RSU 57 Community Newsletter

October 30, 2023

Message from the Superintendent

Dear RSU 57 Community,

In light of the heartbreaking events that unfolded last week in Lewiston, Maine, our district took the precautionary measure of closing schools on Thursday and Friday. We prioritized the safety and well-being of our community in doing so and have been thoughtfully preparing for the reopening of our schools to students and staff. As we welcomed our students back to school today, I am reassured and heartened by the resilience and unity that bind us as a community. Our schools are safe havens of learning and growth, and our diligent preparations will ensure we are able to respond with empathy in times of crisis. A robust system of mental and emotional support stands ready to assist any student in need, ensuring a nurturing and supportive environment as we navigate through these challenging times together. I thank our entire community for its patience and understanding as we navigated these unprecedented times.

As we reflect, begin to heal, and look ahead, it is with a sense of hope and excitement that we transition to share the progressive strides our district is making. Our recently approved Strategic Plan is a testament to our collective vision for a thriving educational environment, enriched with opportunities for every student. This forward-looking blueprint is tailored to meet the evolving needs of our students while fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity. It's about planting seeds today for a harvest of educated, empowered, and emotionally resilient individuals tomorrow.

We are thrilled to invite you to a Community Forum on November 14th at 7pm, where we will detail our Strategic Plan to the community. The forum can be attended in person at our East building on the MHS campus or via our streaming channel on YouTube. This pivotal gathering is an opportunity for us to come together as one community, sharing insights, and celebrating the promising journey that lies ahead. Your engagement is invaluable, and we look forward to embracing this new chapter with open dialogue, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose. Together, we will continue to enrich the educational landscape of RSU 57, nurturing the hearts and minds of our students as we steer towards a bright and hopeful future.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Stephen D. Marquis

Golf Team Wins Good Sportsmanship Award

Congratulations to Massabesic High School's Golf Team for being recipients of the 2023 MPA Southern Maine Good Sportsmanship Award! The award is given to a team who exemplifies sportsmanlike conduct; treats everyone with courtesy, cheers for their team and not against the other, treat officials with respect, uses appropriate language and behavior, and does not say negative comments towards another community.

Student athletes were recognized for this outstanding achievement at the RSU 57 School Board meeting on October 25. Athletic Director Daniel Lawrence and Coach Scott Carbone presented certificates of achievement to the golfers. The event was well-attended by friends and family members.

Congratulations to Ethan Roy, Walker Vivian, Brian Graffam, Gianni Carrieira, Josh Lafountaine, Max Tousignant, Caleb Noyes and Eli Alling! Way to go, Mustangs! (pictured below)

Shapleigh Book Fair & Family Night

The Scholastic Book Fair at Shapleigh Memorial will be held this week from October 31-November 3. Volunteers are needed to help run the fair during school hours. Please visit the Shapleigh Memorial book fair website for more information.

Join Shapleigh Memorial in celebrating the amazing state of Maine at their Family Night on November 2 from 6-7:30pm. (pictured below)

PreK Paper Pumpkins at LINE

Mrs. Yanni's PreK class at Line Elementary had so much fun making paper pumpkins! For the activity, students practiced following step-by-step instructions and honing their fine motor skills by cutting and gluing. Check out the amazing creations made by our young artists! (video below)

MHS Students Tour Salem, MA

Students from Massabesic High School recently visited Salem, Massachusetts to compliment their learning in English Language Arts and History classes. Great fun was had by all! (pictured below)