The News From MGWS

The weather was crisp but the outfits were just “beachy” here at MGWS today!  It was Tropical Day!

Ayuba Gufwan, a polio survivor & lawyer, from Jos, Nigeria was visiting the South Berwick home of Ann Hussey, chair of polio survivors and associates rotary action group. Ann just returned from Nigeria working to bring polio vaccines to the children of Nigeria and Ayuba came back with her to share his story in the states.  Seven out of ten children in Nigeria are not immunized against polio.  The work rotary does to eradicate polio is very important.

Ann and Ayuba were the guests of the World Ambassadors Club on April 17th.  Ayuba operates a bicycle wheelchair shop for survivors of polio in Nigeria.  Each wheelchair costs US$150. to produce- all raised with donations- and this changes the opportunities for the recipient in countless ways. Without a wheelchair, polio survivors must drag themselves along the ground -as their limbs do not function and rehabilitation is not available to them.  Each recipient of a wheelchair must attend school or work to learn a trade in exchange for a wheelchair.  This prevents a life of dependency and helplessness.  Ayuba does, indeed, walk on his hands though he did have a wheelchair here to use.  It was an extraordinary experience to hear his story of perseverance, ingenuity and courage.

FINALLY –  A day worthy of being our walk to school day! Spring is in the air and everyone is smiling in anticipation of a week’s vacation…

After over a month of rehearsals, Treasure Island was performed by the 4th and 5th graders of MGWS today.  Third graders from Central and Eliot attended the performance, along with many parents, grandparents, and of course the teachers and students here at the school.

The musical was enjoyed by all!  A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Marro, Mrs. Pond and Mr. Taggart for their time and effort in putting this production together! 

It’s HAT DAY here at MGWS and there are some unique fashion statements being made…

Do you like to dress up?  We have 3 fun days planned for the staff and students at MGWS.  Make a $.25 donation to the Student Success Team (proceeds go toward summer camp scholarships) and go wild with these themes:

Friday, April 10

HAT DAY

Thursday, April 30th

TROPICAL DAY

***Wear your Hawaiian shirts and flip flops!

Friday, May 15th

SLIPPER DAY

The 2009 Maine Geographic Bee was held Friday, April 3rd at USM.  One hundred Maine students in grades 4-8 earned their entrance to this competition. 

Hayden Fitt of Marshwood Great Works School was a proud participant. The preliminary round was held in 5 locations with 20 students per room.  Hayden did very well in the preliminaries. 

The top 10 students from the preliminary rounds entered the finals on stage in the Hannaford Lecture Hall.  It was quite a match.   Their knowledge of geography was certainly tested and the champion was Conor Millard of Old Town.  He will represent Maine in the National Geographic Bee May 19-21st in Washington DC.  Be sure an tune in on the NGC or PBS to watch the National Geo Bee! 

We all congratulate Hayden Fitt, as our school champion and look forward to our next school geo bee in January 2010.  Start studying!  

by Grace Jacobs

BOGO SCHOLASTIC

BOOK FAIR

Marshwood Great Works School Library

****BUY ONE GET ONE FREE****

Monday, April 6th to Friday, April 10th

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily

FAMILY NIGHT: Tuesday, April 7th

5:30-7:30 PM

***Parent volunteers needed!  Please contact the office: 384-4010

It’s seems that our walk-to-school days are destined to hold cold and dreary weather!  Today’s walk was damp and foggy, yet our hardy students and teachers once again took to the streets of South Berwick!  

In anticipation of warmer, springlike weather, our kitchen crew had prepared refreshing glasses of lemonade:-)  Perhaps next time…