The Feathered Flyer Update

• As we transition into November, a month often centered around the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share a brief note of gratitude and some important health guidance with all of our Edgecomb Eddy School families.

  
  

  I truly have so much to be thankful for. I continue to pinch myself that I have the privilege of being the Principal for such an amazing school. Going into this Thanksgiving season, I am most thankful that the entire Edgecomb Eddy School community—students, staff, and families—has welcomed me with such warm, open arms. The students and staff here bring so much happiness to my life, and I genuinely look forward to coming to school every day.

  As your own family approaches this season of being grateful, I encourage you to remember to harness the small, everyday aspects of our lives. A bright smile from your daughter or son, a warm embrace from a friend or family member—these are the precious, simple things that I am grateful for.

  
  

  With the change in weather, we are also entering cold and flu season. Please help us keep our school community healthy by using good judgment about when your child should stay home.

  It’s important to remember that having "the snuffles" or a very minor cold does not necessarily mean a child should miss school. However, we must be vigilant about keeping illness from spreading. If your child is experiencing any of the following, they must stay home:

  • A fever (100.4 or higher) within the last 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

  • Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours.

  • Persistent, heavy coughing, or difficulty breathing.

  Please see the attached guidance poster (or check our website) to help you quickly gauge when your child is simply under the weather versus when they are too sick for school. Your partnership in keeping our school healthy is deeply appreciated.

  Thank you for being such a wonderful, welcoming community. I hope you and your family have a healthy, joyful Thanksgiving holiday.

  With gratitude,

  Laura Mewa

  Principal, Edgecomb Eddy School

Please join me in welcoming our new first grade teacher, Kristyn Webber. With over seven years of experience teaching in the classroom, Kristyn brings with her a high level of energy, extensive knowledge of literacy programming and curriculum and a passion for first grade. She will be joining the first grade classroom November 24th and 25th to get acquainted with students, observe routines and see how we do things at Edgecomb Eddy School. She will start in a more official capacity on December 1st and will send out a letter of introduction soon.

What more can be said than WOW! I want to personally thank all the vendors, parents, students, staff and volunteers that came out to celebrate the annual Trunk or Treat. I did not know what to expect, but can assure you this event surpassed all my thoughts. Driving down to the school, I looked to my right and saw all the cars and fog and knew this was going to b great!

I want to specifically thank Maureen Cooper and Audrey Blagdon for putting on by far the best Trunk or Treat event! The time and effort you put into this event was incredible! I also want to thank the 6th grade parents, teacher and students for a successful fundraising event. From the food available to the fun photo booths, your contributions ensured folks didn't go hungry and captured the fun of the night.

Parents of EES students, this is a plea to YOU! Mo and Audrey need your help! EES wants these fun events like the Trunk or Treat to continue for years to come, but Mo and Audrey will not be the face of the PTC forever, now is the time to learn from them to ensure these exciting opportunities continue for our students and community. Please, please, please come to the next PTC meeting and begin your PTC journey.

As I work with children on SEL growth and learning we continue to cover the topic of Courage

and being always “able to do the right thing”. Your child is now aware that courage is just like a

muscle; as you use your muscle, it gets stronger each time you use it. The website enclosed is

the story behind the school curriculum. I recommend you review the site and know that my

goal is to teach choose love over all else. https://chooselovemovement.org/about/story/

In other news, I am enclosing other useful websites for parents and caregivers to utilize, as they

have valuable information.

The Healthy Kids office is in Damariscotta. This location supports families and children in Knox

and Lincoln Counties. They send out a newsletter with current offerings. The best way to

access this is through the website provided. https://www.healthykidsmaine.org

Families CAN! is thrilled to offer a fantastic parenting enrichment opportunity to all

parents, caregivers, and community members, as well as a training for community

members. The best part? They're absolutely FREE!

https://midcoastmainecommunityaction.org/families-can/

Namimaine.org website logo is:

We believe every person deserves:

• access to community support and guidance
• compassion and understanding
• coping tools for stress and mental health
• free education to improve your quality of life

As always, I thank you for allowing me the privilege to work with your child!

I can be reached at 207-882-5515 or by email gupham@aos98schools.org.

We would like to bring LCTV to Edgecomb Elementary School. This is a great opportunity for our students, but comes at a cost. Please consider making a donation to Edgecomb Eddy School to help fund this opportunity or click on the clink, Fundraising, and make a donation.

1. Attend Parent Teacher Conferences on November 17, 18, or 20 from 3 - 6:30. If your student is in PreK - 2, please call the office and set up a time to meet with your students teacher. If your student is in grade 3 - 6, each teacher will send out a way for you to sign up.
2. As we begin to expand the use of the school building, we want to ensure the continuity of a safe building. Our priority is to keep students safe while they are in school. In order to maintain the safety of our building, we are asking you to please help us in this endeavor. If you are in the building, please do not prop doors open, even if you have children on the playground. All of the doors in the building need to be shut and locked at all times. Thank you for helping us in keeping our building safe.

We have very limited space here at EES, the space that we do have, is full. Therefore if we need clothing, we will send out a mass communication with specific sizes.

As the temperatures drop, please be sure that your student is dressed appropriately. Please pack additional clothing in their backpack as students will be outside as much as possible. Thank you.

Due to the federal shutdown, November SNAP benefits can’t be issued until the shutdown ends or the federal government gives new instructions.

Here’s what you need to know:

• You can still use any SNAP benefits already loaded on your EBT card

• Applications and renewals are still being accepted and processed by Maine DHHS.

• Sign up for e-notices through My Maine Connection to get the fastest updates. My Maine Connection

• Check your contact info (phone number and address) with Maine DHHS to be sure it’s current.

• For help finding other local food and support resources, call 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211Maine.org.

When the shutdown ends, Maine DHHS will share more information about future SNAP benefits.This change affects all SNAP recipients across the country and cannot be appealed.

Helpful Resources Going Into the Winter

• The Fuel Fund is a heating assistance program of the Community Resource Council that assists residents of the Boothbay Peninsula (Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport) by providing financial assistance and referrals for home heating needs. Sign Up Here

• Woodchucks help community members by supplying firewood at little to no cost to families in need who rely on firewood as a heating source. Sign Up Here

• Call 2-1-1 – Heating assistance & weatherization 211maine.org

• Community Energy Fund – Help if not connected to other services

  communityenergyfund.com

• Boothbay Region Free Clothing Closet – Wed & Sat 10am-4pm, 207-633-5666

• People to People Clothing Exchange (Damariscotta) – Mon 4-6pm, 207-563-5511

• Midcoast Youth Center – Free food, clothing, teen services, 207-443-8750

• https://boothbayregionfoodpantry.org/

• The Community Navigator Program (CNP) is a free and confidential service designed to help families on the Peninsula meet essential needs and achieve goals and aspirations. Sign Up Here

• Winter Mental Health Toolkit: Download PDF

• Window Dressers – Low-cost insulating window inserts windowdressers.org

• Project Linus – Blankets for kids in need projectlinus.org

Located at Edgecomb Community Church

15 Cross Point Rd, Edgecomb, ME 04556

207-882-4060

edgecomb.church@gmail.com

If your family is struggling with food insecurities please reach out to Gail Boudin at 207-380-7452.