RSU 16 Community Connection

As we settle into the rhythm of 2024, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your ongoing support and collaboration. Our schools have kicked off the new calendar year with a renewed energy and commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for all our students. Despite the unique challenges we continue to face, the resilience of our school community shines through.

We would like to extend my appreciation to our dedicated educators, staff, and parents for their unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of our students. Your collective efforts contribute significantly to the positive learning experiences we strive to offer every day.

As we progress through January, please stay connected with our communication channels for any updates or important information. Our commitment to transparency and open communication remains a top priority, and we want to ensure you have the latest information to support your child's education.

Wishing you and your family health, happiness, and prosperity in 2024!

Sincerely,

Todd and Amy

We will highlight the accomplishments and milestones achieved by our staff and students over the past month. From academic achievements to artistic endeavors and athletic successes, we take immense pride in the diverse talents of our students.

On December 12, our sophomore & junior Olympia Leaders participated in the Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute's Annual Luncheon at the Holiday Inn By The Bay. The girls shared their experiences in the program with business and community leaders. Junior Lily Lee was one of three featured student speakers. In front of over 500 guests, she spoke about how being an Olympia Leader has helped her find "her people" and grow her self esteem. She had command of that entire ballroom and spoke with ease and confidence.

December was a song-filled month at PCS! Our incredible music and chorus teacher, Mr. Tony Orlando hosted a 5th and 6th Grade Chorus holiday chorus concert. It was a packed house with standing room only! The students sang a variety of holiday songs and the show ended with a sing-a-long with students and their guests. Everyone left with a smile on their face and a song in their hearts!

PCS Giving Tree project was a huge success! The generosity of our community provided gifts for 21 local families this holiday season. A special thank-you to our school counselors, Danielle Higginbotham and Abby Gervais for their time and efforts into organizing and supervising this project.

After the wild weather we had prior to Christmas break, we were able to gather together on Thursday morning, December 21st for school-wide Christmas karaoke. Staff and students sang and danced to some holiday favorites before leaving for break. It was a fun and festive conclusion to a very challenging week.

BARR stands for Building Assets, Reducing Risks, and it is a comprehensive, strength-based model designed for schools to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth. Implementing BARR at the elementary level can offer several benefits. It focuses on identifying and building upon students strengths, creating a positive and supportive school culture, and fostering meaningful connections between students and educators. BARR aims to reduce academic and Behavioral risks by providing targeted interventions and personalized support. This approach helps create a more inclusive and nurturing learning environment, ultimately enhancing students’ overall well-being and academic success at an early age. BARR had previously been implemented at the middle school and high school level within our district, but this year, thanks to a grant through the State of Maine, we were able to begin implementation at the elementary level. Already, we are seeing many benefits of BARR at Minot Consolidated School. Every other week, teachers look at the strengths and needs of every single student within the school. Teachers create goals for students and develop plans to meet these goals. For support with higher needs, teachers are able to refer students to a larger team of educators to problem solve with. Another component of BARR is U-Time. This is a time each week set aside for activities and lessons that help build community within the classroom. Students report that U-Time is one of their favorite times within the week and that they learn so much about their friends during this time. They will often request to repeat U-Time activities because they are so engaging.

The Operations Department continues it work towards making comprehensive improvements across the district to create the best possible learning environments for students in buildings throughout the district. Larger projects on the horizon include heating and ventilation projects for the elementary schools and needed upgrades at the middle and high school.

The Transportation Department is working hard to maintain all scheduled runs without need for cancellations despite being short staffed. Drivers can have a huge impact on a student's educational experience. Should you or someone you know be interested in transporting students in RSU 16, via bus or van, please contact the Transportation Department for more information.

Watch for our Winter/Spring 2024 brochure in Tri-Town mailboxes and community locations after the New Year! In addition to the many ways we help students to finish high school and meet future goals, we are currently in the process of finalizing lots of personal enrichment classes open to everyone - from exercise and safety to sewing and real estate! The second half of the 20 page booklet is dedicated to sharing updates and news from all of our RSU 16 schools. Please don’t miss reading this important information to stay informed on what is happening in the district.

To date this year, we have enrolled 31 students of various ages in our adult education programming. These students are working on finishing high school, preparing for college, and exploring training or career paths. If you have questions about our programming or are looking for something specific, please don’t hesitate to call us at 345-3217, email rsu16adulted@rsu16.org - or stop in! You can also find us on Facebook or visit our website at mechanicfalls.maineadulted.org.

WHO CAN NOMINATE?

Nominations will be accepted from students, parents, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, and associations (self-nominations and nominations from family members are not accepted). https://educatemaine.wufoo.com/forms/r1j4ry7j09it0gv/