THE NFI NORTH ACADEMIC NEWSLETTER
Principal’s Message
and hope that each one of you had a safe and restful break. I am so proud of our school community and the resilience that our students, staff, and families have demonstrated this school year.
We have certainly encountered many challenges, as we navigate time together. I am continually grateful for the thoughtfulness, flexibility, and positivity that our NFI North community has brought to this school year. Our students are such a source of joy, I feel very fortunate to be a small part of their educational experience. May the new year bring you good cheer and health
Feature Stories
Bridge Crossing enjoys the 4th Annual Santa Shuffle and participate in the Festival of Lights Parade
Beacon Seniors are branching out and figuring out their next moves
Sidney Riverbend learned the process of voting and went to the polls
Stetson Ranch has enjoyed numerous activities and events while working hard
Quote of the Month
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. " –Dr. Seuss
Bridge Crossing Academy | Beacon House | Sidney Riverbend | Stetson Ranch
BRIDGE CROSSING
Bridge Crossing has had a fun and festive holiday season:
November and December kick off a fast and furious holiday season for the students and staff at Bridge Crossing Academy! We officially kicked off the festivities with our Thanksgiving Meal, which brought together day students and their families, resident students and their guardians, as well as staff and their families. This year, we had one of our largest turnouts ever. Students took the initiative to create stunning centerpieces for the event, sharing heartfelt expressions of gratitude along with their extensive lists of thankfulness.
Following our Thanksgiving celebrations, we shuffled right through Bridgton for the 4th Annual Santa Shuffle 5K walk/run. A special thanks to our community sponsors, especially Queen’s Head Pub, for their support in making this event magical. Attendees enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate, and an abundance of holiday spirit! We eagerly anticipate the event's growth next year!
Following the Santa Shuffle, residence and staff dressed in their brightest lights and walked in the Festival of Lights Parade
“Unwrapping the Magic of Christmas All Year Long with A Place to Belong.” The last and longest event of our holiday season is the stroll through the Winter Wonderland presented by Bridgton Recreation, where Bridge Crossing and Bridge Crossing Academy showcased two beautifully decorated holiday trees for all to enjoy!
Everyone at Bridge Crossing and Bridge Crossing Academy wishes you a happy new year with joy and good health!
BEACON HOUSE
Beacon Students have been hard at work in the classroom
In English class, students are enhancing their reading and writing skills by analyzing stories like "The Monkey's Paw" and "The Fog Horn" by Ray Bradbury, focusing on unintended consequences. They are also creating their own children's books, which helps develop their creativity and writing mechanics. In mathematics, students are working towards individual goals, with some mastering arithmetic and others advancing to algebra. History students are studying preRevolutionary War America, including its economics, politics, and geography, while improving their map-reading and chart skills. In Earth Science, they are exploring geological formations and weather systems, deepening their understanding of Earth's complexities. To meet graduation requirements, students are taking additional courses like Career Exploration, Literature into Film, and Government, where they learn about the roles of independent agencies and their influence on policy and law enforcement.
Our Seniors are Branching out
As our seniors consider their futures, it's crucial to acknowledge that solutions to their challenges are not one-size-fits-all. Each student must choose a path that aligns with their goals, whether it’s obtaining a Maine Diploma, a BEHS diploma, or another qualification. We’re committed to helping them develop essential skills like focus, organization, and seeking guidance. Three students have taken the ASVAB test to explore their aptitudes, gaining access to career planning tools. Additionally, one senior will complete a Health class at BEHS for graduation. Congratulations to all for taking these significant steps!
Reminders
Last day of quarter-two is January 10th
Professional development
January 17th and March 14th
Monthly Med Reviews on February 12th, March 12th, and April 9th
Winter Break February 17-21
Spring Break April 14-18
SIDNEY RIVERBEND
Sidney Riverbend Students have been working hard and learning a lot of awesome things this semester:
We are happy to announce that our school team is now fully staffed for the semester. We currently have a staff team with four Ed. Tech III/BHP positions, along with two teacher positions and one Educational Coordinator. This semester, our core curriculum included English Language Arts (ELA), American Literature, Pre-Algebra, Geometry, Independent Math, Chemistry, Earth Science, and American Government.
As we approach the end of the first semester, our elective classes are concluding, and we are eagerly anticipating the second semester. Our Environmental Science Lab students are currently working on a final project, which involves creating a multimedia presentation. The students have completed their Nature Notes and will soon be paired with another school for peer feedback. After making revisions, the NASA cohort class will use a rubric to determine which notes will be selected for publication on the NASA website. Additionally, our students have engaged in citizen science initiatives, contributing valuable data on cloud observations and green down. In the spring, they will continue their participation by documenting green up.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Wicked Joe's Coffee for their thoughtful gesture of providing complimentary bags of coffee to our Education Team members. We greatly appreciate their support.
Students explored the election process, culminating in a visit to the local
Student writing a Nature Note for future NASA
Students created cards and collected donations to be presented to the local Veterans Home as part of a community service initiative.
STETSON RANCH
Stetson Ranch Students have had several fun events and activities shared this season:
While we transition from fall in to winter, we had quite a few new students join our ranks here at Stetson Ranch. With a decent mix of middle school and high school students, there is never a dull moment. We have had several fun events and activities shared this season. To name a few we have gone to the movies, hatched and released monarch butterflies, a group canoe trip, hiking, ranch toured the local Corinna Fire Department, donated homemade pies to Finson road for thanksgiving and caroling. We have started a Vocational Rehab program here and the kiddos are really interested in participating in it. There have been a few new classes added to the roster: Health, Life skill, Current Events, and Photography. Presently the students are working hard to get all of their school work caught up before grades close in January. For Thanksgiving, there was a spread of Chinese food, activities, and we went around the room so everyone could say something they enjoyed and were thankful for. We also had the addition of two staff members to the Stetson School team, Kate Malia and Kate Grout. Both have been positive additions to the team and we all look forward to how they will contribute and grow into their positions.
Our submission for the NFI North Pumpkin Contest. Little piggies
Butterfly that we hatched and released
Pies that we cooked and gave to Finson Road