From the Superintendent
This is part 3 of an intermittent multi-series taking a closer look at the MSAD #51 Data Dashboard, with a continued focus on demographic data this week. Please note that this dashboard represents data from the last reporting period (2023-24 school year), with updates released annually in October.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that requires schools to accommodate and provide access to learning for students with physical and mental disabilities or impairments. This includes any health and academic-related impairments that interfere with a major life function, such as learning. As we have built up supports in other areas, like MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support), the numbers of students requiring a 504 Plan has been decreasing over the years, from a high of 13.2% in 2016-17 to a low of 8.2% last year, or about 185 students district-wide.
On a different note, the number of risk assessments for behaviors where there is a concern about a student possibly causing injury to themselves or others has more than doubled since 2021 to 49 students, or just over 2% of the total district population. This has followed a national and state trend of more serious issues presented by some students in the post-pandemic era. Over the last three years, we have added social workers to our schools and have a PK-12 mental health/risk assessment coordinator who follows up with students and families when there are elevated risk assessment results in order to be proactive when issues arise.
Finally, the district's substantiated bullying cases, those reportable to the state Department of Education, have remained under 10 annually over the last several years, as compared to a decade ago. Substantiated bullying cases are those that meet multiple criteria indicators outlined in district policy and state law. Our schools have made concerted efforts, in line with the district's strategic priorities, to build cultures free of bullying. Check out Physical & Emotional Safety in MSAD #51 schools to learn more.
Regards,
Jeff Porter
Congratulations to Oliver Pourghasemi for his second place finish in the Maine STEM Film Contest (4-5 division) for his short film on the technology associated with weather forecasting. GT Science students researched, wrote scripts, created slideshows/movies, and properly cited sources in order to participate in the contest.
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration for MSAD #51 (Cumberland-North Yarmouth) has begun. If your child will be five years old on or before October 15, 2025, they are eligible to attend kindergarten this fall.
Additionally, if you have a student currently enrolled in a private school or being homeschooled and would like them to attend Mabel I. Wilson School in the fall, please register your child online at www.msad51.org by January 31, 2025. We want to ensure all incoming students are included in the placement process for the 2024-25 school year. If you have any questions, please call or email MIW at 829-4825.
Greely IB Information Night
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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).
February 6 - 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
Board of Directors Committee Update
In an effort to keep the community up to date and informed of our work, the School Board hopes to use this space to provide periodic updates on the work of each of our committees. This week, Kim Vine, the Chair of the Equity Leadership Steering Committee provides the following Update.
Leanne Candura - School Board Chair
The Equity Leadership Steering Committee (“ELSC”) was formed in 2019 by the MSAD#51 Board of Directors and leadership who were concerned that there had been several incidents in our schools involving racism. The Board appointed the committee, developed policy ACA, and in accordance with the policy tasked the committee with the creation—and then implementation—of a District-wide Equity Plan. The ELSC expanded its work to ensure that every student is equipped with what they need to achieve their personal success. The District Equity Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on March 4th, 2024, and since then the District Leadership Team (“DLT”) has been working to meet the objectives.
Some examples of how our district is striving to create an inclusive environment at our schools:
- Our Equity Consultant, Lawrence Alexander, has helped the GHS Equity Team to form a group of student leaders. This group has created an event taking place this week called “Dialoguing Across Differences” that will “help us to better connect with one another, celebrate the many things that make us unique, and enable us to build an even more positive school culture and community.”
- Our district Librarians are constantly choosing and highlighting books that act as “mirrors, windows, and doors” for all of our students.
- Ensuring our staff’s Professional Development are able to support Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to meet each student’s needs. These multiple layers of differentiated support are in place so that every student can reach their full academic potential, and requires extensive training—as well as ongoing peer support—for our staff.
- Our District places a high value on Social and Emotional Learning, so that our students are developing skills like communicating effectively, managing their emotions, fostering healthy relationships with their peers and the adults in their lives, taking responsibility for their own decisions, and working with others to solve problems. These individual skills are essential for making our District a place where every student and adult knows they are welcome and belong.
The ELSC welcomes your input and questions! For more information on how to contact us, when we meet, and who our members are, please visit our district website.
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.
PTO Takeover Night with the Maine Celtics
Join us on Thursday, February 13th at the Maine Celtics game and help support your PTO!
https://fevo-enterprise.com/
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.
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
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