Silent Auction and Raffle Begins!

Breakwater is having a small, but exciting, Silent Auction from Tuesday, May 5 until 9:00 am on Friday, May 15 in the lobby of the Main Building. The objective of this Auction is for the entire Breakwater Community to have fun while raising funds for Breakwater’s Tuition Assistance Program. As in past auctions, our stellar faculty, parents and grandparents have again donated many Breakwater Special Items. So check out the BWS Website for a complete list of the Auction & Raffle Items. Or, to see images of the items larger, visit our Facebook Silent Auction and Raffle Item Photo Gallery.

New this year will be the ability to place a bid via email. You can copy and paste this Bid Form into the message body, OR simply record the item #, item description, bid ($)amount, your name, and telephone #. Once the bidding begins, you will be able to check the highest bid on our website!

Also, beginning on Monday, May 11 through May 15 Breakwater will raffle off five fabulous items, including “Throwing Out the First Pitch” at the May 20 Sea Dogs Game. Raffle Tickets ($1.00 each / 6 tickets for $5.00 / 15 tickets $10.00) may be purchased at school during morning drop-off, afternoon pick-up or by contacting Amy Ford.

Remember, have fun and bid high and bid often!

Above Photo: Abi Ordway and daughter Hannah enjoy an Afternoon of Sailing with Mr. J they won last year - be sure to place a bid on this and all the other great items we have available! Bidding begins tomorrow!!

Steeped in Wonder

Tug on anything at all and you’ll find it connected to everything else in the universe.
~ John Muir

From Monday, May 11 through Thursday, May 14, students in Grades 1-8 will be immersed in wonder.  "I wonder why it rains."  "I wonder where this carrot came from." "I wonder why sunshine is warm."  As we seek answers to our questions, we'll be exploring the natural world and its cycles, its lessons, its shady, secret places. A Breakwater tradition for decades, Earth Week supports, magnifies, and enhances the exploration of nature we bring into our daily and weekly classroom practice. This annual event offers us the opportunity to steep ourselves in spring, in the world coming vividly to life after a long winter.

This year we're exploring sustainability during Earth Week. We'll learn about water, food, and energy by observing and studying their cycles and we'll spend a great deal of the week outdoors - at the beach, the Presumscot River, and at Turkey Hill Farm and Broadturn Farm, discovering what sustains us and our beautiful world. Our activities begin early and most are off-campus, so please be sure your child arrives at school on time during Earth Week.

Families should plan to send sunblock to school in their child's backpack and to treat their children and their clothing with any tick-prevention measures they wish to use. Breakwater will not provide insect/tick repellant; most families prefer to make their own decisions about which product, if any, to use with their child(ren). We require students to wear long pants, long socks, and boots or shoes/sneakers (no sandals) for our daily treks.  Please do not send your child to school in shorts and sandals during Earth Week, and please do check your child carefully for ticks when s/he arrives home from school.

Richard Louv, author of the seminal work Last Child in the Woods said, “Nature inspires creativity in a child by demanding visualization and the full use of the senses. Given a chance, a child will bring the confusion of the world to the woods, wash it in the creek, turn it over to see what lives on the unseen side of that confusion. In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy, and privacy; a place distant from the adult world, a separate peace. “ 

Grades 1-8 Earth Week will conclude on Friday, May 15th at 10:30 a.m. with a slide show in the Jessie Auditorium. Come join us for a peek into our week of adventure, creativity, and wonder.

~ Cheryl Hart, Middle School Division Director

Early Childhood Celebrates Earth Week!

Early Childhood Earth Week 2009 will be celebrated June 2, 3, and 4.

This year, students in preschool through 8th grade will be investigating SUSTAINABILITY. (Wow! Big topic for little kids!) The Early Childhood teachers are planning for Earth Week itself (3 days in June which really serve as a culminating celebration) and engaging in activities which will help steer our study toward investigations of interest to Breakwater's youngest students.

Preschool and kindergarten teachers began by generating a list of ideas to describe sustainability at a very basic level in an effort to make the topic developmentally appropriate for our young students. Our list included:

• Cycles of plant and animal life
• Managing natural resources so they will continue to be
• Reducing human impact on the planet

Then, we talked about ways we think young children can come to an understanding of some of these basic ideas. That list included:

• worm composting
• water cycles
• wind energy
• sun impact
• biodynamic farming and gardening
• resources from animals such as sheep and chickens
• reusing materials and natural resources
• planet healthy practices (eating local, seasonal foods, using reusable
• packaging and non-toxic, cleaning products we can make ourselves)

Throughout April and May teachers are introducing materials and activities to evoke interest in these kinds of understandings about sustainability. We call the introduction of materials for the purpose of observing children's response, PROVOCATIONS. Teachers will be observing and recording (we call this DOCUMENTING) children's engagement with our PROVOCATIONS as a means of determining what direction(s) our study of sustainability will ultimately take. Children and teachers will meet weekly to talk about "what we know" and "what we'd like to know more about" pertaining to theses provocations.

~ Molly Thompson, Early Childhood Division Director

Breakwater Celebrates Poetry Month!

Breakwater engaged in many activities related to poetry during the month of April. This celebration culminated with a Poetry Slam at our All-School Meeting on Friday, May 1st. Many students shared poetry from some of their favorite poets, as well as some original work.

For your enjoyment we present the following poems written by Breakwater students:

I put a shell on my ear-
it calls out the sound of its old home, the ocean-
then you take it to the ocean,
but which of all the oceans
will you take it to?
~ Ben, Grade 1

There was a pink flamingo
Who just loved to play Bingo
He stood on one leg
Much like a peg
This big huge flamingo
He lived in Santa Domingo
He loved the town
So he stuck around
~ Timmy, Grade 7

Frog hops
Frog croaks
Froggie sits on a
Lily pad
~ Bela, Preschool

Thinking is like running
Thoughts race and you don't know
if you can go on
But somehow you keep going
Nerves tingle and the world seems
black and blue and yellow
Like the clouds saying goodbye
~ Maddie, Grade 4

Photo: Third and Fourth Graders read their poetry during the Breakwater Poetry Slam.

Up Streaked Mountain (on a Good Day)

During our Poetry Slam, Breakwater Parent and Poet Melissa McLaughlin Crowe spoke to our students about what it takes to become a poet. Take a moment to enjoy the poem she wrote below about her trip with the Third and Fourth Grade.

Up Streaked Mountain (on a Good Day)
by Melissa McLaughlin Crowe

Today we find a mountain streaked with mica, strewn
with pine straw, hemlock-hidden until our knees
hurt, until rocks rise right before us, under us, and we
rise too, like kites, that tethered flight, rise and sit, rise and sit and gaze
upon the whole world—at each stop more tiny and more vast.

Children scramble, exclaim, make their way
as magic as water running up, Skyler and Henry and Josh leaping
creeks and shedding sweaters on the move, while
I stumble and gasp on the path earlier boots eroded.
Bared roots stair step and trip me up, and Dorrie spots
the beetles that burrow the sides—I feel wise
when I say, “Look at the way nature makes use
of the changes we make,” but Ella-of-raised-eyebrows
says, “Some of them.” She’s right. Nothing roosts
in the steel steeple of the cell phone tower, though frog spawn
bubbles and water bugs mate in a puddle that might be foot-made.

I try to keep an eye on my girl—I think she might tire or fall,
but she is worlds above my labored crawl.
Halfway up, Izzy says the farms, which spread like quilt
pieces, are huge, but the people and cows and dogs, like stitches
so small we can’t see them. Still,
we know they work and chew and sniff down there, while we
breathe this rare air, removed. Annabelle descends a bit to fill
my pockets with silvered shale and pale jewels too lovely to be true.
When Sidara says, “You could write a poem,” I say,
“So could you.”

I am all ragged breath and wobble, and Grace
calls my name, a song half beacon, half prayer. My legs leaden,
I follow this child voice and think about lightness and wings, think about
things that lift off and leave behind pain, shed gravity, until the body
is both less and more than itself, until
every heavy thing below is a pretty picture, a memory.

You know, don’t you, that it so often happens this way: just when
we think we can’t, we do—the bald peak, the sun, finally,
carrots and cookies and stew, all of it sweeter
for the climb, and Mr. J, in his hoorah way, sets the children a little loose.
I let the girl I made make her way to the edge, where she will sit, holding
a friend’s hand, and fear nothing, where she will turn to me, smile and wave.

This is a good day to be brave.

Photo: Melissa talks to Breakwater students about what the life of a poet is like.

The “Greenovation” of Nason’s Corner

Please join us on Monday, May 11 at 6:30 pm in the Library as we meet with the landscape architect to view the latest plan for the playground and park located at the corner of Brighton Avenue and Capisic Street, adjacent to Breakwater in Nason’s Corner.

The natural playground design follows a national, research-based trend that recognizes that children benefit from interaction with nature. The plan retains the open sports fields, but adds trees, gardens, hills, boulders, seating, walking paths, parking improvements, and many natural play features as well as equipment.

We are actively seeking community input as we work to complete the design and development phase of the project. Our district city counselor Dan Skolnick, Breakwater community members, neighbors, and members of the Nason’s Corner Neighborhood Association will be part of our discussion at the May 11 meeting. We hope you can join us!

The project is a public-private collaborative which includes Breakwater School, the City of Portland Department of Public Services, Nason’s Corner Neighborhood Association, and Portland Trails School Ground Greening Coalition.

For more information about the Greening Project contact Kathy Damon at 207.772.4295 x223 or by email.

Alumni Feature: Alexa Rancourt

In the Swing

With her first national golf tournament win behind her, Breakwater alumna Alexa Rancourt is headed to Furman University in South Carolina this fall. "They have a solid, consistent golf team," Alexa said during our recent chat, "Furman produces a lot of  Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) players. I'd like to try to go pro after college."

Alexa began playing golf in Maine and moved to Florida with her father Michael when she was in 10th Grade to attend the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. "We did it as a trial, to see how it would go," she said, "And I loved it here - golf every day, awesome coaching." Michael returned to Portland to run the family business (Jameson Art Group) and her mother Martha and sister Rachael (Breakwater class of '06) joined Alexa in Florida.

A member of Breakwater's Fifth Grade Class of 2002, Alexa is a dedicated student as well as a passionate golfer. She was recently given Leadbetter's highest academic honor, The Carpe Diem Award, and will speak at her class's graduation ceremony. "Breakwater helped me build toward my future in a strong way," Alexa said, "I got such a great foundation there - I felt confident in myself as a person, and confident in my school work. I knew I had the right tools and support to go on."

Alexa noted the Survival Overnight and Multicultural Week as favorite experiences at Breakwater. "Learning about other cultures made me want to travel," she recalls, "I hope to travel to China with Furman." Alexa remembers feeling excited to "travel" to each country during MC Week (now known as World Travel Week). "I still tell people I ate beef heart when I 'visited' Peru," she laughs, "And I even had seconds!"

"Some of the coolest things about Breakwater," said Alexa, "Are the way kids learn through actually experiencing things - I still remember what I learned there because I experienced it. Another great thing is the small, strong community. All the teachers knew me as a person, as well as what I was like as a student. I felt secure, strong, confident, and inspired to learn beyond the classroom."

When asked if she had any advice for our students, Alexa said, "Cherish your Breakwater moments, and keep in touch with your Breakwater classmates. I have found the kids I graduated with are all interested in learning - they like to learn - and they all succeeded in some way at their schools. Breakwater supported and nurtured that."

Poised on the brink of a major transition from high school to college, Alexa said she'd lately been reflecting on her life.  "I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I got where I am today," she mused, "Breakwater was a big stepping stone for me."

Congratulations and the best of luck as you move into this next part of your life, Alexa - we're very proud of you!

~  Cheryl Hart

Student-Led Conferences and Spring Reports

As the academic year comes to a close, students and teachers are busily preparing for end-of-year conferences. Students in grades 1-8 invite their parents or guardians in for "Student-Led Conferences." As the name implies, students take the lead by sharing samples of their course work, demonstrating their growth throughout the year, sharing their interests, and establishing and discussing their remaining goals.

Student-led conferences at Breakwater are designed to achieve the following goals:

• Celebrate the students' work and growth throughout the year,
• Engage students in self-evaluation and discussion of this process,
• Empower students to accept personal responsibility for progress and goals,
• Facilitate the development of students' organizational and oral communication skills,
• Increase self-confidence, and
• Encourage students, parents, and teachers to engage in open and honest dialogue that is appropriate for the students' developmental levels. *This becomes more open and honest as the students mature; teachers and parents must carefully consider which issues are appropriate to discuss an issue candidly in the child's presence. What is suitable to discuss with an eighth grader may not be reasonable to discuss with a first grader, for example.

Teachers also write Spring Reports for the end of the year. The intended audience for these reports is any adult involved in the child's education-- parents, guardians, future teachers, etc. These reports will not be shown in entirety to elementary school students at school. Parents and guardians should receive these reports at least two days before their scheduled student-led conferences. Traditionally, these reports have been distributed at the end of the year; this change in procedure is in response to the positive feedback received after giving out the January reports before conferences. Distributing the report prior to the student-led conference is intended to give the parents and guardians more information about their child's progress, but we need to be mindful of not hindering the student-led nature of the scheduled conference. Information in the Spring Report is not necessarily meant to be discussed frankly with the students or in their presence.

Since the student-led conference is meant to celebrate your child's achievements, it is generally not appropriate to ask the student to wait outside the classroom while parents and teachers discuss confidential issues. Therefore, if you would like to discuss something in more detail with the teacher, it is important to make an appointment to do so at a separate time, when your child is not present. Teachers would be happy to meet with parents and guardians during the last few weeks of school.

~ Shana Haines, Elementary Division Director

A Message from our Nurse

Breakwater has been in direct contact with the Maine CDC and stays fully up to date with frequent updates regarding the H1N1 flu virus. We will follow all appropriate recommendations made by the CDC. Classroom teachers are instructing students on proper hand washing technique and will maintain frequent hand washing within the classrooms. We have provided the classrooms with antibacterial hand sanitizer as well. There are a few simple things that we are doing at school and families can do at home:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes (preferably with your elbow)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home if you are sick, especially with a fever.

It is imperative that if anyone in your family exhibits flu like symptoms that you keep your child at home. Understandably, this may be difficult as most Breakwater students feign health in order to come to school! Also, People returning from visiting areas with confirmed swine flu, such as Mexico, Southern California, Southern Texas and future areas identified by the U.S. CDC, should pay close attention to their health for seven days. The typical contagious period is 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms for the H1N1 flu virus include:

• High fever (101 degrees or above)
• Body aches
• Extreme fatigue/tiredness
• Sore throat, cough, stuffy nose

The Maine Department of Education is maintaining a Web page for school officials, parents and the school community here. The US CDC’s Web site has updated national information and guidance, and can be found here. 

Community News

A Company of Girls Presents:

ELSEWHERE & BACK
A musical by David Wells • Directed by Odelle Bowman
Performed by ACOG’s Ensemble Group (ages 11-13) including Emily Damon, Grade 4.

THE MAGIC FINGER
By Roald Dahl • Adapted & Directed by Jen Roe
Performed by the Fledglings (ages 8-10) including Antonia Daley, grade 3

These two plays are presented back- to-back as one performance.
Saturday, May 9 at 1:00 pm & Sunday May 10 at 3:00 pm

CHAMBER MUSIC
A one-act by absurdist playwright Arthur Kopit • Directed by Odelle Bowman - Friday May 8 at 7:30 pm & Saturday,  May 9 at 4:00 pm

All performances take place in the Jessie-Bullens Crewe Auditorium.
For reservations: 874-2107, or for more information visit the website for A Company of Girls. 

Breakwater's Tiny Troupe Drama Production
June 6 - 11 am and 1 pm
We have another opportunity for all you theatre lovers…Breakwater’s Tiny Troupe is happy to present, “Comedy in the Coral Kingdom.” Come and see our youngest thespians as they present a zany original world premiere comedy full of undersea creatures, slapstick clowning and tall TAILS! Saturday June 6th 11 am and 1:00 pm. Adults $5, Students $2.

News Briefs

Breakwater Students Perform with Michael Trautman!
Two Breakwater Students, Cordelia and Oliver (photo), performed with Michael Trautman on Saturday night in the Dan Gymnasium after taking Clown Class here at Breakwater. Congratulations on a great performance!

Step-Up Day Scheduled
Breakwater's Annual Step-Up Day has been scheduled for Thursday, June 4 from 10:30 - 11:15. This is a day for our students to spend some time in the upper grade's classroom, to get a small taste of what the upcoming year has in store for them!

No Shop, Swap Shop
In the spirit of sustainability and in celebration of Breakwater’s Earth Week, we offer the opportunity to sustain style by sharing our resources. Rather than hit the mall this spring, come ‘shop’ our aisles for the latest in funky, trendy fashion! Families may bring in up to twelve items of children’s clothing in good condition (stain free, rip free with all buttons, zippers, etc. intact). Clothing should be dropped off in Sarah Adams grade 1-2 classroom between Wednesday, May 6 and Friday, May 8. Bags of clothing must be labeled with your family’s name. "Swapping Day" is Wednesday, May 13 Noon to 2 pm in the Dan!

Kudos

As we get ready to open our Silent Auction, we wish to acknowledge the creativity and generosity of the Breakwater Community. We would especially like to thank Dulce Day for designing the beautiful poster and Amy Ford for organizing this fun "non-event" to support our Tuition Assistance Program. So, thank you, enjoy, and let the bidding begin!