Members of the Aroostook Retired Educators Association (AREA) recently visited schools in New Sweden, Woodland and Limestone, during which the AREA members, class officers, advisers and principals joined to commemorate the National Day of Service and AARP’s Day of Service, part of a statewide service day initiative.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Students at the Woodland Consolidated School recently met with members of the Aroostook Retired Educators Association (AREA) and were presented with a large number of book covers that would be distributed amongst the school’s student body. From left are Carson Doody, Zakk Tracey, Halie McDougal, AREA member Janet Woods; Sydney Dube, AREA member Ruth Gahagan, Makenzie Conroy, AREA member Carol McElwee, Sarae Greenier, Mollie Cummings, Gunner Bondeson and AREA member Donna Hurley.
Each of the Maine Educators Associations-Retired (MEA-R) was asked to offer their services to a school of their choice in memory of 9/11. “Our goal is that by Sept. 11 this year, MEA-R members across the state will have helped 16 county schools,” stated Peg Newberg, president of the State MEA-R organization.
As part of their contribution, the Aroostook County organization presented New Sweden, Woodland and Limestone middle-level students with stretchy fabric book covers to protect their textbooks throughout the school year.
“The students were very appreciative of our donation and were delighted with the bright colors and crazy patterns,” commented Carol McElwee, president of the AREA. “We placed lots of positive energy in these covers, in the hope that each student will have a most successful school year.”
“This Service Day project has become a three-year project for the County delegation,” stated McElwee. It is good for the students to see the retired teachers visit at their schools. Also, it is important for them to know what we are involved in community and service activities and especially that we still care about them,” McElwee added.
In 2010, the Madawaska Middle School was the northern Aroostook area school recipient; this year, due to the generosity of the membership, three schools received the stretchy book covers. In 2012, the retired teachers will select other middles schools from the southern Aroostook area to receive this donation.
Janet Woods of Caribou, chaired this project assisted by Ruth Gahagan of Stockholm and Donna Hurley, also of Caribou. According to Woods, “The project was quite successful and the group looks forward to next year’s Service Day event.”
Contributed photo
Students representing grades 5-8 at the Limestone Community School recently received book covers, donated by the Aroostook Retired Educators Association. From left are: AREA member Janet Woods, Stephenie Bragg, Jesica Tucker, Sarah Hemphill, Jared Elliott, AREA member Ruth Gahagan, Alex Sprague, Kelsi Lee Newell, LLCS Principal Leland Caron and AREA member Carol McElwee.
Contributed photo
New Sweden School students from Mrs. Plante’s grades 5-6 class recently accepted book covers, donated to the school by members of the Aroostook Retired Educators Association. From left are: Janet Woods, retired teacher and AREA member; Brooklyn Mclaughlin, Austin Findlen, Trevor Hill, Tyana McLaughlin, Clara Tirell and AREA members Ruth Gahagan and Carol McElwee.
