MSAD 51 hosts Fulbright tea party

Nearly 170 students, parents and teachers from MSAD 51 gathered for a real English tea party on Nov. 14 with Fulbright Scholar Olivia Thompson.

Greely PTO sponsored the event that featured Thompson, who is currently teaching third grade in the district as a part of the Fulbright program. Guests at the tea party enjoyed freshly baked scones with jam and cream and tea served in China cups while Thompson offered a fun and interactive presentation on the people and place of England.

Conley to visit North Yarmouth Academy

On Dec. 6, writer Susan Conley will visit North Yarmouth Academy to speak with Upper School students and conduct several workshops with several English classes.

From 7-8 p.m., Conley will read and sign books in Higgins Hall (168 Main St., Yarmouth) in an event open to the public. Royal River Books will provide books for sale at a 10 percent discount; donations are suggested at the door.

Conley is the author of “The Foremost Good Fortune,” a memoir that explores her experiences in China with her family as she battles breast cancer. She is currently working on a novel to be published by Knopf. Additionally, she founded The Telling Room, a non-profit, creative writing center for students ages six to 18 in Portland.

Conley’s visit to North Yarmouth Academy is a part of a visiting writer’s series entitled “Writers in Process: Bringing the literary world to NYA and Yarmouth.” The series began in October with Lily King, author of “Father of the Rain,” “The English Teacher,” and “The Pleasing Hour.” Each visit includes an evening lecture and book signing open to the public. For more information visit nya.org.

Freeport Mock Trial team advances

Freeport High School’s Mock Trial team advanced to the semifinal round of this year’s mock trial competition by beating Bonny Eagle in the first round, McAuley in the second round, and Berwick Academy in the quarterfinals.

This year’s case involves the murder of a paper company executive. The defendant, who is a member of a protest group called the Swamp Rats, blames the recent cancer death of her spouse on the paper company’s pollution. The teams must establish if she is guilty of the crime, or is being framed.

Freeport’s team is slated to compete again on Nov. 29, against perennial champion Hampden Academy. The other semi-final match is between Cape Elizabeth and Lewiston High Schools. The Freeport team includes Daniel Sinclair, Fiona Harbert, Justin Mendillo, Ian McGhie, Brenna DeMerchant, Jess Hench, Sarah Pier, Katie Ramirez, Emily Smith, Claire Stenzel, Annie Wood, and Arianna Zdanuck and is coached by Bill Browder and Karen Massey.

Bowdoin College donates to Freeport School

Freeport Middle School recently received a grant to help with environmental education from Bowdoin College’s Common Good Program.

The grant helped to educate the eighth grade students on local species and birding habitats connect with local organizations on specific needs for the nest boxes. First the students researched and used computer-aided design programs to create a 3-D model of their 2-D plan for the nest boxes. After completing the plans, the students built the new nest boxes in the wood shop; the species boxes include small song birds, wood ducks, barred owls, and the little brown bat.

Several organizations have already claimed their nest boxes, but there are some left over. For more information on obtaining a nest box contact nicholsonj@fms.org. The students and staff who worked on the project would like to thank Maine Building Materials Exchange in Lisbon for the materials for the project.