Dear RSU 21 Community,

It is hard to believe that the month of January is almost over. Our students and educators are well into the second half of the school year, and we have seen some amazing work from across the district. Please be sure to read the article on KHS’ innovative Race in America class. It is a great example of how our educators and students consistently strive to achieve our mission statement: “Developing productive global citizens by building knowledge and character.”

I also want to follow up with you about last week’s newsletter topic regarding our district policy on ICE immigration enforcement in our schools. Earlier this week, I met with all school administrators to discuss protocols provided by trusted sources like the Maine School Superintendents Association and AASA. We then sent them a policy and protocol document to be distributed among the necessary staff.

Please know that these steps are being taken out of an abundance of caution. While we have no information to suggest that ICE plans to conduct any operations in our schools, we still want to be prepared and informed.

As I said last week, our district remains unwaveringly committed to the academic success of every student, regardless of immigration status or home language, and will work tirelessly to ensure the safety and support of all our students and families.

Much love,

Terri Cooper

Monday, February 3

School Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 6

Facilities Committee | 8:15 a.m.

Policy Committee | 12:45 p.m. (previously said 12:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, February 11

Communications Committee | 1:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 13

Finance Committee | 8:30 a.m.

Friday, February 14

Human Resources Committee | 8:15 a.m.

Monday, February 17 - Friday, February 21

February Break | NO SCHOOL

Monday, February 24

School Board Meeting | 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 25

Student Wellness Committee | 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 26

Budget Roundtable Discussion | 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, February 27

Budget Roundtable Discussion | 6:00 p.m.

*All school board and committee meetings above will take place at KES/A102 unless otherwise indicated.

Full Calendar

The MSK Debate Team held its final meet of the season on Thursday

Kennebunk hosted teams from Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, and Marshwood, and KHS Debate Team members joined MSK faculty as judges.

It was the first time MSK has hosted a meet!

KHS senior Willow Knowles won this year's Poetry Out Loud competition, held this past Tuesday!

Knowles performed "Ice Bound" by Walter Bargen in the first round and "What Women are Made of" by Bianca Lynne Sprigs in the final round. She will now compete in the Poetry Out Loud Southern Regional Finals in Lewiston on Feb. 4. The winner of that event moves on to the State Finals in March!

Willow was also a semifinalist at last year's State Finals.

The annual event at KHS is organized by English teacher Ivy Gardner and is part of a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students.

Below is the full list of student performers:

Helen Ilyas, Class of 2027

"From the Sky" by Sara Abou Rashed

Willow Knowles, Class of 2025

"Ice Bound" by Walter Bargen

"What Women are Made of" by Bianca Lynne Sprigs

Kelly Axelsen, Class of 2027

"Alpha Step" by Jack Underwood

"Y2K" by Therese Lloyd

Addie Clark, Class of 2026

"Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood

"Lovers' Infiniteness" by John Donne

Beatrice Brenden-Dodson, Class of 2026

"Diameter" by Michelle Y. Burke

"Ships that Pass in the Night" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Kai Bebris-Kinny, Class of 2028

"If We Must Die" by Claude McKay

Will Murray, Class of 2027

"Dreams" by Langston Hughes

Abbey Hafner, Class of 2027

"Listening in Deep Space" by Diane Thiel

"1969" by Alex Dimitrov

Kallen Peterson, Class of 2027

"[in just]-" by E.E. Cummings

Juliet Rice, Class of 2026

"1969" by Alex Dimitrov

"When You are Old" by William Butler Yeats

Lily Neil-Jacobsen, Class of 2027

"1st Vote" by Kamilah Aisha Moon

"To The Oppressors" by Pauli Murray

Emily Hawes, Class of 2027

"Disenchantment Bay" by Timothy Murphy

Hosts

Hunter MacDougal, Class of 2026

Kate Landenberger, Class of 2026

Congratulations to KHS student-athlete Brady Stone, who was a semifinalist for the Fitzpatrick Award!

The award for Maine's best high school football player was handed out earlier this month, and the fullback/linebacker for KHS Football attended the banquet and was given a plaque for being a semifinalist.

Swing by the Brick Store Museum now until Feb. 23 to see artwork by third, fourth, and fifth graders at Sea Road School!

Third graders used their imaginations to create mixed-media artwork. First, they created a view from a window, then sketched the interior space of their artwork.

Fourth graders were challenged with a new art format: the triptych! The triptych tells a story in various ways, such as showing the passage of time, exploring the same scene over multiple panels, or exploring a subject matter from three different perspectives.

Fifth graders created ceramic relief tiles. After rolling out their clay, students planned their design on top before adding or subtracting clay to create the final product.

The art show runs until February 23, 2025.

Registration for Pre-K in RSU 21 is open for fall 2025.

To learn about RSU 21’s high-quality pre-kindergarten program, please join us for a virtual Open House on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Those interested can join by phone or Google Meet:

Google Meet link

Phone: (‪US‬)‪ +1 513-783-1488‬

PIN: ‪997 792 587#‬

RSU 21 runs a play-based program for 4- and 5-year-olds, focusing on personal & social development, creative arts, early language & literacy, physical education, math, science, and social studies. All of this early learning helps children thrive at a critical time in their young lives.

For a look at a typical pre-K day for RSU 21 students, this video shows what to expect when arriving at KES–story time, outdoor play, a family-style lunch, and lots of learning through movement, music, and play! Healthy breakfasts and lunches are available to students through RSU 21 and transportation on school buses is an option for kids living in any of the district’s three towns.

Winter Schedules

GO RAMS!

District Contact Information

2024-2025 School Calendar

Job Postings

24/7 Hotline

Click Here

Call or Text 988 or 1-888-568-1112

Kennebunk

Tabetha Barden

207-604-1394

Arundel

Wendy Lank

207-985-4201 ext. 113

Kennebunkport

Alison Kenneway

207-967-4401

Kennebunk Chamber of Commerce

Laura Dolce

207-967-0857