JAY — Special events at Spruce Mountain High School and Spruce Mountain Middle School for the week beginning Monday, Dec. 14, include:

FAME financial aid night

The SMHS guidance office will hold a financial aid night for seniors and their parents at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, in the library. Jennifer Lanphear from Finance Authority of Maine will answer any questions.

Christmas concert

The Spruce Mountain High School Band and Jazz Band, under the direction of Darrell Roundy, will host their annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the middle school. Students in Jazz Band meet mornings before school begins to practice. They will perform five Christmas songs. The band, which consists of more than 60 students, will perform many songs with a Christmas sing-along for the audience. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Brownies and Books

Students and staff involved with Brownies and Books will meet Wednesday, Dec. 16, to discuss “Templar.” They will also be given a copy of the next book they will be reading.

Co-curricular team pictures

Winter sports team pictures will be taken Wednesday, Dec. 16, after school in the gym. Teams for basketball, skiing, cheering and SMART Robotics will have pictures taken.

Penny drive

The Spruce Mountain High School Student Council is sponsoring a penny drive competition between each grade. All money will be donated to the local food pantry. To make it more competitive and fun, silver coins and dollar bills count toward the class total, but pennies will count against.

Food drive

The Student Council is partnering with local police departments to collect food for food baskets to be donated to area families in need. Each homeroom adviser group will earn extra points toward the Phoenix Olympics if they bring in a five-pound bag of potatoes, four cans of vegetables, one jar of gravy, a box of stuffing, a can of cranberry sauce, a bag of fruit and dessert. All food donations are welcome.

Student of the Month assembly

The high school will have a student assembly Friday, Dec. 18, to recognize the Student of the Month and give out the Phoenix and department awards.

All schools in Regional School Unit 73 will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 23, to Sunday, Jan. 3, for Christmas vacation.