April 30, 2024
More than 100 members of the Lincoln Academy community went skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain in February. 21 new skiers were supported with funds from the Mid Coast Parkview Health – Lincoln Health Community Health Improvement Fund.
At the start of the 2023-24 school year, Lincoln Academy was made aware of an opportunity to receive funds from Mid Coast Parkview Health – Lincoln Health Community Health Improvement Fund, to support mental health in local schools. In December, LA applied for a first round of funding and again in April for a second round.
This year Lincoln Academy has used these funds in several different ways focused on getting students engaged, outdoors, and active.
Twenty-one students participated in a “Learn to Ski and Ride” package through Sugarloaf that included transportation, ski/snowboard lessons, equipment rentals, lunch, and lift tickets. These students attended alongside an additional 180 members of the school community (students and families) in accessing the mountain through Lincoln Academy programming.
The grant has also helped cover the costs of Lincoln Academy day students attending Residential program weekend events, including a movie night, snow tubing, and bowling. These funds supported dinner and transportation as well as covering event costs. Not only did this provide more opportunities for students to get involved with after-school and weekend programming, but also a chance to build bridges between students within the community.
The current round of funding will expand E-sports offerings at LA to help expand this activity by adding equipment to allow for more student participation and to extend programming offering outside the school day. Eventually this group hopes to participate in the Maine Principals Association E-Sports competition.
Jake Abbott, LA Dean of Students manages the grant funds. He said, “we sought additional funding for activities we already had in place as a starting point for the current school year to help move things along in an efficient manner. Being able to offer skiing, e-sports, and other activities helps level the playing field for our students, and offers them a chance to participate fully in the things their peers are doing.”
Looking ahead, Lincoln Academy will continue to access the Community Health Improvement grant, and will survey students to determine areas of interest for expanding programming.
