(207) 465-7381 Every Student, Every School, Every Day
RSU18 Content

Principal’s Pen: August 31-September 4

Hello Parents and Students:

Tomorrow we kick off the 2020-2021 school year with the Class of 2024. This day is designed to help with the transition to high school. We will start the day with a class meeting outside in the bleachers followed by 6 mini sessions ranging from study habits to test taking. Lunch will be served and then the students will have an opportunity to tour the campus, see where everything is, practice social distancing, and sanitizing their hands. During the last part of the day the students will briefly attend their classes which will give them an opportunity to try the new passing system that is in place. Students will not need anything specific for tomorrow other than their lunch (if they do not eat hot lunch, something to write with, and a water bottle).

Our upperclassmen will arrive on Tuesday and we will share with them in their class meetings all the changes that have taken place. The building is going to look and feel different than it has in the past but I know that they will follow through with what we ask of them.

Here are some significant changes and non-negotiables that are in place:

* Masks must be worn at all times when inside the building. We have built in mask breaks during passing time and students can ask their teachers to step out of the room for a quick break if the need arises. If a student forgets his/her mask we do have extras here in the office and are happy to hand them out. If a student refuses to wear a mask they will be sent home and we will arrange a meeting with the student and their parent to determine if remote learning might be best for the student. There is no room for not complying with this expectation.

* The changing of classes will take place outside of the building. Students will exit the building at the end of each hallway and will re-enter the building either through the main entrance or the entrance down by the athletic office.

* It is very important that students sanitize their hands every time they enter and exit a room, before and after lunch and anytime they leave a space they are assigned to. When washing their hands in the restroom the recommendation is that students lather their hands with soap, wash for 20 seconds, and rinse thoroughly.

* If a student is feeling ill it is recommended that they stay home for the day. They can attend their classes virtually but they must reach out to their teachers to let them know that they would like to do so.

* Lunches will be eaten in classrooms, the bleachers, the cafeteria and the tent that will be in the courtyard. Each area has a capacity limit and it is posted in each of the areas. The courtyard will be able to handle 30 students, the bleachers 50 students, the cafeteria 50 students, and the classrooms have sign up sheets that indicate the capacity for that room. Students will have to sign up to eat in a classroom for a week at a time.

* We are trying to limit the handing out of spare pens and pencils and are asking students to supply their own whenever possible. We are also asking our teachers to send digital copies of assignments to the students to reduce the number of contact times an item may have.

* If we find that the weather is preventing us from changing classes outside we will instruct students to leave their classroom and stay to the right of the hallway. I will be telling them that it would be a good idea to put their arm out in front of them to measure the distance from them to the person in front of them for social distancing. We may also move to dismiss classes one at a time to cut down the congestion if the needs arises.

* We have painted lines on the sidewalks where bus students can wait for their rides in the afternoon. They should stand in a straight line and distance themselves appropriately.

* When students arrive in the morning it is ok for them to wait outside. We have marked seating areas in the bleachers, they can sit in the tent area, on the grass, or stand outside until the bell rings. We have asked that those who are being dropped off not show up until 7:45. I know that this may not work for all of those students whose parents need to get to work and we will of course welcome them to school at anytime. The suggestion is being made so that we can avoid large clusters of students hanging out with their peers until period 1 starts.

* I have learned that the access road is closed to vehicular traffic this coming week due to the work that they are doing on the softball and baseball fields. Hopefully, it will be open after Labor Day. Drop-off and pick-up is out back by athletics.

* If you are a remote student and have not picked up your materials you may do so anytime between 8:00-3:00. If you have trouble accessing your classroom please reach out to your teacher and/or the tech team for assistance.

We know that students and staff will need reminders to follow the guidelines that have been provided to us by the DOE and CDC. If we all work together we can make this work.

Enjoy the week and welcome back to school

Paula

 

Coming Events at Messalonskee High

Upcoming Events

Translate ยป