Page Elementary School parents and teachers joined new Principal Jack O'Mara in an effort to spruce up the school grounds before classes opened for the fall semester last week. The two-day project that transformed the walkway and flower beds around the building from "a weedy mess to a well-manicured look" is captured in a slide show available for viewing on the Principal's page in the Page School link of the district's website at www.prsd.org. O'Mara gave special thanks to Mary Lee Kennefick and her children, as well as the district's buildings and grounds crew, Kim Mosley of Knapp's Florist, Sue Hersey and many other parents for their hard work on the project. O'Mara continued his "hands-on" leadership style when school opened by reading "The Principal from the Black Lagoon" by Mike Thaler to several of the first- and second-grade classes. He described the students as "being a bit nervous" when the story began, but noted their concerns quickly turned to smiles as the tale progressed.
"All in all, it was a wonderful opening — one of the best I have ever witnessed," O'Mara said of the first week of school.
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Cakes are needed for the annual Bagnall PTA Cake Walk held during Groveland Days on Saturday. Drop-off is between 8:45 and 9:45 a.m. at the PTA tent at Groveland Pines. Judging is at 10 a.m. Kids prizes will be awarded for most creative cake or cupcake. Cakes made by parents will be judged separately. Cake Walk games begin at 10 a.m. and cost 25 cents each. The home-baked confections will be awarded as prizes for winners of the cake walk games. Anyone who can volunteer to oversee games and/or bake a cake for the event should contact Julie Schubert at Julieschubert13@comcast.net.
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The Donaghue Elementary School Council is in need of one community member and two parent members. An election will be held at the Sept. 14 Curriculum Night to select new members for two-year terms. Part of the Education Reform Law of 1993, the school council is designed to ensure meaningful participation of parents and community members in the schools. There are two teachers, two parents and one community member for each school. The principal of the school serves as a co-chair with a parent representative. Merrimac's combined Donaghue and Sweetsir Elementary School Councils generally meet at 4 p.m. on the first Monday of each month to provide ideas and opinions to help the principal. Topics for discussion include the educational needs of students, budget implications and school improvement plans. Candidates interested in pursuing a seat on the council can download a form on the Merrimac PTO website (www.merrimacpto.org). Completed forms must be submitted by Monday.
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Auditions are under way this week for the high school fall play, "The People v. B.B. Wolf" by Jim Brigleb. This courtroom comedy features the hilarious trial of the Big Bad Wolf for crimes he allegedly committed against the Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood. Cast selection will be completed by the end of this week. The show runs Oct. 21 to 23 at 7 p.m. It marks the first production directed at the high school by Pentucket's new theater teacher, Rachel McGowan.
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The Middle School PTO is holding a Meet & Greet for anyone interested in getting involved with the organization today at 7 p.m. in the Teacher's Lounge.
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The deadline to register for the first semester of The Pentucket Music Academy is Sept. 17. A private music program for ages 5 to 105, the academy offers weekly classes in voice, wind, percussion and orchestral string instruments. Lessons ranging from 30, 45 or 60 minutes long are scheduled between the hours of 3 to 8 p.m. at the Pentucket Middle and High schools. The first 15-week semester begins on Sept. 20. For more information, visit www.pentucketmusic.com.
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Pentucket Community Education is looking for new class ideas as well as instructors to run classes for the fall semester. Community Ed offers enrichment opportunities for students, adults and senior citizens. Contact Sharon Pacenka at SPacenka@prsd.org with any good ideas for programming or to run a class.
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The district's first 90-minute Early Release Wednesday is Sept. 22.
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Jennifer Solis is a Daily News correspondent covering West Newbury selectmen and the Pentucket schools. She can be reached at jensolis@comcast.net.
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