From the Superintendent
This is the fourth segment in a mini series around the 2025-26 MSAD 51 strategic priorities. This week we dig in deeper about our most recent school safety initiative: Crisis Alert by Centegix.
MSAD #51 has been strategically committed to continuous improvement with regards to safety for many years. In addition to acknowledging that society in general (and schools within society) has become more susceptible to violent acts, the district's Strategic Plan states: Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach unless schools are safe. Said another way, our mission as an educational institution is diminished when safety is not addressed proactively.
The Safety and Security Committee began researching the idea of purchasing and installing a comprehensive safety alert system within the schools about three years ago, and we are happy that this planning has yielded a robust protocol, Crisis Alert, that went "live" today in all school buildings. A planning team has been working with the vendor since spring to implement Crisis Alert, which encompasses the following protective mechanisms:
- Security badges worn by all staff that can activate calls for both a school-level response and police response with a click of a button. Gone are the days when we relied on radios, phones, or word of mouth to get help in the instance of a serious issue or emergency. All staff members who work in our schools now have the ability to get immediate assistance when needed if safety and security may be compromised in the schools. Badge activation is pinpointed to the exact location to assist school and police responders.
- Administrators and staff can instantly activate school-wide visual and audio alerts much like that of other public buildings like hospitals, airports, etc. This activation is connected to the district's ALICE program.
- Comprehensive, digitized floor plans and safety assets updated in real time and shared with 1st responders in the case of an emergency.
- Digitized visitor management system that assists school staff through a quick process that verifies the identity of visitors and provides a basic background check.
The Centegix Crisis Alert system is one of many layers of existing safety and security protective layers that the schools have in place. To learn more about the district's safety planning, visit our dedicated webpage on this topic: Our dedicated safety webpage.
Did you miss the first two segments of this series? Catch up on past segments:
Summary of Priorities
New State Legislation involving Pre-K
New PK-5 Literacy Curriculum Resource: CKLA
Regards,
Jeff Porter
It's homecoming week at GHS. And you know what that means… students are going all out to show their school spirit!
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Starting Monday!! Don't miss out on this FREE opportunity!
Contact Fran if you are interested: [email protected] or 207-829-4800 x 9
Deadline is two weeks away!
Did you know that anyone can make a name suggestion?
We want to hear from you. What should we name this new school? Enter or submit your suggestions by the end of the month for a chance at your suggestion being brought to the Board of Directors.
Not sure how to submit a suggestion?
Signature Pages
Pick up a signature page at the District Office OR download and print one at home. All you need is 10 signatures from either community or staff members. Once completed, there are three ways to submit -
1. 
Mail your submission to:
MSAD #51
Attn: Melissa Porter
PO Box 6A
Cumberland, ME 04021
2. 
Drop it off in person at:
MSAD #51 District Office
357 Tuttle Road, Cumberland ME 04021
Hours: Mon- Fri; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
3. 
Digital Form Submission (no printing required)
CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to:
Melissa Porter
Phone: 207-829-4800 ext. 1
Email: [email protected]
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR IDEAS!
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Find all the ways MSAD #51 shares information.
MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information
All meetings will take place at 6:00 pm in the Gyger Room at Greely High School. For those of you unfamiliar with that room, the Gyger Room can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).
October 23 - Regular Meeting
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Committee meetings this week:
October 17 - Facilities
Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos
Community Notices
Community Notices are not affiliated with MSAD #51. Please contact the organization directly with any questions. Here is a full listing of Community Notices.
Halloween Day of Fun!
Halloween Movie Night
Useful Links
Greely Center for the Arts Events
If you would like something included in our weekly newsletter, please send a brief write up with title along with a JPEG or PNG image of your flyer (if applicable) to Melissa Porter for approval. The deadline each week is Wednesday. Any requests received after Wednesday will be reviewed for possible submission in the following week's newsletter. All approved submissions will be posted on the district's website.
Not all items in this email are MSAD #51 sponsored programs. If you need more information, please contact the group or organization that is sponsoring the event.
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us | 207.829.4800