RSU 57 Community Newsletter

November 27, 2023

Message from the Superintendent

Dear RSU 57 Community,

As we reconvene after the Thanksgiving break, I hope this message finds each of you having enjoyed a happy and restful holiday. It is essential, especially in these times, to cherish moments spent with those who mean the most to us, and I sincerely hope each of you had the opportunity to do just that over the holiday.

Celebrating Student and Staff Excellence:

I am thrilled to share some heartening news from our community.

Senior Hunter Van Brocklin has been honored as the "Passionate Change Maker" by the Maine Education of the Gifted & Talented organization. This prestigious recognition is awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding advocacy for their peers and an unwavering commitment to effect positive change. Hunter's achievements are not just a personal triumph but also a testament to the values we cherish and nurture in our RSU 57 community.

Additionally, Junior Emma Brown has been crowned the United States of America Pageants Teen Maine 2023. Emma previously served as Teen York County 2023 and has used her platform to create “A Fresh Start”, which aims to provide safe housing to women and children who have experienced domestic violence. This year, Emma successfully collected over 500 personal hygiene items and raised $8,000 from local businesses for Caring Unlimited in Sanford. Emma will be moving on to the national competition in San Antonio, TX in July of 2024. Emma’s dedication to service and advocacy within the RSU 57 community is inspirational and we look forward to celebrating her continued successes in the future.

Lastly, I would like to recognize Ms. Samantha Person - a P.E. teacher at Waterboro Elementary - who was recently honored with the MaineAHPERD 2023 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Person has consistently gone above and beyond in her role to create a positive and engaging learning environment for her students. Her tireless efforts have not only improved the health of students but have also instilled lifelong values of teamwork, respect and self-disciple. We are so grateful to have Ms. Person at RSU 57!

Strategic Plan and Community Engagement:

In our ongoing efforts to keep you informed and involved, I would like to remind you of the community forum held on Tuesday, November 14. During this forum, our district leadership provided a comprehensive overview of our newly completed Strategic Plan. This plan is a roadmap for our district's future, reflecting our collective vision and goals. For those who could not attend, a recording of the forum is available at this link. Your engagement and feedback are vital in our journey forward.

Weather-Related School Decisions:

With the winter season upon us, I want to address the potential for school cancellations or delays due to inclement weather. The safety of our students, staff, and families is paramount. Decisions regarding school closures or delays are made with the utmost care, considering various factors, including road conditions, weather forecasts, and consultations with local public works, road commissioners, and meteorologists. We also coordinate with other area superintendents to ensure we make the most informed decisions. Rest assured, we strive to communicate these decisions as early as possible to provide families with adequate notice.

Supporting Our Families During the Holidays:

As the holiday season approaches, our commitment to supporting our students and their families remains steadfast. If your family is in need of winter gear or other supplies, please contact the RSU 57 central office at 207-247-3221. Our dedicated Community Liaisons are ready to assist and connect you with the necessary resources. All requests for assistance are kept entirely confidential.

In closing, let's embrace the upcoming weeks with a spirit of unity and care for one another. Our collective efforts make RSU 57 a vibrant and nurturing community for our students to thrive.

Warm regards,

Dr. Stephen D. Marquis

November Model Mustang Staff Awards

It is with great excitement and pride that we announce the recipients of the Model Mustang Staff Award for the month of November! 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! Click the link button below to view November's Model Mustang Award recipients. Congratulations, all!

November Model Mustangs!

Junior Mustangs Win Gold Ball!

Congrats to the Junior Mustangs football team on winning the Mountain Division State Championship Game last weekend! To celebrate, the Jr. Mustangs Varsity football team, JV team, cheerleaders, their coaches, and the Gold Ball were honored on November 20th with a parade through the MMS team hallways. RSU 57 Athletic Director Daniel Lawrence and MHS Varsity Football Coach Lucas Labbe also attended the celebration. Congratulations to both Junior Mustangs football teams on their undefeated seasons! (pictured above)

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Array City at Lyman

Mrs. Hargis' 3rd grade class is learning the first step of multiplication; arrays! An array is a way to represent multiplication using rows and columns where rows represent the number of groups and columns represent the number in each group. Students created an "Array City" to demonstrate their beginning knowledge of multiplication!

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Peer Helpers at Alfred

Alfred Elementary Peer Helpers collected food donations for the York County Shelter Programs. Students presented their donations to Bobbie Cessario (Housing Director) and Wes Phinney (Deputy Director) on November 17. Thank you to all AES students and families for their generosity!

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Forest Ranger Visits MHS

Local forest ranger and Massabesic graduate Greg Mulcahy came to Massabesic High School to meet with any students interested in learning more about forestry and the forest ranger career. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about his role in firefighting, timber theft, and timber trespass. They were also invited to investigate his truck and examine all the tools and equipment needed for his job. Thank you to Greg for giving students the opportunity to learn about this fascinating career!

Maine Field Hockey Association Recognizes MHS Students

Congratulations to members of MHS Field Hockey for recent Maine Field Hockey Associations State-wide recognitions:

Sydney Duncan and Gianna Thibeault earned Academic All State recognition. Academic All State takes into consideration class rank and rolling GPA. Gianna and Sydney are 2 of only 95 players in the state of Maine who have achieved such high academic standards!

Eliza Rogers and Paige Stephenson have earned All State recognition this year. A total of only 61 athletes from across the state of Maine and across all classes received this honor this year. Eliza and Paige will be recognized at the Maine Field Hockey Association banquet on Sunday, December 3rd at the Augusta Civic Center. (pictured above)

4th Annual Ugly Sweater 5K

It's that time of year again! MHS's National Honor Society is hosting its fourth annual Ugly Sweater 5K on December 3rd. All ages and abilities are welcome! You can walk, jog, or run the route. All proceeds go toward purchasing gifts from the giving trees in the RSU57 schools and community. Come join us for a super fun event while giving bringing smiles to so many faces. Please see the flyer below for more information.