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Skyping a scientist

Students in Waynflete’s sixth-grade science classes are participating in “Skype a Scientist,” a program that pairs scientists with classrooms around the world.

Students recently Skyped with Lauren Rowsey, a marine biologist and PhD candidate at the University of New Brunswick. To prepare for the session, students learned about Lauren’s research, which focuses on how and why some fish (like cunner) enter a sleep-like state called winter dormancy in cold temperatures. Students had plenty of questions, ranging from “Where did you go to college?” to “When did you know you wanted to be a marine biologist” to “What is the weirdest escape response you have seen in a marine organism?” There were no lulls in the conversation!

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A great weekend

On Friday night, I stood at the top of the theater with Tiki Fuhro and Susan Nelson “managing” the throngs of people filling the space beyond capacity. These were not just the parents of theater kids—these were parents, alums, faculty, staff, and students. Every night was packed and Friday we actually had to turn people away. As hard as it was, it is a good problem to have! This was an outpouring of support from all corners of our school and those who came were rewarded with an incredible production. The Guys and Dolls show was done at such a high quality level and with such heart.

On Saturday afternoon, Waynflete folks poured into the stands at Falmouth High School to cheer on the boys varsity soccer team. Again, students, faculty, staff, alums, and friends of the school filled the stands. Many members of the Guys and Dolls cast, crew, and production team were there, just as the soccer players had been in the theater Friday night. All of the spectators were treated to a remarkable display of skill, agility, and sportsmanship by our team. It is the best soccer I have seen played at Waynflete and a real pleasure to watch.

At the end of the day it is our students that are performing on the stage and pitch, but it is the educators and coaches that bring all the elements into alignment so that this level of success is within reach. Katy Cavanaugh as director and the entire production team did an amazing job bringing all of the elements of a classic Broadway musical to life. I heard several audience members talking about how professional this show was.

The coaching staff led by Brandon Salway did a wonderful job leading our boys to a state championship. In the Press Herald, the Mount View coach talked about how intelligent our players were and how they were really playing at the collegiate level. From my vantage point in the stands, I would agree.

I want to extend my deep appreciation, congratulations, and gratitude to the amazing adults who helped nurture both the musical and the boys soccer team. Both were wonderful accomplishments in their own right and together made for an extraordinary weekend.

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Upper School students participate in Veterans History Project

Ruby Lynch, Laura Martin, Ella Hannaford, and Abby Shumway participated in a Veterans History Project (VHP) workshop today at the University of Southern Maine.

The Library of Congress started the VHP to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (pictured with students) helped bring the workshop to Portland. Students learned about oral history interview techniques and how to properly prepare a VHP submission. The workshop was taught by Molly Graham, an oral historian previously with the Wisconsin Military Museum and Rutgers University.

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Lower School woodwinds and strings

This year, instrumental music teachers Gene Gill and Eddie Holmes have collaborated on a program that gives grade 4 and 5 students their first tastes of brass and woodwind instruments. The class complements the introduction to strings program that Andy Happel and Eddie started last year (a gift from the Margaret Burnham ’21 Charitable Trust allowed the school to purchase quarter- and half-size violins and violas and a half-size cello).

Waynflete is well on its way to building a strong farm team of instrumentalists for the Middle and Upper Schools ensembles!

Do you remember the very first time you played an instrument? This short video might jog your memory:

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