As the school year is fast approaching, you will be receiving a separate notification this week requesting that you update your child’s enrollment forms, as we do every year at this time. I am pleased to announce that we have moved these forms into Powerschool, our digital student information system, which should make this much easier for you to complete. For current MSAD #51 students, much of the information will be pre-populated to help you update and complete the forms more quickly. We hope you find this important annual task more user-friendly and time-efficient.
Another topic that has been getting attention both nationally and in MSAD #51 is student cell phone access and use in schools. Our procedures are outlined in each school's student/family handbook and are aligned to Board Policy JFCK - Student Use of Cellular Telephone and Other Electronic Devices. This policy emphasizes responsible access and use of personal phones rather than an outright ban, which some districts have recently adopted. It is my belief that educating our students about responsible digital citizenship is more impactful for their future than outright bans on phones. Each school already places limits on access and use of cell phones in order to minimize disruptions to educational programming. I would encourage you to review your child's school handbook for more detailed information and discuss these expectations for appropriate cell phone access and use with your child.
As I close this message, it is with a heavy heart that I relay the recent passing of a member of our staff, Hunter Duffy, after drowning in a Maine lake. Hunter was just 21 years old and worked as an evening custodian at GHS. He has family members who also work in the district, and this has been especially difficult for our Facilities department. There has been a Gofundme account set up in Hunter's name to support his family if you are interested in contributing. Please keep Hunter's family in your thoughts during this difficult time.