Preschoolers at BCS
September 12, 2024Preschool students at Belgrade Central School have had a tremendous start to the school year! #WeAreRSU18
Author: vimes
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Camp Tracy
September 5, 2024Fifth grade students at Belgrade Central School were able to attend Camp Tracy for a day full of great activities where they worked on team building and communication skills! They all had a wonderful experience! #WeAreRSU18
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Meet Alicia Thomas, Dean of Students at BCS
August 23, 2024Meet Alicia Thomas, Dean of Students at Belgrade Central School!
What was your greatest memory from last school year?
I don’t have one favorite memory from last year; I have 21 of them. The 21 students that I had in fourth grade last year hold a special place in my heart. They were hard-working, creative, thoughtful, problem-solvers, and hilariously funny. It was a privilege to be their teacher.
What are you most looking forward to about this upcoming school year?
There are so many things to look forward to! Right now, I am most looking forward to the first day of school and the arrival of students in the hallways of BCS. There is nothing better than the first day of school when students flood the hallways! I cannot think of a day filled with more excitement, anticipation, and bravery than the first day of school. Children will bravely walk into new classrooms (and sometimes new schools), and excited teachers, educational technicians, support staff, and administrators will happily welcome them. There are so many beautiful acts of kindness and support seen and felt in elementary schools on the first day of school. It’s the kick-off to another year of learning and truly something to be celebrated!
What’s your favorite thing to do over the summer?
Like many Mainers, we love to spend time at camp. We went often when I was little, and it holds a lot of special memories. There is nothing better than swimming, boating, kayaking, fishing, campfires (s’mores included), hammock time, and family time!
If you weren’t involved in the profession of education, what would we find you doing?
Without a doubt, if I wasn’t in education, I would want to be an architect. I have always loved interesting buildings, barns, and structures. When we travel, I’m definitely the tourist gawking at all of the interesting buildings and reading about their history. Currently, my interest in architecture is explored with my children and Legos.
What is your favorite book to share with students and why?
“Fish in a Tree” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is an incredible book to share with upper elementary students about compassion, perseverance, honesty, and friendship. The main character, Ally, is brilliant, artistic, and kind. Secretly, she struggles with reading and goes to great lengths to keep it a secret – even from her teachers! It provides a springboard for countless valuable classroom conversations about empathy, kindness, differences, and acceptance.
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Meet Dillon Clark, Principal of BCS
August 23, 2024Meet Dillon Clark, Principal of Belgrade Central School!
What’s your favorite thing to do over the summer?
My favorite thing to do over the summer is spend time with my children and my wife. We love to boat, spend time at camp, and swim in our pool! We love to go from the pool to the hot tub over and over! Time with my family is the greatest gift of summer time! Personally, I like to also get a few rounds of golf in!
What is one thing you’d like to share with the students of your school building?
There are many great things about Belgrade Central School, but every great school starts and ends with great students and great staff! We have an incredible staff at BCS that truly cares about every single student, every single day! We are so excited for you to all rejoin us after summer vacation!
If you weren’t involved in the profession of education, what would we find you doing?
I have always known that I would be an educator, but if I were to have chosen a different profession, I could have seen myself serving in the health field. I considered nursing and taking the long road to becoming a doctor, but education has been my passion since I was very young!
What is your favorite book to share with students and why?
My favorite book is, “If I Built a School,” by Chris Van Dusen! This book is so much fun to read because it is based on a child’s perspective of what the school would look like if they built it! There are hover desks, water park playgrounds, and robotic lunch servers who serve anything you order! It is full of great images and imaginations can run wild while you read it!
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Mrs. Hanson’s Luau
June 11, 2024Mrs. Hanson and her staff at Belgrade Central School put together an end of the year luau! Family and friends joined as students enjoyed the sun, pizza, and fun! This was an awesome event! #WeAreRSU18
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Butterfly Life Cycle
June 3, 2024Mrs. Arsenault and her curious kindergarteners at Belgrade Central School spent a few weeks in May observing the life cycle of butterflies in their very own classroom! Students were so excited to release each butterfly carefully into the world. Their excitement and awe was contagious! #WeAreRSU18
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Two Authors Visit BCS
May 8, 2024Belgrade preschool through second grade students had an extra special day a few weeks ago when they met Maine author, Jennifer Jacobson! Primary learners were excited to discover that Jennifer became an author when she was 4 years old just by orally creating stories! They loved learning about the inspiration behind her informational picture book, Oh Chickadee! Jennifer shared videos of chickadees, information about her favorite pages in the book, and her research process as a writer. Students were so empowered by her affirmations of their ability as writers! First graders in Mrs. Mackenzie’s room returned to class, grabbed a pencil, and immediately started planning their next stories! Meeting such a fantastic author was a magical experience!
On top of that, third through fifth grade students spent another day learning from Maine author, Tamra Wight. Tamra shared valuable writing strategies as well as many incredible photographs from her research process! On the evening of her visit, the Title 1 staff organized a special literacy event for all families. Tamra shared another special presentation and signed a book for each student who attended the event. Ms. Moll and Mrs. Michaud organized fun stations connected to Tamra’s wildlife mystery series. Families enjoyed playing a loon board game, making art with animal stamps, and using their math skills to solve an esti-mystery! #WeAreRSU18
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BCS Loves Their Paraprofessionals + Teachers
May 3, 2024Mrs. Hanson and the students and staff in her program at Belgrade Central School have been very busy spreading kindness around the school! They created beautiful flower pots for each and every member of their staff! After a special planting project, these creations were hand delivered with joy and gratitude! Then all ed techs and classroom aides were recognized at the school-wide ABC Assembly in honor of Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Mrs. Hansen and her crew continued to spread kindness by creating special handmade gifts for every paraprofessional in the building! #WeAreRSU18
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Belgrade’s Spring Book Fair + Book Drive
April 30, 2024Belgrade Central School recently celebrated a love of reading with the annual Scholastic Book Fair! On a Friday night, families were invited to the gym to explore new books and enjoy an ice cream treat. Belgrade Central School reading ambassador and school librarian, Rita Daniels, organized a fantastic raffle with some of the school’s favorite book characters! Thank you to the amazing PTO and incredible volunteers for supporting Belgrade’s love of books and the Scholastic Book Fair!
On top of that, Rebecca Chadbourne, sister of Belgrade Central School librarian Rita Daniels, helped to organize an incredible Book Drive for the school! Rebecca is a member of the Nurses Engagement Committee – which is a group of Maine General nurses whose purpose is to increase and support nurse engagement throughout Maine General and the communities. This year’s focus was children and things that benefit them. The committee held a Book Drive during the month of February for all Maine General staff. They collected close to 1,200 books to distribute to a few lucky local schools and a daycare. BCS was fortunate to be a recipient of their generosity! #WeAreRSU18
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Missoula Theater: Blackbeard and the Pirates
April 23, 2024During the week of March 11-15th, Belgrade Central School students enthusiastically engaged in the Missoula Theater production of Blackbeard and the Pirates. Two seasoned Missoula Theater actors dedicated a week to rehearsing with 60 students followed by two performances at the Messalonskee High School Performing Arts Center. Students who participated in the performance dedicated extra hours practicing and perfecting their lines. Additionally, the actors conducted insightful and engaging workshops for the entire BCS student body – enriching their theatrical experience! The success of this program was made possible by the tireless efforts of parent volunteers. The support from the Don Steven’s Trust Fund was also instrumental in ensuring its success. #WeAreRSU18
