From the Superintendent
Happy Groundhog Day!
This is the first in a multi-part series about the MSAD #51 Profile of a Learner (POL), as adopted by the Board last spring. Many thanks to the POL committee, made up of representatives of various stakeholder groups, who worked for over a year to draft the components of this profile.
The role of the POL is to enhance the district's core mission to guide all students as they acquire enthusiasm for learning, assume responsibility for their education, achieve academic excellence, and discover and attain their personal best. The POL seeks to connect the aspirational elements of the district's mission to concrete learning experiences occurring in our classrooms, many of which are broadly experienced by students at various grade spans. It is important to note that the district's POL is not merely a graduation goal, but a PK-12 vision that begins when students begin their educational journey in elementary school.
The district's Strategic Plan, set to expire in June, will be replaced by a new plan in time for the 2026-27 school year and beyond. The district's Curriculum Committee continues to gather stakeholder voices through the recently completed strategic plan community survey and upcoming focus groups. The new plan, grounded in the community's participation throughout this process, will undoubtedly seek to embrace not only the district's mission, but the enduring tenets of the POL that define our collective hope for each one of our students: Effective Communicator, Creative Problem Solver, Lifelong Learner, and Global Citizen. As students graduate from Greely, these are the skills that our community has defined as mission-critical for success in the 21st Century.
Below is the general framework encompassing the POL. Next week, we'll dig in deeper about what it means to be an Effective Communicator in the MSAD #51 schools.
Regards,
Jeff Porter
The first Cumberland County winter Special Olympics was hosted in Cape Elizabeth this past week. Our athletes gave it their very best—showing perseverance, patience while waiting their turns, and so much strength every step of the way. We couldn’t be prouder of these kids and the heart they bring to everything they do.
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Reminder!
Reminder that the Wednesday the week after February break is a full day of school.
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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
Board PreK Workshop Summary
On Thursday, January 15, the School Board convened a workshop with community-based child care and preschool providers to discuss options for public PreK and early childhood education in Cumberland and North Yarmouth. The session provided an opportunity for providers to meet, share perspectives, and develop a common understanding of the current early childhood landscape in the two towns, along with the State requirements for school districts to take over responsibility for screening and providing special education services for all children ages three and four. Representatives from the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services helped to facilitate the conversation and shared information about the State requirements, reimbursement models, and partnership opportunities.
Most providers in Cumberland and North Yarmouth were able to participate, and shared interest in collaboration between MSAD #51 and community-based programs. The group also discussed considerations related to potential program models, including capacity, staffing, funding, Child Find responsibilities, and the impact of different designs on children, particularly those with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Overall, the workshop provided an opportunity for information-sharing and relationship-building amongst MSAD #51 and providers, helped to clarify the community’s starting point and identify key questions to be addressed.
At the beginning of the school year, the Superintendent established a pre-k working group that met, gathered survey information from our communities, and started working through various options. As next steps, the School Board anticipates continuing this work through a Special Board committee that will include broad representation from the previous working group, community-based providers, parents, and district leadership. That group would be charged with convening additional conversations—such as parent meetings or focus groups—and learning from other districts that are further along in implementation. The Board will discuss next steps at their meeting scheduled on February 5.
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Committee meetings this week:
February 3 - Policy
February 6 - Finance
Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos
One Campus Project Information
For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/
Demolition Day
On Wednesday, January 28, the old MSAD #51 Maintenance Building (aka Union Hall) was demolished. Click the picture below to see the timelapse video of the demolition.
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.
T-Shirt Contest Winners!
Last December, the Greely PTO organized the first ever Tee Shirt Design Contest for students in grades K through 5th. Students were given a submission form with the blank outline of the Greely Rangers G and asked to design anything they felt like on this sheet of white paper.
Choosing winners proved difficult as we received hundreds of amazing submissions. Please congratulate our winners when you see them. We are so proud of them and all the others who participated.
Craft Party!
Community Notices
Community Notices are not affiliated with MSAD #51. Please contact the organization directly with any questions. Here is a full listing of Community Notices.
GHS Class of 2028 is hosting: Valentines Day - Kids Night Out!
Useful Links
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.
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
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