MSAD #51 District Newsletter - November 3, 2025

From the Superintendent

It’s that time of year when we need to start thinking about inclement weather. This informational letter will help all of us be prepared in the event of school building closures and delays due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.

• • Messages will continue to be sent via telephone, email and/or text message.

 

• • Phone calls will be sent from our BrightArrow hotline number, 207-865-8444, as the caller ID. Please add this number to your Contacts. If you call this number back, you will receive an automated message. This helps keep our phone lines free in case of an emergency. You may want to add this phone number to your address book to help you recognize incoming calls.

 

• • Email messages are sent from Notification from MSAD #51 or the name of the school. To ensure that emails from the district and your child’s school make it to your inbox (rather than your spam folder), please add the following email to your contacts/address book, [email protected].

 

• • To receive text messages, staff and families need to opt in. Text messages are sent from either 87569 or 79041. To opt-in, if you haven’t already done so, simply text the word “Yes” to 87569 or 79041. You only need to opt in once for either number and you will be opted in for both. Please note you will not be able to reply to text messages sent from the school.

 

• • For those who are interested, we can provide shelf-stable meals to be sent home with your student. We recommend requesting two days worth of meals in case of a big storm. To request a meal the day before a storm or with any questions, please email [email protected] or call 829-4824.

 

Full-Day Weather Closures

The school calendar allows for the first two (2) weather cancellation days to be traditional in nature. There will be no in-person or remote learning on these days and the day will be made up in June. In addition, there will be no meals available on these two days. Beginning with the third weather day and beyond, it will revert to a Remote Learning Day. The following can be expected:

 

• All school buildings are closed for the day and all on-site school-related events and activities are canceled for the day/afternoon/evening of the closure.

 

• All students will have access to Concurrent Learning activities. Concurrent Learning is when there are live instruction/direction/class meetings for students provided by the teacher for at least part of the school day. Each school will provide more details as needed.

 

• Students are considered to be ‘in attendance’ when they have attended the required concurrent learning activities (instruction, check-ins) offered by the teacher.

 

• Remote Learning days for this purpose will follow the early release schedule for students:

  • Grades 6-12:    7:50 AM-11:35 AM

  • Grades PK-5:   8:50 AM-12:35 PM

 

NOTE: In the event of questionable conditions when a remote learning day cannot occur for whatever reason (power outages, etc), the district reserves the ability to revert to a traditional weather cancellation day if needed after the first two traditional weather days have been used already.

 

Two Hour Delay

If school start times are delayed by 2 hours (120 minutes), simply add two hours to the regular school start times and regular bus pick-up times. Students scheduled for remote learning would follow this same schedule.

 

• Grades 6-12 starts at 9:50 AM and buses would pick students up at the bus stop two hours later than the usual pick-up time.

 

• Grades K-5 starts at 10:50 AM and buses would pick students up at bus stops two hours later than the usual pick up time.

 

• Pre-Kindergarten: AM session will be canceled but PM session will run on time unless otherwise noticed. Pre-K sessions canceled due to delays will not be made up for Pre-K students.

 

• If the need for a 2-hour delay falls on a day that also is scheduled as an Early Release, the entire school day will be canceled instead. For the 1st or 2nd occurrence of the season, the day will be made up at the end of the school year. For the 3rd occurrence and beyond, we will hold a Remote Learning Day.

 

• Note: MSAD #51 does not use 1-hour delays.

 

Unscheduled Early Dismissal

Unless absolutely necessary, MSAD #51 makes attempts to avoid unscheduled early closures after the school day has begun. However, there are occasions when this is necessary due to unforeseen weather conditions, facility failures, power outages, safety concerns, etc. In these instances, notifications would be sent out as soon as it is known that a dismissal is needed. School phone lines will be limited during these times and parents/guardians are asked to call only if it is necessary. Schools will follow emergency closure information that is provided by families for bus drop offs. Please keep this information current with the school.

 

School Cancellation/Delay Notifications

Parents/Guardians and high school students will receive voice, text, and/or email notifications via our BrightArrow message system. BrightArrow uses your contact information in PowerSchool. Please contact your child’s school secretary if any of your contact information needs to be updated.

 

Click for instructions on how to set up your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

Click for more information about how MSAD #51 communicates with parents.

Facebook MSAD #51

Instagram @msad_51

Website at www.msad51.org

Local TV stations 8 (WMTW), 6 (WCSH), 13 (WGME).

NOTE: Radio stations will not be contacted for cancellations.

 

Important Considerations

• Preparation is essential regardless of student age. Clothing that will keep hands, heads, and feet warm and dry is important for all of us.

• Student drivers and their parents should ensure that travel vehicles are in good order and road-worthy for anything that winter conditions may send our way.

• Safety is the focus. Weather and road conditions may require additional parental vigilance and attention as students navigate roadways and wait at bus stops - snow banks and blowing snow or sleet can significantly impact driver visibility. Conditions within both communities can vary and change quickly.

• Regardless of the official determination regarding a delay or cancellation, we respect that parents/guardians will assess travel conditions closest to their home and make their own best decision about their children’s safety.

 

My best for a safe and enjoyable upcoming winter season.

 

Regards,
Jeff Porter

🎃 Friday’s Kindergarten Costume Parade! 👻

Our kindergarteners showed off their festive spirit and school pride during the annual Costume Parade! From superheroes to storybook characters, the track was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of festive fun. 🧙‍♀️🦸‍♂️✨
A big thank-you to our families and staff for helping make this a magical day for our young learners! 💛

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

📣 We Want to Hear From You!

Parents, providers, staff, students, and community members — your voice matters! 💬
Please take a few minutes to complete our Pre-K Special Education Stakeholder Survey.

🗓 Deadline: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
📍 Paper copies are available at the District Office, 357 Tuttle Rd, Cumberland, ME 04021.
🔗 Find the survey at: https://forms.gle/8zc4zrkhPxBGgcZB8 https://edl.io/n2127059

Join the conversation!

MSAD #51 is launching a Strategic Planning Survey to help shape the future of our schools and community. Your input matters — join the conversation and share your ideas, priorities, and hopes for the years ahead. 🌟

🗣️ Take the survey today by scanning the QR code below or find the survey at: https://forms.gle/L81YoNXoDHdkr3LE8
Together, we can build a stronger future for Cumberland and North Yarmouth!

Food Assistance During the Government Shutdown

The Community Food Pantry services Cumberland, North Yarmouth, Pownal, and New Gloucester residents and is located behind Cumberland Town Hall. The Food Pantry is open to customers every other Friday from 3 to 6 pm.
Donations can be dropped off in the shopping carts located in the front entrance of Town Hall. Volunteers are always welcome!

💉 We’re Hiring Substitute School Nurses! 🏫

MSAD #51 is looking for qualified substitute nurses to help support our students’ health and safety when one of our school nurses is unavailable.
If you’re a registered nurse who enjoys working with children and making a difference, we’d love to have you on our team!

Apply at: https://msad51.schoolspring.com/

School Calendar Reminder

Over the years, the school calendar has followed a consistent pattern: if there is a day off during a given week, the Wednesday of that week is a full day; otherwise, Wednesdays are early release days.

This year is a bit different. You will notice that there are two Wednesdays—January 7 and February 25—that are full days, even though they do not follow this usual pattern. Please note that this is not a mistake or a typo.

The bolded outline around the 7th indicates that there is a recognized major religious holiday. Those are listed on the second sheet of the calendar.

 

Stay Connected

Click on the icon above to connect with MSAD #51.
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).

November 6 - Joint Community Meeting

Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)

Committee meetings this week:
November 4- Policy
November 7- Facilities Committee

October School Board Notes:

• This month, important questions came up about projected enrollment in our district and how we estimate future enrollment. Our district has grown consistently for the past 11 years and the new Prek-1 school will help us balance student populations across our district. Stay tuned for more or review the discussion at the 10/09/25 BOD meeting.
• Did you know that there is a dedicated Safety and Security committee in our district? The aim of the committee is to ensure that our district’s employees and students are safe when at school - both from a physical and from a social emotional standpoint. Superintendent Porter gave a comprehensive update of our safety and security program at the 10/23/25 BOD meeting.

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.

November Mental Health Awareness Challenge
Ranger Football Food Drive
Greely Nordic Annual Food & Gift Sale

Useful Links

Employment Opportunities

MSAD #51 Website

Strategic Plan

District Calendar

GHS Athletics Schedule

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.