Friday, September 10, 2021
Dear RSU 71 Students, Families, Staff, School Board and Community Partners,
It has been a good week in RSU 71!
Pandemic Update
Pooled -Testing - The school nurse team is putting the final touches on an RSU 71 Pooled Testing Website, which should be up and running by day's end on Monday. The site will include a letter to parents, a pooled testing consent form, FAQ (frequently asked questions), a video of how pooled testing works, a calendar of test dates, and other information about pooled testing.
COVID-19 Vaccination - Beginning this week, the Department of Education is collecting information about the vaccination rates of staff members, which appears to be the majority of staff, with the lowest site over 50% and the highest percentage so far at 86%. Many staff have been vaccinated but have not yet brought in their vaccination cards, so these percentages will be higher as time goes on.
This week's Pandemic Data as of Friday, September 10 at 9:00 am:
Nickerson - There were no cases of COVID-19 this week, and no individuals are in quarantine.
East - There were no positive cases this week; five individuals are in quarantine.
Ames - Six individuals are in quarantine from all out-of-school exposures; there were no positive cases this week.
Weymouth - Three individuals are in quarantine due to out-of-school exposure; there were no new cases this week.
CASS & United Farmers Market - Two individuals are in quarantine from a close contact outside of school.
THMS - Two individuals who were in quarantine from exposures before school began have tested positive, and five individuals are in quarantine related to that exposure.
BAHS & BCOPE - There were zero cases of COVID-19 this week; two individuals are in quarantine.
Bus Garage - There were no cases of COVID-19 this week, and one individual is in quarantine.
Adult Education - There were no cases; there is no one in quarantine.
Central Office - There were no positive cases this week; no one is in quarantine.
Good News and Information
Captain Albert Stevens (CASS) - Many heartfelt thanks and kudos to CASS students, families, staff, and community partners for turning adversity into a positive experience! Principal Widmer writes: "What a week! I think I speak for most of us, students, teachers, support staff, when I say that this has been the most unusual start of a school year. (Although last year was pretty strange too!) CASS proper experienced a small school environment with fewer than one hundred students on the first floor, while ServePro deconstructed significant second-floor sections. On the second day of school, an accidental dust release next to a fire detector set off the fire alarm before teachers had much chance to talk about fire procedures with their students. With all these differences, students at CASS adapted and did a fine job getting the new routines down.
The same can be said for the Adventure School at United Farmers Market. Teachers and students have made a triumphant effort to learn outside the box that is UFM. We appreciate the participation of community partners who helped make it possible. Groups of students left for short periods to go to the UU church to do learning organized by Chrissy Fowler and Belfast Flying Shoes, leaving more space for students back at UFM. Staff and students could be heard singing, "This Little Light of Mine, I'm going to Let it Shine."Mr. Hoffman said today that it would be difficult to return to CASS due to the students' response to adventure learning. His class had visiting teachers from 4-H, leading them to explore seaweed; next week, they'll explore seaweed exploration at the seashore.
We've realized that what works while we are down here can be woven into what we do when we are back at CASS.
And if you're wondering what learning at the bay looks like, here is a photo."
Belfast Area High School (BAHS)
Congratulations to BAHS senior Jonah Lovejoy!
Glass Blowing class starts next week at Waterfall Arts for six seniors.
Ninety-Two at WCTC!! We have a record high of 92 students at Waldo County Technical Center, grades 9-12, excellent news for our community. Many students learn skills that translate into future jobs in fields with a critical shortage of skilled workers.
Twenty junior and senior Peer Leaders have volunteered to be escorts/assistants to Nancy Brown's Art classes over the next few weeks to help walk younger students back and forth from United Farmers Market to WaterFall Arts. They are giving up a study hall and lunch one day a week.
Forty-five students are actively remediating 1- 3 credits during the school day that would generally require students to retake an entire course, thanks to hiring the new interventionist, Krystal Gamage.
Homecoming is back in a big way this year! We will be hosting games/events on October 7th, 8th, and 9th to celebrate our athletes this fall.
Troy Howard Middle School (THMS
Troy Howard Middle School advisories are off to a great start. Advisors are getting to know students, and students are getting to know their teachers and peers by participating in challenges and holding community circles.
Thanks to our Garden Program and the amazing TLC classroom for setting up our new free fruit and veggies distribution! And thanks to Veggies For All, Hope Orchard, and Johnny's seeds for the donations.
Check out our Facebook page for a great video of making fresh SALSA VERDE from the garden in Spanish class this week. For everyone who wanted the recipe: tomatillos, onions, garlic, jalapeños - broil on a baking sheet- blend with cilantro, salt, and fresh lime.
Our Librarian, Miss Joy, has been able to get all of our boxed-up books unpacked after a summer flooring project. She is still tidying up, but books are out on the shelves and ready to be checked out! Our library is looking clean and bright with new tile replacing well-used carpeting.
🎶 Don't Stop Believin' 🎶 We're excited to have music back in our building! All students have music in their schedule one day a week, and we're working to identify band students and make sure they have instruments. Mr. Wainer and Mr. Munson will be working collaboratively to jump-start chorus and band safely!
That's it for this week. This message will be emailed to staff and the school board and Robo-sent to all families. We'll send the next Friday update on September 17. In the meantime, please feel free to be in touch with our administrators, school nurses, and me with questions, suggestions, ideas, and feedback.
Yours truly,
Mary Alice
