Amesbury School Notes
Vampires have fascinated the English-speaking world ever since Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula" became a smash hit more than a hundred years ago. Now, high school students are obsessed with new vampire literature, like Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series. On Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 9:30 a.m., Northern Essex Community College English Professor Tom Greene, who has a doctorate in English and specializes in Victorian literature, including books with a vampire theme, will speak to Amesbury High School students as part of the college's speakers' bureau. Greene will be discussing "Why Vampires Are So Fascinating" — outlining the evolution of the modern vampire legend and revealing how vampires captivate us by addressing not only our deepest fears, but also our most secret desires.
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AHS students and staff supported the peer leaders' second annual "turkey challenge" by donating $1,230 to Our Neighbors' Table, which was presented to Rosemary Werner Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday meal program. The class who donated the most money was Nina Tassinari's chemistry class with $177.
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Having completed the Pennies for Peace Campaign, Louise Cramer's English class collected $194 for Pakistani students and schools. That's 19,400 pennies that can be used for 19,400 pencils or 1,293 notebooks, the cost of a teacher for 97 days or school supplies for a whole year for 10 students. The group would like to thank everyone who participated, especially student Alexa Jackson, who gave a sizable donation. Once the check is received by the Pearson Foundation, which sponsors Pennies for Peace, the students will receive a Certificate of Appreciation.
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The Student Council collected more than 500 cans and food items at the back-to-school dance during Spirit Week last week. On Nov. 24, representatives from each class constructed a structure with the items contributed. The seniors had the most creative structure and donated the most items.
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Salem State College will offer English Composition 1 in the spring to AHS students. The course will take place at AHS on Monday evenings. Interested students should speak to a guidance counselor for more information.
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On Monday, Dec. 14 (snow date Dec. 16), parents of Amesbury Middle School and South Hampton eighth-graders are invited to AHS for an information night. Parents will meet with guidance counselors and students of AHS, who will relate their experience at AHS and its academic programs. On Dec. 16, the eighth-graders will participate in a program designed by the Student Council, which will include a tour.
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All Amesbury Elementary School students have been reading "The Mouse and the Motorcycle," and on Wednesday, the whole school viewed a broadcast of the movie, shown over the school's TV channel.
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Fall is in full swing at AES. Kindergartners learned about the pilgrims, Native Americans, turkey facts and family traditions. Classes painted the Mayflower and a turkey and made Indian corn. Susan Gonthier's kindergartners polled each other and graphed the data to find out that the yellow apple is the favorite apple among the class. Suzanne Morin and her third-graders wrote persuasive letters giving reasons why Tom Turkey's life should be spared.
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On Wednesday, AES celebrated Color Day, and staff members came to school wearing the colors of their home high school. Physical Education teacher Margaret Welch invited colleagues to bring in high school pictures, which were arranged into a collage.
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Important dates:
Tomorrow: CES report cards go home; School Committee meeting at AHS, 7 p.m.
Thursday: AMS Drama Club meeting for "Oklahoma!," 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; AMS math team meet at Triton
Saturday: CES winter chorus and ensemble performs at Santa Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony, 4 p.m.
Dec. 8: Grades 5 to 8 winter chorus concert
Dec. 8 to 11: AMS PAG winter book fair, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 9: Grades 6 to 8 winter band concert, CES winter ensemble performs at Amesbury Village Nursing Home
Dec. 10: AHS unsung student awards, 9 a.m.
Dec. 11: AMS senior concert, 8 a.m. (snow date Dec. 14); CES winter chorus and ensemble performs at holiday sing-along at the gazebo, 6 to 8 p.m.
Dec. 16: CES winter celebration concert, 7 p.m.; school performance 9:30 a.m.
Dec. 17: AHS winter concert, 7 p.m.
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Liz King covers Amesbury schools for The Daily News. She can be reached by e-mail at lking@newburyportnews.com or by calling 978-462-6666, ext. 3230.
