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
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
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
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.
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
RSU 34 Schools will be closed on Thursday, April 4. Stay safe during the storm.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day April 20, 2024, 10-2
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!
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.
All RSU 34 schools will have a 2-hour delay today--Thursday, March 21, 2024.
The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/87949924079
RSU 34 has updated its federally-required Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services based on the latest CDC guidance on respiratory viruses. That plan, and relevant documentation on use of federal ESSER/ARP funds, can be found here: https://www.rsu34.org/page/arp-esser
The RSU 34 School Board will hold a budget workshop on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/85153454786
As the RSU 34 School Board and administrative team build the budget for the 2024 - 2025 school year, it is critical that we have accurate numbers of students we should expect for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. If you live in Alton, Bradley, or Old Town and plan on having a child enter Pre-Kindergarten, or Kindergarten please initiate the enrollment process by contacting the school in the town where you and your child(ren) reside. To make the enrollment process, please see the district webpage found here: https://www.rsu34.org/page/rsu-34-enrollment-24-25 This page features our newly released online enrollment procedure. Don't hesitate to call if there are questions.
Please share this post with your friends and family who may know of other Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten children in our school community. Thank you!
The RSU 34 School Board will hold a budget workshop on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/81902973424
RSU 34 and the OTO-YMCA partner on the River Runners program, one of the "beacons of hope" identified in this statewide Op-Ed that are proactively creating opportunities for youth. Making multiple positive niches for every child/youth is an important part of their development - some of those happen in school, and some out of school.
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/02/21/opinion/opinion-contributor/there-are-beacons-of-hope-amidst-maines-juvenile-justice-challenges/
River Runners is part of the Aspirations Incubator Program, of the Rural Futures Fund.
Some of the services RSU 34 provides are funded federally, such as those provided under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and those funded via ESSER / ARP (covid-relief funds, which conclude Sept. 2024). Planning for the use of federal funds is underway in parallel with the RSU 34 planning and budgeting process for 2024-2025. For more information about how to provide input or be involved in the process, please contact Dr. Jon Doty (https://www.rsu34.org/page/superintendents-office)
The RSU 34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84935661746
Pictured: the wild Saturday nightlife of a school district Facilities Director. Thanks, Mr. Fournier, for fixing the leaking roof drain discovered at Saturday's OTES event!
Saturday was a busy day for RSU #34's robotics teams! On one side of the river, the LMS robotics team competed in the FIRST Lego League Maine State competition. The team was excited that in their very first round they exceeded the best score they had all year the prior year. They competed several more times that day, building on that success and growth. Meanwhile, across the river the OTHS robotics teams competed in the VEX "February Finale", the last meet of the regular season. Three of the four OTHS teams had already qualified for the state championships going into that meet, and one of the four OTHS teams had already qualified for the CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Tournament.
In RSU #34, we undertook an initiative a decade ago, spearheaded by one of our community members and volunteer coaches, to integrate robotics and coding into the school day. Beginning with Bee Bots at our elementary schools, through WeDo, Spike Prime, NXT, Sphero, coding, app design, 3D design and printing, laser cutting and engraving - RSU #34 students have lots of opportunities to develop computational thinking and cutting-edge skills!
Along the same lines, we learned Friday that the OTHS JROTC Cyber Security team, league champions, is invited to compete in the 2nd JROTC Brigade competition in March. Congratulations, Cadets!
