...and we're off...Double Launch Parties
 October 7 & 8 Newforest hosted four of the six M.S.A.D. # 3 elementary schools at the Brooks, Maine facility for 2 days of outdoor fun to celebrate the kick-off of the new urban-rural schools forestry partnership.
Kids participated in trail building, outdoor cooking, scavenger hunting and natural art installation projects. Local TV coverage came down from Bangor and captured the excitement on day 1 and helped raise awareness in the mid-coast / central Maine areas about the project. Parents & the public joined us on the evening of the 8th for an open house to see what the kids had created.
On November 13 representatives from nine Jersey City, NJ (public, private and charter) schools joined Newforest at their Urban Center in Downtown Jersey City for a short but fun gathering of like minds to mark the official kick-off on the urban side.  Students and teachers alike participated in 3D and flat art activities, enjoyed refreshments and shared introductions and ideas. They were joined by parents, administrators, interested community members, and JC councilman Steven Fulop and his assistant Althea Bernheim, all lending their support. Jersey City Science Supervisor Dr. Eva Ogens was in attendence and, having presented the partnership concept to the JC Board of Education earlier that day, brought interested board member Angel Valentin to show his support and encourage the teachers.
Thanks to all who visited & participated. By the way, who brought the beautiful veggies? Great teaser to the future of the partnership! There is bountiful harvest to come!!
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 Hands on Learning with Project Learning Tree
This project is all about hands on learning. For us as we seek to develop the partnership, for the students we work to reach, and now for the teachers and administrators who are joining us on the journey.
Several MSAD # 3 teachers and one principal participated in Project Learning Tree workshops in Maine in October and November as part of the partnership kick-off season. The workshop provides 6 contact (professional development) hours and award winning project-based learning curriculum materials and ideas for teaching in and through nature.
We hope to offer similar workshop opportunities in Jersey City in February. If you are interested please contact me at tammy@newforestinstitute.org or if you have questions about the curriculum check out Project Learning Tree at www.plt.org.
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Community Fun at the First Fundraiser
In September Newforest hosted their first open house and fundraiser to benefit the Schools Project.  The evening included a pot luck public supper and tour of the gardens at the Brooks facility followed by a benefit concert featuring world renowned pianist Masanobu Ikemiya. The evening finished up with the inaugural lighting of a new 100 seat fire-pit / amphitheater. The concert drew a packed house that enjoyed music from classics to ragtime, thoughts on the world today, lots of humor and a special guest in Mrs. Ikemiya.  Funds raised were to support the launch of the Urban-Rural Youth Partnership including materials to be used in future projects. It was just the beginning of the work & fun we look forward to sharing with the communities of Brooks & Jersey City in the years to come.
Thank you to all who joined us. Your support is a powerful tool in building a stronger future for us all. And to the Ikemiya's for their amazing performance. You are very inspiring!
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