

MASSABESIC HIGH SCHOOL
2023-2024

September 18, 2023
RSU 57 & Massabesic High School
"Preparing students for success in an ever-changing world."
Notes from the Principal...
This past week we experienced a successful rehearsal of evacuation protocols for our building and I cannot thank students and staff enough for their participation. We aim to create a safe environment each day and the mature approach from our students during these drills is greatly appreciated.
I am continuing to link our Student & Family Handbook in these newsletter as a way to continually bring attention to the expectations we have for students when on campus. Expectations involving Attendance, Dress Code, Student Code of Conduct, & Use of Cellular & Electronic Devices are norms designed for effective campus operation and for student success. These norms are not optional nor negotiable. Much like norms that are mandatory for visiting a place (think of 'Shoes & Shirts Required' policies in stores), these norms are mandatory for being on our campus. We are entering the time of the school year when reminders about these norms start to be addressed through discipline and consequence if and when students choose to be out of compliance. We encourage you to sit with your students and talk about the expectations outlined in our Student & Family Handbook (linked below in this newsletter). For your convenience I have provided some of those expectations in this newsletter as well. We are confident that students can be incredibly successful at MHS when following these parameters designed by the RSU 57 School Board.
We have great opportunities this school year to become bigger and better than ever. I am honored to be a part of a school community of so many students and families working hard to achieve desired goals and dreams.
A reminder that our first Early Release Day of the school year is this coming Wednesday, September 20. Students will be dismissed starting at 12:00 pm.
-Mr. Thurlow
ATTENDANCE (taken from the Student & Family Handbook, page 8 & 9)
Attendance
Daily school attendance is an integral component of successful student learning....All absences and tardies are classified as either excused or unexcused. Excused absences/tardiness are only those that meet the Maine State Law (Title 20-A Section 5001-A) as follows:
personal illness
appointments with health professionals that cannot be made outside of the regular school day
observance of recognized religious holidays when the observance is required during a regular school day
emergency family situations
planned absences for personal or educational purposes which have been approved in advance (please see planned absence form)
Please note: Absences not meeting these criteria are considered “unexcused.” Frequent unexcused absences may result in administrative action and/or contact by the district’s Attendance/Truancy Officer.
Absences
Your child’s absence is always our concern, and it is very important that we know where your child is. Please support our efforts by doing the following:
Call the school before 7:30 a.m. to report an absence or to leave a message. Please include symptoms if your child is unwell.
Bring in a note prior to a planned, excused absence.
Families will receive automated notification of an absence if prior communication is not received or recorded. Please then contact the main office with additional information.
Tardiness
All students are expected to arrive at each class at the start time indicated in the schedule. Students who arrive after 7:30 a.m. are considered tardy to school. The student will then be issued a pass to enter the classroom. Please see RSU 57 Policy JH-R for specifics regarding tardy procedures. If a student is at the school prior to 7:30, but not in the homeroom by 7:30, they will be marked tardy to class by their classroom teacher.
Dress Code (taken from the Student & Family Handbook, page 13 & 14)
Student Dress and Appearance
Students should dress in a way that does not distract from the educational process, and that does not create a safety hazard. Students dressed inappropriately will be required to cover up or change clothing. Building Administration will be the final judge as to whether student clothing is inappropriate (See JICA-R). Examples of unacceptable attire include, but are not limited to:
A. Clothing which:
Promotes gangs, violence, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or other chemicals
Is obscene, vulgar, or indecent
Presents a safety hazard
Is demeaning to any person or group of persons on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age or national origin
Is destructive of school property
Exposes bare skin around the midriff, chest, sides, groin, buttocks, hips and/or reveals undergarments excluding straps
Sunglasses (exceptions may be due medical and/or IEP/504 requirements)
Footwear must be securely worn. Hats/headwear are permitted at the high school.
Student Code of Conduct (taken from the Student & Family Handbook, page 28)
System-wide Student Code of Conduct
Ethical and responsible student behavior is an essential part of the educational mission of our schools. To that end, the Board has developed a system-wide Code of Conduct with input from school staff, students, parents and the community. The Code defines our expectations for student behavior and provides the framework for a safe, orderly and respectful learning environment. In addition to the sections addressing behavior found in this handbook - use this link to access Policy JIC- System-wide Student Code of Conduct
Use of Cellular & Electronic Devices (taken from the Student & Family Handbook, page 11 & 12)
The RSU 57 School Board recognizes that many students possess cellular telephones and other electronic devices. These devices may not be used in any manner that disrupts the educational process or violates School Board policies or school rules. RSU 57 is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of such devices. The Superintendent is authorized to develop, with input from administrators, any school rules necessary to implement this policy.
Student cellphones and other personal electronic devices must be silenced and out of sight during instructional time. The only exception to this rule is when a teacher specifically authorizes students to use a personal electronic device for a specific purpose that is related to a classroom instructional purpose. Teachers may utilize cell phone holders in their rooms and students will have the option to place them in the cell phone holders.
Cell phones may be used before 7:30 am, between class changes, during lunches, and after the last period of the school day at 1:50 pm. Teachers may confiscate cell phones from students who violate this rule.
If a parent needs to contact their child or a child needs to contact a parent, the communication is to occur through the main office telephone.
The use of cameras, including camera phones, is strictly prohibited in locker rooms, restrooms, and classrooms. In other school locations, students are required to obtain permission before photographing any individual.
Any use of cellular telephones and other electronic devices that violates Board policy/procedure or school rules is strictly prohibited. In addition, accessing, viewing, posting, forwarding, downloading, or displaying any materials that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, and/or illegal is prohibited.
A building administrator may maintain possession of an electronic device as long as is reasonably necessary for evidentiary purposes. Student cellular telephones and other electronic devices may be subject to search if there is a reasonable suspicion that a student is violating Board policies/procedures and/or school rules. Evidence of illegal activities involving electronic devices will be referred to appropriate law enforcement authorities and a building administrator may give a device to law enforcement authorities upon request.
Students violating these expectations will be subject to the following:
Teacher Intervention
1st Offense - Warning, the student puts cell phone away, teacher contacts home and confirms response from the parent by email or telephone call and documents.
2nd Offense - Cell phone confiscated, given back at end of the period, teacher contacts home and confirms response from the parent by email or telephone call and documents.
Office Intervention
3rd Offense - Cell phone confiscated, teacher emails office administrator, the phone sent to the office, a parent contacted, the student picks up the phone at the end of the day
4th Offense - Cell phone confiscated, teacher emails office administrator, the phone sent to the office, a parent contacted, parent picks up the phone at the end of the day
5th Offense - Cell phone confiscated, teacher emails office administrator, the phone sent to office, parent contacted, parent conference and discussion/action plan regarding future discipline which may include detention, phone turned into office at beginning of day / picked up after school, loss of phone privilege, and/or further discipline.
Prohibited Items (taken from the Student & Family Handbook, page 14)
Given our concern for the safety of our learners and our commitment to creating a positive working and learning environment, the following items are not allowed at school:
Weapons (fake or real) of any kind are NOT permitted and will result in disciplinary action. This includes any object that is used as a weapon.
Pocket knives or similarly sharp items
Firecrackers, laser pointers, toxic materials, spray cans (hair, paint, pepper spray)
Wallet chains and other oversized chains
Medications (must be given to the nurse by parent/guardian)
drugs/alcohol/tobacco/vape juice, or related paraphernalia
If your child is found in possession of any of these items, the item will be confiscated and appropriate consequences will be applied. The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen property.
Mustang Monster Dash 5K & Fun Run!
The Massabesic Cross Country team is excited to host the Mustang Monster Dash 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, October 14th! Anyone that signs up for the 5K by September 21st will get a free race T-shirt. The Fun Run (1/4 of a mile) is free. Use the QR code or this link to sign up!
Important Back-To-School Reminders
Parking Passes:
Students choosing to drive to campus and utilize campus parking are required to obtain a parking pass from the main office. You will need to provide evidence of proper vehicle registration, proper vehicle insurance, and a description of the vehicle before receiving your pass. Deputy Corey will be monitoring the student parking in the coming week to ensure students have been granted permission (with a parking pass) to utilize the student parking lot.
Student Arrival & Dismissal
1) Students may arrive at school at 7:10 AM - Students are dismissed at 1:49pm
2) Parent drop off and pickup has gone well thus far - we thank you for your patience during these busy times and we especially appreciate your willingness to follow the directions of staff helping to increase the flow of traffic arriving to, and departing from, the MHS campus.
Questions & Concerns?
You are always welcome to call our office at (207) 247-3141, schedule an opportunity to meet, or email our administrative team directly:
Mr. Ty Thurlow, Principal - tythurlow@rsu57.org
Mrs. Liane Renaud, Administrative Assistant to the Principal - lianerenaud@rsu57.org
Mr. Scott Lavertu, Assistant Principal - scottlavertu@rsu57.org
Mr. Jim Fryzlewicz, Assistant Principal - jamesfryzlewicz@rsu57.org
Ms. Kaitlyn Ouellette, Main Office Administrative Assistant - kaitlynouellette@rsu57.org
Mrs. Allison Ellis, Dean of Academics & Director of Guidance - allisonellis@rsu57.org
Mrs. Marie Proctor, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Guidance - marieproctor@rsu57.org
Mrs. Kelley Allen, Guidance Office Administrative Assistant - kelleyallen@rsu57.org
Mr. Daniel Lawrence, Athletic Director - daniellawrence@rsu57.org
Mrs. Mackenzie LaChance, Athletic Department Administrative Assistant - mackenziewilliams@rsu57.org
MHS Athletics Website: https://rsu57mustangs.org/
SAVE THE DATE
Week of October 2nd
Homecoming Week
Saturday, October 7th
Homecoming Dance @ MHS (7:00-10:00pm)
Massabesic High School
Location: 88 West Road, Waterboro, ME 04087
Phone: 207-247-3141
Fax: 207-247-3146
Fax for Records: 207-247-3477