MSAD #51 District Newsletter - April 28, 2022

1. Hard-working, all-around fantastic students;
2. Dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring teachers and staff;
3. Committed, consistent, and effective leadership by administrators in setting the conditions for learning;
4. Supportive parents, families, and community members;
5. Consistent, coordinated curriculum planning and professional learning time for teachers and staff (often during Wednesday early release time); and
6. Relentless focus on student learning and instruction, despite two years of pandemic conditions and uncertainty.

5th Graders at GMS 4-5 re-enact the Boston Tea Party as part of their study of the American Revolution.
 

An initial DRAFT Policy ACA: Equity, was first introduced by the Equity Leadership Steering Committee in June 2021. After much discussion, Policy ACA was sent to the district’s legal counsel for review, with recommendations to refine the policy and hold out more specific language for an equity plan. 

In January 2022, the Equity Leadership Steering Committee held a public event with approximately 90 staff, parents, students and community members attending. The policy was discussed and the consensus was that it was ready to be sent back to the Policy Committee to continue their work.  On February 17, the Superintendent shared a copy of the draft policy in the district’s weekly newsletter. The committee received some feedback from the MSAD #51 community at that time. 

Policy ACA: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Education will be presented and discussed at the Policy Committee on Monday, May 2 at 5:00 pm via Google Meet. If you have feedback that you would like to provide to the Policy Committee regarding this proposed policy, you may do so by completing this Google Form or by emailing the Policy Committee’s Board representatives: Ann Maksymowicz (amaksmowics@msad51.org), Mike Williams (mwilliams@msad51.org) and Vanessa Bryant (vbryant@msad51.org).

If the policy is approved at the May 2 meeting, it will be sent to the Board of Directors for their review and possible adoption. Otherwise, the policy will be sent back to the Equity Leadership Steering Committee for additional work.

COVID-19 Information Center

Updates have been made to the district's COVID-19 Information Center.  This page can answer your questions regarding:

• Are you home sick today?
• Have you tested positive for COVID-19 and have no symptoms?
• Have you tested positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms?
• Do I need to test to end isolation after testing positive before returning to school?
• What if I am a close contact/ household contact to someone who tests positive?
• What if my student is sick at school?

UPDATE: Lead Water Testing at all Schools Now Completed

• With the passage of LD 153 (An Act to Strengthen Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water), the Maine Legislature has mandated that all schools in Maine test their drinking water for the presence of lead. The Drinking Water Program has been charged with coordinating the effort, which went into effect October 1, 2021, and must be completed by May 2022.
• Test results for lead in school drinking water are measured in parts-per-billion (ppb). Water fixtures with results over 4ppb are recommended for mitigation/remediation.
• We surpassed the intended law and tested all water fixtures, including fixtures in non-drinking and non-cooking areas.
• Earlier this year, we completed testing at GHS and MIW and the results were previously reported and posted on the district website. We have since remediated any fixtures that contained lead at or above 4ppb at both of those schools.
• We have now completed testing at GMS 4-8, with the following fixtures found to contain lead and requiring remediation: Grade 8 bathroom #2; Room 139 sink with fountain; Room 139 sink #3; Room 139 sink #4 by windows; Room 110 sink; OT/PT room; Room 210 sink.
• We are ensuring all drinking fixtures as listed above receive corrective measures, including full replacement as necessary. Until such time as remediation is completed, these fixtures will be unavailable for student and staff use.
• It is important to stress that our buildings were idle for 3 months back in March-June 2020 and there are likely some effects from this on lead buildup in pipes.
• Click test results to view all test results to date or go to the district's website at www.msad51.org.

Staff Appreciation Week! May 9-13