Tuesday News - June 5, 2012

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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

End of Year Assembly

Friday, June 8, 9:30 AM, Community Hall

All Welcome. (11:00 a.m. dismissal )

Friday, June 8, 11:00 a.m. - Dismissal for Grades 1 - 12.

Early Childhood Information Session,

Friday, June 8, 2012, 3:15 - 4:00 p.m.
Learn about our unique approach to meeting the needs of today’s young children. See our beautiful indoor and outdoor environments, designed for play and exploration. For adults. . . please register by calling 207-865-3900,

ext. 103, or email,admissionsdirector@merriconeag.org.

Grade 12 Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, June 9, 2:00 PM, Community Hall

The school community is invited to attend Merriconeag's third commencement ceremony. The Commencement Exercises will begin at 2 p.m. and a reception follows.

Phoebe Clewley and David Sloan Win Maine Writers and Publishers

2012 Literary Awards for Poetry

     On Thursday evening, while the Community Hall was filled with the inspiring words and music of “Man of La Mancha” another event celebrating writing in Maine was taking place at the USM library in Portland. The Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance was hosting the 2012 Maine Literary Awards, honoring writers and publishers in over a dozen categories, from Fiction to Children’s books, from Non-Fiction to Poetry.

     This year, more than one hundred books were entered into the Award’s various categories. More than fifty manuscripts were submitted into the award’s “Short Works” competition in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Nearly 80 Maine students submitted work in the same categories in the award’s “Youth Competition.”

     The finalists hail from every corner of the state, including Bangor, Belfast, Bethel, Brunswick, Camden, Deer Isle, Georgetown, Norridgewock, Portland, Stockton Springs, Unity, and York. Youth finalists come from communities such as Farmington, New Gloucester, Scarborough, and West Bath.

     Last year, Jeremy Colson, class of 2011, was a finalist and won in the category of “Youth Poetry.” This year, Phoebe Clewley, Class of 2013, was a finalist in the same category. David Sloan, who submitted his students’ work to this competition, was also a finalist for his collection of poetry this year, in the “Short Works, Poetry” category.

     Merriconeag’s “Impossible Dream” was being sung at two locations that night, as the poetry winners were announced and both Phoebe Clewley and David Sloan won their respective rewards! Joshua Bodwell*, executive director of the MWPA, mentioned Merriconeag Waldorf School several times that night. Phoebe graciously thanked the Alliance for the reward, her teacher, Mr. Sloan for submitting her poetry and Merriconeag Waldorf School for recognizing and nurturing the importance of poetry and all writing throughout the school’s curriculum. I read the statement below on behalf of Mr. Sloan…

     "If my wife is reading these words, then the unlikely has happened, and it appears that at least a few people besides my 87-year-old mother actually appreciate my poetic efforts. I actually feel doubly blessed this evening, because I am much more of a teacher than a poet, and it is a great honor to have one of my Merriconeag students- this year Phoebe Clewley, selected for the second straight year as a finalist in the Youth Poetry Category. In the six years since moving to Maine, I have discovered what I suppose most of you already know-that if Maine's natural wonders inspire writers to write, Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance has helped to create a remarkably rich community of those same writers. I am grateful to Josh Bodwell for his leadership in that regard, and grateful to live in a state where the welcome sign as you cross the Piscataqua Bridge could just as well read, "The Way the Writing Life Should Be."

     To view the winners in other categories and to learn more, please click here.

*Please note: Joshua Bodwell will be the Commencement speaker at the Merriconeag Commencement Ceremony,

Saturday, June 8 at 2:00.

Christine Sloan

Circus Smirkus News

STEP RIGHT UP! The Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour is returning to Merriconeag on Monday, August 6th and Tuesday, August 7th.

Plenty of tickets are available online now at smirkus.org or avoid the processing fees by going Royal River Natural Foods after July 1st.

Don't delay since these shows sell out! Please note that any available tickets are released at the door one hour prior to show time and that

we usually fit in everyone off our waiting list.

RUN AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS! Join us under the big top by volunteering for a show or backstage. Sign up here to be one of our roustabouts. Everyone who signs up before the end of the school year will be entered into a drawing for 4 free tickets to the circus show of their choice! Winners notified by e-mail on June 9th.

RARE CHANCE TO SEE CIRCUS SMIRKUS FOUNDER ROB MERMIN PERFORM

This summer, you'll find us at the Frontier Cafe in Brunswick on Sunday, July 22nd and Monday, July 24th for shows that will educate, inspire and delight you. Please join us for these entertaining and Magic Matinee fundraising evenings.

A GREAT TIME FOR A GREAT CAUSE Come find us at Flatbread Company in Portland on Tuesday, July 31st for a benefit night that's a huge party. We'll have hula hoop contests, giveaways and excellent food in the company of many friends old and new. It feels like a big Merriconeag reunion and more definitely makes merrier so tell all your friends!

SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS Reach out to our more than 3,000 Circus-goers by advertising in our playbill (Link to ad rate sheet )ink to the ad rate sheet attached). Contact Victoria Stefanakos, bigtop@merriconeag.org

STAY IN TOUCH! We'll be keeping you posted on all the circus news over the summer. Be sure to like Merriconeag on Facebook and follow MerriconeagWald on Twitter. Have a great summer...we'll see you down the road!

News From the High School

College Counselor's Rave Review: I have just come from the dress rehearsal of Man of LaMancha. What I saw on that stage tonight provides ideal material for presenting Merriconeag students to college admissions folks – commitment, team work, seriousness of purpose, excellence, depth of involvement, understanding of sophisticated material, versatility of talent – from EVERY senior. My perception of a typical high school dress rehearsal is one filled with stumbles and giggles, and groans from the director; other than the tiny audience, there was nothing to suggest that the performance I saw was a dress rehearsal; that is how prepared and engaged the class was – even down to the scene changes. Those of you who attended Thursday or Friday evening no doubt were treated to an even more polished and professional show.

     For those families for whom a Waldorf education has been a lifelong experience, the involvement of every student in annual theater productions may not seem remarkable, but to those from the outside looking in, as most college admission officers are, this is indeed impressive. What a Merriconeag student accomplishes over the course of a day, a week and a year, no matter what his or her level of tested ability, is in fact remarkable and worthy of emphasis in our presentation of them as admission candidates. In these early years of Merriconeag Waldorf High School, the pioneering spirit of both students and teachers is highlighted: the extraordinary energy and involvement of every student and teacher in this emerging school community defines its success. No student can hold back – even the shyest of kids must standup on stage, or express himself in art class or offer her interpretation of Dante in English class or grapple with a math concept regardless of his comfort with the material. There is no place to hide, and thus these students learn in ways that students in other schools do not and, in fact, cannot learn. Merriconeag High School students are incredibly well prepared for the college classroom and recent successes in college acceptances points to the fact that admissions committees are seeing this. And beyond what our students will contribute to the classroom, it is evident to committees that they will also add richly to the life of a college community as they have proven through their participation in the life of Merriconeag Waldorf High School.

     Letters capturing these intangibles, together with the concrete (grades, testing and a profile of Merriconeag) are presented to colleges on behalf of each student, and this year has resulted in 62 acceptances to 56 different colleges. In the fall our seniors will be matriculating at Fort Lewis College in Colorado, Clark University, Mount Ida College and Wheaton College (all in MA), Macalester College (MN), UMaine-Farmington and College of the Atlantic (both in ME), Hartwick College (NY) Green Mountain College and Bennington College (VT). These students will now serve as ambassadors, bearing the standard for Merriconeag Waldorf High School as they move on to their respective college communities. We wish them all well on their next stage! ~Beth Caputi

Congratulations to the Senior Class:

     Congratulations to our Seniors for the gift of Man of La Mancha. For those of us who have been to many class plays over the years, we know that with careful selection of a play and careful casting, these plays deliver some of the most potent educational experiences for our students. Man of La Mancha was a perfect choice for our twelfth grade. It explores (and rebels against) a complex literary work with humor, heartfelt song and storytelling. The casting was perfect as each senior participated in their unique way as they presented this gift to us: that what we believe (even if it is "not-real") has a ripple effect on those around us. When Don Quixote briefly revives his sanity and stands proudly yet weakly with his lady Dulcinea and his friend Sancho, I could hear grown men collectively stifling tears, grandmothers sniffling into handkerchiefs, and others (such as myself) dealing with a proverbial lump in their throats. Thank you, Seniors, for this gift and thank you to all of you who helped make it possible. Jeff O'Brien

School Community Updates

Missing Rain Coat:  Avery is missing his brand new Mens Black LL Bean Rain Coat that was last seen in the Community Hall a few Days Ago His name is on the inside. If you have taken it by mistake please return it to Lisa's office on the Main Campus. Please do not put it in the Lost & Found pile behind the Community Hall. Thank You, Clare 729-6189, clare65@comcast.net.

Are you missing snow pants, water bottles, cashmere hats, fleeces, shoes, water boots, pants, shirts, jean jackets, gloves, etc? If so, please check behind the Community Hall and claim your items. Freeport Clothing Tree will receive whatever is not removed by the end of next week. Lisa

More Position Openings:

Part-time, Assistant Position(s) Available for 2012/2013 School Year: Merriconeag Waldorf School is offering part-time positions for assistants in the Nursery/Kindergarten programs, Monday through Wednesday, from 7:30 to 3:00. Prior background in working with young children and special interest in Waldorf education is necessary. Certification in a Waldorf Early Childhood program is not required, but would be a benefit.To Apply: Please send a letter of introduction, your resume, a brief biography, and two letters of recommendation to the attention of Administrator at administrator@merriconeag.org.

The 2012-2013 Merriconeag Waldorf School, School-Wide Event, Conferences and Vacation Calendar can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here: 2012/13 Vacation Calendar.

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

Announcing Portland Ultimate Youth League:

Open to anyone( male and female) in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade.
What is ultimate? Combining the non-stop movement and endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football and lacrosse, a game of Ultimate (formerly Ultimate Frisbee) is played by two 7-player squads with a
plastic disc on a field similar to football. The object of the game is to score by catching a pass in the opponent's end zone. Players cannot run with the disc, but may pivot and pass in any direction to a teammate on the field. Ultimate is a transition game like hockey, in which players move quickly from offense to defense on turnovers that
occur with a dropped pass, interception, a pass out of bounds or whena player holds the disc for more than ten seconds. Ultimate is a player-officiated sport, up to and including the National and World
Championships. Athletes are required to follow an international code of ethics called Spirit of the Game.
Mission:The mission of Portland Ultimate is to provide opportunities for Maine high school and middle school students to learn and to play the sport of Ultimate Frisbee. We believe in the code of the Spirit of the
Game and seek to promote spirit among all our participants
Coaches: There will be USA Ultimate certified coaches and chaperones at all of the games. All USA Ultimate coach members are required to undergo background screening by the National Center for Safety Initiatives
(NCSI), an agency created by the National Council for Youth Sport (NCYS). They will be on hand to instruct the players on all aspects of the game.
Schedule and Games: Games will be played at the Cumberland Fairgrounds starting on Wednesday June 13th and running every Wednesday thereafter until July 25th. There will be a tournament on Sunday July 29th at the
Cumberland Fairgrounds with a BBQ. Games will start at 6pm and will run until about 8pm. There will be
ample time for the players to learn the game.
Fees and Costs: The League Fee for 2012 is an affordable $50 per player, this willinclude a BreakMark Jersey to the first 60 players to sign up. All players must either pay a $30 fee for USAU membership (which covers all events
for the year), or else they can pay a $5 one-time fee which covers only this league. If you already paid the $30 fee to join for MEHUL or State Championships, then you don't need to pay anything to play in this league
Kids should wear cleats and bring a light shirt and a dark shirt (Not gray) water and a snack. Parents are welcome as spectators. Please bring your own chair as there are no bleachers.
Registration is happening right now: Click here for more info and to sign up.

Rich Young, Merriconeag Waldorf High School Ultimate Coach   

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