Looking Back at the 2022-2023 School Year
/“I have been so impressed to see how resilient and responsive my students are, and continue to be. They are thoughtful and collaborative problem solvers who are able to tackle a wide variety of obstacles and challenges and come up with clever solutions. They never stop amazing me with their curiosity, and their ability to seek out new information!”
As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, we are full of gratitude for all the curiosity driven learning, the friends and connections we have made, and the adventures we have embarked on. Some adventures were in the classroom, on the playground, and around Portland while some were on the mountains in New Hampshire, rainforests of Costa Rica, or city streets of New York. Whether close to home or miles away, we thank all our students, teachers, families, and community members who played a part in the magic of this school and after school year.
Take a look back on the school year with us as our students from Breakwater School and Enrichment Center and teachers share some of their favorite parts of the past nine months.
What was your favorite memory from this school year?
“My favorite memories this year came when getting to know my students better, usually on trips and adventures or when doing interactive activities and games in the classroom. Some of the conversations I had with the 7th graders on the New York trip felt especially meaningful.” - Jesse McDonough, 7/8 teacher
“I like Willard Beach” - Elementary student
“The Agawam Sunrise hike and then jumping in the lake was really fun!” - Middle school student
“One of my favorite memories is getting closer to my friends on the train ride to New York.” -Middle school student
“It is buddies at Jessieland.” -Elementary student
“One of my favorite memories was having the Queer Youth Yoga Project people coming in and doing yoga with GSA!” -Middle school student
“The time spent outside this year has been so amazing. Watching these children collaborate and create at Jessieland and climb mountains has been truly amazing." - Elementary teacher
“A favorite memory is waking up in Cape Cod and being surrounded by my best friends and feeling safe. I’m proud that I didn’t procrastinate on my Self-Learning Project.” -Middle school student
“I loved all the crafts I did after school” - Enrichment Center student
"My favorite memory at school this year is when we all went to Joe Dodge Lodge. It was a fun experience that is unforgettable!"- Elementary student
“A favorite memory is when I did my dance enrichment class” - Enrichment Center student
“One of my favorite memories is when the 5th grade hiked Mount Cardigan in February. Everyone made it to the summit and I was happy that everyone decided to make it to the top. It was so cool when we got back to the lodge and we looked back at the mountain and realized we’d been way up there.” -Middle school student
What surprised you most about this school year?
“How much homework I was able to complete as a 7th grader” - Middle school student
“I was surprised on the 100th day.” - Elementary student
“Something that surprised me this school year was how nice and welcoming everyone was” -Middle school student
"I can't believe we made so much money at the bake sale! I'm so happy we got to [support unhoused people]." -Elementary student
“5th grade was a step up in homework. I’ve been able to handle it really well and I’m proud of that.” - Middle school student
“When Will took us to Twin Swirls during vacation camp.” - Enrichment Center student
“Reflecting on the way my students shared and presented their work this year makes me extremely proud of them. In some ways, this wasn't a huge surprise-- Breakwater students are well practiced at sharing their work!-- but, we all got a little rusty with in-person sharing the past few years. It was awesome to see in-person audiences push our students to be better presenters!” - Jesse McDonough, 7/8 teacher
“Something that surprised me was how much I could relate to the other 8th graders during capstone!” - Middle school student
What's one thing that you learned or that you will take away from this school year?
“As always, I am delighted, amazed, and inspired by the compassion, humor, creativity, and perseverance of our students. We laugh together every day and support each other through challenging times and celebrations.” - Cheryl Hart, 5th/6th grade teacher
“That I’m allowed to take up space” - Middle school student
“I learned a lot about how the government works during our Create Your Own Country project.” - Middle school student
“I will take away so much joy from our weekly Wednesday gym games during early release with Longfellow and Ocean Ave students. Seeing all the energy, collaboration, laughter, and teamwork during these games is always a highlight of my week.” - Chelsea Verria, Enrichment Program Coordinator
“I have been so impressed to see how resilient and responsive my students are, and continue to be. They are thoughtful and collaborative problem solvers who are able to tackle a wide variety of obstacles and challenges and come up with clever solutions. They never stop amazing me with their curiosity, and their ability to seek out new information!” - Ashley Costa, Kindergarten assistant teacher
“I learned how to count by fives!” -Elementary student
“Something I’ll take away is how to mathematically tie my shoes the fastest way” - Middle school student
“I learned how to do the monkey bars by myself!” - Elementary student
“I learned how I can climb trees!” - Elementary student
“I learned that I’m capable of doing a big project like Capstone, even though it’s really hard - Middle school student
“I learned that research methods and strategies are always changing, and that developing systems where both students and teachers can learn from each other is the most effective approach.” -Jesse McDonough, 7/8 teacher
“In the beginning of May I showed the first grade class a writing sample from last May, when they were in Kindergarten. They were astonished about how far they have come in their writing: "I can't even read what that says!" "That's not how you make an E!" The kiddos in first grade have worked hard this year practicing and playing to come to a place where they can share their writing with others-and others can read it! The first grade kiddos will take away a sense of pride in their work and their growth this school year and look forward to writing and sharing more of their stories with the community!” - Heather Peters, 1st grade teacher
“I've just had a hilarious experience with the 3rd and 4th graders, engaging in a "remember when?!" conversation while we were working on our final project for the year. These are the students who were kindergartners and 1st graders when I became the art essentialist at Breakwater, so a lot of our memories from the beginning of our relationship involve paint spills, crying fits under the art tables, and the occasional ripped up masterpiece that I thought ought to go on the wall but the artist threw in the trash...We have other memories as well: all their breakthroughs. All of the times art making went from "I hate this" to "Look, Jennifer!" That is my favorite phrase, having had this amazing job - Look, Jennifer. Jennifer, look! All of our students will not go on to become professional artists, but they all now know that they could. They all have the foundational skills to make art, and an understanding that there is a lot more about time and investment in art making than any inborn "talent", whatever that is. They have what I'd hoped to give them: confidence, and choices. I am grateful, as I move on to my new position running our summer camp program and developing special programming for next school year, for all of my memories of being Breakwater's art teacher and for the supreme privilege that is sharing so many of those memories with our incredible students. Thank you!” - Jennifer Emrich
