MSAD #51 District Newsletter - January 19, 2026

Logo of MSAD #51, Cumberland and North Yarmouth, Maine.

From the Superintendent

A man with a beard and suit, smiling against a gray background.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his one and only appearance in Maine when he spoke at Bowdoin College in 1964. Telling the gathered crowd of 1100 people, "The realist would agree with the optimist that we have come a long, long way. But we would seek to balance that by agreeing with the pessimist that we have a long, long way to go..."

On this holiday, we remember the man who symbolized the iconic struggle for equality amongst all Americans. Part of the power of a democratic society is that this struggle knows no end; it endures as a lasting testament to the fire of liberty that burns within each of us. Dr. King gave voice to a movement that continues to touch the heart of America to this very day.

Regards,
Jeff Porter
Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Bowdoin College, 1964

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

⚠️Important Construction Notice!⚠️

Please note that demolition of the existing maintenance building on Campus Avenue has been postponed until Tuesday, January 20 due to the need for further abatement on Monday. Though efforts will be made to conduct this demolition at times that avoid peak traffic flow, there is a possibility of some minor traffic delays on campus. Delays could continue into Wednesday, January 21, when continued clean up of the site will occur. Please plan accordingly and thank you for your patience.

Regarding recent questions & concerns

Last week the district fielded several questions and concerns raised by members of the school community regarding ICE agents in Maine and how we would handle an instance if agents came to our schools. In February 2025, the district posted the message below, which continues to apply at the present time:

MSAD 51 Board Policy KLG-AR Relations with Law Enforcement Authorities – Administrative Procedure is what we follow if law enforcement agencies, including ICE, arrive at the schools. Though it is unlikely that ICE would visit MSAD 51 schools, school administrators are prepared to handle such situations. Additionally, the district coordinates with the Cumberland Police Department to help with inter-agency communication in these instances, as needed.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, please reach out to your child's school principal or the superintendent.

Deadline is Friday!

MSAD #51 (Cumberland-North Yarmouth) will continue its small public Pre-K Program for 32 students (16 each session).
The program will run half days (an AM session and a PM session), four days per week (M, Tu, Th, F) for approximately 145 days during the school year. On the occasional full day Wednesday, both morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) Pre-K sessions will be held. The program is located at Mabel I. Wilson school and is in partnership with Child Development Services.
Per State law, in order to be considered your child must be 4, but not 5, years old before October 15, 2026 and you must be a resident of Cumberland or North Yarmouth.
Screenings will take place in person at Mabel I. Wilson School for eligible children during the second week of February.
If you are interested in your child being included in the Pre-K lottery, please fill out the interest application no later than Friday, January 23, 2026.

Don't Forget Kindergarten Registration!

Kindergarten registration for MSAD #51 (Cumberland-North Yarmouth) will begin on January 12, 2026. If your child will be five years old on or before October 15, 2026, 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 23, 2026. We want to ensure all incoming students are included in the placement process for the 2026-27 school year. If you have any questions, please call at 829-4825 or email the MIW office. hello kindergarten image

Save the Date

Mark your calendars: February 5 will be a public hearing where community members can share their input with the Board of Directors on the selection for the new school. public hearing notice

Stay Connected

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Find all the ways MSAD #51 shares information.

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 5 - Regular Meeting

Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)

Committee meetings this week:
January 20 - Equity

Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos

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