NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION PART 1

The differences in education in Russia and the United States:
academic freedom

By Andrew Romanov
Foxcroft Academy senior

    Both Russian and U.S. history textbooks are full of unnecessary patriotism. The “official” explanations of bombings and a primary focus on elite and public figures leaves much to be desired.
    In U.S. textbooks, for instance, there is a lot of information about George Washington and his great accomplishments as a general and as the first President, but not a word about him being a slave owner. In Russian textbooks there is a whole lot of information about Stalin and his accomplishments as the leader of the Soviet Union, but not so much about his labor camps, the gulag system, and the millions of Soviet people that were murdered under his rule.

Foxcroft Academy senior Andrew Romanov

    However, in the United States there is a way out of reading those textbooks and following the traditional curriculum. In Russia, there is only one way out — out the door of the high school and into the military.
    Before FA, I spent nine years of my schooling in one of the “best” public high schools in Moscow, the capital of Russia. The system is such that we do not have any choice of electives. We all follow the same curriculum, and the classes are regulated by the government very carefully.
    For example, in Russia there is only one history textbook that is approved by the Ministry of Education of Russia, and it has been written by historians who work for the Ministry. So, you might rightly so assume that the content of the textbook is biased. The “official” textbook ignores many facts and many events that actually happened, often replacing them with praise for the leaders.
    For example, in 1940 the Ministry commissioned authors conveniently attribute Trotsky’s assassination to the efforts of the “higher classes of capitalist countries” to get rid of one of their “most loyal agents.” It was never mentioned in any textbook that the assassin, after serving his prison term in Mexico, received a Medal of Hero of the Soviet Union. A similar situation has happened just recently, and is in the process of being rewritten in history textbooks by the government. The Ministry of Education of Russia has written that the Russian-Georgian war was officially attributed to the “efforts of Western countries to destroy Georgian-Russian relations.” The Ministry of Education has also commissioned historians to include in the textbook that Mr. Putin and the Parliament are legitimate, albeit that is certainly a subject for debate, as the results of the elections were quite evidently faked.
    American textbooks are similar in that they too pay extra attention to Washington, Lincoln, and many other “public figures,” rather than unions, grassroots organizations, peaceful marches, and the people. Both Russian and American textbooks send a very similar message when they do this. By including photos and short biographies of the elite, textbooks give the message that these figures are great and you are not, and they did things that you are not capable of doing. Even if they do not openly state this, the message is still there, and it is obvious. Textbooks in both countries portray elite historical figures as super heroes, supreme beings, and people who are higher in status than everybody else. They should rather present them as humans, with their lives and fates, accomplishments and failures. This would inspire students. Textbooks should certainly present information about these people to students because one of them just might some day become another Martin Luther King Jr. or Mikhail Gorbachev.
    So, in a way the two systems are similar, except, again, in the United States, there is more flexibility in the classroom. Unlike Russia, there is a way out of reading the overpatriotized textbooks.
    For me, I was lucky enough to leave Russia and attend Foxcroft Academy. Foxcroft Academy was my way out.
    Foxcroft Academy, the teachers, and the administration have provided me with the opportunities that I suppose I could have never even imagined I would be able to do. In addition to more freedom in the classroom, there are so many extracurricular opportunities. I founded a historical club, I am able to read Howard Zinn’s books in class, and I attend conferences representing the real Russia.
    Last year, I took an International Affairs class, and participated in the Maine Model United Nations Conference, representing the Russian Federation on the Security Council, as well as representing Foxcroft Academy as the Head Delegate. We all did an incredible job at MeMUNC. This year, I am taking a Russian History course, and will participate in the Camden Conference, where we will learn more about current issues in my native country.
    In Russia, extracurricular activities are nonexistent, and so are opportunities for the youth. Russia is a young growing country that has a great deal of potential, but is getting drowned by the “tough” leader, Vladimir Putin, a former KGB agent. He is taking Russia back to the times of mass propaganda, repressions, and dissidents.
    Foxcroft Academy has allowed me to freely express my opinion, educate others about the unique Russian culture and people, as well as learn about other cultures and nations, and prove that there are still people in Russia, who are not “zombies” that are brainwashed by the mass propaganda on TV. I hope that the American students can show me that there are still many Americans, who have not been “zombified” by the press here, in this country, where many people now laugh when they hear the phrase “free speech.”
    Romanov, a senior boarding student form Moscow, came to Foxcroft Academy for the start of the 2013-14 school year. At FA, he is the Secretary of Student Council as well as the President of the Historical Society, which he founded and developed. He is also a dorm proctor in The Lodge and serves on the Dorm Council, working to help improve the boarding experience at FA. His academic interests include history, politics, and many others.

Photo courtesy of Mary Lightbody
Christine May, DRHS senior
graphite, colored pencil

Valley Grange and PCES students
team up for NIE

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

   GUILFORD — “If we were a store, we’d be selling something,” Walter Boomsma told the art class at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. “But we’re selling readers on an idea. So use your imagination.”
    PCES and the Valley Grange of North Guilford have teamed up once again for the 2015 Newspapers in Education contest where students in the younger grades design ads for businesses or organizations.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    WE’VE GOT THIS — The boys get down to business during the NIE class at Piscataquis Community Elementary School. Pictured, from left, are Connor Gebo, Gabriel Soctomah and Tyrus Cobb.

    At other schools, students contribute artwork, news items and commentary on a wide range of subjects.
    Boomsma, the program director for Valley Grange and a substitute elementary teacher, has helped coordinate NIE at the Guilford school for the past seven years.
    Art teacher Jane Daniels has also been instrumental in promoting NIE to her students. “Once they’re focused on the subject, they really enjoy creating the ads,” she said. So how do you “sell” a fraternal order like the Grange?
    Boomsma said that since it’s a volunteer organization, you’re selling the idea of community service. “Think of it as a call to action,” he told the class. “Do you know anything about the Grange? If not, visit our website. Talk to a Valley Grange member. Come to a meeting. Learn about our volunteer work.”
    The Valley Grange sponsors a “Bookworm” program at PCES where volunteers have third-graders read to them for about 15 or 20 minutes. They encourage youngsters to remember what they’ve read, not just recite words; and occasionally help them pronounce and understand the more difficult words.
    Valley Grange also sponsors the “Words for Thirds” program which has donated more than 1,000 dictionaries to elementary school kids in Guilford, Dover-Foxcroft and the Milo-Brownville area.
    The PCES youngsters in Jane Daniels’ art class embraced the themes pretty quickly. Some had cartoons of bookworms wriggling across the bottom of the ad. One had a rocket ship “blasting off” as a call to action. Others were more soft-sell, encouraging readers to visit the Valley Grange website to learn more about the organization.
    In addition to PCES and Piscataquis Community Secondary School in Guilford, other school districts participating in this year’s NIE contest are SAD 46/AOS 94 in Dexter, RSU 68 in the Dover-Foxcroft area and SAD 41 in the Milo-Brownville area.
    According to the NIE World website, Newspapers in Education has strong Maine roots.
    On June 8, 1795, the Portland (Maine) Eastern Herald wrote an editorial about the value of using publications in schools.
    “Much has been said and written on the utility of newspaper; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected: that of reading them in schools, and by the children in families,” the editorial stated.
    The Portland publication cited the ways that newspapers helped students with geography – “nothing will so indelibly fix the relative situation of different places, as the stories and events published in the paper” – and “the manners of country or city, the mode of doing business, public or private.”
    And the price was right back in the late 1700s as it is today. “Newspapers are plenty and cheap – the cheapest book that can be bought, and the more you buy the better for your children, because every part furnishes some new and valuable information.”

Ridge View students enjoy new ‘seats’

By Lynsie Knapp
Seventh grade school reporter

    DEXTER — The 7th grade math classes at Ridge View Community School in Dexter are welcoming a new seating option in their classroom.
    According to Mrs. Jennifer Thomas, Math teacher, “We received a grant from the online math practice program we are using called ‘Assistments.’ This grant is through the Worcester Polytechnic Institute to get the stability balls for math students. The balls allow our students to have movement and freedom during our school day, and we manage to make it a part of our learning.”

Contributed photo

    MOVING AND LEARNING — Seventh-graders at Ridge View Community School are pictured enjoying their stability balls.

    The teachers believe that physical activity is an important part of their students’ learning process. They try their hardest to include movement in their classroom and make the learning experience for the students more effective.
    “Very few students do not like the balls. About 80 percent of the students welcome the movement within the math class,” said Mrs. Thomas. Many students report that the stability balls lower anxiety, help relieve stress and help them become more engaged in their learning.

Walter Boomsma photo

    WORK OF ART — SAD 4 art teacher Jane Daniels helps students with their Newspaper in Education (NIE) ads during a recent class.

The incredible benefits of the Horizon Scholarship program

By Fern Morrison
Foxcroft Academy senior

    I was born on an organic dairy farm in Charleston and spent my early years there. One of the things I enjoyed most was following my father around while he fenced the fields, watching with admiration and pride as he dodged and herded the bulls with such ease and fluidity. My sister Kate, two years my senior, kept me clean and fed me while my parents were out milking, haying, and gardening.
    As I grew older my world expanded to the furthest field from my house; I began driving tractors and milking for pay. Each day was one of adventure, of many mistakes and triumphs. I did enough learning on the farm; there was no need for me to attend public school — so I didn’t. My biology curriculum included tracking the cows’ feeding and breeding rotations. As for chemistry, my father and I built hydrogen bombs in his shop and I accelerated brush fires with diesel, never gas; I learned that the hard way. My mom and I watched seeds burst open to release the cotyledon and planted rows of vegetables in the garden — all the botany and geometry that any 6-year-old needed to know. My grandmother attempted to teach me how to read and write, but it was to no avail. I have always been more inclined toward math and science. I learned fractions, cloud shapes, and species of trees from my grandfather. I had no classroom or rules.
    When I turned 8 my parents decided that I needed more socialization than the farm animals could offer. I started public school in the third grade. Elementary and middle school were horribly uneventful. Instead of training my horse or taunting the bull, I spent my time getting lectured about poetry and folding paper into origami, constantly irritated with the overbearing authority and sleep-inducing repetition.
    High school came as a breath of fresh air; classes became challenging, interesting, and of my choice. My freedoms, although still few, were slightly expanded. As my freshman year progressed I sought out more opportunities. My math and science background coupled with my preference for hands-on learning and natural curiosity sparked an interest in engineering.
    I dug further and found a summer course at Brown University called Materials Engineering open to high school students. I applied, but had little hope of finding the funds I needed to attend. Then I found out about the Horizon Scholarship fund, a program that financially supported students in summer educational endeavors; naturally, I applied. Luckily my applications were accepted into both programs. My experience in Providence broadened my world from the small town of Charleston, Maine to greater New England and ignited further interest in travel. The most valuable piece of my experience was the people I met, especially my professor at Brown, Mr. Venugoal, with whom I still keep in touch.
    Elated with my new knowledge, I yearned for more exciting, more intimate, and further travels. I had accumulated a small savings from working on the farm, and during my sophomore year I worked tirelessly to augment my little bank account; my sister did the same. Kate and I wanted to travel cross country. We mapped out a route, found people to stay with on our journey, and calculated a budget. Naive, sheltered, and young — she 18 and I 15 — our planning skills were limited. My father lent us his old Saab, and right after school got out for the summer we were off.
    Our trip was anything but relaxing. We spent most nights sleeping at campsites, for they are much cheaper than hotels, and a few nights crammed in the car due to rain and the intense mid-continent winds. Our car experienced mechanical problems first in Wichita, Kan., and we took refuge at my father’s friend’s house. I navigated our route using an Atlas and we got lost daily, finding ourselves in Dodge City, too far down Crumbhole road and even to Crumbhole Pond.
    The old Saab was done for good in Santa Fe, N.M. After a heated conversation between my sister and I, we called for a tow and had the driver drop us off at the train station. We made it to the hostel and had to leave the car behind to continue on to Flagstaff, Ariz. We spent a few nights in a hostel there, hiked the Grand Canyon and by train continued on our journey. Finally, we arrived at our grandparents’ home in Los Angeles. After spending a week being spoiled by them I continued on to UCLA for a Nano-science program, which was funded in part by another Horizon Scholarship. I came back to Dover with a new appreciation for simplicity and home. I was ready to start my junior year.
    Throughout my time at Foxcroft Academy, this trip and so many others have worked to expand my view of the world and shape my goals for the future. Not only have Horizon scholarships inspired me to travel and explore career paths, I’ve come to realize that Foxcroft Academy has afforded me many enrichment opportunities.
    Mr. Rolleston and the Dover Kiwanis have supported numerous trips to Springfield, Mass., for Key Club conferences as well as my participation in Key Club’s International Conference in Orlando, Fla. Mr. Weber and our athletic department have supported my attendance at two New England competitions for track. Mr. Pratt has encouraged participation in multiple STEM opportunities and I was awarded a paid internship at UMaine this past summer, where I worked in the composites department to dry cellulose nano fibrils. Mr. Chevalier has worked with me every year through independent studies or other avenues to explore photojournalism and multimedia work. I have shadowed with Weymouth Design and attended ACTEM’s technology conference. This combination of traveling, speaking with professionals, attending conferences, and competing on a regional level has all added up to shape my view of the world and my future.
    Starting with my natural curiosity and alternative-minded inclinations, enhanced by diverse options and support, my high school career so far has been punctuated with many enrichment opportunities outside the classroom. Foxcroft Academy has always encouraged and supported my love of exploration and experiential learning. The opportunities at Foxcroft Academy are incredibly diverse and, more importantly, the administration and faculty are willing to foster any motivated student’s endeavors. More than just the sum of my experiences, Foxcroft Academy has allowed me to explore areas of learning far beyond the classroom. It is a cliche, but I feel that I have been allowed to take ownership of my learning, and that has helped shape me and my potential future path. I’m only at the beginning, but Foxcroft Academy has given me the freedom to explore and the tools to move ahead.
    Morrison, a senior from Dover-Foxcroft, plays field hockey and runs indoor and outdoor track. As a freshman she started for the field hockey team, won the state title in the 400-meter dash, set the PVC freshmen record in the 800 and as a sophomore she repeated as the 400 Class C state champion. She is the treasurer of Key Club, vice president of her class, and a member of Student Council, Cooking Club, Environmental Club, and Latin Club. Her academic interests include art, photography, and engineering.

A PIECE OF NIE HISTORY

        The Portland (Maine) Eastern Herald published the following editorial on June 8, 1795:
   
    “Much has been said and written on the utility of newspaper; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools, and by the children in families. Try it for one session – Do you wish your child to improve reading solely, give him a newspaper – it furnishes a variety, some parts of which must infallibly touch his fancy. Do you wish to instruct him in geography, nothing will so indelibly fix the relative situation of different places, as the stories and events published in the papers. In time, do you wish to have him acquainted with the manners of country or city, the mode of doing business, public or private; or do you wish him to have a smattering of every kind of science useful and amusing, give him a newspaper – newspapers are plenty and cheap – the cheapest book that can be bought, and the more you buy the better for your children, because every part furnishes some new and valuable information!”

Cooper named
Maine Connections Academy February Student
of the Month

    SOUTH PORTLAND — Maine Connections Academy (MCA), the state’s first virtual public charter school, has selected 11th-grader Christa Cooper from Milo as the February Student of the Month.
    Towards the end of last semester, Cooper felt there was a need to reach out to new students so they would feel part of MCA as many have joined at various times throughout the school year. Cooper realized that new students might have some of the same questions that she had in the beginning of the school year. She asked her English teacher about the idea of forming a group that would reach out to incoming students to offer them advice, resources and help them adjust to a virtual school setting.
    As a result of her efforts, the Junior Class Welcome Committee was created. Cooper currently organizes this group with a few other MCA juniors. When a new student indicates that they would like to hear from someone in the Welcome Committee, Cooper assigns someone to reach out via phone call or text message to talk about the student’s interests and answer any questions as they arise. After meeting with a new student, Cooper‘s group members provide a brief report to the committee’s supervising teacher.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Photo courtesy of Penquis Valley NHS

The Colonial Chapter of the National Honor Society at the Penquis Valley School in Milo held its 48th induction ceremony for new members on Feb. 10. Members inducted were Morgan Cavagnaro, Krista Dearborn, Jordan Durant and Clayton Preble. Pictured, from left, are Cavagnaro, Dearborn, Aaron Goodine, Joshua Martin, Michelle Harmon, Alyssa Murano, Durant, Preble and adviser Russell Carey.

Guilford teen honored as Distinguished Young Woman

    GUILFORD — This year’s Distinguished Young Women (DYW) of Maine’s contest winner is Antonella B. “Tina” Oms of Guilford. Her proud parents are Alexa Natali and Seth Fortier.
    Currently a senior at PCSS, some of Oms’ achievements include high honors, National Honor Society president, Key Club treasurer, Civil Rights Team member, Coaches’ Awards, acting in local theatre, church member and community volunteer.
    Through her participation in the Distinguished Young Women program, she has earned $1,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to advance to the next level of competition. Oms will be representing the state of Maine at the DYW Nationals held in Mobile, Ala. in June.
    Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls.
    It has provided life-changing experiences for more than 730,000 young women across the country and more than $100 million in cash scholarships at the local, state and national levels.

CARNIVAL ROYALTY

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High School

Dexter Regional High School Student Council held the annual Winter Carnival Feb. 9-13, with a theme of “Decades”. The week included an opening assembly, indoor and outdoor after-school activities, wall murals, snow sculptures, a pasta drive and a closing assembly including class skits. The pasta drive brought in pasta and a cash donation for the local food closet, while the Key Club Dime Drive ended during Winter Carnival Week, and was a huge success raising over $800 for the March of Dimes. The Winter Carnival Court was elected and crowned at the Winter Carnival Dance Feb.13. Pictured as the court are, from left, juniors (Prince and Princesses) Ashton Ward, Emmitt Ross and Jenna Crane; sophomores (Lord and Lady) Brandon Allen and Hannah Farrar; freshmen (Duke and Duchess) Andy Ulrickson and Lily Cummings; and seniors (seated) King and Queens Michaela White, Logan Bagley and Shayna Fogg.

Foxcroft Academy’s fifth annual International Food Night
draws huge crowd, raises more than $600 for the PRYMCA

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy’s fifth annual International Food Night on March 7 was once again a big success, drawing a huge crowd and raising $641 for the Piscataquis Regional YMCA.
    “The Y is extremely grateful for the support from the International Food Night at Foxcroft Academy, said Nancy Seavey, interim CEO at the PRYMCA. “We are thrilled to have such a community-minded partner in Foxcroft Academy.”
    Students from 18 different nations spent much of the weekend preparing huge quantities of food, and a hungry crowd of more than 200 devoured nearly all the dishes in less than an hour.

Photo courtesy of Foxcroft Academy

    CUISINE FROM AROUND THE WORLD — Foxcroft Academy students from 18 countries prepared dishes for the school’s fifth annual International Food Night on March 7. Over 200 passed through the doors to sample the food items, with over $640 being raised for the PRYMCA.

    “I was really impressed with the variety this year and the enthusiasm of the kids,” said guest Lori Strout, who works at the PRYMCA. “You could tell how proud they were of their work.”
    “The kids did an amazing job,” said FA Director of Residential Life Andrew Wright. “They made a trip all the way to Portland to get specialty items, and then most of them were cooking and prepping for up to 10 hours between Friday night and Saturday. They really enjoy giving back to the community.”
    “It is a great pleasure for us to share our food and culture with the community,” said Holly Ly ‘15. “We were all really happy to see so many people come to this year’s event.”
    Tiramisu prepared by Beatrice Pirola, a junior from Italy, won the People’s Choice Award for best dish. “The food was really good, especially the spicy things,” said Strout. “But I voted for the tiramisu, with the empanadas a close second.” Those were prepared by sophomore Mariaisabel Cedeno, whose family hails from Ecuador.
    Entertainment was provided by the Foxcroft Academy String Band and also by students from music director Josh Guthrie’s Rock Band class.
    Wright was quick to thank the musicians, who created a wonderful atmosphere for the event; the dining services team, which opened up and supervised the school’s kitchen all day Saturday; the maintenance crew, which transformed the gym on Friday afternoon; and all the dorm parents, who opened up their homes to students throughout the weekend.
    “We couldn’t have pulled it off without all their help,” Wright said. “Our goal is for this to be a true community event, and we certainly felt that it was this year.”

Sophomores emerge as FA’s Winter Carnival champions

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy’s sophomore class won the “Wonders of the World” snow sculpture competition to cap a dominant Winter Carnival performance that also featured victories in five of the other nine categories: skits, tug-of-war, volleyball, snow baseball/softball and dress-up days.

Foxcroft Academy seniors’ sculpture
with Noah Simpson, left, and Nate Feleke

Foxcroft Academy faculty sculpture

Foxcroft Academy juniors’ sculpture

    In all, the sophomores secured 36.5 total points, outpacing their closest competitors, the juniors, who won basketball and the quiz bowl by five full points. The seniors took second in the sculpture competition and finished third overall with 27 points while the freshmen have vowed to train in Siberia this offseason as they look to bounce back from a lackluster rookie performance.
    Regardless of the final standings, it was a great week for all, with participation reaching an unprecedented level in spite of Thursday-Friday temperatures that never got above 16 degrees. English teacher Nick Miller did an excellent job running the show for the second straight year, and he was quite pleased with how the week turned out.
    “Winter Carnival weekend was highly successful because of the phenomenal participation by Foxcroft students,” Miller said. “Despite the cold weather, the FA community came together, had fun, and put their Pony pride on display. Thank you to all who were involved.”

VISITING AUGUSTA

Photo courtesy of Maine House Republicans

Rep. Ray Wallace (R-Dexter), left, welcomed Sarah Vigue and her father Mark to the Maine Statehouse on March 6. Vigue, a senior at Dexter Regional High School, sang the National Anthem to the full Maine House of Representative at the start of session and stayed throughout session serving as an honorary page.

READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Photo courtesy of Ridge View  grade 7 language arts teacher Susan Killam

(Below right) March 2 is designated as Read Across America Day in celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. The grade 7 language arts students at the Ridge View Community School in Dexter joined in the celebration by exploring and reading the many books of Dr. Seuss. A mini grant from the Maine Education Association supported this activity. Pictured front, from left, are Stephen Thompson, Gage Stone, Alexis Curtis, Erin Bache and Alex Gray. Back, Gus Irwin, Elayna Boutilier, Regan McNally, Cloe Mountain, Rachael Sickles, Brad Corriveau, Cam Paige and Logan Perkins.

Holly Ly, Foxcroft Academy senior
Chris Storer goes the distance vs. Nokomis on Oct. 17

Holly Ly, Foxcroft Academy senior
Hunter Smith drives up the court