SeDoMoCha seventh-graders hit the slopes
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Grade 7 students at SeDoMoCha Middle School had the opportunity to head north to the mountain to ski and snowboard — many for the first time — earlier this year.
Grade 4-8 physical education teacher Jenn Savage said the school received a grant from the Maine Community Foundation to allow the seventh-graders to learn how to ski or snowboard (the choice was the pupil’s) at Big Squaw Mountain in Greenville. “This opportunity allowed us to expand our PE program by providing an outdoor learning experience while being physically active and having fun,” Savage wrote in an email.
Sixty seven students took part across two groups (each made up of a pair of homerooms), and they were joined by eight staff members (including Principal Adam Gudroe and Assistant Principal Andrew Shaw), 14 family volunteers and 11 students from Foxcroft Academy. Savage said with the exception of 19 seventh-graders with previous experience on the slopes, all others progressed through ski or snowboard lessons.
Photo courtesy of Jenn Savage
SKI TRIP — SeDoMoCha Middle School seventh-graders had the opportunity to ski and snowboard at Big Squaw Mountain in Greenville thanks to a grant from the Maine Community Foundation. Sixty seven students, along with staff members and volunteers, spend three days on the mountain between two groups as an expansion of their physical education classes.
The SeDoMoCha contingent visited Big Squaw Mountain for the equivalent of three school days, departing shortly after the start of the day at 8 a.m. and returning at 2 p.m. Savage said the first group headed up Route 15 Jan. 10, 16 and 24 and second skied and snowboarded Jan. 31, Feb. 13 and 28 (a snow day before vacation altered the schedule).
“The grant funding provided the busing for our students to the mountain, equipment rentals, lift tickets and ski and snowboarding lessons,” Savage said. “The Friends of Big Squaw Mountain generously donated their staff, including instructors, as well as provided discounted rates for our grade 7 students.”
Photo courtesy of Jenn Savage
LEARN TO SKI — Seventh-graders at SeDoMoCha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft had the opportunity to learn to ski at Big Squaw Mountain in Greenville earlier this year. The Friends of Big Squaw Mountain donated staff, including instructors, and provided discounted rates.
“The instruction started with the basics of how to be successful in their choice activity,” Savage said. “Students were given verbal and visual demonstrations on how to ski or snowboard, as well as how to get up. After all, falling is part of the process! The skiers utilized the newly installed magic carpet, which is comparable to a large conveyor belt to get skiers up a small section of the mountain. As they demonstrated control turning and stopping they then utilized a snowmobile and sled to go a bit further up the mountain. As students showed success with the steeper and longer section of the mountain, they finally progressed to the chair lift.”
She said students wanting to warm up or take a break could go inside the mountain lodge “but we found that they utilized every opportunity to be on the mountain!”
“Overall, I am amazed at the success and enjoyment I saw from our students,” Savage said. “Some were initially reserved about trying something new, and many were worried about failing in front of their peers. However, the buzz in the halls and the smiles on their faces, will be the memories we will forever cherish. I continued to see and hear about SeDoMoCha students who returned to the mountain following our school trips. Growing up, I learned how to ski on the very same mountain that many of my students also did. Being able to provide that special opportunity and be a part of this amazing process, I will be forever thankful for.”
Photo courtesy of Jenn Savage
FIELD TRIP TO BIG SQUAW MOUNTAIN — This past ski season, SeDoMoCha Middle School grade 7 students traveled north to Big Squaw Mountain in Greenville so they could learn how to head down the mountain on skis or snowboards.
“I am beyond thankful for our supportive administration and staff,” Savage added. “And our trips would not have been possible without the love and support from our family volunteers and FA students.”
The physical education teacher surveyed groups of skiers and snowboarders and the vast majority of each felt confident in their newly-acquired skills and would head down the slopes again.
Survey comments include “It was really fun trying something new and it was a great experience,” “It was cool to learn something new that I now love” and “It was fun to see other people learn to ski and watch them go down the mountain. I also loved being with my friends. I wish we could have stayed longer.”