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Newsletter |
For 2010-2011, Pequawket Kids Association (PKA), a 21 st Century Community Learning Center program approved by the Maine Department of Education in conjunction with the U. S. Department of Education, offers enriching and engaging programs for children at Brownfield-Denmark, New Suncook and C. A. Snow Schools. PKA programs are offered daily from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. while school is in session and for full days during April vacation. Plans are being discussed for another summer vacation program; this year's program was a success both in the number of students served and the enthusiastic response of students and parents to the program. PKA's program provides planned and supervised activities designed to meet the individual educational, social and recreational needs of each child. This unique program has been developed to enhance the child's existing skills while introducing and encouraging new interest areas. The program will provide an environment for children to learn about themselves, others and the world around them. A variety of methods will be utilized, including learning programs, small "Club" or special interest groups, planned large group games and community resources. Children have the opportunity to choose enrichment programs based on their own skills and interests. Programs will involve both active and quiet activities which will give children an opportunity to socialize and work on cooperation and problem-solving skills. Other programs will allow children to learn and practice skills in creating projects to take home. All programs will focus on activities that reinforce children's academic skills.
21 st Century Community Learning Center Goals Pequawket Kids Association strives to provide the best quality program for students and their families. In conjunction with 21 st Century Community Learning Centers, PKA has established three primary goals for children: academic, health and wellness, and cultural and multi-cultural. This year will continue our tradition for successfully meeting each of these goals. ACADEMIC GOAL Fundamental to the success of PKA is helping children succeed academically. In order to accomplish this, PKA staff are highly qualified and attend professional development workshops and conferences throughout the year. Teachers or educational technicians working in each school provide direct academic support for students in their schools. These PKA academic providers regularly communicate with teachers of students in the program to know how best to help each child. Academic support is provided daily. For younger children, much of that time is devoted to literacy and games that promote reading and basic mathematics. For older children, homework help is the focus. HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOAL Each day children are provided with a nutritious snack and engage in physical fitness by playing outside or in the gym in either free-play or small- or large-group activities. Chef "Wow" will work with students to prepare nutritious, low-cost meals they can make at home with their families. All schools will regularly offer enrichment programs that take students outside to explore their environment. Safety, honesty, respect and responsibility will be integrated daily. CULTURAL and MULTI-CULTURAL GOAL Art, music and theatre are offered as enrichment programs throughout the year. Children have the opportunity to look at how children live around the world by exploring stories, traditions, games, crafts, and food from different cultures.
Staff Laura Riggs-Mitchell, Director I have served as Director of Pequawket Kids Association since its creation in August 2008 and today oversee the programs at all three elementary schools. The enthusiastic support PKA has received from the principals of the these schools has helped PKA to reach out to students and their families. The 14-member PKA Advisory Board that I work with is a diverse group of individuals from the local communities who are serious about the integrity and sustainability of Pequawket Kids Association. Because of their efforts, PKA has recently received funding from Fryeburg Rotary, the Town of Fryeburg, and the Haas Foundation. Other grants are expected in the near future. All of the members of the Board worked at our Hug-a-Truck fundraiser last year. One of my responsibilities is to develop and nurture the support of community organizations that contribute to make Pequawket Kids Association exciting to students and their families. PKA will continue to work with Boy Scouts, Fryeburg Academy, Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg Library, Greater Lovell Land Trust, Lakes Environmental Association, Mount Washington Observatory, Mountain Top Music Center, Nestle Poland Springs, Sherman Farm, Tin Mountain Conservation Center, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. I am pleased that pleased to have found six individuals to work as coordinators and assistant coordinators in the district's three elementary schools. Each brings her unique talents to the job, but all share one thing in common, a commitment to creating a rewarding, exciting and and fun program that students will enjoy and parents will appreciate. Brownfield-Denmark School Faith Timberlake-Alves, Coordinator I was born in Cambridge Massachusetts, went to school in Massachusetts, but spent the best part of my childhood in Eaton Center, New Hampshire, where my family has continuously owned property since the 1770's. I attended Massachusetts College of Art, where I majored in art education with concentrations in photography, life drawing, printmaking, fibers and silversmithing. There I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Education with Massachusetts certification to teach Art, kindergarten-12. Following college, I worked for four years as the Arts and Crafts Coordinator at the Ohrenberger Community School in West Roxbury. There I developed and taught arts and crafts classes for children, teens, adults and senior citizens. I am married and the mother of four adult children. My husband, one son and I reside in Eaton Center . When I have time, I particularly enjoy designing and making quilts, working on puzzles and reading science fiction. I've spent the last 30 years as a candy maker and manager for Dorothy Timberlake Candies, a small family-owned business which we closed last winter. Although I am no longer involved in candy making, I still maintain the website for my father, who at 93 still uses it in conjunction with his museum; he has a collection of more than 13,000 moulds, many of which we used in making our candies. I am thrilled to be returning to teaching, especially with the added bonus of getting to work with my favorite age group! Carol Milia, Assistant Coordinator A New Englander all my life, I was educated in Boston and its suburbs. After graduating from Malden High School, I studied commercial advertising and fine arts at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts at the Fenway in Back Bay. Being the mother of three lovely daughters. I am privileged they have wanted me to be involved in their lives, both emotionally and socially, since they were children. It has truly been an inspiration to me seeing them grow and develop into the women they are today. I have always felt that encouragement is a key to success. All children deserve to succeed and achieve their goals and dreams. If I can provide the word of encouragement that helps a child, then I have done my job. Since I have lived in Fryeburg, I have been actively involved in MSAD #72 as a substitute teacher, education technician III, and tutor. Having worked as a substitute in the Pequawket Kids Association's afterschool program, I am eager to be the Assistant Coordinator of PKA at Brownfield-Denmark School. New Suncook School Heather Sawin, Coordinator I am returning for my second year as Coordinator of Pequawket Kids Association's afterschool program at New Suncook School. Last year was a wonderful experience. For the past thirteen years I ran the Kreative Kids Preschool, LLC in Lovell. While my children attended New Suncook School, I was a classroom volunteer and PTA member. I was involved from the beginning of the LEAP (Lovell Enrichment Afterschool Program) which began in 1999 and eventually became the director of LEAP. I have volunteered my time as a Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher, Youth Group Advisor, member of the Project Graduation Committee and Raider's Booster Club for Fryeburg Academy. I can't wait to get this year underway with new, exciting opportunities for the children at New Suncook School! Dawn Ferguson, Assistant Coordinator In the many years since earning my BA in art education, I have worked with children and adults in a variety of settings. I was the activities coordinator at the Boys and Girls Club in South Portland. I taught art to grades k-12 in Dixfield, Maine. I worked with people with physical and developmental disabilities in various capacities: as a job coach, in direct care and also did administrative planning and coordination. Prior to staying home with my son, Seth, for 8 years, I worked as an Education Technician in SAD 72 for 4 years. In the spring of this year, I joined PKA as assistant to Heather Sawin at New Suncook School. I am happy to be back for the 2010-2011 school year and excited about the programs we're offering to the students. C. A. Snow School Dara Guptill, Coordinator I grew up in North Fryeburg attending New Suncook School , followed by Molly Ockett Middle School , and then Fryeburg Academy . I feel very fortunate that I've had the opportunity to grow and learn in such a wonderful, caring community. Now I am very excited to have the chance to give back to that community through the amazing PKA Afterschool Program! My husband and I recently moved to Denmark where we plan to reside for many years and raise our new baby. I graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a BA in Sociology, and then went to work as a Teacher Assistant in a special education classroom. I've had many opportunities to volunteer in our district and in other school settings where I feel most comfortable. My many interests include being outdoors participating in sports, taking hikes, and snowboarding. I also enjoy making art, visiting friends and family, and teaching. I hope to share my interests, and expand on the interests of students, through hands- on, exciting enrichment programs. Ashly Rogers, Assistant Coordinator I was born and raised in North Chatham, New Hampshire and have just moved back to my family's farm house in North Chatham with my 8-month-old twin boys. In elementary school, sports was my interest and I played softball and field hockey. When I was in the 6 th grade I was involved with the 4-H group, Yankee Teamsters. I went to many fairs presenting at steer and oxen shows with the animals on my family's farm. In high school, I was involved in field hockey, ice hockey, yearbook and FACE. Today, I enjoy BBQs with my friends and family and in my free time, I go skiing and skating. When I was 20-years-old, I moved to Rhode Island. While there, I took classes at the Community College of Rhode Island and worked as a teacher in an afterschool program. A year later, I was promoted and became Cite Coordinator for that program. In 2007, after earning my Associate's degree in General Education, I transferred to Rhode Island College where I took classes in children's psychology. I am now working on my Bachelor's degree in the area of Family Studies. I am very excited to be the Assistant Coordinator for Pequawket Kids Association at C. A. Snow School. ENROLLMENT Pequawket Kids Association had an enrollment of 210 students in 2009-2010 at the three schools:
In addition, eleven children who were not previously in PKA, were enrolled for the 2010 PKA Summer Adventure Program. PKA's staff is enthusiastic and well-qualified to work with your children. With daily schedules that include academic support provided by qualified staff, nutritious snacks, time for physical fitness out-of-doors or in the gym, and exciting enrichment programs, I am confident our enrollment will increase this school year. FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit Pequawket Kids Association's website, www.pka.me. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. I may be reached by e-mail or phone (PKA's dedicated phone line is voice mail only. I check it several times daily and will promptly return calls.) E-mail: lriggsmitchell@msad72.k12.me.us
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