The Adams School  
P.O. Box 29
27 School Street
Castine, Maine 04421
326-8608
www.adamsschool.com

ADAMS SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
MAY 30, 2008

 

Gurdeniz Neser: The Interview

 

          On the eve of his return to Turkey,  Gurdeniz Neser granted us an interview.  The second grader and chess grandmaster spent this year at Adams School while his father, Professor Gokdeniz Neser, taught at Maine Maritime Academy. Cultural exchanges are important to us. Gurdeniz has certainly had an intense experience of a certain slice of American culture, and now we gain perspective by seeing Adams School and Castine through his eyes. Nothing beats the kind of learning that occurs by acquiring a new language and immersing oneself in an unfamiliar culture…as proven by Gurdeniz’s observations!

 

The News: Thanks for granting this interview. You’ve been living in Castine for almost a year now. Tell us what you like about Adams School?

 

Gurdeniz Neser: Yeah, I really like the food that Toni makes. I really like the Halloween parties.

 

TN: What’s your favorite lunch at Adams School?

 

GN: Chicken Noodle soup.

 

TN: What did you like about Halloween?

 

GN: I had never been to a Halloween party before. This was my first. My costume was Scream [the movie]. I still have it. I’m going to bring it to Turkey. I’m also bringing my baseball bat, my baseball glove, my baseball and my football. And I’m bringing a cool kind of gum to my sister. It’s Ice Cubes gum. She likes gum. My favorite candy is lollipops.

 

TN: What do you miss about Turkey that you’ll be glad to get back to?

 

GN: My sister. She was so funny! She always tackles me; I tackle her. She misses me. She says, “My brother’s gonna get on a plane. He’s gonna fly to Turkey.” It’s two days flying.

 

TN: What will you tell your friends in Turkey about America?

 

GN: When they see me they’re going to attack me and ask a lot of questions. I’m going to say, “I went to the Halloween party…I was the Scream…it was so cool…blah, blah, blah.”

 

TN: What will you tell them about Castine that they won’t believe—that’s too unbelievable.?

 

GN: The giant helicopter that landed on the field behind my house.

 

TN: What else did you like?

                                                                                                                  

GN: My funnest time was the girls chasing me and Khristien on the playground.

 

TN: What’s recess like in Turkey?

 

GN: It’s a little long and everyone gets hurt. I got stitches. I was playing tag and running so fast that I slipped on a sharp rock and got stitches right here [chin]. We’re a little like wild animals. We tackle each other. There’s always a kid who gets beat up.

 

TN: That sounds dangerous.

 

GN: I know! I always go to tell the teacher.

 

TN: Were you a bully?

 

GN: Maybe.

 

TN: But you’re not anymore?

 

GN: No.

 

TN: What have you learned while you’ve been here?  Was it hard for you to learn English?

 

GN: No, I just started classes. And I watch SpongeBob all the day on TV.

 

TN: Do you have SpongeBob in Turkey? What’s his name in Turkish?

 

GN: Yeah, he’s Turkish. His name is Sangarpo.

 

TN: Would you like to stay longer, or are you ready to go home?

 

GN: I’m ready to go home.

 

TN: What’s your favorite pizza?

 

GN: My favorite pizza is mixed everything, but not sausages. No broccoli or spinach or ham either. My favorite place is Pizza Hut.

 

TN: What’s your favorite movie?

 

GN: Can I do two? One Million B.C. and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It was scary…should I tell you? Okay, but don’t get creeped out. There were a thousand fire ants going into a guy’s mouth.

                                                                                                                                  

TN: Do you have any advice for your classmates here?

 

GN: No.

 

TN: But you’re such a smart person! You have such a good understanding of things! You speak two languages.

 

GN: Three: Turkish, English, French. My sister knows the same as me. She speaks only one word of French: Grenouille. It’s “frog.” She loves that word.

 

TN: Do you want to say anything to Adams School teachers, students, or parents?

 

GN: Good-bye Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Lameyer. Good-bye everybody in school.

—Todd

 

Cub Scouts: Information and registration for Cub Scout Pack 83 is available from Tim Henderson (326-4615) or an orientation meeting at Penobscot School on June 3 at 6:00pm. Cub Scouts is open to Kindergarten through fourth grade boys and their parents. www.JoinCubScouting.org.

 

Field Day: Are you available to help out with the parent-organized field day on June 17th? It takes place at the school and on the town common. Contact: Sue Goodson: 326-8916, or come to planning meeting on June 2 after school.

 

June Attire and Sun Screen: There are numerous field trips and special activities in June. Be sure to send your children prepared…i.e. with proper footwear, clothing, sun screen, etc.

 

Weslandia….It’s Show Time: June 5, 7:00pm. Delano Auditorium. Actors arrive at 6:30 in costume!

 

Lost and found: There are still ice skates and snow pants that need claiming, as well as many nice sweatshirts! The leftovers will be donated to Goodwill…soon!

 

Golf Opportunity for Adams School duffers: On three upcoming Sundays, May 25th, June 1 and June 8th (Maine Junior Golf Day), Bob Flanders will offer golf clinics to Adams School students in grades 4-8 at 1:00pm. Each clinic will begin with the basics of the game: an introduction of the game, rules and etiquette tips, address, set-up of the full-swing, and the short game. This will be a great opportunity to jump-start our junior program around the state. Bob will supply clubs, if needed. Contact: robertflanders@msn.com

 

Final P-T Conferences: If you would like an end-of-year conference with teachers, we will be scheduling them for the afternoons of June 17, 18, 19 from 2:15-4:45. Just give Barb Thomas a call for an appointment (326-8608).

                                                                                                                        

Spring Concert—and Art Show! Once again, we will feature our performing and fine arts departments at the spring concert in Emerson Hall on June 12th, at 7:00pm. Be sure to allow a little time before the concert to see all of the student art that will be on display!

 

SMORGS III: Our final smorgs day of the year is Friday, June 13, from 12:00-2:00. Do you have an activity you’d like to offer for a small group of kids? 1 hour in length; you choose the age and number of students.

 

Summer Arts Camp at Adams: Castine Arts Association is sponsoring a 7-week summer art camp for students ages 4-14, held at Adams School. Group size is limited! Brochures available at school with dates, ages, activities, hours, and fees. Registration deadline is June 13. Questions? Tracy Lameyer: 326-8396, or tjlameyer@verizon.net.

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ADAMS SCHOOL MENU    June 2nd – 6th

Monday – Fish Sticks, Noodles, Cinnamon Roll, Carrots, Applesauce, Milk

Tuesday – Macaroni & Cheese w/Ham, Broccoli, Strawberry Shortcake, Milk

Weds. – Roast Turkey, Mashed Potato, Peas, Rolls, Cranberry Sauce, Ice Cream, Milk

Thursday – Pizza, Salad, Graham Crackers, Apple Crisp, Milk

Friday – Sloppy Joes, Vegetable Sticks, Orange Slices, Cookie, Milk

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Calendar

June

 

2    Step-Up Day for new Kindergarteners.

4   Dress Rehearsals for School Play....in Delano.

5   Performance of "Weslandia," Delano Auditorium, 7pm.

9   5-6th graders to Farnsworth Museum in Rockland.

10-11   8th graders to Sparks Island for overnight.

12   Spring Concert in Emerson Hall, 7:00pm.

13   Third Trimester Ends

13   Earth Day activities in morning; Smorgs in afternoon.

16   8th Grade graduation...Noon...at Unitarian Church.

17    Field Day/ P-T Conferences, 2:15-4:45…call for appointment.

18    Holbrook Island Trip (K-4) Rain date: 19th. P-T conferences.

18   French trip students speak to Castine Men's Club, 5:30.

19    P-T conferences…2:15-4:45.

20 Last Student Day: backshore picnic

23    Inservice day

24    Inservice Day

 

Summer vacation....See you September 2 for opening day of school year 2008-2009.