District Newsletter 10/10

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members:

Welcome back to the 2023-2024 school year! We welcomed over 1800 students back this fall. We realize that the return to school can create different emotions for households as you settle back into the daily routine. Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible, so please reach out to your school or central office if we can be of any assistance.

I would like to express my appreciation to our staff for all that they do to help students grow and develop regardless of their role. Each staff member contributes to our success as a school district. Our graduation rate continues to improve. In 2021-2022, Morse had a graduation of 92%, and this increased to 95% in 2022-2023. Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Morse High School in the top 15 high schools in Maine. Students who participated in our Advanced Placement (AP) courses performed admirably on their assessments, exceeding the state and global averages in every AP class offered.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to entering this exciting new school year together.

Sincerely,

Patrick Manuel, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The smell of toasty buttery buns could be smelled throughout the halls of Morse High School as Bath Tech students in the Culinary Arts Program participated in Maine Lobster Week. This experience began with a visit from local lobstermen Dan and Lori Libby where they learned the intricacies of lobster fishing and the commitment to sustainable fishing efforts across Maine. This hands-on lesson gave them an appreciation for the hard work and dedication required in the industry. To showcase their newfound knowledge, these talented students went on to create fresh lobster rolls, infusing their dishes with a deep connection to our local seafood culture on the Midcoast.

Phippsburg Elementary's commitment to outdoor education opportunities was on full display as students in grades 3-5 embarked on an exciting adventure. They completed the roughly 4-mile hike to Morse Mountain and explored Sewall Beach, creating unforgettable memories while connecting with nature. This hands-on experience not only fostered a love for the outdoors but also taught students about being good stewards of the environment. Phippsburg outdoor educator Mary McCauley is also working with her students on replacing the plantings around the elementary school with native plants.

We are pleased to announce that RSU 1 has a new way to update the required information that our schools ask for each year. The Annual Update process is now paperless and happens through Infinite Campus. This replaced the large packets of paper that you previously received on the first day of school.

If you haven't completed the Annual Update yet, please check out the Annual Update Guide for instructions on how to update your information in Infinite Campus. Please plan to have this update completed by Friday, October 13th. If you need support with the process, please contact your child’s school.
New Registrations: If you registered for the 2023-24 school year using our new online registration tool, you have completed this process and are all set.

Click here to view the fall/winter Merrymeeting Adult Education program guide.

For more information, visit our website: https://merrymeeting.maineadulted.org/

Current Open Positions Include:

• Woolwich Central School, Special Education, Ed Tech II, Life Skills

• Woolwich Central School, Special Education, Ed Tech II, Grades 3-5

• Bath Middle School, Special Education, Ed Tech II, Behavior Support Program

• Morse High School, Kitchen Assistant

• Morse High School & Bath Middle School Coaches

• Substitute Teachers, Ed Techs, Nurses, Food Service