SAD #4/Guilford

So I feel official! Picked up my first state car and headed north on the Maine Turnpike for Dexter! I was scheduled to do a Phase 1 technical training in SAD #4/Guilford. Several weeks ago I started to check out possible accommodations and found the most interesting option in Dexter.....

The Brewster Inn is situated on Zion's Hill Road just outside of Dexter. As described on their website http://www.brewsterinn.com/

"Built in the 1930s for Governor (later, Senator) Ralph Owen Brewster by noted architect John Calvin Stevens, our Historic Register mansion (7200 square feet) features spacious common rooms and beautifully decorated, comfortable guestrooms. Antique radios and model trains abound, while artwork, books and eclectic furnishings can be found in every room. Our ten guestrooms and suites feature fireplaces, window seats and original tile baths. Some rooms offer a lovely view of the gardens"

The inn is currently being run by an enthusiastic/energetic British couple who purchased it in February 2007. They have already done a tremendous amount of work on the inn, continuing to decorate it beautifully and with comfort in mind. I had the pleasure of staying in their first remodeled room as seen here!

After a great night's sleep we enjoyed a beautiful ride through rolling hills of spectacular foliage, traveling through Sangerville to arrive in Guilford for a day long training at the Piscataquis Community Middle School.

Once again, a great team of administrators, a committed and well informed staff, and a special education director providing great support and guidance to her district.

After an energizing and fulfilling day, we headed home......

Buckfield 2007

As I headed out all packed up by 6:30AM I looked forward to another new adventure. The foliage has been spectacular; even on the ME Turnpike, as the sun is rising it takes my breath away! I met an unanticipated surprise in Auburn..........

The fog was soooo thick that it was impossible to see more than a car length ahead. This is looking back to Lewiston as the sun was rising.

The fog soon lifted and I continued on my way. After miles of rolling hills and beautiful trees I knew I was getting close when I rounded a corner and the Buckfield Mall was in view!


Here is the real downtown Buckfield.....

A working lunch next to the Superintendent's Office on Day 1 was a welcome opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine!

As I left the Hartford-Sumner Elementary School, I caught a glimpse of my first moose!

This is downtown Sumner.......

I was struck by the beautiful artwork in both the elementary and jhs/hs buildings. These are throughout the junior high/senior high school (300 students). Similarly, there is student clay work at the elementary school. In exploring further the district art teacher has the 6th grade students make something to leave for the elementary school as they prepare to transition to the junior high/senior high school. Great columns of claywork have been constucted over the years with highly detailed imagery.

All of the children in Buckfield, Sumner and Hartford go to the elementary school in Sumner. They all then transition to the junior/senior high school in Buckfield (just down the road a bit).

Again, I am so impressed with the great work that is taking place in our schools and the dedicated teachers/staff that are so committed to the children in our communities.

Completing our work Thursday afternoon, we all headed home!

Fall in Maine

What more could we ask for....!

Heading to Buckfield tomorrow with fully charged batteris in my camera!

Wiscasset and other details!

Heading to Wiscasset tomorrow. Unfortunately left my camera at home so there won't be any pics from me (staying midway tonight at my mother's house). Too bad, because the foliage is really coming into its own.

So...... I just scheduled a visit to the Rangeley area in February--their choice of dates! Should I be concerned that they wanted to be sure that I block off 2 days in case there is a snow day?? Will definitely be sure to have my survival bag with me :)

More to come soon as I will be heading to Buckfield and Guilford before the end of the month.....will be sure to pack my camera!

Quiet Week

No big news this week. Have spent all week in Augusta working on projects, eagerly waiting to hear the observations from the OSEP (feds!) visit....the DOE feels the same about these visits as we feel about their visits(!), and preparing for upcoming travel.

Trees are slowly changing, lots of fog in the mornings because of the warm weather we have been having; one can almost feel our world slowing down as fall creeps in and winter begins to appear on the horizon.

Heading up the coast next week--