MSAD #51 District Newsletter - November 2, 2026

From the Superintendent

It’s that time of year when we need to start thinking about inclement weather. This informational letter will help all of us be prepared in the event of school building closures and delays due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.

• Messages will continue to be sent via telephone, email and/or text message.  
• Phone calls will be sent from our BrightArrow hotline number, 207-865-8444, as the caller ID. Please add this number to your Contacts. If you call this number back, you will receive an automated message. This helps keep our phone lines free in case of an emergency. You may want to add this phone number to your address book to help you recognize incoming calls.
• Email messages are sent from Notification from MSAD #51 or the name of the school. To ensure that emails from the district and your child’s school make it to your inbox (rather than your spam folder), please add the following email to your contacts/address book, [email protected]
• To receive text messages, staff and families need to opt in.  Text messages are sent from either 87569 or 79041. To opt-in, if you haven’t already done so, simply text the word “Yes” to 87569 or 79041. You only need to opt in once for either number and you will be opted in for both. Please note you will not be able to reply to text messages sent from the school.
• For those who are interested, we can provide shelf-stable meals to be sent home with your student. We recommend requesting two days worth of meals in case of a big storm. To request a meal the day before a storm or with any questions, please email [email protected] or call 829-4824.

Full-Day Weather Closures
The school calendar allows for the first two (2) weather cancellation days to be traditional in nature. There will be no in-person or remote learning on these days and the day will be made up in June. In addition, there will be no meals available on these two days. Beginning with the third weather day and beyond, it will revert to a Remote Learning Day. The following can be expected:

• All school buildings are closed for the day and all on-site school-related events and activities are canceled for the day/afternoon/evening of the closure. 
• All students will have access to Concurrent Learning activities. Concurrent Learning is when there are live instruction/direction/class meetings for students provided by the teacher for at least part of the school day. Teachers are expected to provide students with instructional details (Google meet link, assignments outlined in Google classroom or other means). Each school will provide more details as needed.
• Remote Learning days for this purpose will follow the early release schedule for students:
  • Grades 6-12:    7:50 AM-11:35 AM
  • Grades PK-5:   8:50 AM-12:35 PM
• Students are considered to be ‘in attendance’ when they have attended scheduled remote sessions and/or completed assigned learning activities. 
• In the event that a student cannot access scheduled remote sessions due to a power outage, this will be handled as an excused absence.
• Schools will communicate additional specific grade-level expectations out to families as needed, including how to handle/distribute technology devices in advance of a potential storm (as applicable based on grade level)
• Food Services will provide meals to students in advance of a remote learning day, upon request.

NOTE: In the event of questionable conditions when a remote learning day cannot occur for whatever reason (power outages, etc), the district reserves the ability to revert to a traditional weather cancellation day if needed after the first two traditional weather days have been used already.

Two Hour Delay 
If school start times are delayed by 2 hours (120 minutes), simply add two hours to the regular school start times and regular bus pick-up times. Students scheduled for remote learning would follow this same schedule.

• Grades 6-12 starts at 9:50 AM and buses would pick students up at the bus stop two hours later than the usual pick-up time.
• Grades K-5 starts at 10:50 AM and buses would pick students up at bus stops two hours later than the usual pick up time.
• Pre-Kindergarten: AM session will be canceled but PM session will run on time unless otherwise noticed. Pre-K sessions canceled due to delays will not be made up for Pre-K students.
• If the need for a 2-hour delay falls on a day that also is scheduled as an Early Release, the entire school day will be canceled instead. For the 1st or 2nd occurrence of the season, the day will be made up at the end of the school year. For the 3rd occurrence and beyond, we will hold a Remote Learning Day.
• Note: MSAD #51 does not use 1-hour delays.

Unscheduled Early Dismissal
Unless absolutely necessary, MSAD #51 makes attempts to avoid unscheduled early closures after the school day has begun. However, there are occasions when this is necessary due to unforeseen weather conditions, facility failures, power outages, safety concerns, etc. In these instances, notifications would be sent out as soon as it is known that a dismissal is needed. School phone lines will be limited during these times and parents/guardians are asked to call only if it is necessary. Schools will follow emergency closure information that is provided by families for bus drop offs. Please keep this information current with the school.

School Cancellation/Delay Notifications
Parents/Guardians and high school students will receive voice, text, and/or email notifications via our BrightArrow message system. BrightArrow uses your contact information in PowerSchool. Please contact your child’s school secretary if any of your contact information needs to be updated.

Instructions on how to set up your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.
Information about how MSAD #51 communicates with parents.
Facebook MSAD #51
Instagram @msad_51
Website at www.msad51.org
Local TV stations 8 (WMTW), 6 (WCSH), 13 (WGME).
NOTE:  Radio stations will not be contacted for cancellations.

Important Considerations

• Preparation is essential regardless of student age. Clothing that will keep hands, heads, and feet warm and dry is important for all of us.
• Student drivers and their parents should ensure that travel vehicles are in good order and road-worthy for anything that winter conditions may send our way.
• Safety is the focus. Weather and road conditions may require additional parental vigilance and attention as students navigate roadways and wait at bus stops - snow banks and blowing snow or sleet can significantly impact driver visibility. Conditions within both communities can vary and change quickly.
• Regardless of the official determination regarding a delay or cancellation, we respect that parents/guardians will assess travel conditions closest to their home and make their own best decision about their children’s safety. 

My best for a safe and enjoyable upcoming winter season.

Regards,  
Jeff PorterAudrey Seddon, co-president of Greely High School’s Best Buddies chapter, raised more than $72,000 for Best Buddies and was named the 2026 Champion of the Year!

Audrey is an incredible student who leads with kindness, authenticity, and compassion. She consistently goes above and beyond to build meaningful connections with our students, dedicating her time both during and outside of school to fostering friendships and ensuring others feel included and valued. I truly cannot say enough about her leadership, genuine care for others, and daily commitment to our student community. Audrey is simply wonderful!

She hopes to attend college overseas and pursue a degree in Occupational Therapy, which feels like a perfect fit for someone who is so passionate about helping others.

We are incredibly proud of Audrey and all she has accomplished!

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

Friendship. Inclusion. Belonging.

We are so excited to share this beautiful video highlighting the friendship between Isaiah and Magnolia, a friendship that began right here at Greely Middle School! A huge thank you to Best Buddies for visiting our classroom and taking the time to learn more about this special friendship and the incredible connections being made within our school.

Best Buddies provides a wonderful platform for raising awareness about inclusion and friendship, but the real work happens within the walls of our schools. It happens in our classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, and everyday interactions. These meaningful connections then extend beyond our school walls and into the greater community.

We are incredibly proud of Isaiah, Magnolia, and all of our students who continue to show us what genuine friendship and inclusion look like.

Because inclusion isn't just something we talk about. It's something we build together, one friendship at a time.

With pride,
Greely Middle School Best Buddies Advisors
Siobhán Bogle & Jenn McCullum

Good News Greely - October Edition

Don't forget to pick up your copy of Good News Greely!
Cumberland Town Office, Prince Memorial Library, Food Stop, North Yarmouth Town Office, North Yarmouth Variety

FREE Bus Driving Class is Back!

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

Drive on a schedule that meets your personal needs!

Apply today at https://msad51.schoolspring.com/ 

Stay Connected 

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

November 5 - Regular Meeting

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

Committee meetings this week:
November 4 - Policy
November 5 - Finance 

Agendas, Meetings Minutes, YouTube Videos, Policy Manual and More:
MSAD #51 Board of Directors

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.

Mark Your Calendar- November 18!

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.

Discover Local Scouting Opportunities for Boys and Girls 
 

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.