MSAD #51 District Newsletter - October 28, 2024

From the Superintendent

This is the 8th segment in a multi-part series taking a deeper dive into the 2024-25 district strategic priorities. The Strategic Plan identifies Wellness as one of the four core components of a student's experience in MSAD #51, with safety a critical area of focus. This year's district priorities center on physical safety with respect to emergency planning. Recently, I ran across an article about school safety that articulates the philosophy we have sought to instill in MSAD #51 schools. Below is text from this article.*

When students walk into school each morning, their focus should be on learning, developing new skills and spending time with friends—not on fearing for their safety. A shift in mindset from reaction to prevention is critical. We should be able to send our children to school with the confidence that they will return home safe and unharmed.

To build truly safe schools, we must understand all aspects of school safety—not just physical security measures. Schools need to rethink safety through a comprehensive framework that assesses, plans, tracks and audits safety solutions across both proactive and reactive measures. A holistic approach to school safety should include:

  • Creating conditions that reduce the risk of school violence
  • Providing targeted supports for students identified as at higher risk
  • Preparing the school to mitigate risks and potential threats


As a reminder, last winter we rolled out the Sandy Hook Promise Say Something anonymous reporting system, which enables students, parents, and community members to report an issue 24/7/365 through an app, hotline, or website when they are aware of a student or anyone else connected to the school community who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. This is another prevention tool that we have introduced recently to help keep our school community safe and free from potential violence. Follow up training for all students and staff in grades 6-12 as to the purpose and availability of this reporting tool recently occurred.

Over the first eight months in use, there have been 18 tips reported to the tip hotline. If you are aware of information that could be distressing about the safety of a student, group of students, or a school, please bring this to the attention of a school administrator, School Resource Officer, or another law enforcement official. If this is not feasible or if you prefer an anonymous means for providing this information, reach out to our partner at the Sandy Hook Promise. Keeping our school community safe is the responsibility of everyone.

*Source: "School safety: How to shift from reaction to prevention." District Administration, October 2024.

Regards,
Jeff Porter



GHS Class of 2025 carved pumpkins for their Pumpkin Display that begins this evening!

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

Free Bus Driving Class

If interested, contact Fran Prentice at [email protected] or 207-829-4800 x 9
bus driving class

Stay Connected 


Click on the icon above to connect with MSAD #51.
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

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.

Parent Power Appeal Fundraiser

Our largest fundraiser of the year! Please help us reach our goal of $20,000 by November 8. Donate today at https://account.venmo.com/greelypto or visit www.greelypto.org. We appreciate your support!

 

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.

GHS Class of 2025 Pumpkin Display
 

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.

Maine School Administrative District #51
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us   |   207.829.4800