Mustang Family Newsletter
August/September 2021
Welcome Back!
We would like to thank our families for their continued support and participation in the education process. You all make such a difference in our ability to succeed at Minot Consolidated School! It is a privilege to serve as the principal at MCS in a community where parents, teachers, and students care for each other, strive to build positive relationships, and support academic and social growth. On behalf of the staff here at Minot Consolidated School, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership! Here is to an amazing school year!
Thank you,
Kaitlynn Brown
Welcome New Staff Members & Other Staff Changes
Darren Littlefield
Jacie Welch
Kendra Elder
Christa Erde
Kara Murphy
Melody Gammon
Physical Education Teacher
(Music & Movement)Position Changes/Updates
- Kim Bronk: Moved to 4th Grade
- Jacqueline Harmon: Moved to 2nd Grade
- Karen Fuller: Moved to Kindergarten Teacher or Teacher Interventionist (depending of class numbers)
- Denise McKew: Moved to Teacher Interventionist Role
- Diane Belanger: Moved to supporting in the Resource Room
UPDATES:
- Nicole Chamberland was married this summer is is now Nicole Evans.
PE/Music Position Update
Pre-Screening Tool for School Attendance
Open House
We are so excited to welcome our families back into our building for a traditional Open House this year! Open House is planned for Monday, August 30th from 6-7pm. The purpose of Open House is to allow students a chance to come to school, meet their teacher, and see the environment in order to reduce anxiety about starting the school year.
Although this is a more traditional Open House, we are asking families to do the following when entering the building:
**Masks are required within the school building at all times by adults and children**
- Please complete the Pre-Screening Tool (pictured above) prior to arriving to the school.
- Please limit the amount of people you bring to Open House.
- Go directly to your child's classroom and do not mingle in common areas.
- Sign in/out into each classroom.
- Limit your time in the classroom to 30 minutes or less. To help with numbers of people within a classroom we are recommending that families whose last name ends in A-M come between 6:00-6:30 and N-Z come between 6:30-7:00.
We appreciate your cooperation with this.
Pooled Testing
At Minot Consolidated School, we seek to maintain a safe environment for employees, students, families, and the community. To support those goals, we have partnered with Concentric by Ginkgo to provide an optional and free pooled testing program. We will begin pooled testing this fall at Minot Consolidated School. Below is information about pooled testing as well as the link for completing consent in order for you to be part of this program. Once the consent is completed, it will be valid through the upcoming school year.
What is pooled testing?
Pooling can test 25 people using one test. All students/staff in a class, pod, or cohort swab their own noses and place their swabs in a single tube (that’s the pooling step). The samples in that tube are then run as a single sample, using one test. See it in action here.
Why pooled testing? Why should my student participate?
You know the old saying: “knowledge is power.” Tools like pooled testing empower us to make great decisions. Without knowing the specific prevalence of COVID-19 in our school, it’s tough for us to make informed decisions about safeguarding our school community, returning to school, or continuing in-person learning.
Only students and staff with completed consent forms are able to participate in testing. If you do not want to participate, you will not be included in the testing program. Though, we hope you do!
Testing empowers us to make these informed decisions about in-person learning and allows students, teachers, and staff to come to school with peace of mind.
But first, we need your help! We are requesting staff to participate in this program to help safeguard the wellbeing of our entire school community. Please sign the electronic consent request below.
To get started, please fill out the consent form with your permission to perform a COVID-19 pooled test for you at Minot Consolidated School. This process should take no more than 5 minutes to complete using a computer or a smartphone.
- Click this link: https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent/
- Then, enter this access code: ZIZ3G0. Each school has its own unique access code.
- Finally, enter your information, and you’re done!
Pooled testing does not provide individual results for each person in a pool. However, if a positive result is produced in a pooled test, all individuals of the positive pool will have a free follow up diagnostic test at school. At MCS, the diagnostic follow-up test that will be used is the Abbott BinaxNow which is a rapid COVID-19 antigen test. All diagnostic test results are confidential and will be shared with only the individual. As required, we report all diagnostic test results to the Maine CDC.
For more information, visit Concentric by Ginkgo’s website or reach out to Minot Consolidated School (207) 346-6471.
Thank you,
Mary Wallace LPN
Driveline
Masking
Mask breaks will be offered, on average, every hour for no greater than 15 minutes. During mask breaks, students will be provided with a quiet activity to discourage talking. Face coverings/masks are not required during times when students are outside.
Face coverings must be worn when entering buildings, while traveling in hallways, and when moving about the school. Expectations include, but are not limited to:
- While eating
- While sitting at their desk in the classroom when a staff member has directed a mask break during class time during pre-determined mask break times.
Any parent/guardian/visitor needing to enter the building for a scheduled meeting or other important business will need to be screened and should utilize the reception window. If allowed into the building, parents/guardian/visitor:
- Must wear a face covering while in the building.
- Must use the sanitizing station upon entry.
- Must attend to the specific business and leave immediately following.
Face shields may be an alternative for those students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear face coverings. An exemption for the use of a face mask must be made following an approval process through the school. If you feel your child may have a medical or behavioral condition that could require the use of a face mask, please contact your child's school for more information on this process. Once approved, face shields worn in place of a face covering must extend below the chin and back to the ears.
Parent Volunteers
Lunch and Recess Supervision
If you can consistently give 1-2 hours of volunteer time each week next school year, we are looking for volunteers to help with lunch and recess supervision. You would be partnered with a school staff. If you are interested in learning more, contact Mrs. Brown, kbrown@rsu16.org
Community Club
Immunizations
Meal Application Form
The COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL application is available to print, complete and return to your school or you can complete the online form at www.SchoolLunchApp.com. If you have difficulty accessing either of these methods, the form can also be sent home with a student...just contact your school's office to make the request. If you have any questions please contact Ellen Dore, RSU 16 Food Service Director, edore@rsu16.org, 207-998-5400 ext 107.
Important Dates
August 30th-September 3rd:
Monday
- Open House (Last Names A-M 6:00-6:30 & N-Z 6:30-7:00)
Wednesday
- K-6th grade: First Day of School (Full day- no early release)
September 6-10th:
Monday
- No School: Labor Day
- Early Release Day
- PreK Orientation
- PreK First Day of School
September 14th
- Community Club meet at 7pm
If you would like a paper copy of the Student Handbook, please contact the school.
Paperless Newsletters
There are many benefits to providing families with newsletters electronically. An electronic newsletter conserves paper, is more cost efficient, and delivers the newsletter directly to parents. Minot Consolidated School will be providing newsletters electronically for the remainder of the year. If you would prefer to receive a paper newsletter moving forward, please contact us at (207) 346-6471 or at kbrown@rsu16.org in order to notify us. Newsletters can also be found on the MCS website
About Us
Future Newsletter Items
If you have any items you would like to have included in a future Family Newsletter, please forward them to me and I will be sure to add them!
School Hours
Arrival- 8:30 am
Dismissal- 3:00pm
Email: kbrown@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/mcs/index
Location: 23 Shaw Hill Road, Minot, ME, USA
Phone: 207-346-6471