Update: September 18, 2018

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Cow Island

Another successful trip to our Rippleffect Program for our 7th graders is behind us.  On both trips, the students came home a little dirty, a little tired, a little sweaty and absolutely full of life.  

Although our students think of this trip as camping and adventure, there is a lot of learning that goes on during the Rippleffect program.  There are some basic themes that the Rippleffect guides (and GMS staff) try to incorporate into every aspect of daily living while on the island. These themes are designed to instill leadership abilities in each child. The themes encourage the students to take charge of their lives, plan ahead, and be a positive member of our community. The themes are packaged around "The 3 C's" (communication, collaboration, and compromise).

The days revolve around doing a series of experiential challenges (by choice), and then debriefing and reflecting upon the experience.  A reflective moment might sound like “You made it to the top of the climbing wall when at first you were afraid to climb, what was that like?”  “What factors contributed to your success?” “How does succeeding at this climb change the way you see future obstacles you might encounter in your life?”

These experiences give students a chance to practice challenging things (at times alone and at times in collaboration with their peers) that recreate real life challenges.  Thus making our students into natural goal setters, and problem solvers. This trip gives students the chance to take up the reins of their own lives. (In a safe, fun and magical setting.)

The nature of life is that we all have ups and downs, good periods and bad, and sharing those moments in community is what makes life bearable.  At the end of every day, the Rippleffect Guides ask the students in their small groups, to share a “low tide” and a “high tide” of their day. It is a perhaps an over obvious metaphor, given our students are on an island watching the tides ebb and flow right beside them, but our 7th grade students seem totally amazed and hooked as they are asked to think and reflect upon themselves in a whole new way.  


Strategic Plan Update

Here's a quick summary of related initiatives and their status at this time.  Please note I have only listed information for those areas where work has already begun:  
  • Supporting the Core:  District-wide literacy audit started with a consultant and K-12 literacy team on Sept. 14.
  • Wellness Plan begins:  The K-12 Wellness committee met this week and is currently building membership of its 6 ad hoc groups (substance use, homework, nutrition, fitness, mental health, and digital citizenship).  These groups will begin their work in late October/November.
  • Elementary Steering Committee: This group will not start up formally until April or May 2019 with only one organizational meeting this year. However, the Board will be revisiting their original Pre-K plan that was tabled a couple years ago in light of legislative changes to the law. The direction of Pre-K will be an important component of the Elementary Steering committee, which is charged with looking at space needs, Pre-K, grade configurations, etc.
  • Mental Health: A new district-wide committee will convene this month to monitor the most at-risk students K-12. Our new risk assessment/ mental health coordinator has started his work identifying areas of need and interventions with specific students.
  • Calendar Ad Hoc Group: Membership on this committee is being built right now and will include 3 teachers, 3 parents, 2 Board members, and 3 administrators. The purpose is to review the current calendar with respect to instructional time and professional learning time and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for the 2020-21 calendar (two years away). Emphasis will be on the current early release structure and this group will likely begin in October and work for about a year.
  • Open the new Arts Center: The facility should be completed by the end of December at this point. A small group is developing plans for an opening program to be held this winter.

Did You Know September is School Attendance Awareness Month?


This is a nationwide event recognizing the connection between school attendance and academic achievement.

The evidence is clear. Good attendance is key to keeping students on track academically and to engaging them in all aspects of school life. This is true for children of any age and every grade.

It is understood that some absences are unavoidable and students must stay home when they are unwell. The most important message to our students is that even occasional absences matter. Before you know it, just one or two days a month can add up to nearly 10% of the school year. Too many absences, either partial days or full days, represent lost learning time in the classroom.

We ask that families avoid extended vacations that require students to miss school. Kindly try to line up vacations with the school’s schedule. This would apply for medical appointments as well.

We are asking for your support in helping your child get to school on time every day this year. Your child needs to be in school and engaged in learning to reach his or her full potential. We realize that every family faces challenges. Please let us know how we can best support you and your child so he/she can show up for school on time every day.

When your child is not at school, we notice because we care! Thank you for all you do to support your child’s school success and well-being, as well as our school.

For more information on the Count ME In! project, visit their website at http://countmeinmaine.org.

Congratulations Go To...

  • Two Greely High School Students, Edmund Paquin and Luke Marsanskis, who are semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Congratulations!
  • Congrats to Kyle Sidders (mixed chorus) for being named an All National Student Musician. Kyle is one of 550 students from 49 states and territories who will be performing in Orlando in November.
  • Connie Russell, grade 2 teacher, is one of only three finalists for state Teacher of the Year. On Monday, a visiting team was at MIW interviewing various stakeholders as part of this process. This is a proud moment not only for Connie, but for MIW and the MSAD #51 school community.

Quick Notes:

Parent, Staff & Student Drivers: Please be mindful that the speed limit on Campus is 10 MPH. We've got a lot of students who are walking or riding their bikes to school on these beautiful fall days.

Annual Media Opt Out Policy Notice: MSAD #51 believes that using images, audio, video and/or classwork of MSAD #51 students, of all ages, in our print and web publications fosters a great sense of community and pride. We use photos to display and celebrate student journeys and accomplishments through our print materials, newsletters, MSAD #51 website(s), social media, and publicity. We also use student photos and other media to further our efforts in education and supporting the connection between the schools and our communities.

As a parent/guardian of a minor, you have a right to opt-out of inclusion in photographs/media. To opt-out your child, you must complete a Student Media Images Opt-Out Agreement (form available on your child's school website under forms), annually. Once complete, please return it to your child’s school office.