Letter to School Families

 

 

 

 

 

4.1.2020

 

Dear RSU#34 Schools Families,

 

Governor Mills has announced that beginning at 12:01 a.m. this Thursday, Maine residents will be prohibited from traveling outside their homes for all but “essential personal activities” and ordered all schools closed for classroom-based instruction until May 1, 2020. This essentially continues our current operating procedures with homebound learning. Teachers are now providing students with learning opportunities, times to connect, ask questions, and receive help. That will continue.

While it is impossible to predict when or if we will be able to reopen our schools and return to a normal schedule in the near future, we will be exploring additional opportunities for our students to engage in virtual activities.

It is our plan that students in good standing will move to the next grade level for the 2020-2021 school year as would normally be the case. We are also considering plans, should it be necessary, to have an alternative way to honor our 2020 graduates in case a traditional ceremony isn’t possible.  Seniors expecting to graduate in June of 2020 MUST be in contact with OTHS staff to successfully complete graduation requirements.

We anticipate changes in our delivery model but, we will continue to offer our meals program and we encourage anyone who would like to participate to contact the RSU#34 Food Service office at 827-3908.

If you are concerned with how your child is doing emotionally you can contact the NAMI

 MAINE HELPLINE. Their number is 800-464-5767, press 1 (helpline@namimaine.org). Here is a link to the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) and additional hotline numbers. Their direct number is (207)287-3703.

Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any of the RSU#34 schools or the central office as well, at (207) 827-7171.  Please look for information on our website, www.RSU34.org and download our app if you have not already done so. You can also use the number 2-1-1 to get general information regarding the Coronavirus outbreak in Maine.

 

The Alton, Bradley and Old Town communities are strong, together. Eventually, life will return to normal and our students will return to school.  We will have learned much that will help us to be even better as a school system. In the meantime, we will continue to rely on one another as one Coyote Strong community.

 

Sincerely, David Walker