The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/82949432123
We're proud to share the new website of the Old Town High School Achievement Hall of Fame!
https://rsu34-achievement.org/
The OTHS Achievement Hall of Fame committee reviews the accomplishments of OTHS graduates and the impact they are having on the world. The list of amazing alumni has made their mark on the world and this committee works to recognize those accomplishments and honor them with a celebration each May. Please take a minute to view the blog, share it with your friends, and be proud of our community's work to impact future Achievement Hall of Famers!!!
Think you've got game? OTES 3rd graders recycled materials to create carnival/arcade games in Mrs. Palmer's Art class and they are ready to TAKE. YOU. ON.
Our neighbors at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge have a great - and free - event scheduled for April 22nd - please see the QR code on this flyer to register!
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/89055373173
RSU #34 is drafting revisions to the use of funds plan for the federal ESSER III / ARP grant. Additionally, RSU #34 is conducting needs assessment and developing applications for funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Titles IA, IIA, IVA). For more information or to be involved in the application development processes please email Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jon Doty (jon.doty@rsu34.org)
RSU #34 (Alton, Bradley, Old Town) will have a 2-hour delay tomorrow (Wednesday, March 15). All scheduled bus runs and start times are delayed 2-hours. Morning 1/2-day PreK in Old Town is cancelled.
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 15 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/86301499304
All RSU #34 schools will be dismissing 2-hours early tomorrow (Tuesday, March 14). All end of day dismissal procedures will shift-up by 2-hours.
Today is Opening Day for Capstone Season! Sixteen Old Town High School seniors seek to earn the Honors Diploma, STEM Diploma, or Humanities Diploma. Today featured seniors Olivia Small, Gabrielle Cody, and Isabella Bouchard sharing their capstone research on The Psychology Behind Cults; Nature / Nurture Factors in Serial Killers; and Technlogies, Diagnosis, and Symptoms of Congenital Heart Defects. Each was well-prepared and gave fantastic presentations!
The RSU #34 School Board will hold a Budget Workshop on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/81478034201
RSU #34 schools will be closed today--2/17/23. This was not an easy decision. The forecast of ice starting between 10 and 11am prevents opportunity for a safe early release and creates a dangerous afternoon dismissal. Be safe, and enjoy your vacation next week.
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 15 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84952601708
The RSU #34 School Board will hold a Budget Workshop on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/82572815038
RFP School Transportation Services Issued February, 2023
RSU #34 Seeks School Transportation Services for the 2023 - 2028 School years.
Details for the RFP process, including the entire bid package and RFP timeline, can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12FTVM4ANvz6tPsN5VvocvjdbMf99ovZY/view?usp=sharing
Student Spotlight: Miyah B., 2nd Grade OTES
On a warm January morning, I met a fantastic Old Town Elementary 2nd grade student named Miyah B. I was observing her class for a bit while seeking a natural break for the two of us to step away for a brief interview and was amazed by two things…one, her teacher (Mrs. O’Brien) was doing a fantastic job engaging her students in learning….and two, Miyah was completely immersed in the learning process (thank you, Mrs. O’Brien for allowing me to visit). As we left the classroom, I asked Miyah where her favorite place in the school was. After a brief moment of thought, she proudly announced, “the library”, so off we went.
We sat down in the back corner of the OTES library so as not to disturb any classes that may be stopping by. I asked Miyah a typical first interview question: ‘tell me about yourself.’. I’ll be honest in saying I sometimes see adults stumble a bit on the answer. Not Miyah. She launched right in, “I like school. I like getting books from the library. I love chapter books, they are my favorite.” Going with the flow of conversation, I asked about her favorite chapter book. “‘I like ‘The Bad Guys’ series (by Aaron Blabey). While I knew of these books, I didn't know the storyline and asked Miyah to elaborate. “There are these bad guys that turn good. In the second book they meet a tarantula. Don’t worry, it’s a good tarantula. Well (long pause) it was bad, but it changed to good.” It was refreshing to see her passion for reading! Over the next ten minutes I learned about Franklin the turtle!
“I like animals. I like learning about them. I have a pet turtle named Franklin and four cats named Zeppelin, Snickers, Peanut Butter and my Nana has one named Noble. So I actually have three cats and my Nana’s.” I could tell Miyah loved her Nana as much as her cats. I’ll be honest in saying that I’m not much of a cat person, but I was intrigued by Miyahs interest in turtles. I asked, “What do turtles like to eat?” Miyah responded, “They like dried up shrimp, pebbles and mealworms.” I really don’t know much about turtles and was curious as to how you actually feed them. Miyah very responsibly shared, “It is not very safe to feed a turtle from your hand…it could bite you. Plus, you have to immediately wash your hands after because they could give you a disease.” The more Miyah educated me….the more I realized that I am also not a turtle person. 🙂
Changing the subject, I asked Miyah if she made a New Years Resolution. She did, and it was to play more Roblox (at that point she lost me—you know you are getting old when Pearl Jam plays on the oldies rock stations, and you have no idea about Roblox). I later did some research and found out Roblox is an online gaming platform with over 164 million active users. Trying to save my pride, I changed the subject (again) and asked Miyah if she did anything fun over the holiday break. “I went ice skating. There were these red things that you used to hold yourself up. I fell a lot, but I got back up. When I got home I had blisters on my feet from the boots (skates).” Miyah’s comment about falling, but getting up really resonated with me and brought me to my last question. I prefaced the question by sharing with Miyah that the adults at Old Town Elementary all think she is a pretty special person and felt it was important that I met her. I asked if she knew why the adults at OTES felt this way. At first, Miyah couldn’t answer my question. I rephrased the question and gave her time to think. After a few seconds of she said, “I am a good friend.” I quickly asked, “What does it mean to be a good friend?” Miyah didn’t need much time on this one, and with a smile she said, “When a person falls playing tag, I help them up.” At that point I was smiling on the inside and out. What an incredible kid. I ended our conversation asking Miyah if she had a message she’d like for me to share with the people who will be reading this interview. She shared, “You guys are all so kind.”
Here are some fun facts about Miyah:
Favorite Sport: I have two—basketball and baseball (“I’m in my second year of basketball. I have a game tomorrow!”)
Favorite Teacher: Mrs. O’Brien
Favorite School Lunch: Cheese breadsticks and I like sunbutter sandwiches
Favorite book: See above!
Dream Car: Jeep
Miyah truly is a remarkable young person. The way she views the world and the way she believes the world sees her is much more mature than her age. I walked away from my interview with Miyah with a greater sense of focus on being a good friend. Miyah also taught me that if you fall down, get back up (even if it is causing you blisters on your feet). Thank you for your time, Miyah! I hope you enjoy the second half of 2nd grade!
Sincerely,
Matthew D. Cyr
RSU #34 Superintendent
RSU #34 will be closed today--Thursday, January 26.
RSU #34 schools will be closed Monday, January 23, 2023
Tuesday, January 17---RSU #34 (Alton, Bradley, Old Town) will have a 2-hour delay this morning. Morning 1/2-day PreK in Old Town is cancelled. All scheduled bus runs and start times are delayed 2-hours.
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/86145270407