Public Information and Announcements
Tonight’s Building Committee meeting has been canceled.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March, 29th.
MSAD 54's New Elementary School Gets a Name
The MSAD 54 Board of Directors voted to approve the following name for the new state-funded elementary school in Skowhegan: The Margaret Chase Smith Community School. Although there were numerous suggestions for the name, many of which were connected to the community and our history, the Board chose to support the overwhelming first choice of the public by supporting the name, which represented 72% of the votes cast from 2,333 responses.
The project, which began in 2017 with the application to the state, has been a multi-year collaborative effort with all involved. District voters supported the $75,338,985 project overwhelmingly at referendum in June of last year. Over 94% of the project is funded directly by the state, with 5.9% being funded locally. Thanks to the amazing support of our community local fundraising efforts, which began this past fall, have already raised over $2.3 million dollars toward the project. Anyone wishing to donate can visit the following website: https://www.kvcap.org/building-better-beginnings/
The District anticipates breaking ground on the project this summer with an anticipated building opening in the fall of 2025.
For more details visit our building project page: https://www.msad54.org/building-project
Sickness / Respiratory Illness
As has been reported throughout the state, we have seen a significant increase in sickness. Although we’ve not seen significant cases of Covid-19, we have seen an increase in both respiratory and flu-like illnesses which are concerning. As schools see an increase in sickness for both students and staff, we are reminded that it is important to prevent transmission of viruses/sickness in school.
Name for new elementary school
The MSAD 54 Board of Directors is seeking feedback from our communities including our students, staff, parents, alumni, and residents about the name of the new elementary school that is being built in Skowhegan. Please take a moment to complete the following short online survey: https://forms.gle/G9brwPrh8GxoiTaq6
Early in January, the Board will review community feedback and make a final determination on the name for the new school. We sincerely thank you for your feedback. Should you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to us or review information on the building project page: https://www.msad54.org/building-project
New Elementary School Playground
Below are draft plans for the upper elementary playground at the new elementary school. These plans will be refined over the next few weeks including at meetings with all elementary staff (11/22), the Parent Advisory group (11/29), and the Building Committee (12/7). Anyone interested in attending meetings or giving feedback should reach out.
Lock-in/Lock-out Tuesday, November 15
UPDATE: As of 12:00 p.m., the Maine Analysis and Information Center briefed schools that the threats from earlier today were "a Hoax". For more info visit: http://bit.ly/3UOSfNg. All MSAD 54 Schools transitioned out of "Lock-in/Lock-Out" status early this afternoon and will have a regular dismissal.
Original: Please take a moment to review MSAD 54's decision to proactively move to Lock-in/Lock-out today. We anticipate a standard dismissal process at this time.
FREE COVID-19 Immunization Clinic
RSU 54/MSAD 54 has teamed up with MaineGeneral Medical Center to offer OPTIONAL FREE COVID-19 Immunization Clinics for our students, ages 5 and up, on November 29th. Immunization allows you to protect your child from the COVID-19 virus. It is a family decision to vaccinate against COVID-19. We are helping ensure families have the opportunity to get their children vaccinated by offering these school-based clinics, but will absolutely not pressure any child or family into getting the vaccine. The following will be offered: Pfizer 1st, 2nd, and booster for all students ages 5 and up.