John A. Andrew School: Can an appreciation of the past add clarity to the future? - By Walter Lunt

All vestiges of the original wood frame John A. Andrew School in South Windham are now gone. All but the memories.
 

The 90 plus year old “grammar” school was demolished and hauled away in recent weeks after its roof was deemed beyond repair. The brick ell, an addition built in 1954 and currently used for school storage, remains on the High Street site. Concurrently, a committee of the RSU 14 Board of Directors mulls the future of the district’s three middle schools. An advisory group concluded in June, 2014 that Windham Middle School (1977) and Field-Allen School (1947) in Windham are over capacity and facing heating, electrical and other building issues. Jordan Small School in Raymond, it was determined, while suffering from roof deterioration, electrical issues and energy inefficiency, is under capacity by 45 percent. Unfortunately, efforts to resolve the middle school concerns spawned controversy over cost sharing between the two towns and Raymond’s failed attempt to leave the district.

The John A. Andrew history is a proud and storied one. The original structure, a clapboarded 2 ½ story wood frame building, built at the turn of the 20^th century, was lost to fire in the early 1920s. The more recent 4-room wooden building featured an abbreviated, shallow cellar with a raised floor. Generations of Windham children, kindergarten (early on known as sub-primary) to grade 4 learned their arithmetic facts and ABCs from stern, strict teachers, usually female.

As noted in the early Windham Town Reports, most teachers were graduates of Gorham Normal School; great emphasis was placed on penmanship (Palmer method), and promoted the craft through basic and advanced classes and special awards to those who mastered the drill sheets; and public speaking (known as elocution) was valued and practiced daily.

When primary and elementary classes at John Andrew ended in 1990, a reunion of staff and alumni was organized. Attendees reminisced about teaching practices unheard of in today’s schools: Early “scholars” entered the building in two separate lines, boys and girls – the girls entered first. Both would pause to hang up coats and remove boots in a “cloakroom.” A treasured and esteemed occurrence was to be chosen by your teacher to clean chalk board erasers by going outside and “clapping” them against the building – chalk dust was a regular and familiar part of the classroom sensory experience. And, a mainstay of the day’s opening exercises was a verbal prayer. 

The original school in the 1920s

John A. Andrew in South Windham and the old Arlington School in North Windham (predecessor to the Manchester School) were among the vanguard schools that lead rural communities from the 19^th century “district” school systems, or one-room schoolhouses – there were once 19 in Windham). The newer, larger schools were less expensive to operate and required fewer grades per room. The dawn of the automobile, in this case buses, afforded pupils the convenience of “conveyance” instead of walking long distances.

1990

The school’s namesake, John Albion Andrew, was a favorite son of the community. His birthplace is located near the school site on Depot Street. Born in 1818, “Albion” was home schooled, and later attended Bowdoin College. After pursuing a law career in Boston he is best remembered for serving as governor of Massachusetts during the Civil War. In his last return visit to Windham during the town’s centennial celebration in 1862, Andrew regaled local citizens with a rousing speech crediting his early life in Windham with his success. Later, in 1935, Windham historian Frederick Dole would write, “He was a son of whom Windham is justly proud.” In the early 1900s, one deserving Windham High School graduate would be honored with the John Andrew prize by being awarded the sum of $12.

As residents pay humble respects and bid a necessary though sad good-bye to the John Andrew School, Marge Giovani, chair of the current day RSU 14 Board of Directors, looks ahead to the task of meeting modern school needs. “We’re whittling down our options on the middle school issue. It’s a difficult one,” she said.

Before the brick addition. 

Giovani said the facilities committee hopes to give district voters two viable options later this year, either in an advisory or a binding referendum. Choices, she says, could involve new construction or major renovations.

School facilities director Bill Hansen said that the Andrew site will continue to be cleaned up. “Right now, we’re enhancing the area for future use.” The brick building that was the 1954 addition to the Andrew school is serving a critical need for storage. Attractive metal siding is being placed where the two buildings connected. He said tires and other lingering debris will be removed, and it will soon be an attractive lot.

 

Almost as an after-thought, Hansen mentioned that he is planning to construct a special plaque in honor of the school, a unique one.

It seems, during the tear-down, while the Windham Historical Society salvaged old slate chalkboards and decades old wainscoting for use in their Village Green history center, Hansen removed the front stair treads that lead to the classroom areas. “I’d like to use them for a plaque,” he mused, “that would show (highlight) the indentations formed by years of foot traffic.”

So, gone but not forgotten. Hansen’s plaque will be a physical testament to immortalize decades, that is, generations of little feet. Memories.

Business community and education - By Michelle Libby

At a workshop last week, principals Drew Patin from Windham Middle School and Kyle Rhoads from Windham Middle School presented to businessmen and women in Windham and Raymond how education has changed in the last 20 years. 
  

“Education of our students today impact businesses tomorrow,” said Rhoads. The plan for the presentation was to inform the business community about what is going on in schools and how the perspective of employers might need to be adjusted. 

“The factory model of schooling is dead,” Rhoads said. “The world has become customized.” He used Amazon and Pandora as examples of that. Amazon tells us what we might like in a book, in products and more. “Pandora is trying to create the idea listening experience for me,” he added. 

“Companies are trying to create the ideal shopping experience. We’re trying to do the same with education.” 

Memorization is no longer needed, said Patin. Everything is at our fingertips. Employers should want employees who can communicate, persevere and can problem solve. “We have the kids go through relevant, real life solutions,” he said. 

Teachers are more of a guide through education, giving students the opportunity to fail by not giving them instant gratification. “It’s not just can they do calculus, but can they apply calculus,” Patin said.

They showed a multi-media presentation of examples of learning across the district. “There’s been a change in our culture,” said one high school teacher. Another pointed out that teachers need to teach 21^st century skills. 

We have to do authentic lessons that utilize skills that are relevant, said WHS teacher Jeff Riddle. Teachers are creating standard operating procedures that allow the student to know what to do when they finish a lesson. It allows each student to move ahead that their own pace. “It will serve its purpose to make them independent thinkers,” said Manchester School teacher Kelly Williamson. “The kids are happier and more engaged,” said another teacher. 

“Regardless of what you call it a good teacher, is a good teacher, is a good teacher. You teach a child where they’re at and show them where they can go,” said Rhoads. 

The school is asking that business people be mentors to students to give them the opportunity to see what different professions are like. There has to be a balance between the knowledge the students need to know and the skills they need to be effective problem solvers, Rhoads said.

Volunteerism has increased at all of the schools over the last few years and parents are encouraged to be engaged in their children’s learning.

Local student seeks help battling cancer - By Michelle Libby 
 Honk! Jr. takes center stage - By Walter Lunt
UPDATE to ice derbies taking place this weekend

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Local student seeks help battling cancer - By Michelle Libby

Windham High School student Hunter Loring has spent the majority of his junior year in the hospital. Halfway through the soccer season this past fall, he had to stop playing because of the pain in his back. When he no longer could walk, stand or sit, muscle relaxers didn’t work and hot and cold didn’t touch the pain, he went to the doctors. After an MRE, doctors found two cancerous tumors wrapped around the nerves in his lower back. 
 

“The tumors he had were in there a long time,” said Hunter’s mom, Wendy Loring. “It has been weird from the beginning.” The tumors were taken out and tested. The rare tumor, called Myxopapillary Ependymoma, is more often found in 40- to 50-year-olds. The doctors at Maine Medical Center said they had never seen a kid with this type of cancer, Wendy said. 

Since the fall, Hunter has had two major back surgeries and has been under anesthesia eight times, six of those so that he could relax enough to be in the MRI machine. He is on constant pain medication and is only now able to walk 300 yards, with the medication. He started radiation to kill the cancer cells, but wasn’t able to do it consistently, so they suspended that until he could try to get his pain under control. 

Hunter is not able to sit in a chair or lay flat, according to Wendy. He now can sit up to 30 degrees in his bed. 

After the second surgery, the family was told that Hunter would be back on the slopes snowboarding before the end of the season. Hunter has been disappointed that this hasn’t happened. “He thinks it’s never going to happen. The chronic pain scares him,” said Wendy. “This is one chapter in our life. We’ll get through it.”  

His family has been looking for a facility where Hunter can do inpatient pain management therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and counseling, all in addition to radiation. “He needs so many other things that go with the radiation,” said Wendy. Once the radiation begins he will need 24 treatments over five or six weeks. 

Hunter has been at Maine Medical Center’s Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital wing since January 14, unable to go home while waiting for a bed in a pediatric hospital that can meet all of his needs. He has had some of his friends come in to visit him, which he likes. He plays X-Box, but he isn’t able to keep up with his school work, nor is he able to continue participating in the culinary arts program in Westbrook. “That’s what got him to go to school,” Wendy said. 

Wendy, an administrative assistant in the RSU14 superintendent’s office, has had to take time off to spend time in the hospital with Hunter. She also works two other jobs that she’s had to cut back on. She has had her car packed to travel to the nearest hospital that has the care that Hunter needs since January 31. The cost of some of the rehabilitation hospitals average $2,700 a day per bed. The Loring’s have insurance, but it won’t cover the whole expense. 

Michael, Hunter’s father, works for Walmart’s distribution center. 

“It’s just exhausting,” Wendy said, of trying to keep up with work, Hunter and their oldest son, Tyler, who is 21. 

To help the family with the mounting medical bills, friends have arranged a spaghetti supper and auction fundraiser on March 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Windham High School cafeteria. Donations will be accepted at the door. Volunteers have been stepping up and the coordinators, a group of five, have been successful in getting donations for the silent auction. The LEO Club from WHS has volunteered to put on a cake auction the same night. 

Kellie Sampson, Wendy’s co-worker, has taken the point in the fundraiser. She wanted to help with the dinner, “because she’s my friend and because I care about her and her family.” The hope is to raise between $3,000 and $4,000. All proceeds will go to the Loring family.

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“The community has really stepped up,” Sampson said. So far the auction has a large number of gift cards as well as two signed basketballs from Dave Cowens, formally of the Celtics basketball team. Other notable items are a certificate for a driver’s education class, a kid’s crooked playhouse and a crooked dog house, $500 worth of services from Designs by Gary and Arkie Rogers has donated a septic cleaning. 

“It’s taken on a life of its own. Everyone wants to help,” Sampson said. 

Hunter and his family are hoping for a pediatric, inpatient hospital that can give him all of the services and therapy he needs, but so far they are striking out. At some facilities, they only have outpatient care, but Wendy said that Hunter can’t ride to get to the hospital every day. At others he’s on a waiting list with 40 people ahead of him. One hospital is in Ohio and Hunter won’t be able to get on a plane, she said. “We’re stuck.” 

“It’s going to be a long, slow process,” Wendy said. “He’s in less pain because he’s on more drugs. It’s the worst thing to watch,” she added.  Dealing with the chronic pain has been one of the hardest parts for Hunter. 

“There are not a lot of places to take kids with chronic pain,” Wendy said. “We’re playing it day by day,” said Wendy. “We’re moving to get new eyes and ears on the problems.” 

Hunter started a consultation for radiation this past week at MMC. 

“I’m a believer that things happen for a reason,” Wendy said. She’s hoping for the best. 

Donations can be made by check to Norma J. Huntley/Hunter Loring Benefit, TD Bank, NA, Mailstop, ME 2-076-031, PO Box 9540, Portland, ME 04112-9540. There is a GoFundMe page set up.

Honk! Jr. takes center stage - By Walter Lunt

Young stars will light up the stage at Windham Town Hall gym in the Windham Center Stage production of Honk! Jr., beginning March 4^th. Sixty-plus lakes region children, ages 7 to 13, will interpret the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale in a modern musical style that’s fun and wholesome for the entire family.
 

Honk! is the stage version of The Ugly Duckling that tells the story of a young duck whose unappealing looks forces him from the flock due to ridicule and taunts. Along the way he is pursued by a hungry cat and a frantic mother. His journey to find love and acceptance is filled with adventure, charm and humor. The story, which teaches tolerance, is told in part through energetic song and dance performances, thanks to musical director Patrick Martin and choreography by Jaydie Allen. The director, Diane Hancock, sings high praise for each cast of about 30 young performers. 

Cast A - Photo by Meg Hatch Photography

“The story is not contemporary,” and the kids are not as familiar with the dialogue and characters as they might with a Disney production. Martin says the harmonies are complex and “not really written for children.” But the casts have risen to the challenge and deliver impressive performances.

Highlights include the opening Poultry Tale, where the actors introduce the story in song and dance. And Look At Him, performed by the entire cast, which is a defining moment when Ugly is singled out by family and neighbors for the way he looks – a number that is reprised in the finale. 

Cast B - Photo by Meg Hatch Photography

The production is enhanced by a brightly colored set: Vivid greens and browns form a comically over-sized pond, created by a team of community volunteers.

Hancock reflected on early rehearsals when the stage experience of the multi-age performers ranged from zero to several years. “Right now,” just days before the opening performance, “it’s hard to tell the difference.” Older, “more experienced” actors willingly serve as mentors. Chloe Cyr who plays Ida, Ugly’s mother, says “I like interacting with the younger kids and helping them in their acting ability. They’re fast learners.” And, she added with a smile, “I like being looked up to.”

Angel Spiller agrees, “This is really fun. We come together like a big family. The older kids helped me when I was little. Now I can give back.”

Honk! is produced by Heidi Doucette and Gail White. It opens March 4 with 12 performances through March 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Consult www.windhamtheater.org for times and cast performances.

UPDATE to ice derbies taking place this weekend

The Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby will still take place this weekend, February 27^th and 28^th as originally planned along with the Maine Children’s Cancer Program’s Polar Dip at Raymond Beach at noon on Saturday, February 27^th.  The Sebago Lake Derby has been cancelled. 

At a meeting Tuesday evening with the Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby organizers, the Warden’s Service, IF&W and other safety personnel, the conclusion was that the unusually warm temps and upcoming rains and more warm temperatures, have created unpredictable and unsafe ice conditions to hold the Sebago Lake portion of the derby. So there will be no fishing on Sebago Lake for togue keeping our ice fishermen’s safety our primary concern. This also removes the $150,000 state record togue prize from the prize pool. Togue from other Cumberland County waters will be accepted other than Sebago, prizes for togue will be same as other Cumberland County prizes. 

The 50 or so smaller ponds and lakes comprising of the Cumberland County derby will still be fished although the Warden’s Service cautions everyone to check the ice depth before heading out on the ice and to check it often as warm temps and sunshine can deteriorate conditions quickly. They stated that every body of water in the state has less than normal ice conditions. “We have always emphasized fish at your own risk and cannot stress enough to check ice conditions,” said derby organizers.  

The other fish pool prizes will be awarded, including the 2016 Polaris ATV which registrations act as an entry into that drawing. The awards and prizes will be handed out on Sunday, the 28^th at Windham Weaponry’s Conference Hall at 999 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, at 6 pm. 

Check the website www.icefishingderby.com and the Facebook page for most up to date information.

Student iMovie project an educational hit

Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby still scheduled for next weekend

Presumpscot Regional Land Trust offers opportunity to explore the great outdoors

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Student iMovie project an educational hit

By Walter Lunt - Creative energy was in abundance at the Jordan Small School in Raymond during the first weeks of 2016.  Groups of students, grades 5 through 8, were collaborating, making group decisions, writing and producing. What were they doing? Making movies – iMovies.

Classroom teacher John Powers said the school-wide project is this year’s version of an annual unit that attempts to encourage students to apply classroom and personal knowledge in creative ways. He says the iMovie Project was spawned through the inspiration of a teacher in another district; an idea that has really taken off at the Raymond middle school.

Students prepare to film their animated production.

Here’s how it works: Students form self-selected groups and brainstorm ideas for a short film. The collaboration results in decisions, scripts, and production meetings that require leadership and teamwork. The process demands responsible group interaction, making contributions, listening to the ideas of others and above all, patience. And finally, all products have a deadline that’s expected to be met. 

While it’s the fun part of the project, filming, using Apple iPads, often results in the frustration of do-overs, necessary tweaking or changes, or underestimating the difficulty of an idea. The filming stage saw students spill out classrooms into halls, even into the parking lot.

Eighth grader Tom DuPont says the iMovie project gives students the “chance to take an idea, use your brain and then make it come to life.”

Norma Easter and Rainey Pawlowski were working on a stop-motion film, pointing their iPad at a hand- made city-scape while manipulating small cotton figures that represented people. They said their digital story carries a message that encourages all to “follow your own path and make your own decisions,” not follow blindly the wishes of others who seek to control you. They were joined by Joshua Marquis who, although not a member of their group, had joined to help Easter and Pawlowski edit their film.

Another eighth grade student, Sophey Potter, said that, initially, she had a hard time coming up with an idea for her film but after collaborating with a family member decided to pursue one of her pet-peeves: friends and fellow students “who are always talking negative about themselves.” She said they should reflect on how they see themselves and try to be more positive. “Don’t say ‘I’m short,’ say ‘I’m fun-sized,’” Potter said with a smile.

Subject matter for the films is as varied as the grade levels and number of students involved. Powers discussed one innovative project titled The Adventures of Ivan” in which the central character engages in certain every-day activities that demonstrate various principles of trigonometry. He said another was based on a student’s original poem, while still another playfully charts the life of a snowman.

Sebago Lake Rotary Ice Fishing Derby still scheduled for next weekend despite mild temperatures

Last year's 1st place togue winner, Brady Ouellette.

By Walter Lunt - While Mother Nature continues to tease ice anglers with changing conditions on Sebago Lake, derby director Deb McPhail says the annual mid-winter event is “still on” for the weekend of Feb. 27 and 28. Recent on and off cold has created changeable conditions on sections of the lake where ice fishers have accessed the derby, but because the high winds which prevent freezing due to churning waters have come mainly from the south, the ice just may hold at Sebago Station in Standish, according to fisheries biologist Francis Brautigam of Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The best advice is to always assume ice is unsafe, he says, so it’s best is to check conditions on the Rotary web site icefishingderby.com, which will be updated regularly as derby time draws closer.

ATV to be given away compliments of Woody's

McPhail reminds participants and would-be registrants that 50 Cumberland County lakes and ponds also qualify for the derby. The option was added in recent years when lack of ice forced the cancellation of the Sebago derby. The list of eligible waters can be found on the web site.

The derby, sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club, promotes family fun, fish management and local charities. Last year, according to McPhail, $65,000 was raised, benefiting local food pantries, Camp Sunshine, scores of other organizations and local people in need. She cites rehabilitative help for a child with multiple sclerosis and a ramp that was provided for an amputee. The polar dip, in which brave souls jump into frigid Sebago water, raised thousands of dollars for Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

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Ice fishers compete for cash prizes and the unique recognition of pulling in the largest fish in the area. The four species include togue (lake trout), pike (invasive), perch and pickerel. Prizes range from $100 to $1000 for trophy fish. The grand prize this year totals $150,000 for the angler who bests the state record for togue, which now stands at 31 lbs. 8 oz. set in 1958. In addition, all registrants, whether fishing or not, will be eligible to the win the drawing for a 2016 Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV.

Details concerning the Sebago Lake Rotary Club Ice Fishing Derby, including the children’s derby to be held in March, can be found at icefishingderby.com.