TAMS SPOTLIGHT :
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The directional signs at the Thornton Academy Middle School entrance have become an idyllic landmark of the school . The signs were originally introduced around 10 years ago by Amy Goodness Bartlett ’ 00 , the TAMS art teacher at the time . The signs — displaying words such as “ unique ,” “ friendship ,” and “ community ”— have welcomed countless students and families to TAMS and set the tone of the environment that awaits students inside . When the signs were removed to be repainted earlier this year , leaving only a faded post in the ground , the building felt suddenly incomplete .
Heidi Brewer , an English Teacher at TAMS , a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee , and the advisor to the TAMS Civil Rights Club last year , initiated the repainting project during the 20 / 21 school year . The project would become the first large assignment for the newly-formed Civil Rights Club at TAMS , and a permanent representation of the Maine-based Civil Rights Team Project , “ Day of Welcome .” As part of the Day of Welcome , all participating teams create an inclusive welcoming message in their schools designed to engage their communities in thinking and talking about the six protected categories under the Maine Civil Rights Act to ensure all students feel safe at school .
While Heidi Brewer first kicked-off the project , she credits the students for the design , “ we would stand around the sign during recess , really looking at it , and asking ourselves , ‘ what could we do ?’ It was really a student-driven project ,”
Story by Sydney Menard · Photos courtesy of TAMS staff
said Brewer . Immediately there was a core group of four students who became really invested and took ownership of the project . “ One of our students went right home and had her grandfather make the new wooden arrow signs and showed up with them at school the very next day ,” said Brewer .
The new signs now share a message of “ welcome ” in nine different languages , which was a fitting choice as the middle school and upper school are home to students from countries around the globe as part of its residential-life program . The TAMS ’ junior boarding program is one of only four in the state of Maine .
The new welcome signs , in conjunction with the ever-changing installation of the flags that hang both in the Upper School Atrium and the Thornton Academy Middle School lobby , represent the home countries of our current student body and are a daily reminder of our diverse community .
“ The project took over a year and the work of many hands to be completed ,” said Brewer . “ That ’ s the part I am most proud of — that it really mattered to the kids . They were the ones that made sure that it happened and ensured the project didn ’ t just get lost among COVID or the changing academic years .”
While the iconic TAMS signs have changed , the essence of the message remains the same . “ The welcoming environment is something that Thornton is really known for , and I think we are consistently growing towards being even better ,” said Brewer .
Hard at work painting our words of welcome .
Students assemble the new arrows on the sign post .
8th graders ( L to R ) Addison Boucher , Claire Guillerault , Kylie Dumont , and Emma Eukitis stand by their newly painted signs .
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