Southern Aroostook receives $40,000 implementation grant

    DYER BROOK — Southern Aroostook Community School received a MELMAC Education Foundation implementation grant worth $40,000. The Connect Aspirations to a Plan program helps students by raising their aspirations and by showing them ways to connect those aspirations to a plan, which leads to a successful transition from high school to college. The foundation defines college broadly to include 4-year colleges, 2-year colleges, certificate programs and the military. The purpose of the grant is to increase the number of Maine students who enroll in postsecondary training in the fall immediately following graduation.
Photograph courtesy of Jessica Porter
ROLL CALL – Faculty present at College Attire Friday roll call are from left, front, Murray Putnam, John Getchell, Melanie Greaves, Kim Russell, Jessica Walker and Cliff Urquhart; middle, Superintendent Terry Comeau, Shanna McGary, Alaina Pethick, Katie Noyes, Kate Nigh and Susie Tarr; back, Angie Raymond, Charlotte Durr, Kermit McGary, Kathy Chamberland, Melissa Porter, Penny White, Trudy Long, Cindy Cronin, Bonnie Collier, Krista Hardy, Shannon Mathers, Jonathan Porter and Jay Lee.
    One of the initiatives at SACS is to improve the college going atmosphere at the school. On Monday, Nov.10, students in grades 6-12 attended an assembly for the roll-out of what is called, College Attire Friday. The goal is to have each faculty member wear a T-shirt on Friday's displaying the college they attended. This is to promote the college and to get students talking about their future.
Photograph courtesy of Jessica Porter
HEADING TO COLLEGE –  Senior Lauren Calbi, left, receives a WCCC bag from MELMAC program coordinator Jessica Walker in recognition for being the first senior of this year’s Southern Aroostook Community School’s graduating class to get accepted into college.
    Program coordinator Jessica Walker said, “It is our hope that this initiative will spark some conversation among students and teachers and get students talking about their future.” SACS would like to thank the following colleges/universities for the donation of T-shirts for the event: University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maine at Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College, University of Louisiana, Rollins College, University of Maine at Orono, Castleton State College, Lawrence University, University of Maine at Fort Kent and Husson University.
Photograph courtesy of Jessica Porter
SCHOOL SPIRIT – Teachers at Southern Aroostook Community School showing their college school spirit are from left, Husson alumni Kathy Chamberland, Krista Hardy and Cliff Urquhart.
    Due to the success of College Attire Friday, the Elementary school has requested to take part, making it a Pre-K through grade 12 school wide initiative.
    Anyone with questions regarding the initiative can contact Walker at 757-8206 or visit www.melmacfoundations.org for information regarding the MELMAC Education Foundation or the Connect Aspirations to a Plan Initiative.