RSU 57 Community Newsletter

February 7, 2025

Message from the Superintendent

Dear RSU 57 Community,

We are beyond excited to share some fantastic news about our students at Massabesic High School (MHS) who are making a real difference through their involvement in SkillsUSA through programs at Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) and Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCoT). Over 120 students from MHS attend SRTC and BRCoT, where they gain hands-on experience in career-focused programs that prepare them for success in an ever-changing world.

SkillsUSA, which grew out of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America in 2004, is a nationally recognized organization that encourages leadership and technical skills in students pursuing career and technical education. Each year, SkillsUSA hosts competitions at the state and national levels, where students get to showcase their incredible talents in areas like video production, health occupations, law enforcement, welding, electrical wiring, and automotive technology.

This March, SRTC is proudly sending over 70 students to Bangor to compete against 26 other vocational schools from across Maine in the State Championship for Leadership and Technical Skills. Those who win at the state level will have the amazing opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, in June for the National Championships, representing both our community and our state!

We want to take a moment to recognize some of the incredible MHS students competing this year: Kameron Blaisdell, Benjamin Booker, Gianna Carreira, Candice Daigle, Kyla Hebert, Brianna Keller, Harmonee Shaw, Konner Tarbox, Connor Wilcox, Andrew Roy, John Madigan, and Brody Worth. Their hard work, dedication, and passion for their fields of study are truly inspiring, and we couldn’t be prouder!

We also want to shine a spotlight on our four SkillsUSA officers at SRTC, who have been honored with the very first Trailblazer Award. Created by the MHS Culture and Climate PLC, this award is all about recognizing students who go above and beyond—not just in their technical programs but also in their leadership and service to the community. These students are true pioneers, setting high standards of excellence, inspiring their peers, and making a lasting impact. Their drive and commitment remind us all what it means to lead with purpose and passion.

The collaboration between BRCoT and SRTC continues to provide outstanding opportunities for our students, helping them build the skills they need for a bright and successful future beyond the classroom.

Additionally, we want to remind families that the NWEA winter testing window is open through Friday, February 14. This is an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their growth and academic progress. We encourage parents and guardians to help prepare students by promoting a good night's sleep, eating a nutritious breakfast and ensuring that they arrive at school on time as they will represent themselves, their families, and the greater RSU 57 community.

Thank you for your continued support of our RSU 57 students.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Marquis, PhD.

Superintendent of Schools

RSU 57 Alerts

RSU 57 sends alerts to parents and guardians for many situations such as events, special days, approaching days off, cancellations due to weather, and more. There are multiple ways to receive district or school alerts. Choose what is right for you!

Telephone, SMS, and Email

The RSU 57 alert system places phone call announcements or SMS messages (sometimes it will be both) to phone numbers for the guardians of the student as listed in Synergy/ParentVUE. Some alerts are accompanied by an email version of the information. Like phone numbers, email addresses are pulled from Synergy/ParentVUE for the guardians.

You can update contact information in Synergy/ParentVUE at any point by clicking on the My Account button in the upper right hand corner. Click on the blue Update Account button when complete.

RSU 57 Mobile App

The RSU 57 mobile app is integrated with the district alert system, however, it is not dependent on the information that exists in Synergy/ParentVUE. Anyone is able to download the app and configure it for notifications. This is great for grandparents, babysitters, etc. Follow the steps below to download and configure the app.

Search for the 'RSU 57, Maine' app in your phone's app store and download. Direct links are provided below.
After you launch the app, select 'Allow' when prompted to receive notifications.
You will be taken to the homepage where you can click on the Menu tile in the lower left corner of the screen.
On the bottom right hand side of the screen click on the Settings button.
Tap on each topic to set the Default Organization to RSU 57, select the school(s) you wish to see information about, and set the Push Notifications for the school(s) you wish to receive alerts about.

Download on the App Store

Download on Google Play

RSU 57 PreK Lottery is Open!

Maine Family Engagement Survey

Click HERE to Complete the Survey!

Maine Teacher of the Year Nominations Are Open!

It’s that time of year again when we come together to celebrate the incredible work of Maine’s classroom teachers. The Maine Teacher of the Year program provides a unique opportunity for us to acknowledge those educators who go above and beyond to inspire, engage, and support our students. And the best part? You can play a role in recognizing these outstanding teachers by nominating them for this prestigious honor!

Every day, there are teachers who exemplify the best of the profession, showing dedication, passion, and creativity to make a difference in the lives of students. These educators are not only teaching—they are advocates for their students, ambassadors for the profession, and leaders within our community. The MTOY program allows us to shine a light on these amazing individuals and celebrate their contributions.

They are currently accepting nominations for the 2025 County Teachers of the Year. You can nominate any teacher who has made a lasting impact in your child’s life, whether they are a classroom teacher, a special education teacher, or a specialist in any subject area, by accessing this simple form.

After the nominations, 16 County Teachers of the Year will be selected, with one teacher chosen as the 2025 State Teacher of the Year. The County Teachers of the Year will be announced at a special State House Hall of Flags ceremony on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

We encourage you to nominate a teacher who has made a difference in your child’s education and to help us celebrate the educators who shape the future of our students. Thank you for your continued support of our educators and the teaching profession.

Invest in ME Reads

The Invest in ME Reads financial wellness program, brought to you by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) is a program where 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 at mdyer@FAMEmaine.com.

All Maine first graders receive A Bike Like Sergio’s, a story that encourages students to explore decision-making, empathy, and the power of giving.

All Maine second graders receive Those Shoes, a story that includes themes of saving, giving, and delayed gratification.

All Maine third graders receive The Know-Nonsense Guide to Money: An Awesomely Fun Guide to the World of Finance! This fun book explains the basics of saving, spending, and money lessons in a way that kids will understand.

All Maine fourth graders receive Priceless Facts about Money, a book that demystifies money and introduces students to wild and weird facts about what makes the world go round.

All Maine fifth graders receive World’s Coolest Jobs, a book that encourages students to explore future careers.

February Harvest of the Month

February's Harvest of the Month is root vegetables! Students across RSU 57 will have the opportunity to taste locally sourced Maine carrots with a brown sugar glaze during school lunches. Check your child's school lunch menu to see when they will be served! Click the video below to learn more about the benefits of eating root vegetables and to view the delicious recipe!