All RSU 34 events scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2023 are cancelled--this includes athletic practices. Games have already been rescheduled. Be safe!
RSU #34 is preparing revisions to its grant applications under the American Rescue Plan / Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. For more information on how to be involved in the process please contact Dr. Jon Doty (contact information at https://www.rsu34.org/staff)
Dear RSU #34 Community,
Thanks for helping us have a great “launch” to the school year! It’s been great to see the smiling faces in the hallways, excited to be back in school despite the hot weather.
Last year we began sharing a profile of a student each month; we are excited to begin sharing the stories of our colleagues! This month we visited with David May, who joined our team as a technician in the IT Department. David very much impressed his colleagues, and this past July began serving RSU #34 as Director of Information Technologies. David was interviewed by our Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Jon Doty.
Q: When you were a kid what did you think you wanted to do when you grew up?
A: I was going to be a professional athlete, playing soccer for Manchester United. All the way through high school I really thought I was going to make it.
My real career path was a little different. In high school I pushed shopping carts, was a lifeguard, and mowed cemetery lawns. After high school I started off doing customer service for credit card companies, then shifted to Verizon Wireless. I changed over to tech support, and then started working at a computer repair shop where I started working more with businesses and device networking. I discovered that I really love computers and solving problems, and it doesn’t feel like work to me. I was ready for a new challenge and I was excited to join the schools’ IT Department.
Q: What do you like about working in RSU #34?
A: I love the people...I love the challenge. Everybody has fun, too. We’re all working hard, and sometimes it can be tough, but at the end of the day it’s all about getting students what they need and we all have fun together. I love coming in to work every day.
Q: How do you recharge your batteries?
A: Usually it’s either an HP 65-watt adapter or USB-C, but….wait….you mean….?
Q: Yep.
A: Playing video games and working out.
Q: At the same time?
Q: What was your favorite book as a kid?
A: The DragonLance series; I still love the fantasy genre!
Q: What was your favorite show / movie as a kid?
A: Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and Return of the Jedi.
Q: What do you like about our community?
A: It’s the people, the sense of community, and events like RiverFest. I grew up in Old Town, and I love how close our community is. Our people are always caring and resilient….tough. We’ve been through a lot together over the years and we keep coming back.
Q: What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
A: I’m a pretty open book! That said, I don’t think most people know I was really into theatre at OTHS - the One Act Play and the Fall Play.
Q: Who was your favorite school teacher and why?
A: Mr. Marty Clark [OTHS Social Studies Teacher] - he really made learning fun! It was cool to start working alongside him before he retired.
Q: Which colleague would you like by your side during a zombie apocalypse?
A: Curtis Robertson. [LMS teacher]
Q: Not me?
A: No.
Q: Wow, zero hesitation on that…OK, I would have guessed you’d go with a certain veteran of the U.S. Army Cavalry, Captain Mike May. OTHS Social Studies teacher? Your brother?
A: Nope. When we were kids he broke a plate and I got blamed for it.
Q: Little did he know that would someday cost him an ally in a zombie apocalypse.
A: I could tell you about all the times I beat him at sports but I won’t.
Q: What’s a small act of kindness you were once shown that you’ll never forget?
A: That’s a tough one - there are a lot of acts of kindness I’ve been shown. People are so kind here and these acts happen every day. It’s hard to pick just one in this district. Wow….I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
Thanks, David, for being part of our team and for your hard work! And thank you to Captain May and our other veterans for your service to our country!
RSU #34 Community, if you’d like to suggest someone for a future staff profile please use this form: https://forms.gle/m9295zfr8xLTzNzRA
Thanks, Jackson and Trenton, for raising the flags at Leonard Middle School this morning. It's the start of a sunny day in RSU #34!
Students who live in Alton and West Old Town - our bus contractor is making some adjustments to routes; we will share more detailed information when it is finalized. Please plan to be out waiting for the bus extra early for the first few days as the routes settle into place. Thanks in advance for your patience!
It was a great day for painting stripes on the LMS recess area today - thanks to our friends at Street's for making it happen? Who will be the H.O.R.S.E. champion of LMS this year?
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84103697957
RSU #34 is thrilled to share our back-to-school issue of Community Connections! Inside you will read about some of the great endeavors of our students and staff, along with important back-to-school info such as school start/end times and bus routes. Please help your kids to be on time every day this year!
This issue is dedicated to the memory of our late Board member David Wollstadt, who contributed in many ways to the school district and community.
Here's the link! https://5il.co/21o0w
All of this math professional development has worn Gus right out, but the LMS math teachers are still going strong!
All of our librarian roles are filled for the upcoming school year, but we ARE still recruiting a few members to join our RSU #34 team! https://www.rsu34.org/page/employment-applications-and-vacancies
You can get started on a career in education in one of several entry-level roles - we support college tuition so you can keep learning and growing, opening up future opportunities!
We just added a grant-funded intervention teaching role as well, and seek an additional Special Education teacher to join our team and help reduce caseloads. Educational Technicians support our students in a variety of ways. We have a couple of coach openings for fall middle school athletics, and we always seek substitutes. Please visit and share our employment page!
https://www.rsu34.org/page/employment-applications-and-vacancies
RSU #34 Special Education Opportunities
Elementary Special Education Teacher
RSU #34 is looking for a special education teacher with experience providing specially designed instruction for students with autism and intellectual disabilities at the elementary level in a self-contained setting. Competitive Salary and additional stipend provided.
Long-Term Special Education Substitute Teacher
Old Town Elementary is looking for a Special Education Substitute teacher for our 3rd through 5th grade population. The Special Education Substitute is needed from September–October 2023.
Speech Language Pathologist- Two Open Positions
RSU #34 is looking for 2 qualified Speech Language Pathologists to provide speech and language therapy, both direct and consult, to children with a variety of disabilities and work as an integral member of an educational team to provide high quality services to children with significant academic, behavioral, and social skills needs. Competitive Salary and additional stipend provided.
Educational Technicians K-12 (Ed Tech I, II, & III)
RSU #34 seeks candidates that are positive, flexible and willing to learn within a variety of educational settings working with students with disabilities. The pay range is $16.08-$21.28/hour.
Applications for these opportunities can be found at www.rsu34.org (Employment). Questions should be directed to Kimm Kenniston, kimm.kenniston@rsu34.org .
Come join an amazing team!
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/82151963212
RSU #34 receives federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Titles IA, IIA, and IVA). These funds help us provide important services for our students and for staff development. We are in the final stages of the annual application for these funds, which includes needs assessment and prioritization. For more information on how to be involved, or to see and comment on draft documents, please contact Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jon Doty: Jon.Doty@rsu34.org
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/85235130244
RSU #34 is making a big email transition beginning at 3:30 Friday, June 16th. We anticipate that email will be down through the weekend, possibly also including the federal holiday on June 19th. Please continue to use our @rsu34.org addresses, but anticipate that your email will not be received until Tuesday. Thank you, happy last day of school, and have a fantastic weekend!
Happy Flag Day!
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, 6/13/2023, in support of the RSU #34 school budget!
Alton: we believe voting hours are 2 PM - 7 PM at the Town Office
Bradley: per the website voting hours are 8 AM to 8 PM at the Fire Station
Old Town: per the website voting hours are 7 AM to 8 PM at the Elks Lodge
Thank you for your support of our students and schools!
OTHS Senior Xander Doty and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jon Doty aren't related. For.more than a decade, though, they've greatly enjoyed greeting each other in the hallways of our schools with an enthusiastic exchange of "Good morning, Mr. Doty!" After graduation Xander will study Business and Music... coincidentally at the elder Doty's alma mater. Best of luck to Xander, the photobomber in the background, and all of their fellow graduates as they head off to what's next! We're proud of each and every one of you.
We're very proud of our World Cultures and Languages program in RSU #34 - our K-8 program was featured in the Educators for a MultiLingual Maine newsletter! You can read more here: https://5il.co/1w1kh
RSU #34 Student Spotlight--May, 2023
I had the pleasure of meeting OTES 5th grader Ren S. on this VERY hot and steamy Friday. I think I kind of spooked Ren when I called her out of class and didn't immediately let her know she had been selected for a student spotlight interview! After calming her fears and assuring her she wasn't in any sort of trouble, Ren shared that her favorite place to be in OTES was the music room. We tried to use that space for the interview, but Mrs. Marquis was busy teaching a class, so we ended up in the nearby staff resource book room.
Me: Tell me about yourself, Ren.
Ren: I'm 11 and have 3 siblings. I play saxophone and I really like music.
Me: Which saxophone do you play?
Ren: I play Alto. I also play the ukulele. When I get to middle school I want to learn flute, guitar and maybe percussion. So band, chorus, and the play/musical are my favorite things.
Me: Tell me more.
Ren: In the 5th grade musical this year, I was a character named Gertrude and I sang a song by myself. That was a ton of fun, and I really liked being in the musical. I've been in chorus since the 4th grade and I really like it. It's fun. I really like singing.
Me: I came to one of the matinee performances of Seussical: The Musical. I remember you performing. You have a beautiful voice.
Ren: Thank you (blushing)
Me: What else do you like about your OTES experiences?
Ren: I love all the teachers. They are really nice. I like reading. Reading is one of my favorite classes.
Me: What books have you read recently?
Ren: 'Brown Girl Dreaming' and 'Hidden Figures.' Right now I'm working on a passion project.
Me: What's that?
Ren: It's a project about something I'm passionate about. I'm doing my project on jewelry making. I'm actually wearing a ring that I made, but I also make earrings and necklaces. (she showed me a very impressive ring made of twisted copper wire)
Me: So, you are a 5th grader. What are your thoughts about leaving OTES?
Ren: Nooooooo!!!! I don't want to leave. I'm sad. I'm going to cry a lot. I cry over everything.
Me: That's OK. Crying means you care. What are your favorite memories of OTES?
Ren: Definitely the musical. Also chorus and band. Music in general. I love doing stuff with Mrs. Harvey, and Art class.
Me: You are going to LMS next year. What are your thoughts on this transition?
Ren: I'm nervous about everything.....mostly being new. I'm excited about getting a locker and I'm kind of excited about social nights.
Me: I taught at LMS for 6 years, and my office is there now. Trust me, it's a great place that you will love.
Ren: I think I'm going to be nervous now, but when I get there I'm going to be like "oh, there was nothing to be worried about." That's what my older siblings told me--that there is nothing to be worried about. Everyone has told me that it will be fine, but I'm still going to worry about leaving OTES.
Me: So, it sounds like your emotions are more about leaving OTES, and less about actually being nervous about going to a new school. I can absolutely understand that, but want you to know that you are going to a great place. You will thrive at LMS. What are your plans for summer?
Ren: Hang out with my cousins and try to help out and volunteer at the public library. Miss Cindy let's me help with the younger kids.
Me: Do you have a message for the staff at OTES?
Ren: Thank you so much for everything. I will never forget you no matter how bad my memory is. Thank you for teaching me so much. (Here are some fun facts about Ren):
Favorite Sport: Tennis; Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Marquis; Favorite School Lunch: Pizza; Favorite Book: 'The Bridge Home' ; Dream car: I never really thought about it....I don't know!
Thank you for your time with me today, Ren. You are a confident and passionate student who will blossom in middle school--I'm certain that Ms. Priest is excited to have you join her band and chorus programs! Say hello to Miss Cindy for me this summer while you are volunteering at the Old Town Public Library. You have an incredible attitude and natural talent for the performing arts. I am proud of you and look forward to observing your growth as a musician and performer over the course of middle and high school! See you in the halls of LMS next fall!
Sincerely,
Matthew Cyr, RSU #34 Superintendent
