Mustang Family Newsletter
December 2020
Wednesdays in December and January
In December and January we will use Wednesdays as half day in-person instruction for cohorts. These Wednesdays will be half day with dismissal starting at 12:00.
Wednesday, December 9, January 6, and January 20 Cohort A students will attend for half day in-person instruction.
Wednesday, December 16, January 13 Cohort B students will attend school for half day in-person instruction.
There will be no PreK on Wednesdays.
Our school calendar can be found on our website, www.rsu16.org
Cold Weather
New guidance around mask wearing
We are writing today to inform you that last week we received new guidance from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) on mask wearing in our schools. For the full notice click here or https://mailchi.mp/maine/cu5lemq6y0-1322296?e=c7914ff853
In addition to new guidance, the DOE also included this encouraging information regarding our current practices.
“As the case numbers and reach of COVID-19 continues to expand in our communities, our schools have been diligent about ensuring that the six requirements for in-person instruction are being implemented. This commitment is evident in the data analysis conducted by Maine CDC. Over the last 30 days, the new case rate in Maine schools, including both students and staff, was 8.8 cases per 10,000, compared to 19.9 cases per 10,000 in Maine overall. This may indicate that school settings are safer than other community settings, and this is likely due to your careful adherence to the health and safety requirements and guidelines.”
As a result of the newest guidance on increasing structure around mask breaks, there are some changes that will need to be made to our current practices. These changes are outlined below.
Elementary Level:
We will continue to offer mask breaks while students are 6 feet apart, but mask breaks will now be limited to 5 minutes per break with no more than 3 mask breaks happening throughout the day. (This is outside of the time students remove their masks to eat breakfast, lunch, snack, or drink water.)
Students will now be required to wear masks during recess and physical education.
During times when students are eating, staff will be encouraged to provide activities that limit talking such as a read aloud or other structured activities while students are seated.
Middle School/High School Level:
There are no anticipated changes at these levels. Established mask practices are already aligned with the new guidance.
As always, we encourage students to come to school with a spare clean mask. Cloth face coverings should have multiple layers (2 or 3 ply) of cloth and should be washed daily. We are now asking that these spare masks come to school in a clean plastic baggie. This will allow students to place soiled masks into the baggie when switching out a soiled mask for a clean one. Masks with exhalation valves or vents are not permitted.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to adjust our practices in response to safety guidelines provided to our district by the state.
Traveling during the holidays?
If you plan to travel during the holidays and your child will miss school, please make sure to fill out the Planned Absence form prior to leaving. We are following the CDC Travel advisory guidance for those traveling out of the State of Maine except to the exempt states. The CDC states upon return you must quarantine for 14 days or get a negative covid test. The covid test is most optimal at 3-5 days after possible exposure.
Return to School Flowchart following Covid-19 Symptom
Tooth Fairy Forms
Upate on Construction
Lost Valley ski program is returning!!
Please make sure you familiarize yourself with their newest safety and covid-19 precautions available on their website, or here at https://www.lostvalleyski.com/lessons/lessons-faq/
School Wide Reward
Counselor's Corner
Greetings from the counselor's corner!
I wanted to share with all of you fine families of Minot that your hard work and dedication to your children is evident as I interact with them at school. Your children are sharing the healthy practices you are implementing at home along with how much effort you are putting forward each day to support them with their learning needs during these challenging times. It is a joy to work with you and your children. I am including some resources for you as we enter the busy holiday season. For many of us, this season will look and feel very different. Please keep in mind how important your own self-care is. You are doing an amazing job and you will be better able to continue this if you fill your own cup up from time to time. Self-care is an act of dedication to those you love; you are better able to meet the needs of others if you feel grounded and refreshed. Be well.
Keep Children Busy
- Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents - National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Cosmic Kids - Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation for Kids
- NASA Kids' Club - Downloads, videos and science related activity ideas for all ages
- Fun Stuff for Kids Online - Smithsonian animal webcams, activities and interactive games
- 101 Activities to do with Toddlers & Preschoolers at Home
- Storyline Online - Children's Literacy site, includes videos of individuals reading children’s books
- Bedtime Math - Keep you kids math skills sharp
- Great Minds: Knowledge on the Go - Resources for math, English language arts, and science
- BrainPOP: Coronavirus - Free animated online lesson for kids about coronavirus
- BreakoutEDU: Fun @ Home - A collection of digital games
- PBS Learning Media - Free lesson plans, videos, and games
- TEDEd - Brings lessons to life for students through animation
- Duolingo - Tools for foreign language skills
Other Resources for Parents
- MDH: Mental Well-being for Kids (PDF)
- CDC Tips for talking with children about Coronavirus
- Child Mind Tips for talking with kids about the Coronavirus
- Kidpower: Helping Children Regain Their Emotional Safety after a Tragedy
- Children's Storybook: Something Strange Happened in My City (PDF) or
Something Strange Happened in My City (Audio)
The Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland Tri-Town Optimist Club is proud to announce its November RSU 16 Student of the Month recipient, Gavin Gilbert, from Minot Consolidated School. Gavin, a model of optimism, was selected by his teachers for his positive energy and smiling radiance which “lights up our classrooms, even on the dreariest of days.” He works hard to do his best and to always find the bright side of a situation. His positive and genuine interactions with peers and adults alike is supportive and inspiring, and his optimistic perseverance is contagious. Congratulations Gavin!
(Gavin (L) is pictured here with Teacher, Holly Patenaude (R))
Upcoming Dates
December 9th- Cohort A attends 1/2 day
December 16th- Cohort B attends 1/2 day
December 21st- Cohort A attends full day (PJ Day)
December 22nd-Cohort B attends full day (PJ Day)
December 23-January 1st- Winter Break
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 for the first shift/ 8:35 for the second shift
Dismissal- 3:08 for the first shift/3:12 for the second shift
Email: kbrown@rsu16.org
Website: https://www.rsu16.org/mcs/index
Location: 23 Shaw Hill Road, Minot, ME, USA
Phone: 207-346-6471