September Monthly Update
Dear RSU 71 Students, Families, Staff, School Board, and Community Partners,
A Letter from the Superintendent
We are excited to roll out the new RSU 71 Education Plan, developed this past spring in partnership with hundreds of RSU 71 community members, including students, parents, staff, our school board and a diverse number of community partners and leaders. Over the summer of 2022, principals met with their leadership teams to create a work plan addressing the top three goals of this year. Directors have been working with their departments to do the same. The Education Plan articulates our community’s shared beliefs, mission, vision, essential questions, and specific goals for the 2022 - 2023 school year. Laminated copies of the plan are being posted in classrooms and framed for our school and department lobbies.
During each monthly update, I’ll share a little about what we are doing to bring the plan alive.
Printable version of RSU 71 Education Plan
At the heart of our plan is a strengths-based approach to teaching and learning; our new three-word motto is Engage and Elevate. This year we will work with each of our K-12 students to develop a personalized learning plan, recognizing that there are multiple pathways by which students can succeed in school and life.
One of the most urgently felt aspirations articulated by all stakeholders in the development of this plan is the consistent implementation of research-based, high-leverage instructional strategies that consistently engage students in rigorous and relevant learning, motivating them to become invested as leaders of their own learning, with a belief in their own capacity to perform at high levels. Our fabulous students and talented teachers have been through a lot during the last three school years of the coronavirus pandemic.
As always, please feel free to be in touch with our staff and me with questions, ideas, feedback, and requests for assistance.
Happy Fall!
Mary Alice McLean, Superintendent of Schools
Good News, Reminders, Information
BELFAST AREA HIGH SCHOOL
FIRST GROUP OF BELFAST MARINE INSTITUTE MEMBERS GET SCUBA CERTIFIED! Belfast Area High School Marine Institute students recently completed their Open Water check-out dives through Aqua Diving Academy at Beauchamp Point in Rockport. Congratulations to Judson and Adam (and mom Sarah) for being among the first group of BMI members to obtain their basic scuba certification! The Marine Institute is an example of collaboration and innovation at Belfast Area High School. They are pairing curriculum in the areas of ELA/Science and Social Studies with experiential hands-on research and career exploration opportunities. The institute will put students in the center of their educational experience, while providing meaningful connections to the community and the marine environment. An onsite campus Wet Lab is being developed for kelp farming and other aqua-culture research and an internship program will get students out into the work world in marine-related fields. Some sample course electives include Marine Studies, New England Maritime History, Oceanography, and Projects in Engineering.
To learn more visit their website at: (https://bahsmarineinstitute.rsu71.org/home)
AUDET SWITCHES FROM ATHLETIC TRAINER TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER
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B.C.O.P.E.
B.C.O.P.E. ANNIVERSARY BASH!
Belfast Community Outreach Program in Education (B.C.O.P.E.) will celebrate its 20th anniversary in their building on Merriam Drive on Halloween from 9am - 2pm, and 4pm - 6pm. Activities will include pumpkin decorating, capture the flag, slideshows, historical photos over the years and even telling scary stories for the children.
Lunch and snacks will be available.
Read the full article:
https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/bcope-hosts-anniversary-bash-celebrate-their-building/165758?amgee-source=dh
TROY HOWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL
TRYING NEW THINGS - FREEZE-DRIED CRICKETS!
Ms. Paul's Pathways class at THMS has adopted a theme of trying new things. We want students to challenge themselves by choice. This week's challenge was to eat freeze-dried crickets. With choices of Salt-and- Vinegar and Sour Cream and Onion flavors, 86% of the students, along with Miss Paul, tried the crunchy insects.
CAPTAIN ALBERT STEVENS SCHOOL
WELCOME BACK TO ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF!
Photo courtesy of Ms. Brita, Title 1 teacher,
of the literature garden at CASS |
Welcome back to all students and staff! Our literacy garden is in full bloom (but fading with these cool nights)! It’s a must see space on the field and we welcome everyone to visit, see the literature selections, and walk among the flowers.
This year we are building individual student learning plans to highlight the goals students are working towards. These plans will be shared with parents during student-led conferences. We’re excited about our new dismissal protocol and thank families for giving it a try!
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FAMILY MATH IN THE GARDEN WORKSHOP |
Join our hands-on workshop at the CASS garden. Students in grades K - 2, along with their families, will practice their math measuring skills in 4 different garden activities, and then take home ideas for using math at home. Who: Students and their families in grades K - 2.
*Maximum of 25 students and their
families for this event Where: CASS garden When: October 19 (rain date October 26)
3:30 - 4:30 How: First come, first serve, so reserve your
spot by contacting The Title I team by Oct.
14th or returning the slip (you can get it
here).
Ms. Brita lbrita@rsu71.org or Mrs. Winslow gwinslow@rsu71.org | 
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AMES ELEMENTARY
LEARNING ARCHERY AT AMES
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“We are so incredibly fortunate to have this type of programming at Ames Elementary!
Dan Campbell sure knows how to get our kids excited about learning!” - Sarah Nelson, 4th grade
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“Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In modern times, archery's main use is that of a recreational activity. In my 4th & 5th grade Physical Education classes, we use it to improve our confidence, focus, hand-eye coordination, social skills, and physical well being.” – Dan Campbell |
NICKERSON ELEMENTARY
NICKERSON 3rd GRADERS ENJOY THE 46th ANNUAL COMMON GROUND FAIR
PDF Version of this update is available here for download
RSU 71 September 2022 Newsletter
