Hawk’s Nest

by Loreen Wiley
    Our Civil Rights team joined other students from Aroostook County at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center this past Tuesday to learn more about the influence of mass media on our biases and prejudices. They spent time discussing how to counter this influence in our schools and assure the community we are trying to protect every student against harassment.     Mrs. Harbison and Danette Ellis attended this training with students Dakota Brown, Sydney Richardson, Derrick Ellis, Patrick Carle, Brandon Wallace, Valerie Estabrook, Haley Morley, Summer Stoddard, Hannah Chapla, Mikayla Chouinard and AJ Morley.
    The after-school program hosted a dinner prepared by the students in coordination with Jolyn Stevens of the Cooperative Extension Agency last Thursday night. After dinner, parents were entertained by demonstrations of the events which take place during the after-school program.
    I would like to thank our dedicated after-school staff who truly have a part in changing the lives of our students. A special thanks goes to Karen Sattler, our program coordinator.
    Teachers in our district have been involved in monthly professional development. The two-hour sessions they attend focus on the integration of technology in our district. Many of our teachers have smart boards and are utilizing them to improve instruction, so these people are receiving additional training on how to maximize their use of the smart boards.
    Our Title 1 staff attended a workshop in Portland at the beginning of November entitled “Differentiated Interventions that Work”. They learned “simple yet effective differentiated instructional interventions to improve learning and achievement for all students” which they will share with the rest of our staff members.
    At the end of the month, several staff members will attend a workshop focusing on differentiating math instruction for all students. This training session will be held in Portland.
    I would like to remind parents of the school schedule for next week. Monday and Tuesday will be full days of school for all students. There is no school on Wednesday, November 25, as we begin Thanksgiving break. May we always be grateful for all we have! Happy Thanksgiving!