From the Superintendent
This is the sixth segment in a multi-part series taking a deeper dive into the 2024-25 district strategic priorities. The Strategic Plan identifies Wellness as one of the four core components of a student's experience in MSAD #51, with safety a critical area of focus. In the past, I have written extensively in this newsletter about the importance of both physical and emotional safety practices, to which MSAD #51 subscribes heavily. However, this year's district priorities center on physical safety with respect to emergency planning and cybersecurity.
The district's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan was completely overhauled by the Safety and Security Committee in 2023-24. This plan incorporates all school building emergency management teams appointed by the building principals, all of which are being re-aligned this year to conform to the revamped district plan, a strategic priority approved by the Board. The district maintains a close working relationship with the Cumberland Police Department, Cumberland Fire Department, and North Yarmouth Fire Department, along with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's School Protective Division, to which our emergency plans have been reviewed by a representative of this agency.
In the event of an emergency or a violent incident, the initial response at an individual school building is the responsibility of the building-level emergency response team, headed by each school principal. Upon activation of this team, the Superintendent and appropriate local emergency response officials are notified. Depending on the nature of the emergency, county and state officials will also be notified. In accordance with Maine law Sec. 1, 20-A M.R.S.A. § 1001, sub-§-16, school emergency plans are not subject to public disclosure. Access to the district's full emergency plan is limited, with digital safeguards, to two dozen individuals with a need-to-know status within the school and law enforcement communities.
Next week's topic will address cybersecurity planning. As a reminder, last year I wrote a series on school safety that is linked below:
Part 1: Comprehensive school safety planning & campus/school/classroom security
Part 2: Coordination with first responders and school-based law enforcement
Part 3: Drills and anonymous reporting systems
Part 4: School climate and Mental health resources
Part 5: Behavioral threat assessment and social media monitoring
To view all segments in this series around the 2024-25 strategic priorities, see Updates from the Superintendent on the Superintendent News webpage.
Regards,
Jeff Porter
Officer Amie Owen conducting ALICE training to MSAD #51 staff members.
Fifth graders at GMS 4-5 created line compositions.
Community Notices
Community Notices are not affiliated with MSAD #51. Please contact the organization directly with any questions. For a full listing of Community Notices, please click HERE.
Book Sale at Prince Memorial Library
Useful Links
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 Wednesday. Any requests received after Wednesday 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.
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