MSAD #51 District Newsletter - March 21, 2024

From the Superintendent

porterOn March 18, 2024, the MSAD #51 Board of Directors voted to move forward with a new school project plan on the existing campus in Cumberland Center, ending consideration of a new school at 80 Gray Road in North Yarmouth.  This plan reflects community input about a building project, while responding to space needs for our increasing student enrollment. Please see below for important information.

Also, I wanted to make you aware of the 2024 Stakeholder Survey results. You may view them here. Thank you to all of our stakeholders for providing valuable feedback to us.

 

Regards,
Jeff Porter

Congratulations to Maya Zimmerman, sophomore at GHS, who won a Gold Key, a Silver Key and an Honorable Mention for her paintings submitted in the Maine Region Scholastic Competition. Her winning Gold Key and Silver Key pieces were part of an exhibition at Maine College of Art and Design earlier this month and will be judged in the National Scholastic Art Awards Competition later this Spring. Her painting “Moments” is pictured above.


Congratulations to Elliot Alfred, GHS student, who received a Gold Key Scholastic Award for his comic. His work will be displayed in the capital complex through May as his work also received an 'Excellence in Arts Education' award through the Maine Arts Commission.

 

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

Last Day of School

With no snow days yet this year the last day of school is still on track for Tuesday, June 11.

2024-25 School Calendar

At Monday's Board of Director's meeting the Board approved the 2024-25 School Calendar.

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

We are pleased to announce the district-wide launch of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. This program teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signals and threats, on social media, in school, or in their community, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. Specifically, the program educates students and adult participants to:

  • Recognize the signs and threats of at-risk behaviors
  • Take every sign and signal seriously and act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult, OR
  • Report it anonymously to the Say Something  ARS 24/7/365 Crisis Center via mobile app, website, or telephone hotline
  • Respond to and manage the submitted tips using a tip management system overseen by a designated school team
  • Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks

For more information visit the Say Something page of the district's website.
To learn more about the district's safety and security work visit this link: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/safety_security

Solar Eclipse

As you are likely aware, on Monday, April 8 a total solar eclipse passes through Maine, a somewhat rare occurrence. I have been asked if the school schedule will be modified for that day as the eclipse timing in southern Maine is expected between 2:20-4:30 PM. In our part of the state, the eclipse is not forecasted to be at 100% totality and we plan to dismiss at the regular time on April 8 with no alterations to the full day schedule that day. NASA has provided information about the eclipse at: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/faq/.

Superintendent's Report

Click here to view the latest Superintendent's Report

Stay Connected 


Click on the icon above to connect with MSAD #51.
Find all the ways MSAD #51 shares information here.

MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information

All meetings will take place at 6:00 pm in the Gyger Room at Greely High School.  For those of you unfamiliar with that room, the Gyger Room can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).

Be SMART Safe Firearm Storage

Click here to view the community letter signed by the Board of Directors Chair, MSAD #51 Superintendent and Cumberland Chief of Police. 

April 1 - Regular Meeting

Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)

Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos

Budget Information 2024-25

Detailed budget information can be found on the District's website at: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/budget


 

Community Partners

Our Community Partners are strong supporters of various areas of the school.  Without them, our students would not have many of the wonderful opportunities and experiences that they receive.

6th Grade Bingo Night

Parent University Presents “Project iGuardian”

Useful Links

Employment Opportunities

MSAD #51 Website

2018-2023 Strategic Plan

District Calendar

GHS Athletics Schedule

Greely Center for the Arts Events

 

If you would like something included in our weekly newsletter, please send a brief write up with title along with a JPEG or PNG image of your flyer (if applicable) to Melissa Porter for approval. The deadline each week is Sunday. Any requests received after Sunday will be reviewed for possible submission in the following week's newsletter. All approved submissions will be posted on the district's website.

Not all items in this email are MSAD #51 sponsored programs. If you need more information, please contact the group or organization that is sponsoring the event.

Maine School Administrative District #51
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us   |   207.829.4800