All posts tagged education

Dictionaries and Words Are Coming!

We’re scheduling Dictionary Days… so far we have

  • P.C.E.S. on Thursday, November 17, 2022
  • SeDoMoCha on Wednesday, November 30, 2022
  • Ridgeview Elementary on Monday, November 21, 2022 (drop off only)
  • Brownville Elementary on Friday, November 18, 2022
  • Harmony Elementary on Friday, December 2, 2022

As a reminder, these days are not public events. If you are interested in attending, please contact Walter Boomsma by email or at 207 343-1842.

Kids who receive dictionaries and their families are invited to our Breakfast for Supper on Friday, December 2, 2022. You can come in your jammies!

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by Walter Boomsma on November 9, 2022  •  Permalink
Posted in Area Community Information, Civic and Service, Community Service, Education, Words for Thirds
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on November 9, 2022

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/11/09/dictionaries-and-words-are-coming/

Dictionary Day Planning Underway

Yes, it’s that time of year! Valley Grange will again be conducting our “Words for Thirds” Dictionary Project. At this point, we are gathering approximate census/counts of third graders so we can order the dictionaries. The purchase of those dictionaries was approved at our September meeting.

We’ll probably be planning the actual dictionary day distributions in early to mid-November. We hope we can offer the same options as we did before COVID:

  1. A field trip to the Grange Hall
  2. A personal visit to the school/classrooms
  3. A “drop off” with a support video for teacher use.

Obviously, that choice will be made by each district. We distribute to Piscataquis Community Elementary School (Guilford), Brownville Elementary School (Brownville), Ridgeview Community School (Dexter), SeDoMoCha Elementary School (Dover Foxcroft), and Harmony Elementary School (Harmony). Home-schooled students are of course included. Parents should contact their school or the Grange.

We’re proud of our program and know the kids look forward to it! We’ve been distributing dictionaries since 2004 and are approaching the 3,000 mark! Some of our students report using their dictionaries in high school. These dictionaries empower the kids and encourage them to “look it up!”

Stay tuned! There’s more to come!

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by Walter Boomsma on September 27, 2022  •  Permalink
Posted in Area Community Information, Civic and Service, Community Service, Education, Words for Thirds
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on September 27, 2022

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/09/27/dictionary-day-planning-underway/

Valley Grange Collects!

At our September Meeting, we created some piles–PB&J for the Bangor Savings Bank Drive, Lap Afghans for the Veterans’ Operation Gratitude Program, and raffle tickets! We also added 350 knitted hats from Blistered Finger Knitter Roberta in New Jersey. Do knitting needles ever wear out?

An order of dictionaries for our annual “Words for Thirds Dictionary Day Project will be placed soon. Since starting the program in 2004, we’ve provided nearly 3,000 dictionaries to students throughout the area. If COVID cooperates, we hope to do more “in-person” presentations this year.

Raffle tickets are on sale and available from any member, or call Janice Boomsma at 343-1496. We’ll be drawing the winners at our November meeting and look forward to handing out $250 in prizes! Community support is needed and appreciated!

Our schedule for the rest of the year:

  • Friday, October 21, 2022, we’ll have a potluck supper at 6 pm and meeting at 7 pm. This is usually the meeting at which we prepare for dictionary days by labeling the books, assembling the hats and mittens from our Blistered Finger Knitters for distribution, and resisting our second annual “Sock it to Us” efforts. The program was so successful last year we may be “good to go” this year! Jim and Mary are Grange Bees* for this meeting.
  • Friday, November 18, 2022, will include the usual potluck supper at 6 pm and program at 7 pm and include drawing our raffle winners. Walter and Janice are Grange Bees for this meeting.
  • Friday, December 2, 2022, is our Fellowship Breakfast for Supper–you can come in your jammies! This is always a fun night… we start at 6 pm by enjoying some breakfast specialties such as homemade muffins, breakfast casseroles, “Walter’s French Toast,” and assorted treats and surprises. It’s all about food, fellowship, and family… you won’t want to miss it!

Get those dates on your calendar and plan to join us for any one or all of these gatherings! Anyone can join us–you do not have to be a member. We do plan to keep our hall open through the winter and appreciate all who help and support us in some way.

Unfortunately, another Grange in our area is closing–St. Albans now joins Garland Grange as “closed.” Valley Grange would certainly welcome members from these two Granges with open arms. If you were a member of St. Albans or Garland Grange and would like to join us, contact secretary Mary Annis (564-0820) and she’ll make it happen!

*Grange Bees are the unofficial hosts for a meeting who make sure the heat’s on, the hall is ready, and we have everything we need. If you’d like a turn, we’ll not only show you how, we have a checklist!

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by Walter Boomsma on September 24, 2022  •  Permalink
Posted in Area Community Information, Community Service, Meetings and Events, Words for Thirds
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on September 24, 2022

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2022/09/24/valley-grange-collects/

Valley Grange Delivers!

https://www.wabi.tv/2021/12/01/valley-grange-delivers-dictionaries-brownville-elementary-school-students/

And we had company! Reporters from WABI TV 5 and WVII Fox Bangor asked if they could “tag along” when we delivered dictionaries to Brownville Elementary School and we were happy to have the company!

Valley Grange Master/President Jim Annis and Program Director Walter Boomsma had the back of his car filled with “words”–cases of dictionaries to deliver to several area schools. Annis admitted, “Sometimes we’re not sure who gets more excited, us or the kids.”

Boomsma noted that he misses the contact with the kids. “In the past we’ve had several schools make field trips to the Grange Hall and we’ve visited classrooms to hand out the dictionaries personally while explaining a little about the Grange and trying to get the kids really excited about having their own dictionary. Since safety is a priority as a result of COVID, we’ve had to get a little creative.”

The Guilford Grange produced a short video and some resources for teachers who are now doing the actual presentations. But the curious kids in Brownville were watching out the window at, what for Brownville was a “media extravaganza.” It wasn’t long before a window was opened and some chatting took place “long distance.”

Boomsma noted that the day’s delivery included a bag of knitted hats and mittens, compliments of Valley Grange’s Blistered Finger Knitters. “We have one woman in New Jersey who knits for us throughout the year and brings her work when she visits in the summer.”

A relatively new program started by the Grange asks people to “Sock It to Me.” Boomsma warned Principal Carol Smith “We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a bag of socks. We want add feet to our efforts to keep our kids warm this winter, so we’re asking people to help us out with donations of socks we can provide to area schools.”

The stockings were piled at the Grange Hall with care
In hopes children’s feet would be saved from cold air!

Check out the WABI-TV 5 Report
Check out the WVII/Fox Bangor Report

If you’re interested in a Dictionary Project in your area or at your school, contact Mr. Boomsma or visit the Dictionary Project Website. To learn more about the Valley Grange Program, visit the Valley Grange Website.

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by Walter Boomsma on December 2, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Area Community Information, Community Service, Education, Meetings and Events, Words for Thirds
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on December 2, 2021

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2021/12/02/valley-grange-delivers/

Somebody Socked It to Us!

Why is FedEx bringing a package? We aren’t expecting anything… Once it arrived, we discovered we have another anonymous Grange Angel. (We have our suspicions!) As the photo shows, inside the box from Target were a number of packs of socks—a generous and nice start to our “Sock It to Me” Collection.

If our math is correct, we have an 80 pair start! We haven’t set a goal but are now starting to wonder how many pairs we might end up with.

We plan to continue collecting through December. There’s a plastic tote on the porch of the Grange Hall where you can “sock it to us.” Better yet bring them to our Breakfast for Supper on December 3, 2021. (Don’t forget to RSVP.) If you want to “drop ship, ship to Walter Boomsma, Valley Grange, 17 River Road, Abbot ME 04406.

We need kids’ sizes and adults’ sizes. Boys, girls, unisex… warm socks are best, obviously but we’re not going to be choosey. We’ll be distributing the socks collected to school nurses where there is a need, either in late December or early January. Thanks for helping us help the kids!

The stockings were piled at the Grange Hall with care
In hopes children’s feet would be saved from cold air!

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by Walter Boomsma on November 26, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Area Community Information, Community Service, Education, Meetings and Events
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on November 26, 2021

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2021/11/26/somebody-socked-it-to-us/

Sock It to Me! Sock It to Me!

At the November Valley Grange Meeting–at every meeting–we always discuss emerging and existing needs in our communities. One brought to our attention was that several schools in our area have expressed a need for socks! There are too many kids coming to school “sockless” and it’s not a fashion statement. So we’re starting a “sock drive” with the socks collected being distributed to school nurses where there is a need.

We need kids’ sizes and adults’ sizes. Boys, girls, unisex… warm socks are best, obviously but we’re not going to be choosey.

Grange members voted unanimously to make our Breakfast for Supper Program a key sock collection point and date. “We usually collect food cupboard donations at this meeting,” Community Service Chair Mary Annis noted,” so this year we’re adding socks. We’ll have a tote on the front porch of the Grange Hall. For those who can’t come to breakfast, swing by the Grange Hall and sock it to us by leaving some socks in the tote.”

“Since this is sorta last minute,” Program Director Walter Boomsma noted, “We’ll probably continue to collect throughout the month of December. Any and all help will be appreciated! We may try to set up some collection points around the area… if a business or organization is interested in helping with that, call me at 207 343-1842.”

The stockings were piled at the Grange Hall with care
In hopes children's feet would be saved from cold air!
Photo by Pixabay
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by Walter Boomsma on November 20, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Area Community Information, Civic and Service, Community Service, Education, Meetings and Events
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on November 20, 2021

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2021/11/20/sock-it-to-me-sock-it-to-me/

Dictionary Day 2021 Has Arrived!

A team of Valley Granger members led by Walter Boomsma is delivering over 200 dictionaries to local area schools during the next two weeks. “We have a lot to celebrate,” he noted, “in spite of COVID restrictions, third graders in the area will have a Dictionary Day that focuses on tools, words, and the importance of learning.”

The Grange began its “Words for Thirds” Program in 2004 by giving a dictionary to every third-grader at the then Guilford Primary School. Over the years, the program has expanded to include Piscataquis Community, SeDoMoCha, Brownville, Harmony, and Ridgeview Elementary Schools. Boomsma estimates the Grange has distributed nearly 3,000 dictionaries since. “But it’s really not about the numbers. One kid, one dictionary. The stories are many but each one is personal. A dictionary can make a big difference in a child’s life.”

Since in-person visits are not possible due to safety concerns, the Grange has produced a short video for teachers to use while passing out the dictionaries. In the past, some schools have made field trips to the Grange Hall and Grangers have visited schools to make the gift personal and emphasize the importance of people helping each other. Jim Annis, president of the local Grange, rarely misses a presentation. “I love how excited the kids get. These dictionaries are truly empowering and the program has become a rite of passage. It takes some creativity, but we’re glad we can continue the tradition.”

Boomsma noted that these sorts of links and cooperation within the community are exactly what the Grange hopes to facilitate.  “We’re all about Community Service,” he said. “We’re also looking for people who share that passion whether it’s working with the schools and children or seniors or other community organizations.” He cites the Grange’s Blistered Finger Knitters as an example. “As a result of their efforts, we’ll be distributing some knitted hats and mittens along with the dictionaries. These are usually given to the school nurse for kids who need a little help staying warm.”

Our goal as a Grange is to support building strong communities. We offer a number of opportunities for folks to join us. Financial support is always needed and welcomed. Contributions can be sent to Valley Grange Secretary and Community Service Director at 28 Orchard Road, Dover Foxcroft ME 04426. We also need hands! In addition to mittens and hats for kids, we support the CHCS Hospice Program for veterans by providing lap quilts and afghans. There are always little jobs to be done around the hall. We are updating our project and program list but can say with confidence, we have a way that you can help based on your interest and time.

Come to a meeting or contact a Granger! Share our American values and help feed our hometown roots!

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by Walter Boomsma on November 15, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Area Community Information, Civic and Service, Community Service, Education, General Grange Information, Grange History, Words for Thirds
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on November 15, 2021

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2021/11/15/dictionary-day-2021-has-arrived/

Bookworm Schedule March 2020

Bookworm

Don’t forget your Bikes for Books entry when you finish a book!

Tuesday,  March 3— Mrs Bosworth will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m. Don’t forget to vote today!

Thursday, March 5 — Mrs. Orton will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, March 10 — Ms. Orton will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 12 — Mrs. Gilbert will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, March 17 — Mrs. Kimball will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 19 — Mrs. Bosworth will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Friday, March  20 — Valley Grange Potluck Supper at 6 PM and meeting at 7 PM. We will be magnet making and judging Newspapers in Education Ads!

Tuesday, March 24 — Mrs. Kimball will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m. (Tentative date for announcing Newspapers in Education Winners.)

Thursday, March 26 — Mrs. Gilbert will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, March 28 — Blanketeers needed at Valley Grange, 9:00 am until noon.

Tuesday, March 31 — Mr. Boomsma will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

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by Walter Boomsma on February 27, 2020  •  Permalink
Posted in Bookworms, Education
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on February 27, 2020

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2020/02/27/bookworm-schedule-march-2020/

Bookworm Schedule February 2020

Bookworm

Bookworms make great Valentines!

Tuesday,  February 4— Mr. Boomsma will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, February 6 — Mrs. Kimball will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 11 — Ms. Erwin will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, February 13 — Mr. Boomsma will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Friday, February 14 — Happy Valentine’s Day!

Monday, February 17 — School Vacation Week! Have fun! Read!

Friday, February  21 — Valley Grange Potluck Supper at 6 PM and meeting at 7 PM

Tuesday, February 25 — Mrs. Orton will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, February 27 — Ms. Erwin will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Friday, February 28 — Fourth Graders at PCES draw Valley Grange Ads for Newspapers in Education during Art Class.

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by Walter Boomsma on January 29, 2020  •  Permalink
Posted in Bookworms, Education
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on January 29, 2020

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2020/01/29/bookworm-schedule-february-2020/

Bookworm Schedule January 2020

Let’s start the new year with reading!
Bookworm

Thursday, January 2 —  Mrs. Orton will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday,  January 7— Mr. Boomsma will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 9 — Mr. Boomsma will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 14 — Mrs. Orton will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 16 — Mrs. Gilbert will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Friday, January 17 — Valley Grange Meeting! Potluck Supper at 6 pm, meeting at 7 pm.

Tuesday, January 21 — Mr. Boomsma will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 23 — Ms. Erwin will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 28 — Ms. Erwin will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 30 — Mrs. Gilbert will be at school for reading starting at 10:00 a.m.

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by Walter Boomsma on December 26, 2019  •  Permalink
Posted in Bookworms, Education
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Posted by Walter Boomsma on December 26, 2019

https://valleygrange.wordpress.com/2019/12/26/bookworm-schedule-january-2020/

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