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Be sure to check out additional news and read the high school newsletter, The Masthead, on the High School News page:  High School News - Merriconeag Waldorf School

New Programs at Merriconeag

    There are many exciting new offerings at Merriconeag for the upcoming 2010-11 school year. Call the Admission Office today, 207-865-3900 Ext. 103, to find out more about our High School Boarding Option with Tuition Discount, our Parent-Infant Classes, and our Two-Day Nursery Option.

Summer Programs at Merriconeag

We are pleased to offer four, week-long camps on our beautiful 75 acre campus in Freeport this summer. Register now for our Buttercup Summer Garden, Summer Adventure Camps I & II, or our Circus Arts Camp. The camps are open to anyone and provide families new to the school with a wonderful opportunity to experience a taste of Waldorf.

     he deadline for registration for the July Camps is Monday, June 14th. The deadline for registration for Circus Arts Camp is Friday, July 9th. 

The Eighth Grade Class of 2010

David Barham's Speech to the 8th Grade Class of 2010
Rose Assembly, June 11, 2010

     Ten years ago more or less today, I gave a graduation speech to an eighth grade Class of 2000. It flowed out of me completely formed while I lay in bed with a 103º fever, drenched with sweat unable to even lift my head. I wrote down the thoughts that feverishly pursued me in my half sleep- half delirium on my laptop. I had never been quite so sick before and certainly not since. Compared to this speech, that one was easy!
      So I begin daunted by the fact that in preparation for this moment, I never got sick. I had to pull this together out of my own healthy, fully awake consciousness. Much harder!
      I feel like we have done a lot of living in these two short-long (long-short?) years we have been together. When we began together as a class in September 2008, the 43rd President was still in office, the United States had not yet taken the next leap on its path towards fulfilling its promise and electing the first African-American President. In these two short-long years, the global economy has gone berserk, oil has begun gushing out of the Gulf of Mexico, comprehensive health care reform has been passed, and so much more.
      I have thought so hard about what words of wisdom to say to you at such a moment as this. I have said many words to you over these past two years and perhaps the pressure of knowing this is my final chance to address you all as a group made it seem all the more challenging to pick just the right last words for this occasion. What advice could I give you about how to live in these wild times we find ourselves in?
      Then I realized something- I realized that throughout this year, a number of voices have already been telling you how to live. . There’s only been one problem: The words we have heard have been absolutely contradictory and impossible to reconcile- each telling us something totally different about where to find meaning and value within our lives.
      For example, there was Lola, Lola the Living Doll. Lola had a lot to tell us about what was important and how we should live our lives. Lola told us that when we are bored, we should buy a few things- the toys and joys that Megabucks bring. She and her lovely friends told us that our friends would desert us when the going gets rough and that we should put our trust and faith in more reliable stuff- like a black limousine, a suite at the Ritz, a gambling casino, a luxury yacht and a portfolio of stock (clearly Lola and her friends did not live through the recent recession!). Lola told us that power and pleasure would set us free. The Grey Gentleman who brought Lola to Momo (Agent BLW slash 553 slash C) said that all that matters in life is to climb the ladder of success and that when a person climbs that ladder, she is more powerful, owns more things and that automatically, everything else follows- friendship, respect, love etc. Agent BLW’s fellow Grey Gentleman have all sorts of advice about how we should and should not spend our precious time.
      They are very clear that we should not be wasting our time in meaningless pursuits. We ask, which types of pursuits are meaningless and they tell us that certainly singing, reading, time spent with friends and daydreaming by the window are a waste of time. But even more- bringing flowers to someone to make them smile, helping our parents with housework, even caring for a pet are all needless extravagances, and demonstrate that we are wasting time in a totally irresponsible manner.
      The Chairman himself took it even further. He told us that we could have Eternal Life, the Wealth of the World, Infinite Knowledge, that we could establish a Global Order of Peace and Prosperity and be worshipped as the Savior of the World!
      Wow! Savior of the World! Powerful words of advice on how to live from these folks. Not all that different in essence from the words you will hear out there in the world from those trying to sell you something.
But these are not the only words we heard this year. Ouwa, Bamuthi and Mopani from the extraordinary novels we read by Laurens van der Post, A Story Like the Wind and A Far Off Place painted a very different picture of the world and our possible place in it.
      Mopani told us that nothing that we do in life is ever wasted. Everything in life matters and ultimately has a place, an impact and a meaning. He reminds us that the journey in the world without will not provide us the resolution we seek- what we search for can only be found in the inner journey. Mopani tells us that the only real crisis out of which all evil comes is a crisis of meaning. While Lola tells us to buy stuff, Mopani tells us that a terrible invasion of meaninglessness and a feeling of not belonging is the sickness of our day. It is not lack of money- it is lack of meaning that is the problem. I can tell you from direct experience in my own life that “Meaning will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no meaning.”
      Douglas Gerwin reminded the graduating seniors about Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken and about two roads diverging in a yellow wood. You will have to make innumerable choices at innumerable forks- which road will you take? The road of Lola? Or the road of Mopani? The road of stuff and diversion? Or the road of meaning?
And now I am reaching the end of my talk. I want to say something very serious here. I want to remind you that even at your young age, you have been tested and challenged. Right before I came, you lost your once trusted class teacher under very difficult circumstances, along with a number of dear friends and classmates that had been on this eye of the needle journey alongside you. For many people, the response to having one’s trust broken or betrayed is to become closed or cynical. To believe the Lolas of the world that material stuff will serve better than human relationships that can be destroyed or ideals that can make you vulnerable. Though you may have felt that way at times, you have grown ever more open hearted and willing to trust. The world needs people like you that have learned the lesson that what is broken can be fixed (and perhaps made even better), that there are cracks in everything- that is how the light gets in.
      You have sung one song many times now about a much loved ship that sinks to the bottom of the ocean and through the devoted work of a small band of men who love her she is made to rise again. I only have a last moment here, so I need to say this in language plain and clear: You are the Mary Ellen Carter- collectively as a class and each one of you as individuals who carry the lessons learned when you were awash. So my dear class, go forth, don’t hide what you learned in the watery depths. Take this solid knowledge, this secret wisdom you have earned about transformation and resurrection and let it shine out into the world.
      Hold tight to these words when the waves get rough:
Rise Again, Rise Again
Though your heart it be broken and life about to end
No matter what you’ve lost,
Be it a home, a love, a friend
Like the Mary Ellen Carter rise again!

Merriconeag's Historic First 12th Grade Graduation

James Black Lyscars, Lily Call O'Brien, William Baxter Morse, Norajean Ferris and Zakary Asher Konstantino

     Merriconeag Waldorf School’s celebration of 25 years as a Waldorf school culminated on Saturday, June 5, 2010 with the historic graduation of its first 12th grade class. As the first seniors walked down the aisle in the Community Hall, they realized the dream of the school’s founding board and parents who shepherded the school through humble beginnings in 1984 and nourished the seed that has flourished and grown into an accomplished Early Childhood through Grade 12 school.

Thoughts From a Parent on our First 12th Grade Graduation

     As with so many aspects of Waldorf Education, Merriconeag's historic first high school graduation was far too beautiful to put into words. As each student entered into the community hall, to music chosen by him or her self, we all realized that this was going to be an extraordinarily special graduation. To give one example, each graduating senior was introduced by a different member of the faculty. The introductions were incredible. The teachers truly knew these students, cared about them, cried for them. What a gift it was for these students to have these faculty members in their lives. To have teachers that knew them so well, could speak about them so eloquently, is a truly unique gift that Merriconeag has given to these students!
      The Key Note Speaker, Douglas Gerwin, spoke of the “fork in the road” and the choices that lie ahead for our graduates. He used the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken” as his inspiration, and during his talk gave each of the graduates a compass to help them “chart their course.”
      William Morse and Lily O’Brien presented their Class gift to the school at the end of the ceremony. They spoke of the strength of the Merriconeag Community, the depth and richness of their Waldorf High School experience, and their longing to see the whole school united on one campus. They bore witness to the fact that a Waldorf School is committed to the education of the whole child, from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. They have a dream of seeing the two campuses united on Desert Road, and as their gift, the Class of 2010 has started a building fund for Merriconeag High School.
      It was an honor to be present at the graduation and it is a gift to be part of this community. Margaret Samuelson

"Bridge School"

     Four of the five graduating seniors on stage, last Saturday, were in the original “Bridge School.” They were a hopeful group of about 9 students and their parents who started a 9th grade class in 2006, trusting that the Merriconeag Waldorf High School would be forming the following year, and that somehow their class would be incorporated into a combined 9th and 10th grade. There were no guarantees or promises that this would come about as they hoped. Many people discouraged them from holding on to the idea of a combined 9th and 10th grade start to the new high school. It was a huge leap of faith for those pioneering parents and these students.
      It reminds me of the signs near bridges in the winter…
                                               “Warning! Bridges Freeze before Roadways”
      Bridges can be risky…they often span rushing water or deep gullies; they can be quickly covered in ice, or enveloped in fog. They take imagination, ingenuity, and courage to build. They need extra maintenance! But they do allow one to travel from where you are to where you aspire to be.
      These five seniors were asked a last week, what gifts their Waldorf Education had given them. One replied that being a pioneer had taught patience…everything was for the first time, you were part of the creating, and you had to respect the pace that each one needed, in order to get to where they needed to go, together.
In their 12th grade play “The Good Doctor” by Neil Simon, these five seniors portrayed over 20 characters in seven delightful vignettes, beautifully staged, impeccably timed, with rich characterizations. But what stood out for me was the amazing ensemble work that one usually sees in well rehearsed repertory groups. This can only be accomplished with the deepest trust, understanding and appreciation for each other. This class has built more than a bridge; they have built a community and pioneered a high school. Christine Sloan

Patty Be Praised!

     If your son or daughter has brought home Merriconeag's first all-school yearbook, you have probably been impressed by the high quality of the publication known as The Gyre. Editor Lily O'Brien, photo editor Jake Lyscars, and their associates Zoe Chace-Donahue and Teagan Wu deserve kudos for their creative and constant efforts. However, no one has done more to bring the yearbook to fruition than Patty Bright. For the past three years, Patty has volunteered her valuable time and expertise to work with the high school yearbook staff. She has taught them layout techniques, helped them choose and elaborate an annual theme (this year, the beautifully developed "Threads" motif), and guided them through the process of expanding the yearbook to include the entire school. For her tireless generosity and commitment to making the yearbook a highly anticipated part of the end-of-year whirl, Patty be praised. David Sloan

Who's New for Next Year...

     We are pleased to announce that Margaret Samuelson will be our First Grade Assistant in the morning and afternoon program. She will be working closely with our new First Grade Teacher, Robert Pennington, who has already been teaching at the school this spring with the First Grade afternoon program and the Third Grade Building and Garden block.
      As we announced earlier this spring, Kirsti Hiebert will be working again with Kam Anderson in the Nursery program.

The 8th Grade Aboard the J & E Riggin

Our 8th Grade spent a wonderful week in May sailing on beautiful Penobscot Bay on the schooner, J&E Riggin .

The Doctor Is (Finally) In!

     The Class of 2010 has a full plate this week. Today after school they will meet with faculty members to receive Rudolf Steiner's "leaving verse." On Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Community Hall, they will perform an open dress rehearsal of Neil Simon's The Good Doctor, which students and their parents are invited to attend for free. The seniors will also perform the play on Thursday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m. The suggested donation for those performances is $5 ($15 for families). However, two scenes in the play involve the theme of seduction and a "lady of the night," which might not be suitable for younger children. The play runs just under two hours, with a ten-minute intermission.
      On Saturday, the school community is invited to attend Merriconeag's first high school graduation. The Commencement Exercises will begin at 2 p.m. in the Community Hall, with Douglas Gerwin serving as the keynote speaker. A reception will follow the ceremony. David Sloan

A Thing of Beauty

     The Community Hall is the gathering center, the performance hall, the festival host, the celebration heart of our campus. This past weekend, another amazing addition, thanks to the generous and artistic contributions of Cindy Thompson and Matt Rawdon, was designed and installed on our stage.
      Our stage has been enhanced for years with Cindy’s beautiful fabric stage pieces created by Transformit. The hope had always been to include a proscenium arch and stage curtain to enhance the space and create more theatrical options in the room. Thanks to extra 8th grade class funds over the past five years, and Cindy and Matt’s extraordinary gift of design and installation, we now have a magnificent setting for future plays, concerts, talks and performances.
      Please don’t miss a chance to pop into the Community Hall this week…maybe see the 4th grade strings concert, (Tuesday evening), the 12th grade play, (Wednesday dress rehearsal and Thursday and Friday Productions at 7:00), or the 12th Grade Graduation on Saturday at 2:00! Or just slip in at the end of school and see the magnificent change to our stage!
      Thank you, Cindy and Matt, and the families of the past five eighth grades, who have made this improvement happen in the Community Hall. Look for fresh paint in the Hall and Gallery this summer! Christine Sloan

The Doctor Is (Almost) In

     Merriconeag’s first senior class warmly invites the school community to attend performances of The Good Doctor, by Neil Simon, next Thursday and Friday evenings, June 3 and 4, in the Community Hall.  The play, loosely adapted from several Anton Chekhov short stories, is really a series of vignettes related only by their Russian character.  Although none of the scenes contains objectionable content or language, parents of children younger than sixth grade or seventh grades should use discretion; one vignette is about the world’s greatest seducer of married women; in another, a father’s birthday gift to his nineteen-year-old son is an encounter with a “lady of the night.”  Tickets will be on sale at the door for $5.  One other opportunity to see the play will take place at a  free “open dress rehearsal” on Wednesday evening, June 2, also at 7 p.m.

The Seniors Make the Most of Montreal

     Merriconeag’s soon-to-be graduating twelfth graders class found Montreal the (nearly) perfect setting for their senior trip. Norajean Ferris, Zak Konstantino, Jake Lyscars, William Morse, Lily O’Brien and their chaperones Ms. Buck and Mr. Sloan enjoyed three sunny, unseasonably warm days as they biked up to the top of Mont-Royal, sampled a variety of international meals, ooh-ed and aah-ed at the impossible theatrics/acrobatics of the Cirque du Soleil, visited the Botanical Gardens and Biodome, and rehearsed their senior play in a conveniently empty amphitheater in the Parc du Fontaine. The only small shadow over the trip—aside from Lily being questioned by the metro police after she innocently jumped one of their non-working turnstiles, and nearly losing Norajean when the metro doors closed prematurely, which would have left her on the platform—was the huge, jackhammering, monster machine that workers used to tear up the sidewalk directly beneath our hostel windows. . .at 6:30 a.m.! All in all, le voyage a été magnifique! David Sloan

Momo Makes Merry

Congratulations and thanks to the 8th grade, their teacher and parents for a wonderfully entertaining and thought-provoking production of Momo and the Thieves of Time.

Fifth Grade Pentathlon

     It was the tradition in Ancient Greece for the Olympians to gather for one month prior to the games in order to practice together. During that time and throughout the games themselves all enmity between the city states was laid to rest. The athletes focused on improving their skills and offering prayers to the gods who would bless their efforts.
      Though it was not Ancient Greece and we do not suffer any hostilities, we did gather as 5 disparate Waldorf schools to eat, play, and practice together before officially opening the Pentathlon. Each class gave its artistic offering before the 77 students were mixed between 6 city states in preparation for the morrow's events.
      For two fair days the gods smiled upon us with blue skies and bug chasing breezes. For two days we were warmly welcomed by students, parents, and faculty of the Bay School. And like the ancients the athletes ran, leapt, wrestled, and threw discus and javelin in a multi-lingual milieu. The gods and all watching were gratified. Lynn Thurrell

Ode

O Artemis,
Beautiful goddess of the hunt,
So graceful, strong, and free,
I ask that you might grant me
Thy speed and strength and grace,
That I may launch myself into the sky
Flying high above the long jump pit.
Help me to release the discus
That it might soar high into the heavens
Carrying the words of my prayer to you.
O Artemis,
Youngest daughter of Zeus,
I ask but one thing more,
That thon might bless this day
With sun and warmth.

Ciara Murphy-Anderson

Ode to Mr. Saccone

O Mr. Saccone, we thank thee for thine help.
Because of thee, our javelin and discus flew far.
We thank thee for your hard work to help us train.
We ran as fast as a jaguar,
Jumped as high as a kangaroo,
Were as graceful as a deer, all in honor of thee and the gods we serve.
If not for thee, our attempts in the games
Would have been as feeble as a baby birds.
Because of thee,
We stood in the sun receiving our medals and wreaths with glory.
O Mr. Saccone, we thank thee for thine help.

End of Year Report from the Development Office

     As Waldorf education reminds us, real success is not measured by the end product, but by the process of striving toward a goal. The dollars we raised this year through our many fundraising events were indeed impressive, but the real value is often discovered in the friendships and personal triumphs gained by our efforts. As many of you can attest, after the event is over, after the cleanup and the celebration ends, what remains is the self-satisfaction of a job well done, the pure joy of helping a cause, and the lasting friendships.
     I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this incredibly gifted and generous community, and I look forward to developing new friendships in the year ahead! I am always eager to hear your fundraising ideas (several of which are still in the planning stage, so not listed below), and I deeply appreciate all the ways in which you help support the school through your gifts of time, talent, and money.
      Please be in touch if you are willing and able to help with any of the following events next year. Whether you have just a couple hours total, or several hours per week, I would love to work with you to find a project that suits your interest and skills. If these reasons to volunteer aren’t persuasive enough, remember that volunteering in the development office of Merriconeag has the added benefit of yummy treats!
                                                                                                         With gratitude, Lynne Espy, Development Coordinator                                                                                                 developmentcoordinator@merriconeag.org 865-3900 Ext. 116

Parents Looking into Bus Service

     A group of parents is examining possibilities for bus service to MWS from various locations. The potential benefits include reduced traffic congestion, lowered fuel use and time savings. The cumulative effect of 75 cars making a 20 mile daily round trip is 30,000 miles travelled and 1,350 gallons of gasoline consumed per month!
      Please respond to a very short survey at Survey Monkey to determine the feasibility of bus service at MWS.
      Please reply by June 15; we want to hear from everyone! Thank you!  Alicia Heyburn

Playbill Cover Design Contest: Ninth Grader Eliza Smith-Sitnicki has been chosen to design this year’s Smirkus Freeport Playbill Cover. Thank you, Eliza, for sharing your talent with thousands of Circus-goers…look for her artwork in the Smirkus Playbill.

Homestay Hosts: There are just 3 spots left for hosting Smirkus Troupers during their three-night stay in Freeport from 8/3 to 8/6. You can feel a part of the excitement by providing a home-away-from-home for 2 Troupers. Hosting is a fun, helpful way to make this Circus happen. We have a fantastic Welcome Party for Host Families and Troupers only. We are also carefully planning the Homestay experience this year to optimize carpooling. Prior hosts rave: “My daughter felt like she was a part of the Circus with her ‘own’ Troupers. The Smirkus kids were fun and very polite. We’ll host every year that we can!” recalls Debbie Gaspardi. Please contact Drew Tieman, 207.272.4025 to sign up.

Host Children-in-Need to Attend the Circus: There are over 700 children awaiting full or partial sponsorship through our Magic Matinee Program. Kids from Make-a-Wish, Easter Seals, Big Brother/Sister of Bath & Brunswick, Woodford Family Services and several summer camp programs are relying upon help to make it to the Big Top. For every child’s ticket ($17) you donate, we will give you a free Smirkus Freeport shirt. Please contact Trace Salter, 207.756.9212, to take the joy of Smirkus far beyond the ring.

Work a shift under the Big Top: With 38 empty shifts on the Volunteer List, we have many vacant roles in our Cast of Clowns for this year’s Circus. Working under the Big Top is really fun and we show our appreciation by thanking you profusely and plying you with snacks and water while you’re with us. Even younger kids can feel like a roustabout by handing out a Playbill or two. Please look at the SmirkusCurrent Volunteer List and contact Trace Salter to join the Smirkus Freeport Crew.

Place an Ad: Reach out to 3,000 people by placing an ad in our Smirkus Freeport Playbill. For pricing take a look at our Ad Rate Sheet.  We can even negotiate a deal with the other Smirkus Presenter in Maine if you would like your ad to be placed in their Kennebunkport playbill at a 50% discount. Please pass referrals on to Trace Salter if you think any friends or contacts would be interested in reaching our sold-out audiences that are comprised of 65-75% local families. Rates are reasonable and this ad revenue is crucial to the success of our Smirkus presentation…thank you!

Eighth Grade Play - Momo and the Thieves of Time

     The eighth grade will present its play, Momo and the Thieves of Time, on Thursday, May 20 at 10:00 am and again at 7:00 pm. Everyone is invited to both performances. Admission is free.
      The play was written by long time Waldorf class teacher William Ward based on the book Momo and the Grey Gentlemen by Michael Ende, author of The Neverending Story. William, who has since died from a brain tumor, wrote a beautiful book about his illness called Traveling Light.
      The play is a surreal contemporary drama set within the cosmic struggle between kindly Professor Hora, the Guardian of Time, and the comic-demonic Grey Gentlemen who are out to steal and freeze Time. Momo, the mysterious orphan girl who lives in a ruined ampitheater, hears the music of the stars and lives in the Here and Now. She is an obstacle to the Grey Gentlemen's sinister plans. Even her friends, the Street Kids, are lured away and imprisoned as the pace of modern life accelerates. With the help of Professor Hora and the Timeless Turtle Cassiopeia, Momo courageously confronts evil and releases the frozen Hour Lilies. (And believe it or not, the whole thing is something of a musical!)
      We would love to have everyone in the community come out and see this unique production and support the eighth grade's final artistic offering as a class. David Barham

Eighth Grade Class Trip

     Right after they complete their play, Momo and the Thieves of Time, the eighth grade class will be leaving on their final journey as a grade school class. They will be spending a week on a wooden three masted schooner, The J & E Riggin, off the coast of Rockland and out into the waters of Penobscot Bay. Each day the students will work with the captain and crew to plot their course, monitor the weather and tides, learn the workings of the boat, handle sails and lines, and cook food on a cast iron wood stove in the galley (as well as swab the deck and polish brass.) Of course, there will be time for watching for seals and porpoises, playing sea songs with the captain, sharing scenes from their play on deck and just being together to celebrate this important milestone in their lives. The class will be gone from Sunday, May 23 through Friday, May 28. Think of them literally sailing together as they have been metaphorically sailing together these eight and in some cases, more, years.

A Warm Welcome to our Student Interns

     Two former Merriconeag students, Devon Gamble and Brianna Wellen, are currently serving as interns on our grade school campus. Devon will be spending two weeks in the 4th grade with Ms. Hill's class and in French classes with Monsieur Fenderson. Brianna will be spending her time at Merriconeag with Nancy Roderick in violin classes and with the ensemble groups.

     Devon is a senior at North Yarmouth Academy and Brianna is a senior at Freeport High School. Both were Merriconeag 8th grade graduates from Siegrun Price's class in 2006.

     Please join us in welcoming our former students in their new roles!

Tyler O'Brien Published

Tenth grader, Tyler O'Brien's writing is included in The Telling Room's 2010 anthology: Can I Call You Cheesecake?: 35 Stories & Poems about Food. The young authors were celebrated by the greater community at the newly renovated Portland Public Library on Tuesday, May 11, at 7 pm.

Foundation Studies and Teacher Education

     We are starting a new program in the fall of Foundation Studies in the Arts and Anthroposophy run by the Center for Anthroposophy. Lucy Ahearne has agreed to become the local coordinator for the Freeport program. She will be getting in touch with those who were at the meeting with Torin Finser on April 26th and gave their contact information. Please tell all your interested friends and give it some serious thought yourself! The announcement letter, program with dates and faculty, and the registration form are available in the grade school office. Please register by May 27th.
      For those interested in becoming Waldorf teachers, check out the Antioch University New England website for more details on teacher training scholarships. They have an excellent program and the scholarships can make it affordable.  Barbara Richardson, Foundation Studies Coordinator, Center for Anthroposophy

Community Warmly Welcomes May

     Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this year's May Faire. Despite the threatening English weather, our Faire was full of warm hearts and hearty appetites. The rain plan worked flawlessly with the sword dance and musicians indoors and a cozy, intimate setting for conversation. Special thanks to the 6th grade students, their teacher, Marta Rackmales, and especially to Kathy Watko and Linda Kelly for coordinating this year's Faire. Our gratitude extends to all the teachers who worked on music, dances and songs.

     We thank all of you for braving the cool, soggy weather and bringing the warmth of the merry month of May into our community!

It's Time to Celebrate the Joyous Rebirth of Spring

      Join us this Saturday, May 8th from 10am to 2pm for Merriconeag’s annual May celebration and Medieval Faire. Our Maypole procession will include all classes and will commence at 10am followed by the 6th grade sword dance. At the hour of 11am the revelry will begin with the sound of music from all of our community featuring our string performers and choral performances. In addition, the games will begin with some old favorites to test your strength and wits, plus a few new games to entice you.
      Enjoy the food and drink, the laughter and merriment, and the dancing and singing. The 6th grade will offer handmade cards in the Scriptorium, have flowers braided in your hair, and have other merchant items for sale. The Medieval Faire will offer something for everyone, so join the Lady of Merriconeag as we welcome the spring.
      All classes will gather on the green between the lower school and the parking lot in preparation for the maypole procession. Children should be dropped off with their teachers at 9:45. Medieval dress is encouraged by all.

Another Senior Moment

     In 1985, a senior at Green Meadow Waldorf School in New York, asked me to be her mentor for her senior project. She wanted to act in a one woman show, “A Lovely Light” the story of poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay. We spent months meeting on Sunday mornings, to explore the poetry and life journey of this amazing poet from Maine. Debbie is now 43, lives in Germany, the mother of twin girls, and is a radio journalist, writing and broadcasting in German! We are still friends.
      Over 20 years I watched many senior class projects that ranged in interests as diverse as building boats to sky diving, from dancing the Tango to demonstrating Tai Chi, from designing and constructing shoes to performing aerial acrobatics. The common thread through all these years has been sharing the excitement of a young adult’s individual exploration of a subject or experience.
      On Friday night, Merriconeag’s first graduating class, all five of them, presented their projects to classmates, teachers, mentors, parents and friends. The range of interests covered five unique areas of life pursuits….Culinary Arts and Photography, Writing and Drama, Aeronautic Engineering, Social Service and Artistic Movement through Eurythmy.
      Driving home after the event, I was struck by the rich variety of interests in this delightful and articulate group of seniors. You couldn’t have intentionally designed a more diverse set of presentations: William Morse’s almost airborne glider, Jake Lyskar’s photographic presentation of food preparation at his workplace, “Pat’s,” Zak Konstantino’s community service at “Jump Start,” Norajean Ferris’s writing and performing in her own one-act play, and then finally Lily O’Brien’s penetrating description of the art of eurythmy using Sun Bow students to portray the sounds and gestures…a Waldorf dream come true!
      Thank you, Senior Class, for collectively presenting your individual pursuits, passions and insights and beginning, what we hope will be a long tradition of Senior Projects at Merriconeag.      Christine Sloan

Zak Konstantino Runner-up in Poetry Festival

     For three consecutive years, Zak Konstantino's poetry has earned him a place among the finalists in Merriconeag's annual Poetry Festival, a feat no other student in the entire region has replicated. Last Sunday, however, judge Gibson Fay-LeBlanc announced to the over 100 people in attendance that Zak's peice "Uncle Billy's Funeral" had been selected as the second place poem in this year's competition. In addition to receiving a gift certificate from a local bookstore, Zak also had his poem displayed on a poster-- alongside the other two top prize-winning poems--that will be sent to all of the more than forty public and private high schools in the Mid-coast area.     Two other Merriconeag student-poets were among the twenty-one finalists. Tyler O'Brien, also a finalist last year, was chosen for his poem about the phases of life entitled "Growing." Skyler Samuelson, the only ninth grader selected to be a finalist, was honored for her poem "The Crime." Skyler also played a cello piece to begin the program, and the "Bluegrass Boys," comprised of Jack Pierce, Juan Mesones, Jacob Kolda, Dan Pierce and special guest Ben Tindall concluded the ceremony with some rousing, foot-stomping music. Many thanks to judge Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, Regine Whittlesey, Rose Mary Burwell, Sarah Buck, Greta Parsons and Eva McVicar for helping welcome invitees and prepare a delectable reception. Special thanks to Matt Rawdon, who donated his time to design the Festival booklet and poster. David Sloan

                Uncle Billy's Funeral by Zak Konstantino                  

The disaster it was, on my tenth birthday,

When you walked in holding that ice-cold beer.

party hat and smile slanted when I opened...

three blind mice?

a smile, a wink.

It wasn't the last, you taught me everything.

"Now this is how a professional does it"

even the little things, the weird trick with

arms like you're receiving a hug.

my first cigarette, I credit you

and the right way to drown.

Though sometimes I was probably

a good reason you don't have a gun.

In the end, friend. I never forget the

day I turned ten.

Merriconeag’s Annual Spring Concert

New Songs Ring with Gladness for Spring ends all Sadness!

     Please join us on Wednesday, May 12th, 6:30 PM in our Community Hall for Merriconeag's delightful annual spring concert. Students in grades 5 - 12 will entertain us with instrumental and choral music.

Note to parents of student performers: Assembly attire (spring colors strongly encouraged!)
Students must arrive at 6:00 PM sharp. Please make sure they arrive with all necessary equipment: string or wind instruments and choral and instrumental music.

Friday Night Lights—See Merriconeag’s Seniors Shine!

     Merriconeag’s first graduating class will present their senior projects on Friday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Hall. Each of our pioneering twelfth graders will share a slice of their intensive work over the past year: Norajean Ferris has written, acted in and filmed a short one-woman play; Zak Konstantino will speak about becoming a mentor in Jump Start, a program for at-risk youth; Jake Lyscars will share his experiences—through photography and some sample cuisine—of working at a Portland restaurant; William Morse will enlighten the audience about how to build a robotic glider; and Lily O’Brien will perform—with the help of Sunbow—eurythmy she has choreographed. The entire school community is invited, most especially sixth, seventh and eighth graders and their parents. David Sloan

Merriconeag Reaches Out Through Poetry

     Three Merriconeag high school students—Skyler Samuelson, Tyler O’Brien, and Zak Konstantino—will be among the twenty-one finalists to be honored at the Third Annual Merriconeag Poetry Festival this Sunday, May 2, in the Community Hall at 3 p.m. For Zak, this is the third consecutive year he has been selected as a finalist—a feat matched by no other student in the region! What makes his streak even more noteworthy is that each year a different Maine poet has served as judge. Tyler was also a finalist last year.
      The Festival is one of the school’s biggest outreach events of the year; each of the past two years, more than a 100 poetry lovers from outside the school community have come to hear the finalists read their work. This year’s judge, Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, Executive Director of the Telling Room in Portland, will also read some of his work and announce the top three prize-winning poems. All finalists will receive gift certificates from area bookstores, as well as a booklet with all of the finalists’ poems. A reception hosted by the high school will follow the program. All community members are warmly invited to attend—especially those who love the Word!
      The Festival is being funded, in part, by a generous grant from the Maine Arts Commission. The bookstores contributing gift certificates include Longfellow Books in Portland, Sherman’s and Annie’s Book Stop in Freeport, and Gulf of Maine in Brunswick.

Meet our First Grade Teacher for 2010-11:

     We warmly invite parents to a reception in honor of Robert Pennington, our new first grade teacher. It will be held in Merriconeag’s Community Hall on Wednesday, May 5, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
     During the evening, Robert will share what brought him to Waldorf Education, his enthusiasm for teaching and his hopes for this new class. The subject teachers who will be working with the first graders in September will also be available to talk with parents informally about the first grade experience.
      Robert and his wife, Julie, have two young children, Quinn and Blake, who joined our early childhood program earlier this month. We do hope you will come next week to help us welcome them into the Merriconeag community.
All interested parents are invited. Bring a friend!

Circus Smirkus Update, April 27, 2010

      Spring into Action: The 2010 Big Top Tour

Spring has sprung and now it’s time to kick off our Circus Season! We’re busy with all it takes to make our sixth Smirkus presentation the most successful yet…we need your help to meet this goal.

Please note that we welcome your talent in the ring:

     • Selling ads in our insert to the Smirkus Playbill
     • Finding individuals and businesses to sponsor children-in-need (there are 700 this year!) for our Magic Matinee

       Program
     • Volunteering for one of our shows on Thursday 8/5 & Friday 8/6
     • Hosting Troupers for their stay from 8/4 to 8/7
     • Publicizing the Circus by hanging posters and distributing flyers
Please contact me, Trace Salter, to run away with the Circus: tel 207/319.7734 or 207/756.9212.,

Program News

Playbill Cover Design Contest:

MWS Students grades 6-12 can submit their idea/sketch in a contest for the chance to design the cover for the 2010 Smirkus Freeport Playbill. This year's theme is Wilderness Wonders, so your artwork should have an outdoor theme. Prize comes with a $25 cash award and eternal fame with your artwork going to 3,000 Circus-goers. Entries due by 5/14…Winner announced on 5/18…Final artwork to be completed by 6/7. Raffle collection points in Grades and High School Offices. This is your chance to shine...so please submit your ideas!

Smirkus Arts Family Festival

From 10 am to 4pm on Saturday, May 15th at the Yarmouth High School Performing Arts Center with morning and afternoon sessions with Maine’s four Smirkus Troupers and their Coaches. Interactive circus arts workshops will be offered, followed by performances that will dazzle you with the talent that won these four Mainers a coveted spot on the 2010 Big Top Tour.

Circus Arts Camp 8/6 & 8/9 through 8/13

This year, a few lucky children in Grades 4 and up are in for a treat! John    Saccone and other guest artists will offer instruction in the physical, comedic and collaborative aspects of Circus Arts. Children will delight in their own abilities as they work with their skills in juggling, diablo, unicycling, rola-bola, hula hoop, mime, clowning and more. Included with registration is a ticket to the 1 pm Circus Smirkus show on 8/6, followed by a backstage tour of this dynamic and inspiring youth circus. FMI: John Saccone or the MWS website for registration. Space is limited so don’t delay!

Submitted by Trace Salter, Circus Coordinator

Foundation Studies and Waldorf Teacher Educationo

     The meeting in the Community Hall on Monday evening, April 26th, was attended by over 20 enthusiastic people. Torin Finser, director of Education at Antioch University in Keene, NH gave a lovely spring imagination which carried the essence of Waldorf education. He then talked about several different aspects of the Waldorf Teacher Education program and recommended that interested people begin the application process soon. There are waiting lists but the most qualified students will go to the top of the list. Foundation Studies in the Arts and Anthroposophy is a pre-requisite. We will start a new cluster at Merriconeag in September. Several parents spoke about what a gift it has been to be part of the program whether it helped them be a better teacher or better parent. For more info call Barbara Richardson at 865-6482 or email.

A Parent's Sharing About her 8th Grader's Independent Project

     The year-long independent project experience was a strong, foundational, educational experience for my daughter. As she thought about what she would be interested in doing for a year - learning about on her own with a mentor - she took stock of what she found to be important to her. This took some time and searching but after "trying on" a couple of ideas she finally made a decision.
      This project challenged her to take responsibility for creating a timeline with deadlines, and completion dates, as well as meeting set-backs along the way. As I understand it, each child faced set-backs, highs, lows, and successes. The year's work taught her to plan, take responsibility, and stay with something over time that may or may not have been interesting or easy all of the time.
      As the project came to completion, her excitement, joy, and pride shone through. Her experiences were seen in the context of this success and the moment of completion was celebrated. Martha Eshoo, 8th Grade Parent

4th Grade Dioramas

If you have not had a chance to view the beautiful 4th grade diorama projects, they are on display in the Community Hall gallery all this week. You will find information-packed, stunning written reports on 18 different animals and accompany displays showing their habitats. Early Childhood students may enjoy coming to the big campus with Mom or Dad to see all the animals!

Local Ultimate Frisbee Clubs get Free Press

     Click the following two links to read the Tuesday, April 13th article in the Sports Section of the Portland Press Herald entitled, League of their own. The article includes several photos of Merriconeag Waldorf High School students. League of their own page one.  League of their own page 8.

Waldorf Music Education: Developing the Outer and Inner Ear

     All parents are invited to join us for coffee and conversation with our music teacher, Jordan Seavey, on Tuesday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. in the Farmhouse Conference Room. From ipods to satellite radio, modern technology ever increases our ability to hear the music we want exactly when and where we want to hear it.  Yet, the convenience of these luxuries and a trend to de-emphasize the importance of first-hand music making in mainstream education is actually deadening students' relationship to sound and eroding the capacity for deep, meaningful listening. . . both to music and to one another.  Come see how the Waldorf music curriculum uniquely develops the capacity to listen both inwardly and outwardly, resulting in better musicians, better listeners, and better thinkers.

Café Merriconeag is a Success

     Saturday night’s Café Merriconeag was a huge success, thanks to the 60 visionary parents, students, faculty, staff and friends who participated in this very illuminating event. We experienced lively and impassioned discussion, heard new and inspiring ideas, and truly felt the enthusiasm and excitement about what our school means to the community and what we all hope for its future! The conversations lasted far beyond the Community Hall and into the night after the lights were out and the door was locked. Please stay tuned for a synopsis of the themes and other salient points discussed at this World Café.

     We’d like to extend a special thanks to our esteemed facilitator, Margaret Cleveland, who led the evening with aplomb and good humor. Many thanks to our table hosts who kept the discussion focused and held the intention of the evening. Thank you also to the high school students who attended and bravely added their own brilliant voices to the mix.

     Community discussions are what continue to evolve this beloved organization and are a pillar of the success we will realize.  Thank you to one and all.  Valerie Konstantino

Merriconeag's Historic First Twelfth Grade Graduation

     Merriconeag's historic first twelfth grade graduation will take place on Saturday, June 5 (NOT June 12, as previously noted on the Community Calendar) at 2:00 p.m. in the Community Hall. All members of the school community who feel a strong connection to this pioneering class are warmly invited to attend both commencement exercises and the reception to follow.  The five graduating seniors--Norajean Ferris, Zak Konstantino, Jake Lyscars, William Morse, and Lily O'Brien, will each give short addresses as part of the ceremony.  Douglas Gerwin will be the graduation speaker, a fitting choice since he has served as long-time mentor of Merriconeag Waldorf High School, and since he was the keynote speaker at the high school dedication ceremony when it first opened its doors in September, 2007.

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