SACO — Contra dancing is as old as New England, and a pot pie dinner is traditional. Both are offered on Jan. 10 by the students at The New School in Kennebunk. The dinner and contra dance will be held at the Saco Mason’s Lodge on 282 Main St., Saco, above the Biddeford Savings Bank. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the Contradance at 7 p.m.

Every year students at The New School engage in adventures for three weeks to stretch their minds, give to others, and try something new to them. They are called Intensive Studies. The Contradance and Dinner is a benefit for two groups. One group is going to the Marine and Coastal Ecology Center in Puerto Rico to inventory a coral reef for data of importance in understanding Climate Change. They will spend some time at Nuestra Escuela as well, which is a democratic school for children of poverty. The second group is heading for Quebec City and Montreal to learn French and the history and culture of Canada.

T-Acadie, a contra dance group made up of Pam Weeks and Bill Olsen, will provide the music, teach dances and welcomes anyone of any skill level, with or without a partner. The dinner menu is chicken or veggie pot pies, breads, salad, and desserts. The dance is $10 and the dinner is $10. There is no charge for children 12 and under.

The New School is an innovative, democratic high school in Kennebunk that welcomes students who love to learn, enjoy hands-on experiences, like being connected to the community beyond the school building and want a say in their own education. The school is accepting students for the second semester of 2015. More information is available at 985-3745 or at the school web site, www.tnsk.org.

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