The News From MGWS

Walking to school this morning was not for the faint of heart!  It was only 20 degrees outside and the brisk wind made it feel much colder.

Despite the daunting weather, students, parents and staff once again headed out and walked to school! 

Diane Pitman is a special education teacher here at MGWS. Her classroom is a welcoming and busy place, with students and teachers moving in and out all day long. Last year, a district parent, Robin Walker,  nominated Diane for the 2009 Maine Teacher of the Year Award. As a nominee, Diane had some work to do:

-She created a presentation that was displayed at the State capital in the spring of 2008.

-She created a portfolio and presentation that was held at the University of Maine at Orono in the summer of 2008 for the Teacher of the Year Committee and graduate students.

This fall, Diane attended a “Teacher of the Year” banquet at Colby College where she received a Regional Finalist Award.  Korbin Walker, whose mother nominated Diane, stepped right up to the podium and shared his thoughts with the crowd.  Mr. Burnell was also in attendance, as were Diane’s mother, Virginia Garland, and Diane’s husband, Roy Pitman.

We are proud to have Diane as a member of the MGWS team!

Hundreds of nonperishables have been dropped off in the MGWS lobby over the past two weeks – YIPPEE! Yesterday students packed everything up in boxes for delivery to local food pantries.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this food drive successful!

The MGWS Student Success Team is sponsoring a “Holiday Boutique” to allow the children to shop for gifts for their friends and family. Gift wrapping will be available! This year the store will be December 16 and 17 in the band room. It will be staffed by parent volunteers. Teachers will sign up to visit the store in half hour increments.

We are asking parents to donate new looking items to be sold at the store, as well as wrapping paper, bows, and tags. We are also looking for a few parents to volunteer at the store.

Proceeds from the “Boutique” will benefit the MGWS community fund (for example, scholarships for various programs and heating assistance). Your support is appreciated very much. Thank-you!

Students here at MGWS invited relatives who had served in the armed forces to a Veteran’s Day Breakfast on Monday morning. Staff members prepared food and dozens of guests enjoyed each others’ company. Students played music and Mrs. Adams read a short history of Veteran’s Day over the intercom.

Students and teachers lined the halls applauding the veterans as they left the breakfast. It was a wonderful way to say “Thank you for all you’ve done for our country.”

Today’s warm temperatures and changing leaves were a perfect setting for “Wlak to School Day”. Central School students were dropped off at MGWS and MGWS students were dropped off at Central, and the hike down Academy Street was on!

On Friday, October 31st, the PTO sponsored an ice cream smorgasbord for the families of MGWS. Parents and teachers dressed up and served…students dressed up and ate!