Westbrook School Department

Saccarappa School 4th grades recently completed a Local Stories Project, a two-month interdisciplinary project integrating history, writing, art, and theater entitled "Presumpscot River Stories: The River of Many Falls." Students and teachers worked with local artists in residence Laurie Downey and Gretchen Berg, learned from special guests including members of the Penobscot nation, participated in activities and field trips, and conducted research about Westbrook history, particularly the city's Wabanaki heritage, fishing and paper industries, and our community's connection to the river. Students rehearsed and presented performances for family and friends and revealed a collaborative mural with drawings and writing. What an amazing amount of work and learning! Thank you to the Warren Memorial Foundation, UNUM, and other local funders, as well as Director of Art Dr. Rachel Somerville, Saccarappa 4th grade teachers Lindy Hankins, Cara Colgan, Becky Belanger, and Dean Wellman, principal Alexis Jones, Assistant Principal Bonnie Hicks, and our amazing kids for making this possible!