 Edna Libby students greet Slugger who was on hand to help start the WinterKids games.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
January 2020 Edna Libby Elementary School is one of two schools in Cumberland County chosen to participate in the WinterKids Winter Games for the month of January. Students are doing a series of outdoor winter activities and nutritional challenges to accrue points that will lead to cash prizes for the winning schools. The grand prize is a $5,000 award. The Winter Games began with an opening ceremony on Friday, Jan. 10. The high school's select chorus members, as well as some high school athletes traveled to the school in Buxton Center to help kick off the events. There also was a visit from Slugger as well as video appearances from Maine's U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, along with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. Superintendent Paul Penna was also in attendance. Edna Libby was one of 32 schools statewide chosen to participate. The goal of WinterKids is to get a high percentage of the student body participating in activities designed to help kids move, learn, and explore the outdoors while meeting educational standards." We were thrilled to be selected....This is an exciting opportunity to showcase healthy behaviors with out students and to work toward earning prizes for our school," said school nurse Jessie Woodman, RN. Ms. Woodman said that some of the activities planned include a blender bike demonstration at lunch time, a winter carnival, a family night, and lots of guest speakers and athletes. WinterKids is a nonprofit organization that helps kids develop healthy lifelong habits. The community's major sponsor is Hannaford and there is a list of supporting sponsors that can be accessed at WinterKids.org. Breakfast with SantaFROM STAFF REPORTS
December, 2019 The annual Breakfast with Santa was a big hit once again. This year’s event on Dec. 7 featured more than a dozen “elves” (members of the senior class) leading children in craft-making and face-painting activities. Mr. and Mrs. Claus also made an appearance, taking orders outside the high school cafeteria while parents and children ate pancakes and listened to the BEHS select chorus sing their renditions of many standard Christmas classics. Money earned from the event goes to the Class of 2020 for Project Graduation. To see a slideshow, follow this link. 
New principal makes presence known
BY BRENNA FINN
December, 2019 It’s hard to miss our new principal, Mr. Mike Johnson, as he roams the halls of Bonny Eagle at least one block a day. The tall, slender man with a full head of gray hair pops into classes and engages with whatever lesson is going on. Mr. Johnson brings a wealth of experience to Bonny Eagle as both a classroom teacher and a school administrator. He started his career in 1981 as a 6th grade teacher at Jack Memorial School in Buxton. He continued teaching in the district until 1988, when he transferred to Windham Middle School. Mr. Johnson taught math for eight years until he became the assistant principal in Windham. He eventually moved to Portland High School, becoming the principal for 10 years in the 1990s and early 2000s. Mr. Johnson says he has had a smooth transition to Bonny Eagle High School so far since he took over for Mrs. Lori Napolitano upon her promotion to assistant superintendent. Members of Bonny Eagle’s community have welcomed him and are very happy to have him here. “I think he has a great rapport with the students and staff. He works really hard to bring us all together and to make Bonny Eagle better,”says BEHS Student Council advisor Mrs. Dawna Cyr. “I think he is super nice and has many stories to tell,” adds Zoe Peters, a senior. Mr. Johnson is impressed with the student body and its overall positive attitude and commitment to the school. He is also content with the high quality of professional staff. There are some teachers and administrators at Bonny Eagle whom he has worked with before, including Superintendent Paul Penna, Mr. Rick Simonds, Mr. Skip Geneagal, Mr. Don Denico, and Ms. Sue Orlowski. Our computer technology teacher, Ms. Pellerin, even had him as a 6th grade teacher at Hanson Elementary School in Buxton. Mr. Johnson can proudly say that he admires the entire school operation. “Being a teacher, admin., custodian, lunch lady, secretary, or support staff member is equally as challenging and essential for the operation of the school,” he says. He also believes there is a difference between being a teacher and being a principal. Teachers have to directly care for the students on their roster, while principals care for every student and staff member in the building. As much as his new job here has been rewarding, it has also been challenging. The big difference between his job at Bonny Eagle and his previous employment is the student demographic. Being principal of Portland High School for 10 years was a dramatically different experience. There are many immigrant and refugee services offered in Portland, he explains, meaning students from all over the world attend the high school. Bonny Eagle does not have the opportunity to meet and interact with a diversity of cultures. “However, high school kids are high school kids regardless of what culture you come from or where you were born,” he says. Our new principal has some great hopes for Bonny Eagle. Above everything else, he aims to make the school community a safe, happy, and productive environment. He also hopes the administration will encourage every student to have connections to the school beyond their daily classes. |
Zach Maturo is Fitzy finalist
BY WILL HUGHES
November 2019 The Fitzpatrick Trophy. It’s the most coveted prize in Maine high school football, given to the senior player who is deemed the best in the state. And this year, one of the three finalists attends Bonny Eagle High School. Senior Zach Maturo is a finalist for this award, and it’s clear as to why. Maturo, a running back, wide receiver and cornerback, was the biggest offensive contributor on this year's team. He finished the season with 25 touchdowns and over 2,000 all-purpose yards. “It means a lot,” Zach told the Portland Press Herald. “... it’s not all me, though. It’s my teammates, my linemen. They’re the ones that made it happen.” The majority of Zach’s contribution on offense was through running the ball, as 23 of his touchdowns were scored on runs, and 1,264 of his yards were gained on the ground. Zach also was a big contributor on defense and blocked a punt in the state championship game. Zach also returned punts, and though he only returned one punt for a touchdown, he accumulated 604 total return yards. Zach also was named the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year. “Zach did a fantastic job this year. He is very deserving of his postseason accolades,” Coach Kevin Cooper said. The last time a Bonny Eagle player won the Fitzpatrick Trophy was in 2008 when Nate Doehler won the award. This year’s winner of the Fitzpatrick Trophy will be announced Jan. 19 at the annual awards banquet. Scots in it to win it
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What's Inside
Click on the photos to read some of our latest stories Start of school year brings sad news
Tik Tokker at BEHS
From BE to WCSH-6
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Stress and social media... Are they related?
BY SARAH DUROCHER AND ELIZABETH TURNBULL
March, 2019 Social media is a large part of most teenagers’ lives. Many high school students check their phones for messages in the hallways between classes or scroll through Instagram before class. Researchers have been studying teen use of cell phones to see how social media affects stress and mental health, and the results are significant. Curfew leads to frustration
BY MACEY CABRAL
March, 2019 With the school year half over, students are still adjusting to the laptop curfew that went into effect in September. Principal Mrs. Lori Napolitano explained part of the reasoning behind the decision was that many parents had sent complaints of their children staying up too late. Though the policy stems from parents’ concerns, Principal Napolitano says, the “final decision was [mine].” |
Runaway chicken at BEHS captured by Edith
By Macey Cabral
March, 2019 The Rhode Island Red can be found in most backyard flocks. Known for their hardiness, they are meant to be outside (or in a coop). So, the sight of one of these fine birds bolting down the hall by the cafeteria on a chilly Thursday morning raised some eyebrows, along with the attention of Head Custodian, Ms. Edith Ricker. Ms. Ricker divulged that she apprehended the rogue Red with ease. “I went in and grabbed my coat, threw it on top of [the chicken] to startle [her], and then I just grabbed for [her] legs,” she explained with a chuckle. Earning their night's repose
BY AALIYAH PAUL and RACHEL CRAIG
March, 2019 As students stream out of the building at 2 p.m. each day to the buses, to their jobs and to afternoon activities, six dedicated adults move against this human tide to work the night shift. |
Scholastic writing award winners to be honored Some of the award winners: Back row, L to R, Logan Hiltz, Michael MacFarland-
Foley, Ian Jarvis, Lauren Bearor and Cassidy Grass. Front row, L to R: Michaella
Tillo, Julia Morin, Kinsey Oliver, Tayler Johnson-Hartley, and Sydney Gillingham. Photo by Joanne Lannin
BY GARRETT HAWXWELL
Fourteen BEHS students earned an award or recognition for their writing in the Scholastic Writing Contest. They will be recognized at a ceremony at Hannaford Hall, at the University of Southern Maine, Portland campus on March 16 at 6 p.m. Ian Jarvis was one of the winners, earning a Silver Key for his poem, Renaissance. Two students won Gold Key awards: juniors Lauren Bearor for her short story, “Dark,” and Michael MacFarland-Foley for his poetry collection, “Outliers.” |
Students with special needs learn how to cook Adam Carberry, Darren Gravenstien, and Chris Pillsbury. Photo by Lea Pillsbury.
BY LEA PILLSBURY
On Wednesday’s the special needs students load the bus from the high school and are taken to the Jack Memorial School. Their faces light up as soon as they see Chris Pillsbury, who started the program in 201, with the hopes of teaching students in the special needs department to cook and have everyday life skills. The students yell “Hey Chef” and go in for personalised handshakes and hugs. One of the students, Dean, says “My favorite thing about coming here is seeing Mr. Pillsbury, don’t tell him this but I think of him as an older brother”. Pillsbury has always been a chef, working at places such as Fore Street and Becky’s Diner, running the Royal River Grillhouse, and previously having two restaurants of his own. |