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Friday's assembly:
Honoring our 8th graders (see below for more information)--begins at 12:45
Wednesday, June 5: Parent Coffee,
8:15am & Spanish Lunch
(see below) & Deadline for completing Parent Survey
(see below)
Friday, June 7: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL & NO AFTERCARE
(see below for details)
Monday, June 10-Wednesday, June 12: Faculty Work Days
Monday, June 17: Summer Programs Begin
Step-up lunches were today. Students who will be moving up to a new classroom next year ate lunch in that classroom. Above, this year's 6th graders eat with the 7th graders.
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Last Day of School & Honoring our 8th Graders
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This Friday, June 7, is a day to celebrate our six graduating 8th graders. Please join us at 12:00 for an all-school picnic (bring your own lunch) and ceremonial tree planting. We will begin our special graduation assembly promptly at 12:45pm in the Meeting Room. School will be dismissed at 1:45pm;
please note there is no Aftercare on this day.
* 12:00-- All-
school picnic
* 12:45-1:45-- Graduation assembly (FSP Meeting Room)
* 1:45 -- Dismissal -
NO AFTERCARE
* 7:00pm--
Commencement (Meeting for Worship), followed by simple
refreshments
Commencement, for 8th graders and their family and friends, as well as FSP staff and 7th grade families, begins at 7:00pm in the Meeting Room. Just a reminder that families of 7th graders should bring simple refreshments to Commencement on Friday night to be served afterwards. Usually this means something to drink and cookies/brownies/bars.
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After-School Activities This Week
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There will be no after-school activities this week with the exception of Cricket, which will happen on Tuesday (details to come in an email from Jonathan).
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Spanish Meal on Wednesday
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1st and 2nd graders in Katie's class prep for their poetry celebration.
CELEBRACION DE CULTURA HISPANA
Panamá, Costa Rica, Nicaragua y Honduras
The Spanish students of 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades are all invited to partake in a Central American meal with foods from each of these countries.
When: Wednesday, June 5th
What: Drinks, main courses and desserts from four countries in Central America
Time: Usual lunch time
Cost: $2 each person, please, to help offset the groceries
This is a rare occasion when all classes eat together, and order their food in Spanish, while the 8th graders practice taking orders and helping in Spanish.
Gracias,
Dareth
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Food for Faculty
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Today was our last Meeting for Worship and, as always, it ended in song.
Items can be dropped off in the FSP kitchen at the end of this week or on Monday or Tuesday! Contact Cara Sacks with questions:
[email protected] or 267-474-1971.
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Thank You to Point Parents
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 A big thanks goes out to this year's Point Parents, who quietly support and guide school and class events, as well as teachers throughout the year.
Hooray for
Sarah Jorgensen (PS)
Silver Shea (K)
Cara Sacks (1-2), Point Parent Coordinator
Melissa Emerson (1-2)
Kate Bathras (3-4)
Selina Rossiter (3-4)
Sasha Rose (5-6)
April Wernig (7-8)
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Welcoming Heather and Hans
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It's a bittersweet time of year, with our oldest students about to graduate and younger students attending step-up lunches in next year's classroom. It's also a time of appreciating all those who make this community such a special place, like Matt Loosigian, music teacher, and Julie Perkins, Kindergarten assistant. As we say goodbye to them, we are also delighted to introduce two new folks to the FSP faculty next year:
Heather Weisenfluh, 1-2 co-teacher in Xanthe's classroom, and
Hans Barklis, our preschool-8th grade music teacher.
 Heather has many years of teaching experience at different levels at Scarborough Middle School, Falmouth Elementary, and North Yarmouth Academy, with a Master's degree in special education from Bank Street College. She has been a prized substitute teacher at FSP over the past several years. Heather's
education philosophy is that children learn best in a cooperative, hands-on learning environment which emphasizes kindness, integrity, service, and the environment. There is a strong sense of community at [FSP]. I appreciate the emphasis on simplicity as this world seems to get busier and busier I think people need time to reflect, listen, and learn from others. I have seen first hand the dedication of the staff at the school. I recognize parents are choosing to invest in this education for their child(ren) and I value how the community focuses on each child's gifts. FSP allows children to explore their curiosity and encourages them to be an active learner in their journey through school.
 Hans comes to us from Portland, Oregon by way of the Bronx. He is a musician, playing many instruments, a teacher of children of all ages and abilities, an instructor of Capoeira, fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
As a baby, Hans says,
I refused to stop screaming unless my mother rocked me to the beat of the Beatles. I couldn't imagine my life without music. I've spent the majority of my life plucking strings, bopping percussion, singing, daydreaming of melodies, and teaching music. I've seen my students groove toward mastery of their craft, and more importantly, I've seen our communities grow and our bonds enriched in relation to our shared love for the arts. I'm excited to continue encouraging and fortifying students through music at Friends School of Portland. It is exciting to image the sounds and cultures Hans will be bringing to FSP next year!
Thank you, as always, for celebrating the wonderful teachers who make this their home for a year or four or ten, and for your acceptance of the new adventurers who will be enriching the lives of our children.
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Parent Survey
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7th and 8th graders painted self-portraits with their preschool buddies last week.
Dear Parents: As the school year winds down, we ask for your ideas and observations to help us evaluate and improve our programs.
Thank you!
Jenny
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Annual Fund
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7th graders went on a field trip to Peaks Island on Friday while the 8th graders were in Quebec City.
Just as you might be impressed that each one of your child's teachers have contributed to the annual fund, donors outside of the Friends School are just as impressed when we tell them how many families participate in the annual fund, giving to the school above and beyond tuition. If you've already given,
THANK YOU! If you haven't already please consider helping us reach our goal--56% of parents have participated so far.
You can help reach the June 30th goal by visiting the Giving page on our website to schedule a one-time or monthly online donation, or pay by check made out to Friends School of Portland.
"We value the wide range of enriching activities that pepper the school calendar--from Sparks Ark to visiting Artists Week, or an impromptu field trip to witness the rare phenomenon of a spinning ice disc. We recognize that the annual fund is essential to offering these types of activities. We are also grateful that the fund allows the school to reach a wider group of families seeking the Quaker educational experience through tuition assistance. We are appreciative for all of the work that the wonderful staff put in to have created such a great school year. We can't wait to see what next year holds!" ~ From the parent of a first grader
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Interested in sending your child to FSP on the bus next year?
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Both 3-4 classes camped together for two nights last week in Acadia National Park!
Interested in putting your child on a bus to and/or from Friends School of Portland next year? For a third year, FSP is collaborating with Maine Coast Waldorf
School to provide a reliable ride to and from
school from Cape Elizabeth (S. Portland, Portland).
Costs:
- Full Year 5-Day Round Trip $2,640 (tentative)
- Full Year 5-Day One Way (morning only or afternoon only) $1,750
The
bus
route
is determined by the needs of the families taking the
bus
. This is an approximate schedule and route for the coming year.
AM SERVICE TO SCHOOL
7:02AM M-W/6:55AM TH-F 123 Old Ocean House Road
7:02AM 76 Brentwood Street TH-F Cape Elizabeth
7:10AM 1022 Shore Road Cape Elizabeth
7:14AM Cottage Road and Davis Street South Portland
7:19AM E Street Metro Bus Stop South Portland
7:23AM High Street and Pleasant Street Metro Bus Stop Portland
7:28AM Hannaford Parking Lot Pole #4 Portland
7:45AM Friends School of Portland Cumberland*
*NO Bucknam Road AM Stop
PM SERVICE FROM SCHOOL
3:10PM MCWS Desert Road Campus
3:24PM Maine Medical Center Campus Parking Lot Bucknam Road Falmouth*
3:34PM Hannaford Parking Lot Pole #4 Portland
3:41PM 100 State Street Metro Bus Stop Portland
3:46PM Waterman Drive Metro Bus Stop South Portland
3:52PM Cottage Road and Davis Street South Portland
3:56PM 1022 Shore Road Cape Elizabeth
4:04PM 76 Brentwood Street TH-F Cape Elizabeth
4:09PM 123 Old Ocean House Road Cape Elizabeth
4:10PM St. Bartholomew's Parish Cape Elizabeth*
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Browntail Moth Information
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The Kindergarten class successfully hatched chicks this year!
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The Maine Forest Service surveys indicate that populations of browntail moths are very high in our area (and in much of Maine). They urge general public to be aware of browntail moth rashes and to
know what they can do to help reduce exposure to the browntail moth caterpillar hairs.
Background: The browntail moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine and Massachusetts are the only states in the U.S. experiencing problems with this moth. The tiny, microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause a skin reaction.
Symptoms: Most individuals affected by the hairs develop a localized rash similar to poison ivy that will last for a few hours up to several days. In more sensitive individuals, the rash can be severe and last for weeks. Dislodged hairs can become airborne and cause trouble breathing. Respiratory distress from inhaling the hairs can be serious. The rash and difficulty breathing result from both a chemical reaction to a toxin in the hairs and a physical irritation as the barbed hairs become embedded in the skin and airways.
Seasonality: Caterpillars are active from April to late June/early July. Hairs blow around in the air, fall onto leaves and brush in the fall and spring, and can be stirred up during mowing, raking, sweeping, and other activities. Hairs can remain toxic for 1-3 years in the environment but lose their toxicity over time.
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Gift of Simplicity
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In an effort to practice simplicity, we encourage handmade cards or heartfelt notes for teachers and staff at the end of the year. Thank you!
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Of Interest
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 THE MAESTRO ~ Thursday, June 13th ~ The State Theater in Portland ~ 6:00pm reception, 7:00 film screening. FSP parent Xander Berkeley plays Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco the highly notable composer of over 200 Hollywood films in the 1940's and 1950's, who, with his wife (played by Sarah Clarke) was exiled from Mussolini's Italy. Mario went on to mentor some of the greatest film composers of 20th Century including Henry Mancini, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Andre Previn and Randy Newman. While revealing the precarious, and perilous journey of the artist, the film shows how a great teacher helps a student find their unique voice, and bring it forth. This screening will be followed by a Q & A with the stars of the film, Xander Berkeley and Sarah Clarke. Tickets are $10 per person, general admission.
Click here for more information.
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 Pete Curtis's daughter, Genevieve Stokes, just released her first single. It was recorded in FSP's meeting room! Check it out on Spotify or iTunes!
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Music teacher Matt is taking orders for butcher packs of his family's local, gmo free
Mahalo Farm pork. To place an order, you can start by
clicking here.
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 Susan Hayhurst is participating in the
Annual Maine Cancer Foundation's Tri for a Cure this July.
Maine Cancer Foundation is working to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in Maine through prevention, screening and early detection, and access to the highest quality care for every Mainer. If you would like to contribute in support of Susan's triathlon event, please email Susan for info or visit this link:
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Maine Inside Out community groups are organizing fiercely for the communities and state we need. Come join us in dialogue, celebration, art, and action to invest in a world where we don't throw anyone away.
This June, Maine Inside Out community groups in Biddeford, Lewiston and Portland are bringing the tour of "Unspoken Truth" back home. Each group is organizing and hosting a free, outdoor performance for their community.
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Looking for a ride share next year for my second-year preschooler, Luna. We live in South Freeport, off of Staples Point Rd (2 Foggs Farm Rd, Freeport). Ideally would be drop off on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We have an extra booster carseat that is easy to fit in. Please contact Anna Child at
[email protected]. Thank you for considering!
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FSP parent and member of Spurwink's Development Committee, Carrie Cianchette, invites you to their Brews & Backpacks event coming up on Wednesday, June 5th from 5 PM to 7:30 PM at O'Maine Studios. If you are interested in attending, there will be refreshing Shipyard beer, capt'n Eli's Soda and tasty steamed buns from Farm to Coast (each ticket includes two drinks and appetizers). Once you have packed a few backpacks try your luck at giant jenga or corn hole with your co-workers and friends. Tickets are available online:
https://spurwink.org/event/2019-brews-backpacks/
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