School news

loading...

Schools

Entertainment at Kenduskeag School

KENDUSKEAG – The Art and Science Explorers Program, sponsored by the Kenduskeag School Organization, will host two days of entertainment at Kenduskeag Elementary School:

. The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s Acadia Brass, 45-minute programs at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27. At 1 p.m., the ensemble will perform a concert for the entire school. The BSO Know Your Orchestra program was developed to complement music education in rural schools. In addition, the symphony provides ticket vouchers for free admission to a BSO Classical Concert and a backstage tour to greet the musicians who traveled to their schools.

. The Milkweed Puppet Theater, performing the story, “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” one-hour programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. There also will be a puppet workshop and a snack station. In the event of a storm, the show will be rescheduled to Feb. 4.

Both of these programs are free and open to the public.

Stillwater Montessori

OLD TOWN – Conor Millard, a pupil at Stillwater Montessori School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 11, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship.

The school-level bee, at which pupils answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 18th annual National Geographic Bee. The event is sponsored by the National Geographic Society and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

The kickoff for this year’s bee was the week of Nov. 14, with thousands of schools participating. The school winners, including Conor Millard, will now take a written test. Up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state bee on March 31.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the National Geographic Bee national championship on May 23-24. The first-place national winner receives a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the Society.

Recognition for veterans

HERMON – The Hermon High School Junior ROTC will honor veterans with a recognition night during the boys varsity and junior varsity basketball games on Monday, Jan. 30.

Veterans will be admitted free during the junior varsity game at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity game at 7 p.m. During half-time at the varsity game, the Hermon High School Band will play military songs honoring each branch of the service, and the Junior ROTC will present a drill demonstration.

Scholarships for women

The BPW-Maine Futurama Foundation, established by the Maine Federation of Business and Professional Women, offers four scholarships for Maine women.

According to Uptown BPW Club President Marie Saucier, applications must be received by April 20 for the next school year. Each scholarship will provide $1,200 for school expenses. Applications are available in school guidance offices, from college financial aid offices or from the local BPW scholarship chairwoman, Wanda O’Brien-Lunn, at 843-0686. The scholarships are:

. The Rachel E. Lemieux Youth Scholarship, to a high school senior or recent graduate who will attend college beginning in the fall.

. The Arline Andrews Lovejoy Youth Scholarship, to a high school senior girl or recent graduate who will attend college beginning in the fall.

. The Continuing Education Scholarship, to a woman who has completed at least one year of an accredited college or training program is enrolled for at least one more year.

. The Career Advancement Scholarship, to a woman age 30 years or older who is enrolled in an accredited college or training program of study.

Financial need and educational goals are important criteria in consideration for the scholarships.

Veazie Community School

VEAZIE – Kindergarten registration and screening for the 2006-2007 school year will be held Thursday and Friday, March 2-3, at the Veazie Community School. Parents of a child who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 15 may call the school at 947-6573 before Tuesday, Feb. 28, to schedule an appointment.

This year’s registration is by appointment only so that the staff may meet individually with parents and child. Parents must bring the child’s birth certificate and records of immunizations for the screening process.

C.L.A.E. School

BANGOR – C.L.A.E. School at 96 Harlow St., Suite 120, will hold an after-school program 3-5 p.m. Mondays for two weeks beginning Jan. 30. Activities include clay animation, filmmaking, interactive games, art activities, reading and homework help, if needed.

The school, a nonprofit agency, will offer three fun-filled days during school vacation, Feb. 21-23. A variety of activities will be offered.

The school also has announced a new program, “Reading Can Be Fun,” with a certified literacy specialist. The program will explore children’s interests and strengths in small groups and help them become better readers. Included are interactive, hands-on activities and lots of reading.

Space is limited in each of the programs. For information or registration, call 990-5169 or 664-4734.

Colleges

Emerson College

Katie Brydon, a senior at Emerson College, was selected for membership in the 2006 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges honors program. The Who’s Who program honors individual scholastic excellence of outstanding campus leaders. The prestigious award is one of the highest honors given annually by the American academic community.

Brydon is a 2002 graduate of Hampden Academy and the daughter of Bob and Kathy Brydon.

Lasell College

NEWTON, Mass. – Two area students were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Lasell College. They are:

. Mary Wollstadt of Old Town, who is majoring in fashion design and production.

. Emily Reed of Winterport, who is majoring in fashion and retail merchandising.

New England School of Communication

BANGOR – The New England School of Communications, on the Circle at Husson College, opened its spring semester on Jan. 16 with 36 new students, bringing the total enrollment of the school to 292.

Now in its 25th season, NESCom lists 213 students seeking the four-year bachelor of science degree in communications, 72 seeking two-year associate degrees and three studying for the one-year certificate in broadcasting. Four students are taking courses on a part-time basis.

NESCom prepares graduates for careers in a variety of communication disciplines, including radio, television, public relations, advertising, journalism, audio engineering and digital media.

Quinnipiac University

HAMDEN, Conn. – Area students named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Quinnipiac University are:

. Jeremy Stormann of Milford.

. Jillian Dougherty of Brewer.

Roger Williams University

BRISTOL, R.I. – Roger Williams University recently announced the dean’s list for the fall 2005 semester. Included on the dean’s list are:

. Michael Brennan of Bangor, a junior majoring in English literature.

. Amy Hutchins of Bangor, a senior majoring in architecture.

Rutgers University

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Donna K. Thornton, alumni relations professional and former mayor of Brewer, has been named associate vice president for alumni relations and executive vice president of the Rutgers University Alumni Federation, Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick announced recently.

Thornton, who will assume her responsibilities next month, is currently interim president and chief executive officer of the University of Maine Alumni Association, which represents 90,000 alumni. She has served in various leadership positions there since 1999, including executive director of the annual fund and director of alumni operations.

Previously, Thornton was director of corporate planning and development for Maine’s largest community mental health and home health agency. Thornton was elected to three terms as a Brewer city councilor and served as mayor and deputy mayor at various times during her tenure 1993-2002.

At Rutgers, Thornton will be the chief administrator for the alumni offices on all three campuses, managing the budget, operations and staff.

Thornton holds a bachelor’s degree in public management and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Maine.

Stonehill College

EASTON, Mass. – Megan Yardley of Bangor has been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2005 semester at Stonehill College.

One-day business management courses

ORONO – In a state like Maine, where many business leaders rise through the company ranks with excellent job skills but often little training in managing people, the learning curve can be expensive in terms of time and money.

Over the last 20 years, several thousand men and women at all levels of company and organization hierarchies have addressed that deficit through short intensive programs offered by the University of Maine’s Division of Lifelong Learning. Those people have improved communications, teambuilding, time, priority, conflict and project management skills, and learned new leadership techniques.

The division’s Continuing Education for Maine Businesses program has announced its spring 2006 series of six one-day business management courses offered on the Orono campus. Participants may enroll for individual classes or “package” classes to achieve a Certificate in Supervisory Leadership.

Continuing Education for Maine Businesses also brings customized programs directly to business and organization work sites throughout Maine for tailor-made classes on a wide range of supervisory and management topics. They range from dealing with difficult people to delegation and coaching.

Continuing Education for Maine Businesses also can design a course of study or address a particular challenge a company is facing.

Classes are geared for managers at both ends of the spectrum – those who have had no formal schooling in skills critical to effective management, and employees with advanced college business degrees who would like to boost management and people skills quickly and inexpensively.

CEMB allows employers to pick and choose from a wide range of courses for just one day or extended over several months, said Linda Godfrey, program coordinator.

“Our goal is to meet a group’s needs in a focused, practical, bottom-line approach.” she said. “It’s kind of the Cliff Notes on business management. Our program really engages people’s minds as well as addressing specific situations to give people new ways to think about their roles and learn new techniques for working with and motivating the people they manage.”

In celebration of the program’s 20th anniversary this year, Godfrey said, tuition is being reduced by 20 percent for this spring’s classes. “This is a way for us to celebrate two decades of serving Maine businesses, and also inspire employees and employers to try out this type of training.”

All too often, Godfrey said, skilled employees are promoted to supervisory or management positions without regard for the employee’s ability to work with people, and without any training programs to support their new responsibilities.

Studies have shown that corporate investment in professional development skills is one of the best investments a company can make. Good leadership skills lead to productive employee relationships and contribute to an environment of teamwork – and ultimately, more success, she said.

People skills, often called “soft skills,” are the most challenging skills to excel at in the workplace, said Godfrey.

Information about CEMB is available from Wanda Westley in the Division of Lifelong Learning at 581-3414 or e-mail wanda.westley@umit.maine.edu.

The CEMB classes are:

. “Effective Communication Skills for Supervisors and Managers,” MGT803, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14.

. “Managing Conflict and Dealing with Difficult People,” MGT811, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.

. “Teamwork and Successful Project Management,” MGT806, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 15.

. “Time and Priority Management for Top Performance,” MGT810, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 28.

. “Delegation, Coaching and Influencing Others,” MGT802, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 4.

University of Maine

ORONO – Adrienne Given, a 2005 graduate of Bangor High School, received the $1,000 Efthim Economu Foreign Language Scholarship after achieving a 4.0 GPA at the University of Maine for the fall semester.