We're putting out a call for volunteers Sunday 3/15 at noon to help assemble take-home packets with some basic resources for students to engage with thinking if there's a school shutdown ordered. (these will be optional and ungraded - resources to help families keep kids engaged). If you're interested in helping please join us! Please sit this one out if you've been out of state or out of the country in the past several weeks, or have had lots of exposure to people who've traveled. Please also be sure you're symptom free before volunteering (fever, cough, sore throat, chest tightness, etc.). Thanks! Our community of support is incredible!
We have a very strong community, and appreciate those pitching in as we all navigate new waters! RSU #34 and the YMCA are putting out a call for those interested in volunteering or part-time employment such as substituting or after-school program. If you're interested, please do this brief form so we have your contact info (https://forms.gle/D4MdztdmExqfKGFq7 ). Please spread the message throughout the Old Town, Alton, and Bradley area! Much thanks - it takes a village!
When you're exploring the great state of Maine, it helps to bring your binoculars!
The Maine Education Assessment (state testing) begins soon; please see this attached informational letter. Don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher, school administration, or Dr. Doty (jon.doty@rsu34.org) with any questions or if you'd like to learn more about the state or RSU #34's assessments and assessment policies.
RSU #34 seeks parents interested in serving on an advisory committee regarding our Title I programming at Alton Elementary School, Viola Rand School, and Old Town Elementary School. Please email Dr. Doty (jon.doty@rsu34.org) if you're interested, or call 827-3932. RSU #34 uses Title I funds at each of its elementary schools to help academically at-risk students meet challenging academic standards.
RSU #34 Family STEM Night!!! Wednesday March 4th, 6 - 7:30, hosted at Old Town Elementary School. Thanks to the folks working hard to create this opportunity!
NO School today Thursday February 27,2020 RSU #34
OTHS Robotics has not one, not two, but THREE competitive robotics teams! Guess how many qualified for the Maine State Championship? Go Coyotes! Saturday, March 14th in South Portland. Old Town High School's top-ranked team is seeded 4th in the state entering the championship competition.
Unsolicited testimonials are the best! "I'm always in awe of the staff and students in our district and always proud to say I work here. It makes me wish I could have my kids go through school all over again. I would have enjoyed being a parent of school-age children here!"
OTHS Collaborative Research students thrive as citizen scientists! https://www.globe.gov/web/united-states-of-america/home/news/newsdetail/14718/for-students-from-old-town-maine-student-research-symposium-delivers-a-life-and-learning-experience
Simon Says, "Find an island off the coast of Greece." Alton Elementary students used the virtual reality goggles and a National Geographic giant map to explore Europe today. The VR tour of Iceland was a big hit!
RSU #34 uses a variety of locally-chosen and state assessments to provide information about student learning. Here's an overview of the assessments at each grade level: tinyurl.com/yyb7v7ae
For more information about any of these assessments, or RSU #34 policy/procedure regarding student participation in assessment, please contact either your school office or Dr. Jon Doty (jon.doty@rsu34.org)
If you are a parent of a student receiving special education services in RSU #34. Please consider taking a moment to complete this survey.
The survey window will be open until mid-June, 2020. The link for the Parent Survey is provided below.
Thank you for your help in making this year’s parent survey a success!
https://mainedoe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eyAdSPuodcm7M8Z
The Parent survey consists of 17 questions and should take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Parents of Pre-K, K, and 1st grade students - Dr. Susan Bennett-Armistead at UMaine aims to create a series of open access, themed e-books for little ones. Please consider doing this 4-question survey with your child to tell her what they like to learn about and read! The survey is open until Saturday 2/15.
Thanks! Here's the link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TT25576
NO SCHOOL FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2020 IN RSU34
All RSU #34 after school activities are cancelled for this afternoon - Thursday February 6, 2020.
Winner Winner Cabbage Dinner! At 11.3 pounds, OTES 3rd grader Kelan Plourde grew Maine's award-winning Super Cabbage!
Our winter issue of Community Connections is off to the printing presses and will be in mailboxes in a week or so. Many thanks to the staff and community members who provided pictures and articles, and to Gossamer Press for the artistic magic! Here's a link to the digital version: https://5il.co/cqle
Wednesday is World Read Aloud Day...line up a favorite story and an audience! https://www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday
Dear 3rd Grade Parents and Caregivers,
In the third grade, we administer the Cognitive Abilities Test to our students. This test (the “CogAT“) is used to help identify thinking patterns in students, and to show areas in which a student’s achievement may not match their abilities. The CogAT is also used as one of our screening tools for Chapter 104, the Maine regulation governing Gifted & Talented Services.
This year, the CogAT will be administered in February. The CogAT includes three sections, each of which takes about an hour to administer (verbal, quantitative, and figurative).
Once we receive score data, we will send home your child’s scores, and help you interpret what they mean. For more information, please talk with your child’s teacher, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. St. Peter, or the school principal or Dr. Doty (jon.doty@rsu34.org).
Students for whom recent cognitive testing is on file may be excused from this testing to maintain instructional time with specialists – please see your child’s teacher.