MSAD #51 District Newsletter - November 4, 2024

From the Superintendent

This is the 9th (and final) segment in a multi-part series taking a deeper dive into the 2024-25 district strategic priorities. Over the last two months, I have introduced the various priorities the district is working through this school year. Obviously, the One Campus project is a very public priority and one that is currently the focus of significant efforts through the work of the Building and Turf Field Committees as we progress through the design phase of this project. Please see Building Committee chair Tim Valenti's update in this newsletter for more details about the work on the One Campus project this Fall.

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

Pertussis (whooping cough) cases

There has recently been an increase in the cases of Pertussis (whooping cough) throughout the district. Specifically the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has opened a pertussis outbreak investigation due to multiple cases of pertussis at Greely High School. Pertussis is an infection caused by bacteria. It affects the airways and spreads easily from person to person by coughing or sneezing. Pertussis usually begins with symptoms of a common cold (sore throat, runny nose, mild cough), and often develops into a severe cough. The severe cough leads to coughing fits and/or vomiting. The cough is often worse at night. Early symptoms can last 1-2 weeks. Symptoms usually begin 5-10 days after exposure but can take up to 3 weeks. People infected with pertussis are most contagious for 2 weeks after the cough begins.

Anyone can get pertussis, including people who have had the pertussis vaccine. Pertussis can cause serious and sometimes deadly complications for babies, especially those who have not received all recommended pertussis vaccines. 

What you should do:

If you or your child has a severe cough (including uncontrollable coughing fits, coughing to the point of gagging, vomiting after coughing, or difficulty breathing):

• Make an appointment with a health care provider. Tell them about the possible exposure so they can test for pertussis.
• Stay home and/or keep your child home from school and activities, such as sports or play groups, until you receive test results.

If a health care provider diagnosed you or your child with pertussis:

• Stay home and/or keep your child home from school and activities, such as sports or play groups, until your child has completed 5 days of antibiotic treatment.
• All household and high-risk close contacts (including infants younger than 12 months, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems) should be treated with antibiotics to prevent pertussis infection.

Anyone with symptoms of pertussis infection should stay home until they complete antibiotic treatment. Those without symptoms do not need to stay home while completing treatment.

If you or your child does not have symptoms, you/they do not need to be tested or excluded from activities. However, you should monitor for symptoms and seek care if you/they become sick with the symptoms described above.

Encourage your child to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of disease:

• Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Please make sure your family’s vaccinations are up to date. Older children and adults, including pregnant women, should get a pertussis booster shot called “Tdap” to help protect themselves and babies around them. Contact a health care provider to schedule a vaccination appointment or call the Maine Immunization Program at 1-800-867-4775 to find a vaccine provider near you.

You can find more information about pertussis at www.maine.gov/dhhs/pertussis. If you have any questions or concerns, please email your school nurse, call your healthcare provider directly, or call Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821. 

The current cases at MSAD #51 are as follows:

• GHS: 2
• GMS: 2
• MIW: 0

Weather Closing Reminder

As winter approaches, be sure you're informed about MSAD #51's procedures for closures and delays.

IB Quarterly Report

Click Here to view the IB Quarterly for Quarter 1 2024-2025.

Stay Connected 

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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).

November 7 - 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

One Campus Project Information

For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/building_project

Update on the One Campus

This past September, the Board of Directors established a Building Committee to oversee the decisions and progress of the One-Campus Project. In addition to managing the project, this committee is charged with making recommendations to the school board for items that need approval and communicating updates to the community. The Building Committee is comprised of 24 individuals with diverse backgrounds, including school staff and administrators, parents with relevant construction experience, and elected officials from both towns. To date, we’ve held 4 meetings, primarily working on the campus site design in order to apply for permits with the DEP. The committee also provided feedback on the initial plans for the new facilities building, which has since been conditionally approved by the Cumberland Planning Board. In the coming weeks we will be discussing mechanical systems (HVAC, Plumbing) and working with the Turf Field Committee on the bid process and material recommendation.

The full committee meets at least once a month on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM and are open to the public (please see the district calendar for details). While community attendance is encouraged, this is a working meeting without public comment. We welcome you to reach out directly to Board of Directors, or Tim Valenti, the Building Committee chair, with your questions and feedback.

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.

Annual “Give Thanks” Apple Pie Fundraiser
 

Useful Links

Employment Opportunities

MSAD #51 Website

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 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.