Dear RSU 57 Community.
I hope this newsletter finds each of you well and having an opportunity to enjoy some spring activities. This is certainly a busy time in RSU 57 schools. The arrival of the month of May marks the rapidly approaching conclusion of the school year. During the next 6 weeks of school there will be a great deal happening across RSU 57. Year-end traditions, celebrations, school field trips, spring season sporting events, and, of course, our Massabesic High School graduation ceremony scheduled for June 6 at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, will all be part of the typical end-of-year frenzy in our schools. I hope that our students and families enjoy these special moments as they seem to be upon us and gone with greater speed each passing year. I hope that these special moments create positive lasting memories that students and families will remember fondly.
Also this week, I would like to update our community on matters connected to a recent news report, which called into question our district’s practices, procedures and systems as they relate to student safety and support. It is imperative that trust in our systems is maintained because it is these very systems that keep kids safe. To that end, at the April 24th School Board meeting, I formally requested the RSU 57 School Board appoint a third-party independent agent to conduct an audit of our district’s policies, procedures, systems and supports as it relates supports for students in crisis, bullying and student well-being to make sure that we are doing all that we can to ensure our schools are as safe and supportive as possible. The findings of this audit, once completed, will be shared with the public.
I welcome this review as I’m confident that we have many best practices already in place, however, I’m also eager to learn in what ways we can continue to improve. For more information on current practices utilized specifically at Massabesic High School, please see Principal Thurlow’s most recent school newsletter HERE. Continuous improvement is something that is the hallmark of high functioning schools and this audit will provide us with valuable feedback that supports our school improvement efforts.
Lastly, to the community at large, I am concerned that there have been statements made in the news media that both the RSU 57 administration and myself have been unresponsive to complaints of bullying made by students. No one in the RSU 57 administration would ever turn their back on a student reporting a concern of any kind. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every student feels safe in our schools and to suggest otherwise is simply not who we are.
I remain deeply saddened by the recent passing of two Massabesic High School students. The loss of a young life is a uniquely profound sorrow, and the loss has been felt throughout our community. I, and the collective RSU 57 staff, remain committed to doing all that can be done to keep our students safe. I welcome the findings of this independent audit of our systems and processes. We will utilize any recommendations from this report to enhance our current efforts in support of students and their families.
I thank our community and our students for their continued support and partnership with RSU 57 educators towards the shared goal of making our schools the best they can be.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephen D. Marquis
The MMS Drama Club will present Into the Woods JR. on May 17th, 18th, and 19th! With a book by James Lapine and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods JR. is based on a Broadway production that won several Tony Awards, including Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical. The musical follows a Baker and his Wife who learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door. The couple embarks on a quest – swindling, deceiving, and stealing from such already-victimized characters as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Jack (fresh off the beanstalk!) – to get the special objects required to break the spell.
Tickets will be $9 at the door for adults, and $7 for students and seniors. For more information on the show please email Christiandaigle@rsu57.org
Earth Day Art Displays
On April 27, the Shapleigh Conservation Commission held their annual Earth Day roadside cleanup. To help bring public awareness to the public about the importance of protecting the environment, students an Shapleigh Memorial created posters that were on display at the Shapleigh Town Hall!
Solar Eclipse Celebrations!
Students throughout RSU 57 schools excitedly experienced the "once-in-a-lifetime" solar eclipse on April 8! The photos featured include Ms. Brown's PreK class at Line and their DIY solar eclipse shields, as well as photos from MMS, which hosted a special after school event! Students from MMS participated in "moon cornhole," and enjoyed a photo-sensitive sun print station, a color changing beads bracelet making station, Digital Explore Board station, eclipse coloring station, and a curated playlist of sun themed music!
Fifth Graders Tour Museum of Science
Last Friday, 5th grade students went on an adventure to the Boston Museum of Science. Students interacted with the many hands-on exhibits, visited Mars and Saturn in the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and embarked on an immersive journey through New England in the Omni Theater. Students finished their day with Taylor Swift karaoke on the bus ride home (much to their chaperone's delight!) Thank you to Mrs. Karish, Ms. Auger, our volunteer chaperones, and the Line Elementary PTC for planning and supporting this opportunity for our students.
Animal Habitats and Museum Walk
Alfred Elementary first grade students displayed their animal research and habitat dioramas during a museum walk earlier this month. Our first graders worked exceptionally hard in researching, building, and crafting their animals and habitats. First students chose an animal of interest, then researched specific facts about the animal including their habitat, adaptations, life cycle, and fun facts. Next students painted and decorated their shoebox dioramas. Afterwards, students used clay to create a model of their animal for their habitat. It was extremely rewarding for our first graders to present their exhibits and knowledge to others.
More than 25 National Honor Society students spent their April Break sprucing up the MHS Campus! Students logged over 140 hours of community service through courtyard cleanup, painting and distributing kindness rocks around the school, and scraping, priming, painting, and decorating student bathrooms.
Mrs. Marianne Stephenson, NHS advisor shared the following message of gratitude: "Thank you to Ms. Gianna Thibeault for her ideas and laying the groundwork for this huge project, and also a huge thank you to Mr. Behn Brooks and Mr. Bill Gifford for supplying the paint and tools needed. Thank you to Mr. Danny Lawrence and the MHS Boosters organization for paying for the materials! And thank you to MHS admin for letting us have total control (within reason) to make this vision a reality."
"Preparing students for success in an ever-changing world."
Phone: 207-247-3221
Website: https://www.rsu57.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsu57/
Central Office: 86 West Road, Waterboro, ME, USA