Dear RSU 71 Students, Families, Staff, School Board, and Community Partners,
This week's update is being sent on Thursday rather than Friday and is shorter than usual.
Pandemic Update
Binax Now Tests - As we all know, the Omicron surge has resulted in an unprecedented number of positive COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, we see a similar increase in cases in our schools. The State of Maine is working hard to approve and ship orders for Binax NOW rapid tests as soon as possible, but our supplies are running low.
At this time, our priority is to utilize Binax NOW for follow-up testing of positive pools.
We recognize that finding at-home tests can be challenging, as can getting a test scheduled. As a reminder, participation in pooled testing provides weekly testing and may reduce the need for testing done outside of school.
A reminder that you can sign your student up for pooled testing at any time. You can sign up here https://www.rsu71.org/
departments/school-nurses/ pooled-testing. Or, you can ask your school for a paper consent form.
Data - Here are the numbers for this week (though Thursday morning):
Good News and Information
CASS School - From Principal Widmer: We are beginning our winter testing period this week. Our school system uses the NWEA (North West Evaluation Association) assessment, an online assessment that is "adaptive." The test adjusts to each student's learning level along a continuum of learning, creating a "just right" assessment, cutting down on frustration, and allowing a more accurate assessment of each student. Our district adopted this assessment before the state adopted it for the yearly standardized assessment allowing us to be one step ahead, which is a nice place to be. I am excited to see what these assessments tell us, as we have done pretty well given this year's circumstances.
We have passed the halfway point in this academic year - hard to believe! The 100th day of school will be a week from this coming Friday. We are doing well, keeping ahead of the curve here and trying to ride it out to the end. The group effort of all the teachers, support staff, students, parents, and community members makes this possible. Thank you, all.
Training Offered - WHAT ABOUT SUBSTITUTE TEACHING?
Would you like to support the students and staff in RSU #71? Join us for an evening workshop with CASS Assistant Principal Reynolds. We will explore the ins and outs of substitute teaching. Learn about opportunities for part-time employment and get your questions answered. Participants will have support in filling out the paperwork necessary to apply. Refreshments provided! The program is scheduled for Thursday, 17 February 2022, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Belfast Adult Education Learning Center. REGISTER in person at Belfast Adult Education or by telephone by calling 207-338-3197. There is no fee for this program.
BCOPE (Belfast Community Outreach Program in Education)
Teacher Lindsey Schortz writes, Our Building a Sustainable Infrastructure Project will allow our school community to achieve goals set by our students: 1) to address food insecurity in our community (specifically as it relates to our students and their families), and 2) to strengthen and solidify the infrastructure of the BCOPE Garden Program.
We applied for a grant from the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Garden and Greenhouse, which awards up to $2000.00. We will receive the full amount, $1957.00, which will be used to replace and upgrade our existing fence, build tomato cages, and purchase additional tools and five yards of organic compost. These changes will allow us to upgrade our existing infrastructure and intensify our vegetable and flower production.
Almost every student and staff member at BCOPE was involved in writing and researching the grant – hence our excitement about its being awarded! The THMS Garden Coordinator David Wessels was also incredibly helpful and made time to sit down, brainstorm, and discuss the feasibility of our plans.
Many thanks to Maine Ag in the Classroom and everyone else in the RSU 71 and greater Waldo County community who continue to support our garden program.
Cheer
Congratulations to the cheerleaders and their coaches for a program-best 7th place finish at last Saturday's KVAC Championships at the Augusta Civic Center. Their competition routine can be watched on our YouTube Channel, RSU71 TV. The BAHS portion of the video begins at the 11th minute. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/
Food Pantry
Today, RSU 71 received a generous donation from the Waldo YMCA: 8 boxes of food and $180 toward our food pantry program. Many thanks to our friends and neighbors at the YMCA for your continued partnership in serving our community!
That's it for this week. Please feel free to be in touch with questions, ideas, concerns, and feedback.
With best regards,
Mary Alice
