MSAD #51 District Newsletter - May 4, 2023

MSAD51

From the Superintendent

PorterNOTE: This is Part 2 of a five-part series around MSAD #51 communication in order to be as transparent as possible about why, when, and how our district communicates (or does not) around topics of importance to students, parents, and staff. It is my hope that by the end of this series, even if you may not agree with everything I have written, at least you feel there is some measure of clarity about MSAD #51 communications.

Communication Spheres of Influence

There are three major spheres of influence in a school community with regards to communication: Classroom, School, and School Community at Large. 

  • In the Classroom Sphere, where the majority of all communication occurs in a school district, students, their teachers, and their parents/guardians are the immediate stakeholders involved in communications. 

  • The School Sphere (MIW, GMS 4-5, GMS 6-8, and GHS) is another important sphere of influence when it comes to communication, with anything pertaining to an individual school handled by the school itself. These include school-level procedures, events, weekly communications, and responding to issues and concerns raised that are specific to the school and age group at the school.

  • The School Community at Large (MSAD #51) Sphere is where communication about broader policies, procedures, events, and issues/concerns occur. These include Board policies, the district budget, the Strategic Plan and general direction of the schools, and issues and concerns that encompass a broad group of stakeholders that is beyond just one school. 

PREVIOUS: Part 1: WHY Are We Talking About Communication?

UP NEXT: Part 3 "Broad Communication (i.e. Communication with the School Community at Large)"

I would also like to take a moment to thank all MSAD #51 staff members for their dedication, talent, and hard work. This is national School Staff Appreciation Week and our entire faculty and staff deserve our utmost thanks for all they do for students day in and day out. The past year has continued to have its share of challenges, whether overcrowded conditions and staffing shortages, amongst others, but these have not detracted from our staff's determination to provide all students with the best educational programming possible. Each of our 430 regular staff members, along with 100 more seasonal and temporary staff, are the backbone of MSAD #51 schools and its mission to educate all students for their future. Please join me in recognizing our incredible staff!

Regards,
Jeff Porter

guitar competition winner
The teen winner if the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame 2023 High School Student Guitar Competition is GHS student Maddie Yates of North Yarmouth, a junior at the high school. Maddie placed first in the 2023 statewide contest open to Maine high school teens.

Notices from the Office of the Superintendent

Our Libraries Need Your Help!

Each of our libraries here at MSAD #51 are looking for volunteers to help out with various tasks (shelving books, photocopying, checking in books, etc). If you are interested in helping out please fill out a volunteer application: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/volunteer.  If you have any questions about the process, please contact Tricia Small at the central office at [email protected].

If you are interested in finding out the specific needs of each of the libraries please contact:
Heather Perkinson (Greely High School): [email protected]
Dorothy Hall-Riddle (Greely Middle School): [email protected]org
Maureen Driscoll (Mabel I. Wilson): [email protected]

Stay Connected

Subscribe to our District's weekly newsletter by clicking here.
Like us on Facebook at MSAD #51
Find us Instagram @msad_51
YouTube Channel MSAD #51

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).

May 18 - District Budget Meeting

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

Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas& Minutes
Board ofDirectors Meeting Videos

 

Budget Information 2023-24

Detailed budget information can be found on the District's website at: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/budget

Important Dates



Community Partners

Our Community Partners are strong supporters of various areas of the school.  Without them, our students would not have many of the wonderful opportunities and experiences that they receive.

Help us Fill A Bus, Fill A Belly from May 15-20!

The Greely PTO invites you to help feed local families in need as we attempt to fill a MSAD 51 school bus with non-perishable (non expired!) food items for the Cumberland Food pantry. Drop off food at the bus (or any school entrance) in the GMS lot from Monday, May 15 - Friday, May 19. Then please join us to help UNLOAD & CELEBRATE at the Cumberland Food Pantry on Saturday, May 20 for a family-friendly event from 7:00 - 8:00 AM. MIW and GMS students have a chance at winning a raffle each time they drop off food at the bus. See the flyer or click here for more details. Thank you in advance for your support! 



Order Your Class-Of Tee-Shirt in Time for Graduation!

The Greely PTO is selling "Class-Of" Shirts again!  Choose the graduation year and order a fun gift for both young and graduating students!  Also included are some grandparent T's. Place your order HERE for delivery before graduation.  All proceeds go to MSAD #51 enrichment programs. Shop is open now until May 7! 



Community Notices

Community Notices are not affiliated with MSAD #51.  Please contact the organization directly with any questions.  For a full listing of Community Notices, please click HERE.

Fall Football Registration
2023 Spring Plant Sale
GHS IB 3rd Quarter Update

Useful Links

Employment Opportunities

MSAD #51 Website

2018-2023 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 Sunday. Any requests received after Sunday 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.

Maine SchoolAdministrative District #51
357 Tuttle Road, PO Box 6A, Cumberland, ME 04021
Contact Us   |   207.829.4800