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!
Even after the buses pulled away on our first grade 9 school day at OTHS, our staff was still learning and preparing for the upcoming school year. We spent the afternoon with Lucas Murphy of the Old Town Police Department, who talked us through the body's physiological response to acute stress. It was both fun and informative.
Thank You Detective Murphy!
As the buses pull away, our opening day for grade 9 at OTHS is in the books. We had a very successful first day and I am very confident that we accomplished our goal for the day of helping our incoming grade 9 class feel comfortable and welcome in their new home! Students had a chance to meet teachers and staff, walk the halls through a mock schedule and experience a revamped Coyote Cafe. Great Day Class of 2027! Welcome to OTHS! Thanks to the entire OTHS staff and some volunteers from Student Council for making our first day go so well.
It was a GREAT opening day in RSU 34 and at Old Town High School. The day started with all staff members being greeted by members of the OTHS Student Council. After a breakfast and some social time, we got down to business. New staff members were recognized and welcomed to the RSU. We are very excited about the quality of new people joining our RSU. Staff members who have reached longevity steps in their time within the RSU were also recognized. We then shifted to OTHS for our opening staff meeting. Following lunch, there were some department meetings and other small group meetings to get ready for the upcoming school year. At this time, laptops are being distributed to students and parents.
It is GO time!
We look forward to meeting the Class of 2027 tomorrow!
Just a reminder! We will be distributing School-Issued Chromebooks starting (TOMORROW) - Wednesday August 30th. A Parent/Guardian will need to complete some paperwork before devices can be given out. The times are as follows: Wednesday, August 30th from 3PM to 6 PM Thursday, August 31st from 5PM to 8PM and Friday, September 1st from 9AM to 12PM We hope these are times that will work for everyone. If you are absolutely unable to come during any of these times, students may pick up their paperwork on the first day and their chromebook will be issued when the paperwork is returned.
This is the time of year when we often field the question, "what supplies does my student need to start school?"
The reality is, not as much as you think.
For the first day, writing utensils of their choice and then whatever organizational system works best for them. (Maybe it's one big binder with dividers or a small notebook for each class & a folder for each class). A backpack to carry a few things would be a good idea as well.
If they prefer a hard copy planner, that is up to them. But remember students - you will get a Chromebook and many of your documents will be created on that device and saved to your drive. You can also organize yourself with a Google calendar. You can access all of your documents and your calendar from your Chromebook or your phone. Work smarter, not harder.
So, to answer that annual question, the reality is you don't need a lot to start.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you soon.
Grade 9 starts on Thursday, August 31st at 8:30am.
ALL students on Tuesday, September 5th at 8:30am.
Have a Great Weekend!
Go Coyotes!
In today's "Where Are They Now," we venture back to 2017, to check in with Joshua Chinn. Josh is a 2017 graduate and he received the "outstanding in media" award for taking extra video classes during his career at OT. As you will see, his video pursuit never stopped! He attended Husson University and enrolled as a video communications student. Then, he decided to go abroad to learn video in other places. He attended The American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Josh went in under the communications umbrella. He was the first student from Husson to go abroad in the Middle East. So he was part of a group who created ties to help other students go to the Middle East to study easier. He took part in their religious practices and traveled to 7 other countries in the process, which included Georgia, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Czech Republic, and Austria. He had an amazing time and more importantly met some amazing people. During his junior year, he decided to pursue certifications in marketing to stack on his video degree. Josh joined the PRSSA at Husson and became the Social Media Coordinator for them. Josh graduated with a bachelors in Sciences of Communications with a focus in Video Production. He also received a Certification in Social Media Marketing and Certification in Digital Media Marketing. Within a year, Josh received a great offer in the southern US, as he now serves as the Digital Media Producer for AIDT, which means he is basically the Digital Media Producer for the Alabama state government. Josh specializes in the developmental field, collaborating with large companies like Hyundai, Mercedes, Lockheed Martin, and Airbus, as well as several smaller companies. His responsibilities include creating training videos, ads and promos for each company. Josh's work takes him on national and international trips to meet with each company, which is a nice perk! He uses his free time to work on his craft, workout, and travel the United States. He travels to Maine every chance he gets. Congratulations, Josh! You have found a job that ties in with your passion! Keep up the great work! We are Proud of You!
"Whatcha reading this summer?" We often hear about the benefits of reading and especially reading for pleasure. According to some studies, pleasure reading improves writing proficiency, helps build a broader vocabulary and expands general knowledge. In addition, it can improve self-confidence, reduce stress and provide for a more positive outlook. Wow! I know that my staff "talks the talk" about the importance of reading during the school year, but I quickly learned that they "walk the walk" even over the summer! :) A big shout out to this group of OTHS staff members who poured through a ton of pages this summer.
Old Town High School's class of 2013 held their 10-year reunion this past weekend. I received text messages from a couple of them and they both reminded me that this class came in as freshmen the same year I started as Principal. I suddenly felt very old. :) I recognized many faces in the group pic that they sent & others have changed quite a bit. It is great to see so many holding children. I know this group has so many beautiful human beings who will make great parents. I am happy for all of you. Here's to continued health & abundant happiness for a class that will remain close to my heart forever. Go Coyotes. #CoyotePride
Attention Class of 2024 and Parents of Class of 2024! Please sign up for the Senior Class 2024 Remind! Our school counselors use "Remind" to send students/parents important senior information/deadlines and scholarship information. To sign up: text the message @gc36ag to the number 81010 - OR - go to this link: https://www.remind.com/join/gc36ag
In our next edition of "Where Are They Now," we travel back to 2013 and remember Laura Rivers, one of our favorite main office student aides!
After graduating from OTHS in 2013, Laura went west - to UMaine Farmington, where she graduated in
2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in special education. She then taught for two years at Camden Rockport middle school. After her dad’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she was inspired to support seniors living with dementia and left teaching to serve as recreation director at a long term care facility, and then administrator for an assisted living memory community. She now lives in Tennessee, working for Brookdale senior living in their corporate office in Nashville supporting over 600 senior living communities with clinical programming. She recently graduated with her masters degree in public health and earned her dementia practitioner certification. In her spare time, Laura serves as the community engagement co chair for the walk to end Alzheimer’s in Nashville and she is also a community educator for the Alzheimer’s association. She just purchased a house and has been busy with home projects & has also adopted a few chickens and her dog, Forest.
She seems to be loving life!
It was great catching up with you, Laura. Keep up the great work.
OT is Proud of You!!!
It's been GREAT to see so many OTHS teachers who are back in the building today! They are all busy making preparations for the first day of school, which is rapidly approaching.... Enjoy the final days of summer!
As the summer days keep slipping away like sands through the hour glass, I thought it was the perfect time to give a big "Shout Out" to four guys who have been working hard all summer to make sure the place is squeaky clean on day 1. Thanks to Head Custodian Doug Shorey and his crew of Sam Curtis, Aaron Fowler and Keith Jennings. Nice Job Guys and Thanks for all that you do!
Just a reminder, the OTHS Science department is still looking for your old Maine Atlas Gazeteer. Before you throw yours' out, considering donating it to us. You can drop off at the main office at OTHS.
Thank you in advance!
On Saturday afternoon, Old Town High School's class of 1993 stopped by for a visit. They noticed many subtle changes to the building over the last 30 years and they were really impressed by the science, art & technology wing. They were a fun group, but they could not match the word-for-word singing of the school song performed by the Class of 1972 earlier in the day. Class of 93 - Thanks for returning to pay us a visit. I hope you had a great time at your reunion last night. You are welcome back anytime! We are Proud of You!
Old Town High School's Class of 1972 dropped by for a visit and a tour of the old and new parts of the school today.
They were a fun bunch - and - they remembered the school song. A few of them were actually singing on stage in MacKenzie Gymnasium!
Thank you to the Class of 1972 for returning for a visit, you are welcome to return anytime.
Have fun at your reunion this evening!
In mid-July, the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) were held in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, and Millbrook First Nation.
The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) 2023 brought together more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and team staff from 756+ Indigenous Nations celebrating, sharing and reconnecting through sport and culture with the help of 3,000 volunteers.
And...... Guess what? Old Town High School's very own Hayna Francis was there competing and doing very well!
Hayna was part of Team Wabanaki which consisted of Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Maliseet athletes. The team had 6 participate in Track and Field and 7 participate in Canoeing/Kayaking.
Hayna competed in the 100m, 200m, 300m dash. He won a bronze medal for his 300m event. There was a preliminary and a final for each. Hayna made the final for each of his events. He also ran the cross country 3k and came in 5th place.
Great Job Hayna! We are So Proud of You!
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
If you haven't been to OTHS in the last couple of weeks, here are the new banners that were installed to dress up the chain link fencing around the athletic fields. One word. Wow.
They look great.
Big Thanks to our AD - Mr. Bousquet for the leg work, Brent Fournier, our Facilities Director and our Superintendent, Mr. Cyr, who helped with the install. Great work!
Go Coyotes!
Today's trip back in time takes us back to 2008, to catch up with Erin (Burns) Card. Erin graduated from Old Town High School in 2008 and went on to attend the University of Southern Maine to major in music education. After graduating, she began teaching in the Maine public school system first in Hallowell, then Scarborough, and currently in the Augusta School Department where she teaches 6th-8th grade instrumental and general music. During her time at OTHS Erin played trombone and was actively involved in all things music. She would like to send a special shout out to Mr. Priest who provides his students with one of the very best music experiences in Maine. The OTHS bands traveled to Florida, California, Boston, and across Maine during Erin’s time in school- earning top scores in all of the festivals they participated in. All of these experiences inspired Erin’s love for music and a career in music education. She lives in Gardiner with her husband, 4 year old daughter, dog and two cats and is throughly enjoying summer vacation!
Congratulations on all of your success Erin! We are Super Proud of You!
