Giving Tuesday–November 28th:
RSU 34 would love to participate in Giving Tuesday, November 28th this year. As you know, we have a 501(c)3 called the RSU 34 Education Foundation. This organization is a way for our students and staff to benefit from the contributions of our community. Since the development of the Education Foundation in 2012, the organization has funded many outstanding projects. The goal of the RSU 34 Education Foundation is simple: support our children in every possible way in order to have a successful future.
If you’d like to participate in Giving Tuesday, November 28, please use the RSU 34 Education Foundation Venmo account to make a contribution. We ask that you designate and/or indicate in your donation memo, where you’d like your funds to go. All donations are appreciated, and are tax deductible. Thank you for your support! Scan the Venmo QR code in this post, or use the following Venmo account: @RSU34_Education_Foundation
RSU 34 Education Foundation Programs/Committees to make a donation:
RSU 34 Children’s Fund
RSU 34 Visual and Performing Arts Fund
RSU 34 Alumni Fund
RSU 34 Memorial Garden at OTHS
RSU 34 Inclusive Outdoor Learning Space at OTES
RSU 34 Coyote Pride
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m.
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/85373331980
I’d like to introduce you to Hayden R., a wonderful 8th grade student at Leonard Middle School. I met up with Hayden immediately following a 6th grade band rehearsal. That wasn’t a typo….Hayden shared with me that she LOVES Wednesdays because she gets to be a mentor in the 6th grade band AND has chorus! Hayden went on to say she is also in the concert band and symphonic band. “Music is my thing,” Hayden said with a great big smile. Hayden came to RSU 34 in the 6th grade after spending time in Alaska, New York and southern Maine. “My teachers here are really nice, and so are the kids. I have a lot of friends. I really like the fact that we have recess here because not many middle schools have recess.”
During our discussion, Hayden shared that she was in the southern part of Maine during the COVID outbreak and spent her entire 5th grade year remote. “I only met the teachers in-person once that year. It was when we went to take our school pictures. I learned to play the flute while being fully remote. Coming to LMS in the 6th grade and playing my instrument was very different, but in a good way! I was glad to finally get to hear the other kids play without zoom glitches. Music is probably my favorite part of LMS, but I also like ELA because I feel engaged.”
I steered our conversation to the future. Hayden shared, “I don’t want to go to high school. I’m very nervous about it because it will be a huge change from middle school. I will probably be ready by the end of the school year, but not right now.” We finished up talking about things she likes to do outside of school. “I like hanging out with my mom and my friends. I also downloaded an app where I can create my own music pieces.”
Here are some fun facts about Hayden:
Favorite Sport: I don’t like sports. I love music!
Favorite Teacher: Ms. Henry or Ms. Beckwith
Favorite School Lunch: Garlic knots (I have to say….I’ve tried them and agree with Hayden, they are delicious!)
Favorite Book: “Hide” by Kierston White
Dream Car: I don’t know!?! (while smiling and laughing)
As with all of my student interviews, I like to hear their favorite quote or saying. Sometimes this is a challenging question without any context. I helped Hayden by connecting it to one of her passions–music: I asked Hayden, “How do you encourage your 6th grade band students?” Hayden quickly responded, “It’s ok if you don’t get it right the first time. Nobody is perfect and it takes practice to get good at doing stuff.” What an amazing kid! We are proud of you Hayden! Thank you for sharing a few minutes of your busy day! I look forward to hearing your winter concert(s)!
-Matt Cyr, RSU 34 Superintendent
RSU 34 District-Wide Spirit Day:
Please wear pink on Friday, October 27 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness! If you'd like to make a donation on this day, RSU 34 will donate all collected funds to the Lafayette Center in Brewer to support individuals going through cancer treatment.
Last month's district-wide spirit day established a $350 scholarship that will go to a graduating Old Town High School senior entering the field of education.
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/81902396739
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
FEMA and FCC are conducting a Nationwide Emergency Alert 'TEST' on October 4, 2023 @ 2:20p.m. 'TEST' alerts will be sent to all cell phones, radios and televisions. More information can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230803/fema-and-fcc-plan-nationwide-emergency-alert-test-oct-4-2023
RSU 34 September, 2023 Student Spotlight:
If you were to ask any of his teachers, they would tell you that Bryce B. is a kind and courteous student. Bryce, a 5th grade student at OTES, loves to play sports. Baseball is his favorite: “I practice a lot. I think I’ve played 6 or 7 years at centerfield or second base.”
When asked how school was going so far, he said, “Really well. Everything is going well. I like school a lot. Especially math. The new playground is nice too. There is a big climbing tree with 5 seats at the top. You can see all of the field next to the University trail.”
Bryce went on to tell me that he doesn’t ever give up. “I used to take swimming lessons, but they had to stop because of COVID. At first I was scared to get in the water, but I (have since) taught myself how to swim.” Bryce seems to like all sports and is looking forward to basketball season this winter. Here are a few fun facts about Bryce:
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Boucher
Favorite School Lunch: Chicken Nuggets
Favorite Book: ‘The Bad Guys’ by Aaron Blabey
Dream Car: Lamborghini (or as Bryce called it, a “Lambo”)
Saying or Quote: “Believe in yourself!”
Well Bryce, you couldn’t have said it better! You keep believing in yourself—we most definitely believe in YOU!
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/86248261906
How LMS student Kendra learns computer programming, versus how her Assistant Superintendent learned back in the day. Kendra's got it way better, in STEM class with Mrs. Zabierek and the Sphero robots!
All RSU 34 events scheduled for Saturday, September 16, 2023 are cancelled--this includes athletic practices. Games have already been rescheduled. Be safe!
RSU #34 is preparing revisions to its grant applications under the American Rescue Plan / Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. For more information on how to be involved in the process please contact Dr. Jon Doty (contact information at https://www.rsu34.org/staff)
Dear RSU #34 Community,
Thanks for helping us have a great “launch” to the school year! It’s been great to see the smiling faces in the hallways, excited to be back in school despite the hot weather.
Last year we began sharing a profile of a student each month; we are excited to begin sharing the stories of our colleagues! This month we visited with David May, who joined our team as a technician in the IT Department. David very much impressed his colleagues, and this past July began serving RSU #34 as Director of Information Technologies. David was interviewed by our Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Jon Doty.
Q: When you were a kid what did you think you wanted to do when you grew up?
A: I was going to be a professional athlete, playing soccer for Manchester United. All the way through high school I really thought I was going to make it.
My real career path was a little different. In high school I pushed shopping carts, was a lifeguard, and mowed cemetery lawns. After high school I started off doing customer service for credit card companies, then shifted to Verizon Wireless. I changed over to tech support, and then started working at a computer repair shop where I started working more with businesses and device networking. I discovered that I really love computers and solving problems, and it doesn’t feel like work to me. I was ready for a new challenge and I was excited to join the schools’ IT Department.
Q: What do you like about working in RSU #34?
A: I love the people...I love the challenge. Everybody has fun, too. We’re all working hard, and sometimes it can be tough, but at the end of the day it’s all about getting students what they need and we all have fun together. I love coming in to work every day.
Q: How do you recharge your batteries?
A: Usually it’s either an HP 65-watt adapter or USB-C, but….wait….you mean….?
Q: Yep.
A: Playing video games and working out.
Q: At the same time?
Q: What was your favorite book as a kid?
A: The DragonLance series; I still love the fantasy genre!
Q: What was your favorite show / movie as a kid?
A: Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and Return of the Jedi.
Q: What do you like about our community?
A: It’s the people, the sense of community, and events like RiverFest. I grew up in Old Town, and I love how close our community is. Our people are always caring and resilient….tough. We’ve been through a lot together over the years and we keep coming back.
Q: What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
A: I’m a pretty open book! That said, I don’t think most people know I was really into theatre at OTHS - the One Act Play and the Fall Play.
Q: Who was your favorite school teacher and why?
A: Mr. Marty Clark [OTHS Social Studies Teacher] - he really made learning fun! It was cool to start working alongside him before he retired.
Q: Which colleague would you like by your side during a zombie apocalypse?
A: Curtis Robertson. [LMS teacher]
Q: Not me?
A: No.
Q: Wow, zero hesitation on that…OK, I would have guessed you’d go with a certain veteran of the U.S. Army Cavalry, Captain Mike May. OTHS Social Studies teacher? Your brother?
A: Nope. When we were kids he broke a plate and I got blamed for it.
Q: Little did he know that would someday cost him an ally in a zombie apocalypse.
A: I could tell you about all the times I beat him at sports but I won’t.
Q: What’s a small act of kindness you were once shown that you’ll never forget?
A: That’s a tough one - there are a lot of acts of kindness I’ve been shown. People are so kind here and these acts happen every day. It’s hard to pick just one in this district. Wow….I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
Thanks, David, for being part of our team and for your hard work! And thank you to Captain May and our other veterans for your service to our country!
RSU #34 Community, if you’d like to suggest someone for a future staff profile please use this form: https://forms.gle/m9295zfr8xLTzNzRA
Thanks, Jackson and Trenton, for raising the flags at Leonard Middle School this morning. It's the start of a sunny day in RSU #34!
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!
It was a great day for painting stripes on the LMS recess area today - thanks to our friends at Street's for making it happen? Who will be the H.O.R.S.E. champion of LMS this year?
The RSU #34 School Board will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in the LMS Cafeteria beginning at 6:30p.m. https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84103697957
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
All of this math professional development has worn Gus right out, but the LMS math teachers are still going strong!
All of our librarian roles are filled for the upcoming school year, but we ARE still recruiting a few members to join our RSU #34 team! https://www.rsu34.org/page/employment-applications-and-vacancies
You can get started on a career in education in one of several entry-level roles - we support college tuition so you can keep learning and growing, opening up future opportunities!
We just added a grant-funded intervention teaching role as well, and seek an additional Special Education teacher to join our team and help reduce caseloads. Educational Technicians support our students in a variety of ways. We have a couple of coach openings for fall middle school athletics, and we always seek substitutes. Please visit and share our employment page!
https://www.rsu34.org/page/employment-applications-and-vacancies
