Calais High School’s Art I and World History students traded their usual morning routine for an early adventure on Tuesday, November 25th, climbing onto a bus before sunrise and setting out for the Portland Museum of Art.
Twenty-four excited students made the trip, ready to explore how art and history connect in the real world. As soon as they stepped inside the museum, the experience came alive. Students wandered through galleries filled with color, texture, and history—pausing at times to ask questions, share observations, and dive into conversations with museum staff. From the very first exhibit, it was clear this wasn’t just a field trip… it was an opportunity to see their classroom learning connect to real life.
One of the biggest highlights? Standing face-to-face with artworks that many had only seen in textbooks or online. Students experienced an impressive range of pieces, from Picasso’s ceramic vessels to paintings by Mary Cassatt, as well as striking examples of modern expressionist works. These artworks offered students the opportunity to make connections between artistic movements, cultural developments, and world events—bringing their classroom learning to life in a meaningful way.
Students returned home tired but buzzing with stories, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for how museums preserve the moments and ideas that shape our world. Their buzzing energy on the way home could have been partially due to the stop at Crumbl Cookie, too.
For these Calais students, the Portland Museum of Art wasn’t just a destination—it was an unforgettable day of discovery!
Today, December 3, the Calais.School Department will have a two hour delay. That means no elementary or middle school students will attend today because an early release was already scheduled. ONLY high school students will attend today with the delayed start.
Calais Middle School 8th Grade December Prize Calendar
December 2nd winner of $100 cash, donated by Lords Well Drilling & Rock Art, donated by Jessica Olsson, is Ike Winchester!
December 2nd winner of $100 cash, donated by Lords Well Drilling & Rock Art, donated by Jessica Olsson, is Ike Winchester!
Dear Calais Middle/High School Families,
If you are a parent or guardian of a middle/high school student and have not been receiving our recent school notifications, we want to make sure you stay informed about important events, updates, and announcements.
Please contact the front office at 207-454-2591 so we can confirm your contact information and ensure you are fully set up to receive all communications.
Thank you for helping us keep everyone connected and informed!
Sincerely,
Calais Middle/High School
Due to the incoming winter storm, today December 2, the Calais School Department will release middle/high student at 11:30 am and elementary students at 11:50 am. Stay safe.
Calais Middle School 8th Grade December Prize Calendar
December 1st Winners:
$50 Mardens Gift Card - Cristine Boomer
$20 Mad Mardigans - Debbie Pottle
December 1st Winners:
$50 Mardens Gift Card - Cristine Boomer
$20 Mad Mardigans - Debbie Pottle
The Middle School dove into a left vs. right brain activity to see what makes each of us tick. Spoiler: both sides are awesome!
The 7th-grade at CMS created mandala from natural materials last week.
The 7th-grade at CMS created mandala from natural materials last week.
The 7th-grade at CMS created mandala from natural materials last week.
The 7th-grade at CMS created mandala from natural materials last week.
The 7th-grade at CMS went outside after the snow storm to experience sights, sounds, smells, and other impressions from their senses. Hopefully they will be able to turn this experience into a nature poem.
Today during middle school science, 7th grade students learned about chemical reactions. They got to experience elephant toothpaste, observing exothermic reaction along with seeing gas and bubbles produced from the reaction.
7th Grade English created Gratitude Jars showcasing everything they are thankful for.
8th Grade English created Gratitude Jars showcasing everything they are thankful for.
In November CMS 8th-grade students learned about the art of the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations.
CMS 8th-grade students created jewelry based on their research into Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations art.
Block 2 ELA are reading the Hunger Games. They took a quiz to find out which district they belong in. Then they created their own Tribute profiles.
Block 2 ELA are reading the Hunger Games. They took a quiz to find out which district they belong in. Then they created their own Tribute profiles.
Some additional 8th-grade Mesoamerican art samples.
