Massabesic Middle School

September 16, 2022

We have had a smooth and celebratory beginning to our school year. It is wonderful to see all of the smiling faces in the halls and hear the buzz of excitement as students reconnect with old friends and make new ones. See for yourself in the newletter photos from some of this month's fun activities and active lessons that have been happening around the building! We have seen instruments coming off the buses in the mornings, as band and chorus classes have begun; fan gear in the halls as students show their school pride and support for the Massabesic Mustangs; and the positive energy of hope in the air. Our Model Mustang program, which recognizes Ready, Respectful, and Responsible actions both big and small, started this week. Dozens of Model Mustangs were entered into our weekly raffle to win prizes. Things are in full swing here at MMS and we are finding our groove. Looking forward to a great month of connecting, learning and growth!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Grantham and Mrs. Troiano

Important Upcoming Dates:

September 21 - Early Release Day (student dismissal 12:00)

September 29 - School Picture Day

September 30 - Custodian Appreciation Day

October 3-7 - Scholastic Book Fair

October 7 - No School for RSU 57 students (Teacher In-Service Day)

October 10 - No School for RSU 57 (Indigenous People's Day)

October 11-14 - NWEA testing (*Updated*)

October 29 - Halloween Carnival (hosted by MMS Drama Club, more information to come!)

Our last academic block of the day at MMS ends at 1:40. We are asking families to help us maximize our instructional time and please refrain from dismissing students from school prior to 1:40 unless there is an appointment or extenuating circumstance that makes it necessary. Students who are dismissed before this time are missing out on important instructional time during their last block class of the day.

Please be sure to review our end of day dismissal procedures in the family handbook. A link to the family handbook can be found at the bottom of this newsletter each month. Thank you for your help with this!

Our fall NWEA testing will take place during mid-October. Do your best to be in school every day during this week! We will share more details about dates and times as we get closer to that week. Look for that information in our October Family Newsletter.

While an approved Free & Reduced Lunch Application is not necessary for students to receive free meals, completing this form is essential for our RSU 57 schools to receive vital federal and state funding.

Completing the application allows us to receive important federal funding for things like:

Additional teachers who support students in math and literacy
Instructional coaches who support teachers in their classroom

Educational Technicians who can provide target support for struggling students
Additional funding for instructional supplies and materials

Professional development for teachers
Educational software programs that grow student learning

Please complete our Socio-economic Screener found HERE and help ensure that RSU 57 students and schools receive the federal and state funding they deserve.

MMS athletics are officially underway here at MMS! Practices will be from 2-4pm after school Monday-Thursday unless a coach has told the team otherwise. Game schedules can be found on the RSU57 athletics website. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at matthewpelletier@rsu57.org. I look forward to having a great season of fall sports!

Team Aroostook had their students come up with “house” names and a mascot to represent their homerooms. Each house earns points for their group by making positive choices. Miss Olsen’s homeroom decided their mascot would be the "Joebras"—a combination of Joe Bornstein and cobras. When Bornstein’s company heard about this, they sent the team some awesome Joe-related stuff! Here they are showing off their house flag and Bornstein swag!

Looking for an opportunity to enhance your local school building? Look no further than the Operations Team at RSU 57! We currently are looking for motivated individuals to join our team as 2nd shift custodians at Massabesic High School, Massabesic Middle School, Alfred Elementary School and district-wide float positions. With the ability to earn competitive pay, a wide range of excellent benefits including generous paid time off, health and dental insurance, and a retirement plan, you won't want to miss the opportunity to become an integral part of Mustang Nation! For more information or to apply, please go to https://www.applitrack.com/rsu57/onlineapp/ and select the Maintenance/Custodial Category in the menu on the left.

Learn the ins and outs of substitute teaching in RSU #57! Massabesic Center for Adult Learning is offering a course designed for individuals who have never substituted and want to learn more about it, as well as those who have some experience but would like to learn a few tricks of the trade. The current rate of substitute teaching pay is $95 a day. The successful completion of this two-night course will add an additional $5 per day. This course does not qualify for a long term substitute or a bench substitute position. To register here.

Do you have the ParentVUE app? Please be sure to download the Parent VUE app or access the site online to view your student's gradebook, assignments, schedule and more. Student gradebooks are updated frequently and we ask that you regularly check your student's account. Please contact our main office for assistance if you have trouble activating or accessing your account.

Click here to access the RSU 57 Athletics and Activities page to find out about events happening within the district, get out there and show your Mustang Pride!

Please note that middle school students are encouraged to attend high school sporting events, but must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Be sure to read the Family Handbook.

Website: https://middleschool.rsu57.org/
Location: Massabesic Middle School, Old Alfred Road, East Waterboro, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 247-6121