From the Superintendent
On Sunday, 141 members of the Greely Class of 2026 walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, turn their tassels, and join the 145 years of Greely alumni who preceded them. Though the weather didn't cooperate for an outdoor ceremony, it didn't dampen the energy and spirits of the soon-to-be graduates and their families. The age-old bell that adorns the storied Institute building, which rang at the first Greely commencement back in 1880, echoed through the gym before diplomas were distributed. Sunday's graduation ceremony was preceded by the all-favorite Senior Walk through the schools on Friday and the senior Class Night on Thursday. The Class of 2026 left an indelible mark on GHS and MSAD #51, and we are all better for it. Thank you, a fond farewell, and very best wishes, Class of 2026! Never forget where you came from.
At the other end of the student experience, our Pre-K, kindergarten, and 1st grader staff were on-site at the new Carolyn F. Small School to watch the final beam be lifted by crane into place atop the gymnasium roof. Each student and staff member had signed their name on the beam, to be preserved for posterity, prior to watching it being set. Mrs. Small, to whom the school is named, was on hand for the event and even offered some brief historical background as to the significance of beam ceremonies. Decked out in bright yellow construction hats fit for the occasion, our youngest students watched in awe as the beam was lifted high in the air, its top adorned with an American flag.
With just over a week to go before the 2025-26 school year comes to a close, there are a myriad of celebrations and end-of-year events on the horizon. A reminder to exercise your right to vote today at the polls. The 2026-27 school budget is on the ballot; see below for more information:
Update from the Superintendent, June 1, 2026
Regards,
Jeff Porter
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Remember - it's Election Day!
Make sure to get out and vote today. MSAD #51 Budget page.
Last Day of School
Please note that the last day of school is Thursday, June 18. Early dismissal times will be as follows: Grades K-5 will be dismissed at 12:30 PM; Grades 6-12 will be dismissed at 11:30 AM. As a reminder Wednesday, June 10 is an early release day.
Beam Ceremony
Students from PreK and Kindergarten, along with Grade 1 staff, recently had the exciting opportunity to take part in a special Beam Ceremony at the new Carolyn F. Small School construction site. A Beam Ceremony, also known as a topping ceremony, is a long-standing construction tradition that celebrates the placement of a building’s final structural beam, marking a major milestone in the project. Adding to the excitement, Carolyn Small herself attended the ceremony and greeted students before handing out hard hats to all of the children. Her presence made the event even more meaningful as students celebrated the progress of the school that proudly bears her name.
Before the beam was lifted into place, Mrs. Small shared with students the importance of two special symbols attached to it: a tree and a flag. These symbols have been part of beam ceremony traditions for generations and carry significant meaning. Mrs. Small explained that the evergreen tree represents growth, resilience, and renewal. Builders traditionally place a tree on the final beam as a way of wishing good fortune, safety, and prosperity for the building and everyone who will learn and work within its walls. The tree also serves as a reminder of the natural environment and the importance of creating spaces where future generations can grow and thrive.
Mrs. Small also spoke about the significance of the flag. She explained that it represents pride in the work that has been accomplished and honors the many people who have contributed to the project, from architects and engineers to construction crews and community members. Flying high above the site, the flag marks the successful completion of the building’s structural framework and celebrates the teamwork, dedication, and craftsmanship that have brought the project to this important stage.
Our youngest learners played an important role in the celebration. As construction crews prepared to lift the beam into place, students helped give the signal to the crane operator to begin the lift. They watched with excitement as the beam was carefully raised high above the site, carrying the tree and flag, and guided into its final position.
The ceremony provided students with a memorable, firsthand look at the progress of their future school and allowed them to be part of a historic moment in the building’s construction.
Superintendent's Report
The latest report is available at this link Superintendent Report.
Work Permits
If your child is between the ages of 14 to 16 and is in need of a work permit, please complete this work permit application. Work permit applications can be dropped off at the MSAD #51 District Office (little red building), located at 357 Tuttle Road. If you prefer to email, please send to Fran Prentice ([email protected]). The processing of work permits typically ranges from 1-2 business days. The District Office is open 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday (hours may vary in the summer).
If you have any questions regarding the Maine laws governing employment of minors, please check out the link below for complete details: www.maine.gov/labor/
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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).
June 18- Regular Meeting
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Committee meetings this week:
June 11 - Policy
June 12 - Finance
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.
Races & Farmers Market
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
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