RSU 57 Community Newsletter

January 8, 2024

Message from the Superintendent

Dear RSU 57 Community,

I hope this newsletter finds all of you having enjoyed a healthy, happy, and restful holiday season. The often hectic times of the holidays are now behind us, and winter has finally arrived. As I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, with the occurrence of inclement weather, we do our best to balance the goal of keeping to our school calendar while always having the safety of students and staff as our first priority. When weather conditions do call for either a delayed start or a snow day, we will communicate that information with families and staff in as timely a manner as possible. Our communication will be through phone, email, text messages, RSU 57 Facebook posts, and our district website. In addition, we communicate closings and delays through the three local television outlets of Channels 6, 8, and 13.

As we approach the middle of January, we are closing in on the half-way mark of the academic school year. I am excited to share that work on our newly adopted RSU 57 Strategic Plan is not just underway but progressing significantly. Our school and district administration have adopted a highly focused approach, establishing clear short-term 90-day goals. This method ensures that we are not only on track with our comprehensive five-year plan but also achieving measurable successes in the short term. These accomplishments are vital stepping stones towards our broader objectives, and we are committed to keeping you informed of our progress.

Looking ahead, we are currently in the midst of the budget development process. This is a critical phase where our administrators are working diligently to devise a budget that supports the advancement of our strategic plan while also maintaining a respectful balance concerning our local taxpayers. It's a complex task, but one we approach with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment. Our goal is to ensure that the budget reflects our dedication to educational excellence and fiscal prudence. We understand the importance of every dollar and are focused on maximizing the impact of our resources for the benefit of our students and the community.

There is much to celebrate across RSU 57, and I hope you enjoy seeing some of the highlights of happenings in our district in this week’s newsletter.

Wishing you all a productive and healthy week ahead.

Warm Regards,

Stephen D. Marquis, PhD.

Art & P.E. Week at Waterboro Elementary

During the week before Holiday Break, Waterboro Elementary students participated in an "Art and P.E. Week" put on by Ms. Amy Nucci (Art) and Ms. Samantha Person (P.E.). WES students across multiple grade levels participated in activities rooted in movement and creation during this combined specials block. Activities focused on many different Art and P.E. learning targets including balance, lines, negative space, breath work, science, muscular endurance and cooperation. Thank you to Ms. Nucci and Ms. Person for creating an amazing hands-on learning experience for students!

Click the link below to view a slideshow of students in-action during Art and P.E. Week at WES!

Bikes for Books at Shapleigh Memorial

Shapleigh Memorial participated in the Bikes for Books Program, hosted by the West Newfield Masonic Lodge. Students received a ticket for each book they read and were entered to win a new bike and safety helmet. Over 300 tickets were submitted by students this year! Congratulations to all of our young readers for their great achievement! (pictured above)

Nat Geo's Explorer Classroom Wildlife Series at Alfred

Fourth and fifth graders at Alfred Elementary School participated in National Geographic's Explorer Classroom Wildlife Series to develop their own explorer mindset and investigate the wildlife in their community. National Geographic strives to help students "explore wildlife globally, while taking action locally." This picture is of the projects students created to teach others about the endangered species in Maine and suggest solutions to the problems they face. (pictured above)

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PreK Grows Candy Canes

Mrs. Yanni's PreK class got into the holiday spirit by growing Candy Canes! Students had the opportunity to practice essential skills like how to read a recipe and use measuring utensils.

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AES Holiday Sing Along

Prior to the holiday break in December, Alfred Elementary students and staff participated in their annual "Sing Along". The event attended by families and members of the community. The show was a hit and AES music teacher, Miss Morales, did a wonderful job preparing and leading our students in this event as they performed to a full house!

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MHS Students Bake Bûche de Noël

Students in Mrs. Matthew's French class baked (and ate) a traditional Bûche de Noël, or "Yule Log", to kick-off the holiday break!

MHS Band and Choral Winter Concert

On Thursday, December 21st, dozens of MHS singers and instrumentalists put on a wonderful Winter Concert for our community. A special thank you to Ms. Megan Parent and Mr. Drew Halpin-Desmarais for their work in directing our choir and band groups, respectively. The concert was so well attended the gym was packed and floor seating was needed! (pictured above)

December Model Mustang Awards

It is with great excitement and pride that we announce the recipients of the Model Mustang Staff Award for the month of December! This award is a tribute to those outstanding individuals who embody the qualities of a true “Model Mustang”; they inspire, lead, foster positivity, persevere, and excel in all that they do. Each Model Mustang was nominated by colleagues who took the time to acknowledge and celebrate their coworkers’ exceptional contributions to our district. Their hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the positive impact they have within RSU 57! Congratulations, all!

Click HERE to view our December Model Mustangs!

Massabesic Adult & Community Education Courses

Whether you are thinking of going to college, starting a new career, going back to get your high school equivalency credential, or just wanting to pick up a new hobby, Massabesic Adult and Community Education has you covered. Click the photos below to learn more about each course or click here to view all of M.A.C.E.'s current Spring semester offerings.