PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — After having meetings in the cafeteria for the last seven months, the SAD 1 school board convened in its office on March 16.
SAD 1 received a presentation about Zippel elementary, recognized athletic awards and heard an update on the district’s COVID-19 status.
Principal Chris Hallett of Zippel Elementary School gave a presentation to the school board on things that have been going on at Zippel.
First, the school set up the Maine STEM room during the pandemic, in order to give kids the opportunity to go on a “field trip” that was still within the school.
The room has several models and presentations surrounding Maine history, with activities that help engage students in basic lessons in science and mathematics, such as measuring maple sap that will eventually become syrup.
The idea and creation of the STEM room came from Zippel staff members Melanie Junkins, Christine Blaikie and Mandy Graham.
Hallett also told the board that Zippel will be implementing a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program (PBIS) into Zippel. This is a system of tools and strategies for helping define teaching and behavior expectations inside the school.
As part of this program, students are expected to be “respectful, responsible, and ready to learn.” The school is getting signage made to encourage this behavior, and there will also be posted volume levels in different parts of the school.
The creation of this program came from Zippel staff members Brittany Morrison, Melanie Junkins, Wes Lavigne, Kristine White, Lori Hudson, Maeghan Hudson, Tania Baldwin and Chris Hallett.
Hallett closed by giving the board an update on some of the activities the classes around Zippell are doing. To name some of those activities, Nancy Watson’s grade four class celebrated Pi day on March 14, dressing “irrationally” and doing various exercises with actual pies.
Kristine White’s grade three students have been learning about the scientific method, and have been doing experiments involving friction. Morrison’s class took a trip to the Presque Isle Public Library, learning about the facility and all of the services the library provides.
The school board reported that the boys varsity basketball teams, as well as the varsity hockey team, were recipients of the good sportsmanship awards for their respective seasons.
The board also reported that on March 7, the high school had a canceled school day due to a power outage. The district is trying to waive this day so it won’t have to be made up on the academic calendar.
The next school board meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on April 13 in the school board office.
