Update: July 20, 2020
To help relieve increasing enrollment at MIW, a new 8-room modular unit arrived this summer, replacing three older units with 6 classrooms total. Grade 2 classes will be held in this new unit that was built for this purpose. The unit features comfortable, airy classrooms, bathrooms located in the unit, interior hallway, and two double-door entrances on both ends of the unit. This new learning space should be a welcome addition to our 2nd graders and their teachers. Finishing touches will be continuing over the next several weeks to get all of the modern conveniences up and running in time for school. No additional play space was taken to accommodate the unit as it filled the same footprint as the three previous units.
In Remembrance
Please join me in remembering and celebrating the life of Daphne Sprague, a long-time educational technician at GMS 4-5, after an extended illness. Mrs. Sprague was beloved by students and staff during her long career in MSAD #51. She was a fixture in elementary classrooms and was the long-time advisor for the GMS 4-5 student newspaper. Daphne always had a ready smile, soothing tone, and kind words to offer to everyone she had contact with. She will be missed by so many students and staff whose lives she touched over the years.
Congrats!
GMS students Maddie Yates and Meredith Coutier are finalists for the New York Times Podcast contest. Meredith was named a runner-up and Maddie was an honorable mention.
“A Beautiful Film: Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’” by Meredith Cloutier, 14, Greely Middle School, Cumberland, Maine
“Should Children Be Separated in School be Based on Ability?” by Maddie Yates, 13, Greely Middle School, Cumberland, Maine
GMS students Maddie Yates and Meredith Coutier are finalists for the New York Times Podcast contest. Meredith was named a runner-up and Maddie was an honorable mention.
“A Beautiful Film: Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’” by Meredith Cloutier, 14, Greely Middle School, Cumberland, Maine
“Should Children Be Separated in School be Based on Ability?” by Maddie Yates, 13, Greely Middle School, Cumberland, Maine
Thank You
Many thanks to the voters of Cumberland & North Yarmouth for their support of the district budget, which passed on July 14 with more than 58% support.
History Camp
Kathi Kearney's students in the Gifted/Talented program at GMS love history so much, they asked to have a week-long "History Camp" earlier in July. I had an opportunity to visit with the students online and share a little-known historical side note about President Richard Nixon's early morning impromptu visit to the Lincoln Memorial in May 1970 when he debated with protesters about the Vietnam War.
Many thanks to the voters of Cumberland & North Yarmouth for their support of the district budget, which passed on July 14 with more than 58% support.
History Camp
Kathi Kearney's students in the Gifted/Talented program at GMS love history so much, they asked to have a week-long "History Camp" earlier in July. I had an opportunity to visit with the students online and share a little-known historical side note about President Richard Nixon's early morning impromptu visit to the Lincoln Memorial in May 1970 when he debated with protesters about the Vietnam War.
Summer Cleaning Mode
Our custodial staff has been cleaning our buildings as we get ready for the start of school. Additionally, this summer we are preparing our facilities for return in a world of COVID, with plexiglass shields being installed in high-traffic areas of all schools, retrofitted nursing offices, dividers for social distancing in small groups and classrooms with tables, marking 6-foot intervals in common areas, etc. The district budget supports additional custodial time during the day for frequent cleaning of common areas and buses.
Our custodial staff has been cleaning our buildings as we get ready for the start of school. Additionally, this summer we are preparing our facilities for return in a world of COVID, with plexiglass shields being installed in high-traffic areas of all schools, retrofitted nursing offices, dividers for social distancing in small groups and classrooms with tables, marking 6-foot intervals in common areas, etc. The district budget supports additional custodial time during the day for frequent cleaning of common areas and buses.
 |
| MIW entry hallway on July 20 as it undergoes extensive cleaning |