Old Town Elementary School

Artist Visit Day 4: Second grade and kindergarten students from OTES, as well as second and third grade Alton students visited with artist Kim Bernard today. Another part of Kim's process is melting and extruding the plastic. When the plastic comes out of the extruder machine it is warm and pliable. At this stage in the process, students can work with the extruded plastic to shape into the desired form. As the plastic cools, it hardens and retains its shape.

Lunch menu change for OTES tomorrow, Friday 4/26: we will serve yogurt parfait not pizza.

Artist Visit Day 3: Fifth grade and several AP/AP Prep students from OTHS had the opportunity to visit with artist Kim Bernard today. As part of the sculpture process, the plastic must be cut down to palm sized pieces then shred into plastic flakes with Kim's special shredder machine

Artist Visit Day 2: First grade and kindergarten had the pleasure of working with artist Kim Bernard today. Students sketched their ideas first then worked together in small groups to create a piece for our collaborative sculpture.

Artist Visit Day 1: Fourth grade and Pre-K students enjoyed working with local artist Kim Bernard today. They learned about how plastics are made and their impact on our environment. They also began work on our nature themed sculpture installation. Stay tuned for sculpture photos later in the week!

This Saturday, April 27th, Hirundo is offering a free "Meet a Scientist" event to celebrate Earth Day! This will be at Binette Park in Old Town from 10 AM - 1 PM. Join Hirundo Wildlife Refuge in celebrating Earth Day at Binette Park in Old Town! Meet scientists from around Maine, who will showcase some of the equipment they use and what projects they are working on right now! Peer through lenses and activate your brain by asking questions and discovering more about the world around you. Tables will be stationed around the park featuring topics ranging from golden eagles and bird banding, to DNA extraction, to archaeology! Meet A Scientist will be your one-stop shop to learn about all the local science being conducted. Learn the basics of what scientists do and how you can become a citizen scientist! This celebration of learning will be fun for everyone, so bring the whole family or come on your own. Pick up a stamp card at the Hirundo table, visit at least 7 tables, and get a free nature-themed poster of your choice (first come first serve)! Directions ~ Binette Park 434 Main Street, Old Town, ME 04468 (44.937288, -68.647140) Located on Main Street in Old Town, along the Penobscot River, between Pepper's Landing and The Rock Church.

Reminders for band and musical families: 📌 First Year Band: There are NO AFTER SCHOOL rehearsals this week, but we WILL continue to have our instrumental lessons during the day. Don’t forget your instrument! 🎶 📌Second Year Band: We WILL have band on Thursday morning INSTEAD of after school. 📌MUSICAL Week! On Wednesday we have an assembly at 9:15 am, a matinee at 1:15 pm for our elderly community. Our final night performance is on Thursday at 6 pm. All are welcome!

Third grader Julia learned about printmaking in the art studio and was inspired by her finished print to create a solar system relief sculpture.

A bit of advice from the children today! 😆

The April Bikes for Books Challenge sheet will be sent home with your student today, Monday, April 1st. The directions are as follows: Fill in the spaces under each section with the book title you reads to fulfill each challenge. Read books of all kinds to get a chance to win a new bike! If you do not need a new bike, other prizes will be awarded. Check out your library and your librarians will give you book suggestions! There will be a special prize for the classroom who checks out the most books in April! Bikes and other prizes will be given out during the Reading Assembly in May for all those putting forth a great effort in this challenge!

YMCA Healthy Kids Day April 20, 2024, 10-2

This evening event is open to all RSU 34 elementary families. Plan to join us on Wednesday, April 3rd from 5:30-7:00 to explore, think, create, and build!

Be you, BOLDLY! A handful of RSU 34 fifth grade girls traveled to Colby College with school counselor Mrs. Wilcox to participate in the Hardy Girls Conference. They ran into some great LMS people as well. This group ignites curiosity, promotes thinking critically, builds coalitions, and challenges the status quo.

Did you receive an extra author visit book? If so, please return it to school. Are you missing a book you ordered? If so, please email michelle.reesman@rsu34.org.

This past week, we have been treated to small ensemble performances along with the morning announcements! Here are the trombones performing last Monday.

Don’t forget the book fair is coming this week! Monday, March 25-29th 7am-3pm Students will shop during their library class and families are welcome before and after school for shopping fun! Saturday, March 30th from 9am-noon there will be a Family breakfast and shopping! Come have some breakfast, shop the book fair, and enjoy some fun literacy activities! Checkout the website for information on eWallet setup and more! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/oldtownelementaryschool2 If you’d like to volunteer during the book fair or to bring something for the breakfast, click on this link and add your name! https://signup.com/mobileweb/2.0/vspot.html?activitykey=1016803780101#anonymous_invite_page Here is a fun video some 5th graders created to get you excited about the book fair! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L6PmYG1CUlHoud9H4h_UAsxwFa8Q8JvI/view?usp=drivesdk

Mrs. Palmer is excited to remind families that OTES will be welcoming Maine artist Kim Bernard to our school starting Monday, April 22nd. Kim is a sculpture artist and champion of the environment. During her week-long visit, students will work with Kim to create a collaborative art sculpture for our school made out of recycled plastics. WE NEED YOUR HELP! To prepare for Kim Bernard's visit, we need to collect clean and clear #2 plastics (e.g. milk or water containers). Please send these plastics in with your student or drop them off during school hours. Thank you in advance for your support of the arts! If you would like to learn more about Kim Bernard's work, visit her webpage at https://www.kimbernard.com . A huge thank you to our PTC for sponsoring this week-long artist visit!

Don’t forget the book fair is coming next week! Monday, March 25-29th 7am-3pm Students will shop during their library class and families are welcome before and after school for shopping fun! Saturday, March 30th from 9am-noon there will be a Family breakfast and shopping! Come have some breakfast, shop the book fair, and enjoy some fun literacy activities! Checkout the website for information on eWallet setup and more! https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/oldtownelementaryschool2 If you’d like to volunteer during the book fair or to bring something for the breakfast, click on this link and add your name! https://signup.com/mobileweb/2.0/vspot.html?activitykey=1016803780101#anonymous_invite_page Here is a fun video some 5th graders created to get you excited about the book fair! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L6PmYG1CUlHoud9H4h_UAsxwFa8Q8JvI/view?usp=drivesdk

Mrs. White's class is hosting a community service project. All OTES families are welcome to contribute. Thank you!

A reminder that we go outside in all types of weather! Please plan to send boots, snow pants, jackets, mittens/gloves and a hat over the next week or so as spring in Maine seems to bring snow!