POLAND SPRING, MAINE – For more than 170 years, Poland Spring® Natural Spring Water has been part of the fabric of Maine, not only as one of the state’s most iconic brands, but also as a responsible steward of Maine’s natural resources. A true community partner, Poland Spring is active in the communities where its employees live and the business operates a bottling facility or load station, or where it sources its spring water. Philanthropic support of local projects always has been and continues to be a priority for Poland Spring.
Talk with Maine’s next governor about how you would end the opioid crisis, at BDN-hosted event
At the event, attendees will discuss with their table a number of specific policies and initiatives that have been proposed to help save lives. They will then vote for the solutions that they think are most important and urgent.
By the end of the night, participants will have selected their top priority for changes in the Bangor region and their top priority in terms of state policy. The evening will be moderated by Felicia Knight, president of the Knight Canney Group.
Camp POSTCARD Celebrates 25 Years of helping Maine 5th & 6th graders enjoy a free week of summer camp
BRUNSWICK, ME. June 14, 2018 –Friday, June 15, marks the opening of Volunteers of America’s 25th year of Camp POSTCARD, a free week-long sleepover summer camp for Maine 5th and 6th graders — helping them make new friends, learn life skills, and build relationships with law enforcement.
Camp is held every year, in June, on the grounds of Agassiz Village in Poland, Maine, and is staffed by law enforcement, criminal justice professionals, and first responders who volunteer their time at Camp POSTCARD. They are joined by other community volunteers, as well as personnel from Volunteers of America Northern New England.
MAINE VOTERS APPROVE YES ON 1 TO PROTECT RANKED CHOICE VOTING
PORTLAND, MAINE — Yesterday, Maine voters approved Question 1 to protect Ranked Choice Voting by an even larger margin than it was initially approved in November 2016. Maine people have fought for three and a half years to have their voices heard. The Committee for Ranked Choice Voting celebrates a long overdue victory for the will of the Maine people, who once again stood strong for Ranked Choice Voting.
Principal For A Day
In May of 2017, on the same day President Trump released a 13% cut to the Department of Education, I was invited into the Riverton School in Portland to be Principal for a day. It’s hard to believe after touring the school, spending time in the classroom and having conversations with students, faculty, support staff and Ed techs that anyone could look at that kind of a cut as anything but a negative. The Principal for a Day program is sponsored by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Portland Public Schools and for the last five years it has matched public schools with community leaders and businesses. It promises, “… a firsthand understanding of the complexity, unique character and opportunities available in Portland's schools.” So, here’s how the day went and what I learned from Principal Jeanne Malia who is leaving after working in education for 42 years. But first off – here’s to her contribution – she is one of the most fearless, kind and guiding people I have had the fortune to spend time with in a public or private setting.
The School
Riverton is like a little United Nations. There are 470 students and 25 languages spoken there. There are children who have grown up in Portland, children of immigrants who have come through the refugee resettlement program, and children of asylum seekers who have fled war torn countries. There is a civil rights team that teaches about and practices tolerance, respect and inclusion. I sat with a young girl in a hijab, a young woman from the Sudan and two other students. Here’s what they want to be when the grow up – pediatrician, creative artist, mechanical engineer and a scientist. They are determined to succeed and I have never seen a more motivated group of 11-year-olds. If someone had asked me at 11 what I wanted to be I would probably have said, “professional baton twirler.” They are an impressive group who are the leading force behind making sure they deliver a message: All Are Welcome at Riverton School. Riverton teaches students to be caring, supportive, to take responsibility for their actions, lift themselves up, and to work with those who support them. That was demonstrated in every classroom, conversation and around every corner. Direction, redirection and frankly, hope.
The Challenges
Riverton, like many schools, has its share of challenges. In 2010, Riverton was facing declining state test scores in reading and math. The school applied for and won a 3.4-million-dollar school improvement grant. The money was invested in educational instruction, student programs, staff training, and intense collaborative writing projects. The efforts have paid off with scores climbing in the right direction. Money matters in education. Today, the school continues to work with the community to ensure that the perception of Riverton school matches their reality of making a difference for children every day.
Riverton is a Gift to Maine
The most fascinating part of the day was talking to students. One of them was a bright, bubbly, sure-to-be television talk show host. The 8-year-old had put together a video about how to behave appropriately. She was a spitfire and articulate beyond her years. Repeatedly students, many of whom come from less advantaged homes, talked about the need to “do the work,” “take responsibility for their actions,” “plan for a good future,” “work well with and respect others.” I loved hearing all of it.
Teachers, Support Staff, Leadership
You don’t get all of these great things without the support of leadership in the classroom, in the front office and in upper administration. I watched as the principal greeted each student who came through the door, checking in. Reminding them if they had an issue the day before that it’s a new day so it could be a better day. I watched as the school’s social worker and all around guardian angel to the asylum seekers opened a closet of food and clothes for people who had recently come to Maine and needed help. I watched as grandparent volunteers talked one-on-one with students whose grandparents and in some cases parents were unable to make it here.
So, as a society when we think about funding public education, I hope you will take with you some of the things I observed. These are children looking to work hard, build a future and go beyond where they are now. It’s up to us to give them the tools to do so.