EASTON NEWS
by Hillary Hallett
In the fall of last year, Ellen Trask, science teacher at Easton High School, applied for the Maine Education Association’s (MEA) Members are Leaders program. This money allowed for a unique exchange between high school students from Easton and Portland. Last fall the Casco Bay students visited Easton to learn about northern Maine and what it is like to attend a traditional rural public school.
The CBHS students loved the wide open spaces and fresh air. They were able to go on Gator rides through the woods and fields; none of them had ever been on a UTV! The group visited the Canadian border; many of them had never been to another country! They also toured Gentile Hall at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The group even experienced an Amish barn raising at Jacob Gingerich’s farm, and they were amazed at the process. They visited potato barns and were treated to an “All-Aroostook County Meal.”
On May 6-8, the two groups met again for the second part of a cultural exchange — this time in Portland. In the second part of the exchange, students from Easton spent time in classes with the Casco Bay students learning about standards-based education, as well as what it is like to go to an urban expeditionary school.
Students and staff members from Easton attended classes and met with teachers and administration from Casco Bay High School to learn about the process of changing to a standards-based education. Later in the day, students from both schools took a ferry to Long Island to learn what it was like to live on the coast of Maine. Later that day, students attended an international night filled with entertainment from Casco Bay students and staff.
The next day, students from both schools worked on team-building skills by doing a low ropes course with teacher Scott Shibles from Casco Bay High. Students then visited one of the most famous lighthouses, the Portland Headlight, and learned about the history of the lighthouse which is a symbol of southern coastal Maine.
Easton staff and Casco Bay staff are hoping to make this exchange an annual event. Students from Easton involved in the exchange were: Alex Allen, Kristen West, Ashley Hersey, Kelsey Frank, Ian Sotomayor, Logan Dickinson, Hunter Turner and Connor Burtt. Easton Staff attending the trip were: Ellen Trask, Heidi Brewer and Darren West. Scott Shibles was the host teacher from Casco Bay High School.
Stamp Out Hunger Day
On Saturday, May 10, the kind people of Easton contributed over 100 pounds of food to the local food bank. Kevin Marquis and Dave Gagne of the Easton Postal Service collected the donations on the USPS national “Stamp Out Hunger Day,” turning the proceeds over to Vaughn Martin of Friends Helping Friends Food Pantry.
Science Center receives funds
The Aroostook Auction Barn in Easton hosted a fund-raising auction for the Francis Malcolm Institute on May 3, raising $6,400 for their capital campaign. Recently the Center learned they would be receiving an additional $5,000 in a cash donation, bringing the Francis Malcolm Institute’s fund-raising amount from the recent auction to a grand total of$11,400. The FMI thanks everyone who helped make this event such a success!
Happy Days Club trip
The Easton Senior Happy Days Club will be traveling by bus on Thursday, May 22, to Brookside Restaurant in Smyrna for lunch. The group will leave the Manor at 9:30 a.m., then shopping at the Houlton Mall. All Easton seniors are invited to join the luncheons, meetings and trips. Hope you can join them for a fun day.
School registration
Easton School Department is now accepting registration for children entering kindergarten or ECP in the fall of 2014. All Easton children who are 5 years old on or before Oct.15 are eligible for enrollment in the kindergarten class. All Easton children who are 4 years old on or before Oct. 15 are eligible for the ECP (Early Childhood Program) class. For more information or to register, call the Easton Elementary School at 488-7700 as soon as possible.
Major League
This program is co-ed and open to ages 10-12. Games will be played on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The first practice will be held on Wednesday, May 28, and games will start (tentatively) the week of June 16. We must have a minimum of 12 children signed-up in order to run this program.
Minor League
This program is co-ed and open to ages 7-9. Games will be played on mostly Thursday evenings. Practices will begin Thursday, May 29, and games will start mid-June. Game schedules will be printed in the summer program book. We must have a minimum of 10 children to run this program. We are in need of a coach(es) for this team!
Rec Calendar
Wednesday, May 21 — Junior Activities at the Hall from 9:30-11 a.m.
Kindergarten swim at Gentile Hall at UMPI. The bus departs at 1 p.m. and the kids will ride the after-school bus home.
Thursday, May 22 — Patriotic Crafts after school at the Hall until 4:15 p.m.
Friday, May 23 — Junior Activities from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hall.
Sr. Game Day in the recreation room at the Manor starting at 11 a.m. Please bring a bag lunch.
Monday, May 26 — No Recreation Department Activities and Town Office closed due to Memorial Day holiday.
Tuesday, May 27 — Swim Lessons at Gentile Hall at UMPI. The bus departs at 2:45 p.m. and will return by 4:30 p.m. Pre-registration required.
Wednesday, May 28 — Junior Activities at the Hall from 9:30-11 a.m.
Kindergarten swim at Gentile Hall at UMPI. The bus departs at 1 p.m. and the kids will ride the after-school bus home.
Hillary Hallett is the correspondent for Easton. She can be reached by sending an e-mail to: hillary_jt@myfairpoint.net or call 551-7737.
