Bangor School Department -

Huge congratulations to the JFDS cheerleaders for their incredible victory at the JFDS Cheering Invitational in the Large School Division 1 on January 30. Also, a big shoutout to the Cohen Eagles for their impressive performance and securing second place! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of both teams!

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On Friday, students at 14th Street and Fairmount Schools were treated to a presentation by Josh Sparks from Sparks' Ark. In four highly engaging and informative 45-minute assemblies, Mr. Sparks showed students a sugar glider, chinchilla, hedgehog, dragon (you read that right), tortoise, barred owl, and boa constrictor. Mr. Sparks shared interesting information about each species (e.g., sugar gliders love Craisins, chinchillas give off fur when under attack to trick predators, owls can move their heads but not their eyes, etc.), while also regaling students with stories about each particular animal's rescue history. #WeAreBangor

Above All Be Kind

At Fruit Street School, Mrs. Libby has made it a yearly tradition to engage her students in crafting a mesmerizing hallway mural themed around kindness. Using art as a powerful tool, she sparks awareness, emotion, and connection, ultimately aiming for positive change within the school community.

Each year, after selecting a relevant theme and a symbolic image, Mrs. Libby invites every student to contribute a unique piece that visually encapsulates the concept of kindness. This collaborative effort fosters connections among students by allowing them to share their feelings and experiences through a common theme. The mural project not only enhances individual creativity but also cultivates a sense of belonging, transforming students from individuals into a cohesive community.

Artwork serves as an essential form of self-expression, particularly for children who may struggle with verbal communication. By completing art projects and making independent creative choices, students experience a boost in pride and self-confidence. The act of working together on the mural strengthens teamwork, encourages camaraderie, and builds a robust sense of community pride.

This year, Mrs. Libby chose the theme “Above All, Be Kind,” with a star as the central visual symbol. Students explored the world of constellations, learning how ancient cultures utilized them for navigation, storytelling, and calendar-making. Through illustrations of stars forming various shapes, the students were encouraged to stretch their imaginations and creativity.

Students created their own constellations by drawing outlines and cutting silhouettes from 6-inch by 9-inch blue paper. They glued these silhouettes onto a slightly bigger piece of darker blue paper, adding a variety of stars both inside and outside the shapes. The edges of the paper were rounded, and the constellations crafted by students from pre-kindergarten through third grade were assembled onto an impressive eleven-yard-long sheet of black mural paper.

In a separate art class, second-grade students engaged in creating back-view self-portraits using black markers and crayons. This innovative approach required them to focus on the texture and style of their hair from a fresh perspective. Once completed, the portraits were cut out and mounted onto 12-inch by 18-inch black paper, with stars added to form a night sky above the figures. These “star gazers” were then placed along the bottom of the mural. Large stars hung above the mural, representing each classroom and displaying the phrase “Above All, Be Kind,” alongside the signed names of every student.

The magnitude of this collaborative creation not only highlights the students’ creativity and pride but also serves as a compelling visual reminder of kindness's enduring importance. The mural stands as a celebration of unity, inspiring empathy and motivating the entire school community to engage in acts of kindness every day. Through Mrs. Libby's vision and her students' collaborative efforts, the message of kindness is woven into the very fabric of Fruit Street School.

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To the seniors of the Bangor Girls Basketball Team,

What an amazing journey it has been! As the season comes to a close, we take a moment to celebrate each of you and the remarkable contributions you've made to the team. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit on and off the court have truly inspired everyone around you.

Through ups and downs, you have shown resilience, teamwork, and leadership. Your incredible talent and passion have not only made you exceptional players but also fantastic role models for the younger members of the team.

As you prepare to take the next step in your lives, know that your time on the court has left a lasting legacy. We are all so proud of you, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for each of you!

Thank you for the unforgettable memories and for representing Bangor with pride. Here’s to the next chapter!

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🎉 Exciting News for Bangor Students & Staff! 🎉
The PCHC School-Based Health Center (SBHC) for the Bangor School Department is expanding to year-round services, including school vacations and summer—starting with February and April breaks!
🩺 Services Available:
✔️ Primary & acute medical care
✔️ Mental health services
✔️ Available to ALL Bangor School Department students and staff
📌 Location:
Bangor High School (BHS) – all services provided on site
⏰ Hours:
Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📞 Scheduling is easy and unchanged:
Call 207-404-8247
We’re excited to continue supporting our school community—now all year long!

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In this episode of "Beyond the Bell," we're thrilled to welcome LeeAnn Larsen, the Director of Early Learning at the Maine Department of Education. Together, we delve into the vital concept of purposeful play, examining its significance for children's development and how it can be effectively woven into early education. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply someone who values child development, this enlightening discussion is not to be missed.

To listen to the episode, check out the link below. We’ve also compiled a list of valuable resources that support the integration of purposeful play in early learning, which you won't want to miss!

Listen to Beyond the Bell: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oQj4IMSEMqMuNKb4Qvi0i
Resources link: https://www.bangorschools.net/article/2661898

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Members of the BHS Library Book Club visited two first-grade classes at Fourteenth Street, guided by Librarian Ms. Sprague. The purpose of the visit was to read aloud to the children and carry out a craft activity. They shared the book Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Brett Witter, which tells the heartfelt story of a real cat. As a kitten, Dewey was unfortunately dropped into a library's book return dropbox one night in Spencer, Iowa. The librarians decided to adopt him as the "library cat," allowing patrons to interact with him over the years. After the reading session, the first graders enjoyed coloring, cutting, and assembling their own library cats to take home and read to. #WeAreBangor

In a heartwarming initiative aimed at easing student stress during midterm exams, Bangor High School welcomed therapy dogs into the library on Tuesday. Students booked 15-minute appointments for cuddles and comfort with three lovable pups: Jem, PJ, and Layla.

Misty Conrath, science teacher and organizer, emphasized the importance of this program, stating, “Our goal is to provide a calming presence during what can be a very stressful time for students. The therapy dogs not only offer companionship but also promote emotional well-being.”

The library saw an enthusiastic response, with many students taking advantage of the opportunity to unwind and recharge with the dogs’ warm presence.

Nancy Watson, BHS Librarian, added, “We’ve noticed that just a few moments with a therapy dog can significantly improve a student’s mood and focus. It’s wonderful to see how much joy these animals bring.”

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Mrs. Throckmorton's Creative Writers and Mr. Hutchins' Digital Arts classes collaborated together to create portraits inspired bu Robert Shetterly's "AMERICANS WHO TELL THE TRUTH" project. Senior creative writing students chose someone in their lives who taught them a valuable life lesson by example. Digital Art student students help to edit photographs, backgrounds, and text for the BHS project. These portraits are called "HUMANS WHO TELL THE TRUTH" #WeAreBangor