RSU 57 Community Newsletter

Dear RSU 57 Community,

One of the great privileges of serving the Massabesic community is the opportunity to witness firsthand the many ways our students shine, academically, athletically, socially, and as compassionate members of a supportive school community. Over the past week, I’ve had the good fortune to experience several moments that perfectly reflect the spirit and values of our district.

At Massabesic High School, the Unified Basketball team, led by Mrs. Fournier, competed with energy, teamwork, and pride against Sanford High School. The game itself was exciting, but what made the evening truly special was the incredible turnout. Family members, classmates, and staff filled the stands, creating an atmosphere of celebration and encouragement. Particularly heartening was the strong presence of student-athletes from our other high school athletic programs, many of whom attended alongside their coaches. Their support spoke volumes about the culture of inclusion, respect, and camaraderie we strive to foster.

Earlier this week, I also had the pleasure of spending time outdoors with Mrs. Eaton and her second-grade class during a snowshoeing experience. Watching our youngest learners explore their environment with curiosity and enthusiasm was a genuine joy. The smiles on their faces and the thoughtful, inquisitive questions they asked left a lasting impression and served as a wonderful reminder of how meaningful learning experiences often happen beyond the classroom walls.

I was equally proud to attend the seventh-grade recognition ceremony at Massabesic Middle School earlier today. The event highlighted not only individual student accomplishments but also the supportive nature of our school community. As students were recognized by Mrs. Grantham, Mrs. Troiano, and the middle school staff, their peers celebrated them with sincere enthusiasm and respect. The kindness, encouragement, and shared pride on display were truly beyond compare.

These moments represent just a few of the many remarkable things happening across our district each day. Our students continue to inspire me with their achievements, their compassion, and their willingness to lift one another up. It is an honor to share these stories, and I remain deeply proud of all that our students, and the adults who support them, are accomplishing together.

Warm regards,

Dr. Stephen D. Marquis

RSU 57 school counselors play a vital role in the heartbeat of our district. From our youngest learners in elementary school to our seniors preparing for graduation, counselors serve as trusted advocates and partners, ensuring every student has the guidance they need to navigate challenges and reach their full potential.

Working collaboratively with families, educators, and administrators, RSU 57 counselors help create safe and inclusive school environments. They act as a bridge between home and school, ensuring that no student walks their path alone.

Thank you to our counselors! We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of RSU 57’s school counseling team. Your impact is felt every day, and we proudly recognize the essential role you play in helping our students grow, thrive, and succeed.

The RSU 57 Transportation Department utilizes the BusRight mobile application to provide families with real-time bus tracking and cancellation alerts. To ensure you don’t miss critical updates regarding your student's route, please review the important details below regarding how notifications currently function.

When a bus route is delayed or cancelled, the district sends a push notification via the BusRight app to your mobile device.

• What to look for: This will appear as a banner or a message on your phone’s lock screen.

• No SMS: Please note that BusRight does not send text messages.

Currently, there is a specific workflow for viewing the details of an alert:

• If you receive a BusRight notification, please check your email inbox immediately.

• Tapping the notification on your phone will not open the full message details within the app. The mobile alert serves only as a prompt to let you know there is a new message waiting for you in your email.

We anticipate that BusRight will release an enhanced mobile app experience in mid-to-late February. This update is expected to include a notifications inbox, giving you the ability to read all messages directly inside the app. Please be sure to keep your app updated to receive these new features as soon as they launch.

If you are not currently using the BusRight app for live tracking and alerts, please contact the Transportation Department at transportation@rsu57.org to request your personalized join link.

Recently, the library at Waterboro Elementary School transformed into a literary "restaurant," inviting students to participate in a fun and engaging Book Tasting. This interactive experience was designed to spark curiosity, encourage student choice, and help young readers explore books across a wide variety of genres.

On the Menu: The library setup was crucial to the experience. Each genre was thoughtfully displayed on its own table, complete with a selection of books for students to browse. To make the experience authentic, students received a "menu" to record their thoughts as they sampled different literary flavors.

The Tasting Process: The students followed a deliberate process to analyze their choices:

• Selection: Choosing a genre table and selecting a specific book.

• Inspection: Examining the front and back covers, inside flaps, font styles, and illustrations.

• Sampling: Reading just a few pages to get a "taste" of the writing style.

• Review: Reflecting on the experience in their menus and noting if the book was one they would want to "devour" in the future.

Developing Lifelong Readers: The excitement in the library was contagious as students discovered new genres and authors they might not have explored otherwise.

Beyond the fun theme, the Book Tasting served an important educational purpose: it promoted reading for enjoyment and helped students develop specific strategies for selecting books that interest them. It was a wonderful way to celebrate literacy and empower students to take ownership of their reading journeys.

Bon appetit!

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Mrs. Eaton’s and Mr. Kellis’s Line Elementary School second grade classes enjoyed a memorable winter nature walk at the Gerry Preserve in Newfield, Maine, located along the Little Ossipee River. Mrs. Calnan's class will go on their hike on Thursday. This wonderful learning opportunity was made possible through the Francis Small Heritage Trust.

Founded in 1990, the Francis Small Heritage Trust is a private, nonprofit land conservation organization that protects land and secures easements for public access and traditional recreational uses such as hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The Trust oversees protected lands throughout northern York and southern Oxford counties.

Through the Trust’s program, Developing a Sense of Place: Introducing Second Graders to Protected Lands in Their Communities, Line School students boarded a bus for a short trip to the Gerry Preserve. Once there, students were guided along the trail by Mr. Peter Zack and Mr. Michial (“Myke”) Russell, who helped students observe and learn about animal tracks, nests, and other signs of winter wildlife. Students explored the preserve wearing snowshoes on loan from another school district associated with the Trust. For many children, this was their first experience using snowshoes.

Mr. Zack has been leading Line School students on this trail for the past thirteen years. Each year, he visits second grade classrooms to share the history of the Gerry Preserve and the mission of the Francis Small Heritage Trust. Students visit the preserve in the fall to observe seasonal changes and return again in the winter, allowing them to compare observations and deepen their understanding of the natural world.

This hands-on experience provided students with a meaningful connection to their local environment and helped foster curiosity, respect, and appreciation for protected lands in their community. Mr Zack shared “The Trust is gratified by the enthusiasm for the program shown by the students, teachers, parents, and administration at Line School.”

We’re excited to share a wonderful opportunity for families this winter! Black Mountain of Maine is offering FREE season passes to all children in 2nd grade and younger.

Families can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by visiting skiblackmountain.org. Once registered, your child will receive a complimentary season pass for the 2025–2026 ski season.

Black Mountain of Maine is located at 39 Glover Road, Rumford, ME, and provides a fun, family-friendly environment for skiers of all levels. This is a great chance for our youngest learners to get outside, stay active, and enjoy the slopes all season long!

Massabesic Adult and Community Education is now accepting registrations for Spring Driver Education. Multiple sessions are available from January through July, offering flexible options for students.

Classes run Mondays–Thursdays, 2:00–4:00 PM at the Massabesic HS East Building.

Register HERE today!