Whittier Wire
January 8, 2023
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a nice time for your family over the holiday break. Students came back to school with good energy and seem ready for a great second half of the school year.
On Friday, we were treated to an outstanding panel of Poland Regional High School alumni. The former students were invited to school by the high school counselors and visited with high school students in the morning. Fifteen of them offered to stick around and share with our middle school students as well.
Each of the panelists introduced themselves and talked about their post high school experience. They also shared about their involvement in high school beyond academics and provided advice for the students as they looked back up on their own experiences.
The group represented a wide range of years of high school completion, post-grad experience, and occupation. It was very interesting to hear about the paths they have each taken to get where they are now. Two pieces of advice that they all seemed to agree on were the importance of working hard and that students shouldn't be afraid to try something new. Whether it is a club, sport or activity at school or an opportunity outside of school, the group talked a lot about the benefits of getting involved and the potential growth from taking advantage of those opportunities.
Hopefully the students walked away with something to think about. For staff, it was inspirational to see former students return and hear they are doing well.
Spirit Week
Whittier Spelling Bee
Mrs. Fox: NHD Request
On February 15, Whittier will make history with National History Day! This year, projects will be judged in person. We need your help, because approximately 90 judges will be at Whittier and we would like to provide them with snacks and coffee. How can you help? We are looking for donations of disposable coffee cups and lids, creamer and sweetener for NHD judges. Donations can be brought in to Mrs. Fox. For more information, please email nfox@rsu16.org. Thank you!
Ms. Fanus: National Mentoring Month
January is National Mentoring Month and, in light of the proven benefits of mentoring, Whittier’s GaTE program is inviting mentors for 8th grade students in the following areas of career interest: Finance, Science, Sports Management, Hospitality/Tourism, Sound Engineering and Coding/Animation. If you or someone you know has professional experience in any of these areas, please contact Ell Fanus (efanus@rsu16.org). Mentoring may involve anything from a single interview to a project-based weekly, in-school connection (either in person or online), depending upon the mentor's interest and availability
In the words of the National Mentoring campaign, “The power of mentoring is transformative for individuals and communities. Both informal and formal mentoring challenge us to do better and be better in our personal lives and in our lives as citizens in our local, national and global communities.”
Ms. Fanus: CubeSat Design Compettion
Ms. Fanus: Whittier Writers
The Whittier Writers meet weekly to work on their creative writing pieces. The following is an excerpt from Isaac Lizotte’s original short story, 'Oh Ana,’
“Oh, Ana, I'll be with you still You are the angel that I couldn't kill”
Lukas looked over at me with a confused, yet concerned look on his face. He mouthed some words, only a few people could tell what he was saying. Three words… Are you okay? It made me feel something in my eye, something that I hadn't physically been able to experience in a long time. Don’t cry, don't cry, don't cry...they think you're stronger than that…don't show them you're not! I tried to wipe my tears but there was no stopping them. Hot tears poured down my face within seconds, I couldn’t contain my feelings any longer. It had been way too long..I looked back over at the court seeing one of our teammates setting the ball perfectly, it was almost majestic the way the ball came off his finger tips. I stared in awe as Lukas ran up to spike, his palm hitting the dead center of the ball.. CRASH we had scored our winning point, Lukas and the rest of the team had rushed to the sidelines. We had finally made it…I then realized I had never stopped crying.
Mr. King: Middle School Athletics
Monday 1/9
Girls @ Bath
Boys Hm vs Bath
Tuesday 1/10
8th girls 2:15-3:30
7th girls 3:30-4:45
8th boys 4:45-6:00
7th boys 6:00-7:15
Wednesday 1/11
Girls Hm vs Cape Elizabeth
Boys @ Cape Elizabeth
Thursday 1/12
8th girls 2:15-3:30
7th girls 3:30-4:45
8th boys 4:45-6:00
7th boys 6:00-7:15
Friday 1/13
8th girls 2:15-3:30
7th girls 3:30-4:45
8th boys 4:45-6:00
7th boys 6:00-7:15
Bruce M. Whittier Middle School
Email: svincent@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/bwms
Location: 1457 Maine Street, Poland, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 998-3462
Facebook: facebook.com/WhittierMidknights