The Penquis Informer

Participants of the event showing off the new hair

The class of 2015 would like to invite you to celebrate graduation from Penquis on May 31st, 2015. Graduation will start at 1:00PM followed by a light social after the event. This is a day of

celebration for all the achievements of this class, please come and take part in the success of these

students.

On April 17th Penquis staff, students, and

community member’s ears grew longer as they “shaved” hair off for Zak Mills. Over 45+ people participated in the Shave Your Head for Zak event to show support for Zak as he completes his chemo by donating $2 to shave their head. For staff, student, and community members that could not shave their head were

able to purchase “We Stand Together” bands to show support. Please enjoy the pictures of the event or read more on Channel 5’s news station at http://wabi.tv/…/kids-teachers-shave-heads-to-help-schoolm…/

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For Your Information….

Important Dates!

Student Absences: It is important to understand that in order for students to be marked as excused absence, students will need documentation that meets the 7 board approved reasons for absence. Please reference the Penquis Handbook for more direction.

SPRING IS HERE: Please help the administration and staff enforce the rules and practices of students in the coming months. The biggest issue we are facing currently is the Penquis Student Dress Code. Please make sure your student is following this expectation and know that if they are not meeting this expectation they will be asked to change, parents will be called, and students will be sent home. You can locate the expectation for proper attire on the Penquis webpage under the student handbook. Here is a section for clarification of our most current issue:

• Clothing that is destructive of school property (cleats, pants with metal inserts) is not permitted.

• Clothing, footwear, insignia, or accessories that are intended to identify the wearer as a member of a particular gang are prohibited.

• Clothing worn in such a way as to reveal underwear or bare skin between the upper chest and mid-thigh is not permissible. Clothing not permitted would include, but not be limited to: [one-shoulder strap shirts, low-cut tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops, halters, midriff tops, very short skirts or shorts, and muscle shirts]. In addition, pants should be worn at the waist, and not allowed to fall in order to reveal undergarments.

Send an email with interest to jbousquet@msad41.us to be added to our

ever-growing list!

May 5th – Half-Day – TT Day May 6th – Mrs. Knowlton 5th Grade Welcome/ Transition Meeting May 6th – School Board Meeting 7PM May 6th – Third Year H.S. MEA Science Testing May 7th – Senior Night Portfolio Presentation May 9th – Music Class Trip May 11th – 15th – NWEA H.S. Testing May 11th – Capital Improvements Meeting May 12th – Curriculum Meeting May 13th – 8th Grade MEA Science testing May 13th – Staff Meeting 2:45 – 3:45 May 14th – Spring Concert – 7PM May 15th – 4th Quarter Progress Report May 15th – Bob Young Presentation to M.S. & H.S. Students May 16th – H.S. Prom @ Penquis Valley May 18th – 22nd – Seniors Final Week May 19th – Half Day – TT Day May 23rd – M.S. Semi Formal – 6 – 9pm – Milo Town Hall May 26th – 29th – Senior Marching Practice. May 31st – Graduation Class 2015 Reference the Penquis Schools Calendar

or Facebook page for up to date information.

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AP test dates for 2015: Monday May 4th AM - Environmental Science Tuesday May 5th AM - Calculus AB Wednesday May 6th AM - Lit and Composition Friday May 8th AM - US History Wednesday May 13 AM - Language and Composition We have started the process and will be finishing the scholarship list soon to be awared at the May 31st Graduation Ceremony. Student Class Sign-up will be starting in the coming weeks. Please be involved with your student’s course choice for the next year for H.S. Questions – Contact Laura Mallett lmallett@msad41.us or call 943-7346 ext 107

From The Staff: Mr. Emery – Penquis Valley High School's Drama Class is very pleased to announce their production of R. Eugene Jackson's Sleeping Beauty on June 5th and 6th at Milo Town Hall's Ed Wingler Auditorium. Both shows will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is: $3.00 per student, $5.00 per adult, or $15.00 for a family admission. Come see this comical version of a Disney favorite---a night sure to be filled with magic making, spell casting, and battling with a fiery dragon. Mrs. Smith – The M.S. student council acknowledged Mr. Vigue during National Asst. Principals Week April 13-17 and Mrs. Delano and Mrs. Richards for Admin Asst. day April 22 before vacation. They will also be acknowledging the middle school staff for Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8 with a couple of mini treats during the week and then a celebratory surprise on Friday May 8th

Mrs. Gerrish - Yearbooks have been shipped and should be arriving at Penquis Valley the week of May 4. Cost is $40 and can be purchased before and after school, and during homeroom. Also, Twenty 9, 10 and 11 graders will be attending the MLTI Student Conference at UMaine on May 21. Conference sessions are presented by MLTI student teams and by Maine-based, national, and international professionals across a wide range of fields - from the arts to computer science. Sessions are designed to support students and teachers in making the best use of the MLTI machines. The Month of May Testing:

• MEA Science - 2 - 3 sections - Paper based test: o H.S. (3rd year students) - May 6th - follow SBAC testing schedule (AM disruption) - this

is a paper based test so no technology o M.S. (8th Grade) - May 13th - Pam will be communicating direction sometime this week

- follow the SBAC Schedule (Am disruption) - this is a paper based test so no technology • NWEA - Math, ELA, Science - computer based:

o H.S. (grades 9 - 11) - May 11th - 15th - Teachers should communicate the schedule to fellow grade level teams to figure out what/when they are testing - Traditionally this was done in the subject classes during class time.

o M.S. (grades 6 - 8) - May 18th - 22nd - Teachers should communicate the schedule to fellow grade level teams to figure out what/when they are testing - Traditionally this was done in the subject classes during class time.

• AP Test - Schedule Promoted on District/Penquis Website: o 24 students taking AP exams, 30 exams being given, refer to the Penquis Calendar for

details on dates. o Fellowship Hall is the testing place - tests from 8am - Noon - students required to come

back after and finish the academic day.

Help children reconnect with a time when they learned something new that was a stretch or a challenge. • Point out the developmental nature of “getting good” – we all go through the process of making a

lot of mistakes, practicing, and then getting better.

Penquis Valley Schools: 48 Penquis Drive- Milo, ME 04463

Important Sites for School information:

MSAD 41 Site https://sites.google.com/a/msad41.us/msad41/

PV Schools

https://sites.google.com/a/msad41.us/penquis-valley/

Write Up from Shannon Bishop: After months of hard work and careful planning, JMG students brought home the gold! We won a first place trophy for our booth, an element of the competition we always place extra emphasis on because everyone at the conference can see it. Our theme was chocolate, and we explained, "Life is NOT like a box of chocolates. You CAN know what you're gonna get" with careful planning for the future, and by being an active, passionate member of the community. JMG seniors Dylan LaLime, David Robbins, and Devin Gerrish won a third place trophy for group challenge. All three attended last year as well, and I feel strongly their experience helped garner the win. David was deeply touched by the accolade, saying, "I've never won a trophy before!”

It is very much worth noting that several students (whether conference attendees or not) worked behind the scenes, prepping the materials for the booth and helping us rehearse for the other competitive events. It is something nearly every JMG student can take credit for, and to me, that is a true sign of a successful learning experience.