the masks, making sure we distance ourselves to stay on track.

Brody: What is the best thing that happened from COVID-19?

Mr. Deuring: I think it brought a lot of the teachers together. I think that we have a really good team here at CASS, with teachers thinking outside of the box, a lot of the things that the teachers come up with are pretty creative stuff. I'm going to use some of these techniques next year. We have our squads and numbering system. I also love using technology as well.

Brody: How has COVID-19 affected you personally?

Mr. Deuring: I think it just made us realize that we need to be physically healthy and mentally healthy. I'm glad to be back at school and I'm glad to work with such great kids and a great team. I am glad we are a full green return. I was starting to feel like a couch potato.

Brody Ingraham is a student in Nancy Nickerson's fourth grade class at Capt. Albert W. Stevens School in Belfast.

Gym teacher Bradley Deuring, right, conducts a socially distanced gym class at Capt. Albert W. Stevens School. (Courtesy of: Nancy Nickerson)

USDA Farm to Family food box distribution THIS Friday, October 30th.

There will be another USDA Farm to Family food box distribution THIS Friday, October 30th.  This is in response to the overwhelming turnout last week.  The location of the Belfast drop will be in the Athena Health parking lot, to avoid traffic issues AND the amount of boxes that are being given out has been doubled, so there will be two full tractor trailer truck loads of food.

 

The locations are Mt View Complex in Thorndike and Athena Health Parking lot, both from 10am-2pm.

 

If you are coming for a large load (municipality, organization, etc) please come at 9am.

 

PLEASE help spread the word.  THIS IS FOR ANY AND ALL Waldo County RESIDENTS.  No income eligibility.  Anyone.

Click here to view the poster. 

Our Custodians Hard at Work!

Meet Harold Pendleton, a long time custodian at THMS, with his disinfectant fogger!

The district has purchased disinfectant foggers for the buses and the schools.  Everyone who is using them had to go through training and be certified.  Thanks to Scott Packard for providing the training, and to the whole custodial crew for keeping our schools safe!

USDA Farmers to Food Boxes October 23

The Belfast Soup Kitchen, in partnership with Waldo County Bounty, Waldo CAP, and Waldo Emergency Management Agency, will be offering USDA Farmers to Food Boxes to all residents on October 23. There are no eligibility requirements. Go to the Mt View School Complex from 8:30am to 10:30am or to Reny's Plaza from 11:30am to 1:30pm. See below.

Belfast’s Great Pumpkin Pageant Presented by Waterfall Arts!

 Belfast’s Great Pumpkin Pageant

The Grand Procession: Saturday Oct 24th, 11am-3pm at Steamboat Landing Park

FREE 

Pumpkins on display downtown and voting continues from October 25th – 31st.

Prizes awarded for Spookiest, Silliest, Most Creative, and Most Skillful — to be announced via Facebook Live at 12:00pm on Saturday, October 31st.

An All Ages Art Happening to keep creative kids of all ages safe and happy this Halloween, while showing their stuff!

In partnership with The City of Belfast and Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

 

Be a part of a new Belfast tradition! Here’s how to participate: 

 

1. Get a pumpkin – a limited number will be available (for free!) outside at Waterfall Arts on Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th. Thanks to Johnny’s Selected Seeds for their generous donation of pumpkins!
   
2. Decorate or carve your pumpkin however you like. (We suggest adding a battery-operated candle, if you’ve made a jack-o-lantern!)
   
3. Get in your costumes for a Grand Procession* at 11am on Saturday Oct 24th, at Steamboat Landing Park in Belfast. Carry or cart your pumpkin down the walkway to a spot on the Harborwalk, where it will be displayed for the afternoon. Collect a goody bag, pose for a photo, or loop back to watch the procession! *Masks are required and 6 feet of social distancing will be maintained at this event.
4. Vote for your favorites on our Facebook event page! Categories are: Spookiest, Silliest, Most Creative, and Most Skillful.
   

Pumpkins will be transported to downtown businesses at 4pm on Oct 24, where they will be on display in storefronts for the week.

Participants must retrieve their pumpkins by Sunday, November 1 or they will be collected for composting / disposal.

 

Contest winners will be announced via Facebook Live on Halloween, at noon.

 

Call for volunteers:  

If this sounds fun to you, please help us make it happen! 

We need help collecting unopened packages of candy or other treats for the goody bags, prize donations, and event volunteers. Contact Bridget Matros at: bridget@waterfallarts.org to lend a hand.

 

Event details on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/3534850733279442/

Is our teacher missing? Second of a Series in the Republican Journal!

 Oct 15, 2020

Courtesy of: Nancy NickersonFourth grade teacher Nancy Nickerson models the face mask and shield she wears while teaching at Capt. Albert Stevens School.

BELFAST — Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles by the fourth graders in Nancy Nickerson's class at Capt. Albert Stevens School to inform our readers about what it's like to attend school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have had so many people ask us what it is like going to school during the COVID pandemic that we decided to compare it to a book we like, "Miss Nelson Is Missing."

Our teacher, Mrs. Nickerson, is not really missing. However, with the way she looks every day, hiding behind a mask and then a shield, we can't be totally sure it is her teaching us every day.

When we have to remain 3 feet apart as we sit at our desks, how can any teacher come up to the desk and help us with our work when we have questions about something? That’s where the shields come in. When Mrs. Nickerson walks down the rows of desks, she has to wear a shield and a mask. Then she can at least look a little closer at what we are working on.

Sometimes when Mrs. Nickerson is talking with the mask and the shield on, her glasses fog up and she can’t see anything. That makes it pretty funny. Sometimes she gets out of breath when she is talking and has to back up 6 feet and take a mask/breathing break.

When asked about face shields, Mrs. Nickerson said, “It feels like I am in a cage, because I echo, it fogs up my glasses and then the shield fogs up and for some reason it all makes hearing harder, but I would rather be in class with you kids than be home teaching remotely.”

It’s nice when we feel like we need a mask break that we can ask Mrs. Nickerson and she lets us go out in the hall, away from everybody. Then we can take our mask off and take some good, deep breaths. Most everyone has had to do that at least once this year, especially on the hot days at the beginning of the school year.

The other day, when one of our classmates was taking a mask break, we were amazed at what he looked like under his mask. We had never seen his face before, not once this whole year.

Wearing all of this protection is such a great way to stay healthy, but sometimes it can get a little hot under that mask. And, truthfully, because we have never really seen Mrs. Nickerson’s face without a mask, could she be missing?