June Newsletter
Gerald E Talbot Community School
June 1, 2023
Dear Talbot Families,
It is hard to believe we are down to the final weeks of 2022-23 school year. It has been an incredible year and I am very proud of our wonderful Talbot students and how much they have grown. We have collected many great memories and had lots of fun with learning along the way! As always, I want to thank you for being partners in working with us to educate your child. With the end of the school year fast approaching, here are some quick updates:
Lost and Found
As the weather warms during the day, we are finding many jackets, sweatshirts and water bottles on the playground. Many items are hanging along the fence or are in our Lost and Found area, and we would love to get as many items back to families as possible. Items that are not picked up by the end of the school year will be donated.
Rainbow Day- From Ms. Beam, Ms. Fors and Ms. Rooks
The Talbot Civil Rights Team started organizing the Rainbow walk 3 years ago and we are looking forward to doing it again this year on June 16th. At Talbot School we know that parents, guardians, and caregivers are important members of our community and we are inviting you to join us in our Rainbow Walk this year. If you are interested in joining us please meet out front of the school at 8:20 on June 16th. When the Community Meeting ends, we will start exiting the front of the school by grade level, starting with PreK. You can join your child’s class when they exit and walk around the school with your child’s class ending back at the front of the school.
It is important to the Talbot Civil Rights team that everyone at Talbot school feels safe and welcome. The rainbow has been a symbol of pride for being who you are no matter who you love and how you identify since 1978. In 2018 the rainbow flag was updated to add black and brown stripes to include the Black and brown members of the LGBTQ+ community (which includes people that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, non-binary, and more). We know that there is still work to be done for everyone to show up in support of all members of our community and we ask that each person in our community think about the things that make you unique and special. Think about what language or languages you speak, what religion you practice if you practice a religion, what state or country you and your family come from, who are the people you consider family, what color skin you and your family have, your gender identity, if you are neurodiverse or neurotypical, if you are abled or disabled, and what perspectives, special abilities, and gifts you have to offer our community. All of these are what makes Talbot Community School rich with diversity. Diversity is something to celebrate so we ask that you show up with pride in who you are and celebrate all the people from Talbot school during our Rainbow walk.
This year we want the whole school to show pride as one big Rainbow. We are inviting each grade to dress as a color to represent the colors of the Rainbow – showing all the individual beauty of our unique selves as one big beautiful rainbow. We are inviting students and teachers in Grade 5 wear Purple and Blue, students and teachers in Grades 4 and 3, please wear Blue or Green, people in Grades 1 and 2 please wear Yellow and Orange, and people in Prek and K, please wear Pink and Red. If your child needs help finding a shirt with the colors we have assigned to their grade, please reach out to your child’s teacher or a social worker and we will help you out.
Step Up
Talbot’s Step-Up for grades PK-4 will be June 20th. The intent of Step Up is to introduce students to the next grade level as a way to reduce children’s anxiety about the transition to next year’s teachers. Our protocols for Step Up is to keep the group of students from one grade level all together to hear from a team of teachers about the new grade level. It is meant to be a short, informative, fun, low-key way to start building relationships and to relieve any anxious feelings students may have about the next grade level. The schedule only allows for a total time of 25 minutes with the next year’s team of teachers.
Fifth Grade End of Year Celebrations
On Tuesday, June 20, we will be celebrating our Fifth Grade Farewell Ceremony in our gym at 1:00. Thank you to the PTO for helping to sponsor this event. This celebration is only for our Fifth Grade students and their parents/guardians. Younger siblings will not be permitted to leave their classrooms to attend this year’s event, due to space restrictions.
Last Day of School
The last student day of school is Wednesday, June 21st. This will be an Early Dismissal at 11:10. Bag Lunches will be served before students leave and report cards will be sent home with students that day.
Museums across Maine offer free, reduced admission for low-income families
The "Museums for All" program allows everyone to see Maine's most treasured pieces, regardless of their financial situation. As summer approaches, many families are searching for affordable activities to do with their children. Fortunately, more than 1,000 museums across the country are offering free or reduced-price tickets to low-income families through the "Museums for All" program. This initiative aims to increase access to arts and culture for all members of the community, regardless of their financial situation. Graham Kennedy, director of public relations for the Portland Museum of Art, said he believes that "creating barrier-free access to arts is what this community needs."
In Maine, where some of the state's most treasured works are on display, not everyone can afford to pay full price for admission. However, it's essential that everyone has the chance to experience the arts.
"The arts are a critical part of defining our state," Kennedy said. "Just as you might go to LL Bean or get a lobster roll, we really believe that the arts and culture are what define this region." The Museums for All program allows everyone to see Maine's most treasured pieces, regardless of their financial situation.
By presenting a SNAP EBT card at the entrance of participating museums, families can receive free or reduced-rate admission for the whole family.
Julie Butcher Pezzino, executive director at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, said, "We are always so surprised to learn how many individuals don't know about the program." It's important to spread awareness about this program, which is not just for the summer but also offered year-round at some museums.
At the last count, 15 museums across the state are participating in Museums for All, including the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Portland Museum of Art, and Victoria Mansion. Admissions range from free to $2 per person.
Participating museums across Maine include:
- Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk, ME
- Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine, Portland, ME
- Historic New England – Castle Tucker, Wiscasset, ME
- Historic New England – Hamilton House, South Berwick, ME
- Historic New England – Marrett House, Standish, ME
- Historic New England – Nickels-Sortwell House, Wiscasset, ME
- Historic New England – Sarah Orne Jewett House Museum and Visitor Center, South Berwick, ME
- Historic New England – Sayward-Wheeler House, York Harbor, ME
- L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, ME
- Maine Maritime Museum, Bath, ME
- Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor, Lewiston, ME
- Our Heroes Military Museum, Lincoln, ME
- Owls Head Transportation Museum, Owls Head, ME
- Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME
- Victoria Mansion, Portland, ME
In a time where financial strains are felt by many families, programs like Museums for All" help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the arts and culture, regardless of their financial situation.
Upcoming Events
· Grade 5 Step Up Day to Middle School, June 2, 11;15-1:15
· GardenFest, Saturday, June 3, 10:00-1:00 (rain or shine)
· PreK Field Trip to Smiling Hill Farm, June 6
· Grade 2 Field Trip to Crescent Beach, June 9
· Grade 5 Field Trip to Fort Williams, June 9
· PTO Meeting, June 13, 5:30
· Rainbow Day, June 16
· Chewonki Visits Grade 4, June 16
· NO SCHOOL, June 19
· PK- Grades 4 Step Up, June 20
· Fifth Grade Farewell, 1:00, June 20
· Last Day of School, June 21, 11:10 dismissal
Have a great weekend!
Cordially,
Mrs. Hanna