Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Sippican Elementary School Principal Marla Sirois are pleased to share the success of this year’s After Class Enrichment (A.C.E.) sessions. The A.C.E. Program is organized by V.A.S.E. (Volunteers at Sippican Elementary,) a group of Sippican parents, teachers and community members. V.A.S.E. began planning for this year’s A.C.E. program in the summer of 2021. Though the A.C.E. program is generally held just once each winter, V.A.S.E. coordinated two sessions in the fall and winter for the 2021-2022 school year to account for possible COVID-related challenges.
A.C.E. runs once per week for four weeks. Any Sippican Elementary student is able to attend, and dozens of kids participate each year. Students take part in a number of courses and activities in areas such as arts and crafts, drama, foreign language, athletics, reading and more.
“Our V.A.S.E. board along with Principal Sirois began planning for our A.C.E. program back in July of 2021. We were unsure what the pandemic would bring to this school year and as a result, we were convinced we needed to add an early fall session where we could make use of nicer weather if the program required additional social distancing. Typically, we only offer the program once in January,” said Johanna Vergoni, V.A.S.E. president. “Luckily we were able to pull together a fall program as well as a winter program with the help of volunteers from across the community. We could not be happier with the results and feel incredibly thankful to offer these classes free to Sippican students.”
For this year’s sessions, courses included a knitting class, nursery rhyme STEM class, 3D printing, dance and performing arts, a project with the Marion Historical Society to repurpose vases to look like historical vases and more.
For one course, students participated in a “Once Upon a Time” STEAM activity where they created a way for Rapunzel to get down from the tower. The tower began as a pool noodle glued into a box. The kids were provided with many kinds of materials including paper, straws, pipe cleaners, paper towel tubes, fabric, tape, Popsicle sticks, glue and Lego bricks. A bouncy ball was the testing tool to see if their creation was successful or if they needed to make any changes.
Additionally, the Kindness Crew – a group of sixth-grade student volunteers – painted a mural in the school’s cafeteria as part of A.C.E. The project began following a request from cafeteria staff to incorporate more color into the space. The mural was designed by art teacher Erin Kirk, and the colors used in the mural represent the nutritional plate and balanced meal choices.
A.C.E. program courses are planned and taught by Sippican schoolteachers and staff members as well as community members who all volunteer their time.
“The A.C.E. program is a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn new skills and participate in unique activities over the course of four weeks,” Principal Sirois said. “A.C.E. would not be possible without the dedication of Johanna Vergoni and the V.A.S.E. board and members, and we are so grateful for their continued support of our students and staff.”
“A.C.E. is a great example of the support our Marion school district is fortunate to receive from the community,” Superintendent Nelson said. “We are able to offer these special experiences for our students thanks to the instructors, community members and organizations who give materials, time and expertise, and we are very appreciative of their efforts and dedication.”
The district would like to thank the V.A.S.E. Executive Board and its members; the Old Rochester Community Service Volunteers and Tabor After School Community Service Volunteers; instructors Elizabeth Sherry, Kate Fishman, Barbara Moody, Marla Sirois, Tangi Pina, Shay Patnaude, Amanda Souza, Chelsea Lawrence and Erin Kirk; the Marion Art Center, Elizabeth Taber Library and Sippican Historical Society; and parent and community volunteers.