Freeport Community Services launched its new Summer Snacks food program on June 28, and the strong community response shows a clear need in the Freeport and Pownal communities, according to FCS. The demand for the student food program comes amid a marked increase in demand at the FCS Food Pantry, alongside a decline in food […]
RSU 5
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Let teachers know how much you appreciate them
In September 1970, my mother held my hand as we ascended the staircase of the primary school in Lincoln for my first day of school. The school was built in the early 1900s and I vividly remember the sound my new Buster Brown shoes made on those old wooden stairs. As I approached my kindergarten […]
advertisement
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, The Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: A look into budget priorities for new year
The RSU 5 board of directors has worked diligently to develop a budget that is focused on the goals of the district and the needs of our students while remaining responsive to the needs of our taxpayers. The board of directors’ proposed operating budget for FY 24 is $39,080,569, which is an overall increase of […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: School budget development underway with opportunities for input
We have much to celebrate as a school community. The schools in RSU 5 have a culture of kindness and respect for individual differences. Our students continue to have high academic performance which supports the achievement of their postsecondary goals. Students in the visual arts receive many awards and accolades for their outstanding accomplishments. Musicians […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: The struggle is real for student mental health
In October of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics collaborated with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association and declared “a national emergency in children’s mental health,” and urged policymakers to take action. AAP President Lee Savio Beers stated, “Young people have endured so much throughout this pandemic and […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Why attendance matters, now more than ever
“School attendance is a powerful predictor of student outcomes. In fact, irregular attendance can be a better predictor of whether students will drop out of school before graduation than test scores.” […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Bus drivers, the ambassadors for our schools
Before the sun rises during the school year in Freeport, Durham and Pownal, members of the RSU 5 Transportation Department are preparing to pick up our most precious cargo, our students, to transport them to school. Our team carefully completes required bus safety checks and ensures engines start, even on the coldest days of the […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Supporting one another through grief
“Supporting a bereaved child involves compassion and commitment through genuinely listening and understanding their experience. It is an intentional process and teaches us so much about the hope and healing that occur when you are heard and have space.” – The National Center for Grieving Children and Families The few past weeks have been extremely […]
Posted inTimes Record
Midcoast school districts struggle with substitute bus driver, teacher shortage
By enlisting substitute teachers, bus drivers, custodians and more to paper over vacancies in permanent positions, school districts have depleted their stock of workers available to fill in on short notice for sick employees.
Posted inForecaster Opinion
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: A new school year brings new beginnings
As a young child, I greeted each September with delight when I saw packages of pencils, notebook paper and other school supplies grace the shelves of the locally owned department store in my hometown. I patiently (or not so patiently!) counted down the days until my mother would take me by the hand to buy […]