Welcome back to the next stretch of the school year, albeit with a remote learning day.
We recognize that in-person learning is always the preferred and most effective approach to education, and that remote learning days can be challenging (and stressful) for students, staff, and parents/guardians alike. As such, we try to use remote learning days only when they are necessary due to weather-related conditions. Below is additional information about remote learning, including why it is part of the district's calendar, that may be helpful:
- Maine law requires that school calendars provide a minimum of 175 instructional days. Most years, the MSAD #51 calendar sets aside 176 days.
- During the pandemic, Maine law changed to allow schools the option of using remote learning days in lieu of adding in-person make-up days at the end of the school year. The vast majority of Maine schools use remote learning days to supplement the calendar so that the school year does not extend into late June.
- Additionally, the state's recent recognition of the June 19 Juneteenth holiday prompted most Maine districts to build in remote learning days so as to not extend the school year beyond this holiday.
- The MSAD #51 district calendar continues to set aside 2-3 days annually that are "traditional" in nature and are added in June as long as they fall before Juneteenth. The 2025-26 calendar only had room for 2 traditional days, given the long December break and starting after Labor Day.
- We already used both traditional days early this winter, which were added to the calendar in June. The last day of school is now Thursday, June 18, and is not expected to change.
- Due to the active winter pattern this season, for the first time in several years we have had to use remote learning days when there are weather-related conditions. The previous several winters were mild enough so that we did not have to activate remote learning days. Given that we are not yet into March, there will likely be additional remote learning days this winter.
- Typically, when there is a forecasted storm, we make every effort to send home school-issued devices for grades PK-8 in advance of the storm. However, due to the February break, devices in most cases were not sent home prior to today's storm. Many thanks to the hundreds of GMS 4-8 families who came out on Sunday evening to pick up devices. It is very much appreciated!
- MSAD #51's Remote Learning Plan includes a mix of virtual classroom instruction and independent work at every grade level. Today, we built in some flexibility based on inconsistent student access to school devices following the break.
- As a reminder, if your child may need meals on remote learning days, please contact food services director Jon Carlson directly at [email protected] in advance of a forecasted storm. The district provides shelf-stable meals for families requesting them.
Before long, spring will be on its way and we can move beyond remote learning for this school year. But, for the immediate future, they are a necessity when the weather does not cooperate. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and flexibility as we navigate this aspect of the school calendar.