Today is Happy National School Custodian Appreciation Day.
Shout out to Doug Shorey, Sam Curtis, Aaron Fowler & Keith Jennings! This is the all-star cast of unsung heroes. They open the building each day, they clean up all of the messes each day, they get the building ready for the next day and lock the doors as they leave. We see you guys and we appreciate all that you do. Thank you!
10/02/2023
Dear RSU #34 Families & Staff,
Some of our families have received or will be receiving P-EBT cards (known as SNAP) from the State of Maine. We were not aware this was going to happen and received some questions today; we are passing along information that we have found. The short version is that the state of Maine has changed how it gathers information about what percentage of students in communities would qualify for free and reduced-price lunch. These changes have resulted in widespread distribution of the cards in many communities.
Here is a link to the state's website explaining eligibility for the program, and why you may have received these cards.
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/food-supplement#:~:text=To%20be%20eligible%20for%20this%20program%20individuals%20must%20meet%20the,19%20for%205%20consecutive%20days
There is a "Frequently Asked Questions" section on that website that includes information about other benefits, how to use the cards, and what to do with the cards if you do not wish to use them. There is also an email address for Maine DHHS on that website if you have further questions.
If we learn of more important details we will send them out to families.
Sincerely,
Jon Doty,
Assistant Superintendent
JROTC cadets presenting the colors at last night's football game.
From left to right, Brianna Engstrom, Kylee Murray (commanding), Zach Wilson & Austin Beal
Go Coyotes.
Mark Koscuiszka is a 3rd year Social Studies teacher & he is our OTHS October "Staff of the Month." These nominations are made by our Student Council, and here is what one student had to say. "Mr. K always goes out of his way to help people, even if they aren’t in one of his many classes. He is able to juggle lots of different classes, including two psychology groups, while making sure that each class gets the attention it deserves and needs." Mr. K does an amazing job of building relationships with his students. Congratulations, Mr. K Go Coyotes.
Congratulations to OTHS senior Wyatt Vickers, who has completed his JMG Maine Career Exploration Badge! Wyatt completed 40 hours of work experience in career fields that he was interested in, including Public Safety, Healthcare and Military occupations.
"While working on the MCEB, I learned a lot about the different careers in these fields, and what a day in the life looks like. Getting this experience really helped me figure out what path I may want to take after high school, and what careers I definitely do not want to go into. To me, there was a lot of value in seeing the strength in camaraderie that exists within careers in public safety and the military. Overall this was a great experience!"
Congratulations Wyatt!
Go Coyotes.
Good Morning, Coyote Nation. We are starting today with a Throwback Thursday Quiz. Name these current OTHS staff studs & stunners. They are NOT OTHS grads, but they still bleed green and white today. Can you name all of them?! Ready.......? Go!
JROTC Red Cross Blood Drive today at OTHS. Something to ponder.... How many Superintendents take time out of their ridiculously busy day to save a life?! Shout out to RSU 34 Superintendent Matthew Cyr for giving up some plasma and platelets. His blood type is "He B Positive."
Thanks to Fox22 and WABI for stopping by for a visit. Great Job OT! We saved some lives today. Proud of you. Go Coyotes.
JROTC blood drive today!
8am to 1pm.
MacKenzie Gymnasium
Make your Wednesday
super-meaningful. Give blood.
Save a life.
Go Coyotes.
Congratulations & Best of Luck to some of our band students!
Joey Porter auditioned on Alto Saxophone and was accepted as a member of the University of Maine Symphonic Band. This is a group for very advanced instrumentalists. They meet two times per week and they will perform three concerts at the Collins Center at the University of Maine. They will also go on a five day tour of Maine during the month of March. Congratulations Joey! We also have four students who are trying out for Jazz All-State on October 13th at the University of Maine at Augusta. Best of Luck to: Ayla Lawrence - trumpet Morgan Davis - trumpet Tyler Priest - trombone Joey Porter - alto saxophone Go Coyotes!
Did you know that a 2021 survey done by Thinx and PERIOD showed that 1 in 4 students have struggled to afford period products?
At Old Town High School we want to end period stigma and protect educational time so the Equity Committee has provided free, high quality period products for our menstruating students in the bathrooms.
Go Coyotes.
Hey!!!! No throwing paper airplanes in the hallway! Thanks to the creativity of Mr. Lindsey & Mr. Neely, this classic, yet simple childhood activity of aerodynamics using aerogami was made it into an experiment to collect data. The question was posed, "what kind of paper makes the best paper glider?" Students then controlled the experimental tests for paper size, plane design, and the person throwing the planes to isolate the effect of paper type. Anticipating variability, after throwing, students measured the distance thrown and then graphed the data as dot plots with averages and encountered the kind of thinking that needs to be done and the kind of claims that can be made when working with variability in the data. This should remind us all - learning can be fun!
The OT Robotics Team, coached by Justin Lewin, competed at a Robotics Tournament at John Bapst Memorial High School on Saturday. After 24 qualification matches, our three teams ranked 2nd (20734A), 3rd (20734C), and 8th (20734B). All teams moved to the semifinals. Teams A and C formed an alliance and made it to the final match, narrowly missing the tournament championship. We came home with a judges award, acknowledging the work and perseverance of Sidney Staples and Martie LeClair. There are several more competitions in the months ahead and any student interested in joining the team is encouraged to talk to Coach Justin Lewin.
Go Coyotes.
Coyote Nation - tomorrow is picture day. LifeTouch will be at school for most of the morning.
The Coyote Battalion's Color Guard presenting our nation's colors at the RSU 34 School Board meeting last week and this past Friday night at our Homecoming football game. A Big Thanks to Colonel Szewc & First Sgt. Peaslee for always having the unit ready. Shout out to our cadets At School Board mtg - Aaron Gardener, Braydon Porter, Ian Aldrich & commanded by Cameron Jones At Football game - Joe Griffin, Zach Wilson, Austin Beal & commanded by Kylee Murray Go Coyotes.
Old Town High School groups representing at the Riverfest Parade this morning. Go Coyotes!
Today ended at OTHS with a very energetic pep rally to send our teams off to competition this evening and tomorrow. A Big Shout Out to Student Council advisors Christina Turner & Natalie Davis for a well planned & fun filled pep rally. Norah Sanborn & Gabe Curtis were amazing as MC's. The pep band was LOUD and kept the place hopping. Thank you to Jeff Priest & Jay Baines! Go Coyotes.
Even Petey the Coyote made an appearance today! Will we see you later this weekend, Petey?
The Old Town High School pep band renewed an old tradition this morning as they took part in a parade for the residents at Orono Commons. This was an annual event before the pandemic and was always enjoyed by both the residents and our students. We are proud to be able to restart this tradition and bring smiles to so many.
Shout out to Jeff Priest, Director of Music at Old Town High School, Jay Baines, Pep Band Director at Old Town High School and Chelsea Pazera, Administrator at Orono Commons for making it all happen.
Last, but not least, A Big Thanks to our students in the band for continuing to be amazing.
(Pics provided by Tina Priest)
Thanks Tina!
Go Coyotes.
Today in Mr. Curtis' Ceramics class, students are taking recycled clay and making coil pots. Depending on the thickness of the project, these will often take 3-4 hours of drying time. At that point, each project moves to the kiln for 12 hours. I will return in a few days to get pictures of some of the final projects.
A huge Thank You and shout out to Jeremiah Mutty at 207 Photo. He saw our post earlier this week and dropped off a really nice laminate of the Declaration of Independence for display in Mr. May's classroom.
Thank You Jeremiah!!!
@207Photo
Go Coyotes.
In biology/biology honors, students are learning about the use of microscopes. What better way to learn than in the field practice!? Honors biology went out to the schools vernal pool to collect water samples to explore what creatures are out there... Not only did they find species of worm, protists and insect larvae, but they even found a mummified salamander. Looks like fun!
