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 >