Despite Strong Rankings, Some Bar Harbor Parents Raise Concerns About School's Science Education Three families told the School Committee they worry science instruction becomes limited after fifth grade and encourage expanded opportunities for middle school students.

Despite Strong Rankings, Some Bar Harbor Parents Raise Concerns About School’s Science Education

Four families told the School Committee they worry science instruction becomes limited after fifth grade and encourage expanded opportunities for middle school students. Carrie Jones Jun 04, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware. BAR HARBOR—How the Conners Emerson School brings STEAM and science learning to its students after fifth grade is a concern for some Bar Harbor parents, School Committee … Continue reading Despite Strong Rankings, Some Bar Harbor Parents Raise Concerns About School’s Science Education

Small, Strong Voices, Big, Important Ask: Third Graders Campaign for Kindness on their Playground

Small, Strong Voices, Big, Important Ask: Third Graders Campaign for Kindness on their Playground

Carrie Jones May 05, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Viridian Law. BAR HARBOR—“When you can’t find kindness, happiness, or hope—be it,” Brielle, a Conners Emerson third grader, told the School Committee Monday, launching a student-led campaign to bring a friendship bench back to the playground. Members of a third grade class stood in front of the Bar Harbor School Committee, some parents, … Continue reading Small, Strong Voices, Big, Important Ask: Third Graders Campaign for Kindness on their Playground

School Reorganization Vote Is Postponed for Second Time. Vote May Happen in November Instead of This June.

School Reorganization Vote Is Postponed for Second Time.

Vote May Happen in November Instead of This June. Carrie Jones and Shaun Farrar Mar 22, 2026 MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—A vote to put a school reorganization plan before voters in the regional school system will likely be postponed to November, rather than June as planned. School Superintendent Michael Zboray sent an email to head administrators in area towns in the afternoon of March 20. “I am … Continue reading School Reorganization Vote Is Postponed for Second Time.

A Carefully Crafted Yes: Southwest Harbor Approves School Resource Officer

A Carefully Crafted Yes: Southwest Harbor Approves School Resource Officer

Carrie Jones Jan 09, 2026 SOUTHWEST HARBOR—After months of debate and revisions, the Southwest Harbor School Committee voted, January 8, to approve having a school resource officer in the school, leaving Tremont as the only Mount Desert Island school currently without a school resource officer. Southwest Harbor committee members emphasized that the decision hinged on the specific qualifications of the officer and the revised and … Continue reading A Carefully Crafted Yes: Southwest Harbor Approves School Resource Officer

Michelle Bailey Brzezowski Is Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year and So Much More

Michelle Bailey Brzezowski Is Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year and So Much More

Carrie Jones Oct 22, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops. MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Michelle Bailey Brzezowski, a local educator won the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Maine Adult Education Association late last week. “I am humbled and surprised,” Brzezowski said, Tuesday. “I love my job. I love helping our students find success and joy in learning, and supporting them to find their … Continue reading Michelle Bailey Brzezowski Is Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year and So Much More

Raising the Bar (and the Swingset) With Math, Models, and Teamwork, Fourth Graders Create Cool New Playground Designs

Raising the Bar (and the Swingset)

With Math, Models, and Teamwork, Fourth Graders Create Cool New Playground Designs Carrie Jones Jun 03, 2025 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Links Pub. BAR HARBOR—It started with a pile of rubble where their playground used to be, and a question they longed to answer: What would it look like next? So the fourth graders at Conners Emerson School decided to … Continue reading Raising the Bar (and the Swingset)

Taste, Talk, and Togetherness: CES Families Share Culture, Build Community

From figs to folk dances, a school-wide celebration turns heritage into connection. Carrie Jones May 02, 2025 Share BAR HARBOR—Anil Aktürk watched as the students tried the dried fruit. “What do you think it is?” he asked. “Papaya?” one boy answered. “Good guess. Good guess. But no.” “Mango?” “Kiwi?” The slices were figs, dried and tasty and from Turkey, which is Anil’s heritage. He offered … Continue reading Taste, Talk, and Togetherness: CES Families Share Culture, Build Community

Council and Warrant Committee Discuss Bar Harbor's Proposed School Budget

Council and Warrant Committee Discuss Bar Harbor’s Proposed School Budget

Carrie Jones Jan 29, 2025 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware. BAR HARBOR—School Superintendent Mike Zboray, Conners Emerson Principal Dr. Heather Weir Webster, and AOS Business Manager Nancy Thurlow presented the Conners Emerson budget to town councilors and warrant committee members, January 28. Zboray handed out a budget fact sheet that detailed each piece of the budget that would be … Continue reading Council and Warrant Committee Discuss Bar Harbor’s Proposed School Budget

Chronic Absenteeism Still Plaguing Maine Schools Including Mount Desert Elementary MDES Proposed School Budget

Chronic Absenteeism Still Plaguing Maine Schools Including Mount Desert Elementary

MDES Proposed School Budget Shaun Farrar Jan 05, 2025 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware. MOUNT DESERT—During the January 2 meeting of the Mount Desert Elementary School (MDES) Committee meeting, MDES Principal Heather Dorr said that the attendance rate for December was 92%, which is better than November’s, and brings the school to an overall of 93% for the year. … Continue reading Chronic Absenteeism Still Plaguing Maine Schools Including Mount Desert Elementary

Hotelier Meets With Conners Emerson School Board To Discuss Concerns About Inn at Eden

Hotelier Meets With Conners Emerson School Board To Discuss Concerns About Inn at Eden

Carrie Jones Dec 03, 2024 Share BAR HARBOR—On Monday afternoon, local business man and hotelier Stephen Coston met with the Conners-Emerson School Board to discuss his proposed 24-room Inn at Eden Street that would abut the Conners-Emerson School and had caused concern among some residents and the school board about its location. He’d been invited to the meeting by School Board Chair Alexandra Simis. Because of Bar … Continue reading Hotelier Meets With Conners Emerson School Board To Discuss Concerns About Inn at Eden