It is so nice to see the snow disappearing and warmer temperatures arriving. Each year when November rolls around and we begin our journey into the winter months, it seems like an eternity before we will see green grass again.
I am happy and proud to think back to all of the amazing things our students have accomplished over the past few months. There being far too many to mention. I would like to thank our students and staff for your hard work through a very difficult winter season. Let the hope of green grass, warm temperatures and beauty of the arrival of summer give you the inspiration to finish the school year strong. As always, there are many things happening in the classrooms and hallways of Houlton Middle/High School. I will share a few with you below.
Grade 6 is currently selling raffle tickets to support their annual Bar Harbor field trip on June 9. They are raffling off two baskets, an outdoor play basket and a movie night snack basket. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. All proceeds go toward the grade 6 field trip. This educational trip is used to enhance the life experiences of our students, while learning about tidal pools and other biomes, ecological impacts, animals, and geography of the coastal region. This trip is part of an interdisciplinary unit that incorporates life science, math, geography, writing, and problem solving.
We currently have three different classes working on an interdisciplinary project. During the past few weeks students from Biology, Breaking Ground, and Outdoor Education classes have been tapping trees for sap. Last week the students boiled the sap and prepared it and in the near future they will be selling maple syrup here at school.
Our eighth-grade students have recently taken a career prep interest inventory to evaluate what possible careers they may be interested in for the future. We will take the results of this inventory as we help guide them to sign up for classes for next year.
Recently we sponsored a trip to Washington, D.C., with some high school students. The students and staff did a terrific job and it proved to be a wonderful educational trip. Since it was so successful, we are beginning the process of setting up a trip to Gettysburg, Pa., for next year. Students in grades 9-11 were given information packets to take home after a short assembly. If any parents have questions you can email Dee Butler at debutler@rsu29.org, Tim Tweedie at titweedie@ rsu29.org or call 532-6551.
Finally, a big congratulations to the following students for their success in the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Screensaver Art Contest. Each year MLTI holds the contest and chooses the top 20 entrants to have their artwork displayed as the screensaver on over 20,000 state of Maine computers and iPads.
We had a whopping five students have their work chosen, which will mean Houlton High School student artwork will represent one quarter of all of the chosen winners. Terrific job to Dylan Crockett, Ella Glatter, Shaina Hamilton, Amber Hulstrunk, and Kate Newman. Thomas Desjardin, acting Education Commissioner, notified the winners earlier this month. You can visit the winning selections at http:.//www. maine.gov/mlti/about/photos.
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