From the Superintendent
And we're off and running! Welcome to the 2025-26 school year and all that it has to offer and promise.
Today marked the first day for students in grades 1-9, with the remaining grades starting intermittently throughout the remainder of the week. It was great to see all of our students returning to campus this morning and ready for the first moments of the new school year.
This newsletter is the district's primary communication with all stakeholders- students, staff, parent/guardians, and community members. Most weeks you can expect to see this newsletter on Monday afternoons unless there is a holiday, in which case it will be sent out on Tuesday. In addition to the newsletter, there are many other ways to stay connected with MSAD 51:
School newsletters and communications
Website: www.msad51.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/msad51
Instagram: msad_51
YouTube: @msad5142
Finally, a reminder that the One Campus construction project is in full swing, which means that there will be times when on-campus delays and road closures are necessary, though we will try our best to keep these interruptions to a minimum. As much as possible, we will communicate changes in the One Campus section below in this newsletter so you have advanced notice. This Friday, for example, is the first such occurrence of anticipated delays during the morning arrival time, as concrete trucks will be moving in and out of the MIW construction site where the new addition is being built. Please expect potential delays of a few minutes if traveling on Campus Drive (road that connects GMS and GHS). Thanks in advance for your patience as we navigate the One Campus project this year.
Have a great first week of the new school year!
Regards,
Jeff Porter 
MIW students had a great first day! Lots of smiles, high fives, and fist bumps! This kiddo came dressed for success today…
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
Welcome Back
Please note the schedule for the rest of this week as we start welcoming students back to school:
Wednesday, September 3: Grade 10-12
Thursday, September 4: Kindergarten
Friday, September 5: PreK
Stopfinder - an all-in-one, easy to use app for viewing & sharing your student’s transportation schedule.
MSAD #51 is excited to introduce Stopfinder, a new parent app designed to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information about your student's bus schedule.
With Stopfinder, you can:
- View your student's daily transportation assignments.
- Securely share your student's schedule with caregivers.
- Receive notifications and updates related to transportation.
- Receive real-time bus location notifications based on GeoAlert regions you create for your student.
Many thanks to the 1,400 participants who have already signed up to use this app.
For more information follow the provided link: https://www.msad51.org/apps/pages/Stopfinder
🛑 Crosswalk Safety: A Quick Reminder 🛑
Whether you’re behind the wheel or on foot, crosswalk safety is everyone’s responsibility.
🚶♀️For pedestrians:
Use marked crosswalks whenever possible. Before stepping out, make sure drivers see you and don’t assume they will stop.
🚘 For drivers:
Slow down near crosswalks and always yield to people crossing. Stay especially alert in school zones, neighborhoods, and busy intersections.
A little extra caution goes a long way in keeping our community safe and preventing an accident which may alter lives forever.
In case you missed it...
Maine teenagers open up about mental health as new school year begins.
📆 Mark your 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).
September 4 - Regular Meeting
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos
One Campus Project Information
For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/
Glen A. Hutchins Field Grand Opening - Save the Date!
Name Our School
At the groundbreaking ceremony this past June, Board Chair Leanne Candura announced the launch of the Name Our School Campaign—an exciting opportunity for the community to help shape the identity of our future school. Scan the barcode below, or follow the link to find out more information. 
https://forms.gle/BajdZnfPaTgcG8rr9
🚧 Traffic Alert – Friday, September 5 🚧
Please expect delays or consider taking an alternate route on Friday, September 5.
A section of Campus Drive (behind MIW heading toward GMS) will be sporadically closed throughout the day due to ongoing construction at MIW.
🔹 A Cumberland PD officer will be on-site to assist with traffic control during these closures.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation!
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
Contact Us | 207.829.4800