Saturday, May 29, 2010

Katherine Bousquet and her students visited the Counting House Museum recently. They have developed skits, brochures and a booth at Kids Day to raise


Third Graders Travel Through Time to Raise Awareness of Counting House Museum


SOUTH BERWICK, Maine -- A group of third grade students at Central School has been working on a service-learning project with the Old Berwick Historical Society to build an awareness of the Counting House Museum as a family destination to learn about the history of the town. Katherine Bousquet’s class began working on this project earlier this spring.

“Service learning is unique,” said Bousquet. “Children enter an actual partnership with someone in the community to solve an existing problem. Thus, service! At the same time, the work the students do must be related to the curriculum and the goals for learning!”

Students met with historical society volunteers and learned that while the museum receives many visitors each year, the number of families with children was fewer than what the museum had hoped. The students worked together to come up with ideas and plans for how they might reach families in the community and spark an interest in visiting the Counting House.

“They’re so creative,” said historical society president Wendy Pirsig of the children’s ideas. “And the students have really dedicated themselves to this valuable project of getting the word out about the museum as a community resource.”

The decision to host a booth at South Berwick’s second annual Kids’ Day on June 5 in was made by the students in an effort to raise community awareness. After numerous trips to the Counting House, research online and in books, visits to other local historic sites such as the Hamilton House and the Sarah Orne Jewett House and the annual Hike Through History at Central School, the children used their knowledge to develop fun and educational activities for a booth at Kids’ Day.

There will be a range of activities from learning about and making a toy that a child in the 1800’s would have played with, to hand-sewing their own initial. Visitors can enjoy a skit of what it was like to be a mill worker in the 1800’s and learn a dance from the time period. There will even by an “I Spy at the Counting House” book where they find, identify and discover information about objects from the past.

In the words of Erica Bergendahl, “Being at the museum, I felt like I was back in history.”

In addition to the activities, there will be a brochure pertaining to the museum written for kids by kids.

“We want families to visit the museum,” said Jake Doyle, another pupil. “It is not like an ordinary museum, it is all about our town.”

Through this project, the students were able to become actively engaged in their town, as well as learn the value of community involvement.

“Many people donated their time and talents to making this project a success,” said Bousquet. “It was the volunteers from the Counting House, Kids’ Day, the parents of the students and the support of teachers at Central that have enabled the students to learn so much and to accomplish their goal.”

Fiona Scharff said, “This service learning project shows me that if we all work together we can do amazing things.”

The students hope that by seeing how fun and interesting history can be at their booth, kids and their families will take a trip to visit the museum this summer.

The Counting House Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm from June through October. Admission is free.

Third grader McKayla Leary said, “We want people to know that interesting things once happened here!”

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Armadillo in South Berwick - No were not kidding!


Free Goodies, line dancing, and one very Giant Armadillo are all coming to Kids' Day in less than two weeks. Kids' Day has become so amazing we are excited to announce that we have added our very first National Corporation as a participant and great friend to Kids' Day 2010! How lucky are we to live in South Berwick?

Create your very own Children's Decoupage Pot at Kids' Day!


Somewhere between the FREE pony rides and the very large FREE skate park on the right side of Central School there is a new stone path leading to the new Library. Many children have already used it. Venture over the path and discover a FREE art craft of decoupaging flower pots with discarded children books from the library and get a chance to see an enchanting vision of what the library will soon be. It's well worth the adventure. Don't miss this activity sponsored by Friends of the Library.

Bring on the Snow!!


Was last season too short at PowderHouse Hill ? No worries mate come on down to Kids' Day and get a reminder of why we all love the hill so much!

We haven't found a way to bring you snow on Kids' Day yet but there will be a GIANT snowman making an appearance and handing out free snow cones at a nearby participant - venture over to the Food Court after playing this great rope toss!!

Test your eyesight and guessing skills!


LOOK who's coming to South Berwick Eliot Rotary Kids' Day this year. Price Point Eyewear from Main Street, South Berwick. Visit them at the location and test your vision and your math skills to guess the number of objects in the jars. Have you been inside their new storefront? It's beautiful and filled with lots of contemporary choices of glasses.

A very special posting for Kids' Day 2010.


This posting is very special to Kids' Day - It was written by Mrs. Bousquets 3rd grade class. They have taken it on themselves as a community service project to help spread the word about what a hidden gem - The Counting House Museum is for South Berwick. Please help their project by sharing this post with your friends on Facebook.

" Learn more about South Berwick’s history on Kids Day! The Counting House Museum and Mrs. Bousquet’s class will be hosting a booth with a variety of activities for kids to do! Make a toy that kids in the 1800’s would have played with. Try your luck at finding everyday objects in an “I Spy At the Counting House” book. Learn about the life of a mill worker and do the Money Monk dance. There will even be a sewing activity. We’ll be located on the front lawn at Central School! "

Visit the Counting House Museum online!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Appearing under the Big Tent - 1:00 pm

Marla along with Bob and a few of their friends will be appearing under the Big Tent at Kids' Day 2010. We are fortunate to have them as part of our show and even more so as part of our community....Counting down to June 5th and kick off of the Everything Wheels Parade.

Friends of The Library - looking for volunteers for Kids' Day.


June 5th: Kids Day

- Children's Activity booth: needs a few volunteers - children will be decoupaging flower pots with pictures from discarded children's books. Thanks to Cari Quater and Julie Parker for coordinating this.
Julie Parker has volunteered to work the whole day, and we should really have a 2nd person with her at the booth. (Cari's off the hook - her baby is due June 5th!) We need 1 more volunteer for each of the following times:
12:30-1:30, 1:30-2:30, 2:30-3:30 reply to Cari: cquater@comcast.net

Like to draw with chalk on driveways? How about a huge chalk drawing?
- Wanted: volunteers to lay down a full scale plan of the new library in the Young Street parking lot, close to Central School. This can be done anytime during the days before June 5th, even early that day. We have permission to put down some painted markers so we could recreate the duct tape/chalk drawing as needed over the summer.
Get some buddies lined up - 4 people could make quick work of this, I believe, and it would be fun!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

RYE AIRFIELD is in the "house" for South Berwick Kids' Day!


Rye Airfield's demo team will also be doing their "Get on Board" program. If you have thought about trying to learn but don't know where to start, or if you don't have your own equipment but want to give skateboarding a try, this is just the thing for you. Come as you are, we will bring everything else, or feel free to bring your own gear. You will learn everything you need to get started with skateboarding in a really fun environment. "


South Berwick Rescue – Spike poison control presentation and
health/safety brochures for kids to be handed out at their very own
Touch-A-Truck entry, an ambulance. Come talk to a real EMT and sit
in their seat in a real ambulance!

Plant a Seed - grow a garden!


Grow Your Own Sunflower - Brought to you by The Early Bird Cafe downtown South Berwick. Go green and grow tall - come seed your very own Green Sunflower for free at the cafe and bring home to plant inyour yard!

Free Face Painting


South Berwick Maine - Kids' Day We've added THREE locations of free face painting to Kids' Day! Let's keep the lines down this year and the kids happy! Natures Way Market, Front Lawn of First Parish Church, and the Front Lawn of Central School.


Let the kids wear paint! Brought to you by Leaps and Bounds childcare, Nature's Way Market, and the First Parish Federated Church of South Berwick. We can't thank you enough for your community contributions!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Free Pony Rides - Lyman Hill Farms


Free Pony Rides! Lyman Hill Farms has graciously offered to bring their ponies to South Berwick Kids' Day! They will be located behind Central School to the right side of the field near the concession stand.

You are invited to a very special tea party...


The First Parish Church across from Dunkin' Donuts will be hosting a very special tea party on their front lawn. No need to dress, hats and accessories will be provided with desserts and punch.


In addition to the very special tea party there will be a number of activities, crafts, and a cake decorating contest to view. A must see and attend for all visiting Kids' Day. Just walk to Dunkin' Donuts and cross the street with the volunteer crossing guard. YOU won't want to miss it.

The Rainforest is coming to South Berwick Kids' Day on June 5th.



Come have fun and create a Rain Forest craft!

Snow Man, Snow Cones, & Home Run Derby




Look for the Giant Snowman on the left side of Central School, Team Laffalots will be serving up snow cones for donation for their Walk for Breast Cancer in NYC. Also visit them to find out more about the upcoming Home Run Derby on August 1st.

Find out more about the Home Run Derby and help Team Laffalots in their efforts to help end breast cancer visit their blog.

Make your very own FREE ceramic magnet


DOODLBEBUGZ is bringing ceramics to Kids'Day. Come and make a FREE ceramic magnet generously offered to our kids. BE CREATIVE!

FREE Sunscreen on Central Lawn at Kids' Day!





Donna Tsakiris, our very own Mary Kay sunscreen lady will be front and center and will be applying FREE sunscreen all day long at Central School for skin safety for kids of all ages.

A Whales Tale of Adventure - brought to you by the Seacoast Science Center



Have you ever noticed how your little one's eyes light up at the ocean or a touch tank? It's amazing to watch them discover a whole new world. The Seacoast Science Center are going to bring a little bit of the Sea and Ocean to Kids' Day under the big tent in front of Central this year. Get ready to be up close and personal with Tofu, the whale. The Science Center is bringing microscopes to get a closer look and inspection of bayleen and more and let the questions fly.

Tactile Tables are here for Kids' Day from Joy of Learning!



Calling a Toddlers and Tot! The Joy of Learning is inviting one and all to come play and discover at their tactile tables including water, sand, Ooblick, and Gak! Come and explore all kinds of fun while your mom and dad can take a seat and sit back and relax.

Build and launch your own rocket at Kids' Day!



Kids' Day is excited to welcome the Civic Air Patrol on June 5th. They will be kicking off the Everything Wheels Parade with their very own color guard. Next visit their Command Center located just outside Touch a Truck on to the left of Central School to get insight on how they help us keep safe. Take a walk out back and learn how to build your very own rocket and then watch it fly on the black top. We will have the parking lot free and cleared of cars so you will have lots of space to watch them fly high.

The Civil Air Patrol will be launching their very own rocket at 2:00pm - make sure to find a way to the back of Central School for this exciting event.

Also one last thing from the Air Patrol - they will be bringing their Fatal Vision Simulator Goggles to show you another way to keep people safe and educate them at the same time.

WOW!

Who Loves Chocolate?


A Dove Chocolatier will be making chocolate with kids on Kids' Day - June 5th! You'll find her to the left of Central School along with burgers, hotdogs, snow cones, and pbj's! Look for the GIANT Snowman!!

SO the plan for chocolate is...marshmallow or fruit, dip in chocolate, decorations then pictures

The kids and families will form an assembly line of chocolate - Watch out Willy Wonka!

Thursday, May 13, 2010


South Berwick Maine - Kids' Day FREE cookies donated by Monkey Business Bakery for the TEA Party at the Federated Church front lawn on Kids' Day. No need to dress up costumes including beautiful hats and accessories will be on hand.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Print making for Kids! Brought to Kids' Day by Shane Chick


will be setting up print making for kids under the second big tent at Kids' Day 2010. What a great way for kids to explore the artist inside.

Smokey The Bear's Schedule of Appearances at Kids' Day South Berwick, Maine!

Kids' Day is proud to have Smokey back for the 2nd Annual Kids' Day on June 5th in South Berwick, Maine.


Schedule of Smokey The Bear's Appearances:

10:30a.m. Gathering at the Community Center for the Parade – SMOKEY included


11:00 Parade begins - SMOKEY


11:30 Parade ends at Central School - SMOKEY will venture over to the Firetruck at Touch-a-Truck location


12:30-1 SB Fire Dept. Vehicle Extrication at lot adjacent to Dunkin Donuts – SMOKEY