Noble News March 6 2024 | Volume 6

March 5: NMS Family/Teacher Conferences @ Noble Middle School

March 6: NHS Family/Teacher Conferences @ Noble High School

March 7: All District Chorus Concert 7pm @ Noble High School

March 7: School Board Meeting 7pm @ Noble High School

March 12: NMS Family/Teacher Conferences @ Noble Middle School

March 13: NHS Family/Teacher Conferences @ Noble High School

March 13: World Language Cultural Fair @ Noble High School

Exhibits 5:30pm-6:50pm, Live Performances 7pm-8pm

March 21 : School Board Meeting 6:30pm @ Noble High School

March 27: All District Art Show 6:30pm @ Noble High School

April 2: All District Band Concert 7pm @ Noble High School

March 6, 13, 20, 27 are Late Start / Early Release Days

Greetings,

It is hard to believe that we are more than halfway through the school year! Please note, as it stands right now, the last student day will be June 5, 2024. Traditionally the last day is a half day for students and this year is no exception. Once the 2024-2025 school year calendar is finalized it will be sent out to students and families so you are able to plan accordingly.

The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget process is in full swing. During the next few months the MSAD #60 Board of Directors will be involved in the process through a thorough review of budget projections and documents. The district budget is impacted by many factors. Those include, but are not limited to, state funding allocations, current/expected pricing for utilities, projected enrollment, staffing, student learning needs, supplies, and facility upkeep and improvements. The budget process occurs at the MSAD #60 Board level from March to April before the final budget is presented at the Annual District Budget Meeting scheduled for May 23, 2023 at Noble High School.

In the December newsletter I touched upon the fact that over the next few months the district will offer some educational information on the impact of social media on youth. The district-lead Community Awareness sub committee has been busy compiling information for families. Things in the technology world change quickly and we hope that the compiled information will help better equip families as they work to navigate the complexities of social media. At school and district-wide events you will see brochures, information tables and posters that provide further details, facts and resources to navigate this topic. No matter what grade your student is in, please stop by to gather resources or learn more. It is never too early to work through this multifaceted topic. The below graphic highlights one important motto the sub committee has found to be impactful while digging into the lasting effects of prolonged social media use:

As spring officially kicks off in a few weeks, March and April are historically very busy months. There are several upcoming district-wide and school specific events that are noted in this newsletter. School newsletters will provide further information and dates for anything related specifically to a grade level or building-based activity.

Before we fully move ahead to the very busy last months of school I’d like to take a moment to pause and acknowledge the myriad of accomplishments highlighted in previous newsletters and some highlighted in this newsletter as well. Students are excelling at every turn and we hope this latest newsletter provides a snapshot of some of those accomplishments.

Regards,

Audra Beauvais

This month we are shining a spotlight on one of the most integral members of our educational community: one of our School Resource Officers (SRO). In today's world, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment is paramount, and our SRO plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

The presence of an SRO on campus extends far beyond just security. They serve as a bridge between law enforcement and our school community, fostering positive relationships and promoting a culture of trust and collaboration. Our SRO is not only a protector but also a mentor, counselor, and educator, providing guidance and support to both students and staff alike.

Read more to get to know Officer Fogg, SRO at Noble Middle School

How long have you worked at Noble? I have worked at Noble for about 18 years now.

What is your favorite part about your role at school? The thing I love the best about being the SRO in Noble is building the relationship with kids. Trying to build that relationship that has a lasting effect on kids is truly a blessing.

How do you believe your role as a School Resource Officer contributes to creating a safe and secure learning environment for students and staff at the school? I think that again building relationships with kids is the best way to combat any safety in the school. When kids feel safe and know they can go to a trusted person if they need something to help them that goes a long way. That also goes for sharing information about safety issues. Then there is my physical presence at the school that adds a layer of protection. When the Sanford incident happened, I had a parent tell me that she asked her child if she felt safe at school. The mom told me without hesitation the kid said, " ya Fogg is there". Sometimes you never really know what kids are feeling but I believe my presence and relationships I have with kids makes the school a safer place.

What do you wish people could know about SROs? I know most critics of SRO feel this is a "pipeline from school to incarceration" for some kids. I can't speak for all SRO's but I am here to help and build a lasting effect on the community. Most people I have met doing this job love kids and want to help the community. My presence in the school is a preventative measure. There is no way to qualify the amount of negative events that have not taken place as a result of me being at the school, or SRO's in general.

Each month, board members will be featured in the newsletter*. School Board Meetings are held at Noble High School on the first and third Thursday of each month, at 7pm. To watch previous meetings, click here:

https://youtube.com/playlistlist=PLjBMdU9EWtgpmbN35WDXaployWUOCMziY&si=cyjWp5HIG3ToLnFh

Board Members were asked to answer the following:

1. Years as a board member:

2. Current/Former Profession:

3. What inspired you personally to become involved with the school board?

4. Why do you think people should attend school board meetings?

5. From your perspective, what challenges do you see facing the school district, and how do you envision addressing them?
6. How do you personally engage with our community and gather feedback on educational matters?

*Statements made by Board members solely reflect their own opinions and do not represent the views of the entire board.

1. Years as a board member: I served previously on the Board from 2005 until 2016, and was just re-elected in 2023.

2. Current/Former Profession: I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician and work as the Student Recruitment Liaison for a veterinary consolidator. I have also been teaching in animal science and veterinary technology for nearly 30 years and currently teach for the University of Maine Augusta.

3. What inspired you personally to become involved with the school board? It is important to me, as a parent and grandparent, to participate in making sure that the district is supported in doing the best job possible in providing a good education for all of our students. My current inspiration was out of concern for how the current political climate is negatively impacting school boards.

4. Why do you think people should attend school board meetings? People NEED to attend school board meetings in order to make sure that there is a balance of voices being heard. Attending virtually is informative, but coming in person is preferable in order to make sure that the balance is heard by the Board and by those watching remotely.

5. From your perspective, what challenges do you see facing the school district, and how do you envision addressing them? The biggest challenge I see facing the Board is the way that the current political environment has impacted Board meetings. It is important to me that all stakeholders feel comfortable coming to Board meetings and participating without feeling intimidated.

6. How do you personally engage with our community and gather feedback on educational matters?

I have lived in Berwick for over 30 years and have had 3 children go through the system so I have developed a pretty good network. In addition, I previously served for 12 years on the Board and 6 years before that as a Berwick Selectwoman. I often hear from community members as a result of those experiences and connect with people in person in the community as well as through social media.

1. Years as a board member: This is my 1st year.

2. Current/Former Profession: I write software.

3. What inspired you personally to become involved with the school board? It is easy to complain; getting involved is important.

4. Why do you think people should attend school board meetings? It is important to know what is happening that will affect your children's education.

6. How do you personally engage with our community and gather feedback on educational matters? I try to be available to parents as best I can.

1. Years as a board member:

This is my 2nd year as a board member!

2. Current/Former Profession:

I am a wife & mom of 3 little boys - 8, 7, & 4. I work from home as a portal invoice submission specialist for an IT company and am an Arbonne Independent Consultant.

3. What inspired you personally to become involved with the school board?

For over a decade I've served on a board of directors. With children in (and entering) the school district, I want to help wherever I can and saw this as a chance to impact their futures in a positive and meaningful way, while also utilizing my prior board expertise.

4. Why do you think people should attend school board meetings?

To be informed!!! The more communication, the better! I started attending meetings before I was elected and I wish I had started attending meetings when my first child entered kindergarten... or maybe even a few years before that as change can take time. The more people who attend school board meetings, the better balanced points of view we receive. Attending meetings promotes transparency.

5. From your perspective, what challenges do you see facing the school district, and how do you envision addressing them?

As our communities are growing and changing in many different ways, building space and student support are certainly a concern. In addition I want to ensure we have policies in place to best support our evolving student populations and be sure they are properly and effectively enforced for the benefit and safety of everyone.

6. How do you personally engage with our community and gather feedback on educational matters?

I have 2 kiddos at NBES and a child attending preschool in Berwick. I have been co-chair of the NBES PTO for the last 2 year and volunteer in school when I can. My children are involved in 2-3 sports per kid each year and I am by nature a social butterfly. I always encourage people to approach me and introduce themselves, regardless of which hat (parent/coach/PTO/community member/biz owner/board member) I am wearing at the time.

Congratulations to Maddox Jordan, New England Champion in the Mile with a time of 4:15.45. Maddox is also the 2024 Maine Boys Cross Country Gatorade Player Of The Year!

Make sure to check out our table on Digital Safety at upcoming school events! Check out the link below to explore different apps your students may have on their phones.

The French Mentors and French Honor Society hosted the Rio Movie Night at NBES on Thursday 2/29 and over 90 NBES students attended along with 30 parents. It was a great night filled with culture, crafts, dancing, prizes, snacks, a movie, and fun!

Congratulations to our Girls' Wrestling Team for becoming the champions in the first New England Wrestling Championship in school history!

Ms. Gaulin's class at Knowlton School hosted an impressive wax museum featuring a variety of historical figures!

Congrats to our Competition Cheer team on winning the Class A South Regional Competition Cheer Championship!

Look out for the wild banana to celebrate National Breakfast Week!

Monthly Math Moment wraps up Series 1 by discussing what families can do at home to support a positive math identity. In this episode we are joined by MSAD 60 math coach Carrie Wilson. Carrie shares with us some ideas of how to talk with your child, resources you can use at home and more! Have a question or topic you would like Monthly Math Moment to explore? Comment on this episode and you may see it in the months to come.

Lebanon 3rd graders met with a Dental Hygienist and a Dental Assistant from Great Falls Dental Associates to go over oral health for Dental Health Month (February). They even brought in goodie bags for every third grader!