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The New School News

February 20, 2022

The NewSchool NewsFebruary 20, 2022

Senior Projects

Senior, Ian Kruger has been a busy man. In addition to taking classes at TNS and YCCC, he has also been working diligently on his Senior Project. Ian has designed and built a drone. Last Wednesday he held his second Senior Round Table to share his progress with his Graduation Committee.


To graduate from The New School, students engage in a self-designed 200+ hour project that allows them to demonstrate how they embody our Guiding Principles. Supported by a self-selected committee of peers, family, teachers, and community members, Seniors are encouraged to take risks and pursue their passions.


Check out the picture below of Ian and his drone, and keep an eye out for updates from Mandi Donegan about her Senior Project!

"A mind stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions” --Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Collaboration

It takes time for a group of 26 people to collaborate on designing a schedule that meets the needs of the community. Here's a picture of us compiling data that everyone could see, touch, and interact with.

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Creative Problem Solving

Ryan and Mane took the lead with trying to create a framework for the schedule of our classes.

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Worst Game of Sudoku, Ever!

Figuring out which classes to offer against each other in each block to create the fewest conflicts was like playing the worst game of sudoku, ever! We still haven't steeled 100% on the order of classes. Students, be sure to check your email during vacation!

February Vacation

Please enjoy your February Vacation! Everyone has worked so hard the past couple months, the downtime is well-deserved!


We hope that if you are travelling, you use care and remain healthy. Please continue to refer to the current COVID-19 Policy if your student discovers they have been a close contact with someone who has covid or if they become ill, themselves.


Have fun, relax, and be well!


Students will not be in school on Monday, February 28 because we have a teachers’ day for professional development. School will resume on Tuesday, March 1 with our new spring semester schedule (still being developed).

Art Show at Kennebunk Free Library

The Kennebunk Free Library announces its February 2022 Speers Gallery exhibit “Through the Eyes of the Young”, featuring the art work of students from The New School and The School Around Us. The show features pieces of different media, all created by students ages 5-18.


This year the work of students includes photography from The New School and self-portraits from The School Around Us.


Be sure to stop by and check out the work of these inspiring artists. Visit the Kennebunk Free Library's website for more information and to see the library's hours of operation.

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Protect the Floors

Touring the Skolfield-Whittier House we had to wear protective foot coverings to prevent damage to the floors in the time-capsule house.

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Is This a Racist Object?

During our tour, historian Aimée L. Keithan asked us to consider the perspectives that were not represented in the museum. Here, she shared a doll that belonged to the children of the house. The doll was clearly a person of color, and she asked us whether it was a racist object or not. This sparked a lively debate with no clear answers.

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American Nations

Here's Reny listening to the audio version of Collin Woodard's book, American Nations. As part of our exploration of American History, the American Narrative students read and discussed this book.

Final Intensives Updates--Coming Soon!

We will be sending out a final email with updates from the Intensives groups about their learning adventures last week. Keep an eye out for the email!

Dates to Remember

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar
  • February 21-28: No School February Vacation
  • February 28: Teacher Day
  • February 28: Board of Trustees meeting 6:00
  • March 1: Second Session Classes Begin!
  • March 3: Events Team meeting 6:30 Zoom
  • March 7: Facilities Team meeting in-person @ TNS 5:00
  • March 7: All School Meeting in-person @ TNS 6:00
  • March 14: Admissions Team meeting 6:00 Zoom
  • March 17: Events Team meeting 6:30 Zoom
  • April 2: 10:00-1:00 Open House with abbreviated school day and sample classes
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Community

Our Inter-Session Intensives allow the student community to slow down, spend time together, and deepen both their learning and their friendships.

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Teaching Others

Chloe Brown is a fantastic ice-skating teacher! Here she is helping Evan's daughter, Aria, get her skates on.

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New Learning

The American Narrative group visited the Skolfield-Whittier House in Brunswick last week. Before we toured the house, we got to learn a little about museum curating and the preservation of old buildings from out guide. Here's Mane and Ian in the historian's office.

Community Picnic May 21

The Events Team is still hard at work planning this spring's Community Picnic. Mark your calendar!


This day will be a blast, and it will also be an all hands on deck event with opportunities to volunteer with game stations, ticket sales, parking, school tours, and...wait for it...clean up!


Over the coming weeks the Events Team will have more details and sign up lists, but be sure to block off May 21 (rain date May 22) to join us.


Invite your friends, tell your neighbors, and come enjoy more donuts and ice cream than your doctor would approve of.


(PS You will have an opportunity to drop Evan into the dunk tank)

All the kings horses...

...and all the kings men, please help put the school together again.


Intensives were fun, but it's time to pull the school back together.


Over February break, Scott could use an extra set of hands (or 2) to move some large items, rearrange some things, and put the wall back in place in the 1/2 room.


If you are available, please email him with your availability.

The New School | Kennebunk, Maine
The New School offers rolling admission, so students can apply any time throughout the year. Parents & Students, please spread the word. Let people know all the cool stuff going on here, and invite friends to come visit an Open House!