News
March 2021 Board Meeting
The Regional School Unit #34 Board will meet on March 17th at 6:30 pm via Zoom.For Security purposes, please email Superintendent David Walker david.walker@rsu34.org for...
OTHS Earns AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award
Old Town High School Earns College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity AwardOne of Only Five Maine High Schools Recognized for Closing the Gender Gap in AP Computer...
Congratulations Mrs. O'Connell! Lifetime Achievement Award
Leonard Middle School and RSU #34 were thrilled today to be part of a surprise presentation to our School Counselor, Mrs. O'Connell. The Maine School Counseling...
Events
LIVE FEED
David Walker
Dear RSU #34 Families and Staff, This email/notice is to inform you that RSU #34 has identified a positive case of COVID-19 at Old Town High School. All close contacts have been notified and advised of next steps such as quarantine, symptom checking, and testing. As always, please remember to conduct daily screening, and use our COVID hotline when you learn of a positive or likely case of COVID-19 in our school community. We thank you for your efforts to keep our schools safe and open! For general Covid-19 questions, please dial Maine’s helpline at 211 or 1-866-811-5695. Questions for the school nurse may be directed to Nurse Jana by emailing them at jana.caron@rsu34.org or by calling 827-3910. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Please call your healthcare provider with questions about symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Sincerely, David A. Walker Superintendent of Schools General Information follows: Covid-19 is a respiratory illness that may range from mild to severe. Some people may be asymptomatic (no symptoms at all,) but may still test positive. Covid-19 may be more severe in adults 60 years and older and anyone with underlying health conditions. The virus mainly spreads through droplets and aerosols, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms of Covid-19 may include: Fever or chills, new or uncontrollable cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. The Maine CDC recommended preventative measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. This includes: • Wearing a mask in public and increased hand hygiene measures. • Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, before and after eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. • When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze and disinfect your hands afterwards. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaner or wipe.
David Walker
Opportunity for Parents and Educators: The Penobscot River Educational Partnership (PREP) and the Southern Penobscot Regional Program for Children with Exceptionalities (SPRPCE) are offering additional virtual information sessions for member school district parents and educators on Mondays in May from 5-6 p.m. with Acadia Hospital presenters. 1. Eating Disorders in Youth and Young Adults - Monday, May 3rd, from 5-6 p.m. Sara Porter, LSCW, Clinical Supervisor, Pediatric Out Patient Services, Northern Light Acadia Hospital will review the more common type of eating disorders that can impact youth and young adults, understand the role the media can play for these individuals, and outlines types of treatment and how to best support youth with an eating disorder. Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/NtvV4vY3gBxC9gkM7 2. Managing Stress and Enhancing Self-Care: The COVID Course Marathon Continues - Monday, May 10th, from 5-6 p.m. Chris McLaughlin, LCSW, Acadia Hospital Associate Vice President of Community and Pediatric Services will review and validate the impact that COVID-19 has had on individuals of all ages, individuals will gain skills in order to develop self-care plans, and we will define resiliency and learn strategies to implement in the classroom Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/msRKfTTFPPK64yUk7 3. Suicide and Suicide Prevention: Stigma, Awareness, and Empathy - Monday, May 17th, from 5-6 p.m. Chris McLaughlin, LCSW, Acadia Hospital Vice President of Pediatric and Community Services will bring awareness to the prevalence, risk factors, signs and symptoms of suicide, combat the myths of suicide, and prepare school professionals to respond to suicidal students with empathy, concern and appropriate resources. Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/irk7VjXETEcxTHhj7 4. Caring for LGBTQ+ Students and Families: Becoming an Ally - Monday, May 24th, from 5-6 p.m. Chris McLaughlin, LCSW, Acadia Hospital Vice President of Pediatric and Community Services will bring awareness of the risk factors associated with LBGTQ+ individuals, educate school professionals of the basic terms and definitions associated with LBGTQ+ individuals, and prepare school professionals to respond to LBGTQ+ individuals with compassion and empathy to best meet their needs. Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/LdtoHm6ZzFGJiUh47 These informational sessions were presented to regional educators on March 19th and received excellent reviews. Given the extremely positive feedback, PREP and SPRPCE wanted to share this opportunity with parents and other educators.
Dr. Jon Doty
Maine Jump$tart is offering a free webinar, "Raising Financially Savvy Kids." Friday, April 2nd at Noon "Children learn about money and making choices from the adults in their lives, which makes the family an important influencer of a child’s financial knowledge and behavior. Now is a good time to talk with your child about money–whether your child is seven, or seventeen. Engaging your child in conversations about money will help prepare them for future decisions around career and college planning, including student loan borrowing and overall financial decision-making." You can register at the link below. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0013MPcsplTqrJ8XAvfw3jKUixMnX4-514qYA5OPx7ftqutAhXgRFhnn1FIm_b3mBvxgvvFBaxfAPtyZgspgj8GkcXYq0FZbUcxuO6YaVd71xI6hB3SSRKOVCBGcUoaG-NwwLOH4KtfIRk=&c=oSl3jMVqsdsLLWyYmsDCa_ozBUBylDb7PFnzWiEcueTvkmO6Fya6wQ==&ch=D6JG91yHuadvLVO9mdH89wfhWvlzjuCnoH_VDJO8LOHCyoNAJaab6Q== view image
Dr. Jon Doty
Dear RSU #34 Families and Staff, This email/notice is to inform you that RSU #34 has identified a positive case of COVID-19 at Leonard Middle School. All close contacts have been notified and advised of next steps such as quarantine, symptom checking, and testing. As always, please remember to conduct daily screening, and use our COVID hotline when you learn of a positive or likely case of COVID-19 in our school community. We thank you for your efforts to keep our schools safe and open! For general Covid-19 questions, please dial Maine’s helpline at 211 or 1-866-811-5695. Questions for the school nurse may be directed to Nurse Vanessa by emailing them at Vanessa.Koch@rsu34.org or by calling 827-3900. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Please call your healthcare provider with questions about symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Sincerely, David A. Walker Superintendent of Schools General Information follows: Covid-19 is a respiratory illness that may range from mild to severe. Some people may be asymptomatic (no symptoms at all,) but may still test positive. Covid-19 may be more severe in adults 60 years and older and anyone with underlying health conditions. The virus mainly spreads through droplets and aerosols, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms of Covid-19 may include: Fever or chills, new or uncontrollable cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and nausea/vomiting/diarrhea. The Maine CDC recommended preventative measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. This includes: • Wearing a mask in public and increased hand hygiene measures. • Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, before and after eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. • When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze and disinfect your hands afterwards. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaner or wipe.
David Walker
Opportunity for Parents and Educators: The Penobscot River Educational Partnership (PREP) and the Southern Penobscot Regional Program for Children with Exceptionalities (SPRPCE) are offering a virtual information session for member school district parents and educators on April 29th from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Title: Age Appropriate Media Use and Screen Time Join Michael A Ross, MD, NL Primary care Pediatrician and Regional Medical Informatics Officer for Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center for a discussion of age appropriate media use and screen time. From toddlers to teenagers, Dr. Ross will review the benefits and challenges associated with media use, and explore adverse associations including sleep disruption, obesity, social learning challenges, and addiction. Dr. Ross will provide guidance and resources on how to developing a balanced screen time environment in the home. Interested parents and educators should sign up at https://forms.gle/88YtY7BZayfh4C9t5. Participants will receive a Zoom link to the April 29th, 6:30 p.m. session a week before the actual date. Dr. Ross shared this informational session to regional educators on March 19th and received excellent reviews. Given the extremely positive feedback, PREP and SPRPCE wanted to share this opportunity with parents and other educators.