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The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Monday, August 19, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/81675800183
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RSU 34 is proud to share the 2024 Back-to-School issue of Community Connections! Inside you'll find articles and photos from spring and summer activities, along with back-to-school information such as calendars, open house dates, and bus routes. The City of Old Town has partnered with us for this issue, so you'll also find great city info and the dates for Riverfest 2024!
Many thanks to those who contributed to this issue, and to Corina Larsen / Gossamer Design for bringing it all together.
Here's the link for Community Connections: https://5il.co/2twck
![Cover of Community Connections](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/9392271/large_CC_Cover_August_2024.png)
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The August RSU 34 School Board meeting date has been changed due to scheduling conflicts with several Board members.
The new date for this month's meeting is Monday, August 19, 2024 @ 6:30pm in the LMS Cafeteria.
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We're looking forward to the coming school year! In addition to our full-time staff, substitutes help out in a variety of ways: teachers, one-to-one support, office staff, custodial staff, and food service. If you're interested in working with awesome kids and staff on a very flexible schedule, please let us know! Here's the application: t.ly/mcbGC
![logo](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/9308112/large_RSU_34_Logo_2023.jpg)
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Are you struggling with how to navigate parenting in the digital arena? Are you wrestling with what the right age is for a smatphone and social media? No matter where you are on your parenting journey with technology, you may be interested in the upcoming talk by the Founder of Wait Until 8th, Brooke Shannon. She will talk about the importance of delaying smartphones and social media and will help parents already in the middle of smartphone battles with some strategic advice to rein in smartphone use.
Brooke works with parents and communities across the country to help families establish a healthy relationship with technology. She is a national speaker on how to parent in the digital arena and has given keynotes to the American Enterprise Institute, and numerous schools and churches. Brooke is also a resource to the media; she has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC national news, NPR, and CNN Headline News.
The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade and encourages parents to delay social media until 16. Learn more about the pledge at www.waituntil8th.org
(Hosted by RSU 64 at Central Community School, Corinth)
![Parenting in a Digital Age](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/9151307/large_Parenting_in_a_Digital_Age.png)
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RSU 34 is in the final stages of preparing its annual application for funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). RSU 34 receives ESEA funding allocations via Titles IA, IIA, and IV-A. The major uses of funding for IA are academic interventions in math and literacy; for IIA are professional development for educators; and for IV-A are safe & healthy schools, well-rounded education, and effective use of technology.
For more information about how to be involved in the application process, or with questions, please email Dr. Doty (contact information is on the district website).
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The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/85794130240
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From a community partner:
Registrations for the Hirundo Wildlife Refuge Camp are STILL OPEN! Scholarships are available !
Join us for 1-4 exciting weeks of unforgettable adventures immersed in nature. Each week has a different focus, but every week offers opportunities to explore nature, spot wildlife, paddle, and hike at Hirundo!
Register Here: https://www.hirundomaine.org/summercamp
Week 1: July 8-12 Discover Your Inner Naturalist
Week 2: July 22-26 Blaze Your Own Trail
Week 3: August 5-9 Unearth Hidden Hirundo's Secrets
Week 4: August 19-23 Splash Into Your Next Adventure
Camps are designed for Ages 9-12, and run from 9am-4pm weekdays. We welcome you to sign up for 2, 3, or 5 days (or 4 full weeks) of fun!
Questions? Email: brianna@hirundomaine.org
![Hirundo Summer Camp](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/8949066/large_HirundoSummerCampImage.jpeg)
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The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/81340925232
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The Great East Festival buses will return approximately 11:15 PM (Friday 5/24/24)
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Thanks for Jackson and Jack for raising the colors at Leonard Middle School this morning!
![Colors](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/8478177/large_Jack_Jackson_Colors.jpg)
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The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/87420718014
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I am privileged to witness the profound impact RSU 34 staff have on the lives of our students each day. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence are the cornerstones of the RSU 34 community! During this Teacher Appreciation Week, I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every RSU 34 employee for their tireless efforts, unwavering support, and boundless enthusiasm.
Thank you for all that you do, today and every day. Your contributions make a difference, and your influence is immeasurable.
With Sincere Appreciation,
Matt Cyr, RSU 34 Superintendent
![Teacher Appreciation Week 2024](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/8131958/large_Screenshot_2024-05-06_at_1.20.09_PM.png)
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The RSU 34 School Board will hold a Special Board meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/83975551348
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This Saturday, April 27th, Hirundo is offering a free "Meet a Scientist" event to celebrate Earth Day! This will be at Binette Park in Old Town from 10 AM - 1 PM.
Join Hirundo Wildlife Refuge in celebrating Earth Day at Binette Park in Old Town!
Meet scientists from around Maine, who will showcase some of the equipment they use and what projects they are working on right now!
Peer through lenses and activate your brain by asking questions and discovering more about the world around you. Tables will be stationed around the park featuring topics ranging from golden eagles and bird banding, to DNA extraction, to archaeology! Meet A Scientist will be your one-stop shop to learn about all the local science being conducted.
Learn the basics of what scientists do and how you can become a citizen scientist! This celebration of learning will be fun for everyone, so bring the whole family or come on your own.
Pick up a stamp card at the Hirundo table, visit at least 7 tables, and get a free nature-themed poster of your choice (first come first serve)!
Directions ~ Binette Park
434 Main Street, Old Town, ME 04468 (44.937288, -68.647140)
Located on Main Street in Old Town, along the Penobscot River, between Pepper's Landing and The Rock Church.
![Hirundo Meet a Scientist](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/7911045/large_Earth_Day_Meet_a_Scientist_2024.jpg)
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The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/83198811557
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RSU 34 Schools will be closed on Thursday, April 4. Stay safe during the storm.
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YMCA Healthy Kids Day April 20, 2024, 10-2
![YMCA Healthy Kids Day 2024](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/7632067/large_Healthy_Kids_Day_Flyer_2024.jpg)
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I’d like to shine the RSU 34 student spotlight on Vance C., a 4th grade student at Old Town Elementary School. Vance and I met up today on the second floor of the OTES library. He shared that the library is his favorite place because it has many good books and his father works there! Vance loves arriving at school a little early with dad. Having him around has other great perks like the other day when he sprained his thumb playing basketball. “I stopped in to see my dad and got a snack to tie me over until lunch. I really like having him around. My thumb still hurts, but it is much better.”
Vance shared other things he loves about OTES. “I like the communities and that everyone knows each other. I have a lot of opportunities here. I’ve been in the news multiple times because I was on a Box of Maine interview. I was in the Community Connections newspaper twice (I think). I also love how the teachers let me run errands for them once in a while like bringing papers to the office.” Vance shared that he likes all subjects, but did explain that recess was his most difficult part of school. “The hardest part of my day is recess. I play hard and it seems like I’m always getting hurt. I think I’ve been to the nurses office like 10 times this year. I like to play sports, but I get injured playing them (like my thumb).”
We talked a bit more about the weekend storm, and upcoming April school vacation. “I was skiing at Saddleback this weekend. It was the biggest powder I’ve ever seen! It’s very crunch and hard snow here in Old Town. But I love having winter material on the ground.” 🙂
Vance plans on going to Miami, Florida over April vacation to spend time with his cousins. Have fun, Vance!
![Vance](https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/rsu_%2334_ar/live_feed_image/image/7563977/large_Screenshot_2024-03-25_at_11.24.42_AM.png)
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RSU 34 schools will be closed today--Thursday, March 21, 2024.
We apologize for the change of course. Conditions are not improving in time for morning bus runs as we had anticipated when making the decision early this morning.