Student Council at Sebago Elementary

The Student Council at Sebago Elementary School with advisor Denise Olsen recently activated “Mission: Making Holiday Wishes 2007.” The Student Council consists of members from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades at Sebago Elementary School, elected in the fall.

In the past, Mrs. Olsen has coordinated efforts of the local civic groups, area businesses, school staff who along with community members work to help make the holidays special for less fortunate Sebago residents.

The Student Council members are a very thoughtful and concientious group. They have seen that many local families find it difficult to make ends meet, let alone provide holiday meals and gifts for their families themselves.

If your family or a family you know is in need, fill out an application (found at the school) or provide a list of all family members, ages and wish lists. Also, be sure to indicate if your family needs help with Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Applications/lists may be dropped off or mailed to: Sebago Elementary School, 283 Sebago Road, Sebago, ME 04029. Attn: Denise Olsen.

One fund-raising event prior to the holidays is the ever popular “Penny Wars.” Teams are formed by combining classes and staff members. Each of the teams tries to collect as many pennies as possible. The team with the most pennies wins. The big challenge is silver coins, and paper money. Students revel in adding silver coins to competing teams jars as they deduct the total value of the coins and bills from the accumulated total. Checks, on the other hand are always a plus.

Last year, the Student Council received more than $2,000 in donations from members of the community. Students, staff and famillies shopped for items from the wish lists and food to provide the holiday meals. In the end they were able to provide for eight famillies and 21 children.

The deadline for applying for holiday assistance is Friday, Nov. 16. Please be sure to be specific on your requests. For instance, for music specify if CD or cassette, and list artist or song title(s) as well. With video games, make sure to indicate the type of gaming system (Playstation, Xbox etc.) and specific games wanted for it. If clothing is needed, be sure to list all sizes and types. For teenagers who may want gift cards, list a favorite store they enjoy shopping at. The more information you can provide the Student Council, the better.

If anyone would like to make a donation or go shopping for a family, the shopping lists will be available around Thanksgiving. If you have any questions or suggestions, please call Mrs. Olsen at 787-3701 ext. 20, or 787-2983. Donations in the form of a check can be made out to Sebago Elementary School. Be sure to note on memo line that it is for “Making Holiday Wishes.”

Veterans Day Ceremony

Veterans Memorial Park in East Sebago will be the site of a Veterans Day ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will feature vocal and musical solos, a wreath presentation, cannon salute, speeches by local politicians, a benediction and playing of Taps.

Preschool Story Hours

Preschool story hour are Fridays at 9:30 a.m. Following is the calendar of events for November and December:

Nov. 9 – Farm Animals

Nov. 16 – Happy Thanksgiving

Nov. 23 – No story hour

Dec. 7- Barrel of monkeys

Dec. 14 – Cats

Dec. 21 – Happy holidays

Dec. 28 – No story hour

Book Club Schedule

The Spaulding Memorial Library is also holding several book group discussions on the following books:

November: “Middlemarch” by George Eliot

December: “Christmas Jars” by Jason Wright

January: “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

February: “Power of One” by Bryce Courtney

Lakes Region Proposed Bus Service

The Greater Portland Council of Governments has been working with the Lakes Reion Transportation Coalition on developing express bus service to Portland. They worked with both the Metro and Regional Transportation Program transit providers in developing funding scenarios, route options and schedules for the proposed service.

The proposed bus service would make four round-trip excursions between Bridgton and Portland, stopping at each town along the way. There would be one 49-passenger coach dedicated to the runs. The proposed route runs down Route 302 into Windham, then east to Gray, continuing onto Interstate 95.

This information was furnished to me from the offices of Greater Portland Council of Governments, Planner and GIS Analyst Matti Gurney. I checked the attachment to the email of the proposed route and was very dissapointed to see that there are no stops on the Route 114 side of Sebago Lake.

So, those of us living in the towns of Standish, Sebago and Baldwin, to name a few, would not benefit as greatly as those living on or near the proposed bus route.

I think that should the bus route be extended to include our side of the lake, since it would be extremely beneficial to the residents of our community. I am going to reseach this some more, with hopes that we can somehow make our voices heard, and be included in this process. I will keep you updated on my findings.