Pine Tree Academy (PTA) is developing an agriculture program. Grades 5 and 6 have been a part of the program over the last 3 years. Mr. Krueger shared with the students all about hard-necked garlic, a crop that is planted in the fall up north. The students helped divide the bulbs into separate cloves. Then, they planted the garlic in the raised beds behind the school. Approximately 2,000 cloves were planted (6 varieties). Thanks to Ms. Moore and her students for continuing to make agriculture a part of the school program. Pine Tree Academy puts on a soccer program every year giving students a great opportunity to learn how to play a new sport and make new friends. This year, due to covid we were not able to play any official games like a usual soccer season. Still, this did not stop kids from showing up, working hard, and of course learning to love the game and having fun. The one unofficial game we were allowed to play was against Greater Christian Portland where PTAs coed soccer team played a mostly all-boys team. In the end, PTA went away with the win scoring 4 goals. One was scored by Anna Marden, two were scored by Ricky Morales, and the last one was scored by Sergey Stearman. Our coach, Dean Waterman, has been nice enough to take on both the boys and girls soccer teams for the fact that Pine Tree Academy is a girl dominated school(we're also dominating on the soccer field). Though we all miss the regular game schedule and the traveling it requires, this break year helped all of us grow our skills and grow closer together, which is what soccer is all about. If I could take anything out of this year's soccer season, it would be to enjoy physical activity, move the dial a little bit each day, have fun, and DO NOT cut coaches' cones!
Madison Waterman, Sophomore The Legacy Room at Pine Tree Academy houses a collection of artifacts from various points in Pine Tree Academy's history and displays many articles from local Adventist institutions. Some of the items pictured here include:
Well, guys, I’ll give you credit for the theme. Because even without the barn, I’d say I did a great job of being our resident party animal! (And with that, I’m obliged to give everybody else credit for making all of this possible.) I’ll be honest, I almost wasn’t sure when I arrived here. No barn, boring games, not a ton of people for the first half hour. Yeah. Then we just have a full-blown CHEWBACCA coming in with a posse of costume campers, and all the fun breaks loose! (Chewbacca will remain anonymous.) With everybody here, we settled in for everybody’s favorite Compliment Game! Boys versus girls, peeps! Though the battle between myself and one formidable opponent was fought to a draw, in the end, the girls won 5-3. Do I care? I say good game to some good players! I mean, come on, we all witnessed that face-off between the Johnsons! What could be better? This was followed by a game of Mafia (I won as Mafia), and of course dinner. Or dessert. You call it what you will. I, on the other hand, call it one and a half waffles with LITERALLY EVERYTHING on them! I don’t know what you had for dinner, but I had a sugar high! Oh, and don’t forget the hot chocolate! (Turns out it takes TWO drinks to get half a cup of powder into my system.) And to top it off, we finished the night with a lovely glowstick manhunt game! And even though your friendly neighborhood reporter had to leave early (no, I was not escorted by a SWAT team), the fans did get to witness an epic 1v1 glowstick battle between myself and yet another formidable (but anonymous) opponent! I must say, Pine Tree, for my first year at this school, you sure know how to make an impact! Jonathan Stansbury, Proud Upperclassman (Junior) This year at Pine Tree Academy Dorm life has been quite vibrant. The girls’ dorm has gone shopping at the mall which turned out to be a great bonding experience. They also have helped out with multiple community service projects, one of which sent care packages to college students that are away from home. They also have taken fun trips to places like Winslow Park. The boys’ dorm has been going on outdoor trips most weekends. One of these was to Tumbledown mountain where they braved the adventures, and treacherous hike. Thankfully the mountain didn’t live up to its name and bring students tumbling down. They also had a new baking experience with some delicious apple crisp that was produced at the humble home of the Sabnani’s, where there was also worship. Together both dorms also had an epic game of Man Hunt that went, let's just say, a little over usual bedtimes. Dorm Life initiates brother and sisterhoods that create lasting relationships and are as important as ever in the foundation of Pine Tree Academy ideals. Paige Tyson, Sophomore Some people go on field trips. Other times, the trips come to them! In this season, it’s no surprise that half the school got to witness a full-blown fire engine screaming down the lane! Not to mention an ambulance! That’s right, folks, our lovely elementary schoolers, Pre-K to 4, were able to enjoy a riveting lesson about fire safety, without even having to leave the campus! Oh, sounds boring, you say? Common knowledge, you say? Tell that to the kids! When the FFD (Freeport Fire Department) came down, with the mysterious “Deputy Donnelly” leading the pack, those kids were way out of it! Honestly, with the number of questions they asked, you’d think they were planning to become mysterious deputies themselves! They got to participate in a number of activities, including events in which they learned about fire safety, the different tools on an engine (there are a lot of them!), and how the ambulance and stretchers work. They also watched one fireman put on about 65 pounds of gear (by his reckoning), and even got to put on some gear themselves! (Well, plastic fireman hats, but I suppose that’s adequate at their level.) And while it did rain on the 2-4 graders’ parade, they still got to enjoy the learning experience! It’s always good to know that even in plague season, fire safety remains a constant! Jonathan Stansbury, Junior On September 23, 24, and 25 the students in grades 5 through 8 went to Camp Lawroweld for Elementary Outdoor School. They did fun activities such as:
Jazmine Garnier, Sophomore Inspirational Quote: It's not being a hero - It's just doing the right thing.
The way I interpret this quote is that people shouldn't get praised for being a decent human and doing the right thing. It's sad that that is what our world has come to. Sure, I understand bravery and life saving should be praised; but, simply doing the right thing should be a normal human reaction. Do the right thing even if no one is watching. Don't do something for the title or fame. Just do it because it is right. If someone is hurt, or if someone can't afford something - any act of helping is the right act. A hero is anyone who is kind and helps those in need. Not all heroes wear capes...some wear the Pine Tree Academy uniform. Ensiyeh Khansari Nejad - Grade 7 This year we have some new options for electives that are available to the students. One of these is called Sports Elective. In this elective we have been learning about some sports that Pine Tree may or may not offer as a school sport. The sports usually offered at PTA are soccer and basketball; but, we have been getting unique opportunities in Sports Elective to try some new things. For the first couple weeks we were learning about disc golf, some of the strategies involved (how to throw, and some of the etiquette of playing with a group). However, for the last two weeks we have entered a new opportunity for knowledge and growth. The high school students in the sports elective are now helping coach the Kindergarten through 4th grade soccer club. This is a great time for both the high school students and the younger kids to learn more about coaching and playing soccer. Mr. Josh Dayen is the one teaching this new and exciting elective that helps students grow their love for sports, the ability to be active, and the numerous ways that these things can be done. Paige Tyson, Sophomore |
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