WOOLWICH CENTRAL SCHOOL

The Woolwich Way: Respect. Responsibility. Honesty. Compassion. Courtesy. Quality.

3/21 - Report Cards Go Home - Check Backpacks!

3/23 - Half Day of School/CONFERENCES

3/24 - Half Day of School

3/27 - RSU1 School Board Meeting 6:00PM @ MHS

3/30 - Battle of the Books 5:00-8:00PM

4/1 - 8th GRADE AUCTION! 5:00 - 8:00PM (all are welcome!)

Great things are happening at WCS!

The PTA concluded the Masked Reader contest, and there was a winner on each floor! The book that was read was “The Sour Grape” by Jory John and Pete Oswald. The winners were Evie Moore, Nalani Esparza, Addison Estes, Hunter Mesplay, and Kalea Jones. Each winner received a new book from the PTA!

On Thursday, students and staff dressed in the fashion of their favorite decade to celebrate DECADES DAY. This day of fun was in recognition of the school consistently "Walking the Woolwich Way" and being good citizens. Students were also treated to the musical stylings of DJ Dimbleby at recess!

In a collaboration with Maine’s First Ship in Bath, our fourth and fifth grade Gifted & Talented students participated in a hands-on day of learning about what life was like as a 17th century person through the art of handcrafts. With the help of several wonderful, local volunteers, students experienced handknitting fiber art, making doll head-size replicas of sailors’ thrum caps. Thrumming is a technique in which individual, short strings of wool are pulled through the knitted material, creating a shaggy outer layer of extended woolen fibers. By adding thrums to knit caps, freezing sea spray was kept away from the heads of sailors and fishermen, allowing their heads to stay warmer. Wool was such an important fabric in the 17th century because of its insulating capacity, since it stays warm, even when wet.

Students were divided into three groups. While some students were busy adding thrums to their miniature caps, other students learned about the spinning process of yarn, or spent time viewing the models, tools, and replicas throughout the freight shed building. Each child had opportunities to get their hands on a swift and ball winder to make a yarn cake from a full skein of yarn. We discussed the culture of woolen garments, the use of dye in yarns, and how different colors traditionally came from plants. For example, did you know colonial people used dandelion roots to achieve the color magenta? We didn’t either! In addition to learning about fiber art tools, techniques, and skills, students learned about knots, rigging, and tools used for sailing.

A huge thank you goes out to Maine’s First Ship, especially Executive Director, Kirstie Truluck, for coordinating and planning this special day of learning for our students. We also would like to thank the many volunteers for their time in sharing with our group their knowledge and skills. We anticipate a return to the freight shed for additional GATE programming in May.

The program is made possible by a Maine's First Ship grant from Maine Community Foundation's Belvedere Traditional Handcraft Fund. This week's program is highlighted in the virtual showcase of the 2023 Cultural Heritage Week in Maine. Link to our collaboration.

This past week, I've noticed that students are not always familiar with how to play board games! It's a great activity to do as a family, and there are many added benefits for little ones!

• They offer opportunities for early learning. They help kids identify colors, count spaces,

and develop eye-hand coordination. They also help kids to learn to wait their turn and

follow rules.

• They help with language skills. Because some games need players to remember

information (who did what, and where) this might help a child who is having difficulty

with reading comprehension.

• They reinforce relational bonds within the family. Nothing demonstrates caring like

spending time together having fun.

• They help your child to focus. It’s important to finish a game without interruptions. This

will help lengthen your child’s attention span.

• They teach teamwork. Team up your child with an older or younger child to encourage

teamwork.

• They soothe anxiety. They may help anxious kids learn how to make and keep friends.

Guessing games are good for this because they provide opportunities to chat about the

answers.

• They show kids how to be a good loser. Playing by the game rules and encouraging your

child to use coping skills can help them learn to handle frustration and/or

disappointment appropriately.

• They help the kids and the family to unplug. Because board games do not use

technology, they are a special type of games. It’s amazing how much kids love these

games!

Try them (if you haven’t), they are loads of fun!

Thanks,

Beth Saufler

Social Emotional Learning Teacher

WCS's 5th graders hunkered down for their Read-A-Thon this past Wednesday. Their goal is to raise money for a traditional field trip to Boston at the end of the year. This event was finally revisited after a four year hiatus due to Covid. They did an outstanding job gathering donations and reading with great seriousness. Snacks and great blankets didn't hurt either. Nice work, 5th Grade!

Just 16 days until our annual auction to benefit the 8th grade class trip to Washington, D.C! The big event is happening on Saturday, April 1st. CLICK HERE for a preview of donated items that you'll have a chance to bid on... the list is growing daily, so check back often!! To see a complete list of items, check out the WCS website and access the list under the link titled, "2023 Auction Items." We are excited to pack the gym with everyone who is interested in bidding to support the cause! There will be childcare and snacks provided! SEE YOU THERE!

• There will be a free Middle School lacrosse clinic this Sunday March 19th, at Morse High School

  Time: 1:00-2:30 pm; REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Click the Link below

  Register

  https://bathme.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29954

• On Monday, Mrs. McCauley brought the Pre-K class outside to learn about how syrup is made! The class helped tap the maple tree on the front lawn and discovered the difference between syrup and sap. They will be checking back weekly to see how much sap they can collect!

• Issue 10 of the student newspaper, The Woolwich Word is out! CLICK HERE to read all about it!

• CONGRATULATIONS TO US!!! WE DID IT!!! We made our Square 1 Art fundraiser goal and surpassed it by almost $800!! Ms. Devin has already ordered clay for our Spring clay project. This fundraiser helps make sure we get two clay projects every year, not just one; it also helps us get some of the special things we keep around the art room. PLUS- it even help with maintenance on some of our equipment like the kiln. Thank you so much to everyone who helped this year, either by purchasing or creating art!

• Conferences are happening next Thursday (3/23) between 12 & 6pm. You can sign up on the WCS Website or by CLICKING HERE!! Remember that both Thursday, 3/23 and Friday 3/24 are half days for students with dismissal happening at 12pm. Buses will be dropping students off 3 hours earlier those days.

Welcome to a new era of lacrosse in the Bath area. We are celebrating new exciting coaches to add to our experienced core of returners. We want you to be a part of it, no matter the age group! Never played? No problem. We are here to coach all levels of experience to enjoy this fun and exciting game! CLICK HERE to register for our upcoming clinics and the spring season! You can also email ddelahanty@cityofbath.com for more information.

Email: jpratt@rsu1.org
Website: https://woolwich.rsu1.org/
Location: 137 Nequasset Road, Woolwich, ME, USA
Phone: 207-443-9739
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Woolwich-Central-School/100063500803359/