Falcon Footnotes
January 31, 2025
January 31, 2025
February 7 PTA Dance
February 14 International Night at Morse
February 17-21 NO SCHOOL
February 21 Family Fun Friday at the YMCA
March 14 NO SCHOOL
March 27 1/2 day-Noon Dismissal
March 27 Parent Teacher Conferences
March 281/2 day-Noon Dismissal
April 21-25 NO SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
We had such a wonderful winter concert last night! The performances were absolutely amazing, and it was clear how much hard work and dedication went into every song. The students looked fantastic and sang beautifully, filling the room with joy and enthusiasm. A big thank you to the teachers, staff, and parents for their support, and to the students for sharing their talents with us. It was a truly special evening that brought the community together. And a special shout out to Ms. Michaud for all of the hard work putting the concert together. It is not easy and requires many behind the scenes hours of work. Looking forward to the next performance!
Please see the letter below from Superintendent, Patrick Manuel, about our partnership with BusRight!
-Ross
Welcome to BusRight!
I am writing to provide an exciting announcement about an initiative that Regional School Unit 1
has been pursuing for several months and is preparing to roll out on January 27, 2025.
As you may have seen in prior communication, we’ve partnered with BusRight to allow you to
keep track of your child’s school bus route to and from school directly from your smartphone.
The BusRight app will allow you to, in real-time, follow your child’s bus route to and from school,
receive notifications when the bus begins and ends its route, view the expected arrival time at your child’s designated bus stop, and receive ad-hoc communications from First Student.
Invitations to our rollout of the app will be sent to your email on Monday, January 27, 2025 from
support@busright.com with the subject “You’re Invited to BusRight”. Your invite will contain a link to create an account with BusRight. Once you create your account, if you find that your child is not assigned to a bus route, please contact First Student at Kimberly.Haskins@firstgroup.com, for assistance.
We’re working closely with the BusRight team to perfect the system. In the meantime, we ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to make improvements. Once launched, if you log in to the system and observe the bus appears to be offline, it does not mean the bus route is not in operation - it is most likely the result of one of the following reasons:
● The bus route has completed its run and is back at the bus lot and not turned on.
● The driver is using a spare vehicle that is not equipped with BusRight's GPS tracking system.
● The GPS Tracking system on the vehicle is not online due to technical issues.
● If the route does not show as an option on your route list, you may not be assigned to the stop
in the BusRight system - you can contact First Student at 207-707-4855.
Questions or issues regarding the use of the BusRight app should be directed to
As always, questions about your child's bus stop or route should be directed to First Student at
207-707-4855.
*Please note that Bath Bus Service (West Bath/Georgetown) buses are not equipped with the
BusRight tracking system.
Sincerely,
Patrick Manuel
Superintendent
Our next Spirit Day Friday is February 7
The theme is Pick a Decade.
(50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2010’s!) Have a great time remembering the fashions of the era.
One more week until our Valentine’s Day Family dance!
We are still looking for volunteers and donations to help us make this event a success! If you’d like to contribute or be involved, please see opportunities to signup HERE.
Mark your calendars: Our next meeting will be ONLINE on Wednesday, February 12th at 6:30pm.
We will be sharing plans for upcoming events, including The Great Bath Bake Off, and Kids Book Swap! All parents, guardians and teachers are welcome to attend, membership is not required!
Nicole Brassard President
Angela Commeau FMS Vice President
Jenny Byrnes DNS Vice President
Ariel Elwell Treasurer
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
It is not too late to join this FREE-FUN-FAMILY program!
Dinner=FREE
Childcare=FREE
Weekly giveaways=FREE
Drawing for a NEW LAPTOP at the end of the 7 sessions=FREE
Tuesdays through March 11
Dinner at 5:45 PM
Programming 6:15-8:15 PM
In this program you will get:
- one on one time with your youth
- skills to build stronger family connections
- strategies for communicating and connecting with your youth
- your youth get strategies for resisting peer pressure
This research based program from Iowa State University has been used nationwide and in other countries for over 30 years. This is the first offering of this program in the state of Maine. It is facilitated by local professionals who have been certified in the SFP 10-14 curriculum.
INTERNATIONAL NIGHT at MORSE
The Morse High School International Club and local Girl Scouts invite you to the second annual International Night evening of cultural exchange on Friday, February 14th, 2025. Each country represented will have a tabletop display presented by exchange students or girl scouts from local troops. Performances of instrumental music, song and dance, and poetry will take place in the nearby performance auditorium.
Nearly 20 countries will be represented!
This event is free and open to the public.
Date: Friday, February 14th, 2025
Time: 6:00-8:00PM
Location: Morse High School/Bath Tech, 826 Shipbuilder Drive, Bath, ME 04530
INVEST IN ME READS
Greetings Gr. 1-5 families,
We are reaching out to you regarding the Invest in ME Reads financial wellness program, brought to you by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). Through this program, children and their families receive free books and online resources that help make learning about money simple and fun.
We hope that you enjoy sharing the newest book with your child. You’ll also find fun activities, games, and a reading guide for each book at InvestinMeReads.com.
After you have explored the program, FAME invites you to participate in an online survey to share how this program has helped your family. Families who complete the survey may enter to win a $100 Amazon gift card in the Invest in ME Reads Giveaway. To access the survey, please visit Invest in ME Reads.
The survey deadline is March 31, 2025.
For questions, more resources, or help, please email Mary Dyer, Financial Education Programs Manager at mdyer@FAMEmaine.com.
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
To volunteer or chaperone a field trip at any point this school year you will need to complete your volunteer application at: https://www.rsu1.org/page/volunteer-information.
A new application must be completed for EACH new school year.
It is quick and easy!
BATH PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT
Check out all they have to offer, and register for fall sports, now! Register on line at http://www.bathrecreation.com/ FMI - contact the Recreation Department at 443-8360.
BE THERE FOR ME SUPPORT RESOURCE
Be there for ME is a judgement-free place to
get connected to support.
FAMILIES CAN!
Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10- 14 REGISTER HERE
"The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14” has made a difference in thousands of families in the U.S. and in over 25 countries. Parents want to protect their children, but it’s challenging. Youth need skills to help them resist the peer pressure that leads to risky behaviors. Research shows that protective parenting improves family relationships and decreases the level of family conflict, contributing to lower levels of substance use."
7 week program. Tuesdays, January 21- March 4 from 5:45- 8:15 PM
This program will be held in-person at Fisher Mitchell School in Bath. Free dinner and free childcare for siblings will be provided.
Nurturing Parenting for Families Affected by Substance Use REGISTER HERE
This parenting enrichment program focuses on the effects of substance use has on the family, parenting style, and the caregiver/child relationship. This program is open to parents, guardians, partners, extended family members, and any other adult who cares for a child. Those adults in a parenting role who are working on recovery are especially encouraged to attend. All are welcome! You will:
- Explore, discover, and build on family member’s strengths
- Strengthen your connection with your child
- Learn new skills and parenting strategies to create a healthy, confident family
14 week program. Thursdays, February 6- May 8 from 6:00-8:00 PM
Participants can take this program either in-person at the Bath Community Recovery Center, 15 Vine St in Bath. Or over zoom. Free dinner from 5:30-6:00 and free childcare will be available for participants attending in-person.
First Five Years REGISTER HERE
This series is designed for parents and caregivers with children from birth to age 5. Learn about parenting styles and roles, ages and stages of development, discipline techniques that work, how to prevent tantrums, building a strong family bond, and much more.
4 week program over zoom. Thursdays, February 6-February 27
from 9:00- 11:00 AM
Circle of Security REGISTER HERE
At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.
Circle of Security will help you:
- Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs
- Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
- Enhance the development of your child’s self esteem
- Honor the innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure