Thursday, January 27, 2011

Let your voice be heard through the RSU1 Community Survey

Click Here to take the RSU1 Community Survey to lend your voice to the discussion about programs and services you value as the budget for the 2011-2012 school year is developed.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Spider Lessons: Fisher-Mitchell School’s “One Book, One School” Event Tuesday, January 25th @ 6:15 pm

The following is an announcement from the Fisher Mitchell SAG:

Spider Lessons: Fisher-Mitchell School’s “One Book, One School” Event
Grand Kickoff: Tuesday, January 25th @ 6:15 pm
FMS Gym (Snow Date is January 26th)

The Fisher-Mitchell School community – including kids, teachers, parents, grandparents and staff – is invited to participate in Spider Lessons, FMS’ “One Book, One School” event from January 25th to February 17th. We are using Charlotte’s Web, a remarkable story by the famous, part-time Maine resident, E.B. White.

What
Spider Lessons is inspired by the “One School One Book” movement that has spread across the United States and Canada. The idea is for a whole school community to read the same book at the same time and share that common experience. Charlotte’s Web is a classic re-read. Reading the same books again and again is important because it builds important literacy skill such as fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. And it’s fun!

Why
Spider Lessons will give families the exciting opportunity to read and write together. This shared experience, at home and at school, will boost reading and writing skills and give everyone a stronger sense of community.

How
Students will all receive a free copy of the book, a bookmark and a reader’s journal. Families will read the book together, following the schedule in the journal. Complete the journal entries together. Students should bring their journal to library class each week. There will be a final celebration with displays of student work and awards on February 16th.

Community Partners
This event is made possible through the generous support of our community partners: the Bath Savings Institution provided 250 copies Charlotte’s Web for FMS students; the Bath Elementary PTA provided program support for the Grand Kickoff; and the FMS School Advisory Group helped recruit volunteers and prepared event publicity.

Volunteers Needed
FMS community members (parents, grandparents, former students) are needed as volunteer readers for those FMS students who may not have one available. Volunteer readers will read and discuss “Spider Lessons” with FMS students at the school (from 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm between January 26th and February 17th; or at other times to be determined). We also need volunteers to help with the Grand Kickoff on January 25th. To volunteer, please call FMS at 443-8265 and provide your name, contact info and availability to Delyse Conley. For more information, see the FMS website @ http://fms.rsu1.org/.

Kudos
Congratulations to all FMS faculty and staff - especially, Joan Newkirk, Monica Blatt, Patricia Shaffer and Delyse Conley - for their contributions in launching this incredible event. Thanks also to Principal Nancy Harriman for her leadership and efforts at promoting collaboration between FMS faculty, staff, the Bath Elementary PTA, and the FMS School Advisory Group.

Monday, January 17, 2011

January Meeting Minutes

Bath Elementary PTA Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 @ 6:30 PM in Dike Newell Library

Board Members in attendance: Geniene Marco, Kate Foye, Laurie Burhoe & Lisha Wentworth

Other attendees: Candy Hernandez, Perin, Anne, Michelle, Angie, Sue Saucier, Sue Cyr, Paul (K Teacher), & Lisa.

Meeting began with a introduction from the participants.

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made to accept report, Candy 2nd. Passed with unanimous vote.

Treasurer’s Report

Lisha presented the Treasurer’s Report. Current balance of $7,715.57 as of 1/11/2011.

A motion was made to accept and Candy 2nd. Vote to accept passed unanimously.

Old Business

  • One Book, One School project at F/M was discussed. The kickoff is January 25th. They have asked for volunteers to help check in students that night and volunteers to help read with students during school hours.
  • Kate updated us on the Biggest Job Workshop, a parenting program that comes from the Hyde School. Laura Gauld will do a free workshop on March 16th for the entire RSU#1 community. She gave an overview of the program.

New Business

· Geniene announced the PTA will be hosting special speakers for the upcoming PTA monthly meetings. We are hoping to attract more parents participation. More details on who for each upcoming month will be publicized.

Fundraiser Ideas:

· Feb 11th is a Dance at F/M. Raffle item ideas included: Whimpy kid book, River Bottom video, Now you’re cooking, Baskets focused on D/N age and F/M age basket, Papa Gepatto, Bath sweet shop. $150 was budgeted for the dance expenses. People volunteered to collect the different raffle items.

· Coin Drive at both D/N and F/M is planned in May.

· April 1st the Sweet Spring Fundraiser with the Bath Sweet Shoppe is planned. Approval is underway with the school board and detail planning is in process with Joan Fraser the owner of the store.

· Read-a-thon - the primary fundraiser for the Literacy Fund is planned for March 7 - 18th.

· Decision needs to be made shortly if the PTA is using the Innsibrook as next years supplier for the Fall fundraiser.

· Other fundraising ideas were suggested: FedCo seed company, bulbs, and/or small potted plants

Principal’s Comment

No principals were in attendance.

Other Comments

· 2nd grade submitted a class request to attend Charlotte’s Web performance in Portland.

· Paul spoke to the request for clerical help on a regular basis at D/N. Follow-up emails will be sent out by the PTA to facilitate organizing this effort.

· The suggestion of a “Greening Up” day was proposed for springtime to clean up around the schools.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35.

Next meeting on Tuesday, February 8th at 6:30 PM in Fisher Mitchell Library.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Fisher-Mitchell School Advisory Group (SAG) adds blog

Below is the first posting from Fisher Mitchell's SAG Blog. Their site will be a great source for information during the upcoming school budget season. Here's the direct link to their site:http://fmsag.blogs.rsu1.org/

Welcome to the Fisher-Mitchell SAG blog

By pmccarthy on Jan 2, 2011 in F-M SAG, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Edit

sa·gac·i·ty n. The quality of being discerning, sound in judgment, and farsighted; wisdom.

As we enter 2011, Fisher-Mitchell students need our sagacity. The School Advisory Group (SAG) provides input on important matters that help the school accomplish its mission. The primary work of the SAG is to be a resource to support a positive school culture and academic achievement for all students. SAG members provide feedback and advice to the principal, address local issues, and connect the school with the community.

Please share your wisdom and perspectives in a constructive manner so that we can strengthen the connections between our community, our educational leaders and our school. Please take a moment to check out our posts (and other pages) to learn more about how the SAG can fulfill its role. We welcome your comments on our posts, as well as your feedback to let us know what we are doing well and what we can do better. Thank you for your engagement and please keep in touch!

Check back often!

Happy Snow Day!

Be safe and enjoy playing in this winter wonderland.

Monday, January 3, 2011

January PTA Meeting

The next Bath Elementary PTA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 @ 6:30 PM in the Dike Newell Library. Free childcare is available...all parents, teachers and staff are welcome to attend. FMI, email bathelementarypta@gmail.com.