Community Connection for High Speed, Broadband Internet Technical Assistance

ConnectME for High-Speed, Broadband Internet Technical Assistance.

Biddeford Adult Education program is your ConnectME source for information on how you can use Maine’s expanding high-speed, broadband internet connectivity to help you meet educational goals, enrich your life, obtain health information, access governmental services and enhance economic and community development. Contact our office and arrange a special presentation on the importance of high speed internet for your civic or social organization.

Look for this symbol in our catalog. It identifies courses and workshops where you’ll learn about high-speed internet connectivity. This community education program is presented in cooperation with the Maine Department of Education and the ConnectME Authority. Learn more atwww.maine.gov/connectme and check the speed on your internet connection.

The MARTI project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

State Broadband Infrastructure Program                           
Award Number 23-50-M09062  

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on May 10, 2013 | Read more in: News

Saturday Fun Class

Back to Making Baskets

Five women joined Martha Chessie on Saturday, April 27th to make baskets.  They were able to create two baskets on this Super Saturday.  There was a colorful napkin basket and a bottle vase for some beautiful spring flowers.

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on April 30, 2013

Salem in the Spring

Getting to Know Salem in the Spring

On April 13th, we took a bus trip to Salem, MA. We toured the Witch House and went to Gallows Hill for a 4D theatrical experience.  The Witch House is the only structure in Salem with direct ties to the Witchcraft Trials of 1692.  It is the 17th century home of Salem Witchcraft Trial Judge Jonathan Corwin.  Gallows Hill has an educational 4D theatrical experience that explores the Salem Witchcraft hysteria, witch mythology and legend, PLUS real ghost stories from Salem and the surrounding area.

Below is a group photo of our American Literature and Its Interpretation class that joined our bus trip.

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on April 30, 2013

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to Janet Kalman who retired from Biddeford Adult Education as the Director on December 31st.  We wish her a happy retirement.

Congratulations goes to Paulette Bonneau who has been named the Interim Director of Biddeford Adult Education as of January 1st.  Paulette is the Principal at JFK Kindergarden Center and will be working with Biddeford Adult Education as well.  Welcome aboard.

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on February 6, 2013 | Read more in: News

2012 Graduation

On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, Biddeford Adult Education held its 43^rd Commencement Exercise at the newly renovated Little Theatre in Biddeford High School.  Janet Kalman, Program Director announced that a total of 62 students received their regular High School Diploma through Adult Education or their GED High School Equivalency Diploma. Twenty-eight of the 62 graduates attended the cap and gown ceremony.

The following students, as seen in this photo, received their High School or GED Diploma presented by Mayor Alan Casavant and Superintendent, Sarah-Jane Poli: 

Row 1:  Paul Dufour, Crystal Lashley, Victoria Grant, Cassandra Wood, Linda Violette, Suzan Arica, Christine Libby, Miranda Raymond, Barbara Durgin

Row 2:  Janet Kalman, Director of Biddeford Adult Education, Renauld Pelletier, Kesner Salvent, David Lavoie, Rian Alexander, Renee Allen, Krista Hilsinger, Clarissa Nemet, Jasmyn Noonan, Amanda Gagne, Gale McGrath, Susan De Cesare, Community Adult Education Leader

Row 3:  Delbert Harding, Roy Payne, Annette Lavallee, Rebecca Bubar, James Boisrond, Angel Dean, Melody Richards, Tanika Roy, Johnathan Meagher

Absent were: Tony Albair, Dustin Austin, Alex Bergeron, Edward Berry, Ashley Caston, Christopher Cameron, Danielle Cormiea, Robert Cormiea, Danilo Correa, Alicia Cutler, Kyle Deveau, Nicholas Dore, Courtney Dunn, Roger Elie, Shannon Ernst, Jose Gonzalez, Shane Kelley, Joshua Knowles, Dylan Laliberte, Bridget Maheu, Matthew Martinez, Chelsey Mercier, Katie Morin, Brandon Patrock, Cassandra Perkins, Maranda Perkins, Jason Proulx, Thomas Riddle, Ricky Seigars, Casey Trefry, Amber Webster, and Edward Williams.

Guest speaker, Pete Lamontagne, a former Biddeford Adult Education student and City Counsel Member, spoke about “how grateful he was”.  “Less than a month ago I was a student at Biddeford Adult Ed.  I spent 2 years with some of these students and know how hard they have worked.  Today is a day you will never, never, never forget.  This is a special day.  I can guarantee you one thing – when you get those (your diploma) you’re going to open them up 15-20 times/day for the next 30 days or so just to peak at it.  You deserve it, and rightfully so.”

Student speaker Linda Violette said, “I was born in Biddeford in 1947, the year of the big fire in the York County area.  After my graduation from Notre Dame de Lourdes in 1962, I entered the workforce to help my family.  Can you imagine the dread I felt going back to school after all these years?”  Her and other laid-off co-workers from the West Point Pepperell joined together in classes at Biddeford Adult Education.  “After 2 ½ years, I am now graduating and feel good about myself.”  Being at Biddeford Adult Education has helped her self-esteem and helped her accomplish what was impossible.

Another student speaker, Renee Allen spoke of how she wanted to complete her High School education to show her son who is a freshman at Thornton Academy how important it is to finish your education.  By completing her High School Education, Renee is now enrolled in the C.N.A. program at Biddeford Adult Education and is looking forward to a rewarding new career.

Biddeford Adult Education staff and teachers congratulate all the graduates on reaching their educational goals as they have struggled to meet the many challenges they have faced along the way.

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on June 18, 2012 | Read more in: News

Congrats to Our New US Citizen

It's April 13, 2012 and Sros Brewer is being sworn in as a U.S. Citizen; a day she had been waiting for since she came from Cambodia sixteen years ago.

A few months after her arrival, she enrolled in our ESOL class.  One day, dressed rather chic, she asked if she could leave class early as she had to go to city hall.  When asked why, she said, "me marry today".

During these years of life's hills and valleys, she has maintained a wonderful attitude.  Even today, she finds time to attend class after returning from her second shift job.

Sros is a proud parent of two children both of whom are attending college. Her son will graduate from University of Maine, Orono next year and her daughter is presently attending College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA.

The staff and students are immensely proud of our new citizen.

CONGRATULATIONS Sros!!

Voluneer, Dorrie Roedner joins Sros         Teacher, Gayle Willett and Sros

                     Sros and family                          

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on May 1, 2012 | Read more in: News

Fake G.E.D.

Fake G.E.D. - CAUTION - Beware of fake G.E.D. 

See the episode on the TODAY show.  Click link below to see video.

 http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/22/10797810-online-ged-seekers-presented-with-bogus-diplomas-lawsuit-alleges

 Remember that you can always contact Biddeford Adult Education to schedule to take your G.E.D.

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on March 26, 2012 | Read more in: News

Food...Food...Food

Every Tuesday and Wednesday this Fall semester, Biddeford Adult Education has been fortunate to have volunteers bring food to our students.  For some, this is the only meal of the day, for others, it's a break from class for delicious food.  Some of the things they bring are:  fresh cut fruit, breakfast strata, quiche, sandwiches and so much more!!!  Thank you to the wonderful volunteers.

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on October 26, 2011

Accepting CNA Applications

Biddeford Adult Education is accepting applications for our next CNA courses.  Click HERE to get your application. Call  Sue at 282-3883 for more information.

Posted by Anne Beaulieu  on July 1, 2011 | Read more in: News