Equipping Maine learners with the confidence and skills to realize their full potential
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Dear Friends & Supporters,
September’s arrival means settling back into school routines and wrapping up the final weeks of summer. As you review the contents of this newsletter, you will hear about how we have been living out our dynamic mission throughout the summer. In the coming weeks, our teams will be actively preparing for and stepping into the new program year.
Do you have friends, neighbors, or co-workers who would appreciate hearing about LearningWorks’ positive impact on children and youth in our region? If so, please forward this newsletter and encourage them to review it. Further, they can sign up to receive future communications at the bottom of our homepage. Thank you for the ways that you support our tireless efforts to unleash the potential within the students we serve.
Peace,
Thomas McLaughlin – Executive Director
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We recently wrapped up summer programming across our four sites. Looking ahead, we are confident that great things are in store for the new school year.
Biddeford students had an amazing summer. They spent lots of time outdoors – investigating nature on the trails behind the school and learning about topics like decomposition, tree growth, and bugs. Field trips included romping around Mackworth Island and blueberry picking at Joan and Brad’s. Our summer partners from Jumpstart helped us reinforce literacy and math skills. Our summer family event included building solar ovens and a singing performance led by visiting artist Sharon Trace.
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The Portland program came to a joyful close with a Celebration of Learning at which students proudly shared some of the STEM and enrichment projects they completed. We were thrilled that so many families were able to observe our students’ summer accomplishments. We are grateful for our partners from the Maine College of Art who guided several days of engaging, hands-on art activities that fostered creativity and self-expression.
Saco students had a summer of full of learning and fun! We completed a comprehensive unit on biodiversity of plants and animals. We explored our camping theme through a variety of nutrition, art, literacy, and safety lessons. Students enjoyed making “ants on a log” and other snacks, trying out new airbrushing tools, and experimenting with mixing colors.
In Waterboro, we wrapped up our successful summer with an incredible Invention Convention! Over several weeks, students identified common daily challenges and brainstormed gadgets/tools that might be used to tackle them. Students proudly shared their final inventions, showcasing the new STEM skills they acquired through the design process.
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The SW crew has been steadily working on various summer projects, including a return to the Audubon Center at the Scarborough Marsh. Every week, participants helped launch canoes and kayaks and learned about the flora and fauna of the marsh. We’ve also teamed up with the Cumberland County Food Security Council on gleaning projects, from wild blueberries in Sebago to produce from the Portland Farmers Market. In York County, participants have been continuing to mow lawns for Sanford seniors through the Thriving in Place program. They have also been volunteering at the Sanford Community Garden (pictured below), the Biddeford Community Garden, Community Roots Farm, and the Saco Meals program.
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