ELKS NEWS

Tuesday, 2/3-NWEA Math test

Monday, 2/9-PTO meeting 6:00pm ELKS Cafe

Monday, 2/16-Friday, 2/20 -FEB VACATION - No school!

Early Release Wednesday: 2/4, 2/11, 2/25

January's attendance rate is almost there! We had 92.96% of our students here each and every day! Let's see if we can hit 97% in February!!

As we start the new month, we want to share an important reminder: the State of Maine requires all schools to conduct 10 emergency drills each year. Knowlton has been doing a fantastic job preparing our students and staff, and so far we’ve already completed 7 drills. Our students have shown great responsibility and calm during these practices, and we appreciate your support in helping them understand why safety routines matter.

September - 4 drills

October - 1 drill

November - 1 drill

December - 1 drill

January - BRRR...ice, snow, cold...

Knowlton School recently turned into a five-star tasting room during our latest “Try It” Day, featuring a bold and flavorful creation by none other than Chef Vargas himself: Green Chile Pozole.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Will students really try that?”—the answer is a resounding YES. Not only did they try it, they loved it. In what can only be described as an overwhelming vote of approval, students across all 4th grade classes gave the soup glowing reviews and very empty bowls. One particularly enthusiastic food critic from Ms. Couture’s 4th grade class summed it up best: "If I could give this soup a million thumbs up, I would.” High praise indeed.

Students eagerly lined up, sampled the pozole, and many came back for seconds—some even asked if thirds were socially acceptable (we checked… they are). By the end of the day, the buzz in the hallways wasn’t about recess or math—it was all about when the next Try It Day would be.

Thanks to Chef Vargas for sharing his culinary creativity and helping our students expand their taste buds one delicious spoonful at a time. Judging by the student response, Try It Days may need to become a regular menu item. Stay tuned… and bring your appetite!

Get ready to celebrate innovation and teamwork!

This year, 17 talented students are representing Knowlton School in the Odyssey of the Mind competition. Odyssey of the Mind is more than just a contest; it’s a challenge where teams must use critical thinking and "out of the box" creativity to solve complex problems. From engineering vehicles to writing original scripts, our students are currently busy brainstorming, building, and rehearsing.

Meet the Teams & Their Challenges

This year, our students are tackling three very different—and very exciting—problems:

• Lost in Omer Land (Technical): This team is diving into the world of tech! They are tasked with building and operating a "trip assistant." The catch? This voice-activated device is programmed to malfunction, leading to a series of hilarious mishaps that the team must navigate.

• Off the Rails (Vehicle): Innovation meets comedy here. This team is constructing an original vehicle that will be part of a story featuring a humorous conductor and a classic villain. Expect high energy and plenty of laughs as they stay "on track."

• An Epic Quest (Classics): Drawing inspiration from history and literature, this team is exploring the Classics. They are writing an original epic poem, facing off against a formidable beast, and embarking on a journey to rescue someone in need.

The Big Day: April 4th

Our teams are working incredibly hard, meeting after school and on weekends to perfect their solutions. All of this preparation leads up to the Odyssey Nor’Easter on April 4th, where they will showcase their hard work against other schools in the region.

We are so proud of these 17 students for their dedication, teamwork, and willingness to tackle these difficult (and often silly!) challenges.

"Creativity is intelligence having fun." — Albert Einstein

Good luck to all our Odyssey teams! Go get 'em!

The stage is set and the rehearsals are in full swing! This year, the Drama Club is buzzing with energy as 25 talented students work hard to bring our latest production to life. Under the expert direction of Ms. Hagen and Mrs. Keniston, our young performers are learning the ropes of theater—from mastering stage presence to perfecting their comedic timing.

About the Show: A Mixed-Up Fairy Tale

Forget everything you think you know about "Once Upon a Time." In this year’s production, your favorite storybook characters have found themselves in a bit of a muddle!

When classic fairy tales collide, the results are nothing short of magical—and hilarious. Our cast is busy portraying a whirlwind of characters who find themselves in the wrong stories, proving that sometimes, a "happily ever after" looks a little different than expected.

What the Students are Learning

Beyond just learning lines, our 25 club members are gaining incredible skills, including:

• Teamwork: Coordinating complex scenes and supporting fellow cast members.

• Confidence: Finding their voices and performing in front of an audience.

• Creativity: Helping build the world of the play through costume ideas and character development.

As we enter the month of February, lets show our teachers some LOVE. We’d like to celebrate the incredible dedication of our teachers who go above and beyond every day to support and inspire our students.

We invite you to help us recognize their hard work by sending a "Shout Out" to a teacher or staff member who has made a positive impact on your child this year thus far at Knowlton. The more shout outs the better, so you can send as many as you see fit.

Your kind words go a long way in lifting spirits and showing appreciation. Whether it’s a note of thanks, a shared moment that made a difference, or just a few words of encouragement, your message will mean the world to them.

To submit a shout out, simply email elyse.galeucia@msad60.org, entitle the email: TEACHER SHOUT OUT, then write the note making sure to include the teachers name and special write-up.

We’ll be sharing these messages with our teachers throughout the month to keep the LOVE flowing!

Stay up to date on the latests ELKS news and to see all the amazing things going on, make sure to LIKE the Eric L. Knowlton Facebook page.