WES ends WinterKids in song, more

Fri, 02/08/2019 - 3:45pm

Wiscasset Elementary School fourth grader Addy Eckert said in an interview in the gym Feb. 7, her favorite part of WinterKids Winter Games was “probably spending time with my family.” And she said she learned she “can whip up a few quick healthy snacks,” like a rainbow treat that included honey, beets, carrots, spinach and garlic.

Eckert and the rest of the school had just taken part in the Games' closing ceremonies. The nonprofit WinterKids picked WES and Nobleboro Central School to represent Lincoln County in this year's Games, according to winterkids.org. The monthlong program brought learning and fun, and could yield WES a prize: Principal Stacy White said word on who won should come in a week. The top three prizes are money, but there are many other prizes, she said. "So there is a very good chance we'll win something."

Fourth grade teacher Michelle Brand and her class already did, thanks to their showing among other WES classes in one contest. The class won a popcorn party and Brand an L.L. Bean, WinterKids tote bag White presented to her in the ceremonies.

The finale also featured winter-themed yoga. White and school counselor Neera Harmon led students in the snowflake and other poses. And music teacher Carole Drury led students in a song they have learned about fruits and vegetables.

The gym lights dimmed for a slide show of highlights of the school's indoor and outdoor WinterKids activities, from making a snow angel to eating healthy and dancing.

At the ceremonies' end, red and black Wiscasset Wolf pawprint flags rose from the audience when White asked students if they had fun doing WinterKids. Then she asked if they had lots of fun doing it. Students raised their flags again.

White later said WinterKids was fantastic, despite the storms and cold stretches that impacted some plans. Midcoast Conservancy, Chewonki Foundation and Morris Farm helped, she said. WES educational technician Nancy Wyman has worked at WES 17 years. In a snowflake design hat she said she had been wearing for a month, Wyman said the students were very involved in WinterKids and enjoyed it. "And everybody brought something different to it."