Snow is Starting to Fall

The dorm lobby is aglow in holiday lights and we woke up to a bit of snow this morning.  Colder weather is upon us, and our LA Boarding Students are slowly acclimating to these frigid temperatures. First-trimester report cards are going out this week, and the winter sports season has begun!

Last week was full of adventure:  a Boston Celtics game, a Boston day trip, a ResLife family-style meal, a 5K Turkey Trot, and Thanksgiving dinner with host families.  Host families included Lincoln Academy faculty, staff, school friends, team members and community friends of Lincoln Academy.  We received a number of responses from hosts, praising our students’ manners, enthusiasm, character and friendliness.  During our family dinner, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, students had the opportunity to write down things that they felt especially grateful for: 

“I’m thankful for my family for providing me this experience at LA.  I’m also thankful for all the amazing people I have met here and the memories I have made with them.”

“I’m thankful for having the opportunity to be here.  I’m thankful for meeting amazing people and getting to know a lot of cultures.”

“I’m thankful that my family sent me to study in the US, and get to live this experience.”

“I’m thankful to be in a community that accepts everyone and is very supportive.”

The holiday season in Maine starts right after Thanksgiving, and our downtown area has been decorated with garlands and lights. Last weekend, Ms Niketakis guided our students through the art of selecting and cutting down a fir tree. The tree was placed in the lobby and decorated for the holiday season. We will be offering many seasonal activities in the coming weeks, including watching a hockey game, shopping trips, a holiday gift exchange, concerts, and local holiday festivals! 

Last week, our students participated in a number of volunteer activities in the community, including packing food boxes for local families and stacking firewood to prepare for delivery.  These activities align with Lincoln Academy’s values of service, character and citizenship.  Please check out this Lincoln Academy Instagram post about their recent work! 

Most students will have started new elective classes in the second trimester. Winter sports have also begun and with this, new patterns, routines, and interests. Please check in with your son or daughter to see how the second trimester has started for them.

We have two new boarding students with us:  Kayla and Kieron.  Kayla is a local student who is looking forward to being part of our ResLife community and is a wrestler.  Kieron joins us from Kenya and is playing JV Basketball for LA.  Welcome Kayla & Kieron!

We have just a few weeks until our December holiday break and a two-week dorm closure.  Thank you for submitting your vacation plans into Orah.

February Break 

The dorms are closed during the February winter break.  If your student is traveling during that time, those plans need to be in Orah now.  

• Approved date for departure travel is February 15 . The approved return date is Sunday, February 23, 2025.
• In the past, we have collaborated with Kieve Wavus to facilitate a week-long Winter Camp program on Damariscotta lake.  Due to changes within that organization, the Winter Camp opportunity is no longer available to us. 
• We are currently looking into other options for February Break, but we cannot guarantee availability.  Please consider how you would like to organize your student’s week-long break.  

Be well and take care,