District Newsletter 11/28
Dear Staff, Parents, Guardians, and Community Members:
Before we know it, we will begin to experience snowy weather. We will likely have to close schools occasionally this winter due to poor road conditions. School closures are communicated through our school messaging system via phone/email, district website, Facebook, and television news channels. RSU 1 will always do its best to make the right call; however, please know we understand that it is the parent/guardian who makes the final decisions regarding the safety of their student(s). If there is ever a circumstance where school has not been canceled or delayed, yet you feel as though it is best to keep your child home because of road conditions, we respect your decision to do so.
This year, the plan is to use traditional snow days for the first two storm days. Any snow day after these first two will be a remote learning day for all students. Principals will be sharing remote learning expectations soon with families. By doing this schedule, this means that June 14th is the last day of school this year. Recently, the Board of Directors voted in favor of requesting a waiver by the Maine Department of Education for the two days we had to cancel school in October for safety reasons.
One requirement of the Maine Department of Education for a countable remote learning day is that school lunches must be made available to students each day. School lunches will be available prior to the storm days through our nutrition department. These meals are available at no cost for students enrolled in RSU 1. To sign up to receive these meals, please use this LINK. Please complete this form by Friday, December 8th. If you have questions about remote meals, please contact Melissa Cole, Director of School Nutrition, at mcole@rsu1.org or at 443-6601.
Sincerely,
Patrick Manuel
Superintendent
It's Your Move at Fisher Mitchell
Three years ago, a group of enthusiastic students at Fisher Mitchell Elementary asked to bring their classroom chess set to lunch. Eager to explore their interests and share them with their peers, the Chess club began. Since then, it has evolved from “Can we have a chess club during lunch?”, to “When is chess club starting?”, said principal Ross Berkowitz. The club has roughly 40 students from each grade level who participate on a rolling basis.
It’s not just Chess Club that has been student-driven. Fifth grader Rose Walker was at a sleepover when the idea sprouted to start a school news club. Her news segments, filmed on the green screen with the help of librarian Meg Barker, include small skits with scripts, written and recorded by Rose. Last week, Mrs. Stone was a special guest on the show, informing students on the dos and don’ts in the lunchroom.
As word spread about these lunchtime clubs, more students joined in, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere during lunch breaks. Art club became a hub of imagination, with students collaborating on projects, and discovering hidden artistic talents, Garden Club became a place where students could get their hands dirty learning to grow their own fruits and vegetables.
Fisher Mitchell has transformed their cafeteria into a space where lunchtime isn’t just about eating. It’s also about exploring, learning, and having fun together. These clubs have become an integral part of the school's culture, inspiring students to pursue their passions or discover something new.
Woolwich Central School Takes Part in Maine Leadership Day
Students from the Woolwich Central School Student Leadership Team attended Maine Youth Leadership Day at Hyde School in Bath on Monday, November 6th.
Keynote speaker, Malcolm Gauld, spoke about the qualities of being a Mainer as they relate to leadership. Even Maine’s state motto, Dirigo, means “I Lead,” and we are the first in the nation to see the sunrise. As a person who struggled at various times in his teen years, Mr. Gauld highlighted that while growing up, he learned the importance of putting his energy toward what he could control, rather than what he could not. We can’t control what other people around us do or think (including how they think about us), we can only control ourselves. We can control our own work ethic, our habits, and our responses. We can make choices each day to work hard, do our best, and show up. While it may not always be easy, and we may not always get chosen first, or reach the exact outcome we’d hoped for, we can accomplish great things in the process of being our best selves. Mr. Gauld left students with a quote from Norman Vincent Peale, "Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." Seventh grade leader, Lily N., said, “What he was saying was wise. The fact that even though he struggled through school, he worked to improve it. He kept his goals high.”
Following the keynote, students branched out into smaller groups to attend three workshops focused on various leadership topics. Charlie B. (grade 7) and Cameron G. (grade 8) each attended a workshop which helped them to learn more about their individual strengths they bring to a group as well as getting to know about other people’s leadership styles. Sophia W. (grade 7) attended a workshop about attention and working memory. Maddie G. (grade 8) enjoyed some of the interactive sessions with team building activities in the form of games. Gracie M. (grade 7) was inspired by a girl from Brazil who said she was not being challenged, so she made a change so she would be.
Emmie P. (grade 7) shared that she was inspired by the Bowdoin Hockey coach who said coaching isn’t just about winning or losing. It’s about having a connection with the players. Emmie summarized a story he shared with her group. “He always turns on his coffee pot, if the coffee pot is on, you can always come in and talk with him, not just about the game.” In another workshop, Emmie said she also learned, “Leaders can rely on other people too. Even if you’re a leader, other people still care, so you can rely on others for support.”
As always, our leaders represented Woolwich Central School in the best light. Chaperone, Ms. Hoskins, was most impressed with students’ decorum, as well as their engagement and willingness to get out of their own comfort zones in the small groups. Each student brought back something meaningful from their experience, and we hope to share more with fellow middle schoolers at a future community meeting.
Aaron Watson, Class of 2008
Where do you live now?
I live in New York City now.
What is your current occupation?
I work in theater as a Stage Manager, most recently I was just on the straight from Broadway tour of Into The Woods.
What do you enjoy most about your current position?
I love creating art, I love inspiring others, I love the emotion we bring across through our medium, and I love exploring the country.
How has your education in RSU 1 contributed to your success?
My love for theater started at Phippsburg Elementary. I was in our play of The Trial Of The Big Bad Wolf as well as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I then joined again in Morse High School with MoHiBa, and every play from then on in some capacity. My education in the music programs, arts programs, etc… have launched me into this career where I’ve accomplished things I never could have dreamed. Those programs gave me information I still use in my career, as well as life skills that were invaluable. Who would have thought a kid from “the burg” would be working on Broadway!
What’s your favorite memory from when you were a student?
My favorite memory from when I was a student was MoHiBa and the entire week around it. It was a week that every single person in the school and the community around came together to celebrate and have a good time. I will never forget the support you could hear from the audiences at MoHiba’s for students who maybe weren’t as confident up there. People would be cheering, whooping, etc… and you could see them light up. It was truly a moment unlike any other. My memories of being up there, as well as sprinting to the back of the theater to cheer people on, remain some of my fondest memories 15-20 years later.
Join our Team!
Current Open Positions Include:
Woolwich Central School, Special Education, Ed Tech II, Life Skills
Dike-Newell School, Special Education, Ed Tech II, Student Support Program
Bath Middle School, Special Education, Ed Tech II, Behavior Support Program