What a perfect day for an adventure! 🌊✨ Students paddled their way to Malaga Island, diving into water safety, teamwork, and the stunning history of our community. 🚣♀️💙 Did we inspire the next generation of ocean kayakers? 🐚
🌈✨ Tie-dye shirt day was a total success! Thank you to our amazing volunteers for making this colorful celebration happen at PES! 💖
In June, Kindergarten traveled to Head Beach to study the habitat of Hermit Crabs. We didn't find any crabs, but we had lots of fun!
Tomorrow is the day! We can’t wait to show off our hard work. 🌊🦀🦞🦪🐟
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGp-aFvWu8/22RYsG-uyfuW227cAS-TRg/view
Kindergarten enjoyed outdoor centers with some of our new gear bought though our MEEA grant. They also had a visit with Mrs.Smith’s bunnies and investigated hermit crabs Mrs.Willette found off the shores of Malaga Island. 🐚🐰🫧
Kindergarten and third grade worked with Phippsburg's community garden volunteers to prepare the gardens for growing season and make compost tea!
Congratulations to our May Students of the Month! Christopher Mixon, Lily Hawkes, Amelia Coon, Silas Wyman, Lela MacLeod, Riley Kirk, Caroline Wells, Eben Small, Abby Trask, Venner Benfield, Elli Genthner, Sterling Cavanagh, Rowen Kilde, and Maggie-Lee Lake.
TIE-DYE TREASURES
Sometimes a vinegar soak helps to set the tie-dye colors, but no guarantee. We tried a new dye this year and hope the color will be more vibrant.
🌟🐟 On Monday, Ms. Phippen's 4th graders took a field trip to Lisbon Falls to release the salmon they’ve been raising! 🐠💧 It was an unforgettable day filled with learning and excitement as they watched their fish swim free in the Little River. 🌊✨
Follow the link to see the latest edition of The Explorer's Echo!
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGnidSBbO0/GXiJ1qXbxGcm-tBB8vnheQ/edit
Don't miss the celebration of learning! Here is a sneak peak at 3rd grade's live performance.
Our grade 1 and 3 students had an enriching experience at the Popham wharf, where they learned about the lobstering industry firsthand. Aboard Captain Ethan Debery's boat, students practiced banding lobsters and identified gender differences, enhancing their understanding of marine biology. Captain Rob Willette brought his lobster boat over for kids to see a lobster boat amid a day of hauling. Students also visited Fort Popham, which provided historical context to this field trip. Engaging students in real-world experiences fosters a love for learning and connection to our local community.
This week, second graders traveled to Maine Oyster Company in West Point, Maine. Students learned about oyster farming and explored the tide pools in the local cove. Thank you to BMS for loaning us the school van.
The Maine DOE newsroom highlights the work of Phippsburg School in continuing place based outdoor learning through weekly Forest Friday time.
https://mainedoenews.net/2025/05/23/forest-friday-engages-phippsburg-elementary-school-students-in-place-based-outdoor-learning/
Families of incoming Kindergarten students are encouraged to attend our Kindergarten Parent Information Night happening at 5:30pm tonight (May 22). This is a chance for parents to hear from teachers and administration, learn about our Kindergarten program, and ask any questions you may have. We will also be scheduling appointments for Kindergarten Screening, which will be taking place on June 6th.
Follow the link to read about 4th grade's clamming trip with KELT.
https://www.kennebecestuary.org/news/clamming-at-hermit-island
Grades one and four had some fun this afternoon working in the garden with community volunteers.
🦞💙 On Tuesday, marine scientist Dr. Marissa McMahan visited our 1st and 3rd graders to share her knowledge about lobsters, the fishing industry, and the impact of climate change. The kids were curious and asked tons of questions! 🌊✨ Did you know Maine lobstermen are working hard to ensure lobsters grow bigger while advocating for their sustainability? However, warming waters pose a challenge. What actions do you think we can take to protect our ocean friends? 💭💬
On Tuesday, our 4th graders had an amazing time at Chop Point for Bay Day! 🎉 One of the highlights was exploring a life-sized inflatable humpback whale, where students were fascinated by its size and anatomy. 🐋 They asked such insightful questions! We also built a hands-on model of the watershed around Merrymeeting Bay, which helped us understand the importance of protecting our waterways. 🌊 Finally, we dove into the world of bird nests, observing different species and their unique building techniques.
Last week, PES had the privilege of hosting the Darling Marine Center for an enriching educational experience. Three graduate students and educator Sam led our students through four insightful activities focusing on lobsters, the effects of pollution on our river systems, ancient ocean mud studies, and ecosystem interactions. This collaboration underscores the importance of hands-on learning in STEM education. Thank you to the Darling Marine Center team for fostering curiosity and knowledge in our students!
