As we see the escalating impact of COVID-19 across our state and the nation, we recognize that friends and families are looking for ways to connect and to maintain normal traditions in an abnormal time. As the holiday season approaches, it is critically important that our school communities continue to do everything we can in order to keep our schools safe,... READ MORE >
The November 18th, 2020 school board meeting video can be viewed at this link location: https://5il.co/n760 Or by navigating from the RSU34 website Menu to Documents » School Board » Minutes and Activity Reports » 2020-2021 School Year » Meeting Videos READ MORE >
David Walker is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: RSU#34 November Board MeetingTime: Nov 18, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meetinghttps://networkmaine.zoom.us/j... Meeting ID: 871 4919 3803The meeting will begin at 6:30pm and no business will be conducted prior to that time. Prior to that time, anyone joining the meeting... READ MORE >
Dear RSU #34 Community, With each passing day comes news of another Maine school community impacted by COVID-19. While RSU #34 has not yet had a positive case within our schools, we have worked closely with families to take proper precautions when exposure has happened outside of school, and when members of our community have had symptoms similar to COVID-19. In... READ MORE >
In response to questions regarding childcare, Board member Moriah Geer offered the following:I wanted to reach out with some information that I think may be helpful to some parents. There were a lot of questions yesterday about childcare, and we know that many of these parents rely on their kids being in school so that they can work so it makes sense that there are... READ MORE >
The RSU #34 Board and Administrative Team will host a question and answer session for students and parents on Wednesday evening August 12th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm via Zoom. FAQ's received to date will be shared and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions that have not been asked and answered previously. All questions will be added to the FAQ... READ MORE >
Dear RSU #34 community, Our staff continues working hard on planning a safe, effective, and engaging 2020-2021 school year. We appreciate your patience, ideas, and offers of support. Please be sure to have communicated preferences / enrolled with RSU #34. Enrollments are managed at the Superintendent’s Office (at Leonard Middle School, 156 Oak Street in Old... READ MORE >
Dear RSU #34 Schools’ Families, We continue to make progress in our plans regarding the return to school this fall. Governor Mills today released updated guidance to assist school communities in making their decisions about how to resume instruction this fall in the face of COVID-19. This guidance includes the Health Advisory System that classifies counties’... READ MORE >
Health Advisory System reflects relative risk by county, updated requirements to safely reopen schools promote public health AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration today released updated guidance to assist school communities in making their decisions about how to resume instruction this fall in the face of COVID-19. This guidance includes the Health Advisory... READ MORE >
Dear RSU #34 Schools’ Families, Each day, we are getting closer to a recommendation regarding the return to school this fall. We will send a community letter once we have the red-yellow-green categorization of different counties across the state that the Maine Department of Education (M-DOE) intends to publish on July 31, 2020. This designation will... READ MORE >
NEWS CENTER Maine spoke with a mental health expert at Northern Light Acadia Hospital to find out what parents and kids can be doing now to manage stress while awaiting schools' decisions -- and prepare for what the next season could look like. Chris McLaughlin, associate vice president of Community and Pediatric Services at Northern Light Acadia Hospital, says... READ MORE >
You may view or download the video of the July 15th, 2020 School Board Meeting at this link:https://drive.google.com/file/...The chat session that contained comments and questions which were asked and answered can be viewed at this link:https://5il.co/id18Be aware that this is an unformatted Zoom text file. READ MORE >
RSU#34 July 2020 Board Meeting Wednesday July 15th 6:30 pm David Walker is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: July 15, 2020 Board Meeting Time: Jul 15, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j... Meeting ID: 835 9685 1882 The School Board meeting on Wednesday, July 15th will include an update... READ MORE >
Maine Department of Education continues to work with educators and health experts from across the State to develop health markers and corresponding plans to ensure the safe return to classroom instruction. As this work develops, the Department is seeking input from additional stakeholders from across the State, and will release a survey on July 6. On June... READ MORE >
MCLA Curriculum Leader of The YearJon Doty, Ed.D.Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and AssessmentRSU #34We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Jon Doty as the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association 2020 Curriculum Leader of The Year. He has unfailingly been a champion of learning and exemplifies collaboration, support, and professionalism. From supporting MCLA's... READ MORE >
AUGUSTA, ME — The members of Maine’s high school Class of 2020 got an early graduation gift today – access to free summer courses at Maine’s community colleges. Maine students who graduate in 2019/2020 are invited to apply for the free online courses. A student taking two free college courses this summer at a Maine Community College can save between... READ MORE >
In recognition of May 1, 2020 being designated National School Lunch Heroes Day, Governor Janet Mills and the Department of Education have created a special thank you video for school nutrition teams, volunteers and all school staff across Maine, who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure Maine kids have nutritious and healthy meals while learning... READ MORE >
5.1.2020 Dear RSU #34 Schools Families, I wanted to reach out with a few details regarding the remainder of our 2019-2020 school year. Our last official calendar day of the 2019-2020 school year will be Friday, June 12th. Teachers will work with students and families The week of June 8th through June 12th focusing on the continued... READ MORE >
Check out this great resource for Grades 3-5 !!http://tinyurl.com/y8bpc2v4 READ MORE >
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health Launches Virtual Webinar Series to Help Manage Stress and Anxiety Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic “Heads Up: Coping Through COVID-19” will include six weekly webinars streamed live on Facebook featuring experts on child psychology, stress, psychiatry, anxiety, and geriatrics, offering information and tips for people of all ages ... READ MORE >
By Linda Flanagan When Jennifer Szot sat down with her son to play a game involving mixed fractions, she found herself falling behind the fifth-grade math. “It took me five steps, and he did it in three,” she said. The assignment was one of many that her son is expected to complete at home, when he’s not working online, taking part in “live” classes, or... READ MORE >
Parents: It’s OK If You’re Barely Getting By Right Now “In this time of the coronavirus, keep your kids safe, make them feel loved and feed them. That’s all.” Kim SimonGuest Writer We’ve all seen the beautifully color-coded daily schedule making it’s way around social media right now. It’s meant to help parents create structure for their children while schools... READ MORE >
The April 15, 2020 RSU34 School Board meeting will be held via a public Zoom session at 6:30pm You may attach to the meeting using the following: Join Zoom Meeting https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/98887473839 Meeting ID: 988 8747 3839 Join by phone: Find your local number: https://networkmaine.zoom.us/u/aAy9cPLVg The meeting will... READ MORE >
Dear RSU34 Family, The following message was shared by the Maine Commissioner of Education last evening: “As you ... know, US CDC guidance recommends an 8 to 20 week timeframe for avoiding large group/in-person instruction once there is evidence of community transmission of COVID-19. I am recommending, with the support of the Governor, that Maine Schools...... READ MORE >
Cooking, card games, coloring, and chores! Kimmie Fink on March 31, 2020 If you find yourself frustrated trying to keep up with the school packets, video chats, and virtual office hours, take a deep breath and a step back. Official school activities are important, but there are plenty of everyday activities that count as learning too. These kinds of activities... READ MORE >
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.... READ MORE >
Kids (and Teachers) Don’t Need to Spend 8 Hours a Day on School Work Right Now Experts agree: a few hours is enough. Hannah Hudson on March 31, 2020 A virtual learning schedule is not the same as a traditional school schedule. A virtual learning schedule is not the same as a traditional school schedule. We’re just going to keep repeating this until it... READ MORE >
3 Tips For Talking To Kids About Coronavirus And The National Shutdown Frederick Hess, Forbes Magazine Like many in education, I’ve been deluged by queries from parents wondering how to help their kids deal with these scary, surreal days. Many questions are about helping kids stay on track academically or finding good online resources. But more of them are... READ MORE >
March 24th RSU #34 Update for Alton Elementary School, Viola Rand School, Old Town Elementary School, Leonard Middle School, Old Town High School Good afternoon RSU #34 Community, Here are a few updates for our families. This week and next week are about connecting with families, trying to address resource needs, and encouraging kids to stay engaged. ... READ MORE >
The Governor’s State of Emergency announcement closed schools for 30 days, which would take us to April 13th. The Penquis Superintendents’ Association has recommended that all school districts in our region continue with remote learning days through April 17th, then break for the scheduled April Vacation (4/20-4/24). At this time, our hope is that we will reopen... READ MORE >
Regional School Unit #34 Alton – Bradley – Old Town 156 Oak Street Old Town, Maine 04468 Telephone (207) 827-7171 David A. Walker, Superintendent Dear Parents, Staff and Community Members, Thanks to all of you who have expressed support, asked good questions, and provided assistance as we work together to... READ MORE >
Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day Ariadne LabsFollow Mar 13 · 7 min read Originally published by Ariadne Labs on March 13, 2020 | Updated March 14, 2020 By Asaf Bitton, MD, MPH Iknow there is some confusion about what to do next in the midst of this unprecedented time of a pandemic, school closures, and widespread social disruption. As a primary... READ MORE >
TO THE RSU#34 SCHOOL COMMUNITY, We continue to closely monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its public health implications. Nationwide and worldwide, public health agencies are taking action to slow the spread of this virus. In anticipation, we feel it is prudent to make responsible plans for learning and professional responsibilities should our... READ MORE >
Pandemic Panic? These 5 Tips Can Help You Regain Your Calm March 03, 2020 Allison Aubrey (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) Anxiety thrives on uncertainty. And, as the coronavirus spreads, our unanswered questions can make us feel vulnerable or fearful. "Will it come to my community" or "Am I at risk?' Get up to speed on the news Boston is talking... READ MORE >
Parents/Guardians: This letter is to provide clarification and additional information regarding Regional School Unit #34’s actions related to the coronavirus. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in the State of Maine. We work under the guidance of the state and federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and follow the CDC recommendations... READ MORE >
Coronaviruses Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different types of animals. This includes camels, cats, cows, and bats. In humans, coronaviruses cause infections like the common cold and most people will become sick with a coronavirus at some point during their life. Rarely coronaviruses cause more severe disease like COVID-19,... READ MORE >
Please note that at this time Maine has no confirmed cases associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with, and with guidance from The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), issued information to School Administrative Unit (SAU) leaders last month about the coronavirus outbreak.... READ MORE >
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued the following notice for school communities in Maine: To help answer questions and address concerns that might arise within your school communities, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is providing information about the recent coronavirus outbreak that originated in... READ MORE >
How High School Counselors Can Help Students, Parents Students struggling academically or with personal issues can seek help from a high school counselor. By Alexandra Pannoni and Josh Moody NO DAY IS TYPICAL FOR high school counselors. "You can have a student walk into your office and they could be homeless," says Tawnya Pringle, a school... READ MORE >
Want to Raise Thoughtful, Well-Adjusted Children? Let Them Hear You Say These 11 Things, According to Parenting Experts You know what not to say--are you as certain about the opposite? By Scott Mautz I recently wrote about what parents should let their kids see them doing to role-model well-adjusted behavior and have been planning this follow-up piece.... READ MORE >
On Wednesday evening, long time Board Member Donna Conary of Old Town made the motion to adjourn the meeting for the last time after 20+ years of dedicated service to the RSU #34 community.Mrs. Conary was recognized by the Board for her dedicated service. READ MORE >
TO: Regional School Unit #34 Families SUBJECT: WINTER WEATHER AND SCHOOL Regional School Unit No. 34 maintains a policy of keeping school in session under all conditions; except when weather and road conditions are hazardous and therefore jeopardizing student safety. In general, when bus schedules are disrupted due to road conditions,... READ MORE >
High school seniors who have followed the Operation Varsity Blues news may be wondering as they apply to college just how stacked the deck might be. In March 2019, federal prosecutors uncovered a criminal conspiracy to influence admissions at eight universities, including the University of Southern California, Yale University, Georgetown University and Stanford... READ MORE >
How to Raise a Lifelong Learner Beyond grades and test scores, help your kid hang onto their natural curiosity and wonder. By Christine Elgersma 3/5/2018 "Look! When I mix these paints, I get a whole new color!" Hearing your kids get excited about learning feels like glitter... READ MORE >
1. Know that social media isn’t always what you think it us. Parents tend to think of social media as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. But for kids, apps and networks with social channels that allow them to connect with others include networks like Tumbler and Reddit, audio platform Soundcloud, lip synch video app TikTok, messaging apps like... READ MORE >
Stephane Kasriel, Upwork CEO Published 8:36 AM ET Wed, 31 Oct 2018 Updated 11:08 AM ET Thu, 8 Nov 2018 CNBC.com According to the survey Freelancing in America 2018, released Wednesday, 93 percent of freelancers with a four-year college degree say skills training was useful versus only 79 percent who say their college education was useful to the work they do... READ MORE >
rent Partnership Snow Days: Resources to Share With Students and Parents Is snow in the forecast? Here are some engaging science, reading, and writing resources to share with parents. By Matt DavisDecember 13, 2016© Gable Denims/500px Winter is here, and for parts of the country snow is in the forecast. Although most teachers love a snow day here and... READ MORE >
In a world where even little kids learn about horrific subjects, it's important for parents to put things in perspective, field questions, and search for answers together. By Caroline Knorr 2/20/2018 Topics: Healthy Media Habits, News and Media Literacy, Technology Addiction One of the toughest jobs of parenting is talking to your kids about difficult... READ MORE >
Resilient Kids Come From Parents Who Do These 8 ThingsLetting your kids fail and talking to them about it goes a long way.By Lizzy Francis Nov 26 2018, 8:36 PM (Fatherly Magazine article) When you’re a kid, everything is a tragedy. Your grilled cheese has the crust on? The horror. Can’t assemble that Lego set? Might as well stomp up and down. You can’t change... READ MORE >
Ever try to pry a tablet from sticky fingers? Check out these tips to avoid the tantrum. By Christine Elgersma 3/26/2018 "Just a sec," say nine out of 10 parents answering an email when their kid asks them for something. If it's hard for us to jump out of the digital world, just imagine you're 3 and the lines between fantasy and reality are already blurred -- then... READ MORE >
What is Chronic Absenteeism? #success4ME Maine’s student success indicator, chronic absenteeism is one of four (4) indicators utilized in Maine’s Model of School Supports and is used for all grades, K-12. Chronic absenteeism in Maine is defined as missing ten percent (10%) of enrolled school days where the student has been enrolled in the school for at least ten... READ MORE >
Protect Kids Traveling to and from School It is not too late to remind them how to get to and from school safely. Safety must be an ongoing lesson of every school year. Tragically, from 2006 to 2015 there were 301 school-age children (18 and younger) killed in school transportation-related crashes. It is important to share a few simple tips with kids to help... READ MORE >
Emergency Information: It is vital that the school have the phone numbers for parents and other emer- gency numbers in case we cannot reach you. Please notify the main office immediately if there is a change in address, phone number, or emer- gency numbers. It is very difficult to care for an ill child when no one can be reached. If your child has a chronic... READ MORE >