MSAD #51 Superintendent's Blog

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...

Welcome to the 2018-2019 School Year! New Strategic Plan After a year of planning that involved 800 stakeholders participating, the Board of Directors approved a new three-year Strategic Plan in June that will define the direction of MSAD #51 schools through 2021.  This replaces the first-ever Strategic Plan, which was in effect from 2015 until its sunset in June. The new plan focuses the district’s energy and time on four major priorities: Wellness: Foundation for Teaching and Learning. This priority will promote wellness initiatives that advance and sustain healthy, balanced, and well-rounded students and staff. A comprehensive Wellness Plan will provide guidance in these six areas: Homework, Mental Health, Substance Use, Digital Citizenship, Fitness, and Nutrition. Early Childhood Education, the Critical Building Block. This priority will review the district’s long-term elementary education (Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 5) program and structure, including options ...

Update on the Center for the Arts Even though school's out for the summer, the work on the new Greely Center for the Arts continues in earnest.  Here are a few highlights: All exterior brick work has been completed. The roof has been completed. All windows are scheduled to be installed soon. The concrete interior floor slab has been poured and many of the interior rooms have been drywalled. Connecting corridors between the arts center and GHS have been started. Exterior site work has begun, including rehabbing a water culvert, installing an access road to the arts center, and creating new parking spaces adjacent to the fence across the street from the arts center. Brick & Seat Campaign Update We have officially raised over $25,000 through the Leave Your Legacy Brick & Seat Campaigns for the Greely Center for the Arts. This includes donations from nearly 100 individuals, families and businesses. Thank you to those who have already donated for your gene...

Budget Update On behalf of the students and staff of MSAD #51, I would like to thank the voters of Cumberland and North Yarmouth for approving the district's budget. The budget has passed 2159-2023, with 52% in favor. Thank You! French Students reading at l'École Française du Maine (The French School of Maine) During early-release Wednesdays this spring, French IV and French IV IB students have been reading to kindergarten and first graders at l'École Française du Maine in South Freeport. Students choose a book from a selection of books chosen by the French teachers at L'EFDM. Then prior to reading, they practice their pronunciation and intonation. On the date they chose, they go read to the students and then help in an after-reading discussion. The students have enjoyed the experience and the opportunity. Our hope is is that this relationship continues in the years to come. History in Our Backyard I joined Mrs. Entwistle's 2nd graders recentl...

Congrats Class of 2018!! Senior Walk through GMS Members of "Golden Grads" Class 1968 attend Class Day Congratulations Class of 2018 and best wishes as you begin new adventures.  The Class of 2018 graduated from GHS on Sunday, June 3.  This was preceded by a special candlelight service on Friday evening, a "senior walk" through MIW, GMS, and GHS on Friday afternoon, and Class Day on Thursday.  We are very proud of our graduates! Mr. McKeone & Ms. Jones congratulate 2018 valedictorian Gregory Pershing and salutatorian Peter Theodores.  Gregory was also named a 2018 Presidential Scholar, one of only 160 seniors to earn this distinction in the United States.   Checking out the graduation program Principal Dan McKeone with Senior Class Advisor Pat Thibault, the last Greely graduation for both Ready for the diplomas Fourth Grade held their annual Friendship Concert on May 22. This year, as part of the 4th grade Ukulele ...

Greely 4-5 Donates to Habitat for Humanity Greely Middle School 4-5 raised funds through their Habitat for Humanity walk the end of March. Last week, they donated more than $6,500 to Habitat for Humanity. Amazing job to all involved. High School Guidance News GHS 2nd annual freshmen class trip for some college and career readiness exploration. This year was to the University of New England! 2nd annual UMO Junior Transcript Review Day had 29 prospective students who met with UMO admissions rep to review their current transcript, test scores, senior year classes, interested UMO major and even learned what they could be eligible for with scholarship/ merit money. On April 23, 16 students traveled to Maine Maritime Academy (MMA)to participate in the Discovery Voyage program, which was an opportunity for Greely students to be on the MMA campus and see first-hand the kinds of programs the school offers. While Greely students visited MMA they were engaged with hands-on activitie...

MSAD #51 ranked 3rd best school district in Maine by  backgroundchecks.org , based on student performance (math and reading test scores), dropout rates, school funding, and poverty rates. Data was collected from a total of 9,577 U.S. school districts.  Here's Maine's top 10 districts: 1 Falmouth   2 Yarmouth   3 MSAD #51   4 Cape Elizabeth   5 RSU 21  6 Wells-Ogunquit   7 RSU 05  8 York   9 RSU 26  10 Scarborough Check out this link:   http://backgroundchecks.org/ top-school-districts-in-maine- 2018.html Last Day of School for Students Because we have had six snow days (and made up one), the last day of school for students for the 2017-18 school year will be Monday, June 18th.  This will be an early release day: GMS 6-8 & GHS - release at 11:30 GMS 4-5 & MIW - release at 12:30 Chile Exchange Many thanks to the Lattanzi, Frongillo, Corral and Leggat-Barr famil...