Falcon Footnotes

January 31, 2025

FMS WEBSITE

Stay Informed, Stay Up to Date

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 7 PTA Dance

February 14 International Night at Morse

February 17-21 NO SCHOOL

February 21 Family Fun Friday at the YMCA

March 14 NO SCHOOL

March 27 1/2 day-Noon Dismissal

March 27 Parent Teacher Conferences

March 281/2 day-Noon Dismissal

April 21-25 NO SCHOOL

2024-2025 RSU1 CALENDAR

MENUS

see what's cookin' for breakfast and lunch

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

We had such a wonderful winter concert last night! The performances were absolutely amazing, and it was clear how much hard work and dedication went into every song. The students looked fantastic and sang beautifully, filling the room with joy and enthusiasm. A big thank you to the teachers, staff, and parents for their support, and to the students for sharing their talents with us. It was a truly special evening that brought the community together. And a special shout out to Ms. Michaud for all of the hard work putting the concert together. It is not easy and requires many behind the scenes hours of work. Looking forward to the next performance!

Please see the letter below from Superintendent, Patrick Manuel, about our partnership with BusRight!

-Ross

Welcome to BusRight!

I am writing to provide an exciting announcement about an initiative that Regional School Unit 1

has been pursuing for several months and is preparing to roll out on January 27, 2025.

As you may have seen in prior communication, we’ve partnered with BusRight to allow you to

keep track of your child’s school bus route to and from school directly from your smartphone.

The BusRight app will allow you to, in real-time, follow your child’s bus route to and from school,

receive notifications when the bus begins and ends its route, view the expected arrival time at your child’s designated bus stop, and receive ad-hoc communications from First Student.

Invitations to our rollout of the app will be sent to your email on Monday, January 27, 2025 from

support@busright.com with the subject “You’re Invited to BusRight”. Your invite will contain a link to create an account with BusRight. Once you create your account, if you find that your child is not assigned to a bus route, please contact First Student at Kimberly.Haskins@firstgroup.com, for assistance.

We’re working closely with the BusRight team to perfect the system. In the meantime, we ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to make improvements. Once launched, if you log in to the system and observe the bus appears to be offline, it does not mean the bus route is not in operation - it is most likely the result of one of the following reasons:

● The bus route has completed its run and is back at the bus lot and not turned on.

● The driver is using a spare vehicle that is not equipped with BusRight's GPS tracking system.

● The GPS Tracking system on the vehicle is not online due to technical issues.

● If the route does not show as an option on your route list, you may not be assigned to the stop

in the BusRight system - you can contact First Student at 207-707-4855.

Questions or issues regarding the use of the BusRight app should be directed to

support@busright.com.

As always, questions about your child's bus stop or route should be directed to First Student at

207-707-4855.

*Please note that Bath Bus Service (West Bath/Georgetown) buses are not equipped with the

BusRight tracking system.

Sincerely,

Patrick Manuel

Superintendent

FMS MUSIC

see what's movin' and groovin' in music class, grade 4 & 5 chorus and grade 5 band

SDF: SPIRIT DAY FRIDAYS

Fisher Mitchell School Spirit Day Fridays

Our next Spirit Day Friday is February 7

The theme is Pick a Decade.

(50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2010’s!) Have a great time remembering the fashions of the era.

Here is the schedule for the entire year.

HERE WE COME AND THERE WE GO

a guide to FMS student arrival and dismissal

BATH ELEMENTARY PTA

One more week until our Valentine’s Day Family dance!

We are still looking for volunteers and donations to help us make this event a success! If you’d like to contribute or be involved, please see opportunities to signup HERE.

Mark your calendars: Our next meeting will be ONLINE on Wednesday, February 12th at 6:30pm.

We will be sharing plans for upcoming events, including The Great Bath Bake Off, and Kids Book Swap! All parents, guardians and teachers are welcome to attend, membership is not required!

Nicole Brassard President

Angela Commeau FMS Vice President

Jenny Byrnes DNS Vice President

Ariel Elwell Treasurer

bathelementarypta@gmail.com

Family Valentine's Day Dance

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Donation items can be dropped off at Bath Middle School between 4:00 to 5:00. Please contact the PTA if you would like to drop off your items to a board member. Thank you!

signupgenius.com

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

It is not too late to join this FREE-FUN-FAMILY program!

Dinner=FREE

Childcare=FREE

Weekly giveaways=FREE

Drawing for a NEW LAPTOP at the end of the 7 sessions=FREE

Tuesdays through March 11

Dinner at 5:45 PM

Programming 6:15-8:15 PM

REGISTER HERE

In this program you will get:

one on one time with your youth
skills to build stronger family connections
strategies for communicating and connecting with your youth
your youth get strategies for resisting peer pressure

This research based program from Iowa State University has been used nationwide and in other countries for over 30 years. This is the first offering of this program in the state of Maine. It is facilitated by local professionals who have been certified in the SFP 10-14 curriculum.

Strengthening families program for parents and youth 10-14 Get the tools, skills and strategies to build stronger families in seven sessions! This is a free program for all that join. Starting January 21st at Fisher Mitchell School Tuesday Nights 5:45 PM to 8:15 PM Register today at www.midcoastyouth.org/strengthening-families/ Free childcare for younger siblings & dinner are provided

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT at MORSE

The Morse High School International Club and local Girl Scouts invite you to the second annual International Night evening of cultural exchange on Friday, February 14th, 2025. Each country represented will have a tabletop display presented by exchange students or girl scouts from local troops. Performances of instrumental music, song and dance, and poetry will take place in the nearby performance auditorium.

Nearly 20 countries will be represented!

This event is free and open to the public.

Date: Friday, February 14th, 2025

Time: 6:00-8:00PM

Location: Morse High School/Bath Tech, 826 Shipbuilder Drive, Bath, ME 04530

INVEST IN ME READS

Greetings Gr. 1-5 families,

We are reaching out to you regarding the Invest in ME Reads financial wellness program, brought to you by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME). Through this program, children and their families receive free books and online resources that help make learning about money simple and fun.

We hope that you enjoy sharing the newest book with your child. You’ll also find fun activities, games, and a reading guide for each book at InvestinMeReads.com.

After you have explored the program, FAME invites you to participate in an online survey to share how this program has helped your family. Families who complete the survey may enter to win a $100 Amazon gift card in the Invest in ME Reads Giveaway. To access the survey, please visit Invest in ME Reads.

The survey deadline is March 31, 2025.

For questions, more resources, or help, please email Mary Dyer, Financial Education Programs Manager at mdyer@FAMEmaine.com.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION

To volunteer or chaperone a field trip at any point this school year you will need to complete your volunteer application at: https://www.rsu1.org/page/volunteer-information.

A new application must be completed for EACH new school year.

It is quick and easy!

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

additional non-school sponsored activities for students and families can be found on the RSU1 website

Family Fun Friday at the Bath Area Family YMCA Friday 2/21/2025 5:30-7pm Free and open to the community

Midcoast CA$H An initiative of United Way of Mid Coast Maine File your taxes for Free! Households earning up to $67,000 annually can likely receive FREE tax preparation by an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer. Scheduling opens January 15! January 30, 2025-April 12, 2025 by appointment only. Locations: Boothbay Town Office, United Way of Mid Coast Maine in Bath, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission in Wiscassett, Harpswell Town Office and the Bowdoinham Fire Department Call 207-295-6340 or 207-751-3756 Email midcoastcash@uwmcm.org Visist www.eznetscheduler.com/Calendar/MidCoastMaineCASH For more information, visit uwmcm.org/midcoastcash Generously sponsored by: Internal Revenue Service/VITA, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, Midcoast Maine Community Action, New Ventures Maine, United Way of Mid Coast Maine, Town of Boothbay, Age-Friendly Bowdoinham, Community Resources Council Boothbay Region, Harpswell Aging at Home, Coastal Enterprises, Inc.

BATH PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT

Check out all they have to offer, and register for fall sports, now! Register on line at http://www.bathrecreation.com/ FMI - contact the Recreation Department at 443-8360.

BE THERE FOR ME SUPPORT RESOURCE

Be there for ME is a judgement-free place to

get connected to support.

FAMILIES CAN!

Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10- 14 REGISTER HERE

"The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14” has made a difference in thousands of families in the U.S. and in over 25 countries. Parents want to protect their children, but it’s challenging. Youth need skills to help them resist the peer pressure that leads to risky behaviors. Research shows that protective parenting improves family relationships and decreases the level of family conflict, contributing to lower levels of substance use."
7 week program. Tuesdays, January 21- March 4 from 5:45- 8:15 PM
This program will be held in-person at Fisher Mitchell School in Bath. Free dinner and free childcare for siblings will be provided.

Nurturing Parenting for Families Affected by Substance Use REGISTER HERE

This parenting enrichment program focuses on the effects of substance use has on the family, parenting style, and the caregiver/child relationship. This program is open to parents, guardians, partners, extended family members, and any other adult who cares for a child. Those adults in a parenting role who are working on recovery are especially encouraged to attend. All are welcome! You will:

Explore, discover, and build on family member’s strengths
Strengthen your connection with your child
Learn new skills and parenting strategies to create a healthy, confident family

14 week program. Thursdays, February 6- May 8 from 6:00-8:00 PM

Participants can take this program either in-person at the Bath Community Recovery Center, 15 Vine St in Bath. Or over zoom. Free dinner from 5:30-6:00 and free childcare will be available for participants attending in-person.

First Five Years REGISTER HERE

This series is designed for parents and caregivers with children from birth to age 5. Learn about parenting styles and roles, ages and stages of development, discipline techniques that work, how to prevent tantrums, building a strong family bond, and much more.

4 week program over zoom. Thursdays, February 6-February 27

from 9:00- 11:00 AM

Circle of Security REGISTER HERE

At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.

Circle of Security will help you:

Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs
Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
Enhance the development of your child’s self esteem
Honor the innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure

8 week program over zoom. Tuesdays, February 18- April 8 from 5:30- 7:30 PM

Families CAN! | Family Support Services

MMCA connects Mainers with Family Support Services that improve health and wellbeing. The Families CAN! Program supports parents, caregivers, and educators in Maine.

midcoastmainecommunityaction.org

Falcon Footnotes

January 31, 2025