The S.H.I.P.S. Log

Special Helpers in Public Schools

Volume 1, Issue 11

WINTER 2005

WINTER 2016

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the

world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

(Margaret Mead)

We must find time to

stop and

thank the people who

make a

difference in our

lives ~John F. Kennedy

Thank You Volunteers…

On behalf of the York School Department, I would like to say thank you for giving your unwavering support and generosity to our schools. Thank you for your kindness, compassion and caring. Together, we were able to provide over 29,500 volunteer hours in 2014 -2015 in support of our students and staff. As of December, we have logged in 9000 hours - we are right on track! It truly does take a village to raise a child!

Melanie

York Mentor Scholarship Fund 2015

Established in 2001 as a high school scholarship, we expanded in 2002 to include middle school summer enrichment

opportunities. The York Mentor Scholarship Board is proud to announce that six middle school scholarships were

awarded in May 2015. We would like to thank Kennebunk Savings Bank, all of our mentors, community volunteers

and area businesses that continue to support our fundraising efforts for this great scholarship fund! These

scholarships allow students to achieve dreams they once thought were impossible!

Middle School Recipients

Aydson Joaquin: Outdoor Adventure Camp Riley Short: Outdoor Adventure Camp

Quinn Stropparo: Outdoor Adventure Camp Maia Nelson: Safe Sitter Summer Camp

Jesye Moore: Surfpoint Stables Summer Camp Evie Finucan: Guitar Lessons

Camp was so much fun….Thanks for the Scholarship!!

Dear Mentor Program,

Hi, it’s me Jesye Moore. My mentor is

Claire. Thank you so much for the

scholarship. I did horseback riding,

grooming the horse and putting the

saddle on the horse. I was hoping that

my sister Natalie Moore and I can have

a scholarship this year to go to Surf

Point Stables.

-From, Jesye Moore

York School Department Volunteer Services Staff

Melanie Ladd: Community Resource Director Kathy McKenna: Administrative Support Phone:

mladd@yorkschools.org kmckenna@yorkschools.org 207-351-3016

Thank You!

I want to thank the Mentor Program for the

scholarship. The OAC Camp WAS AWESOME!

- Riley

Dear Mentor Program,

Thank you sooo much for letting me do the babysitting program and for my mentor! From, Maia

Hello!

I want to thank you so much. With the money, I

have been going to guitar lessons. I love music a

lot and it’s awesome. Music is something I love a

lot, and it means a lot. Joanne, my mentor is so

amazing and supporting and we are close. Thank

you so much!

- Evie

Mentor/Community Volunteer Profile

Meet…Joanne Myers

York has always been a special place for me and our extended family. As a child, my family came to York Beach

one day each summer and I remember the feeling of delight as our station wagon rounded the bend in York

Harbor and I got my first glimpse of the ocean. My husband Bob and I spent weekends here as newly-weds and

traveled from New Jersey each summer to share our love of this place with our children. Years later, we were

fortunate enough to retire to a home in York, within walking distance of the village and beaches, where family

and friends from near and far gather to share traditions, to make memories, and to share stories (and s’mores)

around the fire pit.

I love a good story! As a child, I read through nearly every book in the children’s library in my hometown

unleashing a passion for lifelong learning that continues today. I was a volunteer for Head Start when it began

in the summer of 1965 and became a literacy advocate. After a professional career in museum education, my

life has come full circle in York.

The summer of 2009, shortly after the moving boxes were unpacked, I met Melanie Ladd on the beach. That

chance encounter has led to some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. My first volunteer opportunity

in York was as a tutor for an adult student who was pursuing her G.E.D. We rebuilt her reading and writing

skills, worked together for four years, and she ultimately met all of the requirements for her high school diploma

including a senior thesis. We celebrated her accomplishments together and shed tears of joy as she delivered

her graduation address.

In 2010, I became a mentor to a little girl in the first grade at VES. We have continued to meet weekly for lunch

during the school year ever since; we are now in the 6th grade. Initially, we played games together – she

cheated. We did arts and crafts together – her projects were always more artistic than mine. She developed a

passion for Roman and Greek mythology – I couldn’t keep the Gods and Goddesses straight. Fortunately, she is

patient with me. Over time, we have become a part of each other’s lives.

I return to the first grade twice a week as a literacy volunteer. One morning a week I meet with students during

their reading time. A second morning I meet with another class during writing time. Recently I worked with a

group of boys who were each writing a non-fiction book on Tom Brady. Fortunately, being surrounded by a

family of Patriots fans, I have absorbed enough information to be credible. By the end of our session, their

teacher was referring to us as the Brady bunch. I can’t wait for the next chapter.

A Family Favorite…Marvelous Chocolate Mint Cookies

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ½ tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. salt 6 T. unsalted butter

¾ cup packed light brown sugar 6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, 1 large egg 36 pieces Andes

chopped chocolate mints (unwrap)

1. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment

paper.

2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Melt butter and brown sugar in medium sauce pan over low heat. Add

bittersweet chocolate, cover pan with lid and let stand – heat off - until chocolate melts, about 4 minutes. Stir until smooth,

transfer to bowl of the electric mixer, and let cool, about 10 minutes.

3. With electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg into cooled chocolate mixture until thoroughly combined. Reduce speed to low and

mix in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

4. Roll 2 tsp. dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until cookies are just set, 10 – 12

min., rotating and switching baking sheets halfway thru baking time. Using a knife, spread softened mint over top of cookie and

transfer to rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. (can be stored 1 week in airtight container)

York High School Robotic’s Team – York Torque Force

For the first time ever, York High School has a Robotics Team! With the help of 9 community members, 30 York High School students

have come together to form York Torque Force. These students started with a 2 week summer boot camp and have been meeting

once a week ever since. In their first competition in November, one of the sub-teams won the Excellence Award and another sub team

won the Skills Challenge Award. Ten students are now heading to the state finals in February. Volunteers have already given close to

150 hours. Thank you volunteers for offering this new adventure to these students and giving them this opportunity to shine!

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER NEWS........

WELCOME NEW MENTORS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

The following new people have joined the York Schools’ Mentor Program…

Renee Kocev Avril Palazzi Brian Ross Whitney Strout Lucy Wilkinson

The following seasoned mentors have a new student to mentor…

Laurie Collins Cindy Farley Molly Fox Jean Griffin Eric Lusty

Ginger St. Clair Sally Sulloway Frank Wallace

The following people have joined our Community Volunteer Program….

Wanda Avery Nancy Booze John Dufour Marissa Galante Connie Gardoqui

Anita Haskell Caroline Hird Carol Hodges Gerald Mackaman Linda Mackaman

Peter Mantell Diane Morin Tim Newton Michael Papp Jean Rae

Megan Ramsey Lori Reil Janet Rowley Carrie Sayward Judy Shaw

Thomas Shaw Andrew Sheehan Timothy Sheehan

AREA BUSINESSES HELPING PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE:

Elementary Students: Career Day was held at Coastal Ridge Elementary School last spring with the intent of exposing our

children to the various career opportunities available to them. The theme for this event was “Hard work and passion lead to

success”. We were centering on the idea that if you practice something you are passionate about enough, you can do anything.

Presenters from 17 local businesses encouraged students to follow their passion and continually work at it, persevering through

mistakes and setbacks.

Middle School Students: Career Day was held for both 8th

grade Teams at the conclusion to their Family and Consumer Science

class. Prior to the event, each student had an opportunity to write their first resume. The event started with each student

presenting their resume and participating in mock job interviews performed by 12 volunteers from area businesses. Next,

students were able to attend 4 different talks from presenters representing over a dozen careers. Students were able to

observe and question these professionals in order to explore careers they found interesting. The event ended with a panel of 4

YHS seniors speaking to our 8th

grade regarding life as a freshman at YHS, having a summer job, Job shadowing in their junior

year at YHS and preparing for post-graduation.

High School Students: All high school juniors are required to complete our Career Quest Program in order to graduate. The

Career Quest Program is a multi—phase program that includes resume writing, researching possible careers, contacting a

business of interest and communicating with this business. It concludes with one day of school time given over entirely to job

shadowing the chosen profession. This program is designed to help students explore their interests as they begin to look at

post-secondary options. Last spring, we had 125 students participate in this program. This is the 9th

anniversary of the Career

Quest Program! We currently have a resource list of over 550 businesses that support our students in this program!!!