Latest News at Central Maine Learning Center
CMLC Graduation!
May 2010, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
The Central Maine Learning and Transition Center held an amazing graduation ceremony on Friday, June 4th, 2010. Four students were honored (David, Ethan,
Jon, and Tim) with the successful completion of their academics. Family, staff, and special guests enjoyed the event on this beautiful day to honor the
graduates' success. Learn more about CMLC activities by visiting their
facebook page.
CMLC Volunteers their Services at the L.C. Bates Museum
May 2010, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
Central Maine Learning and Transition Center students recently spent the afternoon at the L.C. Bates Museum in Fairfield, Maine.
Students and staff helped the museum by cutting and clearing fallen brush from the Arboretum area of the grounds.
Learn more about CMLC activities by visiting their
facebook page.
Maine Energy Education Program
April 2010, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
Central Maine Learning Center students recently spent the afternoon with Stefany Arsenault from the Maine Energy Education Program. Stefany showed the students through hands on activities; how to make electricity with an apple, from wind power, and solar energy. Everyone had a great time and they all look forward to her coming back to teach the group more about energy.
Learn more about CMLC activities by visiting their
facebook page.
CMLC Volunteers at the Children's Discovery Museum
March 2010, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
Students from Central Maine Learning and Transition Center's Service Learning Class visited the Children's Discovery Museum in Augusta recently to admire some of their own handiwork. The class donated a bench for the museum that they helped construct and paint. The group also helped the museum by attaching a maze game to the wall, as well as general cleaning to help make the museum presentable for its many visitors.
Learn more about CMLC activities by visiting their
facebook page.
CMLC Works to "Pay it Forward"
February 2010, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
Over the past year and a half, Central Maine Learning Center students have devoted their afternoons working at various non-profit agencies throughout the Central Maine area. The group has ventured out to places such as: The Children's Discovery Museum, Bates Museum, Salvation Army, United Way, Literacy Volunteers, Big Brother/Big Sisters, The Norlands Living History Center, and the Togus Hospital, to name a few.
During a recent trip the Children's Discovery Museum in Augusta, CMLC received a donation of Halloween supplies from the museum curator, Valencia Schubert. CMLC gladly accepted the donation and the students in turn donated the supplies to the Salvation Army to keep the momentum going in order to "pay it forward." This has been a proud year for CMLC for they have booked in over 850 hours of service while practicing the art of giving and helping others through multiple service learning experiences. Learn more about CMLC activities by visiting their facebook page.
Maine State House and Museum Field Trip
February 2010, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
Central Maine Learning Center (CMLC) students and staff members recently visited the Maine State House and Maine State Museum for a day of learning and exploration. Students visited the Hall of Flags and learned about the sacrifices Maine Citizens made who fought for our country across many wars.
After their visit to the Maine State House, students traveled across the street to explore the Maine State Museum to learn about Maine's agricultural, manufacturing, woodworking, wildlife and social history. The Civil War exhibit was a big hit with students as it included actual battle flags. CMLC looks forward to returning to visit these facilities in the future as they are a great resource for Maine students and adults alike.
Giving Back to their Furry Friends
February 2010, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
Students from the Becket House at Belgrade have recently been volunteering at the Waterville Area Humane Society each week. Students interact with the dogs and cats while learning more about animal behavior. Residents walk the dogs, clean cages and socialize with the animals. One particular student has been doing a great job while interacting with members of the public who are interested in cat adoption. He is quick to research the cat's history for perspective owners to line up a match. To date, this group of volunteers has worked over thirty-five volunteer hours.
CMLC Applied Building Trades
November 2009, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
This past summer was a busy time for us as we began to develop an area behind the greenhouse. The students and I started to clear a sloped area that was covered with Pines, Sumac, Ash and Birch trees. The clearing created many promising possibilities for both school use and for the house. The logs that were harvested have been stacked and we are looking at having them milled into dimensional lumber to be used for on campus projects that would not only enhance are campus but also provide the materials used at a savings.
We would like to build an enclose for future livestock using the pines, coffee tables from the ash and the other logs are being cut into firewood that will be used for special activities. We have also set aside a pine log to be used to try and build an Indian style dugout canoe using hot coals to burn it out, shape and smooth it up. Inside the shop we are finishing up flower boxes that we started on earlier that will be placed at the school and at the houses. The students continue to be engaged with the program as we give them many projects to keep them busy.
CMLC Fall Clean Up Gardening
November 2009, Central Maine Learning and Transition Center
The leaves are falling from the trees and autumn is more than halfway over. However, there is still much gardening to be done. The students here at CMLC have had the opportunity to enjoy harvesting and eating the last of the garden vegetables. We are now in the process of cleaning out the garden and preparing it for next year’s crops. We are also planning on where to plant tulips, daffodils, garlic, and other bulbs to enjoy next year. The students have already transplanted our poinsettia cuttings for our holiday sale in December (look in next month’s newsletter for the details on that!). I want to say THANK YOU to all the students who helped out.
Students Build Warming Hut at Belgrade Campus
January 2008
The new warming hut nears completion at the Central Maine Learning Center in Belgrade, Maine. Students participate in building the 24' x 16' warming hut located on the north side of the pond on the Belgrade campus.
The hut has a porch facing the pond, a field stone fireplace, loft, front and rear access and windows. The hut itself consists of post and beam design, using pegs rather than nails for all joints and connections. Nails will only be used for the siding, roofing and flooring. The siding will be v-match pine on a 45 degree angle; the roof will be cedar shakes nailed to the pine rafters. These details will provide a rustic setting for the traditional hut.
Students learn project management, teamwork, applied mathematics, and the importance of safety on the job site. Measuring for square footage, lengths, lay-out and placement of mortise and tenon cuts. Students become more comfortable with a tape measure and are practicing the application of a2 + b2=c2 for determining rafter lengths. Everyone is provided with safety glasses, gloves and training on proper tool use and respect. The students also participate in building the fireplace with footings of poured concrete; fieldstone will rise through the floor just in front of the loft. The hut provides warmth and light on the Maine cold winter days.
The warming hut offers a multi-functional place for recreation and relaxation for our students and Becket's residential programs. All of the project participants would like to thank the Becket administration and staff for making this dream a real life opportunity.
Please visit Becket's Latest News to read about more
adventures at our Becket programs.
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Central Maine Learning Center is a state of Maine, Department of Education approved special private purpose school located in the heart of the Belgrade lakes region. All CMLC faculty members are highly trained in accordance with federal and state standards. CMLC is approved to provide educational services to those students identified as special education. Currently, CMLC provides special education services to students in grades 4-12.
