Tuesday News - May 22, 2012

Click here for Tuesday News Archives

Click here to view our Google Calendar of Events.   

All submissions for the Tuesday News should be sent by Friday, 3:00 pm. to publicrelations@merriconeag.org

Upcoming Events

2012 Spring Concert:
This Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 PM, Community Hall
We cordially invite you to wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life and join us for the 2012 Spring Ensemble Concert. Students in grades 5 through 12 will be performing.

     All students in grades 5 though 12 are required to attend and should arrive no later than 6:10 with their instruments and music. Dress for the evening consists of assembly attire (described in the parent handbook) with spring colors encouraged.
      We look forward to seeing you there! Jordan Seavey

Senior Class Play: Man of La Mancha:

Open Dress Rehearsal, Tuesday, May 29, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 31, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, June 1, 7:00 p.m.

$5.00 at the door

Circus Smirkus News

Run Away with the Circus!
Eight years ago, our school began presenting the Big Top Tour put on by Circus Smirkus, a non-profit arts and education organization from Greensboro, VT. Each year, they select the best in circus arts talent from across the country and around the world for their Big Top Tour. The 25th Anniversary show, "Topsy Turvy Time Travel", will return to Merriconeag for four performances under the big top on Monday, August 6th and Tuesday, August 7th.

The Circus at Merriconeag
Circus Smirkus represents our school's most extensive community outreach with over 3,000 people coming to our four shows each year. We have raised nearly $150,000 over the past eight years with those proceeds directed to our Operating Budget, to the Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund and to our Circus Arts program. Ticket sales alone do not cover our costs as we have a substantial presentation fee to pay to Smirkus for bringing this incredible show to our campus. Sponsorship (for more information on the benefits of sponsoring Circus Smirkus, please contact Trace Salter, circus@merriconeag.org) and playbill ad sales (Click here for Playbill ad rate sheet) play an important part. Please let us know if you'd like to showcase your business, or that of a friend or colleague, through the Circus. Victoria Stefanakos, bigtop@merriconeag.org, would love to hear from you so pass along your leads and she'll follow up for you.

The Magic Matinee
The heart of our Smirkus presentation is where we welcome more than 750 kids-in-need and their families to the circus. These special guests are sponsored by generous businesses and individuals. Community groups served through our Magic Matinee program include: Big Brother/Big Sister, Easter Seals, Freeport Community Services, Make-a-Wish, National Guard Families and scores of summer campers from local towns such as Noble, Freeport, Portland and Yarmouth. 100% of any donation goes to these children's tickets. Please contact Trace Salter, circus@merriconeag.org, to help make magic happen.

FUNdraising events for Smirkus 2012
Please note that we'll have two extra Magic Matinee fundraising events this year: 1. Rob Mermin, the Founder of Circus Smirkus, will perform at the Frontier Cafe in Brunswick on Sunday, July 22nd and Tuesday, July 24th. This is a rare opportunity to see Rob's talents on display and to hear from a true Master in this field 2. Flatbread in Portland will give us a Benefit Night on Tuesday, July 31st. It's a great party for a great cause. We hope to see you in Brunswick and Portland!

We need you!
Another way for you to be a part of the Circus is to volunteer for one of our shows or behind the scenes. Please check out this sign-up page (click here for on-line sign up sheet) on Google docs. Anyone signing up before the end of the school year will be entered into a raffle for 4 free tickets to the show of your choice. The winner will be notified on June 9th. If you have trouble seeing what jobs are available, please get in touch with Aly Fullagar at jane_nomore@yahoo.com. It's so much fun to work under the big top...we hope you'll join us!

Thank you, All!

Trace Salter, Circus Coordinator

circus@merriconeag.org

News From the Board

     In April, an ad-hoc search committee was established to begin the process of identifying a new Finance Director for Merriconeag. After receiving strong interest in the position, and conducting a detailed applicant review and interview process, the search committee recommended Barbara Guffin for this position. This recommendation has received unanimous support from both the College and Board. I am pleased to report that Barbara Guffin has accepted the position and will begin in this new role effective immediately. Barbara's skills and experience in managing financial matters, in addition to her strong understanding and commitment to Waldorf education, makes her an excellent addition to the Merriconeag administrative team. Please join me in congratulating Barbara on her new role and welcoming her in this capacity.

     Thank you Barbara for taking on this important role in the school!

Best regards,

Bob Neveu, Board Chair

News From the Grade School

The 17th Pentathlon Games: Last week, on a glorious sun filled day, the

17th Pentathlon Games were held. The sun shone down brilliantly, the red wing black birds sang enthusiastically and the athletes rose up and achieved greatness. The fifth grade class welcomed their guests from the White Mountain Waldorf School Thursday evening with fun and camaraderie. After sharing a meal they joined together in the community hall eagerly awaiting their fate as the city states were called out. As each child found their place, they also found what united them all.

     Friday morning came with the sun and all the children seemed to have met the day with great intentions. They strove for greatness; they ran like the wind, javelins soared, they wrestled in good sport, they leaped far, they set flight to the discus and they nurtured friendships. They offered their strength, their agility and the best that was within themselves. It was truly a day that one will never forget.

     A delicious Greek feast culminated the days events. Everyone came together with a sense of accomplishment. New and old friends, young and old, shared in the joys of the day. The Merriconeag community once again came together, gave of themselves and created something beautiful.

     Thank-you to all those that helped make such a day possible. Thank-you to all the Teachers, especially John Saccone and Jill Fox, that work so hard, that give so much and who care so deeply. Thank-you to the 5th grade parents for cooking, cleaning, organizing, judging and being so supportive. Thank-you to the Merriconeag students, present and past, that helped carry flags, judge the events and helped with the food. Thank-you to the White Mountain Waldorf school for joining our community in the spirit of friendship. And lastly, Thank-you to the Gods and Goddesses that looked down upon us and blessed us with such a beautiful day. Mandy Andreson

Ode to the Gods

Hail Aries, god of war, guide my javelin through the air.
Hermes, train mine running, so I might bring the message up to Zeus.
Thou shouldest not let it lightning,
So the weather be not frightning.
And Athena, please look, that no one cheat in the game.
Oh gods and goddess, hear mine prayer,
Please let the games be fair.

by Tarek Ihaddaden

Grade 5, Merriconeag

Alumni News

Hi Merriconeag!

My name is Hannah McCain. I'm a former Merriconeag student — some of you may remember me from Mr. Chisholm's class. I'm getting in touch with you because I have been blessed with the opportunity to found an intercultural education program for Somali girls in Portland this summer. I have amazing memories of the creative and athletic activities that I was able to partake in as a student at Merriconeag, and I know that each of you — teachers and mentors — really made a difference in my life, or the lives of my peers, and helped shape us into the artistic, socially conscious people we are today. I'm writing you because I would love for each of you to have the opportunity to impact a new group of girls in that same way. The Somali girls I'll be working with in Portland don't have the opportunity, as I did, to attend private school. However, they are no less motivated and deserving than I was! My program — Youth Engagement for Somalis (YES!) — has myriad opportunities for community members such as yourselves to get involved by providing arts or crafts lessons, poetry and creative writing workshops, sports classes, and more! Please get in touch with me if you think you might be interested in helping out and getting involved — most likely your commitment would be only two days total (one day in June and one day in July) and there is the possibility of compensation for your work. Also, please pass this information along to others who you think might want to be involved, including students or young adults over the age of eighteen who might like to help out. Click here to learn more.

Thanks for your time, and I sincerely hope to hear from you soon!

Wishing you all the best,

Hannah McCain

School Community Updates

Merriconeag Summer Camps for 2012 - Sign up now!

This summer we will be offering two summer camps during the week of June 25 - 29, 9:00 a.m. - noon. If there is enough interest, we will consider offering an afternoon program like we did last year.

For more information and to register, please click on the name of the camp:     Circus Arts Camp         Buttercup Summer Garden Camp

Athletic News

High School Ultimate Frisbee:

     This Thursday, May 24, 3:30 p.m. at the Cumberland Fairgrounds, Merriconeag Ultimate will play the Cumberland A Team. Come on out and support the team!

     This Saturday, May 26 the State Championships are being held in Fryeburg. Go MU!

You can view the schedule at http://www.maineultimate.com/team-schedules.

Read (Listen to or Watch) This 

Is the Internet hurting children?
By Chelsea Clinton and James P. Steyer, Special to CNN
updated 10:04 AM EDT, Mon May 21, 2012

(Click blue to link through)

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