The New School News

Christine, Ally, and Josie are all sick and unable to teach tomorrow. As a result the staff have come to the difficult decision that we need to cancel classes for Monday, November 1.

We are optimistic that enough of us will be back on our feet for Tuesday that we will be able to resume classes in person, but we will certainly keep you informed if that does not happen.

UPDATE: Due to school cancellation on Monday November 1, at this time we will probably also need to reschedule the November All School Meeting. More information about the ASM will be forthcoming tomorrow. Keep an eye on your emails!

Our November All School Meeting will be in person at TNS from 6:00-7:30p on (date TBD).

DINNER AT ASM | Baked ziti and garlic bread available prior to the All School Meeting tomorrow. Food will be ready at 5:15, so folks can eat before joining the meeting.

ASM AGENDA

Christine Knowles and Scott Hamann will co-facilitate the All School Meeting.

Ice Breaker: A brief, community building activity (15)

Announcements: Open space for anyone in the community to share information with the group (5)

Team Reports: This section of the meeting allows our various teams and ad hoc committees to share updates and information with the community (15)

Education Report: Teachers will share some learning highlights from the past month of school and offer some insights on things to come including where we are with our Intensive planning (15)

Progress Reports and Student-Led Conferences: Teachers will hand out progress reports, talk about assessment at The New School, and will connect with parents about scheduling student-Led Conferences (10)

Student Presentations: Stay tuned! (5)

Fall Fundraising and Volunteer Opportunities: Fall Appeal, Bonfire for New School Merchandise, other (10)

We will end the large group meeting with Compliments. (5)

A reminder that anyone in the community can submit items for our agenda prior to the All School Meeting meetings. When submitting an agenda item, please include a brief description of the topic and an estimate of the amount of time you would like to devote to it. Agenda items should be submitted on Fridays before an ASM.

DRUM MAJOR! Congratulations Hunter! Hunter has been competing with the Wells High School Marching Band as a Drum Major, and he secured a perfect score--5 stars!--at the final competition on Friday night.

PROGRESS REPORTS and STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES: Progress Reports for the first half of our Fall Semester will be distributed at the November All School Meeting. Advisors will also be scheduling student-led conferences at the ASM. The New School does not use the traditional parent-teacher model for conferences about student academics, but instead places student in charge of a teacher-supported discussion with parents about their progress and learning. Student-led conferences encourage and support students to take ownership of their learning. Seniors will be holding their first Senior Round Tables during November, which will take the place of conferences for students in Phase 3.

AUGUSTA TRIP: The Public Policy class will be travelling to Augusta to tour the State House and meet some of the members of our state government on December 8. We will not have an early release on the day of the trip. More details to follow soon! Just wanted to give parents and students a heads up.

Thank you to everyone who has brought in Wednesday breakfast. The students have really enjoyed having breakfast available. There is still availability on the sign-up sheet for November. Please look here. Thank you Fern Brown for organizing.

“Community” is at the heart of The New School philosophy. One of our basic tenants is a belief in the value of participating in and supporting our community. This month we will be collecting needed items for Community Outreach Services (COS). COS extends a helping hand to individuals and families in the towns of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel by assisting with food, fuel or specific needs. Questions may be directed to Susan in the office.

• Pet Food Supplies

• Toilet paper

• Paper towels

• Tissues

• Napkins

• Dish Soap

• Laundry Detergent

• Multi-purpose cleaners

• Hand soap

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Deodorant

• Toothpaste

Our Community Match for Tuition Assistance Fund is getting closer to our $16,200 goal. Any size donation will be matched. Double your impact and support our ability to offer families financial aid. Share the link with friends and extended family members. Get the word out! thenewschoolmaine.org/match

When we publish our calendar at the beginning of the year, it is always with the caveat that it is subject to change. We always do our best to give families as much advanced notice as possible. Here are some important changes to be aware of in November.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10: Please mark your calendars! We will NOT have an early release on Wednesday, November 10. Instead of Explorations and Student Meeting, we will follow a Thursday class schedule. School will run 8:30-3:30. Please plan accordingly.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11: No School - Veteran's Day.

NO CLASSES NOVEMBER 12: There will be no classes on Friday, November 12 because of student-led conferences.

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

• Monday, November 1: Picture Day! (postponed)

• Monday, November 1: All School Meeting 6:00 in-person at TNS (TBD, stay tuned)

• Week of Nov 1-5: Spirit Week! (details below)

• Wednesday November 10th: Classes instead of Explorations. Day ends at 3:30
• Thursday, November 11: No School Veteran's Day
• Friday, November 12: No Classes, Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Wednesday, November 17: No Classes--Teacher Day
• Wednesday--Friday November 24-26 Thanksgiving Break No School
• Monday, December 6: All School Meeting Virtual (on Zoom 6:00)
• Tuesday, December 21: LEAP Night
• December 23-January 4: No School, Vacation

Community teacher Justin Chenette had students vote on the three initiatives on Tuesday's ballot.

Here's a resource with polling place information

Students and staff are invited to participate in “Spirit Week," November 1-5. Dress up, have some fun, and show your New School Spirit.

Monday: Dress up as any movie or tv show character

Tuesday: Fantasy day--come as your favorite fantasy character or creature

Wednesday: Represent! Where your TNS swag or rock the school colors (clear and plaid) :)

Thursday: Wear your formal attire or prom formal wear

Friday: Onesies. A continuation of pajama day.

Remember that all of these are optional and just for fun!

Thomas Deeney to the rescue! Outta the Box needed lights. Experts say that it's important for customers to be able to actually see the product, so we upgraded our lighting thanks to a donation by Steve Grabowski. Thomas volunteered to help Steve (who also volunteered) and the electrician on 3 separate nights, and the work got done beautifully.

Outta the Box is such an important program of ours, since this revenue supports the school's work and reflects our community connection. We are grateful to all of the volunteers who make Outta the Box happen; whether supporting a special project like Thomas, or coming in to lend a hand in some other way.

Volunteers make this thrift store happen. Thank you!!

(Picture of a group of students visiting a college. OTB helps make these experiences happen.)

(click the quote above to learn more about Lee Iacocca)

The New School is an independent, democratically run private high school in Kennebunk, Maine. We learn by doing, and encourage not just academic achievement, but development of the mind, body, and spirit. Our goal is to give TNS students the tools they need to be active, informed citizens of a democracy.

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.

Education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.”

― John Dewey

Email: thenewschool@tnsk.org
Website: thenewschoolmaine.org
Location: 38 York Street, Kennebunk, ME
Phone: (207) 985-3745
Facebook: facebook.com/TheNewSchoolMaine