RSU 34 -

The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/83198811557

RSU 34 Schools will be closed on Thursday, April 4. Stay safe during the storm.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day April 20, 2024, 10-2

I’d like to shine the RSU 34 student spotlight on Vance C., a 4th grade student at Old Town Elementary School. Vance and I met up today on the second floor of the OTES library. He shared that the library is his favorite place because it has many good books and his father works there! Vance loves arriving at school a little early with dad. Having him around has other great perks like the other day when he sprained his thumb playing basketball. “I stopped in to see my dad and got a snack to tie me over until lunch. I really like having him around. My thumb still hurts, but it is much better.” Vance shared other things he loves about OTES. “I like the communities and that everyone knows each other. I have a lot of opportunities here. I’ve been in the news multiple times because I was on a Box of Maine interview. I was in the Community Connections newspaper twice (I think). I also love how the teachers let me run errands for them once in a while like bringing papers to the office.” Vance shared that he likes all subjects, but did explain that recess was his most difficult part of school. “The hardest part of my day is recess. I play hard and it seems like I’m always getting hurt. I think I’ve been to the nurses office like 10 times this year. I like to play sports, but I get injured playing them (like my thumb).” We talked a bit more about the weekend storm, and upcoming April school vacation. “I was skiing at Saddleback this weekend. It was the biggest powder I’ve ever seen! It’s very crunch and hard snow here in Old Town. But I love having winter material on the ground.” 🙂 Vance plans on going to Miami, Florida over April vacation to spend time with his cousins. Have fun, Vance!

RSU 34 schools will be closed today--Thursday, March 21, 2024. We apologize for the change of course. Conditions are not improving in time for morning bus runs as we had anticipated when making the decision early this morning.

All RSU 34 schools will have a 2-hour delay today--Thursday, March 21, 2024.

The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/87949924079

RSU 34 has updated its federally-required Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services based on the latest CDC guidance on respiratory viruses. That plan, and relevant documentation on use of federal ESSER/ARP funds, can be found here: https://www.rsu34.org/page/arp-esser

The RSU 34 School Board will hold a budget workshop on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/85153454786

As the RSU 34 School Board and administrative team build the budget for the 2024 - 2025 school year, it is critical that we have accurate numbers of students we should expect for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. If you live in Alton, Bradley, or Old Town and plan on having a child enter Pre-Kindergarten, or Kindergarten please initiate the enrollment process by contacting the school in the town where you and your child(ren) reside. To make the enrollment process, please see the district webpage found here: https://www.rsu34.org/page/rsu-34-enrollment-24-25 This page features our newly released online enrollment procedure. Don't hesitate to call if there are questions. Please share this post with your friends and family who may know of other Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten children in our school community. Thank you!

The RSU 34 School Board will hold a budget workshop on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/81902973424

RSU 34 and the OTO-YMCA partner on the River Runners program, one of the "beacons of hope" identified in this statewide Op-Ed that are proactively creating opportunities for youth. Making multiple positive niches for every child/youth is an important part of their development - some of those happen in school, and some out of school. https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/02/21/opinion/opinion-contributor/there-are-beacons-of-hope-amidst-maines-juvenile-justice-challenges/ River Runners is part of the Aspirations Incubator Program, of the Rural Futures Fund.

Some of the services RSU 34 provides are funded federally, such as those provided under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and those funded via ESSER / ARP (covid-relief funds, which conclude Sept. 2024). Planning for the use of federal funds is underway in parallel with the RSU 34 planning and budgeting process for 2024-2025. For more information about how to provide input or be involved in the process, please contact Dr. Jon Doty (https://www.rsu34.org/page/superintendents-office)

The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84935661746

Pictured: the wild Saturday nightlife of a school district Facilities Director. Thanks, Mr. Fournier, for fixing the leaking roof drain discovered at Saturday's OTES event!

Saturday was a busy day for RSU #34's robotics teams! On one side of the river, the LMS robotics team competed in the FIRST Lego League Maine State competition. The team was excited that in their very first round they exceeded the best score they had all year the prior year. They competed several more times that day, building on that success and growth. Meanwhile, across the river the OTHS robotics teams competed in the VEX "February Finale", the last meet of the regular season. Three of the four OTHS teams had already qualified for the state championships going into that meet, and one of the four OTHS teams had already qualified for the CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Tournament. In RSU #34, we undertook an initiative a decade ago, spearheaded by one of our community members and volunteer coaches, to integrate robotics and coding into the school day. Beginning with Bee Bots at our elementary schools, through WeDo, Spike Prime, NXT, Sphero, coding, app design, 3D design and printing, laser cutting and engraving - RSU #34 students have lots of opportunities to develop computational thinking and cutting-edge skills! Along the same lines, we learned Friday that the OTHS JROTC Cyber Security team, league champions, is invited to compete in the 2nd JROTC Brigade competition in March. Congratulations, Cadets!

RSU 34 Schools will be closed tomorrow: Wednesday, January 10, 2024. We hope everyone remains safe during the storm.

Our 4th grade's "Box of Maine" program was featured in a statewide press release today - thanks to Mr. Rand and the 4th Grade Team, the PTC, and the Box of Maine Company for making this happen! https://mainedoenews.net/2023/12/21/box-of-maine-connects-old-town-elementary-student-with-maine-studies-curriculum-through-their-taste-buds/

Good morning RSU #34! We’re pleased to continue sharing staff profiles of our RSU #34 team. This month we visited with Ann Richard, Kitchen Manager at Old Town High School. After several days of disruption in our community due to the big storm, students and staff are excited about the breakfast and lunch Ann and team are preparing today! Ann was interviewed by our Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Jon Doty. When you were a kid what did you think you wanted to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a graphic artist. I didn’t know what it was, but I liked art! In high school I also wanted to design clothes. What was your favorite book as a kid? Favorite book / author now? There was a book series about nurses that I really liked. Now, I like mysteries. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is a favorite. What was your favorite show or movie as a kid? The Brady Bunch and The Munsters! What led to your career - you’ve worked with us for more than 30 years! Before I had kids I worked as a payroll clerk at the shoe shop. I chose to stay at home with the kids, and then I started to work at the schools so I could match up with their schedules, snow days, and vacations. I started with the schools as a substitute, and now I’m Kitchen Manager. I also coached middle school field hockey for a while with Deb Ziobron (rest in peace). What do you like about working in RSU #34? I’ve always liked cooking, and I really love the kids. I initially wasn’t excited about working with high school aged kids, but I love it. They’re mature, and I like talking to them…if they initially don’t want to talk, I consider it my challenge to get them to talk. What do you like about our community? This area is nice, safe, and friendly. There’s a great atmosphere and sense of community, with fun things to do in town. What’s something most people don’t know about you? My 2nd grade report card said “Ann tends to be a little bossy.” Also, I’m addicted to Dateline. That fits with reading mysteries! How do you recharge your batteries? I like being home with peace and quiet, reading a good book. Who was your favorite teacher? Miss Pliska - she read to us a lot in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. If you could time travel, where is the first time/place you would go? I’d spend time with my parents again. My dad is the person I look up to most in life. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pepperoni and onion pizza. If you could appear on any game show, what would it be? Wheel of Fortune Favorite treat? Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cups Would you rather come face-to-face with a polar bear in the arctic, or a snake in the desert? Polar bear. No question. Thanks, Ann, for your hard work for our schools! RSU #34 Community, if you’d like to suggest someone for a future staff profile please use this form: https://forms.gle/m9295zfr8xLTzNzRA

All RSU 34 schools will open tomorrow on schedule (12/21/23). Power has been restored at OTES & LMS. Alton is still running on backup generator, but it is a full-school generator. OTHS and Bradley have power. Phone systems in the district are back online. All major roads have been reopened. Cyr Bus is confident they can safely reroute all bus runs around any remaining road closures. For this reason, they ask that bus students be ready a little earlier than usual, and hang tight if the bus seems to be running a little late. Under these circumstances, parents may also elect to drop-off and pick-up their students. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and overwhelming support!